The Storyteller: Spooks galore as Halloween approaches

Starting off with a trip across the border, into Cornwall, and a night of eating (not too much drinking), storytelling, and ghost hunting, at The Wellington Hotel in Boscastle.

This is on Saturday 25th October, starting at 6pm, with a 3-course meal, interspersed with some storytelling, by yours truly, of both local tales, and some closer to home, plucked from my vast repertoire. Then, once everyone has been suitably tested for their psychic ability, using my special pots and a dowsing pendulum, it will be time to start the investigation, around the notoriously haunted hotel.

Its reputation has been well documented, over the years, by myself as well, but when we were there recently, some more of its history was revealed to us, by the new manager, Taylor, who showed us around, giving us something new to share with our guests, but not before seeing if the sensitives present can tell us about it first. We will end with a debrief, around Midnight, where everyone will get a chance to share their findings, with the rest of the group.

The cost of this event is £80 each, per adult, which includes the meal, storytelling and the investigation. Accommodation is extra, at £120 a room, for two sharing, plus breakfast. Why not make a weekend of it? It is the night the clocks change, after all! Plus it may be possible for those staying to carry on a bit longer...

Closer to home, and closer to Halloween itself, I am hosting an evening of storytelling, at The Burrow. This is a wonderful shop, in Bovey Tracey, that specialises in artisan mind, body and spirit goods, to suit all esoteric tastes. This will be followed by part of my Bovey Tracey Ghost Walk, made even more atmospheric, by the fact it will be suitably dark by then.

This will include tales of William de Tracey, hated assassin of Thomas Becket; cocky Cavalier officers lodging at Front House, prior to the battle of Bovey Heath, during the English Civil War; and with some stories of pesky pixies thrown in for good measure!

This will cost £15 per adult, and £5 for any under 15s. Storytelling will start at 7.30pm. Please book in advance for all these events, as numbers will be limited.

On Wednesday 29th October, I will be in Moretonhampstead, at The Central Stores Cafe, to be precise, alongside my friend, and fellow storyteller, Helen Bruce, who works for the DPA (Dartmoor Preservation Association). We will be presenting our evening of terrible tales, covering the antics of The Devil on Dartmoor, and examples of witchcraft that I’ve discovered, which forms a neat triangle, in a certain part of the moor...

There will be refreshments available at this event, which will start at 7.30pm, with doors open from 7pm.

This talk comes in two parts. For the second, we will perambulate through the town, following a route, along which I will share spooky ghost stories, that I will gather together, especially for the occasion, ahead of more walks that I can add to my repertoire going forwards.

We will end up at The Studio, which is now run by the MED Theatre Company, above the Hippo cafe, in the upper level of, what used to be, The Bell Inn. This contains some rather fascinating artwork, which has tales to tell. I’m looking forward to sharing this with my audience, along with stories of phantom cars; dancing trees; a giant’s grave; murderous ravens; and sundry haunted cottages. Again tickets will be £15 each.

On Halloween Eve, October 30th, again from 7.30pm, I will be hosting one of my popular Brixham Ghost Walks, which start at the Conservative Club,  with an introduction, and some telling of local ghost stories, before heading off around the Haunted Harbour, that includes many properties I’ve had first-hand experience of investigating.

I always finish this walk by talking about my favourite building in Brixham, and possibly the most haunted, the notorious Black House. This was the subject of one of my articles, recently, which stirred up many memories amongst both locals, and visitors to the area, alike. As a result, I now have further information about one of the property’s previous owners, who, it would appear, has been much maligned, over the years, having been erroneously accused of being related to the traitor, William Joyce, AKA Lord Haw-Haw.

This wasn’t the case, and I look forward to setting the record straight, on her behalf, on this, and all future walks around the town. As with all my events, I'm up for continuing the story sharing, over a drink or two, at a local hostelry. In keeping with all my other seasonal walks, places for this one, are also £15 for adults. Don’t delay in buying any, though, as they are already starting to sell...

Finally, we come to Halloween night itself, when I will be back in Buckfastleigh, armed with any stories, that I will have gleaned from interested locals, who attended my evening of storytelling, earlier in the month. Once again, I will be hosting a gathering at The Globe Inn, sharing seasonal tales, from 7.30pm, before embarking on a brand new Ghost Walk, shaped by local input, that will take us around the town, regaling stories of murders; ghostly monks, from nearby Buckfast Abbey; devilish tales from the ruins up on the hill; haunted waterways; and fantastical hoaxes; before ending up at the historical Valiant Soldier pub, where time was never called, back in 1965.

I enjoyed the evening I spent in there recently, with a 60s theme, and I look forward to visiting it again, this time with my guests in tow, who will, not only hear tales of its history, but also have an opportunity to explore a fascinating haunted property, before sharing experiences, at the end of the evening. Again, this costs £15 a head.

As I said, at the start of the article, this is my favourite time of the year, and I look forward to spending it with as many of you as possible, especially as the majority of the events are brand new, and I can’t wait to share the new stories I’ve uncovered with my regular followers. 

All events can be booked, through myself, via my email address

davidtiptrips@gmail.com 

Where you can also ask for further details, or enhance my knowledge with yours. Don’t miss out, as all events have limited numbers. I hope to see some of you soon...