A university academic has uncovered the origins behind the enduring reputation of Pluckley in Kent as the "most haunted" village in England. Dr Simon Moreton, an associate professor of creative economies at the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol, conducted extensive research that has clarified the historical roots of the village’s ghostly folklore.
Pluckley, located on the northern edge of the Weald between Maidstone and Ashford, is an Anglo-Saxon settlement notable for its historic buildings, including a 14th-century church. The village gained widespread fame during the 1990s as the setting for the television adaptation of H.E. Bates's novel The Darling Buds of May, starring David Jason and Pam Ferris. It has, however, been known as the "most haunted village" for over 70 years, a title first attributed to it in 1950 and bolstered by a mention in the 1989 Guinness Book of World Records.
Dr Moreton's investigation involved delving into archival materials such as newspapers, birth, marriage and death registries, as well as parish records. His research reveals that the village’s ghost stories largely stem from the work of a local man, Frederick Sanders, who documented 10 of Pluckley’s tales in self-published books on ghost hunting, letters to the local press, and newspaper articles. Dr Moreton emphasised the importance of storytelling in shaping the village’s identity: "What's exciting about this research is that it's been possible to demonstrate how one person with a passion for these kinds of story was able to shape – for better or worse – the identity of a whole village through his storytelling."
Among the ghosts said to haunt Pluckley are the Hanging Schoolmaster, the Screaming Man of the Clay Pit, the Watercress Lady, and the Lady of Rose Court. Dr Moreton's research linked at least four of these apparitions to historical events and individuals. For example, Sarah Sharp, known as the Watercress Woman, burned to death in 1911 and was discovered by Dr Moreton to be a distant cousin. Mary Ann Bennett, who died by suicide in 1862, is remembered as the Lady of Rose Court. Richard Bridgland, who died in an accident at the Pluckley Brick and Tile Works quarry in January 1899, is thought to be the Screaming Man of the Clay Pit. The Hanging Schoolmaster was Henry Edgar Martin, a papermaker who took his own life in 1919.
Reflecting on his findings, Dr Moreton noted, "The way these stories get told and retold can tell us a great deal about how we use the past to understand ourselves and the places we live. Local rumours take on a life of their own. Personal tragedies become salacious gossip, and sometimes social prejudices obscure the real lived experiences of the people the stories relate to. Finally, it reminds us there are real people and real places behind these stories, both of which deserve our respect."
Dr Moreton’s paper, titled "Frederick Sanders and the Origins of the Most Haunted Village in England," is published in the journal Folklore.
The Kent Live is reporting on this research, highlighting the academic’s blend of personal and professional interests in the village, which has been surrounded by ghostly tales for decades.
Source: Noah Wire Services