The property & lifestyle magazine brought to you by FISKS / Issue 143
EEN W O HALL CIAL SPE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Benfleet Horror Stories Canvey Island horror stories Stay Safe This Halloween This Month’s Properties
CONTENTS BENFLEET HORROR STORIES Discover Benfleet’s chilling ghost stories and dark legends.
CANVEY ISLAND HORROR STORIES
Discover Canvey Island’s chilling hauntings, ghostly legends and dark history.
STAY SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN
Enjoy a fun, safe Halloween with these simple trick-ortreating tips for all the family.
Welcome to our
magazine There’s some welcome news for the UK property market this month, with the autumn bounce giving the market a glimmer of hope. Average asking prices rose by 0.7% in September, the first monthly increase since May, suggesting that the usual seasonal uplift in activity could be beginning to appear. As Halloween quickly approaches, this month’s issue is all about the darker side of life. Our Halloween Special takes a spooky look at some of the horror stories of Benfleet and Canvey Island, with tales guaranteed to get you in the Halloween spirit. Alongside these, we have a small selection of properties that are currently available with us at Fisks. Happy Halloween!
John Pring FNAEA(Honoured) & MARLA | Director
BENFLEET HORROR STORIES Discover Benfleet’s chilling ghost stories and dark legends.
Benfleet and the surrounding Essex countryside have a fascinating history filled with dark legends, ghostly encounters and unexplained mysteries. From the ghosts of Viking warriors and the chilling White Lady of Hadleigh Castle to the terrifying screams of a headless ploughboy and sightings of the infamous Black Shuck, these stories have been passed down through generations. But how much truth lies behind the tales? Let’s explore five of the area’s most intriguing ghost stories and discover the haunted history hidden in the local landscape. THE GHOSTS OF THE VIKING BATTLE This is probably the most historically interesting starting point. In 893–894, Benfleet was the site of a major battle between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxon forces. A Viking army had established a fortified base at Benfleet, complete with ships, before Alfred the Great’s forces attacked it. The Viking presence has subsequently become entwined with local ghost lore. One later Essex tradition claims that Hasten, the Viking leader associated with the Benfleet camp, became a wandering ghost - a forlorn figure mourning his lost ships and homeland. The story apparently spread into the folklore of the surrounding Thames Estuary. And there’s a delicious historical twist: the remains of Viking ships were reportedly discovered in the area in the 19th century, giving the folklore an actual archaeological connection.
THE WHITE LADY OF HADLEIGH CASTLE This is probably the classic Benfleet-area ghost story. Hadleigh Castle stands on the hill above the Thames Estuary, and by the 19th century the ruins had acquired a reputation for being haunted. The story concerns a Woman in White who appeared to a milkmaid named Sally from Castle Farm. The woman instructed Sally to come back to the castle at midnight. Sally understandably refused. The following morning, the ghost supposedly confronted her and became furious that she’d disobeyed. According to the tale, the apparition struck Sally around the head and nearly dislocated her neck. Poor Sally subsequently became known locally as “Wry-neck Sal.” That’s a rather more aggressive White Lady than the usual sad woman wandering around a graveyard. And it’s not just an internet legend: the story is included in the history of the castle and has been incorporated into modern folklore/storytelling walks around Hadleigh.
WITCHES, WIZARDS AND THE BLACK MAN The countryside around Benfleet/Hadleigh has a much broader tradition of witchcraft folklore. Modern Essex folklore walks around Hadleigh Castle specifically feature stories of “dancing ghosts, witches and wizards”, along with old smuggling tales. There’s also an old tradition involving a Black Man and a White Lady at Hadleigh Castle. The White Lady was supposedly a supernatural woman who could invite passers-by to dance with her among the ruins. This is particularly interesting because it overlaps with a wider Essex tradition in which mysterious supernatural figures were associated with isolated places and woodland tracks. THE HEADLESS PLOUGHBOY OF SCREECHING BOY’S WOOD This one is super grim. In North Benfleet, there’s a place traditionally known as Screeching Boy’s Wood. The folklore says that a young ploughboy was murdered by his master, and his ghost subsequently haunted the woodland. People supposedly heard or saw the apparition - but most disturbingly, the ghost was associated with screaming. One version says the haunting continued until the farmer eventually confessed to the murder, after which the screams ceased. Another version is considerably less supernatural: the boy was supposedly killed by a horse-drawn carriage rather than murdered. Either way, the story apparently gave the wood its name. That’s one I’d definitely put on the list of creepiest Benfleet legends.
AND DON’T FORGET THE BLACK SHUCK This gets particularly interesting when you widen the area slightly. Black Shuck - the enormous spectral black dog of East Anglian folklore - has been reported in the wider Essex countryside, including around Hadleigh Castle. The traditional description is essentially a huge black dog, sometimes with glowing or fiery eyes, appearing on lonely roads, hills and marshland. Modern Essex folklore sources specifically list Hadleigh Castle among places associated with Black Shuck sightings. Given the landscape around Benfleet dark woods, marshes, old lanes, castle ruins and the estuary - it’s an extremely appropriate bit of folklore.
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John Pring Director
Ryan Stanton Area Manager
Harriet Plampton Sales & Lettings Consultant
Penny Ash Property Manager
Emma Jarrett Administrator & Sales Progressor
Carla Longworth Property Consultant
Albie Poole Sales Manager
Nicola Cain Property Consultant
Tina Webster Management Accountant
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CANVEY ISLAND HORROR STORIES Discover Canvey Island’s chilling hauntings, ghostly legends and dark history.
Canvey Island may be best known for its coastal scenery and rich maritime history, but beneath its peaceful appearance lies a darker world of ghost stories, strange encounters and centuriesold folklore. From a Viking warrior searching the mudflats for his lost ship to a haunted farmhouse dating back to 1709, the island has no shortage of chilling tales. Add a ghostly bride, mysterious figures roaming the salt marshes and haunting stories linked to the devastating 1953 floods, and Canvey Island becomes a fascinating place where history, legend and the unexplained collide. Here are five of its most intriguing supernatural stories. THE VIKING GHOST OF CANVEY POINT Probably the most famous Canvey haunting is the Viking who supposedly walks the mudflats at The Point, on the eastern side of the island. The story says that a Viking raiding party landed on Canvey, his ship was lost or sunk, and his companions were killed. The stranded Viking supposedly drowned while waiting for his ship to return. Fishermen and wildfowlers subsequently reported seeing a tall, heavily built Viking with a beard, leather jerkin, helmet and sword, apparently walking across the mudflats. There’s an especially atmospheric version of the story involving a Canvey man called Charlie Stamp. One night, Charlie allegedly saw the Viking come out of the water, cross the sea wall and appear at his bedroom window. The ghost told him, essentially, that he’d lost his ship and comrades and wanted to get home to Denmark. He then disappeared back towards the water. Interestingly, this isn’t just a modern internet legend: versions of the story were recorded in published folklore collections in the 20th century.
THE GENUINELY OLD “HAUNTED HOUSE” AT OYSTERFLEET This one is really fascinating because the story goes back to 1709. Oysterfleet Farm was supposedly plagued by unexplained phenomena: banging and clattering noises, footsteps, an invisible woman walking through the house, mysterious whistling, objects being thrown around and windows being smashed.
At one point, a maid reportedly saw the apparition of the dead farmer’s wife approaching her across the farmyard. Later, a chicken was apparently seized by an invisible force and thrown into the kitchen, breaking its neck. A large stone was then supposedly thrown through a closed door.
The climax is particularly bizarre: the ghost of the former miser was said to appear inside the house, pale-faced and carrying his white stick, frightening the maid so badly that she fled to the rectory.
What’s remarkable is that the story was documented in a 28-page pamphlet published in 1709, describing the events as they supposedly happened. The original account is preserved in later historical collections. The building itself was demolished in 1973, so unfortunately you can’t investigate the original house.
There is also an intriguing alternative explanation: some local historians have suggested that the “haunting” may have been an elaborate hoax connected with smuggling.
THE BRIDE OF HARVEST ROAD There’s a much sadder Canvey legend about a ghostly bride who supposedly walks along Harvest Road. According to the tale, a young woman was due to marry her childhood sweetheart. He was killed when he fell beneath a horse-drawn cart. The devastated woman eventually had another marriage arranged for her, but instead put on the wedding dress she’d intended to wear for her first love and threw herself beneath a horse. Her ghost is subsequently said to appear walking along Harvest Road in her wedding dress. What’s interesting is that the story has apparently acquired modern eyewitness claims too - one commenter on the local archive described seeing a ghost near the Sommes Avenue/Harvest Road junction in the late 1980s. That’s anecdotal, of course, but it’s an example of how these stories continue to evolve. THE BLACK MAN AND THE WHITE LADY Canvey also has a darker piece of folklore involving a Black Man and White Lady associated with the island’s saltings. The Black Man supposedly offered people a bargain involving their souls, while the White Lady would entice people to dance with her. The figures were said to disappear when people attempted to approach or drive them away. There’s an interesting practical explanation attached to this legend: smugglers may have deliberately spread stories about supernatural figures to discourage people from wandering onto the salt marshes, where contraband was being hidden. That combination of smuggling, isolated marshland, and ghost stories is very typical of the Thames Estuary.
A MYSTERIOUS DUTCHMAN There are also stories of a Dutchman carrying a sack, supposedly wandering around the northern parts of Canvey. Given Canvey’s Dutch history - the island’s marshes were reclaimed and settled by Dutch people in the 17th century - it’s not surprising that Dutch characters feature heavily in its folklore. There’s even a local tradition of hearing Dutch clogs around the old Oysterfleet area. AND THEN THERE’S THE 1953 FLOOD Although not a ghost story in itself, the devastating North Sea flood of 1953 is an important part of Canvey Island’s darker history. The disaster submerged much of the island and claimed dozens of lives, leaving a lasting mark on the local community. In the years that followed, Canvey Island Police Station became associated with its own haunting tales, with reports of unexplained phenomena said to be linked to the aftermath of the disaster. The stories have even been documented by the Essex Police Museum, adding another intriguing layer to the island’s eerie folklore.
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STAY SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN Enjoy a fun, safe Halloween with these simple trick-ortreating tips for all the family.
Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for children: spooky costumes, glowing pumpkins, sweet treats and plenty of fun with friends and family. But before heading out for a night of trick or treating, it’s worth taking a few simple precautions to make sure the evening is memorable for all the right reasons. Whether you’re taking little ones around the neighbourhood or your home is expecting a stream of witches, ghosts and superheroes at the door, these simple tips can help everyone enjoy a safe and happy Halloween. MAKE COSTUMES SAFE AS WELL AS SPOOKY The perfect Halloween costume needs to look the part, but safety should come first. Choose costumes that fit properly and aren’t too long, as trailing fabric can cause trips and falls. If children are wearing masks, make sure they can see clearly and that the mask doesn’t restrict their breathing. It’s also a good idea to add something reflective to costumes or clothing, particularly if you’re going out after dark. A torch or small light can make children much easier for drivers and other pedestrians to spot. And remember: costumes and candles don’t make a good combination. Keep children well away from naked flames and opt for battery-operated lights inside pumpkins instead.
TAKE A TORCH AND STAY VISIBLE October evenings can be dark, and many residential streets have uneven pavements, steps and driveways that can be difficult to spot in low light.
Take a torch with you and encourage children to stay on pavements where possible. If you’re crossing the road, use designated crossings or cross somewhere with a clear view of traffic.
Keep phones tucked away while walking and pay attention to what’s happening around you.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL AROUND ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS Halloween can mean more children and families walking around residential streets than usual, sometimes in dark costumes. Drivers should slow down and take extra care, particularly around cul-de-sacs, housing estates and areas where trick or treating is popular. For parents, it’s worth reminding children that driveways aren’t play areas and that parked cars can make it harder to see approaching traffic.
ONLY ACCEPT TREATS FROM TRUSTED HOMES For younger children especially, trick or treating should always be supervised by a responsible adult. Encourage children to stay with their group and only visit homes where they feel comfortable. If a house is dark, has no Halloween decorations or clearly indicates that it isn’t taking part, it’s best to move on. And before anyone starts sampling their haul, check the treats first. Don’t eat anything that is damaged, opened or looks unusual. MAKING YOUR HOME TRICK-OR-TREAT FRIENDLY If you’re expecting visitors, there are a few easy things you can do to make your property safer. Clear leaves, toys, garden tools and other obstacles from paths and driveways. Make sure outdoor lights are working and that steps and entrances are clearly visible. If you’re using Halloween decorations, secure them properly so they don’t become trip hazards or blow into the road. Battery-powered candles and lights are a safer option than real flames, particularly around doorways and areas where children will be gathering.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT PETS Halloween can be exciting - and sometimes frightening - for pets. Repeated doorbells, costumes and unfamiliar visitors can make dogs and cats anxious. If your pet becomes stressed by visitors, consider keeping them somewhere quiet and secure away from the front door.
It’s also worth remembering that sweets and chocolate can be dangerous for pets, so keep Halloween treats safely out of reach.
HAVE FUN AND LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBOURS Perhaps the most important Halloween safety tip is simply to look out for one another. Check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, keep an eye out for children crossing roads and be considerate of homes that aren’t participating in trick or treating. A little courtesy can go a long way towards making Halloween enjoyable for the whole community.
So grab your costumes, charge those torches and get the pumpkins ready - with a few sensible precautions, you can enjoy a Halloween that’s spooktacular, sociable and safe!
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