h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Welcome, welcome, welcome, to the wonderful site of H2G2 (otherwise known as hootoo - you will see this word a lot). This is not an automated message, I am an <./>ACE</.>, and I'm here to help you settle into your new home

H2G2 is a living, breathing guide to Life, the Universe and Everything, and it's something YOU can take part in. You can write entries on all manner of subjects, and if it's something you think would look good in our Edited Guide (where all the best research goes), you can submit it to Peer Review. Take a look at the <./>writing-guidelines</.> for more information on that.

I've created a little list of links, just for you, so click here <./>A4992357</.> and have a look at them (actually the links are my daughter's...but hey!! Hootoo is one big family )

If you click on each link, they will take you to parts of hootoo no sane person should ever go alone on this site.....

......but as it seems no one here is sane, it doesn't matter does it!

Have a look around, pop into my personal space and read some conversations that I have on the go at the moment and you will see how things work. Don't be frightened to jump in on conversations, hootooers don't bite (well, some of them do, but I'll steer you well clear of those), just be aware of the thread you are reading and whether or not it is a private conversation between two people. However, if you wish to chat with one of them, click on the name tag and leave a message in their Personal Space.

Remember, if you get lost, shout for help and hopefully I'll be around to give you a helping hand. In case I'm not around, just leave a message here <./>ACE</.> and someone will be with you just as soon as they can. Failing that, just click on MY SPACE on the left hand side of your screen and you'll get back to your personal space.

Remember, I'm here to help.



lil xxx

Dear Lil

My principal reason for joining h2g2 is because I would like to share with you a ghostly experience I had in Aldgate Station in 1993.

Until 1993, I did not realise that many of the underground stations are haunted, Aldgate Station in particular.

When I saw the garden, it was in full colour and there was a man in a peaked cap watering the garden with an old fashioned watering can. It was only when I later remarked to the ticket collector that "that was a lovely little garden that they had down there" did he tell me that there was (or used to be) a log book in the station where all the ghostly experiences reported were logged. I did not report it at that time. I think I was miffed because the ticket collector was laughing at me.

I went back to the station in later years and had a meeting with the station supervisor and 4/5 staff - train drivers or maintenance engineers who wanted to know the exact spot where I had seen the garden. I was very precise - to a few yards - as to where I saw the garden. The men, who knew every nook and cranny in the station were amazed because they told me that there used to be an old signal box on the spot where I saw my ghost garden. I have since read somewhere that Aldgate is reputed to be the most haunted station in the Underground so why is it not mentioned in h2g2 as a haunted station?

All the very best

Angelaghosthunter

I'm afraid I cannot answer that.

The author obvious put in as many facts and details as he could. Perhaps he never came across this, or maybe thought they could not be varified within the Guide itself. This is speculation on my part

lil xx

Dear Lil

I'm afraid I am struggling to find my way around H2G2.

When I asked why Aldgate was not mentioned as a haunted station it was really a rhetorical question. I understand that for one reason or another a researcher does not hit upon or does not accept that that station is haunted.

As I said, I saw a ghost garden in Aldgate Station.

I went up to Aldgate Station last evening (I live in London) and found several people there who know of some of the hauntings there. The Station Supervisor whom I met some years ago, who set up a meeting with maintenance staff and engine drivers is also, happily, in the employ of LU still. However, unless there is somebody there who has kept notes from the station log books over the years, they may not have recordings of hauntings over 7 years old. (The log books are kept for seven years).

I would be quite happy to visit Aldgate Station on, (say) one evening each week to do research on the log books. Would your researcher be interested? Or should I contact the researcher direct?

I am very happy to have joined H2G2 and am looking forward to finding my way round it, over the next few weeks,

All the very best

Angelaghosthunter

Hello Angela,

I have an idea who the researcher might be but as we have a number of researchers involved in writing about the railway system of London and the local areas, it might take me some time to contact the right one.

Have you thought of writing your own entry on the ghost garden itself? As long as you write it in the third person and you have a means of answering any of the critics in PR, you can write about most things for the Guide.

If you feel that is too daunting, how about writing it as a story for the <./>underguide</.>, either way you will get your story into the Community. I am sure this would be better than asking an author if he could possibly tag it onto an article that is already Edited. You could link it to the actual station article too.

In the meanwhile I am going to ask someone to have a look at what you have told me.


lil xx

Hi there Angela,

You're obviously referring to A673391 - London Underground Ghosts - it's one of the London Underground entries on h2g2 which I haven't written, but I can probably help in some way. If you need to know anything about the history of the Underground just ask, and the same goes if you need help in terms of getting your work reviewed and added to the Edited Guide.

Alex

Hi Alex

Most ghosts are ghosts because of some sadness in their lives and so many people are afraid of ghosts that I was overjoyed to realise that a ghost had shared with me his joy in his garden. However, in order to have this published as I feel it should be, I realise that I will have to do a lot of research in Aldgate Station and meet more of the staff at the station and hear their stories.

But I have no doubt that I will be back to take advantage of your offer of help in a couple of months!!!

Very many thanks

All the best

Angelaghosthunter

Dear Lil

I have just written a note to Alex "Tufty" to thank him for his offer of help.

However, as I have just told Alex, I think I will have to do a fair bit of research before I can write it with "proofs" - and find out more about the garden competitions which I believe were common in stations in past days. I will, however, take your advice to write something myself - in a few months. In the meantime, I shall need to do a lot of work in Aldgate Station. I think the staff will be understanding and bear with me. If they agree to let me work on the station logs and talk to the longstanding members of staff - I shall be very happy indeed.

You will hear more about my ghost garden - thank you for your help and encouragement.

All the best

Angelaghosthunter

Hello Angela,

I am pleased that you are considering writing the story yourself.

I agree that you need time to research and write your article. Please take your time, the Guide will be here when you are ready.

I look forward to reading it.


lil xx

Many thanks for your encouragement.

It will take me a few months - but I'll be back to this spot. However, I will now wander around H2G2to get involved in other things also.

All the best

Angelaghosthunter