MYSTERY ANIMALS OF KENT

Just when you thought it was safe....Neil Arnold's unique, mammoth volume MYSTERY ANIMALS OF KENT will be released around February '09, as part of the CFZ's MYSTERY ANIMALS OF THE BRITISH ISLES series. The book will be available through all good bookstores and from the author...if you're going to own one book on Kent, make it this one. Featuring Neil's research on 'big cats' locally, as well as monster-hunt's in search of phantom hounds, winged creatures, out of place wolves and other zoo escapee's and releases into the countryside, plus tales of serpents on the Kent coast, strange beasts lurking in local lakes, rivers and ponds, as well as a chronicle of even weirder 'monsters' loitering in the 'garden of England'. MYSTERY ANIMALS OF KENT is the book on local folklore, and is written from the field by the counties leading folklorist.

Monsters of Blue Bell Hill, Maidstone.

In the January 2009 issue (31) of Paranormal Magazine Neil Arnold has an article on mysterious creatures sighted within the vicinity of Blue Bell Hill. From large cats, to strange red-eyed humanoids, and from terrifying hah-like spectres to phantom hounds.

Another deadly spider find...

Deadly Spider Found in Banana Box

A supermarket cashier came face-to-face with a deadly South American spider when she found it nestling in a bunch of bananas she was unpacking. Kate Whitmore, 25, picked up the bananas along with the highly venomous Phoneutria nigriventer."I held it close to my face and thought, 'What is that?' she said. "It wasn't a very nice spider."The Co-op in Wayfield Road, Chatham, Kent had to be closed on Monday while the RSPCA dealt with the spider.The charity advised staff to keep the spider contained and not to approach it until the animal collection officer arrived.'Very aggressive'"He lifted the bunch of bananas with leather gloves and put it in a box which had a separate container," said mother-of-two Ms Whitmore."As he nudged it to try to move it into the container, the spider reared up, hissing and put its fangs out."It made us all jump."RSPCA officers Anthony Pulfer said: "It was very aggressive and trying to go for me when I was putting it in the box."It was really jumping around and trying to attack me."It was only after it was taken away to be put down that staff discovered the 1.5in-long spider, which is thought to have travelled in the fruit packaging from Colombia, had a painful and potentially lethal bite.Phoneutria nigriventer ranks alongside the black widow and funnel- web as one of the world's most dangerous spiders."I'm not frightened of spiders... but I was advised not to touch it," said Ms Whitmore."It's only afterwards you think about what could have happened if I'd got bitten?"

BBC News: September 2008

Neil giving a talk...

At Gravesend Roatry Club, at the Masonic Hall, Wrotham Road, 1:30 pm on Monday 3rd November 2008

Neil giving a talk.

On Thursday 30th October at 10:30 am, Neil will be appearing at the 'Day With A Difference' at Holmesdale Tech College, Malling Road, Snodland, in Kent.

Killer whales spotted on Kent coast...

Kent Online feature the story HERE regarding killer whales off Folkestone

Wednesday October 15th - Put it in your diary..

For those of you in the south, Neil Arnold will be discussing 'big cat' sightings on the Isle of Sheppey as part of the BBC Inside Out series on BBC Wednesday 15th October at 7:30 pm.