Is this a ghost in the spire?

Halifax Today ^ | 15 March 2005 | Halifax Today

[CurlyBill]

Is this a ghost in the spire?

A GHOSTLY mystery has come to light at Halifax's Square Church spire, baffling council chiefs and workers.

Last week, the Evening Courier reported how a pair of lovebirds could halt restoration of the historic landmark.

But when steeplejacks zoomed in to get a photograph of the birds’ nest, they ended up with an unexpected snapshot.

Foreman Barry Done says the digital snap shows a ghostly figure hovering in the steeple – and the find has worried council bosses so much it was the hot topic at their Monday morning meeting.

“I was gobsmacked when I printed off the photos,” said Mr Done, of Manchester firm Best, which has been contracted by Calderdale Council.

“We’d been trying to get shots of the birds, but then this eerie figure appeared on one of them.

“I don’t believe in ghosts but this is weird and in my 20 years as a steeplejack I’ve never seen the like.”

He said apprentice Anthony Finnigan, 18, took the photo inside the steeple on Friday morning and workers were now too scared to work up the spire alone. “There must be an explanation, but I haven’t a clue what it is,” said Mr Done.

Martin Blower, heading the project for Calderdale Council, said: “I’ve seen a copy and it’s very interesting. But it could just be cleverly doctored.”

Keen birdwatchers, meanwhile, believe the spire’s lovebirds could be kestrels.

Gordon Denison, of Halifax Birdwatchers’ Club, said he visited the spire with his telescope on Sunday morning.

“I spotted a female kestrel sunning herself on one of the turrets,” he said.

[CurlyBill]

Previous threads:

This defeat not the only thing haunting them

Spooky goings on at couple's home

Ghost Hunters

Ghost Story

Walking with the Dead (Haunted Pub)

Hotel Makes Ghost a Guest

Jail ghost linked to 1884 haunting

Courthouse Employees Hunt Ghost

EP library has ghosts, staff says

A spooky sign? That's the spirit

'Woodland Haunting' centers on home

Giving up the ghosts

Creepy coffee: Owners of downtown shop say it's haunted

Girl says bones belong to ghost

Ringling abounds with spirited, spooky discoveries

Is Town Hall Haunted?

Haunted History, Urban Legends and Tall Tales

Ghostly Guests

A look at some old 'haunts' in western Pennsylvania

The Haunted City

Ghostly encounter at the Confederate Memorial Building

Former Shipyard has Become a Ghost Town

Family wishes ghostly noises would just go away

Raymond investigators take a ghost of a chance

True ghost tales

[CurlyBill]

Ghost Ping

[CurlyBill]

Ghost Ping!

[kassie]

Hmmmmmm, interesting.

[7.62 x 51mm]

Thanks for the ping, CB.

"...gobsmacked..."

Love the Brits' lingo.

[LanPB01]

I would like to be added to the ghost ping list.

[Hatteras]

"Keen birdwatchers, meanwhile, believe the spire’s lovebirds could be kestrels."

I love this line. I don't know why. Perhaps, I can hear John Cleese or Michael Palin. The story is about a ghostly apparition but nevermind that, the lovebirds could be kestrels!

It's odd though that the apparition looks just like the Virgin Mary but there is no suggestion of that in the article.

[clyde asbury]

The Willard Library ghost is here.

[G.Mason]

"It's odd though that the apparition looks just like the Virgin Mary but there is no suggestion of that in the article."

Check EBay in a few hours. ;)

[johnny7]

Why would it be a 'ghost'? Where's the rest of the picture... why is it cropped so tight?

Sounds like too much time... and too little to do.

[BulletBobCo]

Time for me to make a grill cheese sandwich.

[sierrahome]

Could you add me to your ping list. Ten years ago I would have rolled my eyes at this story, that was before we moved into our 120 year old Victorian Cottage.

[aculeus]

Ghost Ping?

That's the spirit!

(No, I don't want on it.)

[G.Mason]

"Time for me to make a grill cheese sandwich."

LOL!

Think it will work the second time?

[DustyMoment]

“I was gobsmacked when I printed off the photos,”

Does being "gobsmacked" qualify one for a medical diasability that prevents them from having to have a real job?

I'm looking for a qualifying condition, thought this might work . . . . .

[kalee]

Same here. We bought an 1840's farm house 9 years ago and share it with a ghost. Before if you had asked me about ghosts I would have laughed and shook me head; I did not believe, but now I sure do.

[CrazyIvan]

Kinda' sounds like being spit on!

[Bear_Slayer]

gobsmacked..."

Oh, I love their music, isn't this a band . . .? /smirk

[reagan_fanatic]

“I was gobsmacked when I printed off the photos,” said Mr Done

Gobstoppers?

[Da_Shrimp]

'Gobsmacked' means you feel as though someone just smacked you in the gob(mouth). I.e. astonished and rather stunned.