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The Phantom Party
If there's one thing to be said for Robert Cooke of the village of Digby in Lincolnshire it's that he knows how to throw a jolly good party.
This is a welcome ability in anyone, but in this case it is most impressive for Squire Cooke has been dead these past two centuries. It is his ghost which throws the parties for his fellow phantoms. And it is no wonder for Squire Cooke has the largest and most impressive tomb in the churchyard of Digby.
Squire Cooke was born in 1746 as the Georgian period was getting into its stride. Like many other gentlemen of his period, Squire Cooke enjoyed a booming prosperity based on the gathering pace of the industrial and agricultural revolutions that ensured ready markets for the food he was growing on his broad acres around Digby.
By all accounts, Robert Cooke was not one to hoard his gold. His house became famous for its hospitality and for the good time to be had there. Local families vied for invitations to the Cooke home and the matrons eyed up the Squire's growing son as a good marriage prospect for their daughters.
The merry life obviously agreed with Robert Cooke for he lived to be 72 years old, a most respectable age for the 18th century. His wealth was still intact for his heirs had enough money to pay for a large stone table tomb in the churchyard. On the tomb they proudly described the deceased Squire as being "Robert Cooke, Gentleman" and gave the dates of his birth and his death.
It was not long before the stories began to circulate. Squire Cooke had been preceded to his tomb by most of his boyhood friends. Now, it was said, the old squire was inviting his pals to visit just as he had done when alive. And the parties, they said, were every bit as impressive.
All you had to do to hear the venerable old squire and his friends was run backwards around the tomb twelve times, then listen. If Squire Cooke was partying you could clearly hear the clink of glasses and the sound of merrymaking.
Ghosthunter came to Digby on a dull day in early spring. The low clouds threatened rain and the odd drop of drizzle blew in across the open fields. It was not difficult to find the tomb of Robert Cooke for it stands with three other large table-tombs just to the left to the path leading from the street to the church.
Ghosthunter was at first confused by the fact that there are two Robert Cooke's buried here, but it is the older gentleman who is said to be the phantom party-giver. Gamely following local legend, Ghosthunter ran backwards around the tomb 12 times. This is no mean feat for the ground is uneven and Ghosthunter tripped twice.
Having completed the task, Ghosthunter paused to listen. Sure enough there came the sound of clinking glasses, merry laughter and chattering voices. Somebody was certainly having a jolly good time.
It was not, however, Squire Cooke and his ghostly friends - at least not this time. The noise was coming from the Red Lion just beside the churchyard. Not being known for his refusal of a good lunch, Ghosthunter followed the sounds to the bar of the Red Lion where he enjoyed a meal every bit as good as old Squire Cooke could have wished for.
And he found that Digby has more than one ghost haunting its lanes, but that is another story.
To reach Digby, take the A513 north from Sleaford, signposted to Skegness. A couple of miles outside town the main road bends sharp right, but you want to go straight on along the B1186 heading north. This road skirts Ruskington then head straight north past Dorrington. Where the B road passes a couple of houses there is a turning to the right signposted "Digby". Take this road and the churchyard is a couple of hundred yards on your left. The Red Lion is just beyond, again on the left.
