Bircham Newton

Wartime RAF base now owned by CITB construction college near King's Lynn, Norfolk

Many ghosts are said to exist at Bircham Newton. They vary in their origins, but most tend to date from the period spanning World War II, up to the date of the RAF base closure in 1962.

There are various stories told, but one of the most famous is that of the Squash Courts at the RAF base.

It is said that a bomber crashed on the landing strip at Bircham Newton, killing three of its crew members. These three men often return to the Squash Courts at the old base to play their favourite sport. The sound of a ball echoing in the completely empty building an be heard and one man dressed in an Officers uniform has also been sighted.

Another haunting stems from the story of the drunk driver. It is believed that during World War II a car full of drunken pilots crashed into a larger plane hanger, killing the both the driver and his passengers. It is said that the ghosts of these men, who died during the war, but far from in action, still roam the base today.

Other strange occurrences have been reported by people driving along the main road through Bircham Newton. The general experience occurs midway through the base, where it is said when driving, a load echoing can be heard beneath the road for a second or two. It is thought that this is when cars pass over a supposed underground tunnel used by the airmen during raids on the base itself.

Other supernatural sightings have occurred in the old RAF housing located opposite the now construction college on Hyde Close. Figures disappearing up stairs and the feeling of being observed just some of the many.

Another documentation of supernatural activity at Bircham Newton is the story of what occurred when a group of Japanese TV workers were filming a documentary at the old air base.

The team seemed to find plenty of evidence to entertain the Japanese audience.

A door mysteriously slammed and there was apparently something very unnatural about the atmosphere during a filming sequence at the CITB’s squash courts, perhaps something to do with the bomber crew, or alternatively the crew of a twin-engined Hudson. These planes used to fly over the North Sea carrying wooden lifeboats to be dropped to ditched RAF personnel. One flight ended in tragedy in 1940, when a plane carrying three pilots crashed. All were friends and apparently enjoyed playing squash. Not only are these three man suspected of haunting the squash courts, but also the girl friend of one of the men who was a WRAF officer, and hand been sneaked on board to enjoy the flight with her lover.

The Japanese TV company not only noted a slamming door when there was no breeze, but also court a womans voice on tape and took a photograph of an image which appears to be a man cuddling a woman. Other evidence collected includes a recording of the sounds of a squash game on an empty court and a photograph appearing to show a pilot officer’s arm and shoulder.

Read about real life expericence

Read details of A.Bramers own experiences at Bircham Newton: Bramers Experience

Correction to information above

The Ghost Database has been contacted by Keith Webster to inform us that there may be some errors in our above article - here is his take on the events which occured:

As co-founder of the Anglia Society for Paranormal Research (A.S.P.R.), I (together with my partner Wendy) was the person who took the TV crew to the base to make the film. Yes there was a number of 'strange' happenings on that day, but the photo's and recordings mentioned in your article are actually ours! (copyright A.S.P.R.) They were not taken/recorded by the TV crew. We have the original negatives to prove our ownership.

Our investigations consist of scientific documented evidence, and we were the only serious paranormal research society to have been given sole permission to investigate the site. Sadly due to the current fashion for 'ghost hunting', we have had to put our research at RAF Bircham Newton on the 'back burner' until the amateurs decide to hijack someone elses investigation.

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