European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 25, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Britain abounds in old haunts for poltergeists by Amy Geiszler Jones  thick eerie fog scandalous tragic circumstances and centuries old creaking houses make for Good ghostly settings. And it seems that the United kingdom with an alleged 10,000 haunted Sites has proved to be a popular playground for poltergeists. A 29-year-old jockey who died in 1886, supposedly thunders around a Racetrack in Newmarket. An american airman wanders a former world War ii Airfield in North Weald in Essex. Actors who died tragic deaths haunt the Heaters where they once performed. Victims of torture and death including Anne Boleyn haunt the Tower of London. Pubs throughout the country Are frequented by apparitions. Included among those haunted locations Are two buildings on the american bases of Raf Chicksands and Raf Greenham common. The ghost of Rosata a Gilbertine nun supposedly haunts the 12th Century priory at Chicksands. Having become pregnant by a Monk Rosata was forced to watch the execution of her Lover before being walled up alive with her unborn child on dec. 17, year unknown. The Story goes that since then she wanders the priory the 17th Day of each month. The priory is currently being used As a recreation Center. The ghost of a servant who committed suicide in an upper floor room of the 19th Century Greenham Lodge has become an Quot added attraction Quot at the old Manor House which now serves As Greenham common s officers club. The maid fearing punishment from the lord of the Manor killed herself after the lord s Young daughter died from a fall into the fireplace of the great Hall room. Quot i Don t believe in ghosts but there have been some strange things that happen Quot said Henry Quot Ziggy Quot Bazzichi ii an air Force technical sergeant who was the club manager for two years. Quot we go through Light bulbs like crazy in that place Quot he said noting that to replace 50 bulbs in one week was not unusual. The ghost apparently likes to make her outings on thursday night and staff members hoping to see the apparition often vie to be on duty that night. The Manor is also used for billeting visitors and newcomers to the base and Many of those however Aren t As keen As the staff to remain in the building. Quot we had a chaplain who checked out after one night and would t stay there saying his wife had seen the ghost Quot Bazzichi said. Bazzichi however is sceptical about the ghost. Quot unless i see it i Don t believe it Quot the 14-year air Force Veteran said. But that s Fine according to Tom Perrot chairman of Britain s ghost club a 138-year old club that has about 500 members. He says Quot a Little bit of scepticism is  among the club s past membership have been writers Charles Dickens a whose Quot a Christmas Carol is the Story of Scrooge being visited by ghosts of the past present and future a and sir Arthur Conan Doyle creator of the literary Sleuth Sherlock Holmes. Serious ghost followers always approach stories of haunting and sighting with see prism said Perrot who is also a member of the country s society of psychical research. Quot we always try to find a natural cause. We Don t look for the  ghost Buster types Quot tend to jump to paranormal conclusions Quot he said. Even though the retired London businessman tracks and collects ghost stories and often goes on Quot haunting jaunts Quot to investigate sightings he does t consider himself Quot a firm  Quot i be never seen a spook to the Best of my knowledge Quot Perrot said. He has collected the ghost stories surrounding about 2,500 of the alleged 10,00 haunted Sites in the United kingdom. It is More than Likely a Good Many of the stories Are full of embellishments and perhaps Bear Little resemblance to the original versions told years and years ago he said. Nevertheless Quot one does t like to forget them. They have a bit of Charm you know Quot Perrot said. He s not above acknowledging some of the ghosts that supposedly float about May have been Given life by enterprising locals. Quot in these Days of publicity what better then to drum up a ghost Quot he asked. The opportunities to go on a haunting Jaunt of your own abound throughout Britain especially around halloween. Some of the ticket and Tours offices at the american bases in England particular those located in the reportedly much haunted area of East Anglia offer halloween pub crawls or Tours to the haunted Countryside. Some Tours take place during the weekend before halloween while others will be held tuesday. City walks of London offers several guided Tours. Among the More popular ones around halloween Are the nightly ghosts ghouls and graveyards and the Jack the Ripper Tours. Beginning at 9 . At St. Paul s underground station the ghosts ghouls and graveyards tour lasts about two hours and will take you past a former prison Home to a number of ghosts and wind up in an old pub near a 12th Century graveyard. During the 2�?T/2-hour tour Jack the Ripper tour a guide will take you through Whitechapel the 19th Century haunt of the infamous killer. The tour which starts at 7 . At Tower Hill station includes a Stop at a pub allegedly frequented by the murderer whose real identity has never been known. Ticket prices for the London Tours Are 4 pounds about $8 for adults and 3 pounds about $ it Lor students. Guides and ticket Sellers in the stations can be identified by a Blue Lapel badge with the City walks logo. For More information Call 071 937-4 281. Tourists examine the plaque for the pregnant nun whose ghost haunts Chicksands priory below. October 25, i990 stripes Magazine