Phantom Fred is dead good at making feelings known
MANY
would applaud plans to convert a boarded-up pub into student flats but
poltergeists
tend to like the status quo.
For example, take Fred the Poltergeist from the city’s Grove Inn.
He got a bit upset when new landlord Del Horler and his family moved into
the Grove Road boozer
back in the late 70s.
The mild-mannered but spectral resident didn’t like the changes so he would unlock doors, stack plates and ring bells. Del, now 65, soon got the message and learned the recipe for a quiet life.
He said: “I was sceptical when I went there but there was no explanation
for the things that happened.
He was mischievous but not malicious.
“He
learned to live with us and we learned to live with him. The kids weren’t
scared at all. They used to call out ‘Fred it’s only me’
whenever they went down the cellar.” The landlord dismissed suggestions
from customers about calling in an exorcist with a bell, book and candle
to send the friendly poltergeist
packing from his pub retreat. Del came to the conclusion there was no
threat from Fred so long as
the changes were not rung.
The Horler family moved out after six happy years in the pub and The Grove Inn passed through several hands. But time was called on the city-centre boozer a few years ago and pints were pulled no more. Fred had the mothballed pub all to himself but in January last year
.
Mr Horler fears the prospect of
sharing lodgings with daytime TV watching and party-hardened students
could raise Fred from his
spiritual slumber.
He
added: “Fred does not like change. Although he is not a malicious
spirit he will not be happy when the building work starts, especially
after all this time on his own, and will certainly make himself
known.” Paranormal investigator Steve Jones believes the arrival
of hormonal students could herald the
ghost’s return as poltergeists are believed to feed off sexual energy.
RETIRED landlord Del
Horler pays a visit to a the ghostly
Grove Inn. w7963a08