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| Ghosts Archive 2004 |
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 Ghosts news, views, gallery and archive brought to you by Weird Wiltshire Introduction Latest News News Archive Longleat House Sign of an Angel Bewley Court Red Lion Westbury Pool Maud Cunnington Wardour Castle Manor House Hotel Devizes Castle Kings Arms Malmesbury Abbey Lacock Abbey Avebury Manor Littlecote Manor Lydiard House Gallery Postcards Wallpaper Forum Links |
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published on 25 Oct 2004 Searching for an apparition? According to a new book, you won't need to go far Wiltshire is a hot spot for spooks. By KEVIN SHOESMITH.  GHOSTHUNTERS need look no further than their own doorstep this Halloween.
According to the author of a new book, Swindon is a hotspot for paranormal goings-on.Haunted Places of Wiltshire, published by Countryside Books, lists sites around the county that have witnessed spooky sightings. And Swindon along with its surrounding villages appears to have its fair share of eerie stories that will send a shiver down your spine. Take the tale of the Wroughton ghost. For generations, it's been said that a lone figure stands guard around a yew tree in the churchyard of St John The Baptist and St Helen church. According to writer Rupert Matthews, opinions are divided as to the ghoul's identity. One theory holds that it is the ghost of a man who committed suicide by hanging himself from its branches. Another is that it's the phantom of a woman buried in the churchyard, who died with a guilty secret. Canon Michael Johnson reckons the tale originated in the school playground. 'Schoolchildren have used this one to scare each other for generations,' he said. 'They say that if you run around the tree 13 times on the stroke of midnight you will see the figure.' Although he dismisses the tale as myth, Canon Johnson advised a note of caution. He said: 'There is probably nothing in it, but it would be foolish to dabble in things that we do not know much about. Ouija boards and the like can really mess people up. People should be cautious.' Mr Matthews also includes Chiseldon in his book. Paranormal activity is supposed to centre around a path connecting Holy Cross church and the quaint village of Hodson. But the Evening Advertiser drew a blank when it tried to find out more from villagers. Mike Cox, 68, of Butts Road, was born in the village and had never heard of the story. He said: 'My grandfather was 94 and he lived in the village all his life he never told me about a village ghost. 'But I wouldn't be surprised if the village did have a ghost. It's a very old place with the ancient Ridgeway track, which goes back to Roman times, running through it.' Lydiard House also gets a mention. The stately home with its sweeping grounds landscaped in the 18th century is said to contain the spirit of Sir John St John. The baronet's life was marked by tragedy. A staunch Royalist, he was reduced to ruin by the vengeful Parliament after the Civil War. Three of his sons were killed in the heat of battle. Former warden of the house, Joyce Ingram, is quoted in the book as saying: 'We can always tell when he is about. The temperature drops dramatically and there is this distinctive, sweet smell.' And not surprisingly, the ancient stone circle at Avebury is said in the book to be one of the most haunted areas of the county. Spectres include small figures which are sometimes mistaken as children in fancy dress. They appear to dance about, as the book says, 'to some silent and long forgotten tune.' Mr Matthews said: 'Researching Swindon was a doddle the place is crawling with ghosts.' The book is available from all bookshops priced £7.95. Back to 2004 index |
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