BORLEY GHOST SOCIETY

As the youngest member of the world famous BORLEY GHOST SOCIETY, I take a deep interest in the controversial subject of "hauntings" and the supernatural in general. However, I take a particular interest in the haunting of Borley rectory and church. As a student of this classic case, I have, like many others, read the books, studied the evidence, and have been in correspondence with many of the people connected with Borley.

I was born on 13th April 1986. I go to Pope Pius X Catholic school in Wath upon Dearne. In 1999, I wrote an essay on The Mystery Of Borley Rectory for an Information Technology class. The project was to test my skills with the computer.

My grandmother, Gillian Steed, also takes a keen interest in Borley, and is expecially fascinated by the life of Marianne Foyster.
Understandably, I have not written any monographs, but would one day like to publish a chronicle of the Borley hauntings. To follow in the footsteps of people such as Harry Price and Peter Underwood F.R.S.A. would be impossible; one could only walk beside them.

For as long as I can remember, I've had a fascination with all things ghostly! When I was young, my Grandmother used to tell me stories which I liked which involved Eany, Meany and Miney, and they used to go on ferries to such places as 'Crocodile Island' and 'Ghost Island' and 'Pirate Island.' They used to go on this ferry and on their way used to see ghostly galleons and things with their friend Captain Jim. Their also used to be nice Mrs. Wolf and Nasty Mrs. Wolf. (These were adapted from the childrens stories by Marry Rayner). I've always loved the library and started wandering into the children's factual mystery section, but it wasn't until I was about nine or ten that I went to the adult mystery section, picked up several of the famous Mr. Underwood's books (a fantastic writer), and started reading about Borley.

For my research, I've written to such places as Colchester Library and newspapers requesting copies of different articles.

I love the Suffolk countryside and think that it is among the best in England; it may not be dramatic but it is so picturesque.

My grandma and I saw the address [for Borley Place] as a bed and breakfast in an Essex tourist guide. We wrote and they said that they are '...essentially a private household accepting occasional paying guests...' When we arrived (my grandmother, grandfather, Aunty Jean, Uncle David, and my brother who is younger than me) we found that it was a beautiful house and the owners, Tony Crane and Carole King, equally as charming. Whilst there we visited Liston, Campse Ash, Pentlow, Foxearth, Great Cornard, Southwold, and places like that and of course my two personal favourite villages, Long Melford and Lavenham.

The time came three days later when we were to return to our home in South Yorkshire. My Mother and Father had decided not to come because my two younger sisters (who are twins) would probably get bored in places like that.

In my small study at my home in the village of Wath-upon-Dearne in Yorkshire, I have almost 40 titles on the subject of the supernatural. I have six titles on Borley. The Enigma of Borley Rectory by Ivan Banks is extremely interesting as it contains many new theories and much self-research on the part of the author. I have a copy of The Haunting of Borley Rectory in its original form as Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research, by Eric John Dingwall, Kathleen Mollie Goldeny, and Trevor Henry Hall. I have a photocopy (it is now out of copyright) sent to me of Haunted Borley by Reverend Alfred Clifford Henning who was rector of "Borley cum Liston" from 1936-55. I have a first edition of The End of Borley Rectory which is understandably now battered, at nearly 55 years old. I have a copy of The Ghosts of Borley by Mr. Underwood and Dr. Paul Tabori. This is in superb condition with dust cover. I am still in search of The Most Haunted House in England (it is extremely rare), and the Hastings report.

I am also a great fan of the late James Turner who lived in the "Old Coach House" at Borley from 1947-50.

I share a great pleasure with Mr. O'Neil - that of digging around in old used bookshops with dusty shelves, some of which have not been touched for years.

I have visted Borley twice and, since my first visit, have kept in touch with the current rector, Reverend Capt. Brain A. Sampson C.A. He is a very warm and affable gentleman. The peace and tranquility of this beautiful spot tucked neatly onto one shoulder of the Stour Valley is something to behold. As many have commented before, the stillness that pervades this rural retreat is almost a phenomenon in itself. Unfortunately the vandals have reached even this beautiful spot. They come at night after the local public houses have closed. They have smashed ancient stained glass windows, and have destroyed crosses on the Bull's tombstones that lay innocently by the east wall of the church.

JOSEPH OLDING