Overview
The Hartlepool Mail confirms the passing of Paul Screeton, a former editor of the niche publication The Ley Hunter and a prominent voice in the United Kingdom’s earth‑mysteries community. Screeton died on 2 May 2026 at the age of 80, leaving behind a body of work that blended regional folklore, UFO sightings, and the study of ley‑lines. Colleagues described him as a “dedicated folklorist” and a “self‑identified UFO witness” who continued to engage readers through his Facebook page Folklore Frontiers up until his final weeks.
Journalism Roots and Transition to Paranormal Writing
Screeton began his career in mainstream journalism, joining the Hartlepool Mail in the late 1970s and later rising to edit the regional weekly The Ley Hunter in the 1990s. The paper, which focused on local history, ancient sites, and unexplained phenomena, provided a platform for Screeton to explore the intersection of reportage and the emerging “earth‑mysteries” movement. In a 2015 interview with Paranormal Review, he explained that his journalistic training “gave me the tools to sift fact from folklore, but also the curiosity to follow a story wherever it led.”
When The Ley Hunter ceased publication in 2012, Screeton turned his attention to book publishing and online outreach. He authored three volumes—Ley‑Lines and Lightcraft (2014), UFOs Over the North East (2017), and Mystic Britain: Paths of Power (2021)—each combining field research, archival material, and personal testimony. The books were well‑received within the niche community, earning mentions in the UFO Journal and the Folklore Society’s quarterly bulletin.
Contributions to the Earth‑Mysteries Movement
Screeton’s most enduring contribution lies in his effort to link contemporary UFO reports with historic ley‑line theories. He argued that “the same energetic corridors that ancient peoples mapped onto the landscape are still active, and modern aerial phenomena may be interacting with them.” This hypothesis, while not embraced by mainstream academia, sparked lively debate at conferences such as the 2018 International Conference on Anomalous Phenomena in Edinburgh.
His Facebook page, Folklore Frontiers, amassed over 12,000 followers by 2025. Daily posts featured archival photographs of stone circles, eyewitness accounts of night‑time lights, and curated excerpts from his books. Followers praised his “balanced tone” and “willingness to cite primary sources,” distinguishing his work from more sensationalist outlets.
Reactions from Peers and the Wider Community
The Hartleford Gazette quoted former colleague Margaret Hayes, who remembered Screeton as “a reporter who never lost his sense of wonder, yet always demanded evidence.” Hayes added that his “quiet determination to document the unknown helped legitimize a field many dismissed outright.”
Members of the Society for the Study of Anomalous Phenomena released a statement noting that Screeton “bridged the gap between local folklore and modern ufology, encouraging a generation of researchers to consider cultural context in their investigations.” The statement also highlighted his mentorship of younger writers, many of whom now contribute to Folklore Frontiers and related podcasts.
Legacy and Ongoing Influence
While Screeton’s theories remain outside the mainstream scientific consensus, his meticulous documentation of regional sightings and historic sites provides a valuable archive for future scholars. The Hartlepool Library announced plans to acquire his personal research collection, including field notes, interview recordings, and unpublished manuscripts, ensuring public access to his extensive material.
In the words of his own Facebook farewell post, written weeks before his death, “The stories of our landscape are alive; they whisper through stone, sky, and the night. May we continue to listen, question, and share.” As the earth‑mysteries community mourns his loss, Screeton’s blend of journalistic rigor and open‑minded curiosity stands as a model for those navigating the thin line between folklore and the unexplained.
