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Having done extensive historical research about Canewdon I would strongly advise you to check all the sources for any published tales of witchcraft and the like about the village to see exactly who they were and what they or their close family were employed as in the village. It is my opinion that all these tales were just made up by those with a vested interest in attracting people to spend money in the village or purchase their publications and have no basis in fact whatsoever. The earliest reference to this in Canewdon dates from 1923 in a small book that contains various tales from around Essex and is full of many factual errors.

One well know and often quoted author has had material published under at least two names. You will find that his detailed accounts of witchcraft in Canewdon change with each new publication and yet some later published texts then change back again to include the content, and in most cases exact text, of his earlier articles!

To be honest this subject is a complete pain. Canewdon has a fascinating and very interesting factual history and yet many visitors just ask me about the witches! Then there is the problems we have had with vandalism and antisocial behaviour around the church and church yard especially on 31st October when there has to be a strong police presence in the village each year to prevent it. (The church yard is private land and is locked every night.)