As we said before the Devil quite likes visiting Herefordshire and appearing just when you least expect it. You really do need to keep your wits about you.
In Kington at Stanner Rocks he supposedly stands and surveys Herefordshire, keeping a beady eye on those who are up to no good. In Colwall it is said that the devil appears at the megalithic stone as the full moon shines down on the village, his talons grasping and turning the stone before he disappears as quick as he came. In Dorstone he appears every midnight at Halloween dressed as a monk and walks the churchyard. Making his way to the church, climbing into the pulpit and preaching an evil sermon to the souls buried outside whose sins in life marked them down for Hell. It is rare that he is seen but when he is it strikes fear into the poor souls that have happened upon him.
On the outskirts of the village of Shobdon there is a tumulus which is known locally as the ‘Devil’s Shovelful’ or the ‘Cobbler’s Mound’. There is a reason for this as you’re about to find out. Shobdon was once inhabited by a very happy, god fearing population. They were a pious people who were extremely proud of their church. Their enthusiasm for godly behaviour and their very beautiful church had drawn the attention of the Devil himself and he vowed to destroy it all. And so he set out for Shobdon but not before he had loaded his shovel with a mound of earth which he intended to dump on top of the church and village.
It was early morning and the local cobbler of Shobdon was busy going about his business heading in the direction of Kington when he ran into the Devil along the road. Rooted to the spot with fear he dropped his sack of shoes and prepared for the worst. The Devil looked him right in the eyes and asked, “Is this Shobdon?” In an instant the cobbler fearing for his fellow villagers responded, “No, I’m actually looking for the same place myself. In fact I have worn out all of these shoes searching for Shobdon. It’s definitely not in that direction, you’d better turn back.” The Devil irritated at this response, dropped the shovel of earth where he stood and returned back up the road away from the village, muttering and cursing to himself.
Before long the story about the cobbler’s meeting with the Devil spread throughout the village. People were fearful that the Devil might not give up on his quest and would someday return. So it is told that they took it upon themselves to destroy their lovely church leaving only the arches as a reminder that it once existed. It is said they lived a life of wickedness from that day forward. It looks like the Devil got his way in the end.
So remember to stay sharp as you travel the roads of Herefordshire, you never quite know who you might just bump into.
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