The tragic legend of Screeching Ginny

If you’ve ever travelled on Merseyrail’s Southport line from Liverpool South Parkway station then you may be familiar with the tale of the Screeching Ginny.

As you walk down the stairs to platform 6 at Merseyrail’s Liverpool South Parkway station you will notice art work depicting the urban legend of Screeching Ginny.

Legend has it that on 15 November 15, 1959, a group of children were playing near Garston Dock Station only to find themselves startled when an eerie apparition, resembling an ugly witch, suddenly emerged.

Screeching Ginny artwork at Liverpool South Parkway. Credit: Chris Grundy

As they fled in terror, the witch began chasing the children while she let out piercing screams, that chilled them to the bone!

Upon reaching St Mary’s Road, the witch ceased her pursuit, allowing the frightened children to continue their escape.

A 10-year-old local boy dashed down Russell Road to reunite with his grandmother, recounting the harrowing run in with the witch. His grandmother informed him that the witch was known as “Screeching Ginny”.

According to local folklore, Ginny came from an enigmatic family with an uncanny reputation… they were suspected, by some, to be witches.

Settling in a house in Cressington, rumours circulated about unfortunate incidents befalling those who opposed her family.

Ginny, besotted with a local lad, resorted to casting a love spell on him, only to have her actions undone by her wicked and jealous mother.

Heartbroken as her beloved became engaged to another, Ginny’s grief led her to pursue the couple to the station. There, in a moment of desperation, she darted onto the tracks, screaming her haunting cries.