A ghost attacked homes in the suburbs of Bradford in 1926 and left many residents terrified. It occurred over a period of several nights. The ghost frightened residents on the Brierly Housing Estate, mostly attacking lonely women. The ghost reportedly looked like a sheet with black holes where the eyes should have been. It also was said to have haunted Manchester Road. Could this have been someone playing a joke on the poor women on Bradford?
Even the City Hall of Bradford is said to be haunted by a spirit called Chains Charlie. Many believe that Chains Charlie was a prisoner who was tortured in one of the cells. He was so unhappy, that even after he died, he returned as a poltergeist to haunt the very place where he was tortured. People have reported seeing a headless torso holding its head at its side. One of the housekeepers has reported a ghastly interference she had while trying to mop the floors of the City Hall.
Sir Henry Irving was one of the Victorian era’s most famous stage actors. The night of October 13, 1905 found Sir Henry Irving at the Bradford Theatre, performing as Becket of the Tennyson play of the same name. Sir Henry suffered a stroke while on stage as he uttered the dying words of Becket. He was taken to the lobby of the hotel where he later died. Although he was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey, many claim to see his ghost at the hotel.
Wrose is a village in Bradford about three miles north of the centre of the city. It sits on a hilltop and overlooks the Aire and Bradford valleys. The Bolton Old Hall in Wrose was sold at an auction five years ago. The house, built in 1627, was in a state of deterioration, but Billy Reidy bought it anyhow, saying he lived within a mile of the house and had noticed it for years. Plus, he loved to fix up old homes. Although the size of Wrose has grown through the years, Bolton Old Hall is set apart. Perhaps this is the reason a ghost chooses to inhabit the house.
Billy reported that the presence of Blue Mary, as she is known, has been felt not only by him, but also by other visitors to the house. While he has felt her presence, Billy does not know much about Blue Mary. Her legend seems to have started in the late 19th century. The residents of the hall blamed Blue Mary for the cows not producing as much milk. They took her presence so seriously that they hung up horseshoes and bottles of needles to calm her.
It appears that even ghosts need a bit of refreshment now and then. The Hare and Hounds in Oxenhope, a village in Bradford, has had paranormal activities within it for years now. Plates falling off the wall in unison and a brass bell flying across the pub into the wall is nothing new for the Dog and Gun Pub.
The landlord, Michael Roper, thinks he knows who the ghost is. A pig farmer who used to spend her time in the pub was run over by a horse and cart one night. She was brought into the pub where she later died. Some patrons have reported seeing a woman dressed in black move between the toilets in the restroom and on the stairs.
The Hare and Hounds in Wibsey, a ward in Bradford Metropolitan District, has also reported strange happenings within its walls. There have been slamming doors, strange voices, and a baffling fire caused by a porcelain figure. The Firefighters that extinguished the fire could not determine how the porcelain figure caught fire.
Many places around the world have reported ghosts, but it seems that Bradford may have had more than its fair share. If you live in the area or plan to visit, you may want to take one of the ghost tours offered and see if you can see a ghost yourself.
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