mysteries

Spy in the skies

There can’t be many more enduring mysteries than whether or not we are alone in the universe. Over the years our patch has had its share of sightings that seem to show we are not…

Keen stargazers across the region have enjoyed spotting many exciting astronomical sights – comets, planets, passing satellites and even the occasional glimpse of the magical Northern Lights. But some have seen things in our skies that they simply cannot explain.

In Cardiff in 1977, on the evening of 9th February, several witnesses reported seeing a large, silent object with bright lights moving slowly through the sky. Some claimed it was shaped like a disc, others described it as triangular. And in the Brecon Beacons in 1974, a group of hikers saw a large, glowing object hovering above them. The object was described as being disc-shaped with a dome on top, and it reportedly emitted a beam of light that illuminated the area. The hikers also claimed that they felt a strange sensation, as if they were being watched or observed.

Alien figures

The town of Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire also has a history of UFO sightings. In 1977, schoolchildren reported seeing an object landing in a field near their school. They claimed it was circular in shape with a dome on top and that they saw several small figures moving around it. More recently, sightings have been reported over Swansea Bay and the Gower Peninsula. Although there has been no definitive explanation for these, they continue to be a source of fascination and speculation among UFO enthusiasts.

Mystery in the mountains

The most well-known of all local UFO mysteries is the Berwyn Mountains incident – a controversial sighting that took place in Wales on 23rd January 1974. According to reports, a bright object was seen in the sky, followed by a loud explosion that was heard over a wide area. Some witnesses reported seeing a luminous object fall to the ground. In the aftermath, several people reported strange lights and sounds in the area, and there were claims of strange markings on the ground and burned vegetation. Despite extensive searches, no wreckage was ever found, and the incident remains unexplained. Over the years, the incident has been the subject of intense speculation. Some believe it was a military operation gone wrong, others put it down to a natural phenomenon such as a meteor. There are also those who insist it was a UFO crash-landing, and that the government covered up the evidence. Regardless of the cause, it remains one of the most famous UFO sightings in UK history, and continues to capture the imagination of people around the world. It has been the subject of numerous books and articles, and has been investigated by a number of researchers and UFO organisations.

UFOs over Shropshire

Shropshire is considered one of the most active regions in the country for UFO sightings. Over the years, many local residents and witnesses have reported strange and unusual objects flying in the sky. Here are some of the most famous:

• The Cosford Incident: In 1993, several military personnel at the RAF Cosford airbase reported seeing a large, triangular-shaped object hovering in the sky. Despite attempts to intercept the object, it disappeared into the night sky.

• The Wrekin Hill Incident: In 2002, several motorists reported seeing a strange light in the sky near the Wrekin Hill. The object was described as a large, glowing sphere that stayed stationary for several minutes before disappearing.

• The Shrewsbury Sightings: In 2009, several residents of Shrewsbury reported seeing strange objects in the sky over the town. Some described the objects as bright lights, while others claimed to have seen a large, disc-shaped object.

Sightings in the Wirral

One of the most well-known UFO sightings in Wirral took place in the early 1990s. According to reports, several local residents witnessed a strange object in the sky that was emitting bright lights. The object reportedly hovered over the area for several hours, before suddenly disappearing. Some witnesses claimed that the object was a UFO, while others thought it could be a weather balloon or a military aircraft. Another instance occurred in the late 1990s, when several Wirral residents reported seeing a strange object in the sky. The object was described as a bright, glowing orb that moved across the sky at a high speed. Some witnesses believed that the object was a UFO, while others thought it could be a meteor or a satellite.

In recent years, there have been several reported UFO sightings in Wirral, including strange lights in the sky, unidentified flying objects and even strange patterns in the clouds. Some of these have been captured on camera, and the footage has been widely shared on social media, sparking much debate and discussion about the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

DID YOU KNOW?

In the language of flowers, roses are said to help in developing psychic knowledge and increasing intuition

Which witch?

Witchcraft is a great source of myths and legends, and the Shire patch is home to plenty of stories – especially throughout the Shropshire area.

The Shropshire Marches are rife with tales of witchcraft, some frightening, others fascinating. Some of the most well-known include:

• The Witch of Wroxeter: A powerful witch with the ability to cast spells and curses on her enemies, people claimed that she would fly on her broomstick to meet with other witches in the hills and forests around the town. Eventually she was caught by a local farmer and burned at the stake. Her ghost is said to haunt Wroxeter still, flying on her broomstick on moonless nights.

• The Bishops Castle Witch: According to the story, she was a powerful sorceress who lived in the town and was known for her ability to cast spells and perform magic. People claimed that she would often be seen riding on her broomstick through the town, scaring the residents. She too was caught, this time by the townspeople, and burned at the stake, but her spirit haunts the town to this day, according to legend.

• The Alberbury Witch: This mystical woman was known for her ability to control the elements, summoning rain and wind at will. People claimed she used her powers for evil, causing crops to fail and villagers to fall ill. The story goes that she was eventually caught and burned at the stake, but her spirit lives on, causing mischief and mayhem.

These legends and tales of witches have been passed down from generation to generation, and even today, many people in the area still believe in the supernatural powers of witches. While some may see these stories as mere folklore, others believe that there is some truth to them, and that the witches of the Shropshire Marches were real people with real powers. Most of the stories seem to paint the witches in a bad light, with hauntings and castings of spells – but there are some tales of witches using their powers for good as well.

One such legend is that of the Boscobel Oak, a tree said to have provided refuge for King Charles II during his flight from Cromwell’s forces. According to the story, a local witch aided the king by providing him with food and clothing, and by casting spells to prevent him from detection. Then there are the Nine Maidens, a group of witches said to have gathered at a stone circle near the town of Much Wenlock. These women were known for their powers of healing and divination and were capable of summoning spirits and controlling the elements.

Mystery men

It is not just women who feature in the mythology of Shropshire, their male counterparts have also woven their magic into the area. Druids were ancient Celtic priests and wise men who held a central role in the spiritual and cultural life of the Celtic people. Although their origins are shrouded in mystery, Druids are often associated with the practice of magic, divination and the worship of nature.

In Shropshire, many druidic tales centre around the mysterious and powerful monuments scattered throughout the county. Wrekin Hill, a large, imposing hill near Telford, is believed to have been a site of druidic worship and ceremony. According to legend, the Druids of Shropshire would gather on the hill to perform their magic and make offerings to the gods.

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The jagged, rocky hills of the Stiperstones are similarly believed to have been a place of power and spiritual significance for these ancients. Locals claim that the Stiperstones are imbued with magic to this day, and that strange and mysterious happenings often occur there.

Aside from these druidic monuments, there are also tales about the Druids themselves, who are often portrayed as powerful and mysterious figures, capable of wielding magic and performing feats of incredible strength and cunning. One such was a Druid named Athernion, who lived in the Shropshire hills and was known for his incredible ability to control the elements and bend the forces of nature to his will.

Lady of the lake

Mysterious creatures living in lakes are not just a Scottish phenomenon! While we might not have legends on the scale of Nessie, our local Welsh waters can offer up similar stories.

Reported sightings of an amphibian up to 12ft long in Llyn Tegid, or Bala Lake, date back as far as 1975. All report a creature similar in looks to Scotland’s ‘Nessie’ of Loch Ness, only on a much smaller scale. This Welsh lake monster is known as Teggie, or Teggy, and has become the subject of local folklore, with numerous sightings and reports of a large serpentine creature in the lake.

There is no solid scientific evidence to support the existence of Teggie, but her existence is based on a much-loved story, The Legend of Teggie of Llyn Tegid, dating back to medieval times. The story revolves around the beautiful princess Teggie, who lived in the court of King Brychan, one of the legendary kings of Brycheiniog. One day, a handsome prince named Dwynwen came to the court and fell in love with Teggie at first sight. However, the king had already promised Teggie’s hand in marriage to another prince, who was envious of Dwynwen’s feelings for her. The jealous prince plotted against Dwynwen, who was forced to flee.

Lost love

Desperate and heartbroken, Dwynwen wandered the forests and hills until he stumbled upon a lake. There he encountered an angel who granted him three wishes: to forget his love for Teggie, to ease the pain in his heart, and to help all lovers in the future. Dwynwen cast his wishes and the angel granted his requests. In thanks, Dwynwen built a church on the lake shore and dedicated it to the angel. The lake was named Llyn Tegid, and the church became a place of pilgrimage for lovers.

Teggie eventually married the prince she was promised to, but she always remembered Dwynwen and the love they shared. It is said that on quiet nights, her ghostly figure can still be seen walking around the shores of Llyn Tegid, searching for her lost love. Or even swimming the waters in an amphibian form, perhaps?

What lurks beneath

And Teggie’s not the only mysterious beastie to be hiding under those glittering waters. There’s a giant otter too…

The Afanc, also known as Avanc, is a mystical creature of Welsh folklore, a water monster that lived in lakes and rivers.

DID YOU KNOW?

A hoof-print embedded in rock near Llyn Barfog is known as Carn March Arthur (‘the Stone of Arthur’s Horse’), said to be made as it hauled the Afanc from the lake

According to ancient Welsh stories, the Afanc was a large, aquatic beast that was said to resemble a beaver or a giant otter. However, it was much larger and more formidable than any normal animal, with a body that was covered in thick, scaly skin and a powerful tail that it used to swim through the water.

The Afanc lived in Llyn-yr-Afanc (‘the Afanc Pool’) in the River Conwy. It was a gigantic beast who, when annoyed, was strong enough to break the banks of the pool, causing fields to flood. Many attempts were made to kill him, but it seems that his hide was so tough that no spear, arrow or man-made weapon could pierce it. So, the story goes, the wise men of the valley held a meeting and decided that if force wouldn’t work, the Afanc must be enticed out of his pool and removed to a lake far away beyond the mountains, where he could cause no further trouble. The lake chosen to be the Afanc’s new home was Llyn Ffynnon Las, under the dark imposing shadow of Mount Snowdon.

In many of the stories, the Afanc was portrayed as a malevolent force, causing destruction and mayhem wherever it went. It was said to devour everything in its path, including livestock and even people. Locals who lived near the lakes and rivers where it was said to reside would take great care to avoid the creature, considered one of the most dangerous beasts in all of Wales.

Free the people

Despite its fearsome reputation, there were also tales of bravery and cunning that revolved around the Afanc. In one such story, a brave warrior by the name of Peredur defeated the monster by using his wit and cunning, tricking it into entering a trap that he had set up. He then slayed the beast, freeing the people from its tyranny.

Stories aside, the Afanc is an important symbol in Welsh folklore, seen as a representation of the power of nature and the unpredictability of the forces of the earth. People would often use tales of the Afanc to caution others about the dangers of ignoring the natural world, and to remind them to respecting the power of wild waters.

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