Over the years there have been many reports of a large black cat on the northern end of the walkway and some farmers have reported sheep carcasses in trees. From the sightings the animal appears to fit the description and behaviour of a Black Panther although they may also tie in with sightings of the Durham Puma. These reports may not be as far fetched as they would at first appear as many large cats were kept as pets in the 1970’s and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that some have subsequently escaped or been set free.

The outlying village of Bishopton is one of only two locations in Britain where fairies have been ‘officially’ recorded. Exactly what was seen is unclear and it may just be an inferred sighting from the charming stories associated with fairy rings, caused by the growth of fungus from a common centre. It is also traditionally the burial place of Northumbrian fairies.

There are several tales of ghosts and haunting to do with the old Thorpe Thewles station house and the surrounding area:

The Station Master’s Ghost.

During the First World War the station master at Thorpe Thewles was murdered one night. A group of immigrant workers in the vicinity were suspected, but nothing was ever proved. Since then there have been numerous sightings of his ghost in the building as well as that of a small girl in more recent years.

The Grey Lady of Wynyard Hall.

It seems that a lady was drowned in the lake outside the hall some time ago and that a ghostly apparition of her form has been reported on many occasions since. It has been suggested that the more recent appearances have been due to the cleaning and redevelopment that has gone on, after years of neglect, disturbing her spirit. One employee of the estate is said to have had a dramatic confrontation with the apparition on the Lion Bridge close to the hall, when his dogs held back, snarling as the ghostly lady in grey passed by on his evening walk. In 1981 other members of staff recalled several strange episodes of doors slamming shut in ground floor rooms without rational explanation and on another occasion a door to the kitchen or larder area that swung open of it’s own accord to reveal an ice-cold atmosphere.

The Hound of Blakeston Lane.

In 1871 a careless dog unwittingly led a pack of foxhounds over the edge of a deep quarry to their deaths. It has since been reported that it’s ghost has reappeared at the same spot to avoid any unfortunate repetition.

The Ghosts of Grindon church.

A former vicar of the church of Saint Thomas a Becket recalled stories of ghosts and apparitions seen at the site, in an interview in 1972. The church was closed at the start of the 20th century and is now in private hands so there are sadly no contemporary sightings.

Further Reading:

• "Supernatural Cleveland (and District)" by Robert Woodhouse, Printability Publishing (Atkinson Print) (1990).