With the onset of the long dark winter evenings and the whiff of ghoulish halloween tales still in the air our resident snaggle toothed witch has emerged from her cauldron cackling to bring you two tales of some strange events in one downland village……….

Situated on the edge of the Kent Downs, the village of Temple Ewell is typical of many downland villages in the east of the County. In times past such places may have been far removed from the hubbub of urban activity but would have nevertheless endured the same hardships and enjoyed the quiet agricultural life as any other village community. Or so it seems….

The parish of ‘Ewell’ appears to have possessed more than it’s fair share of knee wobbling antics and carpet quaking capers to set the dentures chattering ninety to the dozen on even the most hardened of village witches.

In 1597 a German traveller set out at night with post horses for Dover when, after becoming separated from the rest his party, came to a junction in the road. While contemplating which path to take “all of a sudden on the right some horsemen came galloping past. We set out after them but it happened by Gods mercy that when we called to them they kept on down the road at such a rate that their horses feet struck fire at every step. There were between us a great many ‘jack o lanterns’ and ‘willo’ the wisps’ (a natural occurrence known commonly as marsh gas) so that we were filled with horror and amazement. When we eventually re acquainted with our companions further down the path we asked if they had seen the horsemen and they answered ‘not a soul’.”

Another story tells of the strange affair of Thomas Page, a journey man carpenter, living in ‘Ewell’ in 1815 who dreamt that if he dug in a certain place to the “north of the turnpike and the road to Sandwich” he would find silver artefacts. A report at the time of the event tells “ Accordingly he proceeded to the spot that he had dreamt and with his knife unearthed several silver ornaments.” The Kentish Chroncle in 1817 reported that the finds were believed to have “belonged to a Roman warrior.”

Was there something about the parish of Ewell that prompted these ghostly horsemen and the psychic carpenter ?

Are there any weird and wonderful stories about your parish ? Write in and tell us.