Knocking ghost disappears.
Evening News Reporter.
Mysterious bumping noises which were claimed to be spirit messages from a man dead, have disappeared from a Salford house after a service of exorcism by two Anglican priests. The 25-minute service was held in the terraced home in Tully-street of Mrs Olive Hill, aged 38, by the Rev. Edward Dimond, of nearby St. James’s Church, and the Rev. F. W. Osborn, of St. Clement’s, Longsight, Manchester.
Neighbour Mrs Freda Roberts, aged 34, claimed the bumps which had been heard in the house for weeks were messages from her father in law. Present at the service was Mr. David Cohen, an investigator for the Manchester Psychic Research Association. Upstairs in bed was the Hill’s 11-year-old son, Alan, whom Mr Cohen told the family was being used by the spirit to communicate.
When the service was being held Mr. Jack Hill, aged 39, had to send for police to move a crowd in the street. Said Mrs. Hill: “There has not been a single noise since after the service. We hope it has gone for good.”
Manchester Evening News, 23rd February 1960.
Ex-Portadown Curate Exorcises ‘Ghost’ Noises.
Former curate-assistant of Portadown parish, Rev. E. W. Dimond, has had widespread mention in the English daily Press as a result of his being requested to investigate mysterious noises in the house of Mr and Mrs Jack Hill, who reside in his parish of St. James, Higher Broughton, Manchester. The noises began at Christmas Eve, since when the Hills have hardly had a night free from interruption as the sound of “bump, bump, bump” continued for three hours at a time.
Mr Hill, who is aged 39 years and his wife, aged 38, made a thorough search of the house without result. Mrs Hill described the noise as like an iron bouncing-ball on the ceiling. Then they called in their rector, who diagnosed the cause as supernatural and confidently observed: “Whatever it is, it will stop after the service.” This week Mr. Dimond held a service of exorcism. Over the telephone he told a “Portadown News” reporter that it had been “entirely successful.” The service he used was of his own devising and not the prescribed one. This departure was made on the suggestion of his Bishop, Dr. Greer.
Portadown News, 26th February 1960.