From 1977-79 single mother Peggy Hodgson and her four children where reportedly the victims of poltergeist activity at their rented accomodation in Enfield, London. The case attracted the attention of newspaper, radio and TV journalists as well as members within the field of paranormal and supernatural investigation. The activity seemed to be focused around the two daughters of the family; Margaret and Janet, included the moving of funiture, throwing of objects and noises in the wall, as well as alledged reports of levitation caught on motion sensitive cameras. Most journalists and investigators believed the events to be fake; little more than pranks instigated by one of the sisters Janet. On the other hand photographer Graham Morris, investigators Maurice Grosse, Guy Lyon Playfair and famous American paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren believed the activity at the house to be genuine, despite confessions from the Hodgson sisters that they had faked a small percentage of the events.
The case of the "Enfield Poltergeist", as it is now known, has become the subject of various documentaries on British TV (one of which is included above), and inspired the BBC Mockumentary or Prank "Ghostwatch" which was aired on Halloween night in the UK on BBC One in 1992. The show, notorious in its own right, was presented by Sarah Greene (Going Live) and Craig Charles (Red Dwarf) on location with Mike Smith (Greene's husband) and Michael Parkinson (Parkinson) in the studio. Ghostwatch re-enacted the events alleged to have transpired at the Hodgson's home but at another home with another family. The show ending with presenter Greene being led into the homes basement by the shows ghost "Pipes" as a demonic spirit possessed Parkinson back in the studio. Ghostwatch was so successful as a prank that the BBC imposed a 10 year ban on the show being repeated. It is also believed that Ghostwatch inspired the makers of the 1999 "found footage" horror movie Blair Witch Project.
#TheConjuring2 filming began bright and early this morning with a priest blessing the set! pic.twitter.com/nm3jSuOtU3
— New Line Cinema (@NewLine_Cinema) September 22, 2015
The Enfield Poltergeist is once again set to become popular with director James Wan's The Conjuring 2, with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returning as Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate the notorious case. The studio New Line Cinema tweeted the above picture, showing a priest blessing the set before filming began. The Conjuring 2 is set for release June 10th, 2016.
