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Why mum is putting haunted Folkestone rocking horse up for sale with Canterbury Auction Galleries

By: Gerry Warren gwarren@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 21 July 2023

Updated: 13:18, 21 July 2023

A “spooky” old rocking horse said to have transported itself from room to room is coming up for sale at a Kent auction house.

The early 20th century curio is being sold by the great-granddaughter of its original owner Dick Godden – a renowned medium of the time who used it in his Folkestone home to help summon the spirits.

The ghostly rocking horse being sold by Canterbury Auction Galleries. Picture: Canterbury Auction Galleries

The wooden grey dappled horse, possibly by the maker Lines, is listed by the Canterbury Auction Galleries to sell for between £200 and £300 at the sale on July 30.

But its owner, Kelly, who does not want to be fully named, says she cannot sell it without a potential buyer knowing its paranormal past.

“I really feel that whoever bids on it should know, even though I realise that might put some people off,” she said.

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Dick Godden, a renowned medium, used the rocking horse in his Folkestone home to help summon the spirits. Picture submitted by family

The mum, who is in her mid-30s, says the rocking horse has been handed down through the family but her 10-year-old daughter is not keen to ride it.

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She said: “I remember playing on it as a child and it never bothered me – but she’s just never been drawn to it, which is surprising.”

The mum often hears a banging noise coming from upstairs, even though there is no one up there… Picture: Canterbury Auction Galleries

Kelly recalls stories from her grandmother about how the rocking horse would be in a certain place in one room when she went out but had moved, even as far as the landing, when she returned – even though no one else was in the property.

Her great-grandfather Mr Godden held seances in his home and was also a ghost hunter who believed a little girl called Angela was playing on the horse.

He is recorded in a book called Phantom Ladies by Andrew Green as being involved in identifying a ghost in an old Folkestone theatre and picture house. The spirit was said to be the haunting mother of a little boy who was killed when a light fell on him.

Kelly says that although the rocking horse, now on her landing, has not moved, she often hears a banging noise coming from upstairs while she is working.

The mum who inherited the rocking horse is selling it – because her daughter has no interest in playing with it. Picture: Canterbury Auction Galleries

“It’s often quite loud, as if someone is walking around, but there’s no one up there,” she said

“I’m sure some people will think I’m crazy but I just feel uneasy having it about the place, especially as my daughter isn’t interested in it.”

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