The Fairies Of Janet's Foss

By Josie Whitehead (www.whiteheadm.co.uk)

Janet’s Foss, Malham, North Yorkshire (http://www.malhamdale.org.uk/janets_foss.htm)

Foss is the old Norse word for waterfall or force and Janet (or Jennet) was believed to be the queen of the

local fairies who lives behind the fall in a cave. It is said that wild garlic drives away the forces of evil.

I’ll take you to a fairy glade

  Within a wooded place,

 Here, where a waterfall cascades,

  You may see a fairy face.

 They dwell within an enchanted glen,

   Surrounded by green trees.

With mossy rocks and water clear,

  And the lightest, sweetest breeze.

Please promise that you’ll make no sound –

  Step carefully as you go,

There’s limestone rocks and tiny caves,

  Where the limpid water flows.

Wild garlic grows within these woods -

  Listen! Fairy voices call.

The Queen of Fairies, Janet, lives

   In the cave behind the fall.

Sunshine strikes through leafy trees.

   See, there on mossy rocks,

The tiny creatures play and bathe

   In peace at Janet’s Foss

Copyright 2006