Uncovering the little town associated with devil worshippers

Derbyshire, UK:  Don’t be fooled by the quaint antique shops. Regard the cosy tearooms with a suspicious eye. It may look like a picture postcard of rural England, but Bolsover in Derbyshire hides a dark secret.

In a town with a population of 75,866, no less than 17 said they were Satanists on the most recent census. That is the highest concentration of declared devil worshippers anywhere in Britain.

And it’s not the first time this area has been linked with the Devil. Twelve years ago there were fears of sinister forces at work in Derbyshire after a spate of attacks on horses.

And the huge chasm of Eldon Hole, one of the wonders of the Peak District, is said to be a bottomless refuge for Old Nick himself.

So what is it about this sleepy town nestled in glorious countryside that attracts links with Lucifer?

Armed with my Catholic upbringing, the family Bible, a crucifix and a bottle of Holy Water, I’m here to find out.

According to experts in the occult, there are several ways to identify a Devil worshipper. They come and go at odd hours, especially late at night or just before dawn. They never attend church or celebrate religious holidays, and they often have no visible means of support, yet somehow live well.

They may carry strange bags and bundles and never reveal the contents. They rarely laugh and tend to dress warmly even in hot weather.

As it is near freezing today that last clue may not help. But I search the woodland beneath Bolsover Castle for any suspicious activity. With snow on the ground and the castle closed for winter there’s not so much as a patch of flattened grass to arouse suspicion. So I take my cloak and crucifix and head into town.

Bernard Haigh, secretary of Bolsover Civic Society, finds the idea of his home town being a hotbed of devil worship somewhat hilarious.

“It must be a joke,” he says. “I think people might have put that on the census form out of frustration with the Government or for a laugh.”

So what about those horses? In 2008, one was found with eight litres of blood drained from its stomach while others had their tails removed and their manes plaited with intricate patterns of barbed wire. It’s not exactly your average teenage vandalism.

“Well the horses in the field behind my house are fine,” offers Bernard, rather off the point. “And they are ordinary horses, not devil horses.”

Derbyshire MP, Dennis Skinner, the so-called beast of Bolsover, has his own explanation for the census. He believes devil worship is a front for an activity he considers far more evil. Voting Conservative.

The veteran left-winger grins: “I can only assume the few local Tories claimed they were Satanists because it’s less embarrassing than admitting they are Tories.”

Touché. Yet despite the devilish myths this hunt is proving rather fruitless...almost like there really is something to hide.

Derbyshire Police insist they are not plagued with 666-related 999 calls. And lunchtime drinkers in The Cavendish pub are staying mum. Colin Platts, 70, does recall sightings of an owl which “some people thought was a ghost”. But where can these 17 people be hiding?