Hum Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Is this the ghostly figure of a servant in an old English home? Or is the spooky image a trick of the light? A photograph taken in the home of Dr Edward Jenner, the man who invented the smallpox vaccine, has stunned experts. Seen through the doorway of the attic, it appears a portly man is sitting in a chair between two beds. And in a picture taken four days later, there is just an empty space, and not even a chair, between the beds. Staff at the house in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, believe it is the spirit of one of Dr Jenner's servants. The image was taken by a BBC photographer who was visiting the Jenner Birthplace Museum. The attic where the ghostly picture was taken has never before been open to the public. Photographer Chris Sandys said: 'I don't believe in ghosts myself but this is strange. 'As soon as I'd taken the panoramic photo, I reviewed the image on the camera, and straight away noticed this strange formation of light, shaped like a figure, through the doorway in the next room. 'Without moving I did a few takes to try and work out what had caused it but couldn't see anything. It was so weird.' Cynics might question the timing of the picture's release as the museum has just launched a new exhibition called Ghosts In the Attic: From Smallpox To MMR. But staff insist the ghostly figure is no fake. 'We are truly flabbergasted by the image,' said museum curator Sarah Parker. 'We have graffiti from soldiers previously billeted in the attic rooms from the 19th and 20th centuries and perhaps this is one of them or even one of Jenner's servants. 'We have always thought of the "ghosts" as being metaphoric but maybe we need to think again... 'You can basically see through a doorway what looks like a figure reclining in a chair, only there is no chair there. 'I don't know whether I believe in ghosts or not but I've never seen a ghost, certainly not in the attic.' The museum is now planning tours of the attic, including a night-time Halloween visit. Dr Edward Jenner, who was born in 1749, is credited with inventing vaccination. He lived in the Grade II-listed building from 1785 until his death in 1823 and it was here that he pioneered world-changing vaccination against smallpox. Nearby Berkeley Castle is also said to be haunted. The ghost and screams of Edward II are said to be seen and heard at night. He was tortured to death at the castle with a red-hot poker. :blink: source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincent Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 What spooky image? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bauhaus Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 You mean the light playing tricks with the dust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brentaal Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I found the pony in the bottom left corner far more interesting than the "ghost". Maybe because there is no ghost? :iiam: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob21 Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 The museum is now planning tours of the attic, including a night-time Halloween visit. :busted: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappy Veteran Posted May 20, 2009 Veteran Share Posted May 20, 2009 I see dust in the light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted May 20, 2009 Member Share Posted May 20, 2009 I vote for a trick of light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted May 20, 2009 Author Share Posted May 20, 2009 If I were a ghost I'd find a better place to hang out than the attic. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Delta Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 The museum is now planning tours of the attic, including a night-time Halloween visit. This stinks of publicity stunt to me If I were a ghost I'd find a better place to hang out than the attic. ;) Yeah, like a dressing room full of fit girls :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreuger Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 What appears to be where it's "legs" are, the colour seems to be the same as on the wall in the room with the horse (or at least the lower portion). I don't believe it either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sethos Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 IT'S A GHOST HORSE!!!1 ... Oh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 There is a suggestion of 2 (male ?) ghosts in the first photo ... one wearing a belt: And where is the air dust in the later photo ? No, I am not trying to convince anyone -- decide for yourselves. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lamp0 Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 ha, that's a bit of a stretch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacer Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I absolutely believe in ghosts, having seen more than one myself. But the timing of this screams publicity stunt. Maybe it's swamp gas? :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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