The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #89451   Message #1688437
Posted By: George Papavgeris
08-Mar-06 - 02:34 PM
Thread Name: BS: I don't believe in ghosts - BUT
Subject: RE: BS: I don't believe in ghosts - BUT
Les Sullivan has a wonderful story he tells, relating to TOC-H, or Talbot House, in Popperinge (near Ypres in Flanders), a resting-stop for soldiers in WWI. It was established and run by a military priest, "Tubby" Clayton, who was a fascinating character. The place is still run today, partly as a museum, put you can stay there overnight in one of the rooms (I did). Tubby's old room is on the 2nd floor (3rd for Americans).

Les wrote a lovely song about the history of TOC-H and Tubby Clayton, and on his next visit to Talbot House he sang the song to the (then) steward of the house, Philippe, on the 2nd floor landing.

As Les finished singing, the door to Tubby's room slowly opened by itself, and there was a distinct aroma of pipe smoke (Tubby used to smoke a pipe, though the house nowadays is smoke-free of course)...

I, and others who herd Les' wonderful song and have visited the place, would like to think that the gratified spirit of Tubby was giving him his full attention.