A killer wolf once stalked the quiet Northumberland village of Allendale, and its fiery legend still burns today, writes GAYLE FIDLER
Allendale is a rural, picturesque village near the market town of Hexham in Northumberland.
The area has a long mining history, which began to decline by the end of the 19th century. It is now a popular tourist destination, with Hexham often described as a gateway to Hadrian’s Wall.
There are many opportunities for walking and exploring the landscape. Allendale has a rich cultural heritage and is well known for its annual tradition of the Tar Bar’l.
On New Year’s Eve, just before midnight, local men parade around the village carrying burning barrels of tar on their heads, before throwing them onto a huge bonfire in the centre of the village.
Allendale is surrounded by vast areas of moorland. The scenery is spectacular, littered with the remnants of a bygone era.
Ruined mine workings and derelict homesteads scatter the landscape.
A visitor to the village during the annual folk festival will be in for an unusual sight: the burning of the Allendale wolf.
Every year, people flock to the marketplace to watch the burning of a huge wooden wolf effigy at the Allen Valleys Folk Festival.
The Wolf of Allendale frightened villagers
The reason behind this is not just local legend. During the winter of 1904, the people of Allendale were living in fear.
Reports began to circulate that a ferocious wolf was roaming the landscape, killing livestock around the village and surrounding area.
Wolves have long since been extinct in the wild in England. Whilst the actual date of extinction is not known, legend claims that the last wolf was killed at Humphrey Head in Cumbria in the 14th century, although this has never been proven.
Allendale farmers were forced to post guards and house their sheep at night. People were terrified.
The wolf was allegedly seen by many eyewitnesses and up to 40 sheep were mutilated and killed.
On one occasion, it was claimed that the wolf had been spotted behind a local school. Howls were heard at night and lanterns left lit for safety.
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