Ghost of a chance for new home.
A mother who claims her daughter has befriended a ghost called Percy is asking to be rehoused. Mrs Nichola Griggs, who says 20-month-old Jasmin has even picked up the northern accent of poltergeist Percy, called in a priest to bless the terraced house and drive him out.
But Percy could not be persuaded to quit the housing association home at Buckland, Portsmouth, says Mrs Griggs, and now she wants to leave him to his ghostly activities. These are said to include cups of tea snatched from people’s hands and thrown into the fire; Neatly piles clothes strewn over the kitchen; A kitchen chair thrown at Mrs Griggs; Hands on a clock suddenly moving forward.
“I can’t stand it any longer,” said 23-year-old Mrs Griggs. “Jasmin often answers me in a clear northern accent. No one round here says ‘ay-up’ to Jasmin, but that’s how she answers me.
A spokesman for Portsmouth Housing Association confirmed the family had asked for a move from the house. They had been advised to continue seeking advice from the clergy.
Birmingham Daily Post, 28th August, 1992.