North Shropshire Ghostly Phenomenon

Shropshire is considered to be one of the most haunted counties second only to Cornwall. Many of its small market towns and nearby villages do seem to have more than their fair share of strange ghostly tales...based supposedly on eye witness testimonies or accounts passed on through the generations. Here are just a few that I have looked up over the last few months.

 

Wem Area

The Wem Hown Hall Fire... See below photograph taken by Tony O'Rahilly in 1995, allegedly showing the image of Jane Churm looking out from the burning town hall building. Jane supposedly caused the original town hall fire if 1677. Those involved with investigating the fire and rebuilding work reported ghostly occurances shortly after the event.

The Old Woods Farm... During 1883 it is thought that the farm suffered an alarming attack from a poltergeist...the owners reported crockery being smashed, loaves of bread being flung across the room and most alarmingly...a baby's crib caught fire allegedly with the infant inside.

Prees Area (Between Wem and Whitchurch) In the late seventies I can recall a house and young family that were troubled by an agressive poltergeist. The family were terrified...I beleive that paranormal investigators, and members of the clergy were involved....I will try to find out more about this case and update when I can.

Wem Town Hall Ghost ?

Whitchurch Area

Whitchurch Civic Centre...around 1972 the recently built Civic Centre was the subject of some ghostly musical phenomena. Music would be heard playing from the grand-piano in the "Sir Edward German" function room, based on the first floor of the building. I was a friend of the newly appointed centre manager's son...who was witness to the occurances, which I recall lasted for several weeks. An investigation was carried out, but nothing was ever found...I beleive there was a local story that blamed a mouse inside the piano! The Centre was build on the site of the old Town Hall...which I think burned to the ground in the 60's.

The Old Eagles Pub...one of the oldest pubs in the town was the subject of recent ghostly sounds. Back in 2005 the ghostly voice of a young girl was allegedly heard in the main cellar during refurbishment work. It is claimed that the voice was captured on tape.

Whitchurch Civic Centre

Ellesmere Area

Lyneal Mill Cottages...the general area is beleived to haunted by a "Headless Woman" dressed in white, who has been seen roaming the vicinity on several occasions

Whittington Castle...an old moated castle now under renovation. People often report seeing children peering through the gatehouse window...when searched for, the childeren are never found. I think that the castle has recently been investigated by a local paranormal investigation group. One of the village pubs nearby also claims to have a resident friendy ghost.

Whittington Castle

Market Drayton Area

The Corbett Arms Public house...The Inn is thought to be haunted by a chambermaid whose husband-to-be deserted her. It is said that she hanged herself in one of the rooms (room7). It is said that single gentlemen staying at the Inn alone have been rudely awoken by sheets/blankets being pulled off the bed.

Lilleshall Abbey... Tortured cries are often heart on the site, which appear to be coming from under the building. A photographer spotted the Ghostly figure of a monk back in 2004, but was unable to capure it on film.

The Rudge Lane near Ashley...A very fast moving, silent black figure has been frequently reported in the area. In 2003 a local rambler claims that a ghostly apparition tried to attack him by jumping on this back...He claimed that he felt a heavyness on his back.

Lilleshall Abbey Ruins

Oswestry Area (To Be Added)

 

 

Is Your House or Workplace Haunted?

(And would you know what to look for?)

There are a few tell-tail signs that may indicate that all is not as it should be at your home or place of work...I say "may indcate" as you should always try to look for a conventional, rational cause before you assume that paranormal activity is present. Below are listed a few more common pointers which people have interpreted as indicative of a Haunting or Paranormal event.

Individual Sensitivity:

Some individuals may be more sensitive to paranormal phenomena than others. These are some indications of extra sensitivity.

1. Unusual dreams: Since ancient times, humans have reported dreams with deceased family, friends, and even strangers. At times, messages are conveyed to the sleeping person, often verified as correct when the dreamer awakens.

2. Lucid dreams: A dream where you realize you are dreaming and are able to take control of the dream to a certain degree.

3. Incubus or Hag Syndrome: The sensation of feeling pinned-down and partially suffocated by an unknown force or entity, usually during times of rest or sleep. Often, this "entity" manifests itself as an "incubus" (demon) or "hag" (old woman) and is generally a menacing presence. This is a type of paralysis dream and may or may not be related to the paranormal phenomena experienced in an area.

4. Sleep Paralysis: You awaken from sleep, but cannot move for a period of time. often there is a sensation of feeling held-down similar to the Incubus syndrome. This may be related to chemical imbalances or pressure in the brain.

5. Electronic Interference: The individual is thought to produce a low grade of PK (psychokinetic) energy which interacts and interferes with electronic devices. Example of this phenomena include; wrist watches regularly stopping, abnormal battery drain, Lighting flickering or dimming when the person walks past...and general premature failures of electronic devices.

6. Premonition, Clairvoyance or Retro-Cognition: The individulal may experience regular feelings of Premonition(sensing future events), Clairvoyance (sensing of present events...but at an entirely different location) or Retro-Cognition (Visualising events that took place in the past) 7. Previous Experiences: Prior contact with the paranormal, ghosts or other haunting activity can often indicate that an individual is extra sensitive.

Animal Interactions:

Animals often posses instincts and abilities more in tune with their surroundings.
Have you noticed your pet displaying abnormal behavior, such as suddenly becoming fearful, agitated or aggressive without any apparent reason? Does your pet follow unseen movement with its eyes? Does it lick the air? or appear to track something you cannot see?

Direct Contact Experiences:

These are without doubt the most common experiences that are regularly reported as signs of a haunting, ghost or paranormal event. They usually cause alarm or distress to the individual and occur without warning...and I can personally relate to several of the examples below.

1. Seeing shadowy figures, often very fast moving (as if in a speeded up film) which can sometimes leave the individual with a sensation of negativity. (And a sensation of fear, when it first happens!)

2. Peripheral vision manifestations: Do you see movements out of the corner of your eye, turn to look and find there is nothing there?

3. Full manifestation of an entity or ghost: This is the classic sign. Entities or ghosts can look solid, misty, or a mixture of the two. many reports indicate a fading below the knee, or seeming solid until they fade away or disappear through a wall whist the eye winess watches.

4. Temperature fluctuations: Are there cold-spots found only in a certain location? (Excluding drafts created by fans and windows etc.). Are there areas of the location that are abnormally cold? or columns of coldness that won't go away, or appear to move slowly through the house? Occasionally the same is true for warm-spots...but generally it is cold-spots that are far more common.

5. Unexplained Smells: Not the kind from the Curry & Guiness the night before...these are far..far worse. Does an extremely vile smell appear from nowhere? and fill just part of a room, then disappear as suddenly as it appeared. Is the smell so foul that you feel sick?

Psychokenetic or PK activity:

Apportation: Apportation is the manifestation or sudden appearance of foreign objects into a location. This may also relate to small household objects that disappear, cannot be found, but "re-appear" in either the exact location first searched or in an area where it will be easily found. Metal objects, including keys, coins, and jewellery, seem to be most often affected. Visual confirmation of objects moving: This often manifests itself as; doors opening or closing, unlocked doors unlocking themselves, Lighting or Television coming on of its own accord (or switching off)

Sound Phenomena:

This is also a commonly reported sign of Paranormal, Ghost or Haunting activity and includes; Furniture moving, Footsteps, scratching or rustling sounds, doors & windows slamming and distant whispering voices.

Bad Vibes / Sensations:

A haunting is not always obvious, there are often more subtle signs. These can include: An uncomfortable feeling in a particular room or at a particular time for an unknown reason. The sensation of being watched when no one is present. A sensation of hostility directed to you from an unknown source. A sensation of love, comfort or peace directed to you from an unknown source.

So...is you house or workplace haunted?

I would imagine that most of you will relate to several items listed above...but is this the signature of a Haunting, Ghost or Paranormal event...well maybe it is, or maybe there are rational causes. Did the door slam because of a gust of wind? did the lights flicker because your home electrics are a bit dodgy? The whispering voices could have been from someone outside rather than from the "other side". Those things you see in the corner of your eye...are they real...or should you visit your optician? As with life in general, try to include a healthy portion of common sense? Eliminate the obvious and try not to let your imagination run wild.

 

 

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