Some stories aren’t found in books, the stories below were collected by Mythstories co-curator Ali Quarréll in a reminiscence project in association with Welshpool Women’s Institute in November 2009. Thanks go to Margaret Jones, Marjorie Corby, Joan Pritchard, Reg Pritchard, and Flo Anthony for generously sharing their stories.
The Stories in their own words.
Lady of Powys
Years and years ago a daughter of the Earl of Powis was courting one of the gardeners. Her father disapproved and cut off the hand of the gardener. The gardener picked up his hand and threw it and the mark of his hand is still there. The gardener put a curse on Powis Castle and said that no son would inherit from his father. Since then the sons have always died leaving a nephew or a cousin to inherit. The griffins on the garden gate have severed hands in their mouths.
The young girl rode down to the river and drowned. Since then the river has claimed a life every year, and her ghost can still be seen riding her horse around the Welshpool area.
Ghost on Red Bank (1950)
A group of us (late teenagers) used to congregate at the Cock Hotel at the top of Church Bank.
One of the lads went off with his girlfriend up Red Bank and left us in the pub. Half an hour later he came running through the door white, shaking, looking absolutely terrified.
‘I’ve just seen a woman on a horse at the top of Red Bank.’
‘Where’s your girlfriend?’
‘I left her there.’
She never went out with him again.
