RIP + David Farrant 1946 - 2019 +

The Human Touch Blog ~
David Farrant

Haunted Hill Hall

Well, as its Sunday again, I thought I’d give you a little ghost story for a change – another ‘true life’ ghost story, I might add.

As a matter of fact, I’ve been looking for this for some time as I intend to include it in the 3rd revised of “Dark Journey” but as that isn’t due for over a year and I’ve just re-found it, thought I would include it now. It was written in 2006.No your news for the Blog really, although I expect as usual people have been going to Church to tell God how good they’ve been and how ‘bad’ I am.But the Church keeps a fairly open mind on ghost stories and cases of spiritualism, you know, so don’t take it all out on me!Anyway, here it is . . .

HILL HALL stands rather majestically amidst overgrown grounds near the small village of Theydon Mount in Essex. An Elizabethan Manor House that fell into series decline in later centuries, it was eventually utilised as a women’s’ open prison in the 1950’s, but later closed and renovated in 1986; the purpose, apparently, to open it to the public as an excellent example of 17 century architecture. (The building has massive painted Muriel’s that decorate the walls and ceilings which were apparently a prime object for preservation). It is supposedly haunted by a melancholy white firure; that of a woman who has been sighted in the Hall and outside in the grounds, usually near a large ornamental pond not far from two long since disused tennis courts.

In the early summer of 1986, some members of the British Psychic and Occult Society gathered in the grounds late one night with the intention of spotting – and possibly photographing – this phenomenon.At precisely 2.15 am a pale figure was seen approximately 150 yards distant emerging from the back of the ruined mansion, which glided quite rapidly across a spacious lawn before promptly disappearing near the pond.As it moved it cast no shadow despite bright moonlight. When it did not re-emerge the site of its disappearance was inspected and, although nothing further was seen, quite unexpectedly a “whispering female voice” echoed quite distinctly across the water.

The actual words, unfortunately, were indiscernible but there was a distince impression that it intended to be heard, as if trying to convey some message. An attempt was made to photograph this figure but, although this was clearly visible, this was unsuccessful.

Encouraged by the apparent appearance of this spectre, however, later, more thorough enquiries were made about last known occupants of the Hall and its history.
Perhaps expectedly, many stories about the Hall turned out to be unsubstantial or so vague as to be misleading. But as for the ghost itself, this seemed to have become firmly embedded as part of the house’s history:

Essentially, the story went that the ghost was that of an Elizabethan maiden who was doomed to ‘wander the earth’ after her death – penance for causing the death of two rival suitors who fought a duel for her affections, but ended up killing each other. Whether this story was based on original fact was, of course, impossible to discover. But the figure itself was witnessed by three unsuspecting people and, ghost or otherwise, this certainly seemed to give it some credence in present day reality.

© David Farrant

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11 Responses

  1. Yes, somebody is certainly having a great laugh, Cat – albeit at my expense.
    Well, I suppose it makes a pleasant change from all the dark and untruthful propaganda being put around elsewhere. So unCristian for a Sunday!!
    For now,
    David

  2. I don’t see what “expense” comes with a woman pouring gravy on her bosom for you!
    (And I don’t see anything “Christian” on the blog in question…except for more barmy chatter and pretensious holyness.)

  3. I only meant ‘expense’ in the sense that certain other were believing I was responsible.
    If that really happened, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask the lady to give me her blouse so I could either get it washed or buy her a new one.
    Sod the expense in that direction!
    For now,
    David!

  4. A comment by someone reminded me of a question I meant to ask. Is there any historical connexion between lesbianism and Paganism or Wicca?

  5. According to my Cat Library, the Christian faith has a tradition of women cohabiting together in cloisters and excluding men, and perhaps informal dancing is a rather innocent way of taking part in “women contact only” activities, for ‘spiritual enlightenment’ I shouldn’t wonder.

  6. I don’t really want to get back to Wicca and Paganism again Cat.
    But your point could explain a LOT of things though.
    For now,
    David

  7. You are starting to get ‘naughty’ again Cat – but I can hardly blame you after all the malicious allegations they’ve made against men (including little ol’ me!).
    Yes, such activity would help to explain this paranoia towards men.
    David

  8. Cat, there is also a tradition of men cloistering together inside establishments and excluding women – they’re called ‘pubs.’
    Columbine.

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