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Mysterious Farm Cloud Haunting

Pool Farm, Runcorn, Cheshire Unknown Post-War

Pool Farm in Runcorn, Cheshire, was once the site of a baffling series of events that left the local farming community perplexed. In the summer of 1952, farmer Howard Crowther began to notice that something was amiss with his livestock. Fifty-three of his pigs died over a two-week period in August, and despite initial suspicions of swine fever, forensic tests failed to detect the disease. It wasnt until a strange black cloud started appearing around the farm that people began to suspect that something more unusual was at play.

The black cloud, estimated to be around ten feet high, was seen moving around the farm from August to November 1952. On one occasion, it was observed vanishing through the wall of the pig shed, leaving witnesses to wonder if they were dealing with a poltergeist or some other paranormal phenomenon. As the cloud continued to appear, it eventually moved away from Howard Crowther as he approached it, in November. Interestingly, local folklore suggested that the farmhouse contained a secret passageway leading to Norton Priory, adding another layer of intrigue to the mysterious events that took place at Pool Farm.

Historical Context

The farm was eventually demolished and replaced by the Spur Road bridge.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Farm
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
No Public Access
Date / Era
August - November 1952
Postcode Area
WA16

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