A pair of firedrake dragons, top secret black military aircraft, JFK’s brother, frequent UFO sightings (including a dramatic close encounter on a former RAF airfield), crop circles, alien big cats, witchcraft, spectral black dogs, a pub haunted by two ghosts, the discovery of a strange tunnel...Winkleigh in north Devon is an intriguingly Fortean place!
The ancient north Devon village of Winkleigh lies between the rivers Taw and Torridge, just 15 miles or so to the southeast of the CFZ HQ at Woolsery. Some 550 feet above sea-level, it commands magnificent views across the rolling countryside towards Dartmoor. Its isolated location meant it once boasted no fewer than 50 shops and the expanses of adjacent high moorland attracted the attention of the RAF, who built and operated an airfield here during WW2.
A line of ancient barrows suggest that the area was inhabited in Mesolithic or Neolithic times; a castle mound to the west of the village called Croft Castle may well have been built on one of theses ancient barrows. There is also evidence of a later Bronze Age settlement on this strategic site and in common with the area it has experienced a rich history of noble families, civil war, plague and the like. [1]
Perhaps the prehistoric barrows are a clue as to why the village and surrounding area is a comparative hotbed of Fortean activity, both past and present. Later on we will look at one of the most fascinating, and as yet unexplained UFO encounters to have come out of north Devon (or indeed the southwest of England). However, this being the CFZ Bloggo, it is only right that we start with winged, fire-breathing serpents!
Legend tells us that two 17th century writers recorded that during the previous century a pair of firedrake dragons inhabited the woods around Winkleigh. [2] Unfortunately, that is pretty much where the story ends, much to the frustration of researchers and the curious alike. I was therefore pleased to discover that the dragons are still familiar to the inhabitants of the village itself and that a few more details were forthcoming.
In his book Strictly Come Winkleigh writer and broadcaster David Freeman talks of these dragons inhabiting the woods of Burrowcleve, Heywood and Winkleigh Wood, all now part of the Forestry Commission’s Eggesford Forest. They apparently leave tell-tale signs of where they have slept, in the form of flat circles in the long grasses to the sides of the tracks. Interestingly, it is said that in these areas no birds sing and that these grass circles are still observed by ramblers to this very day.
David Freeman goes on to inform us that:
"The last dragon seen near Winkleigh is reported to be about the size of a human & ‘had a hiss which could be heard for miles around!’” [3]
Nearby at Eggesford, in Heywood, lies Cadbury Hill, an earthwork motte and bailey castle that is the remnants of a Norman fortress. A scheduled ancient monument and one of the reputed lairs of the firedrakes; rumours persist of dragons, witchcraft rituals and mysterious lights in the skies at night. [4]
Now, I am still working my way through the CFZ back catalogue, and so forgive me if this material has already appeared elsewhere. However, with a synchronicity involving dragons and the surname Freeman (i. e. the CFZ’s own Richard Freeman) and evidence to suggest that at least some aspects of this phenomenon persist to the present day; it certainly has my Fortean senses tingling!
To be continued….
[1] 'Strictly come Winkleigh' Written & adapted by David Freeman From the Television Series Secret Britain http://www.jackiefreemanphotography.com/
[2] http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/
[3] 'Strictly come Winkleigh' Written & adapted by David Freeman From the Television Series Secret Britain http://www.jackiefreemanphotography.com/
[4] Ibid
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