Clitheroe has been chosen as the permanent site of an important new sculpture which will recall the days of the Lancaster trials of the Pendle Witches.

In particular it concerns the story of a lad called James Device who had a rather special dog called Dandy, described in accounts at the time as being a “familiar” – a supernatural entity or spiritual guardian who would assist witches in their practice of magic.

The mysterious story of James Device, who many believe was held in Clitheroe Castle till he joined family members and others on the 50-mile walk over the Bowland Fells to trial, has long been part of Pendle folklore.

And in the New Year his big black dog Dandy will be going back to Clitheroe in the shape of an elegant and striking sculpture by internationally renowned Marjan Wouda of Darwen.

Her work has travelled the world and three of her steel animal sculptures are currently installed at Wyresdale Country Park in the heart of the Bowland Fells – including, in its temporary home, Dandy!

Lancashire Telegraph: Dandy the Dog

Says Marjan: “I have been fascinated with the story of the Lancashire Witches ever since I moved to Lancashire from the Netherlands over 20 years ago. I am really looking forwards to seeing him prowling Clitheroe town centre.

“He belongs here in view of Pendle Hill; it is where his story resonates most strongly “

Local folk will have the opportunity today to meet up with him from lunchtime when the Dandy Sculpture Group take over the Platform Gallery near the station to explain all about this exciting project.

The display will feature a pop-up maquette of Dandy, rather smaller than the finished work of black steel which is two metres high. Marjan will be on hand to chat to shoppers and discuss her work and especially this project. There will be drawing and art stations where children can draw Dandy the Dog and colour their work.

The pop-up exhibition is only the first in a series of activities showcasing the project and kick-starting the Crowd Funding scheme needed to bring Dandy to Clitheroe. Readers can find more information at www.spacehive.com/clitheroestory

Booths’ Supermarket, who have generously offered to install Dandy on their land close to their store, are a major funder, along with Clitheroe Town Council, Clitheroe Chamber of Commerce and Trade, solicitor John Houldsworth, Anderton Bosonnet Estate Agents and Hargreaves Contracting.

The project group hope that this month other businesses, institutions and local people will support this unique venture, attracting further funding support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund and giving Clitheroe town centre a memorable public artwork of its own.

Marjan says: “We are all born storytellers; through story we make sense of the world, and we connect with one-another. Lancashire inspires me with its wonderful landscapes and story-lore characters. It’s a great place to work.”

The others were Anne Whittle, Ann Redfearn, Elizabeth Device, Alice Nutter, Alizon Device, Katherine Hewitt, Jane Bulcock, John Bulcock and Isobel Robey. One other was found not guilty.