The spirit of Bill Ives, the Ashdon gardener who died on the A604 in January, will return again, claimed a Linton woman, this week. Mrs Christine Toft of 65 Back Road called in the Rev. David Walser to remove the ghost of their close friend who died in an accident with a motorcycle at the Linton to Bartlow crossroads. Mr David Walser was called in to bless the house after the poltergeist terrified Mrs Toft, by appearing in her kitchen, tapping her on the shoulder, knocking a cup to the ground and opening the pan drawer of her electric oven.
Since the vicar’s blessing the spirit of Bill Ives has not reappeared, but Mrs Toft warned: “He is not resting happily. It is nothing I can pinpoint but just a feeling. All the same I am sure he is trying to tell us something.”
Mr Charles Toft had known Mr Ives for more than 40 years. He was on his way to the Tofts’ house when he was killed. He visited the family regularly every week either to babysit or join the family for local bingo sessions and always spent the night there. Mrs Toft was making a hot drink in the kitchen when the poltergeist appeared. “It was about ten in the evening when I usually made a cup for Bill and the rest of us. I had the cups on the washing machine next to the cooker. One of the curtains suddenly stood out from the wall although the windows were closed. A cup lifted from the washing machine and smashed on the floor. I moved back and someone tapped me on the shoulder. I saw nothing bu tI felt I knew who it was. I know his spirit wouldn’t hurt us. What terrified me was seeing the things move. It was something I have never experienced before.”
Mr Toft was sitting in the lounge when it happened. “I have never felt any presence and I won’t believe it until I see it for myself but when Christine came out of the kitchen she was so frightened she couldn’t speak.”
Mr Walser did not conduct an exorcism but blessed the house and said a prayer for Mr Ives. Since then the spirit has not returned. No will has been found belonging to Mr Ive s and the Tofts believe this may have something to do with his spirit returned to try and tell them something. “I still think Bill will be back unless this matter is sorted out to his own satisfaction,” said Mrs Toft.
Haverhill Echo, 19th February 1976.