Our wonderful author, Stuart Miller Osborne, is fascinated with Hungerford Arcade and our ghosts, which inspired him to write this fascinating article. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
Rita
Iread with interest the front page article in a recent edition of
the Newbury Weekly News about ghostly happenings at
the Hungerford Antiques Arcade.
It
did not surprise me that a ghost had been witnessed by the staff as
although I have never seen a ghost at the Arcade, I have noticed an
incredible silence and stillness in parts of the building which can
be sensed even on busy days.
did not surprise me that a ghost had been witnessed by the staff as
although I have never seen a ghost at the Arcade, I have noticed an
incredible silence and stillness in parts of the building which can
be sensed even on busy days.
This
is, in my view, most evident in the right hand passage near the unit
that sells postcards. I stood there a few weeks ago and the silence
and stillness of the area was very noticeable.
is, in my view, most evident in the right hand passage near the unit
that sells postcards. I stood there a few weeks ago and the silence
and stillness of the area was very noticeable.
Knowing
of the history of the building, I am not surprised if there are ghosts
that do not leave the premises at closing time.
of the history of the building, I am not surprised if there are ghosts
that do not leave the premises at closing time.
Somepeople say that there are ghosts all around us which, to some extent, I
agree with. As with many people, I sit on the wall as to whether
hauntings actually occur or not. Although, if I was pressed, I would
say that I do believe that hauntings occur.
One
has only to visit the nearby Littlecote House and the rooms made
famous by our friend Wild William Darrell to witness the heavy
atmosphere. Indeed, last summer I was chatting to a South African couple
who knew nothing about Wild William’s deeds and the subsequent
haunting, remarked to me of the cold and heavy atmosphere in the
bedchamber and in the nearby chapel.
has only to visit the nearby Littlecote House and the rooms made
famous by our friend Wild William Darrell to witness the heavy
atmosphere. Indeed, last summer I was chatting to a South African couple
who knew nothing about Wild William’s deeds and the subsequent
haunting, remarked to me of the cold and heavy atmosphere in the
bedchamber and in the nearby chapel.
In
connection with the report in the local paper, I thought it would be
of interest to explore three recent hauntings.
connection with the report in the local paper, I thought it would be
of interest to explore three recent hauntings.
I
have visited the site of two of these hauntings and have researched
the other one which is the famous Borley Rectory in Essex.
have visited the site of two of these hauntings and have researched
the other one which is the famous Borley Rectory in Essex.
The
Haunting at the Borley Rectory
Haunting at the Borley Rectory
Although
I have been in the area of Borley, I have not had occasion to visit
the rectory as sadly, after a fire in 1939, it was demolished in1944.
I have been in the area of Borley, I have not had occasion to visit
the rectory as sadly, after a fire in 1939, it was demolished in1944.
I
have checked modern photographs of its site and little or nothing
remains. Locals still report odd happenings although in this
day and age, these reports may be for publicity only.
have checked modern photographs of its site and little or nothing
remains. Locals still report odd happenings although in this
day and age, these reports may be for publicity only.
Therectory was a Victorian mansion built in 1862 in the Gothic style. In
its time it became known as the most haunted house in England and was
visited by the famous ghost hunter, Harry Price (1881-1948) in the
late 1920s. An account of his investigation was published in the
Daily Mirror shortly afterwards, adding further to the notoriety of
the building.
In
short, the first account of a haunting occurred in 1863 when
unexplained footsteps were noted and soon there were reports of
headless horsemen and other odd sightings.
short, the first account of a haunting occurred in 1863 when
unexplained footsteps were noted and soon there were reports of
headless horsemen and other odd sightings.
In
1900, the four daughters of the then rector Henry Dawson Bull, saw what
they believed to be the ghost of a nun who disappeared when they
approached her.
1900, the four daughters of the then rector Henry Dawson Bull, saw what
they believed to be the ghost of a nun who disappeared when they
approached her.
When
Henry Dawson Bull died in June 1928, the rectory became empty for a
while but in the October of that year, the Reverend Guy Eric Smith
moved into the building with his wife and that was when the fun
really began.
Henry Dawson Bull died in June 1928, the rectory became empty for a
while but in the October of that year, the Reverend Guy Eric Smith
moved into the building with his wife and that was when the fun
really began.
.
One
day, Mrs Smith was cleaning a cupboard when she found the skull of a
young woman wrapped in brown paper and a number of unexplained
incidents occurred which thoroughly unnerved the couple who left the
rectory in July 1929.
day, Mrs Smith was cleaning a cupboard when she found the skull of a
young woman wrapped in brown paper and a number of unexplained
incidents occurred which thoroughly unnerved the couple who left the
rectory in July 1929.
However, in the period before they vacated the building, the couple had
contacted the Daily Mirror and in turn Harry showed up and he
immediately witnessed all kinds of hauntings such as poltergeists and
ghostly messages being tapped out on mirrors.
contacted the Daily Mirror and in turn Harry showed up and he
immediately witnessed all kinds of hauntings such as poltergeists and
ghostly messages being tapped out on mirrors.
This
said, as soon as Harry left the rectory, some of these occurrences
mysteriously ceased which made Mrs Smith suspicious of what Harry had
really witnessed and what he had instigated himself.
said, as soon as Harry left the rectory, some of these occurrences
mysteriously ceased which made Mrs Smith suspicious of what Harry had
really witnessed and what he had instigated himself.
But
something (apart from the publicity) must have forced the couple
to leave in 1929 and one must also take into account their faith
which they must have turned to..
something (apart from the publicity) must have forced the couple
to leave in 1929 and one must also take into account their faith
which they must have turned to..
Later
accounts of hauntings at the rectory were later discredited as a
cover story for an illicit sexual affair but something rather odd
happened in 1943.
accounts of hauntings at the rectory were later discredited as a
cover story for an illicit sexual affair but something rather odd
happened in 1943.
Onthe 27th of February 1939, the new owner of the
rectory a Captain Gregson was unpacking boxes in the hallway when he
accidentally knocked over an oil lamp which set fire to the building
and it was left a ruin. This is where our friend Harry comes in
again.
A
Miss Williams from the nearby Borley Lodge contacted him and noted
that she had witnessed the ghostly figure of a nun at an upstairs
window.
Miss Williams from the nearby Borley Lodge contacted him and noted
that she had witnessed the ghostly figure of a nun at an upstairs
window.
So
Harry being Harry, came to the rectory once more and conducted a dig
in the cellars and discovered two bones believed to be part of the
remains of a young woman.
Harry being Harry, came to the rectory once more and conducted a dig
in the cellars and discovered two bones believed to be part of the
remains of a young woman.
There
was a lot of fun and games at the time and the poor woman’s remains
had to be given a Christian burial in the Liston churchyard after the
Borley Parish took notice of local gossip which supposed the bones to
be those of a pig.
was a lot of fun and games at the time and the poor woman’s remains
had to be given a Christian burial in the Liston churchyard after the
Borley Parish took notice of local gossip which supposed the bones to
be those of a pig.
Although
I am not sure what happened to the unfortunate woman’s skull, and
whether it was buried with the rest of her remains, there was story
researched by Harry about who the woman actually was.
I am not sure what happened to the unfortunate woman’s skull, and
whether it was buried with the rest of her remains, there was story
researched by Harry about who the woman actually was.
Itappears that she was Marie Lairre, a French nun who left her order
to travel to England to marry a member of the Waldegrave family who
lived at the Borley Manor House. It appears that she was murdered
some time afterwards on the site of the rectory.
There
may be an element of truth to this story as although Harry was not
always to be believed, he did take his ghost hunting seriously and the
earlier report of the ghostly nun in 1900 could not have been
invented by Harry.
may be an element of truth to this story as although Harry was not
always to be believed, he did take his ghost hunting seriously and the
earlier report of the ghostly nun in 1900 could not have been
invented by Harry.
I
do believe that the rectory was haunted as too many rational people
(including the Smith’s) reported unexplained phenomena. As with
anything of this nature, people are going to make up stories and if
you are not careful you are going to end up with an episode of Most
Haunted.
do believe that the rectory was haunted as too many rational people
(including the Smith’s) reported unexplained phenomena. As with
anything of this nature, people are going to make up stories and if
you are not careful you are going to end up with an episode of Most
Haunted.
16
Montpelier Road, Ealing W5
Montpelier Road, Ealing W5
For
many years I used to live on the Ealing/Hanwell borders not far from
the little known haunting at the above address. Again, the original
building does not exist having been replaced by a block of flats some
years ago.
many years I used to live on the Ealing/Hanwell borders not far from
the little known haunting at the above address. Again, the original
building does not exist having been replaced by a block of flats some
years ago.
The
problems started in 1887 when a twelve year old girl named Anne
Hinchfield threw herself to her death from the tower of the building
without explanation.
problems started in 1887 when a twelve year old girl named Anne
Hinchfield threw herself to her death from the tower of the building
without explanation.
This
was followed in 1934 by the suicide of a nursemaid who had previously
thrown her young charge to her death. Again, no reason was given for
this tragedy which makes it much more sinister that the Borley
hauntings.
was followed in 1934 by the suicide of a nursemaid who had previously
thrown her young charge to her death. Again, no reason was given for
this tragedy which makes it much more sinister that the Borley
hauntings.
The
house was requisitioned towards the end of World War Two and in 1944
a Mr Green and his father visited the house. Mr Green who later wrote
a book about his experience, noted that as he climbed up the seventy
foot tower, it seemed that unseen hands were helping him up the
ladder.
house was requisitioned towards the end of World War Two and in 1944
a Mr Green and his father visited the house. Mr Green who later wrote
a book about his experience, noted that as he climbed up the seventy
foot tower, it seemed that unseen hands were helping him up the
ladder.
The
most terrifying part of his story was when he was on the parapet, he received an unexplained urge to step into the garden as if it was
only inches beneath him. He was in the process of stepping over the
parapet when his father saved him.
most terrifying part of his story was when he was on the parapet, he received an unexplained urge to step into the garden as if it was
only inches beneath him. He was in the process of stepping over the
parapet when his father saved him.
Another
unexplained thing also happened later that day. After Mr Green had
recovered his senses, he took a photograph of the house to show to
friends
unexplained thing also happened later that day. After Mr Green had
recovered his senses, he took a photograph of the house to show to
friends
.
However, when processed, it showed the clear image of a girl aged about twelve
looking out of an upstairs window.
looking out of an upstairs window.
The
house had such a reputation as a place of evil, it remained empty
for many years with a number of people refusing to live there.
house had such a reputation as a place of evil, it remained empty
for many years with a number of people refusing to live there.
Even
after the house died in the 1970s, there were unexplained smells in
the new flats and odd noises.
after the house died in the 1970s, there were unexplained smells in
the new flats and odd noises.
I
have visited the site of 16 Montpelier Road on many occasions most
recently in 2012. Although I know the story well, there is heaviness
in and around the flats (my most recent visit was on a hot summer’s
day when everything was light and airy).
have visited the site of 16 Montpelier Road on many occasions most
recently in 2012. Although I know the story well, there is heaviness
in and around the flats (my most recent visit was on a hot summer’s
day when everything was light and airy).
Also, and I noticed this first in the 1970s, was whilst the nearby trees
were full of birds and squirrels, very few (if any), seemed to spend
any real time near the site of this most evil house.
were full of birds and squirrels, very few (if any), seemed to spend
any real time near the site of this most evil house.
Ickenham
Underground Station
Underground Station
Many
years ago I used to go to college in Uxbridge (indeed this is where I
met my future wife), and I remember being in the pub one evening with
some pals and we ended up talking about ghosts. It was then I was
told that Ickenham Underground Station was haunted.
years ago I used to go to college in Uxbridge (indeed this is where I
met my future wife), and I remember being in the pub one evening with
some pals and we ended up talking about ghosts. It was then I was
told that Ickenham Underground Station was haunted.
At
the time I thought that I was the butt of a joke, but nevertheless I
researched it for fun and yes, what I was told was true.
the time I thought that I was the butt of a joke, but nevertheless I
researched it for fun and yes, what I was told was true.
It
appears that from the 1950s onwards, the ghost of a woman wearing a
red scarf was seen on numerous occasions. My researches indicated
that near the end of one of the platforms a woman fell onto the
tracks and was electrocuted.
appears that from the 1950s onwards, the ghost of a woman wearing a
red scarf was seen on numerous occasions. My researches indicated
that near the end of one of the platforms a woman fell onto the
tracks and was electrocuted.
When
seen, the woman appears to wave to others on the platform to attract
their attention before disappearing.
seen, the woman appears to wave to others on the platform to attract
their attention before disappearing.
I
have visited Ickenham Underground Station on odd occasions over
the last thirty years and have witnessed nothing although, I have
noticed an unusual silence (as with the Arcade) at the Uxbridge end of
the platforms (this is where I believe the accident/suicide
occurred).
have visited Ickenham Underground Station on odd occasions over
the last thirty years and have witnessed nothing although, I have
noticed an unusual silence (as with the Arcade) at the Uxbridge end of
the platforms (this is where I believe the accident/suicide
occurred).
There
is no real reason for anybody to make up a story about a haunting at
a suburban tube station and also, there have been numerous witness
accounts.
is no real reason for anybody to make up a story about a haunting at
a suburban tube station and also, there have been numerous witness
accounts.
I
tend to believe this one. Nobody has made a big fuss about the story
and it has yet to have more than a passing reference in the media.
tend to believe this one. Nobody has made a big fuss about the story
and it has yet to have more than a passing reference in the media.
The
next time you are in the Arcade, do not look for ghosts (as it is
unlikely you will see them) just let your senses take over and try to
feel a possible presence even if it is a subtle change in the
temperature of the air or an unusual stillness or silence.
next time you are in the Arcade, do not look for ghosts (as it is
unlikely you will see them) just let your senses take over and try to
feel a possible presence even if it is a subtle change in the
temperature of the air or an unusual stillness or silence.
You
might just sense something that you cannot rationally explain.
might just sense something that you cannot rationally explain.
Do
not however be alarmed, as all you are doing is connecting with
somebody from a previous year who,for whatever reason, has not moved
on.
not however be alarmed, as all you are doing is connecting with
somebody from a previous year who,for whatever reason, has not moved
on.
Stuart Miller-Osborne
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