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Helena · Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 75 Location: yorkshire, UK

Haunted Bridgnorth UK

History

There is evidence that Bridgnorth existed in some form in Saxon times, but it really became a settlement in 1101 when the Earl Robert de Belleme decided to site his castle here. Thus the streets are laid out to 12th century plans and have altered little.
It was Henry II who gave Bridgnorth its Royal Charter in 1157, establishing it as a town of importance. In our walk, you will find a plaque to the fire of Bridgnorth which destroyed most of the town so it's original look changed in later years.
The remains of the Norman Castle are reputed to be leaning more than the tower in Pisa, so its well worth a photograph, but don't linger too long just in case!
Caves in Low Town
In times past Bridgnorth was a very prosperous town due to the industry and value of it extensive port, thus many buildings in the town reflect the good fortune of the merchants. At the other end of the human chain there is still much evidence around of where the poor folk and labourers resided in the caves around the town and on the hillsides.
East Castle St
In the 13th century Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury contended for their claim to importance, thus in both towns you will find grand houses. When you walk East Castle street towards the Castle and gardens you will be passing by well kept houses of Georgian style.
The Church of St Mary's was restored by Thomas Telford into what would be considered a more classical style than the original church that was on the grounds and of Norman design.
Because the town's main activity was by the river in the beginning, there are many old houses that have survived years of flooding and the great fire, it is here that there are still the caves or houses that are partially built into the caves with a more modern structure on the frontage.
Building materials of timber frame, wattle and daub, ancient oak beams, sandstone and irregular glass windows all add to the character of the Low Town lodgings. As mentioned in our walk, Bishop Percy's house is listed as being 1580. There are many others of equal or a bit later dates still clinging to the winding hillside of High Town, despite the years of thundering hoofs and wagons shaking their shutters as they carried heavy goods up and down.
High Street
The High Street houses some, but not all of the shops and places to eat or stay in town. It has undergone a lot of changes and the buildings reflect this is their varying designs, 17th-19th century primarily.
Some have been refaced since their original building, such as the Northgate which has eroded away a number of times due to the sandstone construction, the original bits were medieval.
The High Street's shops and inns all would have had gardens, liveries and various workshops in the back. Bits of adornment from older buildings have been added to buildings throughout the years to give them an older feel and appearance.
St Leonards Church
The Town Hall, once a barn, is of timber frame construction with sandstone arches for support. However due to the softness of the stone, the arches were encased with brick during g a major renovation in 1887. This was carried out as a memorial to the jubilee of Queen Victoria, mention of this can be found at the top of the steps.
Because the Civil War destroyed most of St Leonard's Church, it was rebuilt in pieces and the tower is supposed to be a copy of the original, dating from 1488, however this sandstone structure is probably more Victorian at present.
The bridge was first built in the Middle Ages and then rebuilt many times with Thomas Telford putting his mark on it with his design in 1823.
The Bridge
If you walk along the bridge and then the river bank path to the left you will come to the site of the old Hazeldine Foundry near the Severn Park. It was here that the first passenger steam locomotive was built in 1808. There is a memorial to this feat on the tower on the bridge.
At the Severn Valley Railway you will find the station house well preserved due to the continued efforts of dedicated volunteers and staff. It is of a gabled construction and a few years ago the roofing was restored back to near perfect again. It's painted in the traditional colours and is a well used site for visitors and locals alike.

HAUNTINGS

Bassa Villa Restaurant

A plaque in the 16th century Bassa Villa Restaurant (Formely Magpie House) at the bottom of Bridgnorth’s Cartway tells of a mother’s undying love for her two dead offspring, tragic victims of chance…and an innocent children’s game.
In the 1600’s the girl, Charlotte and boy, William were playing Hide and Seek and were inadvertently locked in the cellar of the Magpie House, which is close to the River Severn. Trapped, they had no means of escape when the river, high in flood, suddenly burst its banks, flooding the cellar and drowning the unfortunate children. The grief-stricken parents erected two marble images of the children, which can still be seen in the Terrace Gardens. But images of stone cannot replace flesh and blood, nor ease a grieving mother’s heart.
The Black Lady has been seen walking the house still, her soul tormented by the tragic loss. She cries, softly whimpering her sadness, or has been heard laughing gently in remembrance of happier times.

No.11 High Street, Bridgnorth

Now housing Bryan & Knott, 11 High Street was built in the early 1700's and was formerly a sweet shop with living quarters on the first floor. The only history of the premises reports a possible suicide on the first floor but the date of such an event can not be verified.

The first recorded event is that of a cleaning lady who used to look after the first floor became so unsettled with first floor she asked a friend to help her. When her friend came with her she brought her dog, the dog became so anxious on entering the building it would not follow her up the stairs.

The second event relates to two decorators who were employed to decorate the rooms on the first floor at night. One of the decorators fell asleep on the settee in the living room and was woken suddenly by what he thought was his friend shaking him. However he was alone in the room and his friend was working up a ladder in the corridor at the other side of the building.

Acton Arms

The Acton Arms is thought to be one of the most frequently haunted inns in the country. Little is known of the ghost except that he is the figure of a Benedictine monk, and could be Richard Manners, Abbot of Shrewsbury and last Prior of Morville before the Dissolution. However it could be another monk who is known to have frequented the inn in the 16th century, where he used to do his womanising.
The monk is mainly seen upstairs appearing as a “white form” and only vaguely in the shape of a man. His figure has been seen in an upstairs corridor moving from room to room. His appearances are daily and on occasions he has been seen more than once on the same day. More rare are his appearances in the corridor but still frequently he has been seen in one of the bedrooms, standing quietly in the corner.

Cann Hall Drive

Marie, who lives in the drive, has experienced some very strange things since she has moved in.The first thing happened as soon as she moved in. Suddenly the house developed a strange smell, just like the smell emitted from a sewer.Smell stayed in the house for two days and although through investigations was made,source of the smell could not be found. On the third day, the smell disappeared suddenly as it appearred.
Next incident concerned an old russian wind up toy. Marie had put the toy on the landing upstairs and was sitting in her lounge one evening when suddenly she heard the sound of the toy in motion. The spring in the toy had been broken for some time and after it had stopped she tried winding it up again to now avail.
Not long afterwards, a couple of incidents occurred in the bathroom. Marie kept a small plastic mirror on the window ledge over the head of the bath. One day while in the bathroom the mirror appeared on the floor. In order to land where it did the mirror would of had to travel at right angles in which case would of meant it would of fallen in the bath.
Simularly a china pendant fell from above the shower where had been connected to a leather strap. The pendant and strap were unbroken.
Other incidents have accured in the garden and in the lounge.

Lady In Black

Perhaps Bridgnorth best known ghost is that of a young girl, dressed in a black cloak and laced up boots who has been known to appear in the High Street, near the Swan Hotel, and in Cartway.
Witnesses who have seen her include two policemen who used to meet up at the same time every night on their rounds. While having a chat they heard footsteps approaching as they stood by Cranes the fishmongers, although they could see no one.Then suddenly a woman was there walking towards them.One policman asked "Are you alright love" and he heard her reply "Yes thank you" before turning into Cartway and disappearing. They thought it odd that she would suddenly appear very late at night, wearing old fashioned clothes. So on the third night they followed her closely as she turned into Cartway where she simply vanished before their eyes.
The ghost has been seen on many nights and it is believed that she is a ghost of a woman who commited suicide after her lover broke her heart.

The Old Railway Tunnel

The disused railway tunnel which runs under the town is believed to be haunted.
During the last war when the tunnel was still use, the entrance was guarded by mambers of the home guard. One night while on guard duty ,a young soldier saw a ghostly figure coming towards him out of the tunnel. He experienced a feeling of extreme terror which prompted to aim his rifle at the figure. He remained rooted to the spot for what seemed to be hours as the figure moved closer until it disappeared.
Since the closure of the tunnel it has been used as a playground by local children. One bonfire night while playing with fierworks in the tunnel a ghostly, brightly figure came towards a group of children, who ran away in terror, vowing never to enter the tunnel again.
During the tunnel construction a workman was run over by a cart and suffered fatal injuries. Perhaps it is he who walks the tunnel.

The Hand

A young lady from Shropshire had a very troubled realationship whith her aunt who said many unkind and slanderous things about her. The aunt moved to Paris and for sometime they had no contact with other. Her niece moved to Bridgnorth to stay with some friends.
One day they all went out driving in their horse drawn coach towards Cleobury North. They were just outside Bridgnorth when suddenly the horse stopped dead and would not move. The driver whipped it but it still would not move.The young lady then tried to lead the horse when she suddenly found herself flung aside bysome considerable force which she could feel but not see.
Gradually a gigantic hand and arm materialised holding the horse by the neck. At that moment a church clock in Bridgnorth began to strike twelve.
The hand faded away and they able to move on but were so upset thst they had to return home, and the horse was never fit to work again. It was a few days later that a young lady learnt that her aunt had died in Paris at noon on the day of the hand.

The Crown And Raven Hotel (Now The Crown)

The landlord and landlady who were running the Crown and Raven some years ago had heard that it was haunted when they moved in but were a bit scepical.A woman who claimed to be a medium came to the pub and was unwilling to go into the catering kitchen. People have also felt cold spots in the pub. The landlady has heard that there are supposed to be two ghosts at the Raven, although she has never seen either of them. One ghost is supposed to be of a girl called Evaand the second ghost is to be that of a cavalier.
Mr Les Stewart, a past landlord of the Crown and Raven, never saw anything whilst he was there, but there was always a lot of noise at night which could not be accounted for, including footsteps. The compressed air would also switch itself off on its own occasionally. A past landlady at the pub Mrs Chris Sandy,also had a few strange experiences. She had two Alsatian dogs when she moved in but the dogs not go into the upstairs flat. They would sit outside the door with their fur on end and refuse to move. Also the bathroom light kept switching on by itself. Mrs Sandy down one morning at about 7.30 am. She had employed a man part time to come in early to do the bottling up. He commented, when she said good morning that she was a bit more socialble than the young woman he had seen earlier. He said the woman had come in and gone behind the bar and when he spoke to her, she had ignored him. Mrs Sandy was unable to account for this strange woman because because she had no one stayingwith her at the time.
Most of the experiences seemed to happen in the Crown part of the pub, Mrs Sandy and some friends held a seance one evening and they received a message from a young girl. She said she was 19 years old and was a chambermaid [the property used to be a hotel]. She was engaged to a man but found out that he was having an affair with someone else. She killed other girl and was executed for murder.

Abanazers Cottage

Abanazer's Cottage is situated in Ebenezer Row, Bridgnorth. Mr John Furness has owned the property since 1985. The cottage has been occupied continuously since it was built 1810.The occupant before Mr Furness was a little old man who lived alone and would not open the door to anyone.
Mr Furness spent the first year working on the cottage, making it habitable. He would stay late at night and on two occasions he passed the little old man on the stairs and walked straight through him.Since living in the cottage he has felt the old mans presence many times.The ghost appears to live in the attic and shuffled around at night. Mr Furness's girlfriend also saw Charlie, as they call him, and hears him shuffle around at night.
Mr Furness says that Charlie is no trouble at all and his theory is that the old man was so safe in the cottage that upon his death he was reluctant to leave the safety of the cottage and will remain there until he is ready to move on.

The Old Carpet Factory/Franciscan Friary

History
Very little is known of the history of Bridgnorth Franciscan Friary. Not even the exact date of its foundation is known. It must have been founded after 1224 when the Franciscans first came to England, but before 1244 when Henry III ordered payment of 40/- to the Friars Minor of Bridgnorth towards the building of their church. There is no reliable record of the name of the founder, and indeed there may not have been a founder in the formal sense, although the friars later claimed it to be Ralph le Strange.
In its receipt of royal support Bridgnorth Friary was typical. It was typical too in its siting on the outskirts of one of the poorer quarters of the town, on a confined strip of land on the west bank of the Severn to the north of the bridge. It would appear that the friary was built just outside the town wall, for in 1247 the friars received permission to enlarge their site by means of removing a road from outside the town ditch to within it. Further extension of the cramped site was achieved by dumping earth and rubbish in the river. By 1272 this gradual process of land reclamation had been going on for several years, and the friars were charged with encroachment on the river resulting in damage to the King's Mills at Pendlestone. In the same year an escaped prisoner took sanctuary in the church.
Building work, as well as land reclamation, seems to have continued throughout much of the second half of the 13th century, for in 1282 the friars received a gift of six oaks, fit for timber, from the King's forest of Shirlot. Around this time, another gift suggests, the friars may have numbered about fifteen.
Beyond these sparse and not particulary exciting facts the history of the friary is virtually a blank. The names of almost none of the heads, or guardians, of the friary are known, and only a few names of members. Over the years various gifts and bequests to the house were recorded, none particularly remarkable.
Ironically, the only source which provides anything approaching a detailed description of the friary is the inventory drawn up at the time of its Suppression by Henry VIII. The house was surrendered on August 5, 1538. The King's Commissioner described it as the poorest house he had seen, "all the houses at fallyng downe". The bretheren, it was said, received only 10s a year in alms and could not have lived but for their provision of chaplains to the Chapel of St. Sythe, which stood on the bridge over the Severn throughout the medieval period. The inventory mentions the quire, the belfry (with two bells), the refectory, the kitchen, the brewhouse and "a conduit coming from the high cross which was not seen for many years". In addition there must have been a dormitory and a chapter-house, and possibly a guest house and lodging for the guardian also.
The general impression which emerges from the inventory is of a very rundown house indeed. There was a poor store of silver, and although there was adequate provision for divine service there was very little to provide for the domestic needs of the friars. Indeed, the absence of necessary items from some rooms, and the fact that other rooms are not mentioned at all, indicates that parts of the friary had fallen into disuse: in all probability the community was very much reduced, numbering no more than four or five persons.
After the surrender of the friary the silver was taken by the king, one of the bells and lead stripped from the roof were sold, and those buildings considered fit for use were let. Pictorial evidence shows that the friary buildings which remained standing were much modified and added to over the centuries which followed the Dissolution, and eventually formed a single, large, rambling edifice. Parts of the original friary remained more or less intact, however, encased within the new building. One description, from the early 18th century, speaks of impressive underground vaults running in several directions and "plain marks" of the "ancient magnificence" of the friary buildings. The building was converted into a malt-house, but until the middle of the 19th century the refectory was still "in its pristine state: the pannelled oak ceiling, the stone fireplace, and many of the windows, though the lights are stopped with plaister, are still in entire preservation".
By this time, however, parts of the former friary precinct were already occupied by Southwell's Carpet Factory built in 1824. The factory expanded piecemeal and from time to time, towards the southern end of the site, coffins and skeletons from the friary's cemetery were turned up, including one skeleton accompanied by a chalice and paten of base metal. By 1860 the factory had swallowed up the last remaining friary buildings; workmen engaged in the demolition of the refectory noting that it still retained its stone pulpit.

In the industrial revolution Bridgnorth Carpet Factory was built on the site of the Friary and subsequently demolished in the late 80's early 90's to make way for new housing on the riverside. Part of the site was excavated by a team archeoligists, human remains were found along with part of the original Friary building, some of the exposed building has been saved and is open to public viewing.

The Ghost ; Old Mo
Old Mo was a Monk who resided at the Friary which was located along the riverside, off Cartway.
The story goes Old Mo set aside his Holy vows and took to drinking, fornication and all things un-holy. One of his favourite places to carry out his debauchery was Old Mo's Alley, the alley runs from Love Lane, down past the Scout Hut and leads on to Bramble Ridge, there's a side track which takes you onto Friar Street, this is where Old Mo approached from.

Old Mo carried on his un-holy ways until the brethren could take no more. One night as he returned from his alley he was confronted by a group of Monks, they tried to reason with him but to no avail, the situation soon turned to one of violence. Old Mo was bludgeoned and then poisoned, his body was disposed of in the river or buried in the grounds? Nobody knows.

Mr Bert James worked in the factory for the Rootes Group who took over the factory to build parts for aeroplane engines during the second world war. While on fire duty one night he saw the spirit of a man dressed in a grey habit tied at the waist by a rope cord.

Mr Ceil Rushton had a simular encounter with Old Mo one evening in 1949 or 1950 while walking his dog. When passing an entrance surrounded by railings which led underground the old factory his dog let out a spine-chilling howl and ran off into the night. On looking around Mr. Rushton saw the figure in a long purple robe glide from the factory and down towards the river.

A Mrs Street, who worked at the factory between 1947 & 1949, left the carpet factory late one night as the last person in the building. On her way to the cloakroom she encountered a figure as she passed through the old part of the factory. It was the ghost of a monk, “Old Mo”. Dressed head to foot in a white habit, he silently approached her up the basement steps, but on reaching the top turned and descended again.

Over the years many people claim to have laid eyes on Old Mo, one eyewitness account from a Carpet factory employee said 'It was in November about 6.30, i was in the stock room, Ilooked up, I see him sort of hovering towards me, a tall chap dressed in a Monks coat with the hood up, Ididn't see his face, but I didn't hang round to say me hellos, I was off on me heels, I went up The Ball (The Ball Hotel, East Castle Street, now The Habit) and had a few Brown Ales'.

Since the factory lay idle, the spirits there have remained at rest, but the recent housing development disrupted the site by unearthing part of the medieval Friary.and it's graveyard.

admin sinfulldude

(was written and posted by madmart former forum's ADMIN )

Bridgnorth Shropshire :- The Hollyhead Hotel

The Hollyhead Hotel (formerly The George Hotel)

When Mr Hollyhead, a past landlord, first took over the pub he had already heard rumours that the place was haunted.
One bedroom in particular felt chilly when guests stayed there. A gentleman who stayed at the hotel for a few months was certain that it was a ghost of a woman, because whenever he felt a presence it was accompanied by a sweet perfume.
Mr Hollyhead and his family felt uncomfortable whenever they had to go upstairs, Over a period of eighteen months, whenever they did venture upstairs they could hear a hollow clicking noise, like a light switch being turned on and off, but there was never anyone there.
When the ground floor was renovated approximately seven to eight years after they moved in, things started to happen as soon as a certain wall was knocked out in the passageway. Whenever the pub was locked up at night, the last door to be locked was the one next to the passage way and a cold chill was always felt on the back of the neck when this was done.
The most dramatic occurrence happened when Mr Hollyhead and a friend were in the bar talking one evening afters had left for the night. Suddenly Mr Hollyhead was aware that someone was standing behind the bar.He turned round and saw the vague figure.
At the same time, his friend cried out that he was on fire and he was certain that he was enveloped in flames.He tried to put himself out by frantically beating his clothes.Within a few seconds everything was back to normal.Mr Hollyhead had definitely smelt something burning but nothing had actually been on fire.
Mr Hollyhead sold the property in june 1985. He does not know much about the history of the pub, but has found out that there was an inn on the site in 1520 and stone caves with the old stillages in them can still be seen near the property. He heard a story that a previous landlord commited suicide at the pub and the daughter met whith some misfortune.
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