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Cheltenham Ticking Poltergeist

House along St James Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Poltergeist Mid 20th Century

St James Street in Cheltenham was once home to a rather unusual and intriguing haunting. A house along this street was plagued by a mysterious ticking noise that seemed to move from room to room. It wasnt just the sound that unsettled the occupants, one of whom witnessed a pram leap into the air, startling the baby inside and causing it to cry. The strange occurrences took place back in 1965, during the summer months of August and September.

The story of this Cheltenham haunting was considered newsworthy at the time, with one newspaper suggesting that a ticking spider might have been to blame. Interestingly, ticking spiders were sometimes viewed as an omen of death. While this explanation seems unlikely, it does highlight the perplexing nature of the events. The phenomenon was characterised by a poltergeist type activity, with the main manifestation being the unexplained ticking noise. The fact that the noise moved around the house added to the mystery, leaving the residents puzzled and concerned.

Historical Context

Cheltenham has a rich history dating back to the 18th century as a spa town

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Private Residence
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
No Public Access
Date / Era
August - September 1965
Postcode Area
GL50

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