The Song

Inspired by this remarkable character , I wrote “The Reddle Woman” to honor her legacy and the rich heritage of Dorset. The song captures the essence of her life, painting a vivid picture of her journey through the countryside, the struggles she faced, and the respect she garnered from those around her. Through the lyrics, I aimed to bring to life the vivid imagery of the reddle-stained hands, the windswept fields, and the timeless wisdom she carried.

Join the Journey

I invite you to listen to “The Reddle Woman” and join me in celebrating this extraordinary figure from Dorset’s past. Let her story of resilience, wisdom, and strength inspire you, as it has inspired me. I will be performing “The Reddle Woman” while supporting the Mediaeval Baebes on December 21, 2024, at the Hackney Round Chapel.

The Inspiring Tale of the Reddle Woman from Dorset

In the heart of Dorset, a captivating tale has been passed down through generations, a story that has now found its way into the world of music through my song, “The Reddle Woman.” This narrative, brimming with folklore and the rugged charm of the English countryside, tells of a woman whose life was as colorful as the reddle she sold.

Who Was the Reddle Woman?

Thomas Hardy fans will remember a character in The Return of the Native called Diggory Venn, the Reddleman. This Victorian travelling salesman made his living by selling reddle or raddle, a red powder widely used by shepherds. Long before Hardy’s death in 1928, Dorset’s Reddleman had been succeeded by the Reddlewoman.

Mary Ann Bull, the Reddlewoman, was every bit as colorful as Venn, whom Hardy described as ‘completely red’ with dye covering ‘his clothes, the cap upon his head, his boots, his face and his hands.’ Dorset writer Olive Knott remembered the Reddlewoman’s visits to Sturminster Newton before the First World War. “Year after year this woman pitched her tent on the same spot in the grassy lane,” Olive wrote. “To the children of the neighbourhood, she was wrapped in mystery. A fire of sticks usually burned outside her tent. Nearby was her dark brown pony tethered to a four-wheeled open van. Even the van was bright red in colour.”

The Legend

In this picture, the Reddlewoman has a two-wheeled cart pulled by a pair of donkeys. The late Roy Adam, of Pimperne, once told me that Mary Ann actually came from Somerset and her reddle from Cornwall. “At sheep-dipping time she would peddle her wares, also selling brickdust for cleaning harness,” he said. “According to my late mother, she had a weather-beaten countenance and wore layers of petticoats, which made a good hiding place for her money. She trusted her monies to various publicans and collected on the return journey. They included my grandfather, Joe Dowling, a horse dealer and licensee of the Farquharson Arms, Pimperne. Mary Ann smoked a pipe and had a bad temper, like the lurcher that was tied to her cart. She knew the value of herbs and prescribed cures for many ailments.”

A Tribute to Dorset

“The Reddle Woman” is more than just a song; it’s a tribute to the resilience and enduring spirit of the people of Dorset. It celebrates the uniqueness of the region’s history and the stories that have shaped its cultural landscape. By sharing her story through music, I hope to keep the memory of the Reddle Woman alive, allowing her tale to inspire and resonate with audiences far beyond the rolling hills of Dorset.

In crafting this song, I found myself deeply moved by the Reddle Woman’s story, her tenacity, and her unwavering connection to the land. It is my hope that listeners will feel a similar connection and appreciation for the heritage and the lessons embedded within her tale.