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It’s not the tryptophan turkey making you sleepy

December 26, 2022 by Andrew Leave a Comment

For many people, the end of December is a festive occasion with gatherings, gifts and feasts. Turkey dinners are a family challenge; once everyone has eaten, you may find people yawning and feeling sleepy.

Is there a particular reason why Christmas dinners make people feel so sleepy? You might have been told about turkey being rich in an amino acid called tryptophan.

This is not a medical article, but let’s look at the Turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis.

[AI rendered] Christmas turkey dinner

Turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis

The hypothesis that eating turkey meat causes drowsiness is commonly known as the “tryptophan turkey meat and drowsiness hypothesis”. It is based on the idea that the chemical tryptophan, found in turkey meat, is responsible for drowsiness.

The drowsiness experienced after eating turkey meat is caused by tryptophan being converted into serotonin in the human body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and thus can induce sleepiness.

However, studies have shown that the amount of tryptophan found in turkey meat is insufficient to cause drowsiness. It is more likely that the tiredness experienced after eating turkey meat is due to the large amounts of carbohydrates consumed in combination with the turkey, which trigger a surge in insulin levels. This, in turn, causes the body to absorb more tryptophan, increasing serotonin levels and drowsiness.

Which other foods have Tryptophan

According to Wikipedia, the top 5 foods for tryptophan to food weight are;

  1. Egg white, dried
  2. Spirulina, dried
  3. Cod, Atlantic, dried
  4. Soybeans, raw
  5. Cheese, Parmesan

Some foods have a higher tryptophan/protein ratio, though, such as;

  1. Chia seeds, dried (2.64)
  2. Milk (2.34)
  3. Sesame seed (2.17)

Why do we eat turkeys for Christmas?

The tradition of eating turkey for Christmas originated in England during the 16th century. At the time, turkey was a relatively inexpensive meat, so it was a popular choice for large family dinners. As the tradition of eating turkey on Christmas spread throughout Europe, it eventually made its way to America.

Turkeys are a large bird, and they can feed many people with one bird. Additionally, their flavour is suitable for a variety of accompaniments. From the classic roast potatoes and stuffing to cranberry sauce and vegetables, the turkey is the perfect centrepiece for a festive feast.

It is thought that in America, the tradition of eating turkey for Christmas was further popularized by Charles Dickens in his novella, A Christmas Carol. In the story, the Cratchit family feast on a turkey on Christmas Day.

From there, the tradition was firmly established and continues to this day.
So, there you have it – why do we eat turkey for Christmas? Turkey is a relatively inexpensive meat, it feeds a lot of people, and it is versatile enough to pair with a variety of sides. As Charles Dickens said, “What could be more pleasant than to expect a good dinner on Christmas Day?”

Where are Turkeys from originally?

In one last twist, Turkeys are not native to the UK.

Turkeys are native to North America and were first domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mexico centuries ago. Over time, they were brought to Europe by Spanish explorers, and eventually, they made their way to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.

In Pure Spirit

What’s your favourite family-sized feast?

Who knew Christmas could be so freaky creepy?

December 19, 2022 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Yep, it’s marketing, but it’s interesting! Doors Online (who sell real doors) have put together a list of unusual Christmas traditions worldwide.

Weird Christmas in Poland

Weird Christmas in Poland

According to Polish folklore, any kid born over the twelve days of Christmas could be a werewolf or other half-human, half-demon hybrid. If this occurs, the only available treatment is to collect blood from the infant’s brow.

Weird Christmas in America

Weird Christmas in America

According to an old Appalachian belief, an unwed lady who goes to a hog enclosure at midnight on Christmas Eve and hears an elderly hog grunting will marry an older man. But if a young hog grunts first, she might expect a young and gorgeous husband.

Weird Christmas in Greece

Weird Christmas in Greece

You probably don’t picture burning shoes when you think of the aromas associated with Christmas. However, in Greece, it is a Christmastime tradition to burn one’s old shoes, and locals believe the terrible odour will scare away Christmas ghosts called Kallikantzaroi.

Evidently, footwear is a big deal in Greece during the holiday season. They also think it’s unwise to give someone a pair of shoes for the holidays for fear that they might one day abandon you.

Weird Christmas in Latvia

Weird Christmas in Latvia

Traditional Latvian Christmas celebrations include carrying the Yule log around the home, an act thought to ward off evil spirits.

In honour of Mithras, the sun god, a Yule log is cut down, dragged through the woods to your house, and finally burned inside your home. Hopefully, the sun will have returned the following year, and the dark days will have vanished thanks to this.

Weird Christmas in Czechia

Weird Christmas in Czechia

Whereas many people in Western Europe like to have beef or poultry as the main course at Christmas dinner, carp is more typically served in Eastern Europe.

It is common practise in the Czech Republic for hosts to lay a single fish scale under their guests’ plates as a symbol of good fortune and a reminder of the season’s plenty.

Weird Christmas in the Philippines

Weird Christmas in the Philippines

There is a significant Christian community in the Philippines, and celebrations start on September 1st for many people. As a result, many age-old customs and beliefs about the holiday season have been passed down.

One such belief among Filipinos is that bathing on Christmas Day is bad luck. Some say that if you do, the gifts of Jesus’ birthday will be lost, and you may develop a mysterious illness.

Weird Christmas in Serbia

Weird Christmas in Serbia

The twelve days leading up to Christmas in Serbia are known as the “unbaptized days,” They were traditionally viewed as a time when demonic forces of all kinds would be more active and dangerous than usual.

These demons, known as karakondula, are most active between midnight and dawn, and if they come across an unsuspecting human, they will hop on their back and demand to be carried wherever they choose.

As a result, the victim wouldn’t be freed until the devil heard a cockerel crowing at sunrise.

Weird Christmas in England

Weird Christmas in England

You might have been expected to help make the Christmas pudding if you dropped in on an English family on the last Sunday of Advent in the past.

But superstition demands a specific procedure. You need to get up and move from east to west like the Magi did on their way to see Jesus. By doing so, you’ll be granted a wish for the future year and bestowed with good fortune.

Weird Christmas in Portugal

Weird Christmas in Portugal

In Portuguese culture, family is extremely important year-round, especially during the holiday season. That’s why it’s common practise in Portugal to arrange an extra seat at the table during the traditional Christmas feast for loved ones who have passed on.

It is a way to honour ancestors who have passed away while bringing good fortune and financial success to the home in the following year.

Weird Christmas in Ukraine

Weird Christmas in Ukraine

Have you ever been curious about tinsel’s genesis? We may ask, but why do we use this sparkly, fluffy-looking substance to adorn our Christmas trees? It seems this weird Ukrainian ritual could be to blame.

If a spider’s web is discovered in the Christmas tree on the morning of the 25th, it is said to bring prosperity to the home and its inhabitants. Small spider tree ornaments, complete with webs, have become a tradition in Ukraine, where they are said to bring prosperity.

Weird Christmas in Guatemala

Weird Christmas in Guatemala

It’s lovely to have a spotless home before the holidays anywhere, but in Guatemala, cleanliness truly is next to Godliness. The locals have a superstitious fear of the dark and think evil spirits reside there.

One of the most labour-intensive Christmas traditions occurs on December 7th, when Guatemalans go on a massive cleaning frenzy, piling up trash and undesired goods they’ve collected over the year outside the front door.

An effigy of the devil is burned at the end of the year in a ritual known as La Quema del Diablo (or “Burning of the Devil”) to clear away any negativity from the previous year and make way for a fresh start that the new year brings.

Weird Christmas in Spain

Weird Christmas in Spain

This Christmas superstition could help you if you’re buying a present for someone you don’t particularly care about. If you’re shopping for a loved one, it’s advisable to steer clear of anything pointy.

A superstition in Spain says if you give your friends and family sharp objects like blades or scissors for the holidays, your bond with them will inevitably become strained. Please don’t give them anything wrapped in yellow, as that will bring them nothing but misfortune forever.

In Pure Spirit

Are there any odd Christmas traditions that you, friends or family have?

They call it the Poltergiest House: Is 30 East Drive in Pontefract haunted?

October 31, 2015 by Andrew 15 Comments

Some say that the Black Monk of Pontefract is one of the most violent poltergeists in Europe. Are they right?

It is believed that the terrace house in the Chequerfields Estate in East Yorkshire is built near to where the town once had its gallows. The Black Monk of Pontefract, as identified by author Tom Cuniff, is said to have been a 16th century monk who was found guilty and then hung to death for the rape and murder of a girl.

Modern reports of hauntings and supernatural disturbances began in the 60s when Jean and Joe Pritchard moved in with their son and daughter, Phillip and Diane. One report cites the first instance starting while some of the family where on holiday in Devon but grandmother Sarah Scholes was at 30 East Drive looking after Phillip. First a strange gust of chilling wind swept through the house, then white powder began to fall from the ceiling with, finally, pools of water appearing throughout the house.

During that incident a tea dispenser seemed to work by itself, a plant pot threw itself down the stairs and objects flew out of the cupboards. The water board was called to investigate the puddles but could find no solution.

This video shows a 25 minute investigate by Abandoned Investigated.

Featured in this video are Karen and Alison, both sensitive, Ben and Tom as investigators, Kris as the Medium, Laura on camera and Jess, Ema and Steve as guests.

30 East Drive in Pontefract is now a commercial venue after a film and a second wave of haunting.

The British movie “When The Lights Went Out” is loosely based on the poltergeist occurrence known as The Black Monk of Pontefract. It was made after Colin Wilson’s 1981 book Poltergeist! A Study in Destructive Haunting, Including the Black Monk of Pontefract became popular among supernatural investigators and experts. In the movie Jenny and Len move into the home only for their daughter, Sally, to be terrorised by an evil entity. The movie stars Kate Ashfield, Tasha Connor, Steven Waddington, Craig Parkinson, Martin Compston and Jo Hartley.

A newspaper report by Andy Lea describes how locals noticed an increase in supernatural activity after the film. A neighbour, Carol Fieldhouse, was unaware Pritchard’s had sold the house to movie producer Bil Bungay. Carol said;

“I saw Philip in the front, tidying up the garden,”
“I went out and asked him if he’d sold it to one of his nephews. I thought it must have been one of them because I knew they were deaf and I’d heard the telly blasting out all night.

“He said ‘There’s no TV in there. It’s empty’. Then he turned pale and went ‘God, it’s started again’. I haven’t seen him since.”

Carol later told reporters that she held a séance in the neighbouring house and managed to make contact with the Black Monk.

A Most Haunted Live Halloween special in 2015 hooked cameras up to the Coal Hole, the EVP / Dining Room area and Stairwell and invited viewers of the Really TV channel to watch. In the run up to the night the Most Haunted Crew have already discovered the name “Carl Anthony”, a 52-year-old priest from 1633, who gave them one message: GET OUT.

In the show balls and marbles have moved around, there have been knocks and whispers and a knife dangerously hidden in a sofa.

In Pure Spirit

Have you done what Yvette and Karl of Most Haunted have done and visited 30 East Drive? Let us know if you have and what your thoughts are on the location in the comments below.

Do you believe that Carl Anthony is the Black Monk of Pontefract? Do you believe the death of a young girl during the reign of King Henry VIII at the hands of a priest could be responsible for a Yorkshire haunting that is still in effect today?

Is this really photographic evidence of a sexy ghost?

October 19, 2015 by Andrew Leave a Comment

A funny thing happens around about Halloween. Certain newspapers start to get interested in reporting ghost stories. This encounter that apparently features a blonde female ghost flashing her cleavage comes from The Mirror.

blonde-ghost

Is there any evidence other than the blurry photograph above? According to reports the paranormal entity left behind a possible fingerprint smudge inside an ancient Egyptian Mummy’s case at the Torquay Museum in Devon.

The manager at Torquay Museum told press;

The weirdest thing was that we have a mummy, which we believe is Devon’s only human mummy.”

The ghost was after an event called Real Investigators of the Paranormal took place last week at the old building. The museum dates back to 1866 and may have Devon’s only human mummy. Inside the case is the remains of a mummified four year old boy.

The Mirror has found fans who are happy to joke along with the findings. One told the paper;

Who knew ghosts could be so sexy? She could haunt my house and give me nightmares any day of the week.
“I certainly wouldn’t want to see her busted.”

In Pure Spirit

Do you think this is proof a real haunting? Is this finally photographic evidence of something supernatural in nature? Vote below.

Former Stanley Tools Factory in Neepsend is haunted, says Gcuk

January 4, 2015 by Andrew Leave a Comment

stanley-tools-sheffieldThe team at Ghost Central UK took some of the Most Haunted team, including Yvette Fielding, Karl Beattie and Stuart Torevell, to investigate the Former Stanley Tools Factory in Neepsend. More than a dozen members of the public were along for a whole night of paranormal investigation.

According to news coverage from The Star they found evidence of supernatural.

Jenny Bryant, founder of GCuk Paranormal, told the paper;

We explored the dark and derelict building. We conducted séances, a ouija board and table tipping.

“Our group heard tapping noises in answer to our questions and we determined it was a male spirit.

“These taps were witnessed by about 12 people – by the team, guests and Karl and Yvette.

“Guests also witnessed shadowy figures fleeting across dark rooms – a very eerie atmosphere.”

The team were using devices, perhaps ones similar to a K-II EMF Meter, to trace high electromagnetic fields. The factory, strangely, had one.

In Pure Spirit

Where you part of this ghost hunt or do you know the factory? Let us know in the comments below if you have any thoughts about it?

Tempted by an overnight ghost hunt of your own? You can book one at sites like Red Letter Days for about £69.

Image credit: Urban Adventure.

Totally strange local traditions

January 3, 2015 by Andrew Leave a Comment

John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars, and host of Mental Floss takes us through some 27 unbelievable local traditions.

Are you ready?

He begins with Cooper’s Hill cheese rolling, describing how the cheese wheel can hit speeds on 70 mph, and then moves on to really weird stuff.

How weird? We’ve got monkey buffet (for monkeys) in Thailand, the Pamplona running of the bulls, baby jumping, Japan’s Namahage Festival in which demons knock on doors and Le Tomatina.

In Pure Spirit

Which weird local traditions do you know about? Any you’d recommend?

If you’re interested in reading more about strange festivals and holidays then Car Rentals.co.uk has more on the Pamplona Bull Run and Low Cost Holidays has some insight on cheap holidays in Japan.

Haunted? A look at the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup, Lancashire

June 23, 2014 by Andrew 4 Comments

The Royal Court Theatre in Bacup, Lancashire, is renowned as a local focus for paranormal activity, attracting ghost hunters and mediums from around the country, eager to experience the unusual atmosphere that surrounds the property.

The building that is now home to the Royal Court Theatre, originally housed the Henrietta Street Iron Foundry, which was tragically gutted by fire in 1850. Much of the substantial stone building remained and the shell was bought in 1886 and reconstructed as a theatre which opened its doors in 1893; becoming the home to live music and variety acts. The theatre was, and still is, a source of local pride, boasting a vast auditorium, traditional sprung stage and an orchestra pit, which made it amongst the best facilities in the region.

Royal Court Theatre in Bacup

Over the years the theatre has been the site of a number of cases of unusual occurrences, many of which seem to recur. Members of the public, theatre staff, stage crew and performers have all seen and heard unexplained happenings, with regular reports of ghostly apparitions. The Managing Director can recount episodes of thrown objects, bells being rung, draughts and curiously, a pair of ‘Blue Legs’. Another regular feature that has yet to be explained is the sound of a multitude of shuffling feet, as though a crowd were being seated.

One of the more regular entities claimed to have been seen is a young woman known as ‘Kitty’ who whose name coincides with an usherette who worked regularly in the auditorium. The most famous spirit however is ‘Norah’ who was captured in a photograph taken during a performance by the Second Rossendale Scout Band, which featured in the SUN newspaper in 2008. Not visible at the time, ‘Norah’ is described as an elderly woman dressed in black, with bunched grey hair and white collar. The image appeared when the photograph was downloaded onto a computer, and so far no-one has been able to explain how this could have occurred using a digital camera. Another regular is a man called Jackson, and there is also one resembling a doctor, who is reported to appear in reception. In 2009 a paranormal research group spent an evening at the theatre and during a séance on the stage they believe that they had an encounter with a young lad called Derek, who had died at the age of 13.

Given the age of the building and its history there will be numerous tales, some involving a tragic death or accident, relating to people linked to it. This makes the Royal Court Theatre a promising hunting ground for those looking for ghosts and mysterious occurrences. Then again, it is an old Victorian building with strange acoustics, echoing chambers and long dark passageways, prone to cold draughts and settling timbers. Whether the experiences of so many people are real or imaginary, the acts of spirits or just natural phenomena, has yet to be decided. In the meantime it continues to draw the curious from all over the country.

In Pure Spirit

Have you been to Lancashire and the Royal Court Theatre in Bacup? Did you sense anything there? Did you feel a malign entity that whispered about murder and death? Or do you feel this is yet another spun story, entirely unverified, and the sort of nonesense associated with TV psychics called Derek or Sally?

Image credit: Rob Carder, Pinterst.

Bringing Most Haunted back: An interview with Lee Roberts

February 18, 2014 by Andrew 3 Comments

lee-roberts

The Most Haunted brand is coming back. The owner of Haunted Events UK, Lee Roberts, has teamed up with Karl Beattie to launch Most Haunted Paranormal Nights. The brand returns as a pair of live events for which tickets are on sale, if you’re quick.

Some Most Haunted fans may not have encountered Haunted Events UK yet or may not yet have caught up with the news. In Pure Spirit reached out to Lee Roberts, asking for an interview, looking to ask some questions about the return. Lee kindly found the time to help.

Readers may have heard that Most Haunted has teamed up with Haunted Events UK. Could you tell us a little about Haunted Events UK and yourself?

My name is Lee Roberts and I have been investigating the Paranormal now for over 16 years. I started off with a private team and after many years of investigating private houses, pubs and clubs we investigated a location called Clifton Hall in Nottinghamshire. This got a lot of attention and hit a lot of headlines all over the world due to the activity that was found. I decided to start Haunted Events UK in 2010 to let the public see what we do on an investigation. I went on to present a few TV shows here in the UK and in the US and have appeared many times on TV and radio speaking about the Paranormal.

(Lee has a site at officialleeroberts.com)

Where did the idea to do Most Haunted Paranormal Nights come from? Did Karl Beattie contact you first?

Karl and Myself have spoken for quite a while regarding a few projects, Karl wanted to give something back to the fans and let them experience a Ghost Hunt with some of the team. He knew I ran events via Haunted Events UK and he also liked how we ran them so asked if I could organise some events for him.

What do you hope to achieve at Morecambe Winter Gardens and the first event?

We hope to meet some of the fantastic Most Haunted Fans, have a good time and enjoy ourselves. The paranormal activity will come if it’s there but we can never guarantee that. We want to let the fans have a go, have fun and meet and have a go with Karl and Stuart.

What are the plans for the future? More events? TV? Online broadcasts with YouTube or Twitch?

I can only comment on the public events I’m afraid, the TV side is all dealt with by Karl and he is busy editing episodes as we speak. Event wise we want to do the two at Morecambe, have a good time and then look at it again from there, hopefully we will do more BUT that is down to Karl and if he feels he and the fans got out of it what he hoped for.

How hard is to run a paranormal investigation?

“The key to any Paranormal Investigation is to have fun, enjoy it and experiment. ”

The key to any Paranormal Investigation is to have fun, enjoy it and experiment. No-one has the final answer on how they are run so have a go, go with your gut instinct and you’ll find what works and what doesn’t. You don’t need to be a Parapsychologist or Scientist to run these although there is a place for real serious research. The investigation bit is easy, it’s the research afterwards that’s the hard bit.

What extra pressures are there when you unite a paranormal investigation with an event? Can you be sure paying ticket holders will experience something interesting?

No, there is no pressure at all really, my moto is I would rather guests go home disappointed that nothing happened rather than fake anything. It will happen if it’s there and the energies are right.

If there’s a scale with “scientific investigation” on one end and “entertainment” at the other; where will you place Most Haunted Paranormal Night events?

Very much on entertainment and having fun, letting the guests experience a Ghost Hunt… we are not recording all the evidence for research but we do explain what the activity could of been, we always look and explain the science of any activity and experiment.. but we are here to provide a service and let them have a good time.

What are the three most important pieces of kit that paranormal investigators should carry while they’re on scene?

Yourself, a torch and a key to get out quickly! I always say to go on a Ghost Hunt you need one bit of equipment, your own senses is key, follow your instincts and try and see, hear, feel, sense, the scientific equipment is brilliant BUT no essential.

What’s the most haunted location in the United Kingdom that you’re aware of? Would you like to run a Most Haunted Paranormal Nights event there?

Good Question, the most active I’ve experienced is Newstead Abbey in Nottingham, I am lucky enough to run the events for them and when you get a good night it is amazing. The spookiest I would have to go back to Clifton Hall in Notts, it was such a weird location, not as much activity but more like the twighlight zone!

In Pure Spirit

Thanks to Lee for his time and answers.

Based on Lee’s experience I dug quickly into Newstead Abbey in Nottingham and found this silent but rather freaky YouTube video. Watch for the 1:10 mark and the figure that moves in the background. A flash? A person? It’s very fast.

What do you think about the launch of Most Haunted Paranormal Nights? Let us know in the comments below.

The 5 most haunted wedding venues in the UK

February 7, 2014 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Getting married is traditionally the best day of your life. Consumed with happiness, you both are riding high on the wings of love and nothing can touch you… or can it?

Numerous wedding venues across the country have built up a reputation as being haunted. Sightings of ghostly goings-on have been reported by the bride and groom themselves, and by unsuspecting guests. Whether or not you believe in the spirit world, the following list of spook-clad buildings may have you delving into the venues’ haunted history before you check in for your romantic wedding stay.

#5 Muncaster Castle

The Lake District
Muncaster_Castle

Number five on the list of spooky UK wedding venues is the historic, majestic, and (self-proclaimed) haunted Muncaster Castle. The castle is reportedly home to several ghosts, the most famous of which is Henry VI. The King took refuge here after his defeat at the Battle of Hexham, and is said to roam the corridors wailing in self-pity.

Other ghosts that reportedly reside here include; a young girl who was hanged in the castle; a head-carrying apprentice carpenter; and, possibly the most feared of them all, Thomas Skelton (aka Tom the Fool.) Tom the fool was a 16th Century jester, and was one who took great pleasure in leading castle guests to their quick-sand induced deaths. His portrait reportedly hangs within the castle but is believed to be hidden somewhere in the private quarters. Yes, that’s right: the castle is still a lived-in family home and has been since 1208… It can’t be that scary then, can it?

Update; A marketing agency working for Muncaster Castle with some enhanced information. Here’s what they said;

… it states Muncaster is haunted by Henry VI but while he did take refuge here as said, there are no reports of him haunting the place. We don’t claim a royal ghost!

Re other ghosts mentioned – Mary Bragg was murdered on the road nearby, not hanged, and the head-carrying apprentice carpenter was a new one on us. However a crying child is often heard, people staying overnight often hear footsteps when there’s no-one there, door handles turn by themselves and room temperatures plummet for no apparent reason. The info about Thomas Skelton is ok except that his portrait hangs on public display.

#4 Tutbury Castle

Burton-on-Trent
Tutbury_Castle_Ruins

The second castle that features on the haunted list, and fourth in terms of frightfulness, is Staffordshire’s Tutbury Castle. Mary Queen of Scots is said to roam Tutbury’s corridors’: Mary was held captive here by Elizabeth I on four separate occasions. This spooky venue actively encourages the bride and groom to have a second torch-lit wedding ceremony at midnight. Furthermore, they are asked if they wish to participate in one of the venue’s infamous ghost hunts that take place within the spooky castle grounds as an enhanced ‘celebration’ of their nuptials.

Over 40 male guests saw Marry Queen of Scots back in 2004 standing at the top of the south tower: thinking it was just the female curator donning a white gown, they all stood and laughed. The men later discovered that the curator was not on duty that night. In June this year, it was reported by archaeologists working in the grounds that a very active (and helpful) Mary was seen taking part in one of their seasonal digs.

#3 Ettington Park Hotel

Stratford-Upon-Avon
Ettington Park Hotel

Potentially built on a Roman villa site, this Neo-Gothic mansion is number three on the list of haunting hollows. Ettington Park Hotel has a rich and varied history: The building was used as a Prisoner of War camp following World War II and, prior to that, a nursing home. A luxury hotel since the 1980s, Ettington was the spooky setting for the movie, ‘The Haunting’, filmed in 1963. It has also encountered raging fire forcing it to close for many years prior to it’s re-opening as a licensed establishment.

BBC Coventry and Warwickshire spent an evening ‘ghost-busting’ at the hotel in 2006. Although they experienced no major goings-on, they did encounter a sudden and dramatic drop in temperature in certain rooms, and spent the evening on tenterhooks after hearing the staff’s ghostly tales. There have been countless ghostly reports at the hotel over the years; namely, moving books in the library; apparitions of a grey haired lady, a groundsman, and a servant; singing voices heard in the drawing room; and a candle hovering over a mantelpiece in the reception area. Two of the notable spirits taking residence at the Ettington are thought to be the ghosts of John Pritchard and Edward Shirley.

#2 Comlongon Castle

Gretna Green
Comlongon Castle

The runner-up in our most haunted wedding venue list is the 15th Century, Scottish border stronghold – Comlongon Castle. This magnificent building has a very conspicuous, and very permanent, resident in the form of Lady Marion Carruthers.

Lady Marion was said to have been ‘driven to madness’ back in the 16th century after being held captive in the building for many years. After being granted permission to marry her, Sir James Douglas – of the powerful Douglas family – would become joint owner of the family estate – Mouswald Castle. Marion tried to get out of the imminent marriage, but all attempts failed so she fled to her uncle’s castle and sought sanctuary at Comlongon. Marion was eventually court-ordered to surrender herself to James, and he did in fact inherit her estate. After many torturous years, it is believed that, the now insane, Marion committed suicide by leaping from the castle’s lookout tower. Some, however, believe that Marion was actually pushed to her death by James’ men after being ordered to do so.

Intriguingly, it has been noted for many years that no grass grows in the spot where Marion landed. Her ghostly apparition is often seen in and around the castle tower, crying. Due to the ruling of her death as suicide, Marion was not eligible for a Christian burial; as such, she is said to haunt the castle that ultimately became her place of unrest. Many former guests, including those from wedding parties, have reported seeing her ghost in one particular section of the hotel. Some have even taken photographs of the ghostly image and handed the prints to staff. These paranormal pictures are consistently being added to…

#1 Walworth Castle Hotel

Nr. Darlington
Walworth Castle Hotel

So, we have reached number 1 in our list of UK’s most haunted wedding venues. It may be surprising that the top spot goes to a hotel from the Best Western dynasty, but this no ordinary modern day chain: the building is a Grade 1 listed, Medieval-styled castle that was commissioned and built prior to 1600.

Walworth was home to over 200 German and Italian captives in the World War, and has also been a council-run girl’s school in the 50s. A private hotel since 1981, and gaining a wedding license shortly after, the building is said to be haunted by a former pregnant maid who had an affair with the Lord of the house. Fearing others would find about his illegitimate child, the Lord is said to have had the maid bricked up into the wall of the castle’s spiral staircase that conveniently, was having work done to it.

The spirit of the ill-fated maid is said to now roam the hotel and countless paranormal activities has been cited: Guests have been woken up by rattling tea cups; a female ghost has been seen roaming what was once the corridor to the honeymoon suite; ascending footsteps have been heard coming from the staircase at the rear of the library; and chambermaids have even reported having their hair pulled. Reports most closely linked to the tale of the maid include that of a ghostly woman emerging from one of the walls in the staircase, and guests hearing a woman desperately crying from behind the stairs in question.

In Pure Spirit

Would you get married in a haunted venue? Ask your wedding guests to dress up as ghosts, have a themed wedding and appear in the papers?

Are you planning a wedding for 2014? What tips, sites and deals would you recommend to fellow In Pure Spirit readers?

Image credit: Walworth Castle picture by Ulleskelf released under Creative Commons.

World’s most dangerous and haunted roads

January 27, 2014 by Andrew Leave a Comment

This infographic has been put together by a loan company and shows an impressive collection of dangerous roads. North Yungas Road sounds horrible, just 3 metres wide and with between 100 to 300 deaths every year. Would you risk it?

We can only speculate that the loan company was suggesting that driving was a dangerous business so maybe you’ll need the cash for repairs or car insurance? Let’s hope it wasn’t a hint to those poor souls stuck in the debt trap!

The infographic also looks at haunted roads and has the Tuen Mun Road in Hong Kong in first place. It’s another dangerous road with many blind spots and the locals believe that victims of crashes on the road come back as ghosts, haunt the roadside… and cause even more crashes.

road-infog

In Pure Spirit

Is there a dangerous or haunted road near where you live? Let us know in the comments below.

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