Local Builder Claims Hauntings at Crowley Hall

A local property developer has had to halt works on the development at Crowley Hall after claims of paranormal occurrences.

Steven Newton of Manchester, UK had recently purchased Crowley Hall intending to turn it into flats and had begun work in early 2006. It had previously been reported in the newspapers that his team of workers found enough bones for four human bodies, hidden in an alcove behind a fireplace. Steven claims it was just after this that the haunting began.

“It has reached a point where some of the occurrences have got so bad, that the builders I brought in have downed tools, and refused to come back. Obviously rumours spread and I am finding it hard to get workers in.”

One of the workers, who wanted to remain anonymous, told us that he had been working on replacing some flooring, when his toolbox flew across the room and smashed against the wall. He also told us of occasions when some of the other workers were physically pushed, on one occasion, almost down a flight of stairs. It was when one of the workers was bitten by an unseen force, that they felt they couldn’t continue to work there any longer. This has left Steven in a position where he has had to call in expert help.

“I called a team of ghost hunters after the police told me they could do nothing. To be honest, I think they thought me and the workers I employed were mad.”

Crowley Hall, built in the late nineteenth century, has had its fair share of controversy over the years. Originally built to operate as a hospital, then mental asylum, it ceased serving this purpose when its founder, Dr. Bernard Leys, died of a heart attack during an operation. It was after this incident that rumours surfaced of Dr. Leys carrying out unsanctioned tests on inmates. This has never been verified, due to a fire that broke out at the Hall, destroying all of Dr. Leys’ notes and records.

The hall lay empty for a number of years, before re-opening as a children’s hospital during the seventies. There are a number of occurrences on record of paranormal happenings during this time. It has also been reported that the paranormal activity got so bad, that a medium was called in to ‘cleanse’ the hospital of spirits. Once again, this cannot be verified, although no further reports of paranormal activity have been reported after this supposed cleansing. The hospital was closed when a bigger hospital was built, and the children were moved there.

Steven purchased the property in 2005, and until recently wasn’t really a believer in the paranormal. He hopes that if the ghost hunters can help to explain what’s going on at the hall, then he might not only be able to get back to work, but also understand a little bit more of the afterlife.

“All I want is to know what is exactly going on in that place, and hopefully it’ll stop me feeling like I am going mad.”