Fitz

recounting that as he spoke the last words of the rites the apparition disappeared and the heaviness went out of the atmosphere he declared that the menace of kettleness was ended but unfortunately the schoolmaster never recovered from the shock and went on to suffer a breakdown Of course, this makes a great story, especially for a self-proclaimed exorcist recounting his life's work.

recounting that as he spoke the last words of the rites the apparition disappeared and the heaviness went out of the atmosphere he declared that the menace of kettleness was ended but unfortunately the schoolmaster never recovered from the shock and went on to suffer a breakdown Of course, this makes a great story, especially for a self-proclaimed exorcist recounting his life's work.

But is there any truth to it? And did the Reverend really end the terror of the Kettle Ness Shore? Well, we should probably bear in mind that this account comes from a man who also claims to have exorcised Loch Ness and the Bermuda Triangle. But that doesn't discount the Barghest legend itself. And when we look into it a bit further, it gets very strange and maybe a little sad.

But is there any truth to it? And did the Reverend really end the terror of the Kettle Ness Shore? Well, we should probably bear in mind that this account comes from a man who also claims to have exorcised Loch Ness and the Bermuda Triangle. But that doesn't discount the Barghest legend itself. And when we look into it a bit further, it gets very strange and maybe a little sad.

It's time to leave Tate Hill Sands behind us now and follow the route taken by both the Black Dog of the Dimitri and Mina to our next location, the churchyard at the top of the cliff. And to do so, we need to ascend the famous 199 steps. an absolutely iconic landmark, no one is exactly sure just how old the 199 steps are.

It's time to leave Tate Hill Sands behind us now and follow the route taken by both the Black Dog of the Dimitri and Mina to our next location, the churchyard at the top of the cliff. And to do so, we need to ascend the famous 199 steps. an absolutely iconic landmark, no one is exactly sure just how old the 199 steps are.

The first written mention of them dates back to 1370, but they are very likely older, leading as they do up to the Church of St Mary's, which was built in the 12th century, and of course Whitby Abbey, founded in the 7th century.

The first written mention of them dates back to 1370, but they are very likely older, leading as they do up to the Church of St Mary's, which was built in the 12th century, and of course Whitby Abbey, founded in the 7th century.

The original steps were made of wood and were described as being brightly painted but these are long gone now having been replaced with stone in 1774 and it's this stone staircase that Mina would have encountered on the last stage of her frantic dash to Lucy's side.

The original steps were made of wood and were described as being brightly painted but these are long gone now having been replaced with stone in 1774 and it's this stone staircase that Mina would have encountered on the last stage of her frantic dash to Lucy's side.

The staircase is wide, wide enough for four or five people abreast, and 19th century writers indicate that even in Bram Stoker's time, this width was necessary to accommodate a high volume of foot traffic. In 1835, Sir George Head described this common scene on the church steps.

The staircase is wide, wide enough for four or five people abreast, and 19th century writers indicate that even in Bram Stoker's time, this width was necessary to accommodate a high volume of foot traffic. In 1835, Sir George Head described this common scene on the church steps.

these steps may be seen every sunday covered from top to bottom with old and young parents at the decline of life children at its commencement both together surmounting the arduous ascent and wending their way up to the sacred edifice For many years St Mary's, the Norman church at the top of the cliff, was the only parish church for several miles, serving many of the surrounding villages.

these steps may be seen every sunday covered from top to bottom with old and young parents at the decline of life children at its commencement both together surmounting the arduous ascent and wending their way up to the sacred edifice For many years St Mary's, the Norman church at the top of the cliff, was the only parish church for several miles, serving many of the surrounding villages.

And even as the years went on and chapels started springing up around the area to fulfil the needs of a growing population, the parishioners still generally owed allegiance to the Mother Church of St Mary's and would therefore have to travel the distance to Whitby and traverse the 199 steps to be baptised, married or indeed buried.

And even as the years went on and chapels started springing up around the area to fulfil the needs of a growing population, the parishioners still generally owed allegiance to the Mother Church of St Mary's and would therefore have to travel the distance to Whitby and traverse the 199 steps to be baptised, married or indeed buried.

We stand at the bottom of the staircase, the steps worn smooth from hundreds of years of use, wide, shallow grooves carved into the stone at the far edges by a million feet that chose the path nearest the thin iron handrail. On the right-hand side, as we stand at the bottom of the steps looking up, a broad, cobbled ramp follows the staircase's ascent, and this is known as the donkey track,

We stand at the bottom of the staircase, the steps worn smooth from hundreds of years of use, wide, shallow grooves carved into the stone at the far edges by a million feet that chose the path nearest the thin iron handrail. On the right-hand side, as we stand at the bottom of the steps looking up, a broad, cobbled ramp follows the staircase's ascent, and this is known as the donkey track,

and is a route well used by our hooved friends throughout the years, many of them in more recent decades on their way to give donkey rides on the beach to holidaying children. Buildings and houses run all the way up to, and seemingly into, the side of the steps and donkey track.

and is a route well used by our hooved friends throughout the years, many of them in more recent decades on their way to give donkey rides on the beach to holidaying children. Buildings and houses run all the way up to, and seemingly into, the side of the steps and donkey track.