Kai's Brighouse blog spins web of spooky intrigue
A FASCINATION with the paranormal has prompted one Brighouse student to set up a website dedicated to mysterious happenings in the area.
But while Kai Roberts' project explores tales of the unexplained, creepy conundrums and fantastical folklore, he himself is a staunch non-believer in the supernatural.
In fact, it is his interest in other people's strong beliefs in such phenomenon that prompted him to set up his blog, titled 'Ghosts and Legends of the Calder Valley'.
The webpages concentrate on hauntings and folk traditions in Brighouse and Elland and is the product of hours of work by the dedicated myth-buster.
The 27-year-old, from Elland Road, Brighouse, has been researching folklore for the last five years, trawling through archives of the Brighouse Echo and spending days in the library reading books.
And his research is still ongoing, with the internet providing an excellent research base as well as a place to display his work so far.
He said: "I don't believe in the idea of folklore and traditions myself but I am fascinated why people do and why these traditions exist."
His interest in the unexplained started thanks to his dad, Andy Roberts, who has written a number of books into the study of UFOs. Mr Roberts, who now lives in Wales, was also a sceptic, but due to his work was a recognised expert on UFOs and other strange phenomenon.
Kai now tackles local folklore such as the archaic stone heads which have been found on the gateway at Coley Hall, in a courtyard at Shibden Hall, Southowram, and other examples which have been found in Brighouse.
His blog also explores the story of the discovery of human bones – including a skull – at a cottage in Lightcliffe, and the heritage of Brookfoot House. The history of poltergeist activity at 5 Church Lane, Brighouse, and how Blakelaw was supposedly once the home of a dragon.
One of Kai's most fascinating finds was Coley Hall. His blog looks into tales including the Knights of St John of Jerusalem's ownership of Coley.
And the haunting tale of the 'Phantom Hitchhiker of Brighouse' is guaranteed to cause goosebumps in even the most disbelieving of readers.
The story is described as the tale of 'a Halifax man who was driving home one Sunday morning following an emergency plumbing job.'
It goes on to say: 'He saw a pedestrian with long hair and a checked shirt walking beside the road.
'The walker stuck his thumb out to hitch a lift, before quite suddenly turning and stepping into the road directly in front of the vehicle.
'The driver expected to hear a sickening thud as he ploughed into the seemingly suicidal individual. However, no such impact came and when he stopped his car to investigate found no evidence of any collision or even that anybody was walking in the vicinity.'
But rather than leaving his readers chilled to the core, Kai debunks the myths surrounding the frightening myth.
Other folklore stories explored on the site include Robin Hood's grave, the ghost at the Round House which is now Brearley's Solicitors, UFO sightings and ghost of a little girl that haunted Toothill Grove in Rastrick.
Kai, who said he intends to extend his research further afield, made use of the Brighouse Echo archives along with dozens of books to write his blog.
His work can be found at http://lowercalderlegends.wordpress.com/category/brighouse/
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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