THE story of Harry Parry is as frightening as it is tragic.

For if true he was the victim of a haunting unlike any other in the annals of Powys folklore and the event left a mark on the man for the rest of his life.

Harry Parry lived on the hillside overlooking Coed-y-glyn in Llanwddyn during the 19th century.

His story was recorded in the 1904 edition of Montgomeryshire Bygones and appears to have taken place at least 25 years earlier but may date considerably earlier.

County Times: A road near Llanwddyn.A road near Llanwddyn which Harry Parry may well have been a regular walker. Steven Brown/Geograph.

Harry was well-known in the public houses which had remained open as long as there was custom.

During one such night out at the Powis Inn he set off for home around midnight and upon stepping onto the road outside the inn he noticed a man who he recognised as his friend, a man called Kynaston.

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However Kynaston had been in his grave for many years.

The figure disappeared after a few moments and a dumbfounded Harry returned to the inn with ‘silent awe in his face’ and it had been evident to those present that something serious had occurred.

Harry eventually set off home and proceeded up Cedig Lane to a mill pong at Ty-uchaf mill where the same spectre once again appeared and ‘made known his earthly mission’ to his friend.

County Times: Pont Ty-uchaf was built spanning the Afon Cedig.Pont Ty-uchaf was built spanning the Afon Cedig. Picture by Richard Law/Geograph.

Harry mustered a reply before he was seized and dragged through the mill pond and across some fields and left unconscious with his body strewn over a grave in the now submerged church yard.

The ghost departed and Harry fled home to tell his wife of the event, carrying a white stone which he claimed to have saved his life as proof of his unearthly encounter with his dead friend.

His wife noticed a sulphurous smell on his clothing.

Harry kept the details of the spectre’s mission a secret for the rest of his life ‘lest the spirit of his friend visit him with some terrible vengeance.’

However such had been the horror of the tale and Harry’s forthright testimony that villagers no longer left their homes at night and poor Harry was said to have lived the rest of his life with much gloom.