It is my absolute pleasure to welcome Helen Hollick and her daughter Kathy Hollick to this blog. Helen is one of my favourite historical fiction authors, and she has visited us before, sharing tales of kings, smugglers, and pirates, both real and literary (hello Captain Jess!). Kathy is an accomplished equestrian and show jumper with an interest in the supernatural. They have partnered up to write a haunting new non-fiction project, Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon which has just been released.

Today, they are here to share with us a few haunted stories, and for all my readers who are interested in the English Civil War, some of these ghosts trace back to the 17^th century. So grab a snuggly blanket and a warm cup of tea or chocolate and settle down to a little taste of the ghost stories you can find in the book.

GHOST ENCOUNTERS: The Lingering Spirits Of North Devon, by Helen Hollick and Kathy Hollick

The English Civil War, Devon… and a ghost or two.

The County of Devon, in south-west England was heavily involved in the 17^th century conflict of King against Parliament. Mostly pro-King Charles I the County Town of Exeter eventually fell to Thomas Fairfax and Cromwell, with the fighting effectively ending in the West Country – and therefore bringing about the end of the entire war a few months later, when eighty barrels of gunpowder, stored in the church at the North Devon town of Torrington exploded. There happened to be a desperate battle taking place at the time between the Roundheads and Cavaliers – as the two opposing sides are commonly known. 

My daughter, Kathy, has the gift of being able to see ghosts: not the scary spooks out to frighten, but benign presences looking as real as any living person. The difference is, most are dressed in the clothes of their period, and they all suddenly vanish. Apart from that, they look as real and alive to her as any one of us would. (Of course if you don’t believe in ghosts, that’s fair enough, but this article probably won’t be of interest to you!)

There is a group of English Civil War king’s cavalry troopers lingering in our village pub. We think from their appearance and agitation that they are in the process of fleeing from the aftermath of that disaster – Torrington is only a few miles away from our village. The bang when that gunpowder exploded must have echoed along our river valleys for miles!

There are reports, too, that two cavaliers are often seen in an upstairs room of another North Devon pub, while another soldier of the New Model Army – a Roundhead – has also been seen at the same pub.

Ghostly cavaliers have been seen beneath a stand of trees near South Molton, but oddly very few ghosts have been reported in the North Devon town itself, despite a three-hour long battle having taken place there.

The market town of South Molton gained wealth from the wool trade and had its origins in the Anglo-Saxon era. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book. During Oliver Cromwell’s Interregnum, the Sealed Knot, then a secretive organisation, now also a modern re-enactment society, was formed with the intention of overthrowing Cromwell and placing King Charles II on his rightful throne. The planned uprising in 1655 was a failure, but following a small success in Salisbury, Sir John Penruddock headed west, and on 14th March his exhausted men arrived at South Molton, only to meet with Cromwell’s men. Fierce fighting broke out resulting in Penruddock being captured and beheaded.

Defeated, the Royalists who survived fled. Some were captured and immediately executed, while seventy were sold into slavery and transported to the West Indies. (It is not widely understood that many English, Scots and Irish men, women and children, suffered this fate under Cromwell’s rule – as you will discover by reading my host, Cryssa Bazos’s wonderful series of novels!)

Only a couple of these South Molton soldiers – from either side – have been glimpsed in the town, but I am sure more of them are there…

Find out more in Ghost Encounters available in e-book and paperback from Amazon from 27^th February (or order from any bookstore).

About Ghost Encounters

Everyone assumes that ghosts are hostile. Actually, most of them are not. 

You either believe in ghosts or you don’t. It depends on whether you’ve encountered something supernatural or not. Most ghosts are friendly souls who lived in the past but remain in the present. Helen and daughter Kathy Hollick have met such friendly souls where they live in North Devon, people – and animals – who have ‘passed over’, encountering them at home, in local pubs and along quiet Devon lanes. 

GHOST ENCOUNTERS: The Lingering Spirits Of North Devon will fascinate all who enjoy this beautiful region of rural South-West England, as well as interest those who wish to discover more about its history… and a few of its ghosts.

About Helen Hollick

Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to historical detail, Helen might not see ghosts herself, but her nautical adventure series, and some of her short stories, skilfully blend the past with the supernatural, inviting readers to step into worlds where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur. 

Her historical fiction spans a variety of periods, with a particular focus on the Dark Ages and the early medieval period. Her gift lies in her ability to bring historical figures and settings to life.

In addition to her historical fiction, Helen has written several short stories, further exploring themes of historical adventure or the supernatural with her signature style. 

Whether dealing with the echoes of the past or the weight of lost souls, her stories are as compelling as they are convincing. Through her work, she invites readers into a world where the past never truly lets us go.

Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was published in the UK with her Arthurian Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels about the events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings, one of which,) became a USA Today best-seller. Her Sea Witch Voyages are nautical-based adventures inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy. She also writes the Jan Christopher cosy mystery series set during the 1970s, and based around her, sometimes hilarious, years of working as a North London library assistant.

Helen, husband Ron and daughter Kathy moved from London to Devon in January 2013 after a Lottery win on the opening night of the London Olympics, 2012. She spends her time glowering at the overgrown garden and orchard, fending off the geese, helping with the horses and, when she gets a moment, writing the next book…

For more information visit Helen’s WEBSITE, her BLOG, where she supports authors and their books, or AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE, for the complete catalogue of her fiction and non-fiction works.

Connect with Helen through Facebook, Bluesky (@helenhollick.bsky.social) and her MONTHY NEWSLETTER, Thoughts from a Devonshire Farmhouse.

About Kathy Hollick

When not encountering friendly ghosts, Kathy’s passion is horses and mental well-being. She started riding at the age of three, had her own Welsh pony at thirteen, and discovered showjumping soon after. Kathy now runs her own Taw River Equine Events, and coaches riders of any age or experience, specialising in positive mindset and overcoming confidence issues via her Centre10 accreditation and Emotional Freedom Technique training. 

Kathy lives with her farmer partner, Andrew, in their flat adjoining the main farmhouse. She regularly competes at affiliated British Showjumping, and rides side-saddle (‘aside’) when she has the opportunity. She produces her own horses, several from home-bred foals.

She also has a fun diploma in Dragons and Dragon Energy, which was something amusing to study during the Covid lockdown.

For more information visit Kathy’s WEBSITE.