Front page of the 27 November 2017 print edition of The English Reporter. Digitized for public record.

HALT THE MATCHES! SENTIENT FOG DEMANDS A TRY!

By The English Reporter - (“The Methven Mole” Investigation’s Section)

NOVEMBER 25TH AT METHVEN HOLLOW AND BURVINGTON PREPARATORY BOYS SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE BROUGHT WITH IT, WHAT ANY OTHER DAY at these two established places would bring - no promise of certainty.

Nor an assurance of normality.

This was absurdly proven at around 17:38, just under an hour after the famed match between the Burlie Knights and Warnington Warriors began and was abruptly cut short by an uninvited (and perhaps for that very reason,) rampant third player - the legendary Methven Fog.

And it has yet to let up.

Following just a WEEK after another slew of even more disturbing happenings occurred at once again both Methven and Burvington, which you can read about in separate articles here (which the timing of our suspicions and the brutal real-time coincidental corroboration is BEYOND us) AND here (said coincidental corroboration), is quite concerning and has us considering (though silently and against our naturally- logical inclinations) less logical ideations.

This worries us here at The English Reporter greatly, but a spade is nothing but if not a spade.

THE FACTS - AND EVEN LESS THAN THAT.

The English Reporter wishes we could give you more than the angle of truth, eye witnesses (including our own) and official reports can give us, to you - but that is simply not what we or any other reputable source elsewhere can give you. We can only give you this :

• The match began at around 17:00 pm.

• And by 17:38 the match was called to an official close due to an unforeseen descent of Methven Fog.

• And by 17:50 the entire pitch, stands and surroundings areas were utterly consumed whole by the Fog.

To leave matters more frustratingly confusing - no one knows what caused this uncanny bout of Fog/Mist during the match. All we are certain of is the madness that came thereafter.

Chaos ensued as the crowd stampeded through the pitch to get out. It was a night of chaos ambulance lights, flashing phone lights and enough confounding statements and transcripts from scrambling folk to last The English Reporter a lifetime.

Here are just a few of the ones we can make sense of within our collation :

“A dinnae have time for silly inspectors an snoopin half- professional sleuths whan A have A bunch o rowdy - hey! hey git back here wi the ball! the game’s ower! an why’s the knicht keelin ower like thon? w- move away!”

-Coach Auley Clarke of the Rugby team, Burvington.

“Our research team have always been at the forefront of every misty discovery that Methven Hollow has to offer, though this sudden bout of Mist is rather vexing, I know a scientific explanation is mere hours away.”

Resident Head Methvenologist - Dr. Grimble

“ I think something’s off with the- What? The Mist? Oh I haven’t a clue of how it happened, but it just did! One minute I’m serving up our legendry Eve’s Mead Meals out to fellow French Fund and Middle Millionaire and- and my English Money friends and all and the next- BOOM! The m- Well… maybe BAM! Or- or WHOOSH! To be honest, I haven’t the foggiest idea of what the Mist sounds like?! HEY! HEY PADDY! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE FOG SOUN- And he’s gone… tall git. Anyway… I don’t know what the Fog sounded like but man, it arrived and loudly. Hopefully it’ll pass though, I need the roads leading to my bistro to be visible, speaking of… STOP ON BY TO “EMM-”

-Local café and bistro business owner - Emmery.

“I, SEMI under the guidance of Mr. Grimble do take his educated and scholarly opinion into account, regarding the sudden Misty descent and I hope you transcribe my words with respect - The Mist has primarily never yielded to any manmade convention, that is perhaps the only certain fact we have ascertained from our years and years of studying it. I say this as a scientist first and so, I hope Mr. Grimble is right and I am only mere hours away with being disproven of my notion, I would not be the least bit upset. The Mist has a way of even the most brilliant minds to seek a duller answer.”

Resident Methvian Geologist - Dr. Hattler.

“ It was like the fog had hands or something! Lo sentí, te juro que sentí como si tuviera unos dedos en las piernas. I was like “ something touched me, I know I wasn’t crazy when I felt something touch me! “

(I felt it, I swear I felt like fingers on my legs.)

-Unnamed Preparatory Student.

“Don’t look at me. It wasn’t me, this time. “

-Burlie student - L. Bedfield-

“That’s surprising, given your obscene pro-

Wait! you guys heard that? Where’s [censored]”

-Burlie student -P. Nisim -

“I don’t know what we have done, but I plead the Bog’s anger be swift across the town and have mercy on us. We Quagmires offered surplus benedictions to it this year and doubt its… ire is towards our particular family. But with the Bog, one can never know and may only plead for mercy and forgiveness. “

-Methven denizen - Marcus Quagmire.

And there were many more, many less than positive about the chances of the Mist’s departure.

They would be proven correct.

FOG CROWNED KING.

Though the match was not rescheduled, the undisputed champion is clear : The Mist.

Now two days in upon this issue’s release, on what the locals all “The Fogout”, we can confirm that it has not let up at all. In fact, it has instead done two things :

1. Swallowed up the town, forest and Boglands entirely

2. Has formed and spread into the notoriously noted “Methven Mist” solely known to occur only in the month of March.

Except it is neither March and all this occurred before 7 O’clock, which here in Methven Hollow is the unofficially official time in which most if not all establishments, businesses, schools and whatnot close shop. Usually 6pm sharp.

Right now it is looking that the unofficial time will become an official mandate as talks from the Town Council, Police Force and even the Heritage and Culture sectors of the national government look to endorse a curfew until the Mist clears back to its normal pattern - that was days ago and we are none the wiser as to when or if that will even happen.

With businesses and schools given a week of closure with that length of days open to be changed if relief is not met, the town grows understandably restless and concerned of the potential capital loss. It is also important to note that talks of travel restrictions are also being discussed , which adds to restlessness.

Even more so is the fact that :

We are still uncertain of what caused this uncanny bout of Fog/Mist during the match. And neither is anyone outside of Methven Hollow.

It is at this time that the very obscured history of the Fog comes back into discussion at full strength. You can check out our Fog history section article from our Festival of the Bog guide for what we know, here. (Beware, it’s not much.)

But we can say for sure, through decades and decades of scientific and spiritual studies that the nebulous Fog/ Mist has not been proven toxic or dangerous for human life.

What worries us is simply that, for whatever reason - it remains.

It is no surprise that the #mistymethevn , #fogout #mistout and other Methvian iterations have utterly taken the internet sleuthing spheres by storm, with such tags rapidly trending across the wide web for days with no sign of the fire dwindling.

We here at Methven Hollow, burn with you.

A CONCLUSION, MOST UNSATISFACTORY.

That evening of the 25th still is a mystery to us as more and more information returns to us in streams and drips from various sources. TER is doing its best to sort through them to ensure you get what you deserve - the truth.

No matter how confusing, unsure and even downright unbelievable it may reveal to be.

Because as we look back at out volume season this year, seeing all the headlines and news that has come from Burvington and Methven alone - it’s jarring that these places keep on coming up again and again but in unsightly and concerning ways.

It’s getting harder and harder to deny the very unlawful speculation of their connection, daily.

We are so tired. Why is something happening in these places again and again?

TER and just about every meteorologist, council head, teacher, child, worried parent across the nation and co are all asking the same damn thing :

What the hell is going on in Methven Hollow?

And who will answer us? Why them, if anyone at all?

Because it seems to me as though there is something else to know.

How long are we to sit in the unbridled curiosity that grows more and more unmanageable within us each day?

Because we at The English Reporter do not see this going on - this, tying of hands and quivering lips to a silent, sealed line.

And what is it going to take for someone to turn the damn light through this spreading mist?

We have a tool, the most audacious second only to Hope :

Curious Gall.

The English Reporter, will be here when the next piece breaks.

Please stay insatiable with us, in the waiting.

Digitised for Public Record

-The Methven Mole Investigations Desk

The English Reporter

27 November 2017

Front page of the 1 November 2017 print edition of The English Reporter. Digitized for public record.

DEATH TAKES A SEAT AT BURVINGTON THEATRE.

By The English Reporter - “The Methven Mole” Investigation’s Section)

WE TOLD YOU WE WOULD GO THERE. Or even just hinted at where we intend to go. We said it in our introduction that :

What we did not anticipate for however, was the slightly easier access to questioning and dangerous probing. Or how quickly the said comfort would be ripped away.

When words such as “darkly dazzling”, were used to describe the scene of loss, it was almost too easy for our metaphorical investigative ears and eyes to widen at such strange and inappropriate choice of wording- especially for a such a dark time as this. But we (respectfully) take any and all opportunities, no matter how unfortunate, to speak and probe, especially where others may turn their gaze.

So probe we shall.

But first, before the “dazzling”, we must investigate the dark.

The Facts, as We Have Been Told.

On Saturday 28th of October, at approximately 13:36, the body of an unnamed Burlie student was discovered hanging in the Grand Theatrical Auditorium. He was discovered by fellow students of the theatre sector. Police were at once alerted. According to the official police report - attempts to save life were futile - the boy had been dead long before the officers arrived.

More information since then has come in slow, painful ebbs. Hours into the investigation, the Surrey Coroner’s Office released an official statement:

“A post‑mortem examination has been carried out. The evidence after police sweep of the scene overwhelmingly support the provisional cause of death is to be suicide, by hanging . The Coroner will not comment further until all investigative avenues have been exhausted.”

- Lyle Maxwell. Senior Coroner.

Other, darker details have slowly swept through the works amidst the strict and formal admissions of the Kent- Surrey’s official joint Police Office :

“Kent Police can confirm the death of the male youth at Burvington Theatre. Officers are conducting routine enquiries. The death has been referred to the Coroner in accordance with standard procedure.”

-Faye Hernandez. Junior Officer.

Perhaps the darkest detail discovered comes from unofficial sources. Such that allege the fact that the deceased left behind a final note.

An official statement or confirmation from the revered Headmaster of Burvington- Headmaster Arthur Wentworth- regarding the validity of the note still remains to be given. In fact any statement remains to be issued.

Though it goes without saying - the reputation of kindness and compassion over the Burlie Boys has been countlessly proven over the years and so we - at The English Reporter - imagine how difficult a time as this would make it for such to speak on matters. And so, to the grieving parents and Headmaster , we offer our deepest condolences.

Condolences and curiosities because condolences do not erase curiosity.

THE “DAZZLING “ DETAIL.

Forgive us, for literary whiplash - but the confounding “dazzling” comment demands reporting.

Unofficial accounts claim that that the tool the deceased used, was not the boy’s own.

An unofficial statement made by multiple colluding students of that group all concur that the tool used was quote:

“designer, now drenched into uselessness.”

Police have confirmed that multiple props and elements from the environment have been taken into custody for examination.

But why does this matter?

We understand your concerns. We are primarily truth seekers. We do not run with the first rumour nor do we foam at the mouths for hearsay, unofficial and anything uncertain - We hear you.

And yet - whether the designer weapon information is true or not, this still brings us back to the crux of this investigation:

Designer and Blood.

Overwhelm and decadence

Perilous examinations and brotherhood

Life -and now Death.

Strange pairings seem to be a staple of the Burvington , England’s greatest and most infamous boys preparatory school. They have always come part and parcel with the elusive reputation that follows the institution.

We do not make light of the very real and tragic loss of life. That is not up for speculation or curiosity. We trust the officials are doing the best they can and we will not obstruct their work.

Unless, of course, it is assumed that we could.

That our probing, our narrowed gazes and raised brows - suspicions- are not just child’s play. But perhaps they are the noticing of a pattern that brings forth some unease, Burvington’s way.

For example:

The search continues for two recently admitted, still‑unnamed, still‑unseen students of the same establishment.

Again- the choice to leave life is a closed gate.

But missing life, is still an open case.

Death and Disappearances , all not too long after one another?

At some point (hopefully not when the missing numbers grow unavoidable,) one must start asking themselves plainly -

What on Earth is going on at Burvington?

We’ll be the first to let you know -

and we believe, there is something within, worth knowing.

Always.

Digitised for Public Record

-The Methven Mole Investigations Desk

The English Reporter

1 November 2017

Front page of the 20 November 2017 print edition of The English Reporter. Digitized for public record.

FESTIVAL OF THE BOG ENDS IN SUSPECTED MURDER.

(By The English Reporter - “The Methven Mole” Investigation’s Section)

NO ONE COULD HAVE PREDICTED THE TURN OF EVENTS THE NIGHT - OF THE 17TH NOVEMBER 2017- WOULD TAKE.

The Festival of The Bog, Methven Hollow’s prime event started and continued on as it had always done, like all the others for years.

Thousands upon thousands flocked to the town,

the streets were packed

and as always, even Minister Rupert Chadley - Minister of Heritage and Culture of England- showed up to commemorate the event himself.

The Bog’s Beloved took to the peat and preformed their ceremonial dance as always

and of course, Fog descended upon the town as it always had. As we assured you in the previous article it would go , as we quote ourselves

“ the Festival is actually quite tame and relatively uneventful.”

Except- it was not uneventful.

Not at all.

The English Reporter must now note the following series of exceptionally austere events in the order that took place just mere days ago, with as fragmented and scattered information as the minds of all those who were there to witness them.

We warn you, there is no bout of the theatrical reporting that The English Reporter normally procures, within this article. It would do no good and change nothing.

THE BOG, ITS FOG AND THEIR BELOVED.

At around 18:00 Minister of Heritage and Culture - Mr. Rupert Chadley, descended with his fleet of cars towards the entrance of the Bog to deliver a speech with historical and cultural pride. It was then, at around 18:40 that the audience started to chant verse 67 of the town’s infamous never-ending “Ballad of Burvington” as they - and we alongside them, have always done.

It was at 18:42 that upon completion of the verse that the group known as the “Bog’s Beloved began their traditional dance at the site to honour the Bog and all her exploits of keeping the town alive too long. (If you’d like more information on the famed infamous “Bog’s Beloved” group, check out the prior article here. read here )

And at around 18:48 it was noted that the Bog began to respond - with its infamously questionable gesture of procuring fog.

It was swiftly noted of just how much more it procured- an “obscene amount” by a fellow butcher’s clerk noting to us with deep concern just days after the events.

Even Minister Chadley announced his astonishment, saying that “ "That’s more Fog than we have seen in over a decade!” during the event.

The glaucous fog continued to seep and spread as it always does, as it supposedly shows positive signs of taking to the townsfolk’s prayers to it quite well. (Yes prayers, because that is the whole point of the Festival : to pray to apparently, a somewhat sentient Bog. Again, more information is available to you from the prior article here.)

THE DISTURBED CHILDREN.

And it was reported that at 18:59 two children were spotted running from out of the notoriously wayward forest known as the Methven Maze.

What we know and can definitively disclose on is that the children are a pair of siblings from the same family - of which the parents called for a missing alert before they were found. They ran straight towards the forming crowd with rather startling, dirtied and unkempt dispositions.

Even more startling than from whence they came and how they looked was the ominous series of same and highly eloquent statements the children ( no older than supposedly 7) uttered in succession. Lines such as :

• “Turn away from your wickedness!”

• “Please! You have forgotten the reason! The celebration’s true origin!”

• “Are you not uneasy? Do the lies of the present, born from the deception of the past not sit wrong in your spirits? Do you have none even left to stir?”

• “Turn away and remember, know the truth and remember!”

• “Remember! Remember!

  And perhaps most frightening of all, the one reiterated second most often :

• “We are not alone!”

• “Daddy. We were not alone in there.”

  “What? who took-

  “We are not alone.”

• “We are all wrong and we are not alone.”

• “We are not alone!”

And the most uttered, marked by the agreed upon by the audience present and our own ears as well - was not even in English :

• “Remember! Remember! Abiit tempus, revertetur, non!”

• “Abiit tempus, revertetur, non!”
  

• “Abiit tempus, revertetur, non!”

• “Abiit tempus, revertetur, non! Remember the fallen for they mustn’t rise again, it is not th-

The children were taken away for inspection before their final words could be fully uttered.

The town’s festivities were dulled for a moment before both the minster Chadley and mayor Buttle reinspired the town’s joviality. The festival resumed and bloomed soon after.

Although we The English Reporter struggled to get back into the swing of things as the children’s final sentiments remained tight in the air.

“Abiit tempus, revertetur, non!”

- which loosely translates to :

“The time is gone, it will return, I will not.”

That saying is two things: Latin and Burvington.

Yes that school and another two things : steel-tight and the perfect, bloody segue.

THE WRITING ON THE WALL.

After the aforementioned events it was assumed that the night would resume it usual “relatively uneventful” pace- it is natural for it to have gone so, as all the Festivals eras ago. But November 17th 2017 proved to be far from satisfied with the events.

1 more laid before us and it to this day, eclipsed the entire Bog’s Beloved, running children and surplus fog.

At 20:20 the first rushed calls were reported to come from the same place, until the calls became a “ barrage of noise, the police departments simply could not efficiently attend to. “ - Rollis , Deputy Head.

The calls, majorly made by “Burlie Boys” detailed varying angles of the same horrific issue : the gates of Burvington preparatory Boys School of Excellence had been wickedly defaced with a most menacing and incriminating message in red.

It is also confirmed by oncoming toxicology reports , that the message in red has trace elements of blood within it. Whose, is yet unconfirmed.

The message read :

ATLAS MATTHEWS WAS indeed SLAUGHTERED BUT NOT BY SELF.

ASK THE OTHERS.

THEY WOULD KNOW.

- A

We are now able to legally confirm that the article regarding a suicide at Burvington we released weeks ago and the named victim on the bloody wall are the same Burlie.

This, changes things.

This changes everything.

Every tiny, very little piece of information we have been fed in innocuous and drab drippings melt away into insignificant he-said she-said under the light of this bloody revelation.

From assumed and investigated self-slaughter to now, supposed manslaughter? Of only 1 boy?

or every other unnamed “Burlie Boy” bar 2 . That must now be called to question.

As of the 20th November, just three days after the startling events of the Festival, both Surrey and Kent have formed a joint police investigative team.

And with a joint statement, admitted to doing so in order to tackle the new wave of pressure to call the “vanishing acts of Burvington Preparatory Boys school “ what they could now potentially have always been : murders.

This has thrown us all into a most pernicious and unrelenting flush of confusion and horror - the same can be said for Headmaster Wentworth of Burvington school who gave an understandably brief statement into the early hours of the next day 18th :

“I assure you that while the whereabouts of some Burlies do unfortunately remain unknown and we continue to exhaust every possible resource of our powerful arsenal to safely locate the young men, I hold no belief that such incriminating defacement upon the school gates holds any truth. I and this great establishment’s staff are more than willing to be questioned by law enforcement, no matter how gruelling, to prove that fact. Should the fact be proven false and there is some semblance of truth by the defacement, we assure total compliance with the proper authorities to bring justice. Please, bear with me during this startling time as I prioritise the mental fortitude of the Burlies. Thank you and God bless.”

-Arthur Wentworth, Headmaster of Burvington Prep School.

The English Reporter finds it too early to probe and make judgements of Mr. Wentworth’s statement at this very time.

But that, as always remains as in flux as the day.

THE AFTERMATH.

These past 3 days have been nothing short of horrific for the entire town, Burvington School and all of England as well, as we have on d again been reduced to waiting ducks, in hopes of any more light being shed into an increasingly dark situation.

The English Reporter, will be here when the next piece breaks.

Please stay insatiable with us, in the waiting.

Digitised for Public Record

-The Methven Mole Investigations Desk

The English Reporter

20

November 2017

Subscribe now

Front page of the 10 November 2017 print edition of The English Reporter. Digitized for public record.

METHVEN HOLLOW’S MANGUM OPUS AWAITS.

By The English Reporter - “The Methven Mole” Investigation’s Section)

NOVEMBER 17TH ROLLS FORWARD LIKE GOLD GLITTERING IN THE STORMY DISTANCE for Methvians and Earth dwellers alike.

Assuming you’ve booked your flight WELL before July, somehow managed to secure any accommodation within miles of the entire counties of both Kent and Surrey - and managed to not get lost on your way here, then you understand what all the fuss is about.

The Festival of the Bog is worth the hullaballoo, the fuss and noise. Whatever word you use to describe electric excitement, we’ll take it.

From the various clashes of neon, coloured lights of the many carnival rides, to the abundant saccharine-and-savoury scents that attack ones olfactory senses, right down to the main attraction- the Bog itself - this event has earned its crown spot among online sleuths and corners of the web dedicated to lore-hunting, mystery and obscene speculation.

But before we get to the festival, take it from us, here at The English Reporter - it is of the the utmost imperative that you must know the town itself.

Because that matters. Really matters.

Methven Hollow.

Understand it - at the very least, what can actually be understood of the town.

So think of this an unofficial-official guide to Methven Hollow town. You’ll find it more valuable than you think.

METHVEN HOLLOW- AND THE FAMILY THAT OWNS IT.

The first mystery to note: - the reasoning behind the town’s name is lost to even its own denizens. No one definitively knows the reasoning or history of why the name “Methven Hollow”. Of course devout historians can give educated assumptions but that is the first of many mysteries surrounding the strange and wonderful town.

That’s the first of many mysteries.

The second (if there is even a point of or manner to ordering mysteries) are the founders of the town themselves - the Burvington Clan.

Yes those Burvingtons. The very same of which the prestigious preparatory boys school is named after.

The entirety of Methven Hollow town and many surrounding lands, the mysteries we have yet to mention AND Burvington preparatory Boys School of Excellence were all owned- and rumoured to STILL be very much owned - by the famed family that no longer exists.

Strange. vexing even. But far stranger and impossible is the history of how they got to this odd, hallowed soil… and have in one way of earnestly reporting, never truly left.

HAUNTED. HALLOWED. HISTORY.

Since Methvians were wee’ lassies and lads, we’ve been told the story of the Burvington clan’s first settlers and the elusive and almost mystical leader that lead the exploration. The frequency can be likened to how non- American’s feel, when visiting the States and witnessing the sheer amount of times one can cram their National Anthem in mere 24 hours.

Now, for the sake of time and quite frankly interest, we will not be forcing an unprompted and wholly unasked for full history lesson of the town - it would take far too long and the full history (that we can actually trace back) is better learned through those who specialise in it. We are no such resource.

But, we can give you the necessary lowdown of the marvellous and unbelievable history of the Burvingtons in the form of 2 particular eras of the clan:

The first and the last

THE FIRST BURVINGTONS

Town archives tell us :

“It’s hard to pin point exactly as to when the first of the Burvington Clan stepped foot on these British shores.

However an educated estimation would suggest around the 1500’s. Back then, Methven Hollow as nothing more than home to the bog. The one we see now is not in comparison to what it used to be. The Bog was richer wetland, a luscious and verdant bog. But the Burvington ‘s are what make the story even more interesting. “

Originally, the first of the Burvington ‘s are said to have appeared suddenly and from extremely difficult manuscripts to get :

“In what appeared to be a light, those gents hath appeared suddenly. From the pointeth in which God hath met landeth, those gents did ride the waves with a potency and pow’r, blasphemous. Their skin a colour unlike our owneth. Nay pall’r ‘r sickness, their skin gleam’d as if ‘t be true the lighteth of God Himself attach’d to their skin. A medit’rranean shineth and a godly air shrouding those folk.”

The scripts give us the name of the head of the clan, the very first Burvington to grace British shores. : Lennonopes Baraknitz Burvington.

Yup. Say it as it’s spelt.

Granted, historical linguists - people who study languages and changes of such across time, are certain that the name we know him by, was changed, made more digestible for the locals. And that it is more than likely that Lennonopes’ actual name was nearly unpronounceable as where he came from - where they all did.

And apparently the man did NOT take kindly to nicknames.

But, back to more strange history.

Descriptions of the first Burvington’s are always all over the place, with some sources saying the skin to be dark, others ensure a Mediterranean tone . But one detail remains stubbornly consistent throughout various sources.

Every account of them that one can find, says the same thing : Something about a divine glow. Not just in shine but in persona and power - presence

Their reputation made waves all around the south where they first came. All kinds of things were said about them. Great and terrible.

Here is where it gets unfathomably interesting for the first Burvington settlers - and quite frankly, just unfathomable.

Lennonopes and the clan’s infamous reputation eventually spread and reached the ears of the royal court. The King at the time, King Henry VIII , heard that they were blasphemous men, claiming to be God and that they would over throw him.

And so, they were summoned before the king - mad, beheading his wives- Henry, and of course they obliged. A bloodbath would surely ensue, it was destined right?

Right?

Well….

“The Burvington’s only stayed for exactly an hour. Not touching a single piece of cutlery or any part of the most likely poisoned, feast made for them. The leader of the clan Lennonopes Burvington, stepped right past the guards, the priests, the King’s royal advisers and straight onto the throne, where King Henry sat.

He lowered himself towards his ear- the ear of the maddest and one of Britain’s bloodiest monarchs and he- Lennonopes whispered something.

No one, TO THIS DAY, knows what he said, but apparently it rocked King Henry VII, menace to society- murderer of wives- to the core.

Because after they left the throne room, King Henry never ever bothered them again and whatever request the Burvington ‘s had, it was done swiftly and silently. In one hour, the mysterious arrivals had even the King himself wrapped around their finger. He gave them whatever land of their choosing to do with it what they willed and that never changed even long after his death. “

- During “METHVEN HOLLOW TOURS.”

And all that history, that’s just, the start of the Burvingtons.

THE LAST BURVINGTONS

The Last of the Burvingtons, is a segment far shorter than both the one before and in history itself.

They simply… vanished.

Disappeared.

Dwindled, died.

That’s historically it.

Throughout over 250 years of life and power after Lennonopes first set foot on these shores, to the era of the last Burvingtons that we estimate to have begun at around the late 1770’s, very little history remains. Far too little and for what we reason?

We cannot tell. How perplexing is it, that a family so tethered, covered and pardoned by even the British Royal Monarchy - with extensive silent power to match just… ceased to exist.

That is a whole other article and a half in and of itself.

The Last of the legendary Burvington Clan’s leader was sir Edmund Burvington -

Yes, up until this point, every leader and governing power of Methven Hollow came through a Burvington - it was law. As well as their naturally given knighthood.

Edmund was the grandfather of sir Thomas Burvington- Burvington Boys Preparatory Boy’s School of Excellence’s founder, benefactor - owner.

• We know that Edmund ruled through the late 1700’s (approx. past 1770 at least).

• We can accurately note that he lived with three generations of his namesake in one big home that still exists in part, in the town today.

• He ruled over the town with them all.

• He was aptly described as dominating, authoritative, powerful and quite tall, which the manuscripts always wrote of, with hints of sheer surprise for some reason.

• He was a fearless leader and respected by the ruling monarchy at the time. Edmund had no notable enemies and so Methven Hollow continued to thrive.

• And then, he died.

• And very swiftly, through tragedies and seemingly in the night, so too did the legend of the Burvingtons die.

• Thomas and his school remained for a very long time after the end of his family - the only proof of their fabled might and myth.

• Then sir Thomas Alexander Burvington - died at sea in his estimated 50’s- 70’s ( again, no certain date or time) no heirs, no legacy but the school itself.

And that has, aggravatingly remained all that we have come to know of the last of the Burvington Clan and the end of their bloodline.

To this day, in 2017, no descendants of the highly esteemed Burvington bloodline have ever been found.

All this, all this madness, lore and mystery from the ONE legendary family line.

Whew. Take a breath. The English Reporter still always do.

Personally, I’ve always found both the beginning and end of the Burvingtons to all be a bit more myth and legend than actual history. But whether it’s one or the other or even both - it’s all seemingly proves to be true. That lore-like history seeps through the bizarre terrain at what is constantly described “at a cellular level”

And I’ve seen it. We’ve seen it and if you manage to make to the Festival, then I doubt the bizarreness will want to hide from you. Like it even could.

At the time of Lennonopes Burvington’s reign, it is noted that he may have written notes on the bizarre landscape/ terrain they landed on. He did not know why Methven is so strange but it is. And neither do we still, to this day.

Which brings us right back to everything.

This article is not chiefly about history, but how it still effects the present. In the most absurd and strange ways. Having done that, having hopefully helped explain the sheer mirth in the madness of the town that hold the event, let us get back to the matter at hand - The Festival of the Bog - and her supposed “children”.

FOG, FOREST AND BOG.

Another mystery fun fact : We don’t really know why we celebrate the Festival of the Bog. We just know that there are apparent signs, if when we don’t.

And TER apologies again for another but incredibly necessary 1st of 2 pit stops before the Bog itself and its festival.

It’s a pitstop that you will see in Methven Hollow ANYWAY. It is virtually impossible to not meet. But truly impossible to not get undoubtably - and fatally- lost in.

FOREST

Methven’s Forest, better and earnestly known as - The Methven Maze.

It can be as horrifying as it sounds.

Acres and acres of tangled vine and evergreen and not across masses of woodsy land so grand that it feels wrong to live here at times. It surrounds the town and larger parts of Burvington Boys school.

The forest is ancient, predating every generation of Burvington to step foot in English shores - including Lennonopes Burvington and the first fleet. It shares its primordiality with the prehistoric origins of its “sister” - the deep Appalachian Mountains of the USA for they were once part of the same continent - this is also history and geography we have coms to study at a young age here in Methven (which it is obviously older than - most considerably.)

But of course, it would be impossible and ruled totally unsafe for anyone to build just any sort of settlement here and they would be right, which is why a very large portion of the forest is not even legally open for the public living. Nope, there are many well worn and somewhat paved (the forest always reclaims herself) paths that have been governmentally studied as sound and acceptable for the Methvians and non to trek and live on. They are very much obeyed - for your sake.

Many brave or foolish wanderers have dared trek past the beaten pats to their behest and it quite heavily reported on of missing persons . That number has very slowly but steadily rose over the year. This is a known fact and warning of that comes with the Methven Maze “scare” package.

There’s even MORE about the Methven Maze that we haven’t mentioned, depth for instance regarding the fact that the forest has been studied by geoscientists, geographers and every other “ist” alike and each finding comes back conclusive that the Methven Maze IS its own ecosystem with its own “rhythm.”

That for instance, as a result of its separate ecosystem , it explains why the NATURAL vegetation of Methven Hollow is wholly unnatural. Things grow here that the climate simply won’t allow - and can’t.

We can’t disclose much else.

But Earth can and she knows.

With #methvenmaze, #methvenforest and every other iteration, making it on the top spots of investigation podcasts lists, creepy lore sites galore and just about any dank corner of the internet it can be on - Methven Hollow’s Maze appeal is not lost on anyone.

And neither is the 2nd pitstop.

THE MISTY FOG - THE FOGGY MIST.

See, Methven Hollow Town has always been( in the MOST educated, researched, studied and logical choice of wording,) …. occupied.

We don’t primarily merely governmentally nor militarily.

No.

The Town, quaint, sprawling and powerful Methven Hollow, has for over hundreds of years has been dealing with, living and perhaps even thriving under The Mist.

Well, Fog.

There is a significant distinction between the two.

But yes. There exists a misty sort of blanket around Methven Hollow, a very visible blanket, like any other but then again unlike any throughout nature. The difference , the key notion that separates itself from other misty phenomena throughout nature is that :

It. Remains.

This Misty Fog or Foggy Mist can be seen and has been seen every single day for an unknown amount of time - centuries is not a false claim, may even be an educated estimation.

I know I am not explaining it properly and it frustrates us here at TER, because we are nothing without our words - but there really struggle to be the right vocabulary across ANY language on earth to properly explain the Fog- Mist

It has been the same way for a very very long time.

Everyday, regardless of season, weather, public opinion and anything else mortal , from before even 7pm, most shops, facilities and establishments are closed without fail- for the remainder of the day. And why would they be open?

The Fog, that seemingly remains on the fringes and outskirts of the town throughout the day suddenly just merges through the town, through the thickets and even most isolated spots within the Methven forest and rests there, until the next morn when it dissipates not entirely- back tot he outskirts of the town and just… waits.

Day in, day out - weeks, months, years and perhaps centuries has this been going on. That sort of push and pull between the town and fog goes unbroken.

Until- in March, always march, it breaks

and the Fog becomes the Mist

and the Mist entirely swallows the entire town.

The phenomena known as “Misty Methven March”, where in a random week in March the Mist turns into a thick, fog. And it covers, furls and to some... entraps the whole town.

During this week, the town weatherman stays awake on an early morning and sounds the clergymen who sound the bells.

Not a crevice, corner, hair , crook or cranny isn’t submerged in this fog. It always runs for seven days, the first 3 being the heaviest and most unsettling. All businesses, establishments etc are required to close for that full week. No one is permitted to leave the house for the first 3 days as law in our town. Maybe the fourth, depending how God feels about it. It’s a phenomena, scientists, geologists and every other ist you can think of make their way over here every year just to witness it. The money that comes in that week alone, drives up the towns wealth so it’s important. It often rivals in importance with the Festival.

So of course, where reality can only offer back blank unanswerable spots- mystery, lore and folk legend fill in those surrealist blanks - oh, and worship.

Because that is the cause and point (that we know of) of the Festival of the Bog.

The Bog is the singular phenomena of the many strange ones that ties and unites them all. The Bog is above the Mist, the landscape and the Maze - and perhaps rightfully so.

“What to Expect at the Festival of the Bog”)

The Festival of The Bog has been the most pivotal tradition and celebration of awe, fear and hope since the relatively early 1800s. It’s a harvest and festivals from late August to about late November. It’s loose equivalent would be Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Spring.

The well established and well to do denizens of Methven Hollow gather round once a year, during the Autumnal - Winter months, usually for a day and a weekend - to offer up praise and thanks to the mighty, never-ending Bog.

Why?

Because anything that can be run by peat from the bogland is used. Homes use it, Businesses use it. And have been for hundreds of years. And with natural peat and bogland dying out all around Britain every year, there shouldn't be anymore bog left for human use, just for preservation and Culture. But for some inexplicable reason, there is. Always has been. Some say there's even an exact amount that isn't disclosed to the public. A quota for human use that's been set since at least the 1500's. It has never wavered. That bog keeps the people of Methvians alive. And it has, for far too long.

Some say there’s a quota.

Some say it’s protected.

Some say it’s divine.

And thus, the Festival of the Bog, the appeal and its cult-like following.

Even England’s Minister of Heritage and Culture that deals with such ,matters of cultural importance, comes personally to celebrate. Hundreds to Thousands come from all over the world even to see it themselves, to witness the wonder of a Bog that remains.

Remains, there it is again. That seems to be the driving mystery and allure of Methven Hollow - amidst the myriad of reasons not to stay, people remain.

And also notice we said cult-like. That is, what we feel, is a correct choice of wording for the finale.

A finale we can only give less than a footnote on : The “Bog’s Beloved”.

THE “BOG’S BELOVED” - CLOAKED IN MYSTERY AND FEAR.

There exist a group of people.

There exist a group of folk within this town that we, the people of Methven Hollow know even more little than our own town about. And yet, we hark them as messengers of our most sacred and strange Bog - even going as far as to call this virtually unknown group as The Bog’s beloved.

• We don’t know why they are called that.

• We don’t know the name of a single member.

• We don’t really know what they do.

• They are obscured by dark , long hooded cloaks, with some, inhabiting wooden masks. We believe this to be a sign of distinction amongst the group.

• We don’t know where exactly they come from.

• We only know that they inhabit and live in the isolated parts of the Methven Forest - yes, that Maze we talked earlier about.

• They hardly, if at all speak.

• But they do dance.

Yes.

Every year they procure the same demonstrative dance at the largest Bog Opening site, in town (one of many) with lights, fire and fog.

They may choose to speak a couple of words - often succinct and hard to hear due to their incredibly obscured fashion.

They then retreat back into the opening of the woods, to totally disappear, until fleeting sightings of them are spotted.

For all we know, a member of the Bog’s Beloved could be your next door neighbour, your shop clerk, one of the butcher’s men or even your best friend.

But you’ll probably never come to know.

And So….

With that …….

You are now somewhat armed with the necessary information to intelligently sink into the glorious and spectral appeal of Methven Hollow, all in time for the Festival.

But forgive our theatrical literary flair here at The English Reporter, the Festival is actually quite tame and relatively uneventful in daily matters of oddity that Methven is infamous for consistently procuring.

Bar, the never-ending Bog, the Fig- Mist, Misty Methven March situation, the seemingly never-ending Maze and the weirdly metropolis yet quaint vibe that Methven Hollow manages to perfectly inhabit and the Bog’s Beloved(who are not within our jurisdiction - we have been made incredibly clear), Methven Hollow and the Festival are quite, boring.

We leave you with a segment of the infamously never-ending “Ballad of Burvington” (seriously, there is no legally accepted ending and new verses are constantly being orchestrated by the year) :

Methven Hollow, the labour of Love,

from founders we know very Little Of.

A sword of a town, double edged in its fusion

of despair wealth and many confusions.

The Ladies er’ to die for, the Gents are all dead,

and mysteries upon mysteries lay stacked in our bread,

to our Dough and our Land, named not by the drug,

but nothing, oh nothing compares to the Bog.....

OF....

METHVEN HOLLOW! METHEVN HOLLOW! ALL THE WORLD THEY WATCH AND FOLLOW,

WE SET THE TRENDS, TIE LOOSE ENDS

AND GIVE GOD OUR WORRIES OF TOMORROW!

So, we welcome you to Methven Hollow. And extend an invitation to our quaint little upcoming Bog bash.

Take in all the delicious smells and scents of the day. Meander through the many, coloured and tasty stalls that await you, dance the night away at the grand fires,

steer clear of the Methven Maze, or at least remain where the guided light shine.

And above all, really take time to take in the day and all that you see because regardless of how much of Albert’s (Al’s) infamous Ale you’ve consumed, chances are -

you’re seeing entirely well and perfectly clear.

Digitised for Public Record

-The Methven Mole Investigations Desk

The English Reporter

10 November 2017