Are spirits of a different kind to be found at Teesdale pub?

GHOSTLY goings-on at a Teesdale pub suggest there could be another chapter in a tragic river tale.
The Boat House, on the Teesdale Way, near Whorlton, is to bear a plaque commemorating Louisa and William Harrison who drowned in the Tees in 1896.
Ovington’s Four Alls pub held Mrs Harrison’s body before an inquest took place in an adjoining room.
Almost 12 decades on from their passing, landlord John Stroud believes spirits of a different kind may have a link to Mrs Harrison’s demise.
He said: “It’s an odd story we’ve mentioned before – those things that go bump in the night. It used to be a shop where they kept her body – we can identify some rather odd things.”
Mr Stroud and his partner, Sam Mason, have experienced haunting songs, floorboard footsteps and eerie presences at the old inn.
“We hear footsteps going up and down on a regular basis above the kitchen,” the publican added.
“There is a perfume smell near the bar and in the corner – a really strong smell of roses you get from time to time.”
It isn’t the first time spooky goings-on have reared their head at the Four Alls.
Mr Stroud’s dad, Michael, was pictured peering around a corner in the Mercury in 2003 after candles and menus went walkabout.
He added: “We’ve heard singing in here. An old cleaner who was here when we took over heard it as well.
“The first time it happened was when my parents were down in Kent.
“I was sleeping in the end bedroom, got up, went to the door and my two dogs were there looking straight through me.
“Some things make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.”
It isn’t just the staff who’ve had shivers down their spines.
“People have spotted a figure in the corner before,” he added.
“One Sunday afternoon when we were still serving lunches we had a man sitting on his own.
“He wheeled around from his lunch and asked who it was who’d walked behind him – he was convinced there was a woman.
“He soon finished his food and left after that.”
Mystery surrounding what was thought to be the nearby “Ferryman’s Cottage” was put right by former inhabitant Ada Pressley.
She revealed the tale of a ferryman and his family being wiped out in the river had become confused with the tragic tale of the Harrisons.
Six children were left orphaned by the tragedy and the pub pair are convinced there is still a restless presence.
Mr Stroud added: “If you’ve done any work in here she gets very annoyed – especially at the eastern end of the building.
“I’m afraid to say it but, from our point of view, Louisa is still very much a presence at the Four Alls.”