“I have found during my investigations that the spirits of the lost do not only congregate in the places you expect, hallowed ground of churches where their bodies have been laid would be ones first conclusion. But it would seem places of tragic events, sinister deeds and places of misfortune draw spirits to them, these places are where tortured souls reside. Are they seeking revenge perhaps or as I am increasingly to believe trying to tell their tales of misfortune as a warning to others.

In the darkest parts of the city hidden from view, resided the poorer members of the great city. Dilapidated houses within a maze of secret passages and ginnels, overcrowd conditions, disease was rife in these slum areas. Many unfortunates that lived there were children, unwanted or orphaned their parents slaves to the drink or taken by lord early due to the unsanitary conditions, cholera and tuberculosis often took the residents. Leaving the most vulnerable to exploitation and suffering, abused by the truly wicked.

One such ramshackle place was the area of the city known to locals as Bedern, meaning “house of payer”, a stones throw from the Cathedral this slum area harbour to some of the city’s most unfortunate. In the 1800’s when this tale unraveled workhouses and orphanages which were to offer protection to the most down trodden, but life can often throw a cruel twist of fate and those that should protect are often the most insidious. I should introduce you to the one I refer, the rotund and vile Mr George Pimm. He was in charge of York Industrial Ragged School hundreds of misfortunate wretches from the city came to be in his care. Paid a coin for each of those, to spend on their upkeep and welfare. Mr Pimm was a greedy and selfish individual and not only did he hold on to most of the coin provided by the church for the betterment of his charges, he often for a fee, of course let local farmers and chimney sweeps use the children in his care as workers. This additional work, poor rations, hygiene and the cruel and savage beatings dished out by Pimm, often lead to the untimely deaths of the poor unfortunates. Pimm however did not inform his benefactors in the church of the demise of these wretched souls, as he was happy to still receive the coin given for their care. So instead of a proper burial he hid the bodies within the walls and even cupboards within the Orphanage to dispose of at a later time.

A harsh winter was upon the workhouse and the tiny bodies had reached fourteen in number, the smell of decay was invasive. Pimm who was often under the influence of strong liquor was increasingly aware of the souls of the dead he was surrounded by and soon he began to hear the chatter of the growing number of voices, later turning to screams. The winter frost prevented Pimm from burying the tiny corpses in a secluded spot, so was forced to live with the bodies around him. Suspicions arose about Pimm and his now erratic behaviour. There followed an investigation into the conditions within the school by the church Pimm questioned the investigators if they too could hear the screaming and voices. His crimes were soon discovered and he was sent to the Lunatic asylum where the screams of his victims overwhelmed him into taking his own live within its walls.

There have been many tales of encounters in the back alleys of Bedern the giggles of children at play, the tugging of clothing when walking down these back streets as though a small hand of a child was trying to get your attention. Strangely the reports I have heard only report of the giggles and chatter of children at play, no screams to be heard. May-haps the screams of the orphans of Bedern were only saved for the evil patriarch George Pimm and once he had removed himself from the world, the children could be children once more.

I have come to the scene where it said many have encountered the lost souls of Bedern. Still an area of the city where one should be ill at ease as many scoundrels and Lady’s of ill virtue walk, perhaps more aptly staggered the cobbled streets. I am reluctant to take out my bejewelled clockwork lantern in such a squalid place, I have brought my concealed sword within my walking stick which In hope will deter any who may try their luck with me. As the purple glow fills the street I spot upon a rooftop seemingly uncaring or unaware of the scene below I spied the local legend, “White Paws” the ratter. He is not a ghostly form, but below in the street the beam picks out scurrying forms of what looks like several of his I assumed victims materialised in ghostly forms float about the street baring the scars of his violent authority. I wondered if these forms are somehow linked to their executioner, white paw, as surely the streets would be awash with ghostly rats from previous ratters over the years. It is then, framed in the covered passage that leads to the back streets I spy a large ghostly form, clutching in his shrouded hand a bottle perhaps the cheapest type of bathtub gin. The form looks nervous then I see what is causing the dismay from every window and doorway small spirits seem to reach forward towards the figure I counted fourteen poor souls, their angry faces pointed on the direction of the rotund figure. Fourteen ghosts, accounts for the number of victims and bodies found within the workhouse after Pimm’s incarceration, their little shrouds torn just below the eye holes to form a grimace or twisted scream. This is removed from the tales of happy giggles and the chatter of children I have heard of, the tugs on passers by’s clothing perhaps an invitation to join their play. Perhaps I have witnessed the deserved hell in which the soul of the despicable Pimm resides. Beyond the covered passageway at the far side of the street I spy the top hatted man with the bandaged face, his appearance at yet another site of ghostly activity troubles me deeply and my curiosity is pricked by what his involvement in this other world. As always when he makes an appearance I feel that I may be delving into truths or mysteries which I should not, my unease grows with each encounter.”