Ghostly goings on according to Francis

GHOSTLY GOINGS ON: Francis Cowper and the section of wattle and daub wall in the Accord Clinic

GHOSTS of the past cast long shadows over a centuries old Hightown building that appears to be nothing more than a therapeutic town centre presence.

The mysterious and ghostly history that lies behind the innocent frontage of the Accord Clinic makes this Middlewich building a fascinating hidden gem.

Built in the 17th century, the building has stood the test of time and has housed a number of different businesses including a joinery, Hulme's grocers and the current clinic, which has been there for 12 years.

Ancient beams run through the structure and a section of the original wattle and daub walls can also be seen.

But owner Francis Cowper said working in such an old building could have its unnerving moments.

She said: "There's one room upstairs that I wouldn't go into at all and all the practitioners that tried to work in that room decided they wouldn't."

She said about 10 years ago a group came to check out the building's ghostly presences - with some unsettling results.

Francis said: "I was sitting downstairs with the crew and colleagues - it was 10pm and pitch black because they wouldn't let us turn the lights on.

"Then there was an almighty scream and we all zoomed upstairs where this 'ghostbuster' reckoned she'd been touched by a ghost.

"She said a man had approached her and she'd explained that he wasn't with us any more.

"She said she had to bring another ghost in - she had to persuade his wife to come and take him away.

"It was too much for me."

Francis never found out much more about the strange and ghostly gentleman, but her spectral problems did not immediately fade away and it took repeated blessings and charms to quell the unrest.

She said the building also regularly attracts witches and warlocks who stroll around the building and offer her advice to tackle its spiritual problems.