Ghost Scare At Drinkstone.
Excitement amongst the villagers.
“Mysterious” knockings.
The “Spirit” laid.
The peaceful parish of Drinkstone, with its picturesque surroundings, has during the last week or two been the scene of much consternation and excitement, due to rumours of supernatural doings. In short, it was believed that a ghost “walked” amidst the good people of Drinkstone – or at any rate manifested its presence in one of the principal residences in the village. However, the mystery is solved, and with the discharge of a maid servant the mysterious occurrences have ceased, and Drinkstone inhabitants can afford to laugh over their own “ghost.” From inside the residence in question about fortnight ago weird knocks were heard by many people in the place. Hasty conclusions were at once jumped to – there was a “spirit” in the place, the house was haunted!
Contingents of inhabitants, with the courage instilled by numbers, bravely listened near the gates. Yes, they certainly heard unusual noises, and what else could be the cause of the strange sounds but a ghost? Dame Rumour soon became busily engaged, and wondrous tales were scattered far and wide. Stories of terrible deeds by the “spirit” reached many parishes round about, and visitors flocked to Drinkstone to verify the weird reports, or at least to hear for themselves the spiritual demonstrations so much talked of. The ghostly sounds struck terror into those who heard them, and the listeners wondered what would be the end of it all.
Tales of the spiritual visitation having reached us, a “Free Press” representative paid a visit to Drinkstone in the early part of this week, with the idea of gleaning something “ghostly,” but, instead, learned the solution of the mystery which had troubled the local residents, and the cuase of the terrifying spirit rapping. It was all very tame when explained.
Police-Sergt. Gorham, of Woolpit, in whose beat Drinkstone is situated, in the course of a conversation with our representative, told of the curiosity and excitement caused, but explained that the matter was now no longer a mystery. There had been, he stated, much gossip amongst the inhabitants. When once the theory of a spiritual visitation had been advanced, extraordinary tales of bygone days were readily passed from tongue to tongue. One of these was to the effect that many years ago a ghost was seen by a butler at the residence in question sitting in the larder. The butler asked “What ails thee, my friend?” and the ghost answered “Follow me!” The spirit led the butler into a cellar and unearthed a bag of money! Another story was circulated that “once upon a time” a former occupant of the house was found hanging in one ofthe rooms.
Such stories as these are always fascinating to country folk; and if anything unusual happens in a supposed “haunted” house – the news flies quickly, and does not lose in exciting incident during its travels. The “mysterious” happenings at Drinkstone were not simply manifested to a few persons, as is often the case, and then left to be told to willing listeners, but all who lived near by, and who had not lost their sense of hearing, were able to revel in listening to the uncanny sounds. And imagination did the rest!
Our representative gathered that this particular Drinkstone “ghost” was evidently annoyed with matters in general, for such things as articles standing on tables in the house had been found on the floor, and plates and dishes had been disarranged. No one had heard or seen them moved, and the servants were alarmed. At first they did not reflect upon the easiness with which these articles could have been moved by anyone with a mischievous turn of mind. How easy, when all is quiet, to steal into a room and either break a window or remove some conspicuous article from its accustomed place to another spot!
At last it was found that these weird doings were caused by something very human, and nothing of an alarming character happened after the discharge of the servant maid alluded to. Thus ended Drinkstone’s ghost hunt, and once more the parishioners can return to the hum drum of every day life.
The attentions paid to the house by a curious public during the period of excitement caused no little inconvenience and annoyance to the occupants, and one cannot refrain from sympathising with them.
Bury Free Press, 9th March 1912.