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Priest meets hotel's ghostly Grey Lady
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Thursday 23rd Sep 2004.
A psychic Roman Catholic priest was startled to see a mourning 17th century woman ghost twice appearing in his room while spending a weekend at the Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury.
The ghostly apparition known as the Grey Lady swept through the Rev David Goddard's bedroom on July 25.
The priest from West Grinstead, Horsham, had travelled to Malmesbury for a weekend break.
After relaxing with a glass of wine that Sunday afternoon, 61-year-old Rev Goddard retired to his room.
But at around 3pm, he noticed a sad grey lady move through the room, only to vanish seconds later.
Rev Goddard said: "She was middle-aged, had a long flowing dress which swept across the floor and looked like someone from the late 17th-century. She did not look terribly happy.
"When she appeared the first time I said good afternoon to her and then in the blink of an eye she was gone. The strange thing is that about an hour later she reappeared again, and I said hello to her."
Ghosts have often appeared to Rev Goddard and he says they are spiritual figures trapped on earth.
"In the Catholic faith we believe that after death we move on to another life," he said.
"So although our physical bodies may die, our spiritual soul stays alive. In this case, I suspect this lady is earthbound and looking for God.
"I noticed my room had been recently decorated and this can upset the psyche of the building. For a long time I have been aware of the psychic feel of buildings."
He added: "It is important to understand these happen when you least expect it. I have seen many ghosts and I am surprised when I see TV programmes hunting for ghosts. They can appear at any time."
Although sceptics may say it was a trick of light or a fertile imagination, Rev Goddard disputes this.
"She was very real and it certainly was not a trick of light," he said.
"I think other priests will understand me as they can appear to us. I think ghosts appear because we are all on a journey back to God. But sometimes, because of their lack of faith, people get trapped in time and cannot find a way back to God."
Before returning to West Sussex, Rev Goddard casually mentioned his spooky encounter with hotel staff.
It is thought the woman he saw is the ghost of the mysterious Grey Lady, whose portrait is found hanging in the restaurant hotel, although no one is sure of her background.
Hotel director Simon Haggarty said she is reputed to haunt the James Ody room, where the priest stayed.
According to legend, if you say the words Grey Lady three times, she will appear.
Mr Haggarty was sceptical when he first heard about Rev Goddard's spooky encounter.
But after meeting the man, he says it is hard not to believe him.
Mr Haggarty said: "Until I spoke to him I thought it was a little bizarre. But hearing him speak so calmly and lucidly about it made me think twice.
"If he had been drinking heavily I might doubt it, but he was not. We are talking about a man of the cloth who says he has seen these apparitions before."
Mr Haggarty added: "Whenever people have seen the Grey Lady she is always at the end of the hotel, near the abbey. The James Ody room is a dimly lit room on the second floor with one window. It is cosy and has plenty of atmosphere.
"Founded in 1220, we are the oldest purpose-built hotel in England, so I am sure there are many historical figures haunting the hotel. I have only been managing the hotel for four months, but since my arrival I have heard many ghost stories."
Paranormal activity has featured in the hotel's past.
About ten years ago, Mr Haggarty said night porters are said to have seen a First World War soldier drinking in the bar.
In 1999, a guest apparently saw the glass in her mirror revolving. And two years ago, a guest returned to find their bedroom door blocked by a large cupboard, for no apparent reason.
Built in 1220, by Abbot Walter Loring, the Old Bell Hotel entertained the most important guests of Malmesbury Abbey.
The abbey was one of the most important seats of learning in England at that time, adding to the hotel's prestige.
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