Hauntings

Benny'r Fiddler and the Penhydd Ghost

Also known as: Benjamin Williams the fiddler

Penhydd Farm, near Pontrhydyfen

Early nineteenth century

Penhydd Farm was troubled by a ghost in the early nineteenth century. The household called on Benjamin Williams, known as Benny'r Fiddler because he made violins and often played at festivities and weddings, and, it seems, at exorcisms too.

Benny played at the farm on three successive nights. After the third night the spirit left and was not heard of again. The Great British Ghost Tour concludes, reasonably enough, that the ghost did not care for violin music.

The three nights echo the usual pattern of ghost-laying in Welsh tradition, where the ritual is repeated three times. What is unusual is the tool. It may reflect a local man's reputation as much as any real ceremony, but it is a pleasing variation on a common theme.

Penhydd is farmland near Pontrhydyfen; the farm is not precisely located here and should be treated as private.
Evidence
Long-standing local tradition
Access
Private property
Location
51.634, -3.738 (Parish-level only, treat as an area)

Sources: Great British Ghost Tour, "Haunted Pontrhydyfen" [other]

View on the map →

Comments

Loading…