ITS HALLOWEEN !

Well its that time of the year again when an American custom takes over for the day. I'm talking about Halloween. Actually its been more than just today, with the shops full of costumes for weeks to entice the kids. Inevitably, some pubs start selling more  Hobgoblin, of course.

So for me, there are three choices when the Trick or Treating starts:-

1. Switch the lights out and pretend you are not in.
2. Dress up yourself and jump out when the kids ring the bell and scare the crap of them.

3. Go to the pub.

While 2 is sorely tempting, Option 3 is the one.

Meanwhile this got me thinking. It may be an appropriate time to do some research on Ghost Pubs. There are several books on the subject, and someone with time on their hands has actually compiled a website ( see link):-

ghostpubs

Now I must admit I don't go for this kind of stuff myself, such as ghosts, extra terrestrials, Loch Ness monster etc. I even stopped believing in Santa Claus last week! I just thought it might be interesting to look at some examples of what has been claimed for some pubs in the immediate area.

Staff in The Black Bull, East Boldon have frequently seen the figure of a small boy sitting at the bottom of the cellar steps. And of course, despite the smoking ban, a stack of ashtrays suddenly fell over. Well they would if not piled up correctly.

Its claimed The Old Ship in Harton is haunted by a man who died inside the pub, He climbed on the stone to mount his horse (if you see what I mean), the horse kicked him and he banged his head on it.

I was curious about this so had a visit to see for myself. I was expecting this large meteor type boulder, but instead was confronted by what looked like a full black bin bag, or even a lump old frozen snow that had refused to melt. It's now used  as a dog loo apparently.

Now I've never been to The Lord Nelson in Monkton Village, and  it sounds very pleasant. Must visit, for the real ale of course, not the modern dressed phantom who keeps disappearing. Any excuse to avoid a round, that's what I say.

There are several alleged haunted pubs in South Shields, including the Alum Ale House (an Irish Prostitute called Giggle Meg), the Steamboat (a local old sea dog or a Tyne Pilot captain) and the Dolly Peel (press gang escapee). Now I've been in all three and have yet to be manifested (if that is the correct term).

One "ghost story" concerning the Jolly Sailor in Whitburn is the one about the landlady trying to pull a pint and the beer wouldn't come out!  Derrr !!

In the gents of the Havelock in Washington is a blackboard where punters who stand and relieve themselves can chalk comments (I wrote - I've just pissed on my trainers writing this). Anyhow, I've never seen anyone else doing any writing so maybe its the local ghost doing it, a former owner called Long John?

Over in Sunderland the bar of the Empire Theatre is supposed to have a poltergeist, which manages to cross the street and do his ghostly business (if you get my drift) in the Dun Cow. I'm guessing he does this because the beer is better in the Dun Cow!

On to The Copt Hill Houghton Le Spring. When visiting to do some research, one of the authors was told by a pub regular about the phantom cyclist that passes! Come on, a ghost bike? Who was riding it then, Sir Walter Raleigh?

In Newcastle, the sadly missed Cooperage on the Quayside had a ghost, now presumably claiming job seekers allowance. Another old pub, The Old George has been visited by the ghost of King Charles 1, with head still attached. I reckon that if he didnt have his head on, you wouldn't know it was him!

There are many other examples but I've spotted a couple of old pubs that miss out on this free publicity. One is The Washington Arms, directly opposite a churchyard. The other, dating from 1856 is the imposing Central Bar in Gateshead.  The latter sells itself because of the beer and actual building

As i said at the outset, I'm a sceptic. But I don't have a problem if people believe in these stories.  So  if you want read more , there's a couple of books to seek out :-

Haunted Sunderland by Rupert Matthews

Ghost Taverns by Darren Ritson and Mike Hallowell

And remember, Don't Cross The Streams **

Having decided on Option 3, we are off to our local JDW Autumn Beer Festival. The beer list doesn't mention any Halloween based beers so I may escape for another year.

** Ghostbusters 1984 

Nov 1st Update - Mrs Ken went down with heavy cold so no designated driver...went for option 1 but no one knocked. Drank Double Maxim and Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA instead