Jolly Roger the ‘lodger’.
Casper the friendly ghost has got nothing on a county family’s friendly phantom. The Johnsons from Constance Avenue, North Hykeham, have spent the last 17 years sharing their home with their pal Roger and he even tidies the house up. Laura Johnson (16) decided to tell their story after reading about X-File fan and part-time county ghostbuster Alan Taylor in the Echo. She said Roger has grown to be a family friend and the place just wouldn’t be the same if he ever left.
“My mother has told me stories about things which happened while I was a baby, like all my toys being rearranged,” she said. “But the really bizarre stuff started happening this year. I was washing my hands in the sink when the tap just spun round sending the water gushing out. I didn’t know what to do so I just shouted ‘pack it in now’ and the tap turned itself off. It’s not scary, it’s just like having a small child playing a practical joke on you.”
Laura said her mother’s jewellery and items of clothing often go missing before turning up in unlikely places. And while the family are watching television the back door opens of its own accord.
Spooky facts: Television turning itself on and off. Taps being turned on and off. Jewellery and clothing going missing. The family cats appearing to play with the spook. Toys being rearranged.
Ring of truth? Laura Johnson with her mother’s ring that went missing then “fell from the sitting room ceiling” past her face.
“I think it’s probably the ghost of a small child that used to live here – perhaps even before the present house was built,” said Laura. “It’s great to know Roger is around because you never feel alone in the house – it’s always like someone is with you.”
Lincolnshire Echo, 4th December 1995.