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.

Jason Karl on an aspect of domestic magic

Popular writer and broadcaster Jason Karl has contributed the latest article on Uncanny UK. He discusses the odd, but not uncommon, practice of hiding shoes in walls and attics to help preserve the household from evil influences. You can read his article at: http://www.uncannyuk.com/2011/01/28/soles-to-save-our-souls/

On the track in old journals

Over the years I've found a great deal of interesting stuff in the letters pages and historical columns of old newspapers and journals. Jon Downes has unearthed a couple of interesting oddities in a long defunct Stockport newspaper: http://networkedblogs.com/dEbmk

Modern fairy sightings

The latest post on www.uncannyuk.com is about a chap who suddenly encountered a glowering goblin while out walking his dog back in the 1960s. It's a yarn I collected myself while giving a talk on Welsh fairylore some years ago.

I find modern fairy sightings particularly fascinating. In the current mindset they just shouldn't happen - but they do. The 'little people' aren't confined to folklore and quaint fireside tales. Like black dogs - another phenomenon out of keeping with modern ideas about returning spirits or playbacks of the past - they are still persistently reported.

I would be delighted to learn of further fairy sightings of modern times. If you have had a fairy sighting or know of one which occurred in the past 50 years (other than those recalled in Janet Bord's excellent 1997 book on Fairies) please do get in touch with me. Comment below or contact me direct via editor@uncannyuk.com

Many thanks!

Nick Redfern on Uncanny UK

Renowned mysteries author Nick Redfern, originally from the West Midlands but now resident in Texas, recalls a couple of 'time slip' cases from rural England in the latest www.uncannyuk.com 'More Uncanny' article. In one of the cases, a motorist in Shropshire suddenly finds his car surrounded by Civil War soldiers! Nick is best known for his UFO and cryptozoology research but says he has a particular interest in time slip incidents. You'll need to register on the Uncanny UK website if you haven't done so already to access the More Uncanny section.