TEAM PROFILE

INVESTIGATOR. OCCUPATION - Vehicle Builder.

I found myself interested in the paranormal when I was quite young. Like a lot of young kids I would read books, listening to stories, explore grave yards or anywhere that was spooky with a few of my friends. Did we see anything scary? Lots. Was it ghosts we saw? I don't think so. Every night I was sure something was in my room or in the bathroom or even around the next corner. Though I was scared, I still couldn't get my fill of ghosts.

I watched as many scary films and programmes as I could. Some of you may remember a programme called “Armchair Thriller” that was a hide your head under the covers at bed time programme and Mr.Myers, he had the power to make me walk home a little bit faster in the dark.

As I got older, I still loved a good ghost story and horror film but my appetite and curiosity in the paranormal had not been quenched. Then along came a programme called Most Haunted. Putting aside the theatrics of the resident medium, this is what I had been waiting for, haunted houses, infra-red cameras the whole kit and caboodle. But soon the cracks started to appeared in its production and at one point someone decided to take the programme in a direction I didn't agree with (lets not forget, it is after all, for entertainment only). For those who watch it and enjoy it, that’s your choice and it’s not up to me to tell you what to watch. But if you want real investigations, tune in to ‘Ghost Hunters’ (TAPS) that is just about as near to REAL, HONEST, paranormal investigating your going to see on the telly.

Despite my disappointment and down turn in the MH programme, it did not deter me. I thought, I want to do this, I had to find out more, to get out there and search for ‘things that go bump in the night’… but HOW was I to accomplish this?..

Then along came the internet. On there I found groups, message boards and clubs doing investigations. posting pictures and video's of things they had seen (and in some cases they hadn’t). I was desperately trying to find a local group which I could get involved in and this is how I found Kath and Gill, via the Crewe Ghost Walk web site. When speaking to them, I found them to be down to earth, nice people, only dealing with hard evidence and not ‘Orb’ chasers or ‘thrill seekers’.

At my interview they rigorously questioned me on my commitment and professional approach and what I could offer their group. I was VERY surprised when they took me into the ‘haunted cellar’ of one of the local hostelries to see how I handled a ‘hands on’ situation straight off the cuff. Thankfully I passed the interview.

At last, I'd found my group. Something that had started over 30 years ago as a young boy’s dream was going to move to the next level. I get the same buzz as I did in those grave yards when I was younger, but without the hiding under my covers.

Are there such things as ghosts? I don't know, but if there are I hope we're the group to prove it.

And finally to sum up how I feel, in the famous words of Mr.Ray Parker Jnr …

“Bustin makes me feel good”.

Sunday, 14 September 2008

Morecambe Winter Gardens

This was my first vigil with a organised/paid group which i was looking forward to very much.

The theatre is in a bad state of repair in places but what is left is a really nice building, that at one time held up to 5000 people. It is said it will take about another 2 years to complete the restoration work.

We were given a tour of the whole building being told what the different rooms where and the history of the building. also the dangers to look out for.

Then our vigil started. Our first visit was to the stage area. At this point I realised we had the residnet medium with us which was another first for me. I joined a circle with the medium and a few others, but felt nothing only cramp in my arm from trying to stand still for more than 5 minutes. At this point the medium told us he had felt the presence of George Formby. Now I found this quite comical as it is well documented that Mr Formby graced it's stage, as did many famouse comedians and actors of that era. This is why I have avoided mediums, I just don't believe them they can get information quite easily from sources .

After a break we headed for the bar areas, the group we were with tried some glass work which they were totally ill prepared for, the glass was hard, very heavy and was difficult to move when being pushed by a us, so I think a spirit would have trouble too. The SA team had a wonder around trying to find something away from the main group but to no avail. Kath suggested that the girls move to the mens bar area alone as she commented that it was unheard of in the victorian perod 'Women' in a 'Mens' bar. She thought it might encourage some paranormal activity. On her return thye had been unsuccesful.

Then we were off to the gods. This is where you realise how big the theatre realy is. Looking down on the stage makes you feel a bit wobbly, when we arrived in this area we were told one of the seats was down. We had to take their word for it as the punters could not get near it for the organising group. After we did get a look at the seat our medium tried to make contact again, nothing happend, so he suggested we went to investigate a noise he had heard. It was obviously a plastic sheet used to cover the roof but off we went anyway.

When leaving this area we exited down a wooden stairscae, with Kath still on the stairs and at ther rear of the group and myself at the bottom. We heard a large bang, as if some thing heavy had been dropped, on inspection nothing had? We looked around for something to explain the sound but could not find anything. After being told we had to hurry up we made our way to the next area, THE CELLAR.

Now, a lot of hype had been made of the cellar throughout the night. So it was of no surprise when the medium said there was something evil down there with us. The medium formed a nother circle (one of the SA team, Jacqui joined them) and attempted to make contact with any spirits. Something quite unexpected happend to Jacqui (you can read on her blog page). I must admit being possessed by spirits and such is something I find hard to believe. BUT in the time I have known Jacqui I have found her to be a helpful, honest and a lovely person, which has made me think a lot more about things like this.

The medium talked a lot about a swirling blue mist in the middle of the circle that a few people said they saw and some talked of something stood next to them. I shot video the whole time in the cellar and nothing was caught on camera. We had the usual bad language from a possessed medium but nothing much more. The highlight of the night for me was when Gill entered further in to the cellar, this is where the evil spirit was supposed to hide away (you can just make her out in the photo above). Some of the group were not happy with her doing this but off she trotted anyway, fearless as ever. She reappeared after a time totally unharmed.

The winter gardens is a lovely place to visit and the SA team had a great night.The only down side was the medium and the organising group was a bit poor. Having said that, without these though, people would not get a chance to see such a magnificent building.
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