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In February of 1926, there were, for a short time, most remarkable happenings at "The Forge" at Finchampstead, thatched cottages occupied by a wheelwright and carpenter, George Goswell, his wife and two daughters, aged 16 and 14 respectively. For 15 years, life had been normal. Then, without warning, chaos ruled.

First a bath containing tins was overturned, scattering the tins. Tables were moved, chairs turned somersaults, pictures dropped from walls. A large tin trunk was upset and emptied, a perambulator insisted upon lying upon its side, cycles refused to remain upright. When bricks that fell out of a wall were replaced with mortar, no sooner were backs turned than all dropped out again. Bedclothes were dragged across a room. Small objects were flung about. None of this, by the way, occurred at night.

Psychic investigators held a conference on the scene but, by then, the trouble had ceased. Nevertheless, Professor S. Ward of Wokingham insisted that there had been a normal mild case of poltergeist. It appeared that furniture had moved after one of the daughters, unconscious of her "influence" had passed by. Commented Professor Ward, "the kind of force brought into play to bring about such happenings is unknown to any science of which we are possessed."

Edited from Mercury Country Tales No. 67 (approx. 1955)