More Tales of the Ridings

In the mist‑shrouded Pennines, an ancient woodland spirit known as Melsh Dick watches over the newborn life of the forest—birds, foxes, saplings and the elusive hazel‑nuts that children once chased. The narrator journeys to Bowland Forest, where an elderly woodman, Owd Dont, shares a tale handed down through generations, painting a vivid picture of the region’s deep‑rooted myths and the uneasy shift from a kindly fairy to a more spiteful guardian. As the old man’s story unfolds, a group of boys venture into the woods to collect nuts, only to encounter a strange, moss‑clad figure whose presence hints at the lingering power of the unseen.

The encounter is recounted in the distinctive dialect of the dales, lending the legend an earthy, immediate feel that pulls listeners into the very glade where the tale was born. Through the rhythmic cadence of the storyteller’s voice, listeners sense the tension between the timeless reverence for nature and the modern encroachments that have stirred its ancient protectors. This first act sets the stage for a haunting exploration of folklore, childhood daring, and the lingering echo of a forest that still remembers its own guardians.