THE love triangle between Alphin, Alderman and Rimmon has gone down in Saddleworth legend.
But what about the mysterious boggarts, possibly demons, maybe elves, perhaps even ghosts, who roamed the villages, frightening adults and children alike?
According to British Supernatural author, Simon Young, Saddleworth was a hotbed of boggart activity in the 1800s.
He even has a map to show the locations where these feared creatures lived including Thrasher of Slack, Will of Delph and Cheetham I’ the Chew.
But Simon reckons more of these characters stalked the underworld and wants help from Independent readers updating his boggart census.
“I’ve had a really disappointing response from Saddleworth so far,” he admitted.
“It is not that there are not memories of boggarts. Just that so far I’ve failed to reach the people who remember.
“Having written on Saddleworth I know the quality of the memories there.
“Lots of people wrote about the boggarts in the 19th Century but practically no one bothered in the 20th Century.
“I am looking for people born between 1920 and 1970 who grew up with boggarts and who can fill the gap.
“Perhaps they were entertained with stories by a gran, told the boggart would get them by an irate parent or just heard the word ‘boggart’ tossed out jokily in banter.
“I have heard of boggarts of about every shape and form imaginable.
“What has impressed me most is how every community, in some cases, every family, seemed to have their own version of what a boggart is.”
“I am worried that this will be the last chance to write these precious memories down.
“Boggarts have appeared in the Harry Potter and the Spiderwick Chronicles. But these have nothing to do with the traditional boggart.
“In fact, the boggart census may be the last chance to reclaim the English boggart before its memory is obliterated by fantasy carpet baggers.”
So, can you help Simon? Either eemail your memories to trevor@localcommunications.co.uk or directly to Burnley-born Simon at simonyoungfl@gmail.com
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