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Dunkenhalgh first appears in recorded history in 1285, but has probably
existed for some time before then. In 1332 it came into the hands
of the Rishton family who held it for nearly for 250 years. Some time
between 1332 and 1376 the Rishtons removed from Rishton to the Dunkenhalgh,
but unfortunately nothing is known of the house. However, it is reasonable
to expect that the new owners, being a family of much property, would
even enlarge or rebuild it.
The
oak panelling in the Oak Room came from Hacking Hall, Billington,
another property belonging to the estate, and the fine staircase
dates from the early eighteenth century. There are several interesting
family portraits in the Portrait Room.
In
our grandfathers time many a fearful and furtive glance was cast
around by people compelled to pass the hotel after nightfall. Not
“for love nor money” could anyone be prevailed upon to
pas that way at the witching hour of midnight on Christmas Eve.
A ghost
or boggart is supposed to appear every Christmas Eve in the form
of a young lady, dressed in a winding sheet, who moves along the
trees and by the site of the bridge, then disappears. The story
goes that in olden times, when the Petre family were in their heyday,
they had a young French lady as governess to their children, known
to all the countryside as Lucette.
One
Christmas there came a dashing young officer who fell in love with
Lucette, soon found a way to woo her, and gained her affections.
But he never intended to marry her.The
deceiver rode away after he had accomplished her ruin and promised
to return.
The
promise was false and Lucette realised that Dunkenhalgh was no place
for her but did not dare go home to France. Often she wandered about
in the gloaming, through the glades where her false lover had gone.
Her reason failed at last and one stormy night she wandered to the
bridge and threw herself into the rushing torrents.
But
her lover did not escape; he was killed in a duel by her brother,
who thus avenged the death of his sister. Her ghost is still said
to haunt the scene of her unfortunate love on Christmas Eve.
Have
you had a ghostly experience in Lancashire? Tell us your spooky
stories.
The
views expressed on this page are those of the contributor and
the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the BBC.
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