Radio 4 podcast produced by Bafflegab Productions, available on BBC Sounds

“I will leave if you want me to, but let me warn you: Donald won’t.”

What is it with beings called Donald who don’t know when it’s time to leave? The fear factor is cranked up in episode 3 as the rational explanations become more elusive.

No good investigation is conducted in isolation, and we are introduced to another poltergeist case from London – Enfield to be precise – in 1977. There are striking similarities in terms of the development of the ‘activity’ in both cases, from knocking sounds to levitation. Danny interviews two very credible and rational witnesses, one of whom was injured while photographing the Enfield home. I’ll leave you to listen to the episode to find out exactly how, and why it apparently wasn’t inflicted by a human.

Circling back to the human element of the story, should we believe Shirley? She’s receiving considerable press attention that heaps further pressure and stress on her family. It is suggested again that Shirley may be fabricating her imaginary poltergeist friend ‘Donald’ to get attention. However, one thing I can comment on, having been a teenage girl once, is that this isn’t the kind of attention any teenage girl is likely to want to court and the haunting being carried out by the photographers outside their home is just as unsettling as that within.

The reinforcement of the dread of ‘evil’ from her grandmother may be mentally unhealthy for Shirley, but it’s clear from a scene between the teenager and her Gran that guidance is being given out of love – but I’m not sure it hit home. Evelyn Hollow, one of the experts investigating, gives a convincing explanation that the pattern of poltergeist activity (and a possible reason for the consistency of the events in both of the London cases) is similar to typical behaviour to be expected of any person who cannot speak as they try to communicate or make contact with others. That makes spooky sense and I’m with Gran at this point, you don’t want to mess with a Donald, they are dangerous things.

Verdict: More questions than answers for sceptics as poltergeist activities come under the microscope.  9/10

Claire Smith

 

If you want to join in the interactive element, contact Danny Robins at batterseapoltergeist@bbc.co.uk and let him know what you think.