• We have updated the guidelines regarding posting political content: please see the stickied thread on Website Issues.

North West Weirdness

Mighty_Emperor

Gone But Not Forgotten
(ACCOUNT RETIRED)
Joined
Aug 18, 2002
Messages
19,408
This is an interesting page:

and for an idea of what they are tracking here is a quick selection:

Weird pages

Cheshire, Trafford and Merseyside may not be the first area of the country you think of when pondering the mysteries of the universe but the region has had its fair share of unexplained activity over the years.

On these pages you can check out UFO sightings, read about ghostly apparitions and check out some weird illusions.

See our new Cheshire Ghost Hunts section... if you're brave enough

Weird news

Mysterious objects over Wirral
A reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, sent us this photograph, taken on Friday 15th July, which appears to capture two ufos flying over the Wirral.

Share your UFO experiences
THIS is Weird has been contacted by John Hanson of Crewe, who is compiling a journal of UFO experiences.

Paranormal evening
Halton Lea Library is hosting a Paranormal Evening on May 8, during which investigators will be discussing unexplained events that have occurred in Halton over the years.

Ghost writer reveals the Ripper
AUTHOR of Haunted Cheshire and the Haunted Liverpool books Tom Slemen, will be giving two illustrated talks on Sunday March 9 at St George's Hall in Lime Street, Liverpool.

Doppelgangers in Knowlsey
WE have been contacted by Cherryl of Liverpool, who has a tale of a haunted house she used to own.

UFOs in Burtonwood
WE have been contacted by Ally of Burtonwood, Warrington, who claims to have seen strange lights in the sky over the area.

UFO over Preston Brook
WORKERS at phone company O2 have reported seeing a strange object in the skies above the building in early January 2003.

Haunted St Helens
LOCAL spook hunters Ghost Quest have got in touch with This Is Weird, with some ghostly sightings around St Helens.

More sightings of a roadside figure
FURTHER to a story This Is Weird published in 2002, we have had another siting of a strange roadside figure - this time between Knutsford and Warrington.

Can you see anything in this photo?
READER Averil Elaziz has sent us this photograph, which she took on 22 November 2002.

Looking for haunted houses
The Stoke-On-Trent based British Paranormal Research Societyis looking for haunted places or areas to investigate - can you help?

Inherited "feeling" for the paranormal
THIS is Weird has been contacted by Nick Armstrong, who, although remaining sceptical, feels he may have inherited his mother's "feeling " for the paranormal.

Meeting
The Unknown Phenomena Investigation Association will be meeting in Wirral on January 21.

http://www.thisiswarrington.co.uk/cheshire/entertainment/weird/

The UPIA site mentioned there goes horribly horribly wrong but you can get to it here:

http://maxpages.com/mapit/MAPIT_CHESHIRE_OFFICE

http://www.communigate.co.uk/chesh/upia/index.phtml

I forget how much oddness there is in my neck of the woods from the seocnd link (the first has more popups than a jack in the box):

UPIA have also forged close links with a number of other organisations including The Parascience, Merseyside Anomolies Research Association,(MARA), AURORA and Wirral Psychic Workshop (WPW)who have assisted each other on occasions in the past.

MARA:
http://www.mara.org.uk/

WPW:
http://www.communigate.co.uk/chesh/wirralpsychicworkshop/index.phtml

Parascience got a mention elsewhere but:
http://www.parascience.org.uk/

----------------------
There are quite a few of us Forteans from this region - how about a NW Fortean Society? We could all have tiffin in Hugo's rambling pile (possibly better than it sounds ;) ).

Emps
 
Sounds good. Are there any other regional fortean societies in the UK, or worldwide for that matter?
 
I have often wondered about the viability of a FortMeet North type of event given the number of members of this board in the North and the general wierdness level in those parts. There seems to be a particular type of urban/post industrial wierdness peculiar to those parts - the Dog Headed Men of Crewe, Wierdness in the Longdendale Gap etc.

Also thought about doing a book recounting these - a vaguely West-East journey across the Pennines starting in Merseyside doing Cheshire, Lancashire, Manchester stories - the Pennines then Yorkshire. Be nice to illustrate it with brooding, disused mills, pennine bleakness etc. focussing less on the traditional tales and more on the industrial type stuff. One day...

I notice there seems to be a lot less activity from the South East (but I guess people there are just too busy....;) )

The folks in Cornwall Devon etc. seem to continue the long tradition of high wierdness in those parts.
 
rjm said:
Sounds good. Are there any other regional fortean societies in the UK, or worldwide for that matter?

Dublin:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13580

Edinburgh:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15260

Glasgow:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10009

Which are quite handy for getting meetings going and having boozy nights out but I was thinking of sometting more along the lines of what ideasman mentions as something closer to the US regional groups monitoring statewide weirdness. I sort of felt that a NW area (Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and metropolitan areas) was a reasonable division and it seems to be the kind of area that TV and even (possible) regional parliaments seem to favour (it just seemed a logical and practical division) - not that I have anything against our brethern from the other side of the Pennines (I was partly brought up over there after all) ;)

Emps
 
I'm not sure if there is enough interest to get this moving but I have been jotting down various odd an unusal bits and pieces that have come up so I thought I'd throw them in here.

In no particular order:

Ormskirk church:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10350

Formby Neolothic footprints and trackways

Childe of Hale - Merseyside Giant (up coming FT).

Corpse candles on the River Dee
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=386574#post386574

Cheshire cat
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13203

Miraculous mattress:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14448

Flesh eating squirrels of Knutsford:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6425

Templars:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2146

Lllamas:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3740

There is the local samurai who directs MH

Cattle mutilations:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1655

Liverpool is one of the UFO abduction hot spots

There are often weird animal reports from the Lake District.

Girt Dog:
www.forteantimes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3905
and Mauler the book based on it:
www.forteantimes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24095

Beast of Sizergh Castle
www.forteantimes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5803

I assume some Celtic stone heads are over this side of the Pennines:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12445

There was also a discussion of rock carvings over on the Wirral but I can't track it down at the moment.
 
Other stuff I turned up:

Wallabies:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5125

Gerald Gardner (his old house is not far from me):
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6586

A possible Spring Heeled Jack sighting:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6138

Giant catfish:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4557

Liverpool Airport UFO sighting:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8015

An alien sighting:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6639

Some kind of demony thing that was used to threaten children in Liverpool (we use guns now):
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7330

Stone Circles - Long Meg:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=954

The Williamson Tunnels!!
Main site:
http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk
Friends of the Tunnels
http://www.williamsontunnels.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamson%27s_tunnels

Other undergournd weirdness around Liverpool:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4723

Lots of ghosts:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=333
etc.

Another group in the area (possibly not still going though):
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5671

There is probably Beatles related oddities - John Lennon's assassiantion for one (Ringo for another).

Various ABC sightings and some crop circles.

Other Books:

Secret Lancashire: Strange-but-true Mysteries of the Red Rose County

And I suppose the Isle of Wight traditionally falls in the NW region and there must be a lot of odd things there.

Emps
 
pyramid ghost

I know the above link is from a fiction site, but the story of that strange grave has been doing the rounds for years.

go to this link and scroll down to see a pic of it.
 
I can't, for the love of James McKenzie, find a decent picture of the tomb that really captures the surreal atmosphere around it. The big oval inlay above the portal appears greenish and gives a rather occult contrast with the slab-black tomb.
 
'Flying saucer' lands on skyline

By Clare Purdy
BBC News, Manchester

Historic landmarks on the Lancashire skylines will soon have some new contemporaries - including a 25m "flying saucer" and a hillside atom.

The likes of Pendle Hill and Darwen Tower will stand alongside six new "21st century landmarks" created by architects for East Lancashire.

The four-year Panopticons project already has three definite landmarks - with three more planned.

The designs for second phase went on display for the first time on Tuesday.

Residents can have their say on the sculptures planned for Crown Point at Burnley, Peel Park in Accrington and Kemple End in the Ribble Valley.

They include a wind tower, a stone viewing wall, a 12m mast, the Fold lookout, a steel windbreaker, a design of 24 acrylic tubes, a wind tower and a "singing, ringing" metal tree.

Panopticon means a structure which creates a panoramic view, setting down the aim of the project on some of the county's highest points.

Mid Pennine Arts is co-ordinating the Panopticons, and the first three designs were created as part of a competition with the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The project is part of a wider parks' initiative by the East Lancashire Partnership and is partly funded by the North West Development Agency (NWDA)

All the structures - which are all shelters, viewing platforms or beacons - will be built by 2007 with some construction starting this Spring.

The towns of East Lancashire sit in a pretty impressive landscape, but one which I think we sometimes take for granted
Ian Whittaker
North West Development Agency

The Halo - the "flying saucer" - is to be installed on the hills of Haslingden in Rossendale.

It a 25m-diameter, circular steel structure, raised off the ground on a tripod, housing a solar array, self-powered cameras and lighting. The structure is clad in white photo-reflective material to ensure that it can be seen from miles around.

The Mirrored Atom will be installed in Wycoller Country Park in Pendle and Colourfields is a colourful lookout planned for Corporation Park, Blackburn.

The three designs for Burnley will be on show from a week at the library, the town hall and Towneley Hall.

Residents and visitors can see the Ribble Valley designs at Longridge Library, the council offices and Whalley library.

The Hyndburn sculptures will be on show at Accrington library, Accrington and Rossendale College, the town hall, Asda in Accrington, Huncoat primary school and Hyndburn sports centre.

Ian Whittaker, NWDA area manager for Lancashire, said, "The towns of East Lancashire sit in a pretty impressive landscape, but one which I think we sometimes take for granted.

"The Panopticons project will provide six striking and unique additions to this landscape.

"Such public art, incorporating high quality design in stunning settings, is a very important factor in showcasing the area as a great place for business to invest in and for people to live, work and visit."

-------------------
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/e ... 183809.stm

Published: 2005/01/18 12:21:00 GMT

© BBC MMV
 
rjmrjmrjm said:

Thats on Rodney street with the Pyramid Grave as only the little cemtery is there now and a scaff holding keeping the rest of the church up.

Said on the Itv site injuries dueto the fall, wonder what he was doing there? Mayb ecurious about the church or the Pyramid tomb? Not high enough to commit suicide on.
 
Brilliant links! A NW Fortean Society-type-thing is a great idea! I know I'm a bit of newbie, but count me in if it gets off the ground..... :D
 
Meet in Liverpool? A suitable location? The Slaughterhouse is probably the most haunted pub in the city, so i've heared - ? The Pilgrim is right near Rodney Street and the Anglican Cathedral but can be quite loud - ? The Ship and Mitre is quieter but rather an old mans pub - ?

:D
 
rjmrjmrjm said:
I can't, for the love of James McKenzie, find a decent picture of the tomb that really captures the surreal atmosphere around it. The big oval inlay above the portal appears greenish and gives a rather occult contrast with the slab-black tomb.

Wasn't he supposed to be called William McKenize?

This link says he was called Tom.

http://www.darkhalf.com/Strange_Story_P ... StoryID=29

Meet in Liverpool? A suitable location? The Slaughterhouse is probably the most haunted pub in the city, so i've heared - ? The Pilgrim is right near Rodney Street and the Anglican Cathedral but can be quite loud - ? The Ship and Mitre is quieter but rather an old mans pub - ?

Theres Ye Hole in Ye wall which is Liverpool's oldest pub on Dale street. :yeay:

Theres a good one as well near the cotton excahnge just off Edmond street which is on Earle street and Prussia street Square, which is behind Old Hall street were you can play pool for 50p a game. :yeay:

You from Liverpool Mighty_Emperor too?
 
MaxMolyneux said:
Theres a good one as well near the cotton excahnge just off Edmond street which is on Earle street and Prussia street Square, which is behind Old Hall street were you can play pool for 50p a game. :yeay:

Would that be The Cross Keys?
 
I'm a Manc (hmmm, perhaps I shouldn't confess this :shock: ) , but could get to Liverpool ... is the Ship & Mitre the pub, sort of near the art gallery, that does all the different types of beer? mmmmm
 
MaxMolyneux said:
rjmrjmrjm said:
I can't, for the love of James McKenzie, find a decent picture of the tomb that really captures the surreal atmosphere around it. The big oval inlay above the portal appears greenish and gives a rather occult contrast with the slab-black tomb.

Wasn't he supposed to be called William McKenize?

This link says he was called Tom.

http://www.darkhalf.com/Strange_Story_P ... StoryID=29

Theres only one way to find out... I'm gonna get in there and have a look. I have a contact in JMU, i'll see if he can get me access.
 
JohnnyMolten said:
MaxMolyneux said:
Theres a good one as well near the cotton excahnge just off Edmond street which is on Earle street and Prussia street Square, which is behind Old Hall street were you can play pool for 50p a game. :yeay:

Would that be The Cross Keys?

Think so, been ages since I've been there.

Theres only one way to find out... I'm gonna get in there and have a look. I have a contact in JMU, i'll see if he can get me access.

Who can get you access? Wouldn't you need permission off the council.

Liking it here, loads of fellow Scousers. :yeay:
 
No, the site is now owned, I believe by JMU (I wasn't allowed access my friend said).
 
I would be interested in coming to any meetings that are arranged. I live near Manchester but can get to Liverpool.
 
Excellent photos. Hale, very posh place!
 
Back
Top