The Storyteller: Nearly Christmas...again!

As you read this, it will be nearly a month until another Christmas!

Where has this year gone? It’s true what they say, once you get through the long, dark days of January, the rest of the year just runs away from you!

Sadly, this year has been a tough one for myself, my partner, Sarah, and my old boss, Steve, from my time at the Princess Theatre...as we all lost our fathers in quick succession at the start of the year. However, we aren’t alone in our grief, for, as the year progressed, I heard news from friends and acquaintances, how they too have lost a loved one this year, and, although it’s a horrible experience that we all have to go through at some point, I take comfort from the fact we are all going through it together. 

One of those deaths I’ve learnt about, happened very recently. You may have heard about it on the news, or via social media. It was a young man in his 30s, named Jack Pillar. He was reported missing, before the police finally discovered his body. There were no suspicious circumstances, it seems it was a tragic accident. Hopefully he didn’t suffer.

I met Jack a few years ago now, when he attended several of my Monday night TIP (Torbay Investigators of the Paranormal) meetings at Churston Court. He accompanied the Edmunds family, when they became regular members for a while. Tragically, we lost Pete, the father of the “Edmunds Sistas”, a few years ago, but when they attended together, they became the centre of attention, for Jack took it upon himself to dress to impress us each week, in various guises, from a baby in a nappy, to a woman (a medium had told him to get in touch with his feminine side), to a boxing champ...as the sisters are martial arts performers. This sort of behaviour isn’t quite what you would expect from a gathering of paranormal Investigators, but his antics certainly kept us amused, during the short time he was amongst us, and for that, he will always be remembered. When I come to tell tales of TIP in the future, he will definitely feature! 

The celebration of his life is on Friday 21st November, and I shall be there to pay my respects, on behalf of those members of my group, who will never forget him. Our joint condolences to his family and friends, and all those people whose lives he touched, if only briefly, like ours.

This will be the fourth memorial service I’ve attended this year, I’ve never been to so many in such a short space of time...that’s enough for now...

With Christmas in mind, I wanted to share with you a couple of events that I’ve got lined up for this season, and to tell you about a gift idea, something that you can purchase for that hard to buy for member of the family, that loves all things ghostly and spooky...

With the Brixham Illuminations being switched on tomorrow, Friday 21st November, I thought it would be fitting to host my next two Ghost Walks around the Haunted Harbour, so that we can admire the sparkly decorations, as I tell my spooky stories. So, my monthly walk for November will be on Wednesday 26th, whilst December will be Wednesday 17th. Both walks will start at Brixham Conservative Club, at 7.30pm, where you can enjoy a drink, as I make my introductions, share a few stories, and tell you about the hauntings in the neighbouring buildings, in particular, the theatre and the museum...

Then we will head out, into the lights, whatever the weather, as I now know where to shelter to tell tales, as we had a bit of rain during the Halloween walk, that needed avoiding. Heading passed The Smugglers Haunt Hotel...which isn’t haunted by a smuggler, sadly...towards the harbour, where I draw your attention to the redundant Rising Sun pub, and the looming statue of William of Orange, with his connection to Totnes Museum, and its haunted bedroom...

Around the corner, I have a few things to say about the aptly named Coffin House, before heading up the main street, where, at a suitable point, I will tell you all about, what I believe to be, the most haunted house in Brixham...Black House. It’s too far to make you walk all the way there, but there is something amongst the shops that is relevant to Miss Joyce, and her part in the story.

After our time roaming the streets, we can retire to another local hostelry to continue the storytelling, if you so wish, as I’ve always got lots to say!

If I’ve whetted your appetite, then please book your places as they are limited. For further details see the posters.

If you know someone who loves this sort of thing, and maybe you are struggling to think of the perfect gift for them this Christmas, then look no further, as I can provide you with a gift voucher, so they can book their own place on one of my walks, during my set dates, or combine with a group of family and friends to book their own mutually agreeable date.

It’s not just Brixham I cover, but a number of towns and villages on Dartmoor, that I’ve gathered stories about, and I’m eager to share them with a willing audience. There are currently eight in total, which, in alphabetical order are:

Ashburton – where we gather in one of the oldest pubs in the country...The Old Exeter Inn, very haunted; follow the route my medium friends were taken on, by the spirit of Elijah, an old church tax collector, who confessed to a very tragic crime; and meet Phil, the owner of Bullivers Cafe, if he’s open, who will tell you all about the resident ghost, that he shares a bedroom with...

Bovey Tracey  - a town that was invaded by Cromwell and his men, the night before the Battle of Bovey Heath, which has left its mark; the homeland of the de Tracey family, and their most infamous son, William; and hear the tragic tale of the Gurney Sisters...

Buckfastleigh – a brand-new walk, that goes from the Globe Inn, down the main street, to the Valiant Soldier, which closed in 1965, and now serves up spirits of a different kind...

Chagford – which boasts two famous Dartmoor ghosts, and three haunted pubs, side by side...

Ivybridge  - new for this Summer, and a treat to walk through a spooky wood, beside the River Erme, instead of streets...

Moretonhampstead  - another new one for this Halloween, which ends up in a space that contains walls full of ancient artwork...

Okehampton – which includes an exclusive look inside All Saints Church, that houses the last resting place of Chagford’s famous ghostly son, Sydney Godolphin, and a memorial to Okehampton’s infamous mayor, Benjamin Geare...

Princetown – where my walks were born; home of Dartmoor Prison; and, if the weather conditions allow, we get a glimpse of the more barren parts of the higher moor...

If that wasn’t enough, I’m always looking to add new locations to my repertoire, with, possibly, a Paignton walk to be launched early next year...

Again, if that’s all whetted your appetite, or you know someone who would be well up for it, then take a look at the details on how to get your hands on the gift vouchers, available now.

I look forward to welcoming you on one of my walks soon. In the meantime, all that remains for me to do, is wish you a Merry Nearly Christmas!