St Johns The Scary
As a child I was terrified of the churchyard, we had to walk past it to get to Wilson Way where my Nan Lizzie Grocott lived. It wasn't so bad in the summer but in winter when it got dark early we would get off the bus opposite the Church and it would loom up like a big dark monster as we crossed the road towards it. My sister and me would grip onto Mum's hand so tight we would get told off. The Church yard backed on to my Auntie Frances' and if we were told to go across and visit her we would only go to the front door because we were terrified of what might be hiding just over that fence in the back garden.
One night at about half past six we walked past the church yard up the lane to go and get the bus home to Talke, we heard an owl hoot and fly across the wall above us, we took off up the lane leaving our Mum and Auntie Jean to run after us with all the shopping and school bags! They were probably as frightened as us but they would never admit it - they still ran though! The Church and Church yard have barely changed since I was small. My Mum and her brothers and sisters went to St Johns School next door to the Church and they all (those that remain above the ground of St John Church) say it has barely changed since the 1930's when they were young.
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Comments
RE: RE: St Johns The Scary
Tina,
I know exactly what you mean about that graveyard. It used to frighten me too. There were lots of graves that were damaged and subsided and, as a child, I was afraid to look inside, although I always wanted to pluck the courage to do so.
I went to Goldenhill C of E school and left in 1962. I use to take papers for Scotts newagents, which you can see on the other picture of Goldenhill. I remember many details of the village.
There is a good link on Goldenhill at Stoke-on-Trent's web site. Also I put some photos on Friends Reunited for my year of the school.
Comment from David Salmon on Saturday, 9th December 2006.
RE: RE: St John's The Scary
I now live in Wilson Way, I have been living here for only a week but grew up in the area. My house backs onto the graveyard, and as soon as we moved in strange things started to happen, the kettle boiled on its own twice, the washing machine came on when nobody was near it, curtains shutting while we are out of the room, radio stations changing back and forth are a few of the things! I just wanted to know if anybody has any info or if the houses are known to be haunted? Since telling my friend she told me her nan used to live in the street and said it was haunted but has no other info. I would be interested to hear if anybody has any stories about the street or its houses? I don't know what's gone on with my name but it's Hayley, by the way!
Comment from Name withheld on Friday, 27th February 2009.
RE: RE: St John's The Scary
I have fond memories of Wilson Way, my grannie lived there with my grandad (Swift). My mum Edith had 4 brothers and 3 sisters and Uncle Albert had a small pottery firm where Tiko bakery used to be - I remember going to Wilson Way and my grandparents had a shed at the bottom of the garden with chickens - and me and my cousin Julie Rafferty made it into a play house for us to go and play in - the back door was always open and you could see the house next door's back door, this is where Mrs Preston lived and she used to chat over the grass dividing the two houses. The comment from David Salmon, were you related to Salmons the shop on the high street and did you marry Debbie Bourne would like to know.
Comment from Susan Alison on Wednesday, 11th November 2009.
RE: RE: St Johns The Scary
i now live in wilson way i have been living here for only a week but grew up in the area, my house backs onto the graveyard, as soon as we moved in strange things started to happen, the kettle boiled on its own twice, the washing machine came on no body was near it, curtains shutting while we are out ov the room, radio stations changing back n forth are a few ov the things! i just wanted to know if anybody has any info of if the houses are known to be haunted.?? since telling my friend she told me her nan used to live in the street and said it was haunted but has no other info? would be interesting if anybody has any stories about the street or its houses?
Comment from Name withheld on Friday, 27th February 2009.