A DALES visitor attraction is bringing an historic witch to life for Halloween.
Kilnsey Park Estate will be celebrating Old Nan – real name Nancy Winter – who lived at Kilnsey in the early 1700s and was famous for her fortune-telling.
"It’s amazing that we used to have a real life witch in the village," said estate owner Jamie Roberts. "For Halloween we will be recreating Nan’s grotto with all the tricks of the trade she actually used to tell people’s fortunes – a divining rod, a pack of cards and a real guinea pig!"
Nan lived in part of the Old Hall in Kilnsey and it is recorded that people came from miles around to hear her prophecies. As well as fortune-telling she also had a stall at Skipton market where she sold medicinal herbs.
In 1904 local historian Edmund Bogg wrote: "Kilnsey Nan was the last survivor of a long race of fortune-tellers and witches, who have gradually disappeared before the march of civilisation."
"It’s very lucky that Nan was mentioned in a couple of old books, otherwise she might have been forgotten altogether,’ said Mr Roberts. "We’re trawling through other historic records to see if we can find out more about her life."
Halloween week will run Saturday to Friday and will also include a pumpkin trail, spooky alpaca walks and kids crafts.
To find out more, visit kilnseypark.co.uk
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