S.P. Oldham's Blog, page 14
June 9, 2022
Ghosts of Pentyrch
My sister Wendy was having a sort out recently, when she came across an old copy of Community Link, a popular local (to Pentyrch and its environs) community magazine. In it, she found these articles, the first relating to a 1949 sighting of ‘The White Lady,’ the second about the mysterious disappearance of a Spitfire.
If you follow my blog and my writing, you may have by now gathered that I have a love for and interest in such stories of folklore, myth and legend, so I just had to share it with you here. Unfortunately, there are no names to credit the articles to, at least not that I can see. It comes from the 1994 edition of Community Link, its centenary year. If you happen to know who was relating the stories here, just let me know and I will gladly credit them.
Make of the stories what you will. Genuine sightings? Overactive imaginations? Perfectly explicable with the application of a little science and/or common sense? You decide. Feel free to let me know!
The photograph below is of the first article. For ease of reading I have transcribed it below.
“Two frightened young sisters and their cousin, a boy obviously frightened out of his wits but unwilling to admit the fact, rushed down the lane and knocked the front door of Mrs Morgan’s house in Cefn Bychan at 7 o’clock last Saturday evening and blurted out their strange story.
The children had been playing near Pwll Mwyn, throwing stones into the deep water, when they saw above them what they thought was the figure of a woman dressed in a white robe, sitting on the branch of a tree. They also thought that she was holding a block of wood in her hands.
There has been much discussion about the event and as usual some believe it, others do not. I was with Mr John Matthews at his house when David Richard Davies called to ask him his opinion.
“Nonsense, pure nonsense!” Was Mr Matthew’s predictable answer.
“Well I’m not so sure,” retorted Dai Davies, “It sounds like the Ladi Wen to me.”
If Mr Davies is right, it will be the first sighting of Y Ladi Wen since the 1930’s, when it was a regular occurrence.”
* Y Ladi Wen - The White Lady
The photograph below is of the second article: ‘1942 Disappearing Spitfire.’ For ease of reading I transcribed it below.
‘The sight of aeroplanes has been a familiar one since the war began and hardly a minute goes by without some flying machine passing overhead. However, last Thursday afternoon in the first week of the summer holidays, a small group of lads were standing on the corner near Horeb when something happened in the sky that caused them to take an interest immediately. A Spitfire, at roughly a thousand feet or so, roughly above the area of St. George’s, whilst issuing a very loud and distresses (sic) sound from its engine. In a very short time it must have crashed to the ground for it could clearly be seen to come down that far before becoming hidden at the last moment by the trees which spread out westwards from St. Fagans.
Obeying their natural curiosity, at least five of the boys (the ones who possessed bikes) set off to investigate. Although they searched a wide area for several hours together with police and volunteers, no trace of the aeroplane was found… and it remains a mystery.’
Incidentally, St Fagans is a beautiful and very interesting place to visit should you be looking for a day out: St Fagans National Museum of History
Horeb was a chapel I knew well as a child, often playing near it as it was close to the village park. However, now it is better known as Acapela Studios
May 28, 2022
No Spring Chicken anymore…
Well, I am back and almost recovered from my son’s wedding! No alcohol involved I might add, just a very busy couple of weeks. I had the pleasure of looking after my beautiful granddaughter, along with her other grandparents Shirl and Steve, my husband Adam and my oldest son Chris (it was a family enterprise, we took turns) while Rhys and Becky enjoyed their special evening with friends. Just as they always wanted.
It is fair to say that it was a lovely day/night. People are still commenting on how chilled it was. That reflects the happy couple perfectly, in my opinion. Chilled and happy. May it always be that way for them.
I am definitely no spring chicken anymore though! It is only now that everything has finally settled down, that I am reasonably compos mentis and can think about doing a bit of writing!
Anyway, here’s to new beginnings in all kinds of ways. If you are reading this, I hope you are happy, healthy, safe and well.
Oh, and that you are in the mood for a bit of dark fiction…
Image: canva.com
May 24, 2022
The Best of Creepy British Ghost Stories
Thanks to Ben Fox of Book Shepherd for inviting me to submit my list 'The Best of Creepy British Ghost Stories' on their website. Take a look at the list and let me know your thoughts. Any I should have added? Any you have read that you think fit the bill?
This is a great site for finding book recommendations of all kinds. Have a browse, maybe pick up a few ideas for your reading pleasure!
Book Shepherd - The Best of Creepy British Ghost Stories
Image Copyright: Shepherd Book Lists
May 9, 2022
A Family Wedding…
I may be a little quiet for a while as my son is getting married very soon. That said, I hope to pop in with news in the next day or so, so keep coming back! Let me know how you’re doing, what’s going on in your life?
April 19, 2022
Competition Winners!
I hope you all had a lovely long bank holiday weekend. Thanks to everyone who entered my most recent competition. The winners are:
Chris Andrews
Zoe Townshend (apologies for my misspelling in the name picker!) Facebook entrant
Jo M Welsh Facebook entrant
Well done winners! I will be in touch soon to arrange delivery.
If you didn't win this time, keep checking back. I often post little competitions and giveaways. Better luck next time! By the way, if you have never checked out my work, take a look and maybe treat yourself to horror/spooky read for less than the price of a coffee and cake!
S P Oldham on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B01N2LSUMX
S P Oldham on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/.../ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1...
S P Oldham on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15116823.S_P_Oldham
Thanks everyone.
Winner!
Chris Andrews
Winner!
Zoe Townshend
Winner!
Jo M Welsh
April 12, 2022
Easter Competition Time! COMPETITION CLOSED
It's Easter, so I feel it's time to run a little competition! UK ONLY.
For your chance to win a signed copy of Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales, as well as a paperback copy of Run from the Dead, an Angry Eagle Publishing, LLC Anthology featuring many authors as well as my short story 'Gifts from the Sea,' simply comment 'Horror Horde' below. THREE CHANCES TO WIN!
Only comments here or on the original Facebook post will be counted.
Competition not in any way associated with Facebook. Competition ends Midnight GMT Monday 18th April. Winners will be chosen at random. UK ONLY.
Good luck!
Easter Competition Time!
It's Easter, so I feel it's time to run a little competition! UK ONLY.
For your chance to win a signed copy of Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales, as well as a paperback copy of Run from the Dead, an Angry Eagle Publishing, LLC Anthology featuring many authors as well as my short story 'Gifts from the Sea,' simply comment 'Horror Horde' below. THREE CHANCES TO WIN!
Only comments here or on the original Facebook post will be counted.
Competition not in any way associated with Facebook. Competition ends Midnight GMT Monday 18th April. Winners will be chosen at random. UK ONLY.
Good luck!
April 5, 2022
Sunflowers
I was very pleasantly surprised to hear that Silversurfers picked my poem 'Sunflowers' as Editor's Choice for March. (Please see original post below.) As well as that distinction, I also won a £25 Amazon Gift Voucher. I felt that it was only right that I in turn donate £25 to the crisis in Ukraine, which was after all the inspiration for the poem. In the interests of fairness I just wanted to share that here. Thank you everyone and thank you Silversurfers, for making my day!
This has been on my mind for a couple of weeks now. Inspired by the incredibly brave Ukrainian lady who gave a Russian soldier sunflower seeds, that at least they might grow from the soil when he lies dead. War is so tragic. Sunflowers, as I am sure most of us now know, are Ukraine's national flower. They are a symbol of unity and much more, now.
I don't want politics here so please take it elsewhere, with respect. This is just an expression of grief, inspiration and despite it all, hope. I am not Ukrainian, but I just had to write this. Thanks.
I am back!
Very grateful to be able to say that I am now over the worst of Covid-19. I count myself extremely lucky compared to some poor souls. My husband is also now Covid free and getting better slowly.
So, I am back at work on my wip as well as one or two other projects. I hope everyone is well, healthy and happy.
Drop me a line if you feel like it, I always love to hear from you.
S P
March 22, 2022
Does Your Pet Look Like You?!
There's a saying here in the UK, that pets resemble their owners. I have just bathed Milo in this photo, hence the need to have a shower myself afterwards! Both of us with wet hair, which prompted this post. Have you heard of this? Do you agree? Feel free to post pics of yourself with the pet that looks most like you, if you want!
