Photos have shown how crowds flocked into a Kent church to see ancient relics and chilling stories up close at a newly launched creepy celebration. The City of Ghosts Festival made its debut in Canterbury on Saturday, October 3, taking over the St Gregory’s Church just off Military Road for a day of hair-raising tales, fascinating talks and spine-chilling performances.
Organisers set out to celebrate 320 years of the ‘Modern Ghost Story’, which is said to have started in Canterbury with “The Apparition of Mrs Veal.” Originally published as a pamphlet in 1706, this spine-tingling fable is set within the historic Kent city and is just one of our county’s many links to frightening fiction.
Reacting to the success of the inaugural event, organiser, screenwriter and author T.W. Burgess said: “The response was overwhelmingly positive! Which was particularly encouraging given this was our first year.
“Seeing such a wide array of ghost story fans together with academics, historians, writers, performers and prop makers was a real treat. We also had academics from around the UK attend including the North and even the USA!
“It was especially pleasing seeing how many connected and engaged with the event and have reached out to say how much they enjoyed it.
“In particular, the University of Kent have been phenomenal in supporting the event. With their archives and arts department really showing support for the event.
“The feedback has certainly given me confidence that there’s an audience for something like this in Canterbury which is already seen as the home of the modern ghost story.”
Off the back of the event’s success, Thom hopes City of Ghosts will become an “annual fixture” of the Canterbury calendar and is optimistic about the festival’s future.
For those looking for another spooky fix before the end of October, Burgess has also worked on a walking ghost tour of Canterbury, created in collaboration with Canterbury BID.
The trail is running until October 31, making it a perfect Halloween activity for little ones to enjoy, and can be started by downloading the free Canterbury & Coast app.
Take a look at some of the highlights from the first City of Ghosts Festival with the gallery of images below.
