Ghost hunters in Cornwall cause problems for police officer
11:00am Monday 23rd August 2010
By Stephen Ivall »
Night-time ghost hunters are causing problems for a police inspector and his family living in a converted church at Baldhu, near Truro.
So much so Inspector Steve Lenney, wants to put up a garage in which to keep a boat and cars safe and will disturb the grave yard as little as possible in the process.
Inspector Lenney, who operates the custody centre at Camborne police station, knows that the former listed building, St Michael’s Church, is reputed to be the most haunted place in Cornwall, but says the number of visitors to its graveyard have surprised him.
He told Kea parish councillors in whose area the church is situated, that because of fears to his car and a racing dinghy which he currently parks outside, he needs to build a garage for their protection.
“We bought the property in November but could not foresee the sheer numbers of visitors we get ghost hunting. It was a place linked with satanic worship and is classed as the most haunted place in Cornwall. Three and four nights a week we get people outside with very loud cars,” he said.
He says as a police officer, and his wife a youth offending team manager, they make it their business to go out and educate these late night callers and tell them it is no longer a derelict church but their family home.
“We found two people in the back gardens one day who have convictions for burglary”, he said. “We have my daughter’s racing dinghy in the garden and we have found people around it.”
He said the public were allowed to visit the site in daylight hours but because of their other unwanted visitors they needed somewhere to put their car and the boat under cover.
He told councillors he was aware of objections to this structure in a graveyard but added: “You will not find a prouder owner of a grade two listed building. We don’t want to make it a sow’s ear. All this has put us at risk of being subject to crime and not being able to protect our property.”
He said that in order to make the garage more attractive and in keeping with its surroundings he was paying over £4,000 for a pair of oak doors which were “very tasteful and very beautiful”.
He added that his family were working to bring back the 150 year old churchyard to how it should be. “It is going to be a beautiful place”, he said.
Questioned by the parish councillors he said he would have to lift a headstone to gain access for the construction of the garage but would put it back. No grave or human remains would be touched.
Discussing his application for the two-car garage and room for a boat, members were concerned that it would be close to the memorial to revivalist preacher Billy Bray who is buried in the churchyard.
The council agreed to Insp Lenney’s application. There were exceptional circumstances for the protection of property.
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/83 ... er/?ref=mr
I went looking for Baldhu last week, following reports of mining subsidence there, and I passed near Billy Bray's chapel. Not sure if this is the building in question - clearly, another expedition is called for!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bray