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Ghostly Garments of Kingston

Portland Avenue and surrounding area, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey Unknown Victorian

Portland Avenue in Kingston upon Thames was abuzz with strange occurrences back in January 1899. It seemed that a ghostly figure had been spotted lurking about, causing quite the stir among locals. The police, keen to get to the bottom of things, set up a watch in the area and managed to catch the culprit - a man by the name of Alfred Batten. He was found to be wearing 'ghostly garments', a clever ruse that had fooled many into believing they were seeing a real paranormal apparition.

In the late 19th century, it wasnt uncommon for people to dress up in outlandish costumes for a laugh, and it seems Alfred Batten took this to heart. His antics caused a bit of a sensation, with multiple witnesses coming forward to report sightings of the ghostly figure. Batten was eventually fined ten shillings for his troubles, a small price to pay for the attention he received. The incident remains a curious footnote in the history of Kingston upon Thames, a reminder that sometimes the most rational explanations can be just as fascinating as the paranormal ones.

Historical Context

Late 19th century, Victorian era

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Residential Area
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Circa January 1899
Postcode Area
KT1

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