Author: Ian

St Martin’s Church, West Drayton

The church of St Martin dates from the 13th century. The following account of a phantom bird associated with the building was published in ‘Haunted Churches’ (1939) by Elliott O’Donnell (27 February 1872 – 8 May 1965). ‘ONE of the most remarkable cases of haunting in a church occurred at West Drayton, near Uxbridge, in the middle of the eighteenth century.

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Lancashire Folk by Melanie Warren

I’ve known Mel for over 20 years, meeting though ASSAP while investigating paranormal cases in the North of England. We share a passion for collecting stories and coming from Lancashire myself I have been looking forward to reading Mel’s new book and revisiting some of the old stories, coming across some new ones..and of course, I can now add the book to my collection!

Gill Hill And The Radlett Murder

In ‘Haunted Churches’ (1939), Elliott O’Donnell (27 February 1872 – 8 May 1965) refers to ‘Gill Hill, the scene of the horrible Weare murder, and said to be still haunted by the ghosts of Weare and his murderers, Thurtell and Probert’. The Radlett or Elstree murder took place around Gills Hill Lane in Radlett on 24 October 1823.

All Saints Church, Bristol

All Saints Church is a Grade II listed building with parts dating back to 12th century. Before the dissolution, All Saints was associated with the society of the Kalendaries, who built a public library here.

St Thomas’s Church, Regent Street

St Thomas’s Regent Street is now demolished and the parish amalgamated with those of St Peter’s, Great Windmill Street and the St Anne’s Church, Soho. The church received the following mention by Elliott O’Donnell (27 February 1872 – 8 May 1965) in his Haunted Churches (1939).

The Church of St. Nicholas, Guisborough

The church of St. Nicholas is a Grade II listed building dating from the 15th or 16th century, though it was extensively rebuilt or restored in the 18th century and early 20th century. Joining the church to the South are the ruins of Guisborough Priory which was dedicated to St Mary.

St. Mary’s Church, Scarborough

St Mary’s Church is a Grade I listed building dating from the 12th century, though much of it was rebuilt in the 17th century after it was damaged during the siege ofScarborough Castle during the English Civil War in 1644. In ‘Haunted Churches’ (1939), Elliott O’Donnell (27 February 1872 – 8 May 1965) refers to a woman keeping vigil at St Mary’s on St Mark’s Eve.

Holy Cross and St Mary Church , Quainton

Dating from the 14th century, the parish church of St Mary the Virgin and Holy Cross was reputedly involved in a strange experience in the late 17th century. The incident involved Susanna (nee Brawne) (died circa 1671) and her husband Sir John Dormer of Lee Grange (died Leghorn (Livorno) 1675), who are interred in the church.

All Saints Church, York

The 14th century All Saints’ Church is a Grade I listed building. According to ‘Haunted Churches’ (1939) by Elliott O’Donnell (27 February 1872 – 8 May 1965) ‘All sorts of queer stories are told, too, of the other Pavement church, All Saints.