Take a talk on the other side too
GHOST walks are all the rage, these days; whether it's York, Portsmouth or Edinburgh, you'll find more than a few paranormal investigators prepared to take you around the spookiest places they know, and scare the living daylights out of you - if you're up to the challenge.
One of the UK's most dynamic ghost walk providers is a Newcastle-based company called Alone In The Dark Entertainment, ran by Steve Taylor, his wife Jill and several other enthusiasts.
Steve and his colleagues spend most nights of the week taking visitors to the Castle Keep, Offshore 44 and other haunted locales, but if you thought that a quick tour and a pint were all that was on offer, you'd be mistaken.
Alone In The Dark Entertainment has a reputation for making the events the company hosts chillingly interactive, and sometimes spirit mediums and psychics will be on hand in an effort to get in touch with whatever lies in the spectral realm.
I've been to some of Steve's events, and they're certainly value for money.
The man himself has been known to dress up in period costume just to add a little spooky ambiance to the proceedings.
Steve has a special interest in witchcraft, as it was practised in the Newcastle area, particularly the old "witch trials", where those suspected of dabbling in the dark arts were sometimes put to death.
The truth is that many such trials were simply theatrical displays, where the guilt of the accused person was established beforehand, and any attempt at justice was simply a mockery.
Many "witches" were simply ordinary people who had upset the powers that be.
The good news is that Steve will be giving a presentation at the next Fright With A Pint Night, in the Alum Ale House, South Shields, on Wednesday, at 7.30pm.
The last event was a huge success, and at this one Steve will be regaling punters with some of the best ghost stories – true, of course – that he knows.
I'll also be giving a talk on one of South Tyneside's most chilling true paranormal stories – that of the Stevenson Street poltergeist.
Few encounters with the paranormal have made my spine tingle like this one, mark my words.
As readers of my books and columns know, the Alum Ale House itself plays host to several ghosts, including that of a Roman Soldier which has been seen in the cellar bar, or dungeon – and that's exactly where Steve and I will be putting on our show. Who knows, he may turn up on the night?
Another spook that has made his presence felt in the cellar bar is that of "old Charlie", who has a habit of turning the lights on and off to amuse himself.
Funnily enough, if you shout at him he normally turns them back on again.
One of the most intriguing ghosts at the Alum Ale House is that of the spectral barman, who has been seen on several occasions in the main bar sporting a natty waistcoat and bow tie.
Even my friend and fellow storyteller Erasmus Bottle – aka Dave Walker – would be hard pushed to out-do this ghost when it comes to sartorial splendour.
Mind you, I still think that Dave's nightgown and Wee Willie Winkie cap are the tops, as those who have attended his performances will testify.
The Fright With A Pint Night has brought together paranormal researchers and enthusiasts from all over the region, and we're hoping to get some other excellent speakers in the future.
Visitors to this event can simply pay at the door when they arrive – tickets are just 3. See you on Wednesday, then ...
* If you have any supernatural tales you'd like to see in print, e-mail them to me here.
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Weather for South Shields
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
