New book of ghost stories inspired by the Wrekin to launch in time for Halloween

A long-standing Shropshire writers’ group is preparing to launch a new anthology of ghost stories inspired by the folklore, history and landscapes surrounding the Wrekin.

Wrekin Writers, founded in 1983, has been a fixture of the local literary community for more than four decades. The group’s first president was Edith Pargeter, better known by her pen name Ellis Peters, the internationally acclaimed author of the Brother Cadfael mystery series.

In October 2025, chairman Darren Bailey challenged members to create original ghost stories set in and around the Wrekin. The result is Ghost Stories from Around the Wrekin, a collection of 23 spooky tales written by 19 local authors.

The anthology will be officially launched in time for Halloween at 11am on Saturday, October 17, at The Welliart Gallery in Wellington, next to The Gratitude Café.

The group said readers can expect encounters with restless spirits, mysterious apparitions and unexplained events set in and around Wellington and The Wrekin.

Among the stories are tales of children testing their courage in a derelict hall and a murdered girl searching for justice on the hillside among tales of banshees, haunted graveyards and sinister presences lurking at the end of lonely tracks.

The collection also celebrates the literary heritage of Wrekin Writers, linking today’s authors with the legacy of Ellis Peters. The stories aim to capture the timeless tradition of sharing ghost tales after dark, bringing local legends and imagined hauntings vividly to life.

Ghost Stories from Around the Wrekin will be available from the launch event and through participating local outlets.