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| Ghosts Archive 1999 |
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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 |
First Published August 26 1999 Ready Steady spook haunts hotel kitchen IF you hear a clattering in the kitchen of a hotel and a howl of despair, do not blame the chef. It is probably George the ghost, and the Lansdowne Strand Hotel in Calne is his favourite haunt. George is often seen bringing in vegetables through the back door. Fortunately his ghostly offerings are not used as they are probably 200-years-old, according to manager Tony Calleya. 'He seems a very friendly chap - I have only seen him a couple of times but the chef sees him quite a lot. He must like the food here because he keeps coming back,' he said. Sightings of George put him at about 60-years-old, tallish, with a stocky build and thin dark hair. But he always appears in shadow so his face cannot be clearly seen. Legend has it he was a handyman and gardener and he can be heard tapping away or mending something in the hotel. Chef Sandra Sandell, 53, of North end, Calne, said George is a very friendly ghost and only comes in when he senses something is wrong. 'He pops in to see if we are all right. He can sense the bad vibes. If he thinks we are having a bad time or we are a bit down he will come along. When we see him we say, 'We're all right thanks George' and he goes,' she said. Mrs Sandell, who has been chef for seven years at the hotel, said she sees George as often as twice a week. 'You can see a dark shape in the kitchen and then see him walking through the back of the kitchen. You can definitely sense his presence. He has also been seen upstairs and in the cellar,' she said. 'He does not visit as frequently as when I first arrived. I think that is because the hotel is not in as much turmoil now.' But woe betide anybody who does not take George seriously. Mrs Sandell revealed a frightening outcome for one receptionist who didn't believe in him. 'She played a prank on another member of staff by creeping around pretending to be George to scare her. 'The next day the two were the only ones in the reception and they heard a bang in the bar, which they knew was empty,' she said. 'The receptionist went in to have a look what it was and when she walked in her hair stood up on end - it scared her witless and she never took the mickey out of George again. 'He just proved that he was there. He is not malicious.' Back to 1999 index |
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