@hookland.bsky.social
Phoenix Guide to Strange England: #Hookland. Run by David Southwell
#Hauntology Re-wilding #Folklore #FolkHorror #Psychogeography #LandscapePunk Re-enchantment Is Resistance
#Hauntology Re-wilding #Folklore #FolkHorror #Psychogeography #LandscapePunk Re-enchantment Is Resistance
Those broken-limbed, time-disfigured sentinels above us observe in slow judgement. We rush and flicker in their stare. We see their breaking and they see ours. Sometimes I hold my ear to their walls in hope of hearing whispered memories, unhurried stories. – #CLNolan
December 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Those broken-limbed, time-disfigured sentinels above us observe in slow judgement. We rush and flicker in their stare. We see their breaking and they see ours. Sometimes I hold my ear to their walls in hope of hearing whispered memories, unhurried stories. – #CLNolan
December 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I hate Christmas, not least because all manner of foolish folk send me cards with robins on them. Hateful birds. Don't they know robins are a death omen? Who in their right minds sends you one of them through the post? The Royal Mail ought to make it illegal. – Shirley Deyne #VOH
December 30, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I hate Christmas, not least because all manner of foolish folk send me cards with robins on them. Hateful birds. Don't they know robins are a death omen? Who in their right minds sends you one of them through the post? The Royal Mail ought to make it illegal. – Shirley Deyne #VOH
Goodnight from Roy Bartlett, troubled by seeing men in rubber suits and breathing apparatus poking around the Alwyne Lane lay-by. Goodnight from Rosalind Dare, desperately trying to remember the correct spell to refuse someone with Corpse Glamour. Goodnight from Hookland.
December 29, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Goodnight from Roy Bartlett, troubled by seeing men in rubber suits and breathing apparatus poking around the Alwyne Lane lay-by. Goodnight from Rosalind Dare, desperately trying to remember the correct spell to refuse someone with Corpse Glamour. Goodnight from Hookland.
People round here all know the folklore of the Hagthorn Wall. You might first hear it in the playground, but later you’ll come across it again in pubs and the like. Not everyone believes it, but everyone treats the hedge with caution. You’d be mad to want to attract a witching. - Carole Gray #VOH
December 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
People round here all know the folklore of the Hagthorn Wall. You might first hear it in the playground, but later you’ll come across it again in pubs and the like. Not everyone believes it, but everyone treats the hedge with caution. You’d be mad to want to attract a witching. - Carole Gray #VOH
There are some properties we pass by and know without entering, that they are haunt homes. We understand this not from perception of grandness nor length of history, but a radiating sense of disquiet. Inside can only be a territory of glimpse and whispers. – #CJosiffe #Ghosts
December 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Yes. A Mire Maid thing will be written in 2026.
2026 will bring more Dunsany, at least one project with @hookland.bsky.social , something with @adamhorovitz.bsky.social , @taliskimberley.bsky.social , continuing work for @badhandbooks.bsky.social and some very large life changes. I move forward into the life i dreamed of in my youth.
December 29, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Yes. A Mire Maid thing will be written in 2026.
Goodnight from The Bottled Imp tavern, where a pale ale fuelled punch-up has broken out on whether white horse of summer or grey mare of winter is the best Bone Horse. Goodnight from Rex Hill, wondering why his shadow has grown wings on the walk home. Goodnight from Hookland.
December 28, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Goodnight from The Bottled Imp tavern, where a pale ale fuelled punch-up has broken out on whether white horse of summer or grey mare of winter is the best Bone Horse. Goodnight from Rex Hill, wondering why his shadow has grown wings on the walk home. Goodnight from Hookland.
Walking into a field with erected stones – whether menhir, circle or portal tomb – is to cross into a territory of wonder. Archaeologist, ley-hunter, stone botherer or pagan pilgrim, we all feel a sense of marvel rippling across our psychic skin. – Dr. K. Brophy #StandingStoneSunday
December 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Walking into a field with erected stones – whether menhir, circle or portal tomb – is to cross into a territory of wonder. Archaeologist, ley-hunter, stone botherer or pagan pilgrim, we all feel a sense of marvel rippling across our psychic skin. – Dr. K. Brophy #StandingStoneSunday
Goodnight from Ian Peak, wondering if The Bombsite Dogs was the best band to book for a pub haunted by Blitz traumatised spirits in desperate need of a stiffener. Goodnight from Nora Knight, travelling to Sea Raven Rock to make offerings to quell the coming storm. Goodnight from Hookland.
December 27, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Goodnight from Ian Peak, wondering if The Bombsite Dogs was the best band to book for a pub haunted by Blitz traumatised spirits in desperate need of a stiffener. Goodnight from Nora Knight, travelling to Sea Raven Rock to make offerings to quell the coming storm. Goodnight from Hookland.
Reposted
'The Lost Owl', a pub frequented by ex-Pylon People when mooring nearby 🌿
December 27, 2025 at 7:11 PM
'The Lost Owl', a pub frequented by ex-Pylon People when mooring nearby 🌿
When The Hum fell silent, many ex-Pylon People took to living on houseboats on the county's canals. No longer marching under their temporary transmission tower temples, they remained somewhat nomadic, often mooring close to a pylon's reflection. – S.P. Gill, 'Ragged Walkers Revisted', 1982
December 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
When The Hum fell silent, many ex-Pylon People took to living on houseboats on the county's canals. No longer marching under their temporary transmission tower temples, they remained somewhat nomadic, often mooring close to a pylon's reflection. – S.P. Gill, 'Ragged Walkers Revisted', 1982
We wander winter afternoons where the light is too weak to keep the ghosts at bay. Stumble onto paths that can only be haunted. Each footstep scuffs up stories, scuffs up spirits. We walk and leave a wake of whispers. – #DAKilroy, 1982
December 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
We wander winter afternoons where the light is too weak to keep the ghosts at bay. Stumble onto paths that can only be haunted. Each footstep scuffs up stories, scuffs up spirits. We walk and leave a wake of whispers. – #DAKilroy, 1982
On December 27th, walking with a sharper care is common. For the Boxing Day Bounds have been beaten. We all know where our borders are and what lies across them. We feel their threshold spirits as a dream-thrum, as insistent itch of warning when approaching them. – #CLNolan
December 27, 2025 at 10:36 AM
On December 27th, walking with a sharper care is common. For the Boxing Day Bounds have been beaten. We all know where our borders are and what lies across them. We feel their threshold spirits as a dream-thrum, as insistent itch of warning when approaching them. – #CLNolan
When Hooklanders talk about the county being haunted by an ‘Iron Witch’, you have a moment of confusion. Do they mean Margaret Thatcher or do they mean some other malevolent entity that is withering the land and stealing hope? – Dr. Michael Benn, 1981
December 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
When Hooklanders talk about the county being haunted by an ‘Iron Witch’, you have a moment of confusion. Do they mean Margaret Thatcher or do they mean some other malevolent entity that is withering the land and stealing hope? – Dr. Michael Benn, 1981
Goodnight from Sue Bedwell, regretting taking the kids to The Babes In The Wood panto at The Mercury Theatre as its given them Master of Moss nightmares. Goodnight from Jo Hargate, gone to bed early to avoid the Boxing Day party getting to the séance stage. Goodnight from Hookland.
December 26, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Goodnight from Sue Bedwell, regretting taking the kids to The Babes In The Wood panto at The Mercury Theatre as its given them Master of Moss nightmares. Goodnight from Jo Hargate, gone to bed early to avoid the Boxing Day party getting to the séance stage. Goodnight from Hookland.
As a child I wondered a lot about the gates in the boneyard wall at St. Wulfram's. Who used them? Were they for the people in the houses behind the wall to visit relaitves or were they for the dead. I could never quite rid myself they were for the convenience of the latter. – Sarah Buckler #VOH
December 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
As a child I wondered a lot about the gates in the boneyard wall at St. Wulfram's. Who used them? Were they for the people in the houses behind the wall to visit relaitves or were they for the dead. I could never quite rid myself they were for the convenience of the latter. – Sarah Buckler #VOH
There are two venerated, much feared trees on the edge of Barwell Common. Known as Whip Scar and Tangle Knife, they are home to particularly quarrelsome Wood Sprites. To pass between them has a fearsome terror tithe and even if it's paid, you are still likely to hear them spitting curses.
December 26, 2025 at 10:31 AM
There are two venerated, much feared trees on the edge of Barwell Common. Known as Whip Scar and Tangle Knife, they are home to particularly quarrelsome Wood Sprites. To pass between them has a fearsome terror tithe and even if it's paid, you are still likely to hear them spitting curses.
Goodnight from Connie Bunning, writing out a new list of who to curse after spending several hours too many with her extended family. Goodnight from Steph Wade, still pondering the meaning of getting the Woodwose’s Staff silver charm in the plum pudding. Goodnight from Hookland.
December 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Goodnight from Connie Bunning, writing out a new list of who to curse after spending several hours too many with her extended family. Goodnight from Steph Wade, still pondering the meaning of getting the Woodwose’s Staff silver charm in the plum pudding. Goodnight from Hookland.
Day 25 of #HooklandChristmasTree. Maybe you had too much apple brandy last night, maybe you've been flustered cooking/resolving family fights, but the last decoration goes on at lunch. A silver Starfall Common Falling Star with a trail of squishing star rot. Blessings to you all.
December 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Day 25 of #HooklandChristmasTree. Maybe you had too much apple brandy last night, maybe you've been flustered cooking/resolving family fights, but the last decoration goes on at lunch. A silver Starfall Common Falling Star with a trail of squishing star rot. Blessings to you all.
Christmas is hard for many. The years roll, the ghosts at the table increase. We’re haunted by the absence of voices, of laughter engines who drank and ate with us. This can be day of remembrance rituals. For what it’s worth, Hooklanders near and far are in my candles today. Be gentle on yourselves.
December 25, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Christmas is hard for many. The years roll, the ghosts at the table increase. We’re haunted by the absence of voices, of laughter engines who drank and ate with us. This can be day of remembrance rituals. For what it’s worth, Hooklanders near and far are in my candles today. Be gentle on yourselves.
Goodnight from Mary Judd, taking the bees a ritual slice of cake as she keeps her manners and tells them all her news. Goodnight from Evie Hobbs, desperately trying to stay awake till the hour on Christmas Eve when animals are said to be gifted the power of speech. Goodnight from Hookland.
December 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Goodnight from Mary Judd, taking the bees a ritual slice of cake as she keeps her manners and tells them all her news. Goodnight from Evie Hobbs, desperately trying to stay awake till the hour on Christmas Eve when animals are said to be gifted the power of speech. Goodnight from Hookland.
Day 24 of #HooklandChristmasTree decoration. We place miniature ceramic bee hive on the tree. Time to tell the sleeping bees all our news, tell them of the year. All its joyful arrivals, all its harrowings and sad exits. We sing them the land and ask for honeyed blessings.
December 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Day 24 of #HooklandChristmasTree decoration. We place miniature ceramic bee hive on the tree. Time to tell the sleeping bees all our news, tell them of the year. All its joyful arrivals, all its harrowings and sad exits. We sing them the land and ask for honeyed blessings.
Later, we shall walk the same path through the boneyard to midnight mass. It shall be more ghost-crowded then, for in death many seem to remember the ritual of life and walk beside us. Each year adds to the roll of phantoms. – #CLNolan in a letter to #ArthurMachen, 1929
December 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Later, we shall walk the same path through the boneyard to midnight mass. It shall be more ghost-crowded then, for in death many seem to remember the ritual of life and walk beside us. Each year adds to the roll of phantoms. – #CLNolan in a letter to #ArthurMachen, 1929
All sorts of weird folklore gets rolled out on Christmas Eve. Animals speak, house hobs demand apple brandy. It's the one night when the winged dogs that climb and perch in churches can change positions. Magics and strangeness always seems thick today. – Nancy Appleyard #VOH
December 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
All sorts of weird folklore gets rolled out on Christmas Eve. Animals speak, house hobs demand apple brandy. It's the one night when the winged dogs that climb and perch in churches can change positions. Magics and strangeness always seems thick today. – Nancy Appleyard #VOH