Is the ghost of Mitt Romney's ancestor haunting Kendal pub?

Romneys assistant manager Hennie Kuger and (inset) presidential candidate Mitt Romney Romneys assistant manager Hennie Kuger and (inset) presidential candidate Mitt Romney

A GHOST that is a distant relative of American presidential candidate Mitt Romney is believed to be haunting a newly-refurbished pub.

The mischievous spirit of Agnes Romney has been sighted by staff at Romneys, in Kendal, and has knocked drinking glasses off tables, opened drawers and closed doors.

Her brother is believed to be the great great grandfather of the Mitt Romney, the Republican Party nominee running against Barack Obama.

She was also the first cousin, once removed, of the famous Kendal painter George Romney.

Assistant manager Hennie Kuger, of Kendal, said he had seen the early 19th century ghoul in window reflections and believed she was ‘hanging around her old home’.

The 32-year-old thought sightings of Agnes would end once renovation work at the hostelry on Milnthorpe Road was completed but she ‘keeps making her presence known’.

“I came to England in 2002 and worked here when it was the Kendal Arms,” he said.

“That’s when I first heard stories about Agnes. I’ve never been a believer in ghosts myself but one evening when I was having my meal upstairs in the function room I saw a reflection of an old woman in the window “It was dark outside and in the reflection she looked like a little lady, a bit like my grandma.

“When I looked behind me there was no one there. Agnes used to live up in the top of the building with her sister.”

Mr Kuger said other staff had also reported mysterious goings on at Romneys. He added: “Quite often, late at night, we hear footsteps and sometimes you hear creaking.

“Glasses just fall off the shelf. Once, we filled a bin to prop a door open and when we came back to it the bucket had moved and the door was shut. She also opens drawers.

“I think she’s just hanging around in her old house.”

Martin Orrom, of the Romney Society, said Agnes’ links with the Kendal pub were unclear, as was much of her life.

He said: “I can’t see any link between her and the house in Kendal, although George Romney’s house, where he lived after retirement, is quite close on Milnthorpe Road.”

Comments(13)

oceancloud says...
2:14pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Nice bit of free publicity!

Lakeuk says...
6:38pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Well they had to come up with some kind of story to compensate Romney's a couple of weeks back when the Gazette dropped a clanger by forgetting to include Romney's contact details in the opening advertisement

Moonbase says...
8:03pm Thu 27 Sep 12

I suppose 'Goulash' will be on the menu shortly.............

wezzyk says...
10:13pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Its a nice pint, with or without the ghosts...

mysticmoonie says...
2:57pm Fri 28 Sep 12

Would love to go and investigate it. Though most places have spirits, pubs often have lots of spirits!!! Not just Jack Daniels!!

FrontalLobe says...
7:36pm Fri 28 Sep 12

Drivel. Makes a change from the face of Jesus I suppose.

Moonbase says...
8:01pm Sat 29 Sep 12

mysticmoonie wrote:
Would love to go and investigate it. Though most places have spirits, pubs often have lots of spirits!!! Not just Jack Daniels!!
Good point....All that fuss at the Rainbow was caused by Bells!!!!

motherof2 says...
8:46pm Sat 29 Sep 12

It is true the Kendal Arms is haunted. I used to work there from 1993-1998. I could tell you a few stories about the ghost. Many a time everyone was downstairs and we could hear footsteps in the upstairs kitchen. One chef was on her own upstairs and a whole pile of plates fell from the top shelf and landed on the floor. Not one plate smashed or cracked. The upstairs ladies toilets was always cold no matter how high you had the heating on.
Many a time you could see a face at the window. Also former landlord saw the ghost by the doors leading to the function room.
Possibly a publicity stunt by the new landlord but they stories are true

mysticmoonie says...
9:00pm Sat 29 Sep 12

Oh that sounds interesting, love stories like that. Sounds like he means no harm, just wants some attention.

Milkbutnosugarplease says...
11:40am Sun 30 Sep 12

This ghost is making Kendal Mitt Cake in that cold upstairs kitchen as a gift to her famous descendent.

Gingery says...
9:21am Mon 1 Oct 12

Is this an article to bring publicity to the refurbed, newly opened pub?

Diffopinion2 says...
11:01am Wed 3 Oct 12

That's funny, I worked there for nearly 12 months and never heard a peep. Often I would be in the kitchen on my own, or in the bar on my own and nothing ever happened. Massive publicity fail on Romney's behalf!

Utter says...
6:10pm Wed 3 Oct 12

Well this a QTWTAIN if I ever saw one!

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