The free Sleaford Ghost Walk took a capacity group of 20 locals on a tour of the town’s moonlit streets and haunted spots on Hallowe’en, while adding in a bit of local history and gruesome stories.
A collaboration between North Kesteven District Council and Sleaford Little Theatre drama group, it saw Emma Clark, NKDC’s Visitor Economy Project and Funding Officer, lead the spooky safari, kicking off with an atmospheric introduction within the theatre by the ‘ghost’ of Joseph Smedley, who built the Playhouse on Westgate in 1825, setting the scene for further visitations during the journey by ghostly characters from the town’s past at various historic locations.
Tales included Blind Byard and the witch near Cranwell, a ghostly airman, and the ‘horror’ of Dunsby Hollow near Ruskington, which shot to national fame on ITV’s This Morning.
Stops on the hour-long tour included the Lloyds bank building, the Market Place, and an encounter with another ghostly figure at the gates of Sleaford Cemetery.
Crossing over the River Slea to ‘Old Sleaford’, Emma introduced the group to the wailing widow of John Hussey, a nobleman in the court of King Henry VIII who fell out of favour after the rebellion in Lincolnshire.
Looping back to Southgate, the group learned about architect Charles Kirk outside his former home – now part of Kesteven and Sleaford High School, before heading back for the finale performance and drinks at the theatre.
Emma said: “Hopefully people will go away having found out about The Playhouse and more things about Sleaford than they knew before and have a lovely walk around.”
She said they wanted to create something for adults at Hallowe’en, having held the pumpkin festival in the Market Place the previous week, where adults could learn about a key venue in the town centre and about the heritage of the town. “We thought the way to do that was to walk them two miles around Sleaford and scare the life out of them!” she laughed.
Emma said Little Theatre chairman Andy Canadine was very keen to get involved and got his band of actors in character. For the background they drew upon the knowledge of local historian Simon Pawley
An NKDC spokesperson said: “We had 20 spaces available, this felt most appropriate for safety reasons walking through the town. It’s definitely something we’d like to build on next year now we have an idea of interest.”
A Sleaford Little Theatre spokesperson said: “With exactly 200 years of theatre history, it shouldn't surprise you to hear that our members have experienced their fair share of strange happenings at The Playhouse over the years. “We’re thrilled (and slightly chilled) to be part of the Sleaford Ghost Walk, where tales of the town’s haunted history come to life!”
People enjoyed the tour and said they had definitely learned more about their local history.
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Sleaford Little Theatre members who played the parts of the ghosts. Photo: AH
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Some of the members of the ghost walk with guide Emma Clark. Photo: AH