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ST EDITH'S CHURCHYARD

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BRIEF HISTORY

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The church at St Edith's  was built around 1150 by the lord of the manor which was once owned by the Brereton Family, possibly from France.

 

Records show that the village was hit by the plague and one rumour is that the village was moved away from the nearby River Dee which was feared, carried the plague.  

 

However there are no signs of a village having ever been near the church.

 

On the north side of the church, there is what appears to be an unusual pagan carving.  

 

The word Shocklach supposedly means "stream haunted by an evil spirit" or "Goblin's Stream".

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ALLEGED ACTIVITY

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The only published documentation details that once a year a ghostly procession of horses, carriages, the entire wealthy Brereton Family and other mourners, make their way from the Brereton home, and up the lane towards the church.  

 

However there has been many incidents reported in recent years and the churchyard is said to be very active.  An old peasant woman, dressed in ragged clothing has been seen tending to the graves on the west side. The sounds of hymns being sung from within the empty church have been reported.  

 

Chanting has been heard from the nearby fields.  The sound of 'horses hooves' have been reported along the lane on the north side of the church.

 

Timeslips have also been said to occur here.  In 2003, one group captured an unexplained figure on video between the east side and churchyard entrance.

 

 

VIGILS

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  • 3 June 2005 - We held a vigil at a remote churchyard where activity has been reported in recent years. The vigil was very quiet and there was nothing significant to report.

  • 22 July 2006 - A year since our first visit, we decided to hold another vigil at this isolated Churchyard in Cheshire. We had a number of incidents whereby members reported sightings of unexplainable lights. In particular, at 11:10pm approx, two investigators witnessed a blue "bobbing" light to the north west of the church, just past the dip of the cemetery. We immediately investigated this area but nothing could be found. We then tried to replicate the incident and more or less ruled out any flashlights being used by investigators; the incident remains unsolved.

  • 26 January 2007 - After the "bobbing light" incident at our previous vigil here, we decided to re-visit and investigate further. Some of the gravestones in the area of the sighting did reflect light more than others and we managed to replicate the event quite easily. However, the investigators whom originally witnessed the event were not present to confirm that this was what they had seen. There was a slight possibility that a couple of investigators where subject to a time slip (which is known to occur here). But with no scientific evidence, this can only be put down as a personal experience. And finally, on review of one of our recordings, sounds similar to breathing and the words "hallelujah" can be heard although these may just have been misinterpreted as it was quite windy. So, nothing to report of major significance but it was another eventful vigil at an otherwise quiet and remote churchyard!

  • 18 September 2010 - Almost four years since our last vigil here, we decided to re-visit this remote churchyard which this year celebrates it's 860th anniversary.  There was nothing of significance to report.

  • 11 March 2011 - This was our fifth vigil at what is reputedly a ‘very active' site but unfortunately there was nothing significant to report.

  • 19 May 2012 - Our sixth vigil at this location where we finally managed to walk the entire unused lane (reputedly the scene of a ghostly procession) alongside the church to the River Dee.  There was one minor incident at 9:45pm when a dull 'thud' was heard possibly from within the empty church.  Aside from that, the vigil was very quiet.  Post analysis provided us with a possible anomaly on one of our photographs but this was proven to be simulacra created by a water butt to the south side of the church.

  • 25 May 2012 - A second vigil here within a week, and this time we were joined by special guests from a local dancing troupe.  A couple of incidents worthy of noting, the first being at 11:23pm when two investigators heard footsteps/movement on the lane.  A likely explanation could possibly be an animal but nothing could be found on investigation.  The second incident occurred between 12:10am and 12:20am when all present were located on the lane by the churchyard entrance.  Various investigators experienced intermittent smells of alcohol.  We immediately investigated the area and all attendees were checked but no source could be found.

  • 1 September 2012 - After a vigil at nearby Old St Chads Churchyard, we decided to stop off at St Edith's on our way home.  At 1:05am approx, one investigator thought that they may have seen a black figure amongst the gravestones but this may just have been a trick of the light.  However, it was noted that investigators felt more comfortable at St Edith's as opposed to Old St Chad's, even members who had not visited either site before.

  • 20 July 2013 - After vigils at Old Halkyn Cemetery & another return to Old St Chads Churchyard, our third stop of the night was St Edith's whereby we had our only incident of the night.  At 11:40pm an investigator heard what sounded like 'a glass falling over' from inside the church.  We immediately checked all around the church for any fallen objects that might have explained the incident but nothing appropriate could be found.

  • 11 July 2014 - At 11:26pm, one investigator noted that he had heard his name being called but after conferring with all members present, nobody else had heard it so nothing more was thought of it.  That was until we reviewed our recordings and the same sound could easily be heard.  A camcorder recording in stereo indicated that the sound had probably emanated from the south-west side of the churchyard and this was confirmed when we tried replicating the issue during a day visit a few days later.  All audio recorders were clearly examined just in case another investigator had unintentionally said something that resembled the sound but the results were negative.  This has to be one of the most intriguing incidents we have had at this location.

  • 17 & 18 July 2014 - Post analysis visits.  Reconstruction of incident reported on recent vigil.

  • 3 October 2014 - Our 10th official vigil at this venue whereby a number of minor incidents were reported.  However, It is worth noting that it was a very windy night and as we are well aware, there are a number of animals at this location which could provide rational explanations.  One investigator stated that they had felt uneasy since arrival. 

  • 10 July 2015 - We had a little battle with the rain but managed to get through the investigation. Unfortunately there was nothing significant to report.

  • 20 May 2016 - It has been almost eleven years since our very first vigil here but unfortunately all was very peaceful and quiet with nothing to report.

  • 29 July 2016 - Only one minor incident to report from our vigil.  What sounded like gates being opened/closed in a nearby field was heard on two separate occasions. There was nobody else around but could have simply been wind or even cattle.

  • 28 August 2016 - Our third vigil here this year and this time on one of the two possible dates of the alleged 'funeral procession'.  Unfortunately there was nothing significant to report.

  • 21 March 2017 - A cold, wet and windy midweek vigil on one of the two possible dates of the alleged 'funeral procession'.  Unfortunately there was nothing significant to report.

  • 28 July 2017 - Another rainy investigation but thankfully the skies cleared just before 10pm. We had two minor incidents (gate shutting and some light anomalies) but both most likely of natural causes.

  • 21 March 2018 - Another return to one of our regular venues but there was nothing significant to report.

  • 21 March 2019 - One interesting incident to report from our vigil.  At 9:49pm we were sitting around chatting when we suddenly heard what can only be described as someone agreeing or acknowledging us. The location was thought to be somewhere between the main gate and the car park.
     

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