High Wolds Poetry Festival: The strange tale of the white man sold to slavery for 20 years whose family never regained their inheritance

He was put to hard labour first in North Africa, but brought out of slavery by kindly Friars.

But then disaster struck again and he was enslaved and put to even more backbreaking work in the rice and cotton plantations of South Carolina.

Somehow after 20 years he managed to make it home, marrying a local girl - but at the age of 38, his body most likely worn out by his years of labour, he died and was buried at All Saints Church in North Dalton. His story was widely published as the family tried to get their money back – and failed.

What seems like an unlikely tale turns out too have been a fate that happened to many Europeans - 1.5m are estimated to have been sold into slavery.

It's one of the "Mysterious Tales and Unusual Stories" which is the theme of the fifth High Wolds Poetry Festival which takes place in the village hall on September 23.

And in the run up the event writers can join a free poetry workshop at All Saints on August 26.

The festival is a laid back affair and is open to "absolutely anyone of any age" to share either their own or other peoples' poetry. Writers come from many walks of life, with ages last year from 12 to 89.

Festival director Julian Woodford stresses that the free event - which is sponsored by East Riding Council and the Arts Council - is open to "any kind of poetry" and it doesn't have to tie in with this year's theme which “maybe (is) a bit trickier than it first seems”.

He said: "It might be inspired by the Yorkshire Wolds or your own experiences in general - it's really up to you. We want poets of any ability, experience, age and background to read or listen on the day."

Last year the village hall was packed with people to read, listen and try the homecooked food and drink. Caroline Coath, East Riding Museums community engagement officer's role is to take heritage out to people who might not be able to get to museums and galleries in Beverley, Sewerby and Goole.

She finds artefacts and stories that tie in with the theme, straying across the story of William Swan in the British Newspaper Archive.

She said: "If you happened to be an unfortunate person in the wrong place at the wrong time, wherever you were in the world, you could be taken. There was a whole village in Cornwall where 150 people were taken off overnight. This is just a little village in East Yorkshire, but it is part of an international story."

People can send in any work by August 31, themed or not, to: [email protected] or call Julian on 07538 710110.