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About usHistory of the Manor Farm Oast House WitchesDuring our time in the business many of our guests have asked us what the significance of the witches which are dotted around the house and of course, on the cowls. This is our best attempt at an explanation.In 1996 we bought the Oast with the sole purpose of running a B&B The original conversion had white UPVC windows and added a conservatory, when we came to buy the Oast we were told to everyone's surprise (including the estate agent) that the house was Grade II listed and that the windows must be replaced. Whilst we were deliberating, the National Heritage representatives came along and made a decision for us. They de-listed us. When we first moved in we were told by some of the village gossips that when the Oast was in total disrepair the local White Witches used the shell as a meeting place, or coven. On hearing this we totally disregarded the gossip and stored the information somewhere in the nether regions of our minds. When we heard we were de-listed we were not upset as the first thing we did was to organise a specialist cowl maker who would take down the wooden cowls and replace them with fibre glass ones.
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Tradition has it that the vanes on the cowl should reflect the occupation of the heritage of the owners, as Syd is Manx, we thought a Legs of Man would be appropriate, but on reflection, we thought it could have been offensive to our German visitors, so we looked through the book of ready made suggestions. There was a witch on a broomstick with a cat! it was like kismet, as if it was meant to be, and the village gossip came back to us. We elected to use the witches as an aide memoir for all those who stay with us. Over the years we have collected a variety of witches and broomsticks and have been presented with ones from family and guests. "Wonderful stay - you made us feel
so at home. Loved every minute - will be back." - The Davidson's,
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