Roll over to preview

Summer 2023 sees the Chap taking its first look at the folklore of Britain, delving into the heart of ancient Albion via Green Men, pagan priests and folk horror films. Our starting point is of course The Wicker Man, which celebrates 50 years since its release in 1973, as well as other key films in the folk horror genre. An encounter with hedge priest Peter Owen-Jones looks at the relationship between the Christian church and more ancient English belief systems, while a journey north meets a man who is covered in flowers and thorns every year as part of a Scottish folkloric tradition. We also pay a visit to the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, Cornwall. A feature about Cryptozoology sheds light on the mythical origins of The Mugwump, The Ozark Howler and The Mongolian Death Worm. The third Grand Flaneur Walk, the dandies’ version of a folkloric procession, is celebrated in a series of photographs, while we also visit Eastbourne with Ruby Demure to road test some of Geoff Stocker’s ladies’ headscarves, in anticipation of a pocket square collaboration the silk maestro and this publication. Our main interview is with Scottish actor James Cosmo, who reveals his fondness for fly-fishing, whisky and Robert Burns, while the legend that was Vivian Stanshall is recalled in a moving tribute by Andrew Roberts. Another musical legend, Slim Gaillard, is fondly remembered by his one-time collaborator Chris Sullivan. All this plus the Straw Boater, the Wit of Cricket, royal automobiles, Wolseley Police Cars, Drinking Folklore and new word game for chaps League of the Lexicon.