Introducing Jonathan Boakes:
Video game writer and ghost story fan, Jonathan has lived in the ‘haunted harbour’ of Looe for over 20 years. A keen photographer, ornithologist and paranormal explorer, Jonathan is often out in the world, capturing the landscape, eerie places and listening to what ‘stories’ people have to tell. His latest book ‘Haunted Harbour – The Looe Ghost Guide’ is a collection of those stories, recorded for fun and posterity.
Here are some of Jonathan’s favourite ‘haunts’ in Looe
1. THE GUILDHALL
Many may recognise the building as the Shipton Abbot Police Station in the BBC’s popular crime drama, Beyond Paradise. East Looe ‘Town Hall’ was built in 1878, an imposing Victorian edifice, with a splendid clock tower. The building has had many uses over time, including a performance stage where the ‘market’ now resides on the ground floor, a cinema and even a mortuary! The ghost of ‘Charlie’ is said to haunt the place, a victim of Typhoid Fever, when the building was briefly a hospice. The upper chambers are said to be haunted by a ‘lively entity’ that likes to cause mischief during wedding ceremonies, interfere with electrics and even open and slam doors. Staff in the Guildhall Market, on ground level, always make sure to say good morning and goodnight to Charlie. Failure to do so results in disruption and shop stock found scattered on the floor when opening up.
2. SMUGGLERS COTT & MERCHANTS HOUSE
Echoes of illegal trade during the smuggling era seem to haunt the Smuggler’s Cott, providing its name and a few creepy encounters. An impressive building on Upper and Middle Market Street. The ancient Smugglers Cott and connected Merchants House have become known for their paranormal activity. Staff over many years have reported the place to be haunted, backed up by various unexplainable moments at the venue during paranormal investigations.
Reports from staff include shadowy figures in the cellar, footsteps, a feeling of being watched, drinks being pushed and objects being thrown. The activity is thought to be focused around the small ‘smugglers tunnel’ discovered in the 1930’s during renovations. This narrow passage is said to connect to the cellars of nearby cottages, a secret network for shifting and hiding illegal goods back in the 17thC. A child is seen playing on the main stairs, causing concern for those attempting to reach the bathrooms.
Table 1 is known for its ‘pincher’, a character that likes to pinch bottoms, thighs and knees. Table 3 has a mystery diner; A figure is seen sat at various times of day, by staff, customers and daytime delivery people, thinking a customer has snuck in outside of opening hours. ‘She’ vanishes when people turn to face the table, only ever seen in peripheral vision.
3. OLD GUILDHALL & GAOL
Built in the oldest area of East Looe, a stone’s throw from the original community based around St. Mary’s in the Marsh. The Guildhall itself dates from around 1450, built for merchants, a kind of ‘posh space’ for the wealthy and literate.
It’s on a natural high point too, above the smelly silt. Originally, the upper floor was a timber structure, with stonework below. Like the modern Guild Hall, the building has seen a startling assortment of uses over the centuries, including Theatre Space, Court House and Prison Cells. The museum also boasts it is haunted, with much activity reported in the lower rooms and cells. The story goes the original cell is haunted by Jennifer, a trapped soul, who was incarcerated and possibly died there. You can still peer into the cells from street level, if you step into the alley to the side. Or, pop-in, the place is now a museum and open to look at the cells in detail.
4. THE JOLLY SAILOR
It’s astounding how much goes on in this one small pub, much of which has been caught on the pubs CCTV and witnessed by staff and customers. Drinks glasses pushed off tables, menus topple, tongs fly off bar shelves, multiple glasses tumble from the bar and most creepy of all, the exit doors opening by themselves in the middle of the night. That’s just the CCTV! We’ve conducted paranormal investigations at the pub, as well as public events, see ‘Investigations’. Elsewhere in the pub, ladies report the presence of a dandyish fellow in the ladies loo, the Gents has a violent presence that slams the door, a lady in her 60’s has hovered over the bed of the current landlady, taps turn on, lights flicker, a presence gets into bed with guests in the BnB rooms… phew, like I said, it’s a lot! Stepping inside the Jolly, down from the modern street, back to the old level is often a profound experience for visitors, and there’s local gossip about a murder in the pub, back in the 19thC, with the body buried under the flagstones!
5. THE WHITE HARE
Local folklore of old sees a White Hare running into town from Talland Bay. It is thought the spirit is that of a jilted lover, Sarah, who manifests as a white hare, serving as an omen of misfortune for unfaithful men and a warning of storms for fishermen.
Haunted Harbour is available locally at West Looe Bookshop, East Looe Guildhall Market, Mayflower Studios and online via Amazon. You can also explore Jonathan’s Paranormal events via https://www.shadowtor.com/events/
