Dave Chisnell started organising the Norwich Ghost Walks in 1997. Dave became known as ‘Ghostly’ Dave and from slow beginnings, the walks soon became part of the Norwich cultural scene. Dave at first had no idea that he would be running the tours because it all began with an interest in ghosts and local ghosts in particular. He began by reading and reserching in the library and was soon amazed by the volume and range of spooky stories that abound in this ancient city.

From the reading came the germ  of an idea to entertain, educate and thrill visitors and locals alike with tales of days past in Norwich. Not only are there tales of ghouls and ghosts to be found but also torture, murder and execution. Against the backdrop of this fine city it was easy to put together a selection of true and shocking stories of things that had happened here over the last 500 years.   

The first walk attracted a few paying customers and the second none at all. However soon word got around and the walks became established on the local scene. Dave decided to spice up the proceedings with a few colourful 'visitors' who added to the drama of the evening. Not only would you be told the story of the Lady in Grey but you might meet her as well.

At the peak of the summer the walks would attract over 100 visitors and one of Dave's Halloween specials (with added gore and blood) produced 240 walkers.

Dave has evolved the walks into both a stage show at the Maddermarket Theatre and a book - 'Haunted Norwich' by David Chisnell, published by Tempus ISBN 0 7524 3700 3. At £8.99 this is thundering good read for anyone interested in local history and events.

Sadly Dave decided that it was time to hang up his Ghost Hunter cape and in 2007 put his cast of extras (mostly his children Richard, Tom and Alice) into retirement.

Following Dave's decision to concentrate on his 'Railway Tavern' pub in Coltishall, he searched far and wide before finding a worthy successor who would keep the 'spirit' of the walks alive in the city. ‘I know that the Ghost Walks are in capable hands with ‘The Man in Black’ says Dave. ‘has a feel for this city and its ghosts and is a natural storyteller’.