In 1925, a chilling paranormal case from Keighley in West Yorkshire captured the imagination of the nation and made headlines across the globe. The story centred on a young woman who was reportedly haunted by a poltergeist, with disturbing phenomena including shaking windows, moving objects, and unexplained malfunctions of machinery at Prospect Mill, where she was employed. The bizarre occurrences even drew the interest of the legendary author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, yet for nearly a century, the identity of the woman remained an enigma.
A Century-Old Mystery Finally Solved
Now, a compelling new podcast titled 'The Keighley Poltergeist', created by historian Stephen Miller, has finally unveiled the woman's name. She was Gwendoline Morley, born in Devon but who lived most of her life in and around Keighley. From the tender age of 19, Morley was plagued by inexplicable paranormal activity that baffled all who witnessed it.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Intervention and Aftermath
Following an intervention by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Morley spent three months in London at the British College of Psychic Science. This period was aimed at understanding and perhaps mitigating the haunting experiences. Eventually, she was able to return to Keighley, where she married, started a family, and led a relatively normal life. However, the shadow of those paranormal events never truly left her, lingering as a profound part of her personal history.
Podcast Host's Research Breakthrough
Podcast host Stephen Miller emphasised the importance of identifying the central figure to tell the complete story. "It's a fascinating story and I knew to tell it completely I would have to identify the woman at its centre. Before I started researching, we didn't even know which mill she worked at," Miller explained. His diligent investigation has not only revealed Morley's identity but also connected him with her descendants.
"The response has been really interesting and I've been able to make contact with some of Gwen's descendants who have provided me with more information. There's certainly more of the story to tell," he added, hinting at deeper layers yet to be explored.
New Theories and Expanded Narrative
Beyond uncovering Gwendoline Morley's identity, the podcast delves into provocative theories regarding the poltergeist itself, offering fresh insights and previously unavailable details about the case. Listeners can expect a richly detailed account that expands significantly on the known facts.
Availability and Future Episodes
Three episodes of 'The Keighley Poltergeist' have already been released, with more instalments planned to continue unravelling this mysterious tale. The podcast is accessible on all major platforms, including:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts
- Amazon Music
- Audible
It is also hosted by Podbean at thekeighleypoltergeist.podbean.com, ensuring wide availability for enthusiasts of true paranormal stories and local history.
