Sunday 15 May 2011

Events - Ghostly walks are a hit (Newark)

Walks that combine Newark’s history with ghostly goings-on have developed an international appeal.
Mr Ian Gillanders, 57, of Balderton, started the town walks two-and-a-half years ago and they are proving so popular he is considering branching out into weekend breaks.

“They are going incredibly well. I am getting people from all over the world — Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and America,” he said.

“I have also been contacted by a university professor who does history ghost walks in New York with a view to swapping links.

“It is about promoting the town and bringing in the tourists.”

Mr Gillanders takes groups ranging from two to 30 around Newark as part of group outings or individual bookings — even surprise birthdays — telling tales of the town’s colourful past and paranormal activity.

He said: “I never know what is going to happen. People contribute during the walk, telling of their own paranormal experiences and what they have witnessed and, quite often, I have heard the same things from other people. It is really interesting.

“People also like the history side of the walk and even the locals are sometimes surprised at the history we have got here.”

In addition, he holds evenings with a difference at the White Hart, Newark, taking groups into the cellar accompanied by a medium to search for evidence of paranormal activity.

The history-paranormal combination has been so successful, Mr Gillanders is in talks with a couple of Newark hotels about organising weekend breaks.

He said: “When I first started I had no intention of doing all this. It started out with the walks and has grown.”

Details of the walks can be found at www.newarkghostwalks.co.uk

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