Haunted Cottage at Devil’s Bridge.
Occupiers Scared.
There have been strange happenings in a lonely cottage situate in the Rheidol Valley, midway between Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge. In this sparsely populated hill country of Cardiganshire is a cottage known as Aberdanddwr. It stands in a dell surrounded by hills, which were beautifully tree-clad until war demands stripped their slopes. Here lives Mrs Evans, who, at the time that the strange incidents about to be recorded took place, had for company her little boy and Doris May, her niece, aged twelve, whose remarkable experiences a few nights ago are the talk of the neighbourhood.
Charming as is this lovely valley during the summer months, it is a dreary and lonesome spot in the long winter nights, for there is nothing to break the silence except the hooting of the owls or the bark of raiding foxes. The falling of a picture from a kitchen wall was not in itself alarming, but there was especial significance attached to this when during the night following the family were subject of the strange messenger, for when she retired to bed the noises continued and increased in vehemence. Her bed was thumped and the wood was scratched. The niece appeared to be the principal ob[jected?] to strange rappings and knockings.
Alarmed beyond words, the aunt got the children up, and locking up the cottage, proceeded to the chapel house, where they were afforded refuge by Mrs Morgan.
During the journey from the cottage the noises kept pace with them, and the sound was as if someone was crackling branches alongside them. It followed them into the chapel house and was heard by Mrs Morgan, who persuaded them to go to bed. They did so, but they were down again in a few minutes thoroughly frightened and unable to stand the tappings and knockings. At one o’clock they once more retired and were not further disturbed.
The next day Mrs Evans would not go back to the cottage, but instead took the children away to her father’s home in a neighbouring parish. Upon arrival there a telegram was received from Doris May’s parents in South Wales announcing the serious illness of her brother. That brother had pleaded for his sister’s return and she left for South Wales.
This is the story told and the explanation of these strange proceedings. It is further added that Doris May and her brother are twins. The boy is getting better, but the cottage at present is still without an occupant.
Kington Times, 24th January, 1925.
Mystery Noises.
A family residing in the Rheidol Valley, near Aberystwyth, have had a strange experience. The household consists of Mrs Evans, her little boy, and a twelve-year-old niece. One night strange tappings and knockings were heard in the kitchen, especially near to the spot where the girl was sitting. The noise continued after they retired.
Terrified, Mrs Evans roused the children and went to a chapel house about a quarter of a mile distant. The noise followed them along the road, and continued in the chapel house.
Next morning Mrs Evans took the children to her parents in the neighbouring village, where a telegram had come announcing the serious illness of the girl’s little brother, who was asking for her. The boy and girl are twins.
Flintshire County Herald, 23rd January 1925.
Next, see ‘Crumlin’.