Libraries across West Sussex are getting into the Halloween spirit by sharing some of the county’s best-known ghost stories.
Among them was a Roman soldier who is said to patrol Chichester’s city walls, and a witch from Goring who turned into a black dog.
The council says visitors can read about a number of local legends at libraries across the county.
At Arundel Library, the ghost has been named Betty for as long as anyone can remember. It’s thought she was either a teacher or headmistress of the school which used to be in the building.
There are stories of seeing her standing in the middle of the room, dressed in Victorian or Edwardian dress.
Over the years she has apparently had the habit of moving things around the building, and some say they have heard footsteps on the staircase or even received a ‘shush!’ in the ear!
In Worthing Library there is allegedly a ‘ghostly guardian’ who purportedly haunts the basement. Local author Wendy Hughes in her book Haunted Worthing writes about the ghost. Staff say some parts of the Worthing basement do feel a bit creepy!
Councillor Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue said: “Our libraries are keen to encourage more people to enjoy reading, and as the nights draw in, it’s a perfect time to settle down with a good book. We have thousands of fiction and non-fiction titles to choose from, so if spooky is not your thing, then there will certainly be something to interest you on the shelves or in the eLibrary!”
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