Ghostly goings on?
Ghostly goings-on have been reported at H. Samuels jewellers, Skegness, where a series of unexplained events have led staff to believe that the shop is haunted. Since the jewellers first opened eight years ago, staff have noticed bizarre happenings – the number of which has intensified over the last few months. Now, manager Gary Clapham, is considering bringing in a psychic in an attempt to solve the mystery.
Recent incidents include files flying from shelves, disappearing and reappearing objects and unexplained sliding drawers. Mr Clapham claims to have been subjected to flying objects and moving chairs whilst working in the upstairs room of the shop with sales assistant Diane Senneck.
Events climaxed when Mr Clapham arrived at the shop one morning to find the staffroom flooded. A high pressure tap was running and the room was filled with steam. “It’s unlikely that anyone wouldl have left the tap running,” explained Gary, “since the high pressure produces such a loud noise, and the rooms are checked and locked every night.” Other recent incidents involve a plastic watchstand and drawer which appear to have mysteriously changed shape overnight!
The shop stands on the site of the old Hildreds Hotel which, it is said, was haunted for a number of years. Has the ghost come back to its old haunting ground or is the series of mysterious events simply coincidence? Fake or freak? Fantasy or fact? The Standard would like to hear from anyone who can shed a little light on this ghostly tale.
Skegness Standard, 31st May 1996.
Ghostly goings on.
The mystery surrounding the ghostly goings-on at H. Samuel, Skegness, deepened this week following a visit by psychics. Local man Bill Roy joined Nottingham psychic Roy Underhill on two visits to the jewellers in The Hildreds. They concluded that the shop was indeed haunted and that the mischievous goings-on were being caused by the ghosts of two children. Bill and Roy say they made contact with a number of people, including a matron-like figure named Mrs McKilly, a maid named Judy Jones and a nanny named Mrs Woolters, as well as the children Sarah and William.
Manager Mr Gary Clapham has investigated the history of the old Hildreds Hotel, on which the shop now stands, in an attempt to solve the mystery. The hotel, originally known as The New Inn, was built in 1811 and was surrounded by pasture land belonging to the Earl of Scarborough. It was run by Joseph and Sarah Hildred until 1873 when it was taken over and renamed. Could the ghosts, Sarah and William, possibly be related to the couple? Another visit is planned by the psychics for today, Friday.
Skegness Standard, 28th June 1996.