The following tale was told by Mrs Olive Sharman (nee Hewitt) and refers to an incident that occurred in 1924.

'Years ago, when I was sixteen and a half years old, I worked at a school near Brighton, Cottesmore School for the sons of young gentlemen, in Upper Drive, Hove. It was a small friendly place. Head and three other masters, a matron and nine staff and I was very happy. We had a front staircase from the hallway and at the top of the stairs was a large space and a very plain glass, large window. Corridors led to masters' rooms and dormitories. We also had a back stairway which staff were supposed to use.

One evening, the senior housemaid and myself had permission to go to the theatre and had a 'late pass' (those days you had to get in at 10 p.m. sharp). Feeling very daring, we came in at 11 p.m., had some food and started up the front stairs.

Our cat going in front, half way up, the cat rushed up and we saw the figure of a Monk dressed in habit and cord round waist and the cat rubbed round the figure's knees.

With the daring of a youngster I looked upwards and saw a calm peaceful face and hands folded across his chest, then he vanished.

Next morning I went to see the headmaster and started to tell my story. He stopped me and said the monk was rarely seen, but he had been a very good, kind man to people and beasts but if the story got about, he might lose his pupils and his staff their jobs - as well as us staff lose our jobs.

The housemaid and myself told him we would mention it to no one and I always felt happy in that house, and when the Headmaster had some special friends to see him, I was asked to relate my story. The school has long since been pulled down and houses built on the site and I am sure my Monk is still watching over the people who live there.

I have only had one other strange thing happen that I cannot explain. A few weeks after my husband died suddenly, I was in bed and crying. Suddenly a hand squeezed mine and (although I can't say I heard a voice) I thought I heard him say, 'Don't worry, I am happy, so please try and live a happy life now'.

No one else was in the house at the time and the gesture was a familiar one or his.'