Smoke over Whitby — The Sandsend Bogey

The coast lies quiet beneath a sky heavy with cloud. Small waves slide up the beach with the ebbing tide. It is early yet; the crowds have not arrived. But beyond the headland the scene darkens. A wall of orange-stained smoke rises from the moor, its glow outlining Whitby and the Abbey. The fire on Fylingdales had flared again in the night, driven on by the southwesterly wind¹ BBC News, Yorkshire. Mine staff evacuated as moor fire continues. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1mp1gld02ro

The day’s walk was meant to run along the coast from Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar. Instead, the smoke on the A171 at Hawsker made the decision for us, and we found ourselves at Sandsend.

That detour allows for another story: the Sandsend Bogey. This ghostly figure was said to live in a cupboard in the cottage of one Mr Snowden. It would join the fishermen when they put to sea, sitting silently in the bows. Its presence was a promise of a rich catch, and so it was welcomed. Yet in time it grew bolder, and it turned its attention to the village children. Fear spread quickly, and the people of Sandsend called upon the priest of Lythe. He came with bell, book, and candle, and drove the Bogey out. From that day it troubled them no more²P. Shaw Jeffrey. Whitby Lore & Legend. Chapter XV. Page 171. 1923..

• 1
  BBC News, Yorkshire. Mine staff evacuated as moor fire continues. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1mp1gld02ro
• 2
  P. Shaw Jeffrey. Whitby Lore & Legend. Chapter XV. Page 171. 1923.