Tuesday 31 October 2017


Tuesday October 31st 2017

A very 'Happy Halloween' to all of our visitors.....  Whatever you're 'getting up to' tonight, please stay safe!!

Tuesday 31st October 2017

One of the founder members of the 'West Midlands Ghost Club' was recently asked to speak on BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire concerning the Kenilworth Castle related matter mentioned on this page..... 

Tuesday 31st October 2017

I was recently interviewing a gentleman about an experience that he and 2 friends had, some years ago now, on a patch of open grassland in the Black Country area....   While the location will remain nameless in this account - for the purpose of protecting the ghostlore concerned - it can be mentioned that the area involved has something of a reputation for being 'haunted' by female figures..... one of which has been mentioned in past press reports as being 'Nun-like' in aspect.....

As it transpires, the figure seen by the gentleman and his friends certainly held features that led them to possibly believe that they were perhaps 'seeing the ghost of a nun'.... though, as with many such sightings, their figure was completely white in colour, including the headdress of the form.....

In relaying the associated information to my old friend Wayne Pickrell - of the 'Black County Paranormal Society' - he kindly suggested that we might visit the region in question for a little 'nocturnal ramble'.....  With W.M.G.C. founder member Leonard Jackson joining us, we visited the area concerned on Friday the 27th and spent a couple of hours walking some of the spots where the aforementioned sightings have been reported over the years......      

Tuesday 31st October 

There's no doubt that Kenilworth Castle, in North Warwickshire, is an absolutely magnificent ruin.  However, speaking to a BBC researcher this morning, I was informed that the site had, apparently, just been dubbed their '2nd Most Haunted Site...' by English Heritage?  

The young lady admitted that she was somewhat surprised when I'd instantly said 'bullsh*t!' to such a suggestion....... though, in my defence, I certainly had first-hand experience to back-up my sceptical view!!

Upon first visiting the castle, well over 20 years ago now, I had - as I invariably did back then - gone to see the site with a view to learning of any associated ghost stories or spooky legends....  Sadly, on speaking with staff members, I was told that there was basically 'nothing' to suggest the site was actually haunted......!  In fact, I'd been so clearly crestfallen by this news that the staff concerned suggested that I get in touch with Ashby De La Zouch Castle in Leicestershire, where a photograph - supposedly containing a ghostly figure - had JUST then been taken!  (*as a matter of interest, I DID write to Ashby Castle and they kindly sent me an artists impression of the figure supposedly seen in the photograph involved!)

Meg Elizabeth Atkins, in her excellent book 'Haunted Warwickshire' (Publ. 1981) does actually list a single, spooky experience for Kenilworth Castle, where a visitor was watching a re-enactment group dressed as medieval musicians.  During the show, the witness claims to have seen the figure of a woman 'materialise' amid the performers..... a figure that was also dressed in period costume, but was seated and seemed to be in the process of sewing.....  The witness was present with friends, who were also looking in the same direction at the very same time, though neither of her companions saw anything amiss.....!?

Of course, the above-mentioned story certainly does not constitute a 'haunting'..... and, while not actually doubting the witness' testimony, it may not even constitute a genuine 'ghostly experience' as such, needless to say!?  As far as can be ascertained, this is the only 'ghost-like' encounter to have been reported and recorded in the last few decades at least.......?

Yet - as mentioned above.... Kenilworth Castle is now, it seems, English Heritage's No. 2 'go-to' site for 'spooky happenings'!?!  How exactly does this status pretty-much 'suddenly' come about, you can't help but wonder? 

Well - given the popularity of 'paranormal matters' over the past 20 years or so, it is quite obvious as to 'why' a lot of places that are open to the public suddenly seem to have 'developed a ghostlore'!?  I won't insult your intelligence in bothering to go into the matter any further than that, but, suffice it to say 'Ghosts = Cash' in this day and age!!

Of course, there is a definite knock-on effect to this kind of thing and it's really no exaggeration to say that this kind of clear mis-representation of ghostlore is having a detrimental effect on the subject for future generations of serious research / researchers.  Sadly, the effects concerned are irreversible and - given the nature of this field - everlasting.....  The REAL horror of the situation is the simple fact that the damage is being done purely to extract money - 'make a buck' - from those who would, in this day and age, class themselves as 'serious ghost researchers' just because they are willing to stick their hands in their pockets and attend these shenanigans!?  Rolls eyes....!!

Anyhow - rant over....... but within the last few hours of tapping out this note, I have noticed a number of newspaper articles advertising another, formerly 'non-haunted', property as NOW seemingly 'brimming with ghosts' too........!!    

Thursday 12 October 2017


Thursday 12th October 2017

We're afraid it's a little late in the day, but just posting a quick note to say that our good friend - and 'Ghost Investigator' - Tracie McMeekin will be carrying our a 'Sponsored Sleep-Out', on the streets of Wolverhampton, tomorrow night!!  All monies raised will be going towards supporting the 'homeless' residents of both the Walsall and Wolverhampton regions......

While the event itself is only just over 24 hrs away, Tracie WILL still be accepting sponsorship for the next two weeks, so - needless to say - anyone who would like to help this worthy cause.... please do feel free to donate!!

Tracie can be contacted via her 'HANDS TO THE HOMELESS' page on Facebook HERE or directly, by email, via supermcmeekin@aol.com 

Sunday 8 October 2017


Sunday 8th October 2017

For anyone living in the Black Country - or immediate surrounding regions - the W.M.G.C. are excited to report the opening of 'Reiki Fallen Feathers', a new 'healing room' being launched by a friend of the group, Michelle Hyde in Darlaston, near Walsall.

For anyone 'not in the know' on this positive-energy treatment system:  'Reiki' is a popular, Japanese technique for promoting stress reduction, relaxation and encourages overall healing.  As with a number of alternative, healing systems, treatment is administered by the "laying on of hands".... hinging on the application of positive 'life force energy' to promote general happiness and good health.  The system - a wholly natural and completely safe form of 'spiritual' healing - is applied in order to treat the 'entire being'.... which includes both physical and psychological aspects of the recipient. 

Michelle herself has been a Reiki practitioner for some 6 years now, having passed degrees 1 and 2, and attaining the level of Masters 3.   She uses oils as part of her treatment process and, needless to say, is fully insured. 

Michelle tells us that she will be opening her rooms on the 16th of October, from 10.00 a.m. till 2.00 p.m. and - needless to say - ALL are welcome to drop in for a chat, consultation and tasters!!  The shop itself is situated at number 73, Walsall Road, Darlaston, and is situated at the rear of the 'Link Up' phone shop.  Postcode for the rooms is WS10 9JU, for anyone relying on SatNav tech to navigate, and - for more direct contact - her mobile number is 07514 401628.  Anyone using Facebook can also visit the 'Reiki Fallen Feathers' official page 'HERE'

Needless to say - the West Midlands Ghost Club wish Michelle every success in this venture!!  All the best.......!!