Ghosts
Bradwell on Sea is the ghost
capital of Eastern Essex
The Roman Soldier and the ghostly hoof beats
The Romans built a fort called Othona which was garrisoned to
prevent raids by Norsemen. A road connected Othona to Roman
settlements at Danbury, Chelmsford and Colchester.
Today this road is still in use to connect Othona with the village.
The Roman
Road still exists although covered in tarmac
Rumours abound of
a hoof beats being heard with no sign of a horse passing and a roman
soldier marching along the old road.
The stories go
back many generations and are authenticated by many people including
visitors to the Othona Community who were not previously aware of
the legend.
St Peter's
Chapel
St Peter's Chapel
normally has a tranquil and calming air and is a place that feels
good in a way that cannot be explained.
Occasionally
usually late at nigh the atmosphere seems to change and it suddenly
becomes unsettling.
Local people have
reported seeing lights inside but on arrival the chapel is deserted
and dark and even seeing dim figures inside.
The origin of the
stories about St Peter's and Othona are unclear but they may be
connected to the popularity of Othona and the adjoining St Peters
Chapel for use by smuggling gangs from 1700 to about 1850 .
Shadowy figures
seen in the distance, lights that are extinguished quickly when
someone is heard and muffled hoof beats would all have been
practiced associated with smugglers.
The rumour of
ghosts may have helped to keep the Revenue men and nosy locals away.
THE BUTLER
OF BRADWELL LODGE
In the early
1800's the butler of the Rector of Bradwell committed suicide in his
small room on the upper floor.
Occupants since then have heard footsteps pass when no one is
visible. A maid, unaware of the legend, who was to sleeping the room
refused to do so after just one night for reasons that she could not
explain.
The ghost of a young child has also occasionally been seen at
Bradwell Lodge.
WALTER
LINNETT
Walter Linnett lived in a
tiny cottage close to Othona. At the turn of the century Linnet was
the finest punt gunner in the area making his living from killing
hundreds of ducks each day that congregated in the waters of
Bradwell in their thousands.
Although in modern times the numbers are fewer the estuary still
attracts both rare birds and bird watchers.
The RSPB now own Linnetts Cottage and use it as a base and overnight
accommodation for some of their members.
On many occasions sleeping residents have woken in the cottage to
find a figure standing over them or seen a face peering through the
windows.
In most cases the
description fits Walter Linnett who in his lifetime hated people who
came to his quiet outpost and upset 'his birds'.
Linnett's
cottage is now used by the RSPB
BRANDY
HOLE - Ghostly happenings on the Crouch
Brandy Hole is a
location in the Crouch opposite to Bridgemarsh Island which received
its name from it's popularity with smugglers.
So it is perhaps
not surprising that a number of ghost stories are associated with
the area.
One October day in
the early 1970's a yachtsman was on his way home in the twilight
when his car broke down.
He opened the
bonnet and tried to find out what was wrong.
After a few
minutes he saw a man alongside him watching.
At first he
thought it was his passenger but then realised that the man was
dressed in a blue seaman's sweater.
As he took a
better look he saw that the man did not exist below the waist.
He called to the
passenger in the car and when he looked back the man had gone.
The passenger saw
nothing of this man.
Sheldrakes
Farm, Latchingdon
In his book Essex
Folk , Edward S Knights tells the tale of the haunting of Sheldrake
Farm
Mr Sheldrake, an
eccentric gentleman died.
After his death
mysterious happenings, with banging and rattling's in one of his
rooms caused much disturbance.
The ghost of an
old man was seen and was evidentially concerned over the hearthstone
of the particular room in which he was seen.
The headstone was
raised and underneath was found the will of Mr Sheldrake , a number
of valuable le papers and most of his savings which were handed to
his heir.
The good work
accomplished, the ghost trouble the inhabitants no more.
