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Post by dem bones on May 16, 2023 9:12:50 GMT
Terry Deary - True Ghost Stories (Scholastic, 1995) Introduction
The Hallowe'en Ghost: The Restless Mummy Ghostly Thoughts 1 Hallowe'en - Fact File Ghosts at Work: The Phantom Boots Ghostly Thoughts 2 Charms Against Ghosts - Fact File Ghostly Curses: The Flying Dutchman Ghostly Thoughts 3 Sea Ghosts - Fact File The Unexplained: The Spirit Stones Ghostly Thoughts 4 Haunted Australia - Fact File The Ghost's Revenge: The Miller of Chester-le-Street's Tale Ghostly Thoughts 5 Avenging Ghosts - Fact File Ghostly Dreams: George's Dream Ghostly Thoughts 6 Ghostly Visions - Fact File Ghostly Returns: The Lives and Deaths of Jane Ghostly Thoughts 7 Ghostly Returns - Fact File Ghostly Messengers: Diary of a Haunting Ghostly Thoughts 8 Fakes - Fact File Poltergeists: The Cock Lane Ghost Ghost Hunting - Fact File
Epilogue Blurb: Incredible? Impossible? Too awful to imagine? But someone, somewhere at some time has sworn that each of these terrifying tales is true ...
Strange, unexplained "spirit stones" haunt a remote Australian farmstead.
The horrifying apparition of a young girl succeeds in avenging her own murder.
A restless mummy walks abroad on Hallowe'en.
Read about the Flying Dutchman, a ghostly green man, reincarnation and poltergeists in nine true tales that are sure to haunt your dreams. Look at the facts and decide for yourself: do you believe in ghosts?
Illustrated by David WyattDavid Wyatt The Hallowe'en Ghost: The Restless Mummy: Manchester, 1990. Two centuries into mummification, the scowling spectre of Miss Hannah Beswick still haunts the barn at Birchen Bower. Ghosts at Work: The Phantom Boots: Scotland, 1973. Phantom footwear halts productivity on the night shift by dancing along the conveyor belt before vanishing through a wall of coal. Ghostly Curses: The Flying Dutchman: July 1881, Australian Coast. Prince George, the future King George V, records an encounter with the damned Captain van der Decker and ghastly crew while travelling aboard HMS Inconstant. The Unexplained: The Spirit Stones: Upper Blackwood, near Perth, Australia, 1955. The Smith's cabin comes under sustained attack by missile-throwing poltergeist until it eventually gets fed up and leaves them to their peace. David Wyatt The Ghost's Revenge: The Miller of Chester-le-Street's Tale: Durham, England, 1632. Ann Walker, strumpeted and with child by her scoundrel Uncle Joseph, is murdered by an evil accomplice. Mark Sharp batters the girl with a pick and dumps her body down the disused mineshaft at Framwellgate. Ann's ghost tells all to Miller Graham, who relates her story to a magistrate. Her missing bones are recovered from the pit. Joseph Walker and friend go to the gallows.
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Post by Swampirella on May 16, 2023 10:26:59 GMT
Great stories & great illustrations, I love it. As a point of interest, Harry Ludlam wrote a great book with a long chapter on Hannah Beswick; "The Mummy of Birchen Bower and Other True Ghosts" It's at Arch*ve but only borrowable for an hour, sadly.
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Post by helrunar on May 16, 2023 17:39:33 GMT
The Mummy of Birchen Bower deserves some kind of prize for distinguished service in the arcane arena of Horror Camp, based on the title and that cozily ghoulish cover art. Great find!
Thanks!
Hel.
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Post by ripper on May 17, 2023 9:09:54 GMT
Great stories & great illustrations, I love it. As a point of interest, Harry Ludlam wrote a great book with a long chapter on Hannah Beswick; "The Mummy of Birchen Bower and Other True Ghosts" It's at Arch*ve but only borrowable for an hour, sadly.
I read that one many years ago along with several other of Ludlam's books. Very entertaining they are, too.
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Post by dem bones on May 17, 2023 10:11:03 GMT
Great stories & great illustrations, I love it. As a point of interest, Harry Ludlam wrote a great book with a long chapter on Hannah Beswick; "The Mummy of Birchen Bower and Other True Ghosts" It's at Arch*ve but only borrowable for an hour, sadly.
I read that one many years ago along with several other of Ludlam's books. Very entertaining they are, too. I've enjoyed a few Ludlam's too, including The Mummy of Birchen Bower. His Elliott O'Donnell compilations are also marvellous, especially Great Ghost Stories and Ghost Hunters. David Wyatt Ghostly Dreams: George's Dream: Cornwall, England, 1840. Sailor George Northey witnesses his brother's murder in a dream. Returning from a profitable day at Trebodwina Market, Hart Northey was shot down and robbed by poachers, who conceal the murder weapon beneath the thatched roof of a derelict cottage. Back home from the sea, George informs a magistrate of his prophetic vision. The pistol is retrieved, the Hightwood brothers confess their guilt. They hang the following month. Ghostly Returns: The Lives and Deaths of Jane: Cardiff, Wales, 1974. Among the several past lives recalled by Jane Evans under hypnosis, that of 'Rebecca,' butchered among her fellow Jews when a mob stormed the church cellar they'd sought refuge in at Coppergate, York, in 1189. Ghostly Messengers: Diary of a Haunting: Ash Manor, Sussex, June 1934. Diary entries of Elizabeth Keller, 16, concerning the haunting of her new home by a ghastly old man in green smock and a scarf concealing ... "Pray you never see it, child!" Vicar Twist and Mrs. Garrett the spiritualist clash over how best to tackle the situation. Ghost apparently a physical manifestation of Mr. Keller's crushing depression. Poltergeists: The Cock Lane Ghost: London, England, 1762. Although Lizzie Parson's was caught faking the phenomena when pressurized to deliver before a crowd, does this necessarily disprove earlier alleged poltergeist activity at the house? Ghost Hunting - Fact File: Preparing for your night at the haunted house/ cemetery/ churchyard/ castle/ spinney/ garden shed/ park/ bench, etc. David Wyatt Not sure I'd heard of Terry Deary until now. A cursory browse of archive.org confirms he's the hugely prolific author of several Horrible Histories plus True Horror Stories and True Mystery Stories, both of which we may yet come to.
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Post by Swampirella on May 17, 2023 11:09:29 GMT
I read that one many years ago along with several other of Ludlam's books. Very entertaining they are, too. I've enjoyed a few Ludlam's too, including The Mummy of Birchen Bower. His Elliott O'Donnell compilations are also marvellous, especially Great Ghost Stories and Ghost Hunters. David Wyatt Ghostly Dreams: George's Dream: Cornwall, England, 1840. Sailor George Northey witnesses his brother's murder in a dream. Returning from a profitable day at Trebodwina Market, Hart Northey was shot down and robbed by poachers, who conceal the murder weapon beneath the thatched roof of a derelict cottage. Back home from the sea, George informs a magistrate of his prophetic vision. The pistol is retrieved, the Hightwood brothers confess their guilt. They hang the following month. Ghostly Returns: The Lives and Deaths of Jane: Cardiff, Wales, 1974. Among the several past lives recalled by Jane Evans under hypnosis, that of 'Rebecca,' butchered among her fellow Jews when a mob stormed the church cellar they'd sought refuge in at Coppergate, York, in 1189. Ghostly Messengers: Diary of a Haunting: Ash Manor, Sussex, June 1934. Diary entries of Elizabeth Keller, 16, concerning the haunting of her new home by a ghastly old man in green smock and a scarf concealing ... "Pray you never see it, child!" Vicar Twist and Mrs. Garrett the spiritualist clash over how best to tackle the situation. Ghost apparently a physical manifestation of Mr. Keller's crushing depression. Poltergeists: The Cock Lane Ghost: London, England, 1762. Although Lizzie Parson's was caught faking the phenomena when pressurized to deliver before a crowd, does this necessarily disprove earlier alleged poltergeist activity at the house? Ghost Hunting - Fact File: Preparing for your night at the haunted house/ cemetery/ churchyard/ castle/ spinney/ garden shed/ park/ bench, etc. David Wyatt Not sure I'd heard of Terry Deary until now. A cursory browse of archive.org confirms he's the hugely prolific author of several Horrible Histories plus True Horror Stories and True Mystery Stories, both of which we may yet come to. Re: Ghostly Returns - For anyone interested, the full story can be read in this book:
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Post by 𝘗rincess 𝘵uvstarr on May 17, 2023 11:45:41 GMT
vid Wyatt
Not sure I'd heard of Terry Deary until now. A cursory browse of archive.org confirms he's the hugely prolific author of several Horrible Histories plus True Horror Stories and True Mystery Stories, both of which we may yet come to. Terry Deary has some bizarre and extreme views. He wants to close all libraries and shut down schools. His reasoning for doing away with libraries is purely commercial greed: if people can't borrow books they will have to buy them, which of course is not true. In terms of schooling he didn't like his own, so it appears no one else should be allowed an education. Considering he writes histories you'd think he'd know the role education and libraries played in getting women and working men the vote and representation in society.
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Post by dem bones on May 17, 2023 17:45:56 GMT
Terry Deary has some bizarre and extreme views. He wants to close all libraries and shut down schools. His reasoning for doing away with libraries is purely commercial greed: if people can't borrow books they will have to buy them, which of course is not true. In terms of schooling he didn't like his own, so it appears no one else should be allowed an education. Considering he writes histories you'd think he'd know the role education and libraries played in getting women and working men the vote and representation in society. From his W*kiped*a entry? If that's accurate, then I'm glad to have bought my copy of True Ghost Stories second hand, so he'll not be seeing a penny from it. Surely if, for whatever reason, you had a bad school experience, you'd want things to improve, so those who follow get more out of it?
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Post by 𝘗rincess 𝘵uvstarr on May 17, 2023 18:21:40 GMT
Terry Deary has some bizarre and extreme views. He wants to close all libraries and shut down schools. His reasoning for doing away with libraries is purely commercial greed: if people can't borrow books they will have to buy them, which of course is not true. In terms of schooling he didn't like his own, so it appears no one else should be allowed an education. Considering he writes histories you'd think he'd know the role education and libraries played in getting women and working men the vote and representation in society. From his W*kiped*a entry? If that's accurate, then I'm glad to have bought my copy of True Ghost Stories second hand, so he'll not be seeing a penny from it. Surely if, for whatever reason, you had a bad school experience, you'd want things to improve, so those who follow get more out of it? www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2013/feb/13/libraries-horrible-histories-terry-dearyWhen he talks about putting bookshops out of business, he talks about bookshops paying the author and publisher, he doesn't seem to take into account second hand bookshops, where, as you say, he wouldn't be making any money anyway. www.google.com/amp/s/www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/terry-deary-under-fire-after-10647537.amp
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Post by helrunar on May 17, 2023 20:45:36 GMT
What a wanker. Wouldn't know him if I fell over him, glad to say.
Hel.
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Post by dem bones on May 18, 2023 11:07:42 GMT
Wonder if his views have changed over past decade? If not, looks like he's getting his wish. Britain has closed almost 800 libraries since 2010, figures show, Alison Flood, The Guardian, 6. Dec. 2019 Nearly 800 public libraries closed since austerity launched in 2010, Eleanor Busby, The Independent, 6. Dec. 2019 The Quiet Disappearance of Britain's Public Libraries, Adele Walton, Tribune, 17. Jan. 2021.
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Post by ripper on May 19, 2023 8:59:02 GMT
So far as I am aware, there have not been any closures in my area. However, my local library has been staffed by volunteers for a few years now. It's a small library, and there were never more than two women working there when they were council employees, one of whom had been there since the early 80s. Now there is a manager and a couple of volunteers. Whether the manager is paid or is herself a volunteer I don't know, but I suspect she manages a number of local area libraries.
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Post by dem bones on May 19, 2023 10:32:55 GMT
So far as I am aware, there have not been any closures in my area. However, my local library has been staffed by volunteers for a few years now. It's a small library, and there were never more than two women working there when they were council employees, one of whom had been there since the early 80s. Now there is a manager and a couple of volunteers. Whether the manager is paid or is herself a volunteer I don't know, but I suspect she manages a number of local area libraries. Hi Rip. The nearest one to us was used as a Covid vaccination centre, then stayed shut through last year. Thought we'd lost it until, right out of the blue, it reopened a few months back. The staff are lovely, have been of great personal assistance in locating specialist books & booklets I'd otherwise never have seen. They also host a club for over sixties, various youth projects, etc. I'm so glad to have it back!
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Post by ripper on May 19, 2023 18:18:18 GMT
So far as I am aware, there have not been any closures in my area. However, my local library has been staffed by volunteers for a few years now. It's a small library, and there were never more than two women working there when they were council employees, one of whom had been there since the early 80s. Now there is a manager and a couple of volunteers. Whether the manager is paid or is herself a volunteer I don't know, but I suspect she manages a number of local area libraries. Hi Rip. The nearest one to us was used as a Covid vaccination centre, then stayed shut through last year. Thought we'd lost it until, right out of the blue, it reopened a few months back. The staff are lovely, have been of great personal assistance in locating specialist books & booklets I'd otherwise never have seen. They also host a club for over sixties, various youth projects, etc. I'm so glad to have it back! Good to hear that your local library is up and running again, Dem. Ours was shut for a while during the pandemic, but I don't believe it was ever facing a permanent closure. I'm not sure if they have any programmes like yours does, Dem, it's really small. There used to be schools trips to encourage reading and a story-time for really young children, but not sure if they are still going. I certainly disagree with Mr Deary if he advocated widespread library closures. One very strong aspect of the UK library system is the ability to go to any library, no matter how small, and ask for a book or other item from any other library for a very modest fee and often free. I have used that service quite a few times over the years, and been able to read books that I just wouldn't have been able to without paying sizeable sums to purchase.
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Post by helrunar on May 19, 2023 18:33:23 GMT
It's really concerning about so many hundreds of libraries being closed in the UK. In the US, library closures are sought by fatcat Republicans who disregard the role of these spaces in providing a whole roster of community services--from computer use for the unemployed to educational opportunities for those who can't afford to buy books, to children's enrichment activities, to safe spaces for the unhoused. And beyond. On another note, in one of the local "free library" book boxes on the sidewalk in front of somebody's home (there are 3 or 4 now in hailing distance from me), I briefly browsed this interesting classic ghost story collection I'd never seen before, simply titled Ghost Stories without editorial byline, from some firm called Cathay Books: www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=726046036I almost took the book since it included a Rosemary Timperley tale I have yet to read, as well as a couple of other unknown gems--but I felt I should wait and see if another "patron" decided to make use of it. Hel.
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