The Paranormal Database

Lady Gerrard

Location: Darlington - Area around town hall and South Park
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1980?
Further Comments: Lady Gerrard had her hand hacked off by two soldiers who took a liking to her ring. She died soon after from blood loss. Her ghost is said to help those in need, though it lacks an arm. Gerrard may have been encountered by a young lad who found himself lost in the park, manifesting as a grey lady who pointed in the direction of the child's family.

Paul

Location: Darlington - Black and Grey Public house
Type: Poltergeist
Date / Time: 2021-2022
Further Comments: Nicknamed 'Paul' by the proprietors, this entity was reported to have made so much noise on one occasion, the police were called as the ghost's antics were mistaken for a break-in. The ghost was also said to open fridge doors and create disembodied footsteps.

The Tartan Lady

Location: Darlington - Blackwell Grange Hotel
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This ghostly Scot came to Blackwell after the Duke of Cumberland stole her portrait and brought it here in 1746. Though the painting has since been destroyed, the Tartan Lady still haunts the building.

Senor Rino Pepi

Location: Darlington - Civic Theatre
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The theatre's founder, Senor Rino Pepi, is still said to sit to the left of the stage, wearing his top hat and long coat. The cries of a sobbing child (perhaps acting) have also been reported around the changing rooms.

Woman in White

Location: Darlington - Former guest house (no longer operating), Corporation Road
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1996
Further Comments: The ghostly woman who haunted this guest house is said to have been killed on the road outside many years earlier. She would be seen standing on top of the staircase by the manager. Poltergeist activity was also reported on the site - items in the kitchen would be moved overnight, lights would turn themselves on, and the manager was 'held' at the top of the staircase by an unknown force.

Changing Entity

Location: Darlington - Glassensikes (steam or river) and Harewood Hill area
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The large black dog once said to haunt this area could also take the form of a flaming headless man, a headless woman, a white cat, or a rabbit.

Lost Souls

Location: Darlington - Hell's Kettles, along the River Tees
Type: Legend - Old Nick
Date / Time: Kettles still present
Further Comments: Deep pools of water located along the river, the Hell's Kettles are said to contain the souls of sinners. Some report that these people (and animals in some cases) can be seen floating in the pools when the waters are clear.

Lady Jerratt

Location: Darlington - Manor House constructed by Bishop Pudsey
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Seventeenth century
Further Comments: Murdered in the building, the ghost of Lady Jerratt appeared to only have one arm, as the other had been severed during the attack. A bloody thumbprint and fingerprint were said to have remained on the wall, impossible to scrub away or paint over.

Hound Attack

Location: Darlington - Old Darlington and Stockton rail station
Type: Unknown Ghost Type
Date / Time: 5 December 1890
Further Comments: A night watchman reported being attacked by a man and his dog as they came out of the coal house - the watchman defended himself and tried to punch his attacker, only for his fist to pass through the figure and hit the wall behind. The pair of entities then went back into the coal house and vanished.

Old Pinkney

Location: Darlington - Old manor house (no longer standing?), Blackwell
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre-twentieth century
Further Comments: The manor was haunted by an entity which wore a red cap and went under the nickname Old Pinkney. A well under the house was known as Pinkney's Well and was never used after dusk. The surrounding area was also said to be haunted by a headless man.

Mynarski

Location: Darlington - Teesside International Airport
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Late twentieth century
Further Comments: Mynarski was awarded the VC for trying to save a rear gunner when the bomber they were in caught fire. His ghost dressed in flying kit has been seen around the airport's hotel.

Pekinese and Pepi

Location: Darlington - The Civic (once the Hippodrome)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Mid-to-late-twentieth century
Further Comments: The little Pekinese dog was buried within the walls of the theatre, its ghostly presence indicated by lightly padding feet moving across the floors, and soft panting. Pepi, the dog's owner and former manager, is also said to haunt the building, as are several other entities; a stage manager, a female dancer, and a hanging man.