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The Dutch Doll Haunting

Charity Girls School, Finedon, Northants Unknown Georgian

Finedon's Charity Girls School may seem like an unlikely hotbed of paranormal activity, but the story of the Dutch Doll has been sending shivers down the spines of locals for centuries. In the early 1900s, headmistress Mary Ozier commissioned a rather unsettling wooden doll to represent a schoolgirl from the time the school was built, back in 1717. Standing at around 90 centimetres tall, the doll was painted and sported a piercing stare that seemed to bore into the souls of the schoolgirls. They began to whisper about seeing and hearing the doll move around at night, and it's little wonder they were terrified.

Digging deeper into the history of the Dutch Doll reveals a tale of superstition and attempted intervention. After the school closed, the doll was relocated to the local church, where it was mounted on a wall. However, someone took a rather drastic measure to prevent it from roaming free, sawing off its feet. But it was too late - the doll had already made its mark on the community. On the night of 18 January 1981, it vanished from the church, leaving behind only speculation about its fate. Some believe it simply walked out on its own accord, while others think it may have been stolen.

Historical Context

The Charity Girls School was established in 1717, providing education for local girls.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
School
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Limited Access
Date / Era
Early twentieth century onwards
Postcode Area
NN9

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