For two or three years in the early seventies, local papers reguarly reported sightings of the unexplained aerial phenomena which was to become know as The Phantom Helicopter. This unusual apparition was regularly spotted or heard, sometimes in the Longdendale/High Peak area although sightings were recorded as far away as Cheshire.
Police actually tracked the object on several occasions and at one stage up to seven police forces were investigating sightings of the supernatural 'copter.
It was finally said to have landed at Goostrey in Cheshire, near the Jodrell Bank radio-telescope, and was never sighted again.
The mystery still remains unsolved.
The Woodhead Tunnel
During the construction of the Woodhead Tunnel, which opened in the middle of the last century and was cut through the stubborn rock of the Pennines, many workers lost their lives. Perhaps because of this history, it has been suggested that the tunnel and surrounding area must therefore be haunted by the spirits of those who died. However, no actual reports of ghosts have been recorded, although there have been sightings in that area of the Longdendale Lights.
Why then include this information on site? Well, all 'ghost stories' must start somewhere and perhaps this is a perfect example of how an area develops a reputation for being 'haunted', with people picking up on a historical fact and then embroidering it with supernatural connotations. The tunnel and the connection with those that lost their lives seems to be exciting interest in some quarters and it may be only a matter of time before reports of ghostly workers start appearing in the local press and other places.
I received a very enjoyable account of one man's ramble up there and he included this comment about his expedition:
"No ghosts were reported. However, since electricity cables run through the old tunnels and are cooled by being laid in a trough of water, on cold still winter days, the warm water vapour rises through the old ventilation shafts and manifests itself as ghostly columns of steam, as if an express train had run though."
This could be a perfectly natural explanation for the spooky reputation of the tunnel.
The Phantom Lorry, A57
The events surrounding this haunting place in 1929-30 along a stretch of the A57, the road which crosses the Pennines through the Peak District from Manchester to Sheffield.
According to local stories a Phantom Lorry haunted the area between Hyde and Mottram-in-Longdendale and during the time it was active over sixteen major road accidents took place resulting in three deaths and many more injuries.
