The evening began at 6pm in the pouring rain at Rochester Cathedral where I met the lovely Katherine May who compiled "Hauntings", an anthology of real-life ghost stories which includes my tale of Arthur Beresford Pite. Many of these 25 stories are moving; some are downright chilling.
From the cathedral we joined a tour of haunted locations throughout Rochester and spent an hour an a half taking in several locations of hauntings including the castle. It was here that things started to get a bit strange. The minute we entered the grounds I said to my husband "I'm sensing a woman was killed here". Five minutes later I got a terrible pain in my chest. I must have looked a bit shaken as he asked me if I was OK? "No" I replied, "I feel as though I've just been shot in the heart". It was at that point the tour guide regaled a fascinating story.In 1264 the Castle was surrounded and under attack by the then Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montford. The Castle was being defended by a Crusader by the name of Ralph de Capo who was the intended husband of Lady Blanche. In the attacking force was one, Guilbert de Clare, who was a rejected suitor of Lady Blanche. Around Good Friday the battle swayed in favour of the defenders of the Castle and the Earl of Leicester retreated. As a consequence, Ralph de Capo left the Castle with some of his men and gave chase. Guilbert de Clare circled around behind de Capo and entered the Castle dressed in a suit of armour resembling that worn by de Capo. His only intention was to confront the Lady Blanche. He eventually caught up with her on the battlements by the round tower. As Lady Blanche struggled to push de Clare away, her plight was spotted by de Capo. He was an excellent bowman and to save his intended, he fired an arrow which hit de Clare but glanced off his armour and went straight through the heart of Lady Blanche killing her instantly. Her ghost, dressed in a white robe and still with the arrow through her heart is said to walk the battlements near the round tower on the anniversary of the event at Easter. I had just unwittingly felt her pain on the anniversary of her death!
Following the tour we adjourned to Dot Café to meet up with the other authors and sign copies of the book. Afterwards we listened to and some readings from it. I'd just sat down with my second cup of coffee when I was collared by the woman who owned the café. The staff had reported 'something' in the kitchen upstairs which sighed; touched them on the back and occasionally they also smelt cigarette smoke. They didn't like being up there on their own, could I take a look? Coffee abandoned I made my way upstairs with the woman and her son. After a look around I felt that the spirit was a harmless male who had lived in the café many years ago when it was his house. He lingered in the kitchen area as it had been his bedroom and he interacted with the staff because he liked the company and meant them no harm. Once they knew this they were happy for him to remain there but had been curious to know who the ghost was. Fresh coffee in hand, I headed back downstairs to catch up with the others, do a few impromptu readings and enjoy the rest of the evening.
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Venice
St Pancras Chambers
Beneath the peeling paint
Under the crumbling stone
Where gold-leaf has turned to dust
And rats have made their home
Here lies a body interred
In a coffin of splintered wood
Where worms do greet the soul
And time stands still for good
Jeane Trend-Hill
How it all began - My Psychic Life!
Angels perform the role of guardian,and also that of mourner, harking back to the heraldic tradition of people paid to weep at a tomb.Angel Michael is usually depicted with a sword and shield. Angel Gabriel with a trumpet or horn.
Western Heights Doverc
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Drop Redout Doverli
Celebrity Corner / Out and About
My cockatiel likes tarot cards!
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My interpretation of Mary the sleeping angel, a monument from Highgate cemetery which I painted in oil.
Now available, Twisted Dreams which contains short stories from some of today's most talented authors plus interviews, artwork, reviews and much more. Ordering / download details: http://www.lulu.com/content/1210815
Worlds Within Worlds Beyond, amazing poetry illustrated throughout with my cemetery and angel images. Ordering / download details: http://www.lulu.com/content/1255456
Elmers End, South London
Charterhouse graves
City Rock Cemetery, Nottingham
City Rock Cemetery, Nottingham.
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Good Mourning Vietnam - Jeane on the BBC Vietnamese website!
I was aware of my psychic abilities from an early age. Until I was around ten, I assumed everyone could see dead people! I further developed this ability at the College of Psychic Studies in South Kensington, London for 3 1/2 years. I found the easiest way to give readings, and the one in which I gained the most information was by focusing on a photograph of someone who had passed over. I then progressed on to those who were very much alive. The information I obtained proved to be both accurate and comforting to my clients. I am a qualified Reiki practioner and have been able to incorporate healing into my work. In the USA I had the privilege of spending time with Native American Indians and learning about medicine cards and also trained with a Shaman.
Tarot
The filming of my paranormal documentary
With the legendary Dave Courtney.
With Carlton Leach.
Left: The lovely Joe Egan. Below with Carlton and Dave.
