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From the
https://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk by Ian · 1 December, 2009 - Updated 14 November, 2018.
White Hart, Crystal Palace.
On 4th March 2009 the following article by Jennifer Heape entitled
Crystal Palace pub’s strange basement ‘haunted by girl’, appeared in
the Streatham Guardian.
Deep beneath the White Hart pub in Crystal Palace rumours of secret
tunnels, hauntings and witchcraft abound.
The subject of the speculation is the mysterious basement under the
Church Street local.
Full-sized, decorative windows runs along one wall – yet there is no
natural light. There are large guttering-like pipes, doors which
only lock from one side and a small room which looks like an outside
privy – but the room is sealed shut and situated one storey under
the street.
The mystery continues as rooms lead to more rooms. The strange
evidence piles up with eerie tunnels and shafts leading into the
darkness and ancient, rusty chains hanging from the walls.
“No one can figure out what it is,” said Mark McLaughan, manager of
the White Hart.
“I always thought it was just where the staff used to live, but
after seeing those chains it looks more like a torture chamber.”
He added: “I’ve heard tales that there used to be a tunnel that ran
to the "Alma" pub across the street and even to the
"Queen’s Hotel" half
a mile away.”
The bizarre basement has left local historian Melville Harrison
stumped, despite his 30 year experience as an expert on Crystal
Palace.
“I haven’t a clue what it could be. I’m completely gobsmacked,” he
said.
“Why would anyone want to put something down there? They must have
been doing something they didn’t want anyone to see, something
secretive.
“It makes me think it could be something like a secret society
meeting place, or even witchcraft.”
Across the road at the "Alma" pub, where the alleged tunnel runs,
locals Terry Mulholland and Ray Tucker add their theory: “Maybe the
tunnel was used for smuggling. So when the cops came they could move
whatever they were hiding to the other basement.”
“It’s haunted too,” said Mr Tucker. “People say there’s a ghost of a
little girl down there.”
According to Liz Kennedy, who helps her son Charlie run the "Alma,"
one previous manager got so scared in the basement she refused to
ever go down there again.
“I don’t know what spooked her, but she was in a real state,” she
explained. “You get a funny feeling down there with shivers and
stuff.
“I don’t mind it though. Sometimes I even leave out sweets or crisps
for her and I always say hi when I go down there.”
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