The Woodmans Arms, a pub located on the Isle of Wight, has recently become the centre of attention after footage emerged showing a glass seemingly moving on its own before falling and smashing on the floor. This incident, captured on January 21st, has led to speculation about the presence of a spirit, with the landlord expressing newfound curiosity about local legends surrounding a ghost named Fred.

Harry Fletcher, the 39-year-old landlord, initially attributed the glass’s movement to the possibility of a patron accidentally kicking it from the opposite side of the bar. However, upon reviewing the footage, he concluded that it was unlikely anyone had touched the glass, leaving him to ponder whether there might be some paranormal explanation. Speaking to The Bristol Post, Fletcher noted, “At first we thought the local who was sitting on the other side of the bar might have kicked it. I asked him but he said he didn’t and he’s the type of guy who would have owned up to it.”

Fletcher, a self-proclaimed sceptic and a resident at the pub for the past eight years, was aware of the ghost stories circulated by locals before he took over the venue. The Woodmans Arms is said to date back to 1840, adding to its character and intrigue. In December, a vegetable delivery man reportedly experienced a chilling event when he heard an aggressive voice shouting “leave” while he was in the empty establishment. According to Fletcher, the frightened delivery man claimed that, in the complete silence of the moment, the lights turned on and someone shouted at him to leave, prompting his decision to bring a colleague with him on subsequent deliveries to the pub.

The landlord decided to share the footage on TikTok, captioning it, “We have a ghost! Glass just decided to fly off the shelf! What do you all make of it?” The video quickly gained traction, garnering over 5,000 views, along with numerous likes and comments, many of which suggested the venue should hold ghost hunts. Fletcher mentioned the wide-ranging reactions from TikTok users, saying, “The internet has been divided into two sides where one person thinks it’s science and another person thinks it’s a ghost.”

Skeptics have offered alternative explanations for the glass’s movement, suggesting factors such as air pressure or vibrations could be the cause. Some comments reflected this viewpoint, with one user declaring that anyone who believes the occurrence was supernatural should “seek professional help.” Another individual with experience in the pub industry chimed in to note that newer glasses are designed to shatter easily, even when not touched.

Despite the varying interpretations of the incident, the commotion has undeniably enhanced the pub’s reputation as a haunt. Landlord Harry Fletcher remains uncertain of the truth behind the glass’s fall, acknowledging, “There’s got to be some kind of scientific explanation but I’m not sure.” As the narrative around the ‘ghost’ Fred continues to evolve, The Woodmans Arms seems set to attract both curious patrons and ghost enthusiasts alike in the coming weeks.

Source: Noah Wire Services