In the summer of 1950, twenty year old Fred Hardisty, of Devonshire Road Blackpool, was enjoying a break from his studies at Manchester University. The son of a coal merchant and former attendee at a most prestigious private school was enjoying a rather charmed life; having enough funds to to enjoy foreign holidays and toContinue reading “From Misunderstanding to Murder”
Tag Archives: Grisly
The Senseless Slaying of a Superintendent
It may (or may not) surprise you to learn that the seaside town of Blackpool is not all ‘fresh air and fun’ for beneath its gaudy exterior lies a much darker underbelly. It isn’t the drunken girls nights out I refer to nor the bawdy stag parties, but it’s links with organised crime. This plannedContinue reading “The Senseless Slaying of a Superintendent”
Walking between the stones (a taster tour)
youtube.com/watch A taster walk around the cemetery . . . We hope you enjoy it 🪦 Learn something of the stories beneath the stones, walk with Juliette Gregson, Heritage Photographer, and I as we share a little of its history . . .
Who is Peg of the Well?
Peg O’Nell Terrifying tales of malevolent water spirits lurking beneath the surface of ponds, lakes and rivers, patiently laying in wait for a likely victim are familiar throughout the Land. Jinny Greenteeth is known the length and breadth of Lancashire as the water witch just waiting to devour the soul of any defiant child whoContinue reading “Who is Peg of the Well?”
The Retributory Haunting of Bannister Doll
Ladywell Street in Preston is renowned for a very grisly haunting indeed. The spectral figure has been known to shape-shift as her residual energy has the ability to take on various forms. Sometimes her existence is only marked by eerie tripping footsteps or the sight of sinister peg-a-lanterns, others have witnessed a small child orContinue reading “The Retributory Haunting of Bannister Doll”
The Boggart beneath the Buttery Stone
Intersecting the Roman road from Ribchester to Lancaster, just outside Longridge in the village of Grimsargh you will find the aptly named Written Stone Lane. Perhaps unsurprisingly at the top of said lane, beside Written Stone farm (formerly Cottam House) you will find the ‘Written Stone’, a sandstone slab of considerable length bearing the legendContinue reading “The Boggart beneath the Buttery Stone”
The Fylde Hag who roamed as a Hare
The parish church of St Anne, Woodplumpton, has been in existence since since 1340, being rebuilt in both 1639 & 1900. It’s a very curious looking place and appears rather cosmopolitan in style. During restoration original stonework dating back to the 12th century was discovered. The main entrance into the churchyard is through the LychgateContinue reading “The Fylde Hag who roamed as a Hare”
The Blackpool Brew that Caught a Killer
The general consensus on a young James Hanratty was that he wasn’t ‘quite right’ – he displayed evidence of impaired intellect and delayed development (his personality having been described as anti social, disinhibited and egotistical.) By the time he was ready to move up to St James’Catholic High School In Barnet, North London, his teachersContinue reading “The Blackpool Brew that Caught a Killer”
Military Murder at Princess Parade
When vacationing families return to their rooms and day trippers journey home, the bright lights of Blackpool are often witness to more sinister sights. On such an evening, during wartime in 1944 the body of a local girl was discovered in an air raid shelter by North Promenade. Perhaps surprisingly, she had not fallen victimContinue reading “Military Murder at Princess Parade”
Dead amongst the Dunes
Kathleen Elsie Breaks December 24th 1919 Even in death she was beautiful. But how did the ‘prettiest girl in Bradford’ end up dead among the sand dunes of Lytham, near Blackpool? Imagine the excitement 25 year old Mrs Breaks (for she was in fact a married woman) must have felt as her train slowed toContinue reading “Dead amongst the Dunes”
