Nicky-Nack field at dusk, the setting for the ghost legend
The field where the haunting occurred

Introduction

Ave ye ‘eard the news about them strange goin’s on over Tudda way! — Michael Hugh Shyte Esq

In the latter part of the 1700s, a group of farmhands were celebrating the harvest at a local farm. When their booze ran out, they sent a mentally deficient man named Billy to procure more gin.

As a prank, one of the men disguised himself as a ghost to frighten the poor lad upon his return. The prankster never returned—nor did Billy…

This is the legend of the Nicky-Nack ghost, a tale that's been told around Tudhoe for centuries.

The Legend in Verse

The harvest was gathered at summer's end,
As the farmers and reapers made merry with friends,
But alas their provisions had dwindled quite thin,
So they sent simple Billy to fetch more gin.

Off he went as the sun gave its farewell,
Through Nicky-nack field on his journey pell mell*,
But one prankster aimed to startle the boy,
Dressing as a specter for nothing but toy.

Dawn broke with no sign of his soul,
Just a young shattered boy and wraith like hole,
The villagers searched with lantern and call,
But nary a trace of the missing man at all,

Years later when Autumn came 'round once more,
The miller walked home through the meadows and moor,
A figure ahead lent him haste in his tread,
Yet no matter his speed, the stranger fled.

At Nicky-Nack Bridge the phantom took flight,
Vanished without warning into the night,
Though every nook searched with diligence and care,
Of how he disappeared none could declare.

So if e'er you walk Tudhoe's haunt edged plains
Beware disappearing down its shadowed lanes
And keep to your companions after sunset
Lest spirits steal you away without reprisal or regret.

*Pell Mell: very fast and not organized

The Story Explained

Please allow me to explain the full story behind the verse.

As mentioned, during the harvest celebration in the late 1700s, the farmhands ran out of alcohol. They sent Billy—a mentally deficient man—to fetch more gin. One of the men, as a cruel prank, disguised himself in a white sheet to scare Billy.

What happened next remains a mystery. When dawn came, Billy returned alone, trembling and babbling that he'd seen the man in white chased and carried off by a black ghost. The prankster was never seen again. Only fragments of the sheet were ever found in the field.

Several years later in 1786, the village miller was walking home from Durham after dark. He spotted a man ahead on the road but couldn't catch up no matter how hard he tried. Upon arriving at Nicky-Nack Bridge, the stranger had vanished completely without trace.

Origins of the Nicky-Nack

The origin story or myth of the Nicky-Nack ghost, as told growing up as bairns, was that it was the ghost of an old miner whose decrepit hob-nailed boots had seen better days. "Nicky-nack, nicky-nack…" the flapping heel would sound as the miner slowly trudged to the bowels of hell each night for his shift! Some say the ghost is the devil himself!

When digging around online, I happened upon this fascinating piece of local history:

Video: Local history account of the Nicky-Nack legend

Other Tudhoe Village Ghosts

Tudhoe Village is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in England. Besides the Nicky-Nack, there are several other spectral residents:

  • The Green Lady of Tudhoe Old Hall and her giant pet mouse!
  • The Black Horse which would rise up out of the pond and pace up and down the village when someone was about to die.
  • The Devil himself would also make guest appearances from time to time at the blasted oak near Oak Tree House. (I have no clue what house they're referring to or whether it even exists now.)

Please feel free to drop me an EMAIL if you know more about these hauntings or the locations!

Verna Buckly's artwork depicting the Nicky-Nack legend
One of Verna Buckly's works courtesy of Tony Cola and George Teasdale.

Conclusion

Whether the Nicky-Nack is the ghost of a prankster who vanished into thin air, a miner doomed to walk the roads forever, or the devil himself collecting souls, the legend persists. These stories have been passed down through generations, adding mystery to the landscape of Tudhoe.

A huge thanks to the Tudhoe & Spennymoor Local History Society whose excellent collection I've repurposed and enhanced for this piece. Local folklore like this is precious—it connects us to our past and keeps the weird and wonderful alive.

Thanks for reading — keep an eye out for those shadowy figures on your walks!