30 East Drive looks like every other house on the street, but this modest semi-detached home hides a dark secret. It is home to one of the most violent poltergeists in the world – The Black Monk of Pontefract.
History of 30 East Drive
The Pritchard family moved into 30 East Drive, Pontefract, in August 1966, and it was not long before they began to experience paranormal phenomena.
Mysterious pools of water appeared on the kitchen floor, green sludge spewed out of the taps, and a strange layer of chalk-like dust fell from the ceiling, baffling East Drive’s newest residents.
As the activity escalated, a prominent shadowy figure was seen moving through the house, and their dream family home quickly became a nightmare.
The terrified Pritchards soon called in an exorcist, but the attempted house clearances filled the spirit with anger, and the haunting became increasingly violent.
Items were thrown from an upstairs window, a large grandfather clock was thrown down the stairs, and a solid wood sideboard was toppled before the poltergeist, given the moniker Fred by the family, set his sights on the youngest daughter Diane.
She quickly became the focus of the haunting, and the activity took an even darker turn when she was dragged up the stairs by unseen hands, leaving her traumatized and with visible red marks on her throat.
It eventually became too much for the Pritchard family, who sold up and moved on, but the activity continued in the empty house.
A neighbour reported thuds and banging on the wall, once calling the police in the belief somebody had broken in.
The Black Monk of Pontefract
The house is reportedly haunted by The Black Monk of Pontefract, or “Fred.”
The evil spirit, dubbed the most violent poltergeist in the world, is rumored to be a Cluniac monk from the Priory of St. John the Evangelist, founded in 1090 by Robert de Lacy, 2nd Baron of Pontefract.
It is alleged he was hanged for rape in the days of Henry VIII and was buried nearby in an ancient well.
Much of the reported violent activity occurred in Diane’s old bedroom. The bed has been broken, the room has been completely trashed, and visitors have been physically attacked.
Katrina Weidman, from the US paranormal show Paranormal Lockdown, was scratched in the property and claimed it is home to “a phenomenon that defies the laws of science.”
Ghost sightings at 30 East Drive
While The Black Monk is the most prominent ghost in 30 East Drive, it is also believed a female spirit haunts the house.
Visitors have reported feeling sick in the oppressive atmosphere of the upper floor while demonic, growling sounds and heavy footsteps have been heard.
The coal house also has a negative spirit that has been known to lock unsuspecting guests in, leaving them traumatized.
With an abundance of ghosts and violent paranormal activity, this modest former council house is without question the most haunted house in Pontefract and one of the most haunted places in England.
East Drive FAQ
Here are some answers to the commonly asked questions about East Drive
30 East Drive is a modest 1950’s ex-council property in the historic market town of Pontefract in West Yorkshire, England.
Yes. Several ghost-hunting companies regularly run Ghost Hunts at the spooky property. Events do sell out quickly, given the popularity of this infamous location.
Several ghost hunt companies offer an overnight stay option for those brave enough! Haunted Happenings are there most Thursdays and Sundays – with the possibility of a sleepover at the weekend.
Film producer Bill Bungay owns the property. He purchased the notorious property in 2012 to promote a horror film, “When the Lights Went Out,” based on the Pritchard’s paranormal experiences in the property. While Bill does not live at 30 East Drive, he claims to have had frightening encounters with the Black Monk of Pontefract, who is still believed to be active on the property.
Nobody currently lives at the property. However, it is possible to stay the night by booking with a professional ghost-hunting team that offers an overnight sleepover option.
