The Stranger side"Of the two cottages formerly close to Pyman Cottage,
one was said to have been inhabited by a witch"
(Mr Owen Harding, late of Littlebrook Farm)
The Black Dog
The Phantom Black Dog of Belchalwell has been seen by many in the vicinity of Okeford Road where it joins what was once Dark Lane, now reduced to a footpath, and in places only, but still visible in the landscape, leaving Okeford Road about two thirds of the way between The Cross and Okeford Fitzpaine and leading to Church Lane at Belchalwell.
On one more famous occasion, three men returning from the pub at Okeford witnessed the dog appear and run across the road in front of them, turning and disappearing up the road toward The Cross. The dog has been witnessed by many people over the years, including several members of the Lodder family.
(various sources, inc. Eric Piggot ) |
... and The Black Cat In common with many areas, over recent years there have been reports of sightings of a big panther like cat in the area. It has been spotted at several locations between Bulbarrow Hill, approx. 2 miles south west of Belchalwell, and Sturminster Newton, 4 miles to the north, including one sighting around Belchalwell Street.
During the winter of 2002-3, whilst driving through Delcombe woods at the top of the downs near Bell Hill, a deer carcass was seen hanging in a crotch against the trunk of a tree, approximately eight feet from the ground - a difficult task to achieve, and unexplained.
In October 2001 a big cat was observed by a shocked witness . It was described as creamy beige, with tiny pointed ears.
(various sources, inc. K.R.Varley)
|
A Haunting at The Old Rectory
Before the previous owners bought the house in late 1983, they went and had a look at it. Having lit up a very strong French cigarette in one of the rooms whilst being shown around, the then owner Mr Simpson asked if they could smell tobacco. They said, obviously, yes, as they had been smoking around the house. They asked why, and were told the story of the Parson that would come into the dinning room and smoke a pipe. They were not a hundred percent sure if the owners had witnessed this occurence, but they blocked the small front gate and did an Exorcism, which was performed by them.Anyway, they were a bit spooked by the smell of the tobacco.
The current owners bought The Old Rectory, and just for real peace of mind, a few weeks or months later, they asked the Reverent Pommeroy from Okeford Fitzpaine to come over to The Old Rectory and see what he thought. He walked round the house and told us that the house had a very pleasent atmosphere. He did nothing else. That was probably between October 1983 and end of December 1983. The Old Rectory remains a very happy house.
Independantly of this, more than one neighbour has reported the sound of a creaking gate opening, and other unusual noises in the road outside, late on quiet nights.
|
(various sources, inc. Derek Seagrim)
|
|
