Ghost's, Mysteries & Legends of Warrington

Home   Gallery  History    What's on   Guest Book  Photo Repairs   Celtic    Market   News
Tale 6

The Haunted Iron Bridge of Padgate

ONE of the greatest mysteries of old Padgate was "The Old Tramp of Padgate Iron Bridge". The tramp was seen on nemorouse occasions with a cup in one hand and a bottle by his side.
He just stood and stared up at the bridge. He was known as 'Old Nick'.
Our story goes back to 1925, when a farmer William Bennett -was cutting the corn along the old iron bridge with a binder and a pair of his horses.
Twenty yards from the bridge his horses stopped dead in their tracks and would not budge an inch further. William went to investigate and came face to-face with the most gleesome ugly man, with glaring eyes and a strange grin on his face. William Bennett was terrified and the locals never found out who he was, but they named him Old Nick.
This was one of the many confrontations by the old residents of Padgate.
Then one day during a heavy thunderstorm soon after the William Bennett incident, George Green and his young sister, who lived half a mile from the iron bridge at Tidal Lane Farm - later demolished to make way for Padgate RAF camp - were on their way to cross over the iron bridge, when they actually saw horrible Old Nick being dragged away by two men. It was frightening and a sight they never forgot. Old Nick was wailing.
No one would go near that bridge after dark. People swore they heard footsteps on the iron steps.
I have been informed, very recently, that the iron bridge is still haunted by Old Nick and the footsteps of Old Nick are heard quite regularly, even when no one is on the bridge.
George informed me that he went back to the bridge many years later, but no way would he cross over that bridge after dark - not for a gold clock.
The memory of Old Nick will always stay in his mind.
Today George lives at Penketh.

Old Nick's ghost tramps Padgate Bridge
The most gruesome sight you've seen                                                                 Tale 7.....
And if you don't believe me
Just go and see George Green.