Wife ‘driven from flat’ by eerie noises.
By Noel Perry.
Mystery surrounds strange noises, smells and other sensations at a Helston flat which, according to one neighbour, drove a woman out of her home. The ground-floor flat is at the Bligh-crescent naval estate off Meneage road and is referred to locally as ‘the ghost house’. One resident said: “It is well known that the house is haunted.”
The public relations office at RNAS Culdrose admitted that rumours were rife, but would not be drawn about the possible causes, saying only that the flat was remaining empty for refurbishment.
It was about a week ago that the most recent occupant, a young naval wife whose husband is serving away, left the flat after complaining to neighbours about conditions inside. She told one close couple that there was “movement and banging” from the roof of the house – it contains one ground-floor and one first-floor flat – and that it became extremely cold. The upper flat also is unoccupied. She also said that there was a continual foul smell – like “dog’s mess” – and her own dog’s hackles rose whenever the animal entered the flat.
None of the neighbours wished to be identified and nor did the most recent occupant, who now lives in nearby Hermes road. She referred inquiries to the station’s Anglican padre, the Rev. Simon Stevens. He agreed he had visited the flat in his role as community liaison officer, but when asked if there was a presence there or if he had undertaken an exorcism he replied, “Good gracious no.”
He added, “In any married quarters you get rumours and before we know where we are, we have poltergeists everywhere. People watch too much television.”
However, the public relations office did admit: “We are aware there is a problem and that the residents are complaining, and we are investigating.”
Other neighbours have spoken of hearing footsteps and doors banging from the now empty flats, which, said Culdrose, would be re-let eventually. Previous occupants of the flat included Leading Aircrewman Paul Summers (22), one of four Culdrose men killed when their Sea King helicopter was in collision with a Hercules aircraft off the Falklands.
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 10th October 1985.