It's that time of year when things go bump in the night and ghouls roam the streets… Wales is full of crumbling castles and ancient legends, with more than a few originating in Bridgend County. Here are just a handful of truly scary local tales - you might want to leave the light on tonight…
The Lost Village of Treganlaw
Beneath the mighty sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr Warren lies the lost village of Treganlaw (Welsh for 'the town of a hundred hands'). What unfortunate end came to it and its inhabitants is not known, but there is the distinct possibility that it was smothered by the moving sands from the nearby dunes.
Many legends and stories have been woven around the decaying ruins of nearby Candleston Castle, mysteriously positioned in its eerie setting surrounded by stark windswept trees being strangled by the ever-encroaching sand. The truth is that it was not a castle at all but a fortified manor house that once belonged to the Norman family of Cantelupes (Running Wolves).
The Rose and Crown
The Rose and Crown is situated opposite what was once an ancient graveyard with a chapel nearby. The old Celtic village green was given to the community in 1983 by the owners of Nottage Court, specifically for public use.
The Rose and Crown has eight rooms, and because it was and still is a hotel and restaurant and due to the age and history of the building, many unsuspecting visitors have stated that they have encountered ghostly happenings while others have suggested strange events at the dead of night as well as the feeling of being watched.
The spirit of a little boy is known to mischievously roam around the building, making noises and sending objects crashing to the floor. The old clock behind the bar fell to the floor on one occasion yet there was no one in that area. Could this have been the little boy, or just a coincidence of time?
The cellar also seems to attract ghostly activity, with objects vanishing and later being found in different places. A past employee reported seeing the image of a lady wearing an apron and sporting her hair in a tight bun. The Rose and Crown does seem to live up to its reputation as a magnet for ghosts.
The Jolly Sailor
At the other extreme of the town is the ancient village of Newton which was the areas first and natural port discovered by the Romans. It was this closeness to the sea that made it a major smuggler's haunt.
The Jolly Sailor has been associated with ghostly activity for many years.
A burly sailor with rosy cheeks and a wide grin has been seen in the lounge area. He appears to be holding a drink, which could cause bewildered witnesses to retreat at pace from the premises.
A distressed lady holding a baby has been seen on a number of occasions in the corner of the room while the spooky vision of a lady has been seen rushing at speed through the lounge, only to disappear at the blink of an eye.