It’s market day for witchy folk

8:17am Wednesday 10th October 2007

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WITCHES will be topping up their stocks of wands and other little essentials at the Pickled Witch Market in the Corn Exchange this month.

Organiser Chris Walsh said the event followed a successful witch market in Dorchester a year ago.

"It's a bit of fun - we want people to come along and enjoy it.

"There will be stalls selling things like crystals and books and wands and others doing tarot readings, tattoo and massage."

The market is being held on October 27 and the day features appearances by speakers and musicians associated with the pagan movement.

And Weymouth author Kit Berry will be there signing her third novel, Solstice at Stonewylde.

The market will be followed by a Witch Ball in the evening.

Chris said: "It's a good excuse to dress up. The Corn Exchange is a good venue for the ball, very atmospheric especially with low lighting and candles."

The market and ball are attracting interest from far and wide - people from Lancashire, Kent and London have been booking into B&Bs to make a weekend of it in Dorchester.

Chris, of the Dolmen Grove druids, said the event marked Sahmain - popularly known as Hallowe'en - but was more for fun than the faith aspect. He said: "People enjoyed the market and ball so much last year that we decided to do it again - and we've already booked for next year."

Special guests at the market include Rigantona, a husband and wife duo who perform old songs on authentic instruments, mysteries expert Peter Knight, workshops on music and mead-making and storytelling by Welsh bard Andy Harrop-Smith.

Well-known pagan entertainers Heelstone, Damh the Bard and The Dolmen will perform at the ball.

Contact Chris on 07918 143682 for tickets. The market is from 10am to 5pm and the ball ends at the witching hour, of course.