The site of the Old Normanton Barracks that was once home to the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment, is probably more commonly known to Derby's younger residents as the birthplace of Derby's first multiplex cinema and drive-through KFC restaurant.

The Sherwood Foresters vacated the barracks in 1964 and the buildings were demolished in 1982. The area grew into derelict woodland where for some period during the 1980s, local residents walked their dogs and teenagers raced their trial bikes.

Having grown up in the area, I remember  occasionally going to the derelict ground to walk our own dogs, years prior to the cinema  being built. As my neighber was a veteran Sherwood Forester, he would inform me about which areas of the wasteland had served what purpose. He even knew where the kitchens used to stand.

I remember the area always having a lonely and unloved feeling, consisting of broken down walls and overgrown wooded areas, but there is one memory in particular that I have never been able to forget.

It was a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon - not a cloud in the sky - the ideal weather for taking a walk with the dogs. I usually walked them at the local park at the bottom end of Browning Street but i thought it would be nice to take them to the Barracks. I entered the wasteland around the area where the bowling alley now stands and waded through the undergrowth as the dogs belted off on their adventure.

As we made our way towards the area where Gala Bingo now stands, we noticed that the dogs had run into a clearing in the woods. I felt cold and uneasy as we drew closer to the clearing and noticed that the dogs had stopped dead in their tracks. As we drew closer still it became apparent that they could see something that was not humanly visible.

They were whimpering uncharacteristically and jumping around in a frenzied state. As we walked over to them uneasily, I felt an icy cold sensation run through my body. I looked nervously at my dad asked him, 'Did you feel that?' He looked at me but didn't utter a word. We fought to get the dogs back on their leads and left the area as quickly as possible.

I never went back to the area, until the retail park had been built, but even now, whenever I walk through the area, I cannot help wondering what it was that was there that day that frightened our beloved pets so much.

Since the retail park has been in operation, I have heard many stories from friends and relatives that have worked in the various establishments on the site. Workers from the Showcase Cinema, Gala Bingo Hall, KFC, The Oast House and Superbowl had all reported feelings of being watched when they were actually alone as well as experiencing sudden icy cold sensations. Some have even reported seeing men in what looked like 2nd World War soldiers uniforms. Could these be the spirits of brave young men that didn't return home from battle?