Bury Grammar School was under the strict teachings of Schoolmaster Old Mr Hodgson during the mid-eighteenth century. The school was rampant with mischief, midnight feasting and childish mishaps. On one dark and cold evening, whilst the wind howled and trees creaked, the curious boys were indulging in arcane arts and by some trick of black magic, had summoned Satan out of the fireplace.

The boys tried to hide their mistake, especially when they realised they could not send Satan back to hell. But Old Mr Hodgson already knew something was amiss when his wooden trencher began spinning around. With a heavy sigh, the Schoolmaster turned and faced the Devil who spoke with a wicked smile, “Your amateur dark artists have summoned me. You know the deal, you have three chances to challenge me in a battle of wits. Fail, and I shall claim your soul for all eternity.”

Old Man Hodgson furrowed his brow and spoke in his customary and precise way “Then the first task I shall set you is to count the blades of grass in Castle Croft.” Satan sped away and within the hour returned jubilant having completed the first task. “Ha, that was too easy, the next challenge if you will.”

The schoolmaster stroked his hairless chin, “Count the grains of sand on the School Brow.” Satan returned to the fireplace quicker this time, his second task now complete, he tauntingly warmed his hooves in the heat, his smile growing wider knowing the old man was no match for him.

Old Man Hodgson thought long and hard about the third and final task. Looking at his liver spots on the back of his hand, he knew his age was drawing on him, but he wasn’t ready for his soul to enter hell. “For the last task, I beseech you to count the letters in the large Bible in the Parish Church.” The Devil scoffed. “Ha. That is too easy.” He opened the large leather bound book and stared down at the pages, but his vision became blurred, he could not form the sacred scripture with his lips and knew then he had been beaten by a true master.

In a rage, Satan bellowed his distain and disappeared back into the Fireplace, a loud crack sounded in the darkened room. Upon inspection, a large fissure appeared in the stone mantle which could be observed centuries later, a reminder for those who studied at the school not to summon the Devil back to Bury!