File:Warleggan Church from the grave yard - geograph.org.uk - 1626562.jpg

English: Warleggan Church from the grave yard If you read the books by Daphne du Maurier, particularly "Vanishing Cornwall" you will know all about Mr F Densham, the vicar from 1931 until 1953. As stated before he was an eccentric: painting the church and vicarage in garish colours. All his parishioners eventually shunned the church and poor old Frederick preached his sermons to "cut out cardboard figures" seated around the church. In 1953, many years after he had preached to his last "live" congregation, Rev Densham’s body was found in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs at the rectory. This rectory was surrounded by trees and the rooks who live in the trees would warn him of impending visitors who were unwelcome to say the least. Descendants of the rooks gave warning of my approach, they still live in the trees by the vicarage and fly about watching every move. Rooks figure in local folklore and superstition. They are said to be able to forecast weather and to sense the approach of death. If a rookery were abandoned, it was said to bring bad fortune for the family that owned the land. Folklore also tells that rooks are responsible for escorting the souls of the dead to heaven. Watch out for the rooks when visiting this location. Why not go on a winter's afternoon just before dusk to get the atmosphere of the place? Only the rooks saw me that afternoon on my visit, no one else was about or were they? As I had the strange feeling I was being watched.