Thursday 7 May 2009

The Windy Oaks Ghost.

From The Archives...

Hailing back to the beginning of 2006, W.M. Ghost Club members took an active interest in one particular Shropshire ghost.... namely, that of the infamous 'Madam Piggott' who has allegedly haunted the old A41 in Chetwynd, near Newport, for almost 250 years.

Local legend has it that Madam Piggott, the wife of a Chetwynd squire, was due to give birth. Forseeing a most dire and problematic delivery, the attending doctor warned her husband that the situation looked bleak for the baby, but, with a struggle, the mother could possibly be saved. However, the Squire had longed for a son for many years and, as a result, allegedly informed the doctor: "The root must be lopped to save the branch....."

Unfortunately, despite the doctors best efforts, both the mother and child died in the end. Some sources suggest that Madam Piggotts spirit was so outraged by her husbands callous and unloving attitude, it simply could not bring itself to rest and ended up walking the region in torment......

Long time group member, Steve Chew, first became interested in reports of this legendary phantom during 2005 and soon drew other members interest to the case. A preliminary visit to the area in January (06) led to the appearance of three appeals in the Shropshire press for information potentially related to the haunting. Overall, the resulting feedback ranked as probably the best - volume-wise - response ever received by the group.

One contact rang in to tell us that a relative of theirs had supposedly experienced the ghost in the late 1800’s, while a number of other, independent witnesses claimed to have physically seen Madam Piggott - or at least some form of potentially phantom figure - along the relevant stretch of the A41 in recent years. Relating to the 'some form of...' comment, it was interesting to note that, while all of the sightings were made on the section of road between Newport and Chetwynd Church, pretty much all of the sightings were (related to us as) quite radically different in appearance!?

A hint of potential 'fraud' was first injected into the case when a young lady called to tell us that her father and a group of friends had ‘tackled’ a tall, grey ghost in Chetwynd churchyard one evening during the late 1960’s….. only to find that it was a local ‘colourful character’ who had been dressing up to scare passers by!! Further contact from a retired policeman, another member of the public and a local councillor would also appear to back up this particular, definitely non-paranormal, angle on the case….!! Laugh!!

Whatever the truth behind this alleged haunting, W.M.G.C. members had continued to research this perplexing matter up until the present day. Only recently, we have been in contact with a respected TV producer who hails from the Newport area. He had long been intrigued by tales of the ghost and is planning to write a script based on some of the details surrounding the case.

As a matter of interest, another Shropshire based press appeal in mid-April of this year resulted in further news of the Chetwynd ghost..... and, yet again, the experience described greatly differs from other reports received by the club....?

In this instance, our contact had just attended a rehearsal for his forthcoming wedding in Chetwynd and was exiting the churchyard, accompanied by his best man. As the pair walked through the gate onto the main road, they both looked up to see a 'Grim Reaper' type figure (minus the scythe!) gliding along some yards in front of them. After only a few seconds, an approaching car cleared the crest of the hill (on the way from the direction of Newport) and, as it's headlights touched the form, the bizarre figure 'shot off' at incredible speed until it was out of sight.......

Three photographs from our visit to Chetwynd can be viewed by clicking on this link.

Best wishes,

The West Midlands Ghost Club




7 comments:

Alice =] said...

I really like hearing these things about madam pigott as I did some research about her at school but the storie said that madam Pigott had the child...they both died but then madam pigott put a curse on her husband. Apparently that is why she haunts chetwynd. To see what people are doing now and what she's missed!!! =] any else like paranormal things!!!!?????

Alice =] said...

I really like hearing these things about madam pigott as I did some research about her at school but the storie said that madam Pigott had the child...they both died but then madam pigott put a curse on her husband. Apparently that is why she haunts chetwynd. To see what people are doing now and what she's missed!!! =] any else like paranormal things!!!!?????

W.M.G.C. said...

Hi Alice,

Thank you for your comment.....

I have to admit that the ghost stories surrounding The Windy Oaks and Madam Pigott are some of my favourite aspects of Midlands ghostlore of all time. Over the years, we have amassed a vast amount of tales and anecdotes surrounding this case...... and it certainly seems as if people are still having 'strange experiences' in the region today!

If you have any information on the matter that you might like to share, it would be great to hear from you Alice!!

All the best to you,

Regards,

The W.M.G.C.

Bobby H said...

Hi, i've just been entertaining my friends with the legacy of Madam Piggott and must admit i forgot how interesting it was. i've grown up in Newport and Forton and approximately thirteen years ago i was egged on by my step dad to enter Madam Piggott's cottage with him, him being such a sceptic to the idea. i honestly am open to the belief of ghosts but am yet to experience anything remotely convincing... watch this space as my friends and i are planning a late night trip out their soon! :)

W.M.G.C. said...

Hi Bobby,

Thank you very much for your recent comment..... the legend of Madam Piggott is one of my all-time favorite ghost stories (I have to say!!) and is a truly fascinating subject......

If you wouldn't mind dropping me an email (at wmghostclub@yahoo.co.uk) I would absolutely LOVE to speak with you further on the matter that you mention above. I have many accounts from other people concerning this infamous phantom and would relish the chance to speak with you, if possible!?

All the best to you.....

Anonymous said...

In no way am I a ghost hunter or believe in them really but I have in the last two days seen a couple of photos taken by a local family who embarked on a ghost hunt a couple of nights ago for I should imagine a bit of fun!Anyway these photos were taken by Chetwynd church I'm still sceptical and believe they could be an elaborate hoax however if they do turnout to be genuine then I will have to re-evaluate my thoughts on thing'sthat go bump in the night.

W.M.G.C. said...

Thank you for your recent comment Anonymous. It should possibly go without saying really....... but I couldn't help wondering whether there was any chance of being able to view the photographs concerned at all? I have to admit that I'm VERY intrigued by your post. If there might be a possibility of seeing the pictures concerned - or perhaps receive a fuller description at all - please do contact us at wmghostclub@yahoo.co.uk