If one went to an ironmonger’s and asked for a pound of “goblin tin tacks,” the shopman would doubtless think there was insanity in the line of the purchaser. However, at Breston, near Melton Constable, a ghost has been at work using this particular article, whatever it may be. According to the neighbours, a house lately occupied by an old lady who died suddenly four months ago, has been infested by ghosts.
Noises of remarkable character have been heard, described as variously resembling a chopping of sticks, skipping and dancing, and a knocking in of “goblin tin tacks.” The crockery of a neighbouring cottage was at times shaken, and altogether a good deal of perturbation has been occasioned by the “goblin” performer.
The neighbours determined, if possible, to solve the mystery, and one night assembled in a contiguous house, after which, we are told, the rappings ceased. Perhaps the ghost had exhausted the supply of “goblin tin tacks.”
Coventry Evening Telegraph, 10th September 1901.
Norfolk Ghost Mystery.
For three weeks the inhabitants of the village of Briston, near Melton Constable, have been disturbed by nocturnal rappings, which have ended as mysteriously as they began. The rappings appeared to come from a wall between two old cottages, in one of which an old lady died suddenly four months ago. They are variously described as having resembled a chopping of sticks, a beating of drums, a “knocking in of goblin tick-tacks,” and a skipping and dancing. At times they shook crockery in one of the cottages. At last the inhabitants determined to probe the mystery, and gathered at night in one of the cottages. Then the rappings ceased.
Sheffield Evening Telegraph 11th September 1901
Rowdy Ghosts.
Loud bangs at midnight have induced the credulous villagers of Briston, near Norwich, to believe that the place is over-run by ghosts. Near the Churchyard an old house with Commonwealth associations is simply a nocturnal pandemonium. Such, at least, is the story of inmates near, who complain that sleep is impossible. At first low, the mysterious sounds develop in volume until they resemble the rattle of musketry. Some think the skeletons of Cromwellians or Royalists are buried there, and cannot agree.
Peterborough Standard, 14th September 1901.