Snakecatcher

After a couple of failed attempts, finally I managed to do the micro-pilgrimage that I've had in mind for the last few weeks. Having previously been thwarted by throngs of tourists and locals visiting the New Forest show, I was lucky enough to finish work early this Friday and so decided to take an early evening trip to visit St Nicholas' church and the grave of 'Brusher Mills'. 
Harry 'Brusher' Mills lived from 1840 to 1905,  growing up in Emery Down near Lyndhurst but spending the latter part of his life living in a charcoal burner's hut near Brockenhurst. 
I'm still a little bit reverse camera shy and pay far too much attention to what people might be thinking of me as I take photos of things and the first time I visited St Nicholas' church the car park was packed so I skipped the visit that time; was treated to some bell ringing, though, whilst I mulled it over. Tonight, the car park was empty and so I took my chance. 

St Nicholas' church is quite a modest church but with a large cemetery in its grounds, many of the headstones are very old and I'd say that the overall condition of them is higher than average, it's always interesting to try and spot the oldest ones and that was as true today as ever as I wandered round. That being said, I had one target in mind so channelling my inner 'Brusher' I stalked my prey and it really wasn't very long at all until I found it.

The headstone that commemorates Brusher Mills' death features a scene of him holding a bunch of snakes next to his hut (at least, I think it's a bunch, if it's not a bunch then it's a very long snake, snaking around his hand). During his life, Brush Mills was estimated to have caught in the region of 30,000 snakes - the New Forest being host to all of the UK native species, Adders, Grass & Smooth snakes. Locally he used them to create ointments and skeletons to sell to tourists and also sold them to London Zoo so that the birds of prey there would be treated to a tasty meal. 
An article was written in a national newspaper which resulted in tourists visiting him, to listen to his tales and learn about his way of life which he maintained until his sudden death in 1905, aged 65. 
Having visited his resting place, I also thought it'd be remiss of me to not visit the place where he spent a lot of his time, and ultimately died - The Railway Inn in Brockenhurst (renamed 'The Snakecatcher' in his honour, since 1983)

Inside the pub, you'll find quite a few references to him, and obviously the signboard hanging proudly outside the front. It was nice to sit for a while and drink a pint (Czech Budvar, £6.60) and think about the man who led an interesting and unique life and one that can no longer be lived today - no doubt delighted, all three species are now protected under UK law. 

Most information gleaned from this Wikipedia article, if you want to read more, and find out about my glaring omission about *why* he's called 'Brusher', click here :)