Famous Cases: The Haunting of Maidstone- Rochester Road (A229)

Source:Copyright(Sean Tudor 2001)http://www.lowerbell.com/page12.html)
There are other cases of Road Ghost sitings, the most famous of which is the Blue Bell Hill Ghost. Whether it remains an active haunting no one in recent years has had an encounter, as far as anyone knows. The story is sourced from (Sean Tudors website 2001).

The recent history of the haunting of the Maidstone - Rochester Road (A229) over Blue Bell Hill probably begins with the terrible crash of 19 November 1965, but recent reports may have provided us with some earlier reports which we are still investigating. On a Friday evening a Ford Cortina was heading towards Maidstone with four young women on board. S, an Australian-born shorthand typist was to be married the next day and was driving the other girls to the Running Horse pub, Maidstone, in the hope of meeting some of their boyfriends. J was in the front passenger seat and P and G were in the back. It was never decided what caused the accident, no blame was ever attributed to anyone, but as the Cortina rounded a bend on what is now the Old Road it collided with a Jaguar that was coming up the hill.

J died almost at once, followed by P an hour later in Maidstone and S the following Wednesday. G was hospitalised for over four months but survived. A photographer from the Maidstone Gazette, Mike Pollard, was on his way home when he encountered the carnage and he took some harrowing pictures of the crash scene.

There were only odd mentions of the Ghost of Blue Bell Hill over the next few years, with nothing significant until 1974, when events were to mark a change in the phenomenon. A Rochester man, MG, was driving home in the early hours of Saturday morning when he knocked down a young girl who he thought may have been about ten years old. Distraught, he ran back and picked up the girl who was bruised and crying for her mother. Laying the girl by the side of the road, he tried to flag down passing motorists. When no one would stop, he covered her in his car blanket and dashed to the nearest police station for help. When the police arrived at the scene a few minutes later the girl had gone, though the blanket remained. At first light a search was conducted in the area with dogs, but nothing was ever found.

The Kent Messenger marked the occasion by putting together all the ghost stories to date in an article by Nigel Nelson called 'Drivers beware the Phantom on the Hill'. The next encounter was reported in an article in the Evening Post on Tuesday, 30 August 1977, when two men reported seeing a blond woman in a white evening dress in a slightly dishevelled state waiting as if for a lift. They were from Welling and reportedly had no knowledge of the hill's unusual history

Update to Office Poltergeist: Message left on Answer Machine

Having analysed the Wave file taken from the Telephone, it is a whispering Voice, which leaves a long message. From what I can tell it does not belong to anyone I know. I have analysed in Wave Pad Editor, and is very similar to the EVP's Electronic Voice Phenomenon. It ends in a comment 'we miss you', and it is probably from a Poltergeist, Spirit or entity. I have a copy but I have decided not to upload this, as it could be worrying for others.

This kind of phenomenon is known as EVP's Electronic Voice Phenomenon, and the work is controversial. To produce an EVP, you switch on a radio, and tune to a band between Radio stations to produce white noise, and set up a tape recorder to record. On playback sometimes you can discover voices and messages. There are specialist Paranormal shops that will sell you inexpensive equipment to pick up background noise, which is useful if you intend to some Paranormal investigation. Some agree that the white noise and sounds and voices are spirits, others are less convinced and do not agree, and say it is nothing but random noise. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of EPV's Electronic Voice Phenomenon.

The safety rules still apply A) The best way is to join a Group and go with someone. B) Always tell someone where you are going and leave maps and telephone number, as well as when you intend to start the Time and a provisional time when you will be back. C) Be careful if it is private property and if that is the case, then get the owners permission D) A Group or someone you know well is better always then being on your own.
E) Some Ghosts or Spirits can be dangerous so always make sure that you are with someone. F) Have a protection system, or spell. G) Imagine you are surrounded by a protective White Bubble, and that nothing can penetrate it. H) Start or close each session with the meditation. I) If you are religious then use it for protection with a prayer or few lines from a Psalm such as the Lords Prayer.

For the most part nothing probably will happen. It is best not to use the Ouija Board, while some have had results, it can be unpredictable. There are some who use it, and others who do not recommend it. There is a theory that when you use it, you connect with spirits on the lower plane who have died because of some tradegy. Some argue that other more darker sprits lay beyond and will be attracted to the user,or use the minor spirit or try to control it. No one is really sure, but there is evidence that using Ouija creates some sort of Gateway between this world and the next, and sometimes spirits can cross over, and even enter your House, if you have used one. That why I would recommend caution in using them, or try to find an experience user, preferably do not use it all, unless you are sure in what you are doing, and prepared for unexpected results.

When investigating paranormal phenomenon ensure all equipment works, take Hydronometers to measure temperature, the laser ones work best, and are avaliable from Maplin or other Paranormal equipment shops. Some like to take Photos of Orbs or other spirits which maybe present. Some also rig up Webcams to record photos, or even use Night vision cameras. It all depends on your time avaliable and budget.

I personally use a a cheap electromagenetic field detector. The Guass meter is very popular. The theory goes, that if a Ghost is present it will create disturbances in Electromagnetic Field, as does a sudden drop in temperature which can indicate the presence of a spirit. Before you start take control readings and look for draughts and electric equipment which could also intefere with readings. That way you can compare readings and rule out paranormal activity, if there is any and spirits are present.

Many of the places you visit will be old, or could be abandoned. Ensure you have torches, and backup batteries. If possible reconnoitre the area in the daylight. Remember the Golden rule is safety ensure more than one adult is present or that you go as a Group, so I would recommend joining a paranormal Group, which can organise and arrange investigations. Remember to have fun as well, but remember that your safety is also the main priority.

Poltergeist Activity- Answerphone Message from Unknown Spirit

I awoke Friday Morning and casually and reviewed the telephone messages, on the Answer Machine of my Main Telephone. I listened and got to a second message which time was recorded on Thursday 24th at 0517. I left the House early to travel to work in London at 0500. It starts off as a normal phone call, and then there is rustling of what sounds like papers. There is then a raspy Male Voice, which is breathing softly, and there is a lot of '-White noise' and feedback and ends in a Voice that sounds very harsh and Guttaral, but whispery, almost as an alien would sound. I believed it was an alien until my farther reminded me that it was likely that it was from the Ghost, that I had first had in the 'Office Poltergeist' Story on this weblog. I have a copy of the message which I am currently reviewing. I will keep posted if I have any more incidents.

Poltergeist Activity : Translocation of Objects

I am not sure how I get rid of what I call the Sixth Sense. I have tried to remove it in the past, but have had no luck. It seems I am stuck with it, which can be a blessing or curse, depending on your point of view.

I returned to my father’s home, and of course it seems a Ghost has followed. I have not seen it, but I am aware that it is there by the trail of objects it leaves. The last two weeks when I was alone in the House, I started to encounter objects being moved around the House, and not being in the same place where I left them.

The first incident left me a bit uneasy and involved my wrist watch. I placed it in the desk drawer shutting it. I went to the Bathroom to brush my teeth and wash. When I returned I found that my desk drawer was open, and the watch was now on the top of the desk. I picked up the watch and returned it to the drawer, and shut it. I went back to the bathroom and returned five minutes later, expecting to catch it in the act. When I entered the room I saw the watch had been placed back on the top of the desk and the draw was open.

Two nights later, I returned to my room and found one night, after I had gone to the bathroom that my folder containing documents and a written envelope with a note from my father had been put onto the bed. The note asked about driving lessons and whether I wanted a used Car. I had forgotten about my driving test, as I am not a confident driver and the lessons had slipped down my agenda on my Bucket list. Also on the bed was a Two pence coin, not exactly useful, but the thought was there. I suppose I can use to catch the bus. I just wish it had left me more money, but of course it does not work like that.

The previous night I had emptied the dishes from the dishwasher and it had completed the cycle. I opened the door, to let the heat out and went to watch the TV in the living room and the nightly BBC 10-00 Clock news. When I returned I found that someone had opened the dishwasher power draw and the draw for Liquid. I am a hundred percent sure that both draws were locked with the catch down when I went to the living room.

I will keep you posted if I find that anymore events have happened.

The Ghost of The Grenadier Pub, London.

The Grenadier Public House, Wilton Road, London, is famous for being one of London’s most haunted pubs and The Duke of Wellington drank there on occasions. It is haunted by the Ghost of a Grenadier.

The Young Soldier allegedly died after sustaining injuries from a beating from his Comrades after it was discovered he cheated in a card game in the public House. His Ghost is a reoccurring haunting and is said to appear in the month of September as it looks around the building and looking into rooms and travelling along corridors.

In June 2004 after work, five of my work Colleagues and I entered the Pub celebratory leaving drinks after a hard days toil. The Pub had filled with Customers and contained the usual Students and other revelers, and patrons, stopping for a quick drink before returning home. We all grabbed table and I noticed a Victorian Round Table with marquetry in Beach.

The table had Black Ink Roman Numerals around the edge and a brass plaque was dated 1890. One of my colleagues offered to buy the round, and we brought ales. He asked the Head Of the Department whether he could get one, and the answer was yes.

After some five minutes had passed, he returned to the table, and gave the pint to the Head of the Department. The Head was wearing Posh Oxfords and Chinos and a Shirt.

As sat his Pint down on the Table, the Glass containing the Ale, suddenly flew up and off the table and the Beer went flying over him. He shrugged and laughed the incident off, and someone else offered to buy him another one. In another corner of the Pub a woman screamed and she made a fuss that someone or something icy had touched her on the shoulder. None of us spoke of the incidents again and we got on with the evening entertainment. My guess is that it was the Ghost of The Grenadier.

Nottingham Castle Ghost

I was watching Channel Fours Election coverage,or BBC News Coverage,( I cannot remember which channel was featured), and part of it, involved Regional coverage.

There was a female reporter whose Election brief was to report from outside Nottingham Castle for some reason, probably on the Campaign and the implications for Nottingham.

While the coverage was going live, I noticed in the background, standing behind the reporter in the Nottingham Castle Gate House, a figure of a man in shining Armour. He was covered in Head to toe, in Chain Mail, and had a White Surplus and a Christian Cross on it, similar to a Crusader. I believe that he had a sword, but I cannot remember whether he had a shield. He stood behind the reporter, and the Journalist did not see him. I thought at the time, that it was a plastic figure, or copy of a Knight to draw in the Crowds. On reflection this morning I figured that it maybe a Ghost, so I set out, to check the facts. I have found Nottingham Castle's Webcam, the 360 link or paranorama view, is of the Gatehouse, and there is, this morning no sign of any such figure.

I guess that I could be mistaken, but given my history of seeing Ghosts, this probably is a new one. I am not sure whether others saw the same thing ? or whether it was just me, who saw it, at that point ?

Weblink to Nottingham Castle Gatehouse and 360 Degree view. : You need Java download to access 360 Degree view.http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/360/where_to_go/castle/gatehouse.shtml.
For other Ghost Stories and encounters on Nottingham Castle Please visit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/citylife/ghostsandlegends/creepy_castle.shtml

Looking up the History of the Castle, Eleanor of Aquitane was held hostage by her Husband King Henry II. The Ghost of Eleanor of Aquitane is sometimes seen in the Grounds of the Castle. The History also indicates that King Richard The Lionhart lay siege to the castle, upon return from the Holyland and Crusades, against the men of King John. So in theory it could be one of the Knights of his army.

After reading a webblog on the Castle there are no actors employed to renact any of the Castles Battles. The Castle remains in its natural setting, so it seems that I do not have an explanation for the figure.

Other details which I remember were that the figure was very tall, and muscular, Six Foot Two, and had a Brown Beard. He wore metal Chainmail Gloves on both hands. The Cross was Red in Colour on a White Silk Tunic. The Knight from his appearance belonged to the Order of the Templars.

The Ghostly Ringer

I was sitting in the living room last night, and then, there were Six to Eight loud rings of the Front Door Bell. I could not be bothered to answer it, and my father did. He went to the door to deal with whoever was ringing the bell, and switched on the outside porch light, and looked through a Spy Hole and found that there was no one there. He immediately checked around and found no one. In itself, it is not really paranormal activity, and could be kids larking about. The Doorbell is electronic so, it does pick up other Doorbells that operate on similar radio frequencies so it possible that is what happened.
There are some Spirits and Ghosts, such as Poltergeist who can use the electrical systems as well as Lights of buildings, to frighten the living, some also can effect computers with no sign of the intervention of the spirit. I have personally encountered the rapid switching on and off of lights, a classic trick of poltergeists, which they use to communicate. It is not just restricted to them, but to other Ghosts and Spirits as well. In the Office Poltergeist encounter, the lights would go on and off, in rapid succession, or sometimes would be switched off. When I was working late in the Office, I witnessed it personally on many occasions. All the Lights seem to switch off in one go, and the one above me stayed on. I checked them all out, and found they worked, and were not broken.
On its own the ringing of the Doorbell could be taken to be children larking around in the street outside. Later, I prepared for bed, and when I went to my room, I checked my bed which was all neatly and cleanly made, and folded correctly, and there was no sheets out of place and a tucked in Blanket covered the whole bed.
Later, I brushed my teeth and left for about two Minutes, and when I returned, I found that the whole of the top right corner had been folded back exposing the sheet underneath.Neither my father and I, had been into the room, so I am can assume that it was a spirit of some sort, letting me know that it was around.