Today has been quite hectic following the discovery of a 17th century house buried under a mound at Lower Black Moss reservoir, Barley in the heart of Pendle Witch country.  There was also the skeleton of a cat in the building.  People are believing that this could be the [...]]]>  

House_at_Black_Moss

Today has been quite hectic following the discovery of a 17th century house buried under a mound at Lower Black Moss reservoir, Barley in the heart of Pendle Witch country.  There was also the skeleton of a cat in the building.  People are believing that this could be the centuries lost Malkin Tower, home of Demdike an infamous Lancashire Witch. 

I have had a few media interviews by telephone where I explained to such as The Daily Mail, Irish Radio, Reuters  and a Toronto Daily newspaper, that the cat, if buried within the fabric of the building, would not have been placed there by a witch as it was to ward off evil spirits!!

Barley village is not without other very old houses.  One example of similar age near the reservoir is Darney’s cottage, this was saved in recent years from  from falling into further disrepair and is now inhabited. 

Demdike probably lived in a hovel, not even stone built, and survived by begging with other members of her family.  The site of Malkin Tower isn’t known, differing views place it in Blacko, Newchurch,  Sabden amongst others within the Pendle Forest area.

The exact location of the home of Chattox is also unknown, but believed to have been near Pendle Hall near the banks of Pendle Water.

Lower Black Moss reservoir was constructed in 1903; are people thinking that the house wouldn’t have been known to have had such an infamous resident only a hundred or so years ago?????             (see more)

A memorial statue commemorating “Pendle Witch” Alice Nutter, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Lancashire Witch Trials, is looking to attract the interest of national and international artists.

The outdoor sculpture is being commissioned by Roughlee Parish Council 

The idea was thought up by Coun. James Starkie who put forward the proposal [...]]]>  

A memorial statue commemorating “Pendle Witch” Alice Nutter, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Lancashire Witch Trials, is looking to attract the interest of national and international artists.

The outdoor sculpture is being commissioned by Roughlee Parish Council 

The idea was thought up by Coun. James Starkie who put forward the proposal to Pendle Council’s Barrowford and Western Parishes Committee, and sees Pendle Leisure Trust and the Forest of Bowland assisting on the commissioning panel.

Coun. Starkie said: “The vision is to create a lasting memorial for a past resident of our village. I’d been thinking about it for the last two years but started working on the proposal around three months ago.

Coun. Starkie said he was keen to raise awareness of the real story of Alice, who, in 1612, was imprisoned in Lancaster Castle on charges of witchcraft.

She had been seen at Malkin Tower, Blacko, on Good Friday in what was deemed a witch’s coven, and later hanged…                   (see more)

Kensington Palace, where she lives in London with new husband Prince William, is rumoured to be haunted. And now bosses are opening up the historic home – first bought by King William III and [...]]]>

Duke & Duchess of Cambridge

She’s brought fresh spirit to the Royal Family – but Kate Middleton also has to shack up with some old ghosts.

Kensington Palace, where she lives in London with new husband Prince William, is rumoured to be haunted. And now bosses are opening up the historic home – first bought by King William III and wife Mary in 1689 – for a series of spooky ghost tours.

Stories collected in the warders’ log book over the years include numerous reports of screams, bumps and ghostly sightings

For four nights on the Halloween weekend, from October 28 to 31, tourists can hear all about the rumoured ghosts

A source said: “For years now there have been rumours about Kensington Palace being haunted. In the evenings, the place has an atmosphere all of its own.

“There are lots of strange and unusual stories which the warders have logged over the years. There are bumps in the night and that kind of thing.

It’s fascinating stuff and not for …”      

Kensington Palace - south front

(see more)

John McHale, Reporter

Police are appealing to Halloween revellers to stay away from a hill noted for its 1612 witch trials.

Pendle Hill in Lancashire has become a hotspot for thousands of visitors over the past few years, but police say this is now causing problems.

A spokesperson said the Ribble Valley Event Safety Advisory [...]]]>

Pendle Hill from Downham churchyard

John McHale, Reporter

Police are appealing to Halloween revellers to stay away from a hill noted for its 1612 witch trials.

Pendle Hill in Lancashire has become a hotspot for thousands of visitors over the past few years, but police say this is now causing problems.

A spokesperson said the Ribble Valley Event Safety Advisory Group is coordinating a plan to control access to Pendle Hill following concerns expressed about the growth of the event, heavy traffic, alcohol-related disorder and the use of fireworks.

Agencies agreed the hill is not suitable for these types of activities involving such large numbers of people.

The main focus for previous gatherings has been the south-western slopes around the Nick of Pendle, and the road between the A59 at Clitheroe and the village of Sabden.

Lancashire Constabulary said the hill will be closed to parked cars, fairground rides and catering vehicles between 5pm on 31 October and 3am the following day.       (see more)

Pendle Hill Summit

The courtroom was Barley Village Hall, but these, thankfully, were mock trials, for the judge and accused alike were performers from a soon-to-open Blackpool tourist attraction.

The newly [...]]]>

Clitheroe s own master of the macabre, Simon Entwistle, with the colourful cast of the Blackpool Tower Dungeon on the slopes of Pendle Hill

Charges of witchcraft were levelled again on the slopes of Pendle Hill… just months before the 400th anniversary of the most famous witch trials in English history.

The courtroom was Barley Village Hall, but these, thankfully, were mock trials, for the judge and accused alike were performers from a soon-to-open Blackpool tourist attraction.

The newly assembled cast of the seaside town’s macabre new attraction, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, enjoyed a special team outing today to the scene of one Lancashire history’s darkest chapters.

Before launching into rehearsals and some specially tailored role-play, the gruesome crew were given a brief reminder of the grim events of 1612 by colourful Clitheroe local historian Simon Entwistle.

“We nipped up the road so that Simon could regale our actors and actresses, all in full costume of course, in the shadow of Pendle Hill itself,” said Dungeon performance director Kieron Smith. “I thought it would be great team-building exercise and really help them get into character.”

The chilling events of 1612 will be recounted in the new Blackpool Tower Dungeon, but a surprise twist will see visitors themselves …                          (see more)

Pub staff turned ghost hunters who staged a sleepover in a historic village inn got more than they bargained for when things began to go bump in the night!  They were shocked when one of the girls saw a ghostly figure in the front bar.

The Lower [...]]]> Published on Thursday 14 July 2011  

Pub staff turned ghost hunters who staged a sleepover in a historic village inn got more than they bargained for when things began to go bump in the night!  They were shocked when one of the girls saw a ghostly figure in the front bar.

The Lower Buck Inn, Waddington, has been the centre of village life since it was built in 1760.  Tales of ghostly happenings have become folklore in the village.

“The pub really is haunted as everyone says, we were amazed to see what looked like separate images of a man and a girl in two different pictures.”

Landlord Andrew Warburton has long had the feeling he’s not alone behind the bar: “…If there are any ghosts here, I think they’re definitely of the friendly variety!”

The spooky goings-on have provided a great talking point in the pub and £300 was raised by the girls for their chosen cause, so it looks like Andrew might be right – these ghosts are definitely well meaning and generous in spirit!

Waddington ghost

YOUNG archaeologists from Blacko Primary School were looking to unearth some interesting pieces of history when they dug up their neighbour’s back garden.

Eight pupils along with teachers and members of Barrowford Archeological Group excavated an area of Malkin Tower Farm, Blacko, where they believe famed [...]]]> Published on Monday 1 August 2011

YOUNG archaeologists from Blacko Primary School were looking to unearth some interesting pieces of history when they dug up their neighbour’s back garden.

Eight pupils along with teachers and members of Barrowford Archeological Group excavated an area of Malkin Tower Farm, Blacko, where they believe famed witch Demdike to have lived.

Next year marks the 400th anniversary of the Lancashire Witch trials of 1612 and pupils have been studying the history of the area – which of course incorporates the witches.

The children wanted to find evidence that supported their story that suggests the witches were innocent of crimes put to them – for example theft, and believe they were targeted because of religious beliefs.

We have been teaching the children to understand the different stories about the Pendle Witches.

A more thorough and deeper dig was required, they did find pieces of charcoal and iron.

“The site has been measured from a fixed position so in years to come we can come back and try again.”

archaeologists at MalkinTower home of Pendle Witch Demdike

By Jody Thompson   Last updated at 10:34 AM on 20th July 2011

The classic 1990 paranormal love story starring Demi Moore and the late Patrick Swayze has been made into a musical and opened last night at London’s Piccadilly Theatre.

 The London stage version – like the movie – tells the story of Sam and [...]]]>

By Jody Thompson   Last updated at 10:34 AM on 20th July 2011

The classic 1990 paranormal love story starring Demi Moore and the late Patrick Swayze has been made into a musical and opened last night at London’s Piccadilly Theatre.

 The London stage version – like the movie – tells the story of Sam and Molly who are in love, but who’s lives are ripped apart when Sam is murdered.

 He finds himself trapped as a ghost – but realises that his death was no accident and must warn Molly of the imminent danger she’s in.

But when he becomes a ghost, he can’t be seen or heard by the living, and so he tries to communicate with Molly through Oda Mae Brown, a psychic who didn’t even realise that her powers were real.

 Ghost The Musical had its world premiere in Manchester in March.

by Zack Harold Daily Mail staff

Charleston Daily Mail

Travel Channel show “Paranormal Challenge” visited West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville. The show has two teams of ghost hunters to [...]]]> Wednesday July 13, 2011 Travel Channel show visits W.Va. Penitentiary ‘Paranormal Challenge’ pits two teams against each other in overnight search for evidence of ghost activity

by Zack Harold Daily Mail staff

Charleston Daily Mail

Travel Channel show “Paranormal Challenge” visited West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville. The show has two teams of ghost hunters to see who can collect the best evidence of paranormal activity.

West Virginia Paranormal hunt for ghosts in the asylum.

The teams in the penitentiary overnight were each given a section of the building to collect paranormal evidence. Judges evaluate the evidence and their use of ghost hunting technology.

Host Bellay said they were fans of “Ghost Adventures,” ghosts hunts show and auditioned for “Paranormal Challenge,” a spin-off of “Ghost Adventures”.

“They’re returning to places they’ve found paranormal activity,” he said.

Bellay said he was serious about paranormal research three years ago, but interested in ghosts since childhood.

“When I was 2 or 3 years old I had the Ghostbuster packs,” he said. He rarely gets spooked

To combat ghosts, Bellay uses a Mel meter to hunt down paranormal activity, and haunted Moundsville gives off “bad vibes.”

Ghost hunt team