Goonhilly Ghost Story No.2
Real? Or a Tale? I cannot now remember who it was on the Shift Team who told me of a strange occurrence at Goonhilly, which could have been real, and, if true, could only have one explanation……
My second project at Goonhilly whilst continuing to work with George, was to install a new TV Console and all its test and monitor equipment in the new Operational Control Area (OCA) to handle Occasional TV programme transmissions between the UK and the other countries in the Satellite environment. As time went along, the TV and new Antenna Consoles became operational, and the personnel originally in the old experimental equipment area moved into the OCA proper on a 24hr shift routine, so we got to know them well as we continued completion of the TV system. To accommodate transmission bookings, we often worked well into the evenings so inevitably knew all of the shift team members. I can’t now remember how the topic came about, but one of them told me of a strange experience he had one night when on duty.
As a background to the occurrence, it is worth pointing out that the OCA was fairly central, and up a long curved corridor past new offices and to the far end of the new extension there was a Staff Restaurant which was unmanned out of normal working hours. However, to accommodate personnel on shift, there was a small preparation kitchen attached which was always open for them to prepare their evening and night meals during breaks. Overnight, the main corridor lights (as with all un-necessary lights) were turned off, so there was only dim light percolating from the two rooms at either end of the darkened corridor. With no obstructions ever in the corridor, the shift personnel were used to travelling up it without the lights on, relying on the dim glow from either end.
One night, the person who told the tale said that he was walking up for his evening meal, when he saw a shadowy figure come into view at the far end, and thinking that it was the security guard doing his rounds, approached unconcerned ready to greet him. As he neared the figure, he was surprised to see that it wasn’t the expected person, so spoke a challenge as he neared it. To his surprise, far from replying, the figure faded before him and disappeared, leaving him a trifle shocked. There were no further sightings, but it had left the person rather unsettled for future possible occurrences, which since has never been reported.
Looking back, the affected person then remembered that the apparition, from what could be made out, had seemed to be dressed in a very old style of clothes, but otherwise, he couldn’t remember much else…………..so, what was it? Maybe Goonhilly really has a Ghost!
Goonhilly is a sprawling complex, and at night it is largely deserted and you are unlikely to meet anyone if you have to head out of your immediate work area during night hours. In fact, it can be quite creepy wandering around if you ever had to on your own after dark, not least of which was the possibility of unsettling the shift personnel if they didn’t know you were still on site. Now the Goonhilly site is large (2.1 sq. miles area), with plenty of isolated areas to go to, so it was not unheard of that some people could “disappear” for a while if they wanted to avoid something or someone, but as far as I know, no-one could “disappear” by fading in sight of others (although, I’m sure, some would like to have been able to!). It was because of the dispersal possibility that a site-wide public address system was installed and used for many years before building pass cards were introduced.
I was not present at the encounter, but it helps to visualise what the person may have experienced, so I asked for help from one of the current resident GES Ltd. personnel, Michael, to take pictures of the area concerned. His efforts were ideal, as he was working late, and was able to take truly atmospheric pictures of the corridor roughly from the reported vantage point of the sighting.