Maisie weeps as the census ghost is spirited away.
By Richard Stott.
Joe the ghost won’t be going down on Maisie Batchelor’s census form after all. The spirit that haunted her home for eighteen years was exorcised from her bedroom yesterday. Afterwards, Maisie wept tears of relief, comforted by medium Don Page. She said: “All the neighbours thought I was mad. But I’ve proved I was right.”
Joe was the resident ghost at Maisie’s three-bedroomed home in Knoyle-road, New Cross. During his stay he pulled furniture around, opened doors and called out in the night from the foot of the bed. Joe was such a fixture that Maisie decided to put his name down on her census form .But she said yesterday: “I’m relieved that he has gone now. I just want to leave this house for ever.”
Mr Page carried out the exorcism ceremony with Canon John Perie-Higgins, of Southwark Cathedral. But Joe didn’t give up without a struggle. A flower pot crashed to the floor inches from Maisie just before the ceremony began. Ten minutes later it was all over. Mr Page said: “It was very difficult to get him out. He did not want to go.”
Who was Joe? Mr Page said: “All I know is that he had a big wound on the side of his head. It could have been caused by him falling downstairs.”
Maisie is comforted by medium Don Page after Joe the ghost was exorcised yesterday.
Daily Mirror, 22nd April 1971.