John Billingsley

Born in Middlesex, UK, and for ten years a resident of Japan, John Billingsley now lives on a windy hillside above Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. His hours contemplating a computer screen fluctuate according to wind strength and rain and are increasing, thanks to climate change rather than work ethic. He has been editor of the neo-antiquarian journal, Northern Earth, for nearly 30 years, and following postgraduate qualification in 'Local History, Literature and Cultural Tradition' at the University of Sheffield, also writes and speaks regularly on topics involving folklore, place, and related issues.

His books include 'A Stony Gaze: Investigating Celtic and other stone heads', 'A Laureate's Landscape: Walks around Ted Hughes' Mytholmroyd', 'Folk Tales from Calderdale Vol. 1', 'Hood, Head & Hag: Further Folk Tales from Calderdale', 'West Yorkshire Folk Tales', and 'The Mixenden Treasure: a true tale of 16th-century treasure hunting in West Yorkshire'. He has also edited two volumes of 'Hidden Charms: The magical protection of houses' and and 'Aspects of Calderdale'.

You can also join John on a guided walk around hubs of folkloric and curiosity interest several times a year, with Calderdale Heritage Walks.