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Harvest Moon on Friday 13th

Half Breed Creatures

This Friday 13th September there will be a full ‘Harvest Moon’ in the sky.

With a combination of the full moon and the unlucky Friday 13th we have grave concerns for your safety and advise local residents to take precautions and stay indoors.

In previous years, large creatures have been spotted in the shadows of the woodland during a full moon, particularly at the Northern area of the National Diving & Activity Centre.

Half-Breen Illustration
Illustration from “Folk Tales & Mysteries of Tidenham” by Arthur Orfeo

During previous full moons, local Tidenham Farmers have reported livestock disappearing and several cows have been found dragged into the woodland and mutilated.

Local folk tales talk of wolves and even wolf-men at this time of year. However this may just be a local legend created by farmers to keep people off their land – it is far more likely that the animals are large dogs that have escaped.

If you are attending the FREE Cinema Screening on Saturday 14th September, we advise keeping doors and windows closed at all times.

Please report any sightings using #FearFestEvil.

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The Rising of a mysterious Crypt in Coombesbury Woods

Coombesbury Woods
Coombesbury Woods, the site of the mysterious crypt and subject of Chepstow folklore

According to local Chepstow folklore, at midnight on Hallows Eve in 1587, a gateway opened at in a long forgotten crypt. The crypt was hidden deep within Coombesbury Woods and the gateway was described as being a corridor “from this world to the depths of hell”.

Stories tell of a group of priests known as the ‘Eye Brotherhood’ who located themselves on the doorway in defence of the breach. As midnight arrived, a mysterious light appeared, blinding the men for a brief moment. When they regained their vision, the gateway had closed and surrounding them, the ground was covered in half-buried wooden crosses. Continue reading “The Rising of a mysterious Crypt in Coombesbury Woods”

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Bride Missing in Chepstow Woods

Elizabeth McRae 'The Bride'

In 1976 Elizabeth McRae went missing from Coombesbury Woods in the Northern area of what is now the National Diving & Activity Centre.

Elizabeth was a rare dog breeder from London who was to marry a local Lord.

Coombesbury Woods
Coombesbury Woods, the site of several disappearances and subject of Chepstow folklore

Her vanity had led her to use Tintern Abbey as the wedding venue, with the reception taking place at a clearing in Coombesbury Woods. The spectacular reception was to be held in a gigantic Big Top tent, holding 400 people and featuring a travelling Circus.

However on the day of the wedding things didn’t go to plan when the Lord’s family discovered she was already with child outside of wedlock. Continue reading “Bride Missing in Chepstow Woods”

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Family of Tidenham Priest found dismembered and scorched

In 1573, in the village of Tidenham, the family of a parish priest were found dismembered and scorched in a huge bonfire at the edge of Coombesbury Woods. Their screams were heard as far away as Tintern Abbey.
In 1573, in the village of Tidenham, the family of a parish priest were found dismembered and scorched in a huge bonfire at the edge of Coombesbury Woods. Their screams were heard as far away as Tintern Abbey. The priest himself was not amongst the dead and a body was never found.
Reports from the time say that his body must have been cremated by the fire. However local folk songs tell a tale that he’d been possessed by the Devil himself, murdered his family and jumped off nearby cliffs (now known as Wintours Leap) into the River Wye.
Coombesbury Woods
Coombesbury Woods, the site of several disappearances and subject of Chepstow folklore
Much of Coombesbury woods were destroyed when Dayhouse Quarry was dug, but some areas still remain. To this day many locals avoid the area and claim that the family’s screams can still be heard on a clear night. If you dare… join us this October in the remaining haunted woods, disused limestone quarry and historic railway line near Chepstow. Limited tickets for FearFest-Evil​ are available now at http://www.FearFest-Evil.co.uk FearFest-Evil is a live Halloween horror event running for selected nights in October.