Uncanny UK is moving......

.......but don't worry it's not moving very far.  Uncanny UK is changing from Blogger to Wordpress and you can view all previous posts and new posts at: http://uncannyuk.wordpress.com

You can still read, comment and contribute to more uncanny stuff at: www.uncannyuk.com

See you all there!

The Master Otter in Scotland

Enthusiastic Irish cryptozoologist Gary Cunningham wrote an article for me on the so-called Master Otter and other cryptids from the Emerald Isle when I was editing Paranormal Magazine. This strange, savage lutrid is one of Ireland's best known mystery beasts, but Dr Karl Shuker has now unearthed some reports, one dating back to the 16th century, which suggest that the critter has also been encountered in Scotland. Read his fascinating article on his blog, here: http://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2011/02/irish-master-otter-in-scotland.html?spref=tw

'Tin Foil Man' in English country lane

Neil Arnold gets first-hand testimony of a very strange entity -a robot, an extraterrestrial or what? Read his account here: http://networkedblogs.com/ewEZx

Couple claim to have snapped 'Bownessie' on Lake Windermere

The Daily Mail on Friday (Feb 18) printed an image of a wobnbly black thing on a misty lake - allegedly none other than 'Bownessie', the supposed monster of Windermere in the English Lakes. The photo was taken on a cameraphone by a young couple kayaking on the lake while attending a team-building weekend organised by the IT firm they wok for. Could it be an exercise in viral marketing or a genuine photo with a British lake monster? Read the full story at:  http://is.gd/cKuhxb

Ghostly nun that climbs into your bed

Occultist Duncan Barford reveals an extraordinary experience with a physical, one might say intimate, ghostly presence in a podcast, with Martin Poole, on The Information site. With any luck, I can persuade Duncan to write up his encounter for Uncanny UK (the experience took place at Buddhist retreat in Devon). For the time being though you can listen to his experience at: http://theinformation.podbean.com/2011/02/12/ghosts-and-the-pendulum/

The Derbyshire fairy hoax

Looking back to a hoax from Derbyshire: the 'discovery' by artist Dan Baines of what was purported to be a mummified fairy, or, to be precise, 'butterfly man', in 2007. Read more at http://www.hoax-slayer.com/derbyshire-fairy-hoax.shtml#

Misty figure that walks through walls

A fascinating account of a haunted Government office building in Lincoln is the latest article to be posted under Ghosts on Uncanny UK. It has been contributed by Daniel Codd, author of Mysterious Lincolnshire, who interviewed the witness back in 2006. Since then Dan has received further spooky reports about the building, bringing the article bang up to date. Read the article at www.uncannyuk.com/2011/02/10/a-haunted-office-in-lincoln/

February's pagan festivals

Witchcraft expert Dr Leo Ruickbie has posted an interesting article on all the fun goings-on that used to happen during February. It might be a cold month but Lupercalia and Fornacalia sure warmed it up. Read Leo#s article here: http://www.witchology.com/contents/february/calendar.php

Theme park forced to relocate ride - by ghosts

According to the Daily Mail, Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Surrey, has abandoned plans to build a water slide because spooky activity has been frightening the workers. Sudden chills, objects being moved about and the apparition of a 'headless monk' have all contributed, states the Mail. Theme park bosses fear they have inadvertantly been building on an ancient burial ground... or something. Read the full story at: http://is.gd/grrIf3 

England's strangest forest is under threat

In recent years more has been written about strange goings-on at Cannock Chase, an area of woodland in Staffordshire, than anywhere else. Werewolves, big cats, Bigfoot-type things and UFOs have been particularly prevalent among the conifers. Nick Redfern, who was brought up in the area, is adding his voice to the outraged response to plans to sell off parts of the woodland. The threat is that large chunks of the forest will no longer be open to the public and may even be built upon or turned into golf courses. It's just the sort of site a leisure company like CenterParks might buy - if so, their visitors might get more than they bargained (scenes similar to those from a Primeval episode spring to mind!). To find out more follow the links from Nick's blog: http://monsterusa.blogspot.com/2011/02/cannock-chase-woes.html

Previously unreported ghost from Wiltshire

Wiltshire has had more than its fair share of posts on Uncanny UK but I'm delighted to post another one, especially since it has been forwarded by a visitor to the site. Not only that but it is previously unreported. A brief mention in a recently published village history recalled the sighting to mind and also offered some confirmation for the earlier sighting, so Teresa Lewis kindly got in touch to tell us all about it. It's the 'Latest Article' on www.uncannyuk.com

Phenomena Magazine highlights

In my old Paranormalling days I never seemed to find the chance to settle back and properly enjoy the UPIA's free Phenomena Magazine. The latest issue (Feb 2011) is a reminder as to what I may have been missing out on - it's packed full of good stuff. Andy Roberts contributes a fine piece on Foo Fighters but of more direct interest to Uncanny UK are the articles on weird goings-on at an ancient monument in Cheshire (by Dave Sadler) and the eerie 'lantern boy' seen wandering down a railway line in Yorkshire (by James Whittaker).

Steve Mera contributes a personal experience with an apparent time-slip and a little-known phenomenon he tentatively labels as 'Shadows'. This was a real highlight for me because I have experience of these oddities myself - more in a a future blog.

The magazine also features an interesting round-up of news, including an in-depth focus on the spate of mysterious animal deaths.

Phenomena Magazine can be downloaded free from www.phenomenamagazine.co.uk.