One would have thought these so-called 'Folk Customs' go hand in hand with Noah's Ark in terms of their general appeal to the Fortean / Antiquarian mind. Both are matters of custom, tradition and a more feral faith that goes places where science just can't. That requires imagination and a sense of wonder. I've had a life long fascination with both the Noah's Ark Drogue Stones (& related features) and the Allendale Tar Barrels since reading about them in maybe the same edition of Ripley's Believe it or Not when I was about 7.

That's the appeal. When the Customs become the reserve of Folkies, or Noah's Ark becomes a clarion call Fundamentalists I run a mile.