West Midlands Ghost Club

 

Tuesday 15th February 2022

As on a number of occasions in recent weeks, I am greatly indebted to my good friend, John Chance - of the Wednesbury-based, 'Ghostcallers UK' group - for his generosity in inviting me to visit the following site with him...

Having been a highly parochial researcher for so many years, I must admit that I'd never - at least to my knowledge - heard of Ordsall Hall, in Salford, Manchester, previously.  (*Ironically, after writing the previous line, I've just spotted the hall being used in the background of an advertisement on Youtube, believe it or not!  Lol!)  John had mentioned the place to me on a few occasions, possibly over the space of a couple of years or so, but the name hadn't rung any bells at these times and - in my defence, upon recently searching my book collection for references - I couldn't find any (historic or otherwise) published data on the 'ghostly history' of the location...  John had, however, told me that it had a good haunted reputation and he had both visited the place previously and taken part in an investigation there.  (During which, certain 'activity' was reported / recorded).

 

 

For anyone who has never visited Ordsall Hall previously, I cannot stress what an absolute delight it is to initially see the place 'hove into view'!  It is situated in an - otherwise - entirely residential and industrial area, so, to be driving through such mundane scenery (sorry Salford, but it's fairly dour!)... and suddenly find yourself confronted by a beautiful manor house, that is in excess of 750 years old; well, it is utterly breathtaking, to say the very least!  Lol!

Having played many roles in it's long life - family home for the space of centuries, then, subsequently, a working men's club, school for clergy, radio station, and so forth - the site was finally purchased by the local corporation in 1959 and opened as a museum during the early 70's.  From the mid-noughties to the early 2010's, the site received over £5,000,000 in renovation work... which clearly shows in the property today!  The building is utterly stunning and immaculately kept!

 

 

In looking into the topic of alleged hauntings, it is clear that the site takes it's ghostlore quite seriously and could even be said to be noticeably 'proud' of it's heritage.  In a number of locations, word of the resident ghosts can officially be seen... not only in text form - painted on the walls of a staircase - but also on a notice board in an upstairs display / museum area. (See image above).  A popular 'Ghost Cam' - where interested parties can 'log into' a live feed and keep an eye out for anything 'spooky' going on - usually runs at Ordsall, but, at the time of our visit at least, this particular service was not in operation.  

Wikipedia tells us that the popular 'Most Haunted' TV series seemingly visited the location in 2005... but this isn't anything that I'd be aware of, or in any way interested in, if being brutally honest!

The hall itself lays claim to three different ghosts.  The most well known is said to be 'The White Lady', who is believed to be the apparition of Margaret Radclyffe.  She has allegedly been spotted in the Great Hall area (see pic below) and in the upper, West Wing Gallery.  It is believed she walks the hall in a nightly search for her beloved brother, who, unfortunately, was killed in battle in 1599.

 

 

Another ghost is that of a little girl named Cecily, who seems fond of the idea of other children being present in the hall.  At such times, she is alleged to make her presence known by manifesting as the perfume of roses and lavender!  Somewhat bizarrely, some suggest she is the ghost of a woman who committed suicide after being jilted by her lover... so why would the associated apparition be that of a small girl, we wonder?

The final ghost - according to hall listings - is that of Sir John Radclyffe who died in battle in France, at Saint-Martin-de-Re.  He is described as a fairly jovial spook, who seems very fond of the ladies...  On occasion, he is believed to have cheekily pinched the bottoms of female visitors to the site!  Lol!

According to John Chance, there is yet another ghost that supposedly haunts the hall too, but, because of the potentially delicate nature of the matter concerned, we shall refrain from listing it here...

Ordsall Hall can be booked for overnight investigations, it seems, and - probably needless to say - the spooky reputation of the site has been mentioned in the local press on a few occasions.  Two 'Manchester Evening News' articles on such matters can be viewed HERE and HERE.

 

 

If page visitors ever happen to be in the Manchester area, with a couple of hours to spare, then be assured that this time would be VERY well spent in a visit to Ordsall Hall.  Irrespective of it's charming ghostly heritage, the site itself is both visually stunning and historically fascinating!  (Please do be sure to check opening times before going, needless to say!)  The hall website can be visited via this LINK.

Once again - in ending - my gratitude goes out to the lovely John Chance, for taking me along with him on such a thoroughly superb visit!