The Green House, Wallington | A Ghost Story by Allen Upward | A Bitesized Audio Production
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- The owner of the Green House is unable to sell or let it due to persistent rumours that it is haunted. In desperation he approaches a London estate agency, Hargreaves & Mortimer, and Mr. Hargreaves senses an opportunity to gain a valuable property at a bargain price - if only he can get to the bottom of the ghost mystery...
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
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There is not a great deal of reliable biographical information available about George Allen Upward (1863-1926). Born of Welsh parentage, he studied law at the Royal University of Ireland in Dublin in the early 1880s. He became a vocal supporter of nationalist causes including Irish Home Rule, composing poetry and journalism for the cause. He attempted to start a political career but was defeated in his attempts to stand for parliament in the Labour interest. Upward was the author of a number of now-forgotten novels, including 'The Prince of Blakistan' (1895) and 'A Bride's Madness' (1897), and although highly prolific, indeed bestselling, in his day, his work has fallen into comparative obscurity. (Incidentally he was a cousin of the rather better remembered novelist Edward Upward, 1903-2009.) Allen Upward died of a gunshot wound in November 1926 at the age of 63, apparently self-inflicted, although the exact circumstances are unclear and there has been some speculation as to whether it was suicide or accident, or if any third parties were involved.
Between December 1905 and April 1906, Upward published a series of five short stories in 'The Royal Magazine' under the banner title "The Ghost Hunters", rather grandiosely described as "A New Series of exciting Ghost Stories. They are entirely Different in Conception from Anything of the Kind that has ever been Published before." In fact they are not so very different from many of the ghost stories which were popular in the Edwardian era, but they are of interest inasmuch as they depict a male and female ghost-hunting duo in the shape of the narrator Mr. Hargreaves, an estate agent who has ended up specialising in selling haunted houses (making a profit by laying the spirits to rest), and his "lady secretary" Miss Alwyne Sargent, who is a clairvoyant and "sensitive". Hargreaves and Sargent were thus an early example of the Edwardian vogue for "occult detectives", which culminated a few years later with the stories of Hope Hodgson's Carnacki and Algernon Blackwood's John Silence. However, although a couple of the individual stories have occasionally appeared in ghost story anthologies in the 20th century the series as a whole never appeared in book form, and the stories and characters have been rather overlooked.
'The Story of the Green House, Wallington' was the first episode of the series, appearing in the December 1905 edition of 'The Royal Magazine'.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2021.
I had avoided this story since the first of the month, as that is when I receive income, because I didn't think I wanted a ghost story. Tonight, the 6th. I decided to click on it and have a listen. My heart leapt with joy as I heard the sweet, dulcet, clear tones of Simon Stanhope! I smiled like the Cheshire cat! Thank you immensely, dear Simon. I miss your readings when I lack internet. This might sound silly, but it's true. So happy to hear your reading.
Appreciated, thanks Patricia!
@@BitesizedAudio You're welcome.
Listening to other reader-wannabes drives one back to the tried and true. Another excellent balance of pace, elocution and confidence.
Amen to this , Peter 🙏🏼
I agree. Some readers try far too hard which distracts from the story.
That's what happens when money gets pulled away from the educational system by the very same people who didn't have that money pulled away from their education.
It seems as though estate agents' reputations have always been on the unsavoury side!
This was fun. Thank you for your excellent reading, as ever.
Love how the character takes care of the problem very logically but doesn’t deny the existence of the supernatural. The contrast of those two things is really fun.
Good point. I think he does express momentary scepticism early on, but his main focus seems to be on getting a bargain!
Thank you thank you thank you for all of the stories that you read to me. Stories are the best, especially ghost stories. And the very best ghost stories are the ones read by you. No other reader comes close.
The only thing better would be a new story every day for this greedy fan!
Please keep them coming.
All the best,
Beverly Adams
Thank you Beverly! I'll do my best...
Like Christmas morning , these are ! The equivalent of opening a gift 🎁 Thank you !
Merry Christmas!
What a wonderful reading. The woman talking about the blood was chillingly rendered.
Thank you!
A very spooky occult detective type story (great reading of it also). It's sad to read what happened to some of the writers featured.
Thanks D R. Yes indeed, and there's something of a mystery surrounding the end of this particular chap, it seems.
Psychic detective this, paranormal investigator that. Haunted real estate agent! I am enjoying this new flavor of ghost story
Love the premise of this story! It seems like "real estate agent specializing in haunted houses" could be a whole series!
It is indeed the first in a (short) series... there are five stories in total, and I'd like to read them all
@@BitesizedAudio That's great! If they're all as good as this one, it should be a treat!
Love how you perform these, and especially enjoy when you find the 'lost' stories; thoroughly enjoyable!
After a very tense day, Simon pops up! Just what I needed.
Wonderful, glad to help! Thanks Barbara
Thank you for another excellent addition to this haunting collection. The ending reveal of the murderer is just the icing on the cake.
Thanks Victoria, glad you enjoyed it
Brilliant as always Simon. I liked this one very much, that one bit gave me goosebumps. Thank you for this creepy little gem! 😊
You're most welcome as always, thanks for your support Shannon
Another stellar story and performance. Thank you so much, Simon. I love the introduction of the Ghost-hunter professional.
Oh thank you!! I couldn’t settle after the footie and then I saw this. Drifting off to a fabulous story and your wonderful voice. Every single beautifully pronounced syllable ❤️
Glad to help! Thanks Annette
Your readings are better with each story! Always a pleasure to hear, and I like to save them as a treat for when I do needlework. I look forward to hearing more of this author’s work. It’s a very unusual premise. More realtors should take up dealing in haunted houses!
Kind of you to say so, thank you! Yes indeed, it's certainly an original take on property development...
Agreed! What a fun job 😃👻
I believe that there are now already estate agents in your country who actually do handle such places for real.
@@jackiehamilton2738 wow! I wish I knew one!
Dear Simon, TY for this mini series. I like Mr. Hargreaves and his lady secretary very much. Keep safe and well! Greetings from Germany, Jacqueline p.s. Great reading :-))
Short and sweet . Well paced story. Love the end twist. No crime goes unpunished.
Indeed. Thanks Sarah
An old fashioned story w/humor. I used your *playlist* & this one popped up 😲 *THX Simon Stanhope*
An impeccable performance as always from a paragon of narration. Keep them coming!
I'll do my best! Thanks Greg
Very enjoyable and well told - thank you
Doggie and I love this kind of story; one that explains and is not gratuitous horror. Well done!
Terribly excited to see this new haunted tale! And what an ending! Definitely did not disappoint. Thank you.😊
Glad to know that! More coming soon...
Tony Walker & Bite-sized are the only ones I subscribe to.
I am so glad this channel exists and we are getting such high quality content for free. This is exhilarating. Thankyou so much for the effort you put into each video. This channel is legit making lockdown better for me. ✨🖤
Glad to know that, thank you for listening and taking the time to comment
IMHO a superior tale and wonderfully executed as always. I am always especially delighted when you render a story deserving of your superior talents. ❤
Appreciated as always, thanks Bob
Aaaha! Murder will out, Mr Guiltstrap!! Thanks once again for the most entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable reading, Simon!. Listening to you read is always a delight!
Quote “I hope to sell it for a considerable sum & I will be willing to pay a small remuneration” unquote.
Parsimony at its very best in Victorian times, loved the reading many thanks x
Yes, I was amused by that line too! Thanks Lynda
Excellent
Take possession of the haunted house! Lol
Reminds me of Innmouth harbor never having a uncanny dirth of fish.
A very good ghost story without the appearance of a ghost. Sufficiently spooky to satisfy readers/ listeners. Beautiful narration/ performance by one and only Simon Stanhope with the mesmerizing voice.
Thanks so much Sir
Nicely read. Thank you, Mr Stanhope
Yes... Love... Thank You!
Somehow I had missed this one! So I’m glad you mentioned it in your comments from the one you read this week.
I'm glad too! I'll make sure to put links on the future episodes as well. Thanks Missy
Interesting story and very interesting narration!
Very enjoyable. Thanks Simon.
Another gem.
Excellent as always!
Thank you!
I love the character of Miss Sergeant. I wish I had her psychic abilities. Thank you for your excellent narration, Simon. ❤
Love these stories..Thank you.
Unusual tale, superbly read &: thoroughly enjoyed
I so love these stories and the reader is just perfect!
Thank you! Glad to know you enjoy them
You are the absolute very best at this. Nobody can compare. We listen to you every night. Cheers from New Jersey.
Extremely kind of you to say so, thank you! All best wishes to you both
Extremely well read as always. The descriptions in this story are vivid and compelling. Please read more by this author.
I certainly shall. Thank you!
Gem after gem thanks is somehow inadequate for your continued ability to enthral entertain and delight RNK
Again I’m so Grateful for your site and the hard work you put into it !! God Bless ,Please if you can please share more !!
Thanks Bonnie, I'll do my best... More coming, aiming for weekly uploads this year, whenever possible (other commitments permitting)
Very entertaining + wonderfully narrated. Thank you from down under.
You're most welcome! Thank you for listening
Excellent as always 💐💐
Thanks Stella
Interesting story; great narrator.
Thank you for your beautifully narrated ghost story. Perfect diction and subtle nuances every time! A pleasure to hear. 😊
Great reading of this story. Thanks for sharing
You're welcome, thanks Darryl
Interesting ending, although I could think of other less personal hiding spots!
Great story well told. Lashings and lashings of thanks to you.
Wonderful, thank you Geoffrey!
Once again, a well read story by the master narrator. Thank you for the work you put into creating and giving such enjoyment.
You're most welcome, thank you for your kind comments
Another good one.
Ahh, Thank you Simon. Love your bedtime stories.
Sir, you truly have gift, a calling. I and so many others truly appreciate. Thank you. It is a small world. Maybe oneday our paths will cross and It would.bey pleasure to buy you a beer.
Very enjoyable indeed! Will you be uploading more Hargreaves and Sargent stories at some point?
Thank you Denise. Yes, I'm planning to read all of them (there are only five) - another one coming soon
You do an awesome narration!
Thank you!
It's funny how the original home owner was surly to the buyer. The saying goes: A guilty conscience needs no accuser. I've found it usual that the one who has done wrong has an unwarranted nasty attitude towards most anybody. I do wrong, and I'm mad at myself.
Good one.
Thanks Tipi Dan, appreciated
After he retired to his sleeping chamber...scary stuff😨
Good on ya' for your twenty k !
Are there any more stories featuring Hargreaves the house agent, apart from the Hornby Manor one you have already done?
Hello Jen, there are five stories in total, though I've only recorded three of them to date. The one it sounds like you may not have heard yet is the second one, 'The Tapping on the Wainscot': ruclips.net/video/lcEPK4Ypmjg/видео.html
I hope to get around to recording the last two in the coming weeks
@@BitesizedAudio thanks for replying. I have heard the Wainscot one, but it must have been the first one I listened to, and so didn't realise Hargreaves would be a recurring character. It needs a second listen with that in mind. I greatly look forward to hearing you read the last two; I'll be watching my notifications like a hawk!
eta: And more of E Nesbit's ghost stories would be wonderful! Have you considered doing any of her children's books? Perhaps you dislike doing longer works, but if not, please consider it. I'm yet to find anyone who reads those books properly.
Hi Simon, I know we've communicated non-publically but I cant figure out how?? Anyway, I'm wondering about my membership level. I dont know if I am a paying subscriber or not. If not, I am terribly embarrassed and wonder how to rectify this. Thanks, Julia. PS, enjoyed the story very much.
@juliadia007 Hi Julia, Thanks for your message. As far as I can see you're still a channel member, and you have the membership badge next to your name (not sure if you can see that?). I must admit the channel membership system is a bit opaque from my perspective... I don't get notified when someone joins, and there's currently no way for me to communicate with members (that I know of!) other than via membership messages on the Community tab, and I believe not all members can see those messages depending on their device (e.g. it's not shown on iPads, iPhones and some others). I'm told that some channel members may have a membership tab, but again that's device dependent, and I've no idea how that works as I can't see it from my end. So a bit unsatisfactory. I believe that the whole membership system is still under development by YT, so hopefully it will improve. Anyway.... to answer your question, as far as I know if you have the badge next to your name then you're still a member! Thanks so much for your support, I truly appreciate it
@@BitesizedAudio hi Simon, but am I paying membership dues? If not, I want to be! It's not right that everyone enjoys all this gratis. Please lmk, julia
Oh I see... I assume so, although it's all anonymous at my end, so I only see the monthly total from all members (after YT take their cut...), it doesn't break down who pays what amount. Does it not show on your own statements?
@@BitesizedAudio I dont know! I'll have to check my credit cards.
I wonder if there is some fact behind the story? Did the Green House actually existed? I reside in the adjcent town of Carshalton.
It is apparently fiction (although obviously Wallington is a real place, as you know), but who can say whether the author was inspired by real life events...?
@@BitesizedAudio My older brother lives in Wallington, and there are similarlooking old houses there near the ponds, St Philomena's secondary school, and along the High Street.
👌💕
Bit short, another 15 minutes to flesh out the storyline would have made it better. That said yes it was good.
I know what you mean, it's quite a pared down narrative...
👍👍👍👍👍😲🛌🔪👻☠