Darren W. Ritson

More than fifteen years after the famous South Shields Poltergeist case of 2006, and its well-received book, The South Shields Poltergeist: One Families Fight Against an Invisible Intruder, Darren W. Ritson brings you Poltergeist Parallels and Contagion, a fascinating revised and updated study of the poltergeist enigma. After researching other equally bewildering cases - post South Shields - a number of serious thought-provoking hypotheses regarding the aspect of the poltergeist called 'contagion' have now been raised. Poltergeist contagion has been seldom discussed or studied by psychical researchers, despite many well documented historic cases making mention of it - that is, until now. During the South Shields case and its subsequent years, Darren W. Ritson and his co-investigator Michael J. Hallowell were also subjected to acts of poltergeist 'contagion'. Also noted, were astonishing similarities between cases they had investigated.This book, which was previously released as Contagion: In the Shadow of the South Shields Poltergeist in 2014, has been broadly revised and includes a new lengthily chapter on historic poltergeist cases from the UK and from overseas that feature striking parallels, and events of contagion. With its thought-provoking new ideas, Poltergeist Parallels and Contagion promises to cause some serious debate about the nature of the poltergeist and it begs the question; are there many poltergeists, or is there simply one?

One of the most significant cases in the last fifty years, The South Shields Poltergeist is a true and terrifying account detailing a family’s brave fight against an invisible intruder.This intense, protracted and well-documented encounter spanning 2005–06 is said to be one of the best cases of its kind, and is certain to go down in the annals of psychical research. Objects moved on their own, carving knives were thrown around, coins appeared in mid-air before being thrown to the floor, sinister text messages were sent by the poltergeist, apparitions were seen, and a number of physical assaults took place on one unfortunate householder. Now, fifteen years on, this new and updated edition includes the original case review, which was first published in the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research in 2010. It contains a preface by Alan Murdie, and a new chapter that was originally omitted from previous editions.Based on the testimonies of those who experienced it first hand, The South Shields Poltergeist is a chilling reminder that reality is not what we think it is.

From eyewitness accounts of unexplained sightings to the search for evidence of ghosts, this book features over fifty chilling tales of ghostly encounters from around Wearside. Featuring the ghostly nuns of Franklin Street, a headless horseman in Newcastle Road, and the phantoms who haunt the Royal Infirmary, Haunted Wearside is guaranteed to make your blood run cold. Richly illustrated and drawing on historical and contemporary sources, this collection will delight everyone interested in the paranormal.

Newcastle East Through Time is a nostalgic look back on the historical past of a small but wonderful aspect of Tyneside. Drawing mainly on the sources Byker born photographer Walter Ritson(who happens to be the author's father), and the Newcastle Libraries and Information Service, this book documents the east end of Newcastle's bygone days from the late 1800s to the 1970s in picture format.Many buildings in this book are now sadly confined to the realms of history and are no longer standing, such as Spillers Flour Mill and Hawthorn Leslie's, but fabulous images remain to remind us of what once was. Modern day equivalent images show us what has taken their place and show how in the last hundred years or so just how times and places have changed. This is a captivating and varied assortment of images that reveals the area's rich heritage.

This new book contains a chilling collection of eyewitness accounts and terrifying tales from in and around Carlisle which is sure to appeal to everyone interested in the supernatural history of the city. Illustrated with over 60 pictures, these spooky stories include the headless spectre of Carlisle railway station, the phantom boy of Corby Castle, and the ghostly highwayman of Barrock Park, among many others. For those who dare to read it, Haunted Carlisle is guaranteed to make your blood run cold.

County Durham is an area of outstanding beauty that is primarily recognised for its lead mining and farming industries. With rolling hills, quaint countryside villages and a historic city as its capital, County Durham is a stunning region to behold and it is truly haunted. Join the North East's foremost ghost hunter, Darren W. Ritson on this spine-chilling tour. Ghostly galloping steeds silently make their way across the moors and hilltops. Priests and monks haunt religious buildings and poltergeists plague people in their homes. Old pubs and inns are bursting at the seams with long-dead patrons, and ancient battles are seemingly being silently fought again. Whichever way you turn in County Durham, you can be sure a ghost is lurking nearby. With a foreword from one of the leading lights in paranormal investigation, Scotland's own Malcolm Robinson, this book is sure to delight ghost enthusiasts, paranormal investigators and anyone else with an interest in all things preternatural.

Ghost Taverns is a fascinating, in-depth look at some of the north of England's most haunted public houses and the spectres that are said to reside in them. Written by two of the UK's most respected paranormal researchers, Ghost Taverns takes the reader on a supernatural pub-crawl that starts off at the Albion Inn in Pelaw and ends at Ye Olde Crosse at Alnwick. Inbetween, the authors visit dozens of inns, taverns and watering holes across the region to uncover the truth about their haunted reputations. Characters such as the legendary Giggly Meg who glides the corridors of the Alum Ale House at South Shields, the Sad Cavalier who has been seen at the Black Horse in West Boldon and the two children seen running from a spectral lady in the Tynemouth Lodge Hotel are brought to life - metaphorically, of course - in the hope that they will enchant a whole new generation of readers who may be unaware of them. After reading Ghost Taverns, popping in to your local may never be the same again -

This fascinating book contains a terrifying collection of true-life, spine-chilling tales from across Tyneside. Featuring stories of unexplained phenomena, apparitions and poltergeists, including the phantom monk of Tynemouth Priory, the restless spirit of Newcastle's Jin Jameson, the haunting of Willington Mill and the notorious South Shields Poltergeist case, this book is guaranteed to make your blood run cold. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources and containing many tales which have never before been published, Haunted Tyneside will delight everyone interested in the paranormal.

This fascinating book contains a terrifying collection of true-life, spine-chilling tales from across Northumberland. Featuring stories of unexplained phenomena, apparitions and poltergeists, and including the tale of the Hexham Heads, the Pink Lady of Bamburgh Castle and the ghost of Hadrian's Wall, this book is guaranteed to make your blood run cold. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources and containing many tales which have never before been published, Haunted Northumberland will delight everyone interested in the paranormal.

During the nineteenth century Willington Mill, near Wallsend gained an infamous reputation for being haunted. Bizarre noises, apparitions and poltergeist activity dogged the premises and were experienced by dozens of credible witnesses. The case attracted the interest of the country's leading psychical researchers of the time, but the mystery was never solved - until now. Using a wide variety of contemporary sources along with cutting-edge investigative techniques, Michael J. Hallowell and Darren W. Ritson have pieced together the true story of Willington Mill. As well as detailing the fascinating phenomena that occurred in the building, The Haunting of Willington Mill is at last able to offer an explanation for one of England's most enigmatic and puzzling hauntings.

This fascinating book contains a terrifying collection of true-life tales from around Berwick. Take a tour of this ancient town from Berwick Castle to the town walls and discover an unnerving assortment of poltergeists, spectres and myths, including a witch’s curse, the warning toll of a ghostly bell, chilling vampiric encounters, and the inauspicious spirit of a weeping boy. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources and containing many tales which have never before been published, Haunted Berwick will delight and thrill everyone interested in the paranormal.

From Charles Dickens’ famous A Christmas Carol to Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, the festive season has long been closely associated with ghostly tales. In this fascinating work Darren W. Ritson looks not only at the fictional treatment of Christmas ghosts but also at a host of true-life stories from across the country.Featuring accounts of unexplained phenomena, apparitions and poltergeists from across the country, and including the story of Christmas Eve Kitty in Blackpool, the Carlisle Devil Dog, the ghost children of Bramber Castle, and the skulls of Calgarth Hall this book is will delight anyone interested in the paranormal. Drawing on historical and contemporary sources and illustrated with over seventy images, this collection of spine-chilling tales will entertain and terrify in equal measure and is guaranteed to spice up the festive season.

Haunted Durham contains a startling collection of true-life tales from in and around the city. From Durham Castle to Jimmy Allen’s public house, discover poltergeists, hooded apparitions, headless horses, phantoms, séances and exposed hoaxes. The author draws on historical and contemporary sources, and even shares his personal experiences of overnight surveillance within the confines of Durham. Containing many tales which have never before been published – including the crooked spectre of North Bailey and the ghost who bruised a barmaid’s backside – this book will delight everyone interested in the paranormal.

Published in a handy A-Z format, here you will find accounts of wellknown hauntings, as well as many previously undiscovered paranormal locations in the North East of England. The author also attempts to provide fresh knowledge and personal accounts of new and traditional stories. Join Darren Ritson on this ghostly tour of the area, which is also illustrated with his own photographs.

This fascinating book contains over forty-five spine-chilling accounts from in and around central Newcastle. Take a tour of this ancient city and discover poltergeists, apparitions, curses, hauntings and even the ghost of a living person! From the ancient city walls to the cobbled back streets and chares of old Newcastle, and including graveyards, museums, stately halls, pubs, parks and monasteries, this book includes many pulse-raising narratives that are guaranteed to make your blood run cold.