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[Ancient Badger]

I found this article spirited, and thought others might enjoy the chill.

U.K. Hospital Calls in Exorcist to Evict Resident Ghost

Friday, January 30, 2009

Britain's National Health System (NHS) has long been haunted by the specter of waiting-lists and tight funding, but is now facing omens of a rather more unsettling kind.

An exorcist has reportedly been summoned to a hospital in Derby after staff saw a ghost prowling the corridors near the morgue.

Managers at the Derby Royal Hospital have received numerous complaints from spooked workers that a figure cloaked in black has been stalking the wards and walking through walls at the site run by the NHS — perhaps to be renamed the National Haunted Service.

In an e-mail to staff, senior manager Debbie Butler reportedly wrote: “I’m not sure how many of you are aware that some members of staff have reported seeing a ghost. I’m taking it seriously as the last thing I want is staff feeling uneasy at work.”

The hospital denied that an official exorcism would be taking place, but a spokeswoman for the Bishop of Derby confirmed that the hospital’s on-site chaplain had contacted the diocese Paranormal Advisor — essentially an exorcist — to assess the situation and reassure spooked staff.

She said: “The sightings will be investigated and appropriate action taken.”

One member of staff said: “Several have seen a male figure cloaked from head to toe in black darting between rooms and through walls — especially in departments near the morgue.”

Times of London.

It seems to me there once upon a time, was a thread where items and articles of an unusual nature were shared. I seem to remember Prof. T., and others sharing some real goodies, but I cannot locate it now.

[Thietris]

Ah, yes, this story caught my eye too, AB. It's a pity no one has thought to take a photograph or a video of the ghost. In the original article there was a suggestion that the figure might be the ghost of a Roman centurion, as the hospital is on the site of an old Roman road, but this doesn't seem to fit with a figure 'cloaked in black'. I like the hospital manager's attempt to reassure staff – yes, we're taking it seriously. It's a real ghost so we're going to call in an exorcist. No need for nightmares, then.

I'd love to think that there was some truth in these ghost sightings, but I try to keep an open mind. Anecdotal evidence can never provide proof, unfortunately, however convincing these experiences may seem to the person witnessing them at first hand. My own experiences in this area remain completely mysterious and unexplainable. You mentioned another thread, AB, and I think it was there that I related my phantom carriage experience. To my wife and I it was very real, and completely true as reported. But I can't prove that it happened.

[Footprint]

Nightshifts, overstressness especially in hospitals. Only the staff sees things?

Right. Another exorcist trying to get rich.

[Speedyserd]

That's funny.

And Ancient Badger, there is a thread for such oddities. It might be at the bottom of this page or the next one. Wait a moment.

EDIT: The Curiosity Age

[Ancient Badger]

Thank-you, Speedy, for refreshing the Curiosity Age link. It is unfortunate that it languished, as I do not think there is a shortage of the curious in this world.

Still though, that is not the thread to which I, or Thietris, were referring. At least, I have looked through the twelve pages of "The Curiosity Age," and did not come upon the story Professor T. posted, and we referenced above. Perhaps it has slipped into the age of oblivion. Another curiosity in many ways, that age.

[Speedyserd]

Phantom carriage ride? I missed that quote. Lemme check...

EDIT: "Weird Experiences"

[DebbieDec2003]

Oh, there's a very old stone house near ours. My girls call it "the Haunted house". It's one of the oldest in this area and was once inhabited by a son of Philemon Wright, a settler of the area. My best friend, Pam, well her grandfather was born in that house (she's a very distant relation of Mr. Wrights). I've heard of a couple of stories from that house. One, of woman's heels walking upstairs while all in the house were at the table. They all got up to check and there was no one upstairs. .....

Another one was the sound of a car. This was back in the 1930's when the engine made a funny, loud ticking noise. Unmistakeable. Yet, there was no car outside the front door. One wonders how that happened when they were in the country and no houses close by.

Another one was pots banging in the kitchen of this house, yet no-one in the house was in the kitchen. They were all in the front room having tea and brandy after supper.

I've got an open mind about the subject, truly. We just don't know. In our supposed wisdom, we think we know it all. I doubt, highly, that we know it all.

[Toztabud91]

It's amazing how people can come up with all these rumours and stories, only to find a handful of them are genuine and not misinterperated. Still, the fact that some are genuine remains.

I agree with Toria; we don't know it all. No matter how many times people (I) like to think that, we just don't.

This brings to mind the story of Neil Armstrong, who blocked out the earth with his thumb. So many times we forget to humble ourselves.