Tidbits

"C R (Charles Reynolds) Bailey [1888-1991] was a very tweedy physical chemist [at University College London] with a military manner (some called him Colonel Bailey) and a distinct interest in the recreational aspects of organic chemistry. . . . .[He] developed an interest in Borely Rectory, often claimed to be "the most haunted house in England". There were also rumours that Bailey's sister was married to the Rector or possibly to one of the investigators of psychic phenomena engaged in researching Borley. John Dunderdale remembers that amongst other topics Bailey lectured on the Kinetic Theory of Gases, during which he was liable to show a photograph taken at Borely Rectory of a brick floating in mid air. This provided a demonstration of the fact that, although highly improbable, it was possible for all the atoms in a body to instantaneously move upwards. Various other photographs from the Rectory appeared at appropriate times."

One person would probably have taken on the role of verger, sexton, cleaner, bellringer etc. in a country church like Borley. curiously, the work was often done by the local builder, as building work was then seasonal, and the majority of deaths were in the winter months. - Andrew Clarke

I knew Mrs. Cecil Ryan Baines and her husband when they lived at Boar's Hill, Oxford and Yew Tree House, Bladbean, Canterbury and at their flat in London where I dined with them several times. She was the first choice as Harry Price's literary executor but didn't feel she could accept it and passed to Dr Paul Tabori. She conducted a lot of research into the theory involving a French nun or novice named Mary Lairre and Price stated in a broadcast [for the BBC] that he had rececived confirmation "from an investigator of mine" that Mary Lairre did live in the 17th century and that she did come to England. After [Mrs. Baines] death her papers went to Alan Gauld. She and I were among the first people to examine Prices' papers after his death. I have all my extensive correspondence with her and also the correspondence she had with Canon Phythian-Adams, who passed to me all his correspondence pertaining to Borley. She was a member of the old Ghost Club and I remember showing her round Borley on one occasion. A singular and interesting person. - Peter Underwood

The 11 September, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon of the United States has added an updated view of what might have motivated Marianne. Under desperate circumstances, people turn to one another for comfort in ways they would not normally do. As described in the October 1, 2001 Los Angles Times by Kathleen Kelleher, "terror sex has become a means for some to cope with terrifying feelings of fear, vulnerability and sadness. . . . Post-disaster sex is similar to sex that happens before, during and after war, said Pepper Schwartz, a University of Washington sociologist. There is a sense between departing soldiers and their partners that this sex may be the last. Many soldiers marry before they are sent off to war, not because they are magically seduced but because of something more instinctual, Schwartz said."

Marianne attended Mount Allison Ladies' College while living in Sackville, New Brunswick with Lionel. It has changed the name to Mount Allison University, and now has a web site. There is also a web site for Sackville.

I was closely associated with Borley from 1946 onwards and there was no sale of any Rectory furniture or effects to my knowledge. There was a sale of some effects at Chilton Lodge around the late 1960s that had once been at Borley Rectory such as Dodie's Diary and various pictures. The Chilton Lodge was demolished. - Peter Underwood. I know of no auction of my mother's furniture, nor of the Bulls. She would have taken all that belonged to her when she left in October 1935. The place was empty in 1937 when Harry Price took in his team of investigators.

The courtyard was bricked, and about 15 feet across. The stairs were accessed by walking through the main hall, and going to the right. The "nun" was never seen inside the house. The courtyard was accessed through the kitchen passage, which was a hallway to the right. There was also a door leading from the scullery. Other than the kitchen and the scullery, no other rooms - such as a parlor - were adjacent to the courtyard. What many have come to regard as the "front" lawn was actually on the South side of the house. The drive would have been on the east side, near the front door, and connected to the main road in two places.

My mother and I came to the United States on the George Washington Goethals. The Goethals started as a merchant ship but was converted to a troop ship for WWII. It was named in honor of Maj Gen George Washington Goethals, who successfully engineered yhe construction of the Panama Canal. The ship was again altered in 1946 for carrying military dependents. A typical voyage would include 273 adults and 179 children. In early August of 1946, one of those adults was Marianne Emily Rebecca Shaw Greenwood Foyster Fisher O'Neil. One of those children was Robert Vincent O'Neil III.

Over the years, many people have reported seeing different images within the various photographs taken at Borley, including people in the windows. The Henry Bull family was a large one, with up to 14 children, servants, relatives, and constant visitors. It would not be unusual to see faces at the windows.

Sir Edward Waldegrave was imprisoned for "refusing to inform Princess Mary that Mass must not be held in her household," and later for "holding Mass in Borley Hall."

The haunting of Langenhoe Church, some 20 miles from Borley and also, as it happens, formerly owned by the Waldegrave family, was well witnessed and thoroughly investigated. Of special interest was the rescue circle in which the trance medium May Lampard supposedly incorporated a number of earthbound entities who were persuaded to move on. - Guy Lyon Playfair

No treasures existed. If Gregson had a record, he would have used it to find the "artifacts." Subsequent extensive and repeated digs have produced nothing from treasure hunters, historians, and the curious.

[There is] a Metal band called 'Borley Rectory' - Jamas Enright