Book Review - Ghost Taverns of the North East.

Ghoist Taverns of the North EastGhost Taverns: an illustrated gazetteer of haunted pubs in the North East of England by Darren W Ritson and Michael J Hallowell

(Amberley Publishing, 2009 ISBN 978-1-84868-140-3, £20)

If this book is right then spectral beings have a special affinity to pubs. In this detailed and well written book the authors examine weird happenings at sixty or so pubs around Newcastle. Each pub is given a one to ten Good Ghost Rating.

Ghosts clearly come in all shapes and sizes. At The Albion Inn in Pelaw, Charlie, one of the regulars who died in the 1960s, still pops in. Giggly Meg, a 19th century Irish prostitute and at least one of her clients, makes her presence known at The Alum Ale House in South Shields, where there is also a phantom barman [We’ve all been to pubs where the serving staff are phantoms]. Also in South Shields The Marsden Grotto claims to be the most haunted pub in England where the Smuggler’s Tankard is filled with a pint of ale (never lager, which the ghost sensibly dislikes) every evening. Next morning the pewter tankard is often empty. In many establishments the authors and other paranormal investigators often spend nights in the hopes of experiencing these events. The resulting write-ups make fascinating reading, but don’t convince this hard hearted sceptic. However make up your own mind.

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