Hawkins Hall Lane

Datchworth

History

Hawkins Hall Lane is situated in the village of Datchworth between the towns of Hertford, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City. Datchworth is sited on a Roman road and has examples of Saxon clearings in several locations.

Standing at the Eastern side of Datchworth Green is the whipping post, it’s last recorded use being that on the 27th July in 1665. Stocks also once stood near the whipping post but were removed in 1899.

Paranormal Activity

An old woman, dressed in black is said to be seen shuffling down Hawkins Hall Lane and is often believed initially to be bent with age but on closer inspection is actually headless. The old woman is often seen at dusk with a look of purpose on her face and in her actions. The ghost is believed to be that of a woman who once hanged herself, too traumatised to live with the sudden death of her husband.

Metheringham Airfield

The Visitor Centre
Westmoor Farm
Martin Moor
Metheringham
Lincoln LN4 3BQ
Lincolnshire

History

During 1942, around 600 acres of farmland and woods were cleared to create a new airfield for 5 group, Bomber Command and so the airfield opened in 1943 and became home to 106 squadron in time for the opening of the Battle of Berlin. Although RAF Metheringham went to war in 1943 the war in Europe ended just 22 months later but yet the airfield suffered losses of 57 Lancaster bombers.

In 1945 the squadron prepared for war in the Far East as part of the Tiger Force, just six months later the war ended and the squadron was finally disbanded with the airfield closing in the spring of 1946.

Today there are still signs of the once active airfield with many of the original buildings still remaining. The former ration store has been restored and now houses a collection of photographs and memorabilia recalling life and times of the Second World War airfield that was Metheringham.

Paranormal Activity

It is often reported that a young girl, dressed in an old WW2 RAF uniform, haunts this abandoned airfield during the summer months, usually after dusk. Close to the site of the old ruined control tower, the young girl is said to stop passing motorists, cyclists and even pedestrians to ask for help, saying that her boyfriend has been injured in a motorbike crash down the road but when investigated there has been no crash and the girl has vanished. It is said the young girl is that of Catherine Bystock, a young WAAF from Horncastle, who was engaged to a young flight sergeant but sadly died when she was travelling on the back of her boyfriend’s motorbike and he crashed leaving her with a broken neck but with him surviving. It is said that they were to marry after the war and that she was only 19 when she died.

When the airfield was still in use many RAF personnel refused to go near that part of the airfield. Even today many locals from the nearby village try and avoid travelling that stretch of road after dark. A paranormal investigator was called in after locals reported that they were often chased down the runway by a phantom spirit, Mark Stretton from SPI reported this about a photograph which was taken of the area during the investigation; “Our medium saw a mist on this occasion when it was a perfectly clear night and someone who was with us took this photo randomly. It’s one of the best ghostly images we have caught on camera. Some of the others have mists and orbs on them, but this is one of the best.”

Arbeia Roman Fort

Baring Street
South Shields
NE33 2BB
Tyne and Wear

History

Built around AD160, Arbeia Roman Fort once guarded the entrance to the River Tyne and played an essential role in the mighty frontier system. The fort was originally built to house a garrison and soon became the military supply base for the 17 forts along Hadrian’s Wall. Excavation at the site has found original buildings and finds which give a unique insight into Roman Britain.

Paranormal Activity

It is reported that phantom soldiers walk the site of this old Roman fort.