History and Mystery Tours

My Radio Show Special - Horror Film Movie Music with Geoff Holder

2012-02-04T02:52:00.001-08:00

120112 History & Mystery on RedShift Radio with Tim Prevett - Horror Movie Themes with Geoff Holder by Tim Prevett on Mixcloud

My Radio Show Special - St John's Church, Chester

2012-02-03T01:54:00.001-08:00

260112 History & Mystery with Tim Prevett on RedShift Radio - St John's Church, Chester by Tim Prevett on Mixcloud

My Radio Show Special - Battle of Nantwich - Holly Holy Day

2012-02-03T01:03:00.001-08:00

190112 History & Mystery with Tim Prevett on Red Shift Radio - Battle of Nantwich by Tim Prevett on Mixcloud

Lecture to Manchester Metropolitan University Students

2012-01-24T01:33:00.000-08:00

Students from Finland, Greece, Austria, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain (and others I think) at MMU Crewe campus to whom I gave a talk on on Crewe history earlier in January.

Weekly Trinity Mirror Newspaper Column - "The Unexplained"

2012-01-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

Delighted to be cooking up regular column entries for Trinity Mirror Newspapers in Cheshire and North Wales. Entitled "The Unexplained" it will deal with a range of haunted places, intriguing landscape features, oddities, curiosities, archaeology, built heritage, the historic environment and all manner of ancient sites and historic places.

Based with the online editions, they may make it into the respective print edition on occasion. If you wish to see it in the online edition nearest you, see the following links:

With BBC Radio Stoke

2012-01-23T03:52:00.000-08:00

With many thanks to BBC Radio Stoke who had me in the studio in Hanley early last Saturday morning talking about Ghost Tours. Part of Lee Thomas' schedule on the Saturday Breakfast.

In the Tunnel

2012-01-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

Another shot from Mike Mayer taken last Halloween, in the tunnel at Crewe Station. Just love the ambience down there, and the trains pounding the tracks above, and the deep resonant thuds below.

Picture from the Top

2011-11-02T02:43:00.000-07:00

Below is a testimonial from one of the guests on the Halloween Tours on Crewe Statio; to the left, the first of one of his pictures taken during the tour. It shows Crewe Station as from the building on Platform 12 and 13. It's rather beautiful, don't you think!

"Hi,

Firstly thanks for the amazing tour last night, absolutely fascinating and very engaging stories. Also great to see parts of the station I use so often yet have never seen before, just brilliant, thanks.

Secondly I have included some pics for you, hope you like them, not amazing but if you want the hi-res versions then just let me know!

Thanks again, Mike Mayer."

On BBC Radio Stoke

2011-10-31T02:20:00.000-07:00

History and Mystery Tours' Tim Prevett, will be on BBC Radio Stoke around midday on Monday 31st October - Halloween. It will be broadcasting an interview recorded in a tunnel on Crewe Station with Lamont Howie.

Strange at Crewe... Very strange.

2011-10-29T04:38:00.000-07:00

On the last Strange at Crewe - Crewe Station Ghost Tour, we were rather baffled by this. If you're going to do graffiti or mysterious scrawlings, then why not do it in a rather erudite and intelligent manner like these equations we found on the floor in a disused room between platforms 12 and 13? Much better than "I woz ere" you can often get. Back in there again for Halloween Ghost Tours on Monday 31st, so will get some better pictures and try to crack the equations next week...

Guest's Photos from a Nantwich Ghost Tour

2011-10-29T04:23:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos taken on the dark and quiet streets during a Nantwich Ghost Tour in late September 2011... many thanks to Tuesday.

Testimonial from Manchester Metropolitan University

2011-09-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

"Tim, your presentation was a definite bonus to our welcome programme and I look forward to welcoming you back on campus in the future."

Nathalie Ormrod, 21st September 2011
Business & Management Department,
Manchester Metropolitan University, Cheshire
Crewe Campus

Following an introduction to Crewe for international students on 15th September

Ghost Walks, Murder and History Tours New Season Press Release

2011-09-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

Ghost Walks and Historic Tours arrive back in Crewe and Nantwich this autumn, with brand new tours and a full season of new dates for the Crewe Station Ghost Tour, starting on 3rd October.

Tim Prevett's vision to get people visiting and knowing more of the local history continues to grow, promoting heritage and culture to locals and visitors alike.

Tim enthuses "History, if it is to benefit a wider audience, has to come out of text books and lecture rooms, and be accessible to the person on the street - very literally. That's what all my tours are about."

Besides spooky tours of Crewe and Nantwich centres, and the tour at Crewe Station, two new historic tours of Crewe are now available. Victorian accidents, murders and prostitution make up one tour. The other is a straightforward look at Crewe centre's heritage - lost and surviving - offering a look into the past of the Railway Town.

Tim has been given the opportunity to highlight the area to a very wide readership courtesy of English Heritage. He was chosen to be one of twelve people blogging about work connected with heritage events. "I was delighted to be selected to blog for these historical events; I love Crewe and South Cheshire, and being able to show them to a much wider audience is wonderful", remarks Tim. If you would like to read the blog, see www.heritageopendays.org.uk/blog

"There are a number of exciting developments in the pipeline for 2012 as further tours of the area's history and mystery grow. This is a very exciting time for my tours."

Booking for History and Mystery Tours is through phoning 07905 597 242, info@historyandmystery.co.uk or website www.historyandmystery.co.uk .

The above image is of a tour welcoming international students to Crewe on the old Dorfold Street; all have given permission for their image to be used.

Ghost Tours 2012

2011-09-19T04:57:00.000-07:00

The Strange at Crewe - Crewe Station Tour
Monday 20th February 7:30pm

The Crewe Town Centre Ghost Tour
(with visit to Crewe Heritage Centre)
MORE DATES SOON

The Nantwich Town Centre Ghost Tour
MORE DATES SOON

The Crewe Centre and the Crewe Station tours have completely different content! There is no replication of material.

FREE tours 8th to 11th September - Press Release

2011-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Two free new tours arrive in Crewe for Heritage Open Days, brought to you by Tim Prevett, the man behind Crewe and Nantwich Ghost Tours, and The Strange at Crewe - Crewe train station ghost tour.

One free tour has very grimey content, and details accidents, murders and prostitution in and around the centre of Victorian Crewe, concluding with a visit to Crewe Heritage Centre. The other showcases historical aspects of Crewe town centre, pointing out little known and forgotten parts. Both tours will use old newspaper articles and photos to bring the spirit of Crewe's past back to life.

Tim enthuses "History, if it is to benefit a wider audience, has to come out of text books and lecture rooms, and be accessible to the person on the street - very literally. That's what all my tours are about."

The Heritage Open Days scheme has over 4,400 free events across England this year, and Tim's tours are just two of a local group of events coming under this banner.

Tim has also been chosen to be one of twelve people blogging for English Heritage about work connected with this event. With two blog posts already published, there will be several more blog posts featuring local references in the year ahead. "I was delighted to be selected to blog for these historical events; I love Crewe and South Cheshire, and being able to promote them to a much wider audience is an honour", remarks Tim. If you would like to read the blog, see it on the Heritage Open Days website.

You can also catch Tim on the weekly "History and Mystery Show" on RedShift Radio, currently Tuesdays at 10pm or on 'listen again'.

The free "Murders, Mishaps and Morals" tour is on Thursday and Friday
at 7pm, Saturday 5:15pm, Sunday 4pm, lasting up to 2 hours. The free
"Heritage Lost, History Discovered" tour is on Thursday and Friday at
3:30pm and Sunday at 2pm, lasting up to 90 minutes.

Tim's creepy tours of Crewe and Nantwich resurrect for a new season
(including new Crewe train station tours) later this month. Bookings
for all tours are now taking place. Details on this website to the top right hand corner.

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:23:00.001-07:00

This in from a private group booking during October for a group of 6 people...

Date: 17 October 2010 20:47
To: Ghost Walks of Crewe & Nantwich

Dear Tim,
Thank you for an enjoyable evening, we all had a great time. The tour was interesting and informative with a good amount of humour mixed in to combat the scariness! Wishing you all the best, Veronica

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:22:00.001-07:00

Below is an e-mail from customers giving feedback from earlier in 2010. I had the delight of taking the Chester Ghost Walk back in August, drawing on my knowlegde of the city from my Roman tour guiding days and ongoing ghost tours experience. It was a very bustling city centre that night following The Chester Races; the later part of the tour cut past St John's ruins up from The Hermitage Steps. Twilight was advancing well by the time we got there, and bats were circling the silhouetted remains, complete with the coffin in the wall high above our heads. As a guide, that was a tour to remember for me.

Hi Tim

My Wife and I were on your spooky walking tour in Chester, on the noisy horse race day in August and were looking forward to seeing your promised photo.

Most people we have spoken to about your guided walk don’t believe us when we recount seeing the vertical coffin in the stone wall of the church ruins, particularly when we mention the bats which appeared and flew around the coffin as we all watched.

It was an entertaining experience and one of the highlights of our first visit back to the UK in 40 years.

Much appreciated.

Regards

John & Charmian Crimmins
16^th October 2010

Albert Park
Australia

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:21:00.001-07:00

Date: 26 June 2010
Subject: 25/6
To: Ghost Walks of Crewe & Nantwich - Tim Prevett

Dear Tim

Just wanted to drop you a line to say a very big thankyou for last night.

We all enjoyed your very interesting talk and realised we didn't know Nantwich very well at all. We shall certainly walk round the town with opened eyes from now on.

Will definitely pass on the word, so thanks again

Regards

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:20:00.002-07:00

Hi Tim

Just wanted to send you an email to say thank you so much for last nights events. It was a very informative and enjoyable evening and I am having a lot of feedback on how good and how different the evening was.

Although, the weather was against us, it did not perturb us into having a historical overview of Nantwich and ghostly goings on.

I definitely felt something down in that cellar but we will never know.

Definitely book another event and will try Crewe next time.

Claire Wilson

Following a South Cheshire College Christmas Works Do, meeting the group at The Cat on Welsh Row- a tour in the rain - and pre arranged visit for an adult group to a pub cellar...

Photo credits gratefully to Jonathan White.

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:20:00.000-07:00

Tim

Just to say thanks for taking us on the tour last night. It was really great and fascinating to see things in my home town that i have never noticed before. The group really enjoyed it, hopefully we can more Familiarisation Trips organised soon.

Regards
Phillippa Brown
Visitor Economy Development Manager - Cheshire East
Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe, Cheshire
20th November 2009

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:19:00.001-07:00

With thanks to Heather Beecher and the team from Visit Chester and Cheshire and a group of staff from Handpicked Hotels Rookery Hall Hotel who paid a Familiarisation Visit to the Crewe Ghost Walk in November 2009...

"We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and want to pass on thanks for organising it for us.

Everyone has commented on your knowledge and enthusiasm on your beloved subject – this certainly came across on the night and made the tour very enjoyable for all concerned. It was a nice to have an unbiased view of the paranormal which allowed those on the tour to decide for themselves!

The end of the tour at the Heritage Centre was enjoyed by all – the signal box seemed to fascinate everyone and... added another dimension onto all we had already found out about Crewe.

The whole experience definitely showed that there was more to Crewe than meets the eye."

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:18:00.001-07:00

Ghost Walk

On a cold winter’s night
As the rain came down
We followed the paths
Of your ancient town

To hear of the stories
Of times that have passed
To touch with the souls
Whose memories last

To sense the feelings
Of those that have gone
Through good times and hard
And all that’s been done

Respectfully guided
We listened to all
Entranced with knowledge
Not known before

So, it’s with thanks to all
And the ghosts who linger
For making it be
A night to remember

Best wishes
From everyone at Mysteries

Thanks to Brenda for the picture and the poem from their group booking on
the Nantwich Ghost Walk on 28th November 2009.

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:17:00.001-07:00

27 people booked in for a Nantwich Halloween Ghost Walk last Saturday. All very much enjoyed themselves around the dark streets as the near-full moon rose into a milky-cloudy sky as the last of the leaves continued to come from the trees, leaving skeletal limb silhouettes against the sky.

Besides a good number of locals, visitors came from as far as Blackpool and Wolverhampton for the Nantwich Ghost walk. Those visitors, and a local all sent e-mails on Monday expressing their enjoyment of the ghost walk...

"Many thanks to saturday night it was amazing and fun for the kids . Katie S, Blackpool

"Thanks for a very enjoyable Halloween ghost walk in the lovely Nantwich. I would be very interested in doing your Crewe ghost walk and as with Halloween it would be for two adults... Many thanks again for your time and for the Nantwich walk." Mike P, Wolverhampton.

"Tim the tour was really great. Am going to get some friends to come along to the Crewe one next :)" Amanda Jane

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:16:00.001-07:00

With many thanks to the lovely Dodcott Divas, 17 of whom came on a special booking for the Nantwich Ghost Walk this week. The group is pictured here at the end of the tour next to the haunted Pall Mall not far from Morrisons Supermarket and two of the main Nantwich centre car parks.

Their feedback e-mail says,

"Good morning Tim,

Just a very quick note to say thanks for a great evening on Thursday last. Everyone that I've spoken to have said that they enjoyed the tour very much. I am very glad that the man on the church roof wasn't dressed as a monk though!

We all learnt a few different historical facts about Nantwich and will most certainly keep an eye out for stray bears, of the ghostly variety, when visiting Nantwich in the future.

I will definitely recommend your Ghost tours in future and wish you the all the very best with the book.

Many thanks,

Helen Atkins".

If you want to book a walk / vigil for your company's Christmas event, or a social, or even a team building exercise, get in touch. Hen parties, WIs, National Women's Register, and range of social group can book a ghost tour - or maybe even a vigil - by arrangement.

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:15:00.003-07:00

Hi Tim,

It was a great night thank you.

Thank you for your patience, everyone really enjoyed it.

The photos are great I have forwarded your email to everyone and I will forward the photos to you as soon as I have them.

No problem for you to use the photos.

Love the one with the orb!

Thanks again,

KR ( Hen Party ghost tour)

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:15:00.001-07:00

Hi Tim

Just wanted to say a very big thank you for giving up your time on Sunday night, we really enjoyed the evening although it was cold and windy!!, I have printed out your web page and put it on the notice board at work, also done one for my niece who works at Argos who told me about your tours, hopefully we can get some interest for our next team night out!!

Thanks again

SL
-----

Just a quick note to say thank you very much for the tour on Friday. The students raved about it and they all had a fantastic time. It also made for some interesting discussions in class. Thanks once again for being so accommodating.

Leanne (after a special tailored school trip ghost walk)

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:14:00.001-07:00

Hi Tim,
just a short note to say how much we enjoyed the ghost tour last night.

I certainly learned a few things about Crewe I never knew, even after living here (mostly) all my life.

Anyway, again, thanks for the tour,and we hope to join you for the Nantwich tour soon.

AV
-----

Morning Tim

Just a quick note to say thank you for last night - we both found it really interesting, despite the jokers & cynical few you had to deal\with!!

We'll be in touch again soon to book onto the Crewe walk

All the best,
Kirstin & Stephen.

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:13:00.003-07:00

Dear Tim

Just to say how much myself and our party enjoyed the ghost walk around Crewe last night, the fog certainly added to the atmosphere!! Your knowledge was second to none, we learnt so much about Crewe and it's history and folk-lore, I shall certainly see the town in a different light.

I cannot recommend the tour highly enough and I look forward to you sending me information about future tours you may do.

Sue Evans
-----

Hi Tim

Just to say that I really enjoyed the walk on Wednesday.

It was excellent, thank you very much for your information and knowledge about the town. I will definitely come again and spread the good word to my friends and colleagues.

Take care and keep up the good work,

Sue Evans (again!)

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:13:00.001-07:00

Many thanks for a great evening,
Michelle S.
-----

Hi Tim

Thanks for a very informative and interesting evening, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
TT

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:12:00.002-07:00

I just wanted to thank you on behalf of the group I brought along on Halloween to the ghost walk of Crewe.

We found that not only was it a fascinating look at the less well known side of our home town but also a very informative and extremely interesting evening led by someone who obviously has a passion for this sort of event and that shows in your tours.

Its amazing how many times i have walked through Crewe at night and never noticed things or known what once stood in the area i am walking over. I will certainly look at Crewe in a different light now.

After the tour had ended, we went for a drink and i must say, every member of the group commented on how interesting and enjoyable the walk was. Even to the point of 2 people approaching us for your number so that they could book.

Stuart H

Testimonial

2011-07-17T03:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Tim,

I was on your ghost walk last night, which I found very interesting and educational. Well done on trying to do something different for Crewe and I hope you find future success with similar events.

Steve T

Tour Summaries

2011-07-17T03:09:00.000-07:00

Crewe Town Centre Ghost Walk:
Starts: War Memorial near Library
Finishes: Crewe Heritage Centre
Length: Up to 2 Hours
Summary: Ghosts, a poltergeist, paranormal experiences, 2 Victorian Murders, Spirit Photography, The Witch of Coppenhall

Nantwich Town Centre Ghost Walk
Starts: Tourist Information
Finishes: Near Town Centre
Length: Up to 90 Minutes
Summary: Ghosts (including a duck and four bears...), paranormal experiences, a haunted graveyard, an execution... and a pinch of salt...

Strange at Crewe - Crewe Station Ghost Tour
Starts: Near WHSmith at Crewe Station Ticket Office
Finishes: First Class Lounge Corridor, Crewe Station
Length: Up to 90 Minutes
Summary: Recent paranormal experiences on the station, creepy footprint in the loo, The Myth of Queen Victoria's private passage, a little known horror story set on Crewe Station, and access to the South Tunnel - and more...

Heritage Lost History Discovered Tour
Starts: War Memorial near Library
Finishes: Corner of Crewe Street and Prince Albert Street (next to Library)
Length: Up to 90 minutes
Summary: Lost and hidden features around Crewe Centre with obvious features which may not be known - celebrating and bringing the town's history to life

Murders, Mishaps and Morals
Starts: War Memorial near Library
Finishes: Crewe Heritage Centre
Length: Up to 2 Hours
Summary: Murders, Industrial Accidents and Prostitution in (mainly) Victorian Crewe. Hear of grim murders, icky accidents and sordid activity bringing the past of Crewe to life again.

Parking & Public Transport

2011-07-17T02:25:00.001-07:00

Where can I park?

See the Cheshire East council website HERE for details of car park locations, prices and conditions.

Both towns, more immediately Crewe, do have changes happening to some car parks - so conditions on the ground may differ from their appearance online. Not shown on the map of Crewe is the Tesco car park (not unavailable until well into 2012) and Crewe Heritage Centre car park which are off to the bottom right of Vernon Way.

It is up to you to check the charges, if applicable. Where you park is at your own risk and own choice.

Can I get there by public transport?

For Crewe - The Train Station is a 15 to 20 minute walk south east from the town centre. It is served by regular bus services to the town centre, and by taxis. The Bus Station is a 5 minute walk to the west of the War Memorial. www.arrivabus.co.uk, is the main bus operator, with First Bus route number 20 coming in from Stoke on Trent to Leighton Hospital, and D&G Buses providing further routes.

For Nantwich - Nantwich Train Station is a 5 to 10 minute walk away from the starting place, with services from Crewe and Shrewsbury. The Bus Station is immediately next to the starting point outside the Civic Hall and Nantwich Tourist Information. Excepting the service from Stoke, the bus operators are the same as Crewe.

Taxis operate across Crewe and Nantwich- consult the telephone directory service of your choice.

Information and Links Correct as 17th July 2011.

Health, Safety & Access

2011-07-17T02:20:00.000-07:00

How are the tours for access and the Disability Discrimination Act 2005?
The route of the tours are planned to be as accessible as possible, with kerbstones being the principal potential obstruction.

The upstairs of the North Signal Box at Crewe Heritage Centre has no wheelchair access.
Please note visiting pub cellars is not now available on general tours to allow under 18s to come on the walks.

If you have a health condition which you feel other people should know of for your well being, either inform History and Mystery Tours (in confidence) beforehand, or ensure someone whom you are with knows.

Are the routes risk assessed?
Yes they are. Crossing roads, kerbs, paving slabs, slight inclines and declines are the main hazards to be aware of. Common sense is the key. A reminder of any particular hazards will be given at the start of the tour, or as needed during the tour. Tours will happen during low or poor light, so bear this in mind; you are welcome to bring a torch.

As and when access to licensed premises is arranged the relevant following paragraphs apply.

In the pub cellars there are tripping hazards, and potential head hitting with low ceilings in places.

By their very nature cellars are enclosed spaces, often with spiders, so if claustrophobia or arachnaphobia are issues for you, please do not put yourself in a stressful situation. You are welcome to be spooked upstairs and enjoy the pub's welcome while some get spooked downstairs.