THE PAVILLION OF THE GREENMAN: Throughout the English counties of Dorset, Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall there are numerous regional variations on the greenman myth, appearing in the form of rhymes, stories, carved ornamentation in churches, public houses, and street names. In the spring of 1937, the Royal Excavation Corps’ “Greenman Expedition” set out to gather and record as much of this information as possible, with the intention of building a small “meditation chamber lined with greenman of all description”. Working with those old enough to remember country folklore, Tyler McWeeks photographed Ian Brockman and Bindon MacRupert in many different greenman costumes while villagers yelled and hooted their advice, often getting in vociferous arguments and scuffles over the accuracy of various details. By autumn the expedition had gathered a vast array of photographic plates and local legends.
The Pavillion of the Greenman was discovered seven years ago in the attic of 38 Silver Street, Wiveliscombe, the site of the R.E.C.’s Somersetshire Headquarters in the 1930’s. It has received extensive restoration, but remains fairly true to the original.
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