The Hove Poltergeist

In 1947, a house in Hove, the elegant seaside town adjoining Brighton, became the scene of poltergeist activity that disturbed the residents and attracted investigative interest. The case occurred during the difficult post-war years.

The Location

Hove in 1947 was recovering from wartime bombing and austerity. The affected house was a Victorian villa in one of the town’s residential streets, occupied by a middle-class family.

The Activity

Disturbances began with rappings and knockings that followed no pattern. Objects then began to move: ornaments fell from shelves, furniture shifted, and personal items relocated themselves. The activity occurred both day and night.

The Escalation

Within weeks, the phenomena became more violent. Heavy furniture overturned. Crockery flew and smashed. The family was frightened and considered leaving their home.

The Focus

A teenage daughter appeared to be connected to the activity, though she was not always present when phenomena occurred. She was terrified and had no explanation for what was happening.

The Investigation

A local psychical researcher investigated the case. He witnessed phenomena he could not explain but was unable to determine whether the activity was genuinely supernatural or had some unknown natural cause.

The Resolution

The activity decreased gradually and ceased by summer 1947. The family remained in the house. The daughter later married and moved away without experiencing further phenomena.

Assessment

The Hove poltergeist case occurred during a period of national stress and upheaval. Whether the emotional atmosphere of post-war Britain contributed to the phenomena cannot be determined.