Saturday 21st December 2019

The 'West Midlands Ghost Club' would like to wish all of our friends and visitors a very 'Merry Christmas' and a happy and fruitful 2020 to everyone!!!  

However you intend to celebrate the coming festive season, please take care, stay safe, and  we'll see you all again in the New Year!!

Saturday 21st December 2019

Just within the last week or so, the W.M.G.C. has received a fascinating email from an academic-Gentleman, who had a most intriguing story to relate to us. While not actually falling within the West Midlands region itself, the 'encounter' concerned occurred just over the county boundary, in a lovely area of Worcestershire called Wythall....

He and his partner had been for an evening out at a local pub and were subsequently driving home, along a country lane, just after 11pm.  As it was November, it was, of course, a pitch black night, at that time of year......

At a point during their journey, they reached the brow of a hill on the lane they were travelling along.  This height heralded a distinct 'dip' in the lane ahead of them - forming a small, 'valley-like' feature to the road - as the thoroughfare then rose again on the other side of the depression. As they crested the brow of the downward slope, the partner - who was driving - suddenly slammed their breaks on.... their headlights still set on full beam.......

In the distance, at the bottom of the hill, was (what appeared to be) something like 20 or 30 'Roman soldiers' coming out of the field to their left and crossing the road dead ahead of them, into another field on their right.....!?

The men are reported as seeming solid enough; though details like colours were hard to make out, as they appeared to be illuminated by a light source coming from behind them.... like a spotlight? The couple originally considered this to be just moonlight, perhaps, but, in re-visiting the scenario in their minds-eye, this now struck as unlikely, as it was too bright... and at ground level? Also, once the procession had crossed the road, they seemed to disappear into the darkness of the opposite field, which would possibly seem to suggest that moonlight wasn't involved?

Both witnesses had sat in silence, watching the scene unfold about 100 / 200 metres ahead of them. My correspondent reports that the sensations he'd instantly experienced at the sighting was disbelief and shock.... maybe even fear? His partner was able to put her feelings into words, however, and simply said: “What the f*ck is that!?!” 

While he hadn't manage to actually count the precise number of men involved, he was able to see that all of the men were on foot, except for one, who was on horseback at the very front of the group..... The foot-soldiers appeared to be walking in two’s, side by side. The horse was large - around the size of a 'shire horse', with bushy (furry) legs. The mounted soldier also appeared to be carrying a large, stick-like, object, with something around the top of it? However, it was hard to make out this object precisely, due to the fact that it was witnessed 'side-on' and at a reasonable distance.

Amazingly, no other cars / traffic came up or down the road in this space of time and - once the coast was clear - they drove, apprehensively, down the hill and back up the other side. I was told that, what had really flabbergasted the pair was the fact that, at the bottom of the hill, where the figures had made their way onto the road surface, there was no physical gap in the field border / hedgerow involved!?!

From a personal point of view, what I found interesting about the matter was that the couple were just returning from an evening at a spot that, itself, has a history of being haunted by a Roman-era ghost!?

The Gentleman involved informed me that he'd instantly plunged into some historical research on the location afterwards and had discovered numerous details that pointed towards evidence for a reasonable amount of 'Roman presence' in the area concerned, including the fact that a 'Roman thoroughfare' actually ran through the spot where the figures had been witnessed!  Of considerable interest too is the fact that the public house they had been visiting, on the night of their encounter, is also said to have a ghost associated with it:  A cyclic-sounding, 'Roman-era' phantom, incredibly enough!?!

Saturday 21st December 2019

Within the past few weeks, a most interesting, local, matter had been brought to our attention, in the form of a number of houses - in very close proximity to one another - that all seem to be experiencing similar haunting effects / activity. While this kind of scenario is only moderately rare, this particular case involves a cluster of properties which are all less than three years old, with occupants - some of different faiths / cultures - that all moved into the houses at approx. the same time......

Over the years, in responding to reports of supposedly 'haunted houses', we have often discovered scenarios similar to the situation outlined above. It is reasonably common to be called to visit one, allegedly haunted, property in a street.... only to then find that 'other' properties, in the surrounding area, are also supposedly experiencing strange activity of some kind?  It isn't always adjacent / attached properties, however - something that you might consider as 'not too unusual', perhaps - but, sometimes, a house two doors away... or on the opposite side of the street.... or in an adjacent / parallel road.... is also affected in some way?  Often there are a handful of properties affected within a small area.... and, most times, the activities concerned are quite different in nature and, seemingly, not at all connected (in their appearance / temperament).  

In speaking with one of the residents in the recent case outlined here, we were told that all was peaceful in their home for some five to six months or so - after they first moved in - before reasonably typical, potentially paranormal, incidents were initially noticed.

At first, activity came in the form of things like taps and showers turning themselves on; lights turning themselves on; cupboard doors opening.... and items going missing, only to turn up again in (for example) blatantly 'obvious' places like the middle of the room, etc.  A number of bottles were taken out of the kitchen cupboards at one point and were lined up on the kitchen floor.... At another time, they were discovered lined up on an opposite work surface. Terrifying growls, bumps and bangs were heard and closed doors and windows were found to have somehow been opened again. The householder went as far as to contact the local police and have the locks to the doors changed, in case someone had a spare set of keys and were possibly 'letting themselves in' to cause mischief? This change had no effect on happenings, however.

At a point, dark 'figures' were seen around the house.... always in the peripheral vision.... which would disappear if you tried to look directly at them. Children in the family also reported seeing such figures too. One form appeared to be 'human-shaped', but - horrifyingly - manifested in a 'crab-like' fashion..... low to the ground and scuttling, like a spider with only 4 legs!? 

The figure of what appeared to be a little boy was also seen and - in a display of pity towards such a figure - the mother of the family told it that it didn't have to leave as long as it didn't scare anyone in the property.

One of the children reported seeing glowing lights in their bedroom, passing from the walls of the adjoining property, and going into another childs room within the house. The other child indicated that they saw a light that floated around the room and passed back into the room of the first child. Both children reported the lights as being blue.

The rear gardens of all of the properties involved in this matter actually 'meet' at a certain point and a lot of emphasis has been put on this junction as being significant in what is possibly going on? The aforementioned householder said that their two dogs were constantly barking and scratching at the fence in this (junction) corner of their garden and, in an endeavour to stop them - in case neighbours grew tired of the disturbance - they placed their garden shed in that corner.  Now, it seems, their dogs seemingly bark at / through the shed!?! They believe that there is 'something' significant in that section of the plot and say that, if you actually stand in that part of the garden, it's as if you weigh 50 stones.... the feeling there is so 'heavy and dark'? It is a sensation described as being akin to a magnet pulling you into the ground!?

All of the neighbours involved believe that this 'point' is significant and one reports seeing the dark figure of a man in that area in their garden.

One day, the householder was standing in their living room, when one of the children called from upstairs to say that they had seen something in their bedroom again. They lost their temper at this point and shouted, at the top of their lungs, telling whatever it was to 'F-off' and that it 'had to go'......!!! They report having suddenly felt a searing pain across the back of their right hand and their child - having come downstairs - saw them and instantly began indicating to the hand. In looking down, it was discovered that the hand was dripping with blood.... not from a superficial wound, but from a deep laceration!?

The wound was butterfly-stitched and had a number of sticking plasters placed on it, but the blood still came through the dressing. They decided they should go to hospital and - while waiting for a partner to arrive home - they also called the local church for help. Having also bandaged the wound - with no further sign of blood coming through - they decided they would actually go to see the vicar, before moving on to the hospital. On meeting the vicar, the latter asked if they might view the wound.... and the dressings were duly removed..... to reveal no sign of a wound at all!? Luckily, the wound had actually been recorded on video, on mobile phone, just after it had happened, and they were able to show the vicar the time stamped and dated footage as evidence! (*I have also been sent the video recording too)  Weeks later, when their Summertime-tan had worn off, they noticed a scar on the back of their hand, just where the wound had appeared!?

With regards to the neighbouring properties themselves, one neighbour reports that they cannot take photographs or video in their home, without the resulting images / footage either being 'black', or containing some form of blatant distortion? Another neighbour reports having a 'heavy spot' in their garden, as well as in the front bedroom of their house too. The neighbours frequently support one another in their respective situations and the above mentioned householder has sent me a strange video, recorded in the house referred to above, that contains no image, but a distorted sound track (that is currently under scrutiny). They have also visited the neighbours bedroom mentioned, to discover that they were 'knocked sick' by the sensations therein. They report a dizzy, queasy, drunken-type effect, and had to leave the room as a result. While no heating source was present / switched on, the room is said to be stiflingly hot.... especially a built-in cupboard, where a child of the family reports a 'portal', where a 'man' supposedly 'enters their home'....?

In endeavouring to combat the effects concerned, all kinds of measures have been taken... including: Church of England blessings, Islamic blessings, African blessings and psychic intervention. Numerous items and symbols have also been employed, such as pentagrams, Palm Crosses, Rosaries, the burning of Altar Candles, smudging with sage, the presence of Bibles and the Quran, etc. One neighbour has even called in people from overseas - from their own, African-based culture - in an endeavour to affect what is going on.......

Friday 1st November 2019

Well....... I had been telling people that I wasn't going to be 'doing anything for Halloween' this year, but that was before my lovely mate John Chance intervened.... and we ended up going to a book launch in nearby Pelsall instead!!

John had previously made me aware of local press coverage that mentioned the Halloween-night launch of  author Annita Bates' 3rd volume (in fairly recent years) on the ghosts of her hometown, which she personally believe is one of the most haunted villages in the country.....!  In a very slight change from her other, sizeable, volumes, however, her new book travels further than previous work...... and includes experiences from other regions and places, as far afield as Darlaston and even abroad!!

It should be mentioned that this new book will be of special interest to John, as his own bizarre encounter - experienced on Pelsall Common, a few years ago now - is mentioned in it!  (*An online video / interview, documenting this particular sighting, was how I initially came to first meet John!)    

I'd only spoken to Annita a couple of times in the past - and then, purely by email - so it was nice to eventually be able to put a face to the type!! All-in-all - thanks to John, once again - we had a nice, little outing to meet some absolutely lovely ladies!!

The Express and Star article covering this recent book launch - including details about Annita and her interests, how to obtain her numerous works, etc - can be found HERE.  

Needless to say, we wish Annita every success with her new book - 'Ghosts Around Pelsall And Further Afield' - and look forward to further volumes along the same lines!!  

Thursday 31st October 2019

Well.... the 'spooky season' is upon us once again and it's time for me to wish all of our lovely visitors a 'Very Happy Halloween'!!  

Whatever you're intending to 'get up to' tonight, I hope each and every one of you have a great time!!  Very best wishes to all....!!

Thursday October 31st 2019

Within the last week or so, a friend of mine - paranormal investigator, John Chance, of 'Ghostcallers UK' (Facebook: LINK) - inquired whether I might be interested in accompanying him on a visit to the magnificent city of York,  just prior to Halloween?

I must admit that I've never personally known a ghost researcher that basically travels so far - literally the length and breath of this country - to indulge his passions for the subject before..... so it came as quite a surprise to discover that this proposed journey to York was to be John's first ever visit to this lovely city!  In my kindly being asked to go with him, it was also my own chance to 'scratch an itch' that I've basically carried for around 40 years or so!  My one and only experience with York came at the age of 10 or 11, when we were taken on a primary school trip to visit the National Train Museum (for some reason?) and York Minster.  As a result of that distant and all-too-vague-in-my-mind day trip, I had always carried a hankering to go and see the place again.....

As a result of the above, we visited York on the afternoon of Sunday the 27th of Oct, which - given the previous days of horrible, nagging rain - turned out to be absolutely lovely:  chilly, yet completely dry.... and very sunny indeed!

I suppose it's quite needless to say that the sole emphasis for the day was to try and take-in as many of the haunted sites that the city had to offer as we possibly could!  One of the key, albeit 'tongue-in-cheek', spots was the (wholly tongue-in-cheek) 'York Ghost Merchants Shop', which is situated in the world-famous 'Shambles' shopping street.  (Related press article HERE)

Rather expensive, but well worth a visit, if you're ever in the area..... It's lovely to see how the shop floor concerned is suitably 'decked out' with images of 'ghosts', set into the plasterwork and general decor of the place.  Inside the premises, as well as a myriad, different coloured, 'ghosts' to choose from, there are is a small number of - allegedly historic - items on displays which allegedly support the (fictitious) local-lore that the shop purports to trade on.  Old letters, wartime documentation, a toy train, purported 'scrimshaw', etc, supposedly show 'historic' examples of the general usage of 'ghosts' in local, social history. (Casting no aspersions, of course.... cough, cough!!.... but, coincidentally, all of the items concerned appear to have had images of ghosts - very indicative of those available to buy in the shop - 'added to them' at certain points!? Laugh!)

As well as the aforementioned 'Ghost Merchants' premises, 'The Shambles' has a number of allegedly haunted properties to appeal to the interested visitor, including No. 44, which is allegedly haunted by the ghost of a woman in black dress, who is often seen on a staircase in the property. Not necessarily related to this lady, an inexplicable 'growling noise' is also often said to be heard there!?  In the accompanying shop space of No. 44, the figure of a man - described as looking very much like a 'headteacher' style character - has supposedly been spotted, seemingly in the process of 'carrying a young boy' somewhere, perched across his shoulders!?  Yet another male figure has been seen walking into the rear of the property.... but is always said to have disappeared on investigation?

No. 22, in The Shambles is the home of a degree of poltergeist-like activity and a peculiar, faint, 'bell ringing' noise, while another building is known as 'The Pearl Of York and contains a shrine dedicated to a woman canonised by the pope in 1970.....  St. Margaret Clitheroe was 'pressed to death' - an horrific form of execution - for being Catholic, during the reign of Elizabeth the 1st.  The house is said to be haunted by the vague apparition of a woman in period costume........

Interestingly, a number of the haunted properties on offer in York appear to fall into the same - relatively small - area, just off the Petergate section of the city.  The more interesting sites here are the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey - allegedly haunted by the figure of a monk - and the adjacent 'Museum Of Yorkshire', where the apparition of a man in Edwardian costume has supposedly been seen the Library area.

Just to the rear of the aforementioned Museum is the 'Kings Manor', which - it has been suggested by many - is possibly the most haunted building in York?  A magnificent range of historic buildings, they are said to be haunted by the figure of a 'Black Monk' and the period figure of a woman in a green gown.... who is generally spotted carrying a bunch of roses in her hand.  The North wing staircase of the building is believed to be haunted by an apparition of a man thought to to be Sir Henry Hastings.  Even the outside of this wonderful property is said to be haunted, as the attached courtyard supposedly contains a number of ghosts from the English Civil War period.......

Petergate Bar itself is allegedly haunted by the ghost of a nun, as is the Royal Theatre, situated just a few yards distant, along the street.  (The same ghost, perhaps?)  The latter also houses the ghost of an 18th Century actor, who was killed during a duel over the hand of a young lady!

Less than 200 meters distant stands York Minster itself, which boasts an array of different ghosts and phenomenon.  My favourite of these by far is the 'naked' apparition of  a religious maniac - appearing in the area of the Choir - who, in centuries past, actually set fire to the Minster, causing considerable damage!!  Sharing this same area of the building is said to be the apparition of a quiet clergyman who sits in the choir stalls and stares up at the pulpit....  You cannot wonder what these two ghosts might actually think of each other, eh!?  Laugh!!

Elsewhere, the figure of a man in Elizabethan costume has been spotted walking the Nave, and two female figures haunt the North Trancept.  A mysterious blue light - said to vaguely hold the shape of a man - allegedly haunts the area between the Nave and the Crossing......

Situated immediately to the rear of the Minster stands 'The Treasurers House', which, of course, was the site of one of the most famous ghost sightings in the world!!  In 1953, young, apprentice plumber, Harry Martindale, was at work in the cellar of the house when he famously bore witness to a contingent of Roman-esque soldiers - visible only from the knees up - appearing from one of the walls of the room!  (Youtube video / interview HERE)  Something that I'd sometimes wondered about this site - and especially in relation to an impending visit to the area - was whether they might have ever allowed visitors into the cellar area at all?  Coincidentally, one of our Facebook page members - Phil Cartwright - also happened to be in York this weekend gone and has informed us that the 'cellar tours' were cancelled at the time of his visit, due to the guide being ill....!!

I'm guessing I could pretty much 'go on for hours' on the subject of York's rich, 'haunted history', but - before signing off for this particular post - I just have to give a quick mention to a specific spot that, by far, stood out as the place that I most wanted to see during this visit.....  Previously recorded as one of the regions 'most active ghosts', there is said to be the apparition of a 'large man' associated with a tiny passageway:  'Judges Court', just off Coney Street.  Accompanying this ghost are said to be the sounds of 'dragging footsteps' and a rather peculiar 'tinkling' sound!?!  The spectre concerned is said to have been seen by numerous people, over quite a considerable period of time, before renovations on that part of the city turned up a covered-over, long disused 'well'.....  In excavating and exploring this clearly historic feature, the remains of what would have been a large man, wearing 'riding boots', was unearthed.....  Somewhat intriguingly - given the large, 'tinkling' ghost that was long recorded as walking the spot - the remnants of a set of 'spurs' were found still fastened to the aforementioned boots........!?  Purely as a matter of happy coincidence, I took a photograph while standing inside the 'Judges Court' passage, with John just in the process of exiting at the other end....  Because of the light and shadow play in that dingy area, the camera had issues with focusing the shot concerned, resulting in one of my favourite images of the day...... a rather suitable, spooky-looking, distorted image, if I ever saw one!  Laugh!

In ending this post, I can only stress my immeasurable THANKS to John Chance for kindly taking me with him on this fantastic visit!  It was a superb day, greatly enhanced by his lovely, interesting company!!  Many, many thanks to you John!!

Thursday 31st October 2019

While long being a user of such things as 'talking books', certain radio documentaries, and the likes, I must admit that I wasn't at all familiar with the concept of 'online Podcasts' until this last year or so.  Having made the acquaintance of my friend James Lees, I was finally introduced to this topic, which - I must admit - was a greatly 'hit-and-miss' experience initially, as far as I was concerned......  In short, I found myself greatly hating the 'chatty', frequently multi-person-fronted, radio-show-style efforts that seemed to infer as somewhat self-obsessed type of broadcasting....... though the occasional, well structured and clearly well-researched shows also manifested in the number of choices on offer for the general paranormal / mysteries genre.

For any page visitors who might also be a fan of well-presented and probing podcasts, I had been - for some while now - intending to list my two, all-time-favourite, concerns along such lines:

The first - 'The Unexplained Podcast' (LINK) - was suggested to me some while ago by the aforementioned James Lees... and was my firm favourite for quite some while afterwards.  Presented and researched by Richard Maclean Smith, the show is usually kept to half-hour (or sometimes shorter) offerings which basically reflect what the associated, advertising blurb claims:  "A haunting and unsettling bi-weekly podcast about strange and mysterious real life events that continue to evade explanation.  A story-based show mixing spoken-word narrative, history and ideas - often to terrifying effect - that explores the space between what we think of as real and what is not; where sometimes belief can be as concrete as ‘reality,’ whatever that is…"

The second offering, which is, by far, my firm-favourite to date - 'The Dark Histories Podcast' (LINK) - was basically stumbled across while attempting to potentially 'dig out something similar' to the aforementioned show....  No offence to R.M.S., of course, but this broadcast - hosted and researched by a Brighton-based, hair stylist named 'Ben' - soon switched places with 'The Unexplained' as my top listening choice!  What I personally like / prefer about DH is - the same as 'Unex. Pod.' - the amount of research that clearly goes into the subjects covered by the show.  In general comparison, however, the 'run-time' for this podcast is generally quite superb..... usually transcending the hour mark - sometimes approaching / pipping two hours, even! - which is absolutely excellent for what I use such shows for...... i.e. fascinating 'company' on long walks, or while carrying out lengthy boring / taxing tasks, etc.

From a myriad different shows on offer, these are the only two that I'm actually 'waiting for' each week / bi-weekly, for new episodes to appear.  Both IMHO are absolutely excellent.... to the extent that I've often downloaded and given 'multiple-listenings-to' shows covering certain topics that wouldn't normally be of any real appeal to me!  If you're into paranormal and / or mystery related podcasts and topics, you can't go far wrong in checking out these 2 amazing shows......!!        

Friday 2nd August 2019 

I've quite recently been speaking to someone who has experienced something a little 'strange' in a Wolverhampton street that I've known quite well for a number of years now....  The thoroughfare concerned is Bath Road, which runs next to the famous 'Banks' Brewery' and runs from Chapel Ash High Street to the Western side of the main Wolverhampton Ring Road system. While semi-industrialised, because of the presence of the Brewery, it has also always struck me as rather quiet and quaint, being half-lined by quite majestic, old, family houses. 

It was rumoured by some members of staff that the aforementioned Brewery houses a resident ghost - allegedly that of a suicide victim - but, despite such rumours, this was the only story that I'd ever come across associated with this particular region until recently......?

The witness in question claims to have used this stretch of road many times - it's frequently used by people as a short cut, or as a way of missing traffic queues, etc - and, while driving along there, she had seen the figure of a young man, standing by the edge of the road.  The figure was spotted standing under a street light, seemingly - she believed - in the process of 'waiting to cross the road'!?  The figure was described as having wavy hair and a thick mustache..... and wearing a yellow, check waistcoat - rounded collar shirt with tie - and a thick overcoat.

Interestingly, she says she saw the figure very clearly..... but her passenger didn't see a thing!? She specifically asked her sister / passenger to look at the somewhat peculiar appearance of the man as they passed by..... but she couldn't see him!?

The witness says she's actually seen the man twice.... and, on both occasions, despite the fact you cannot possibly miss the figure, no one else has seen him!?  One sighting was after 1 am.

She admits she didn't think anything untoward about the figure - he was so clear, about to cross the road - but just had to suspect something 'ghostly in nature' on learning others hadn't seen him!?

Coming forward just a couple or so days later, I had mentioned the above matter on Social Media and a member of the page - Hannah Ord - kindly came forward and commented on the piece.

Hannah told us:  "I also had a very strange incident here... witnessed by my sister-in-law as well.  We both saw a 'open umbrella', walking along by itself, as if some one was holding it and putting it down every time they took a step..... It was a really strange thing to see and I turned to my SIL, thinking I was going crazy, and she was as shocked as me as she saw it as well! 

The umbrella was crossing the road and carried on down the street.  I slowed down when I first saw it, just to make sure of what I was seeing!  It was a black, old-style umbrella with the curved handle which looked wooden or made of cane.  I would say it was a mans umbrella." 

I asked Hannah if it couldn't have just been an umbrella in the process of simply 'blowing along the street in the wind'?   She responded:  "No - it was too rhythmic in its movement; it had the same movement as a walking stick....  I think I noticed it more as it hadn’t been raining, then my brain noticed there was no one holding it!  We drove past it as it crossed the road parallel to the car but it had just reach the curb to cross over when I spotted it and slowed the car right down as I honestly thought I was either going mad or hallucinating, if I hadn’t someone with me who also saw it without me pointing it out, I probably wouldn’t of ever told anyone. Someone else walking down the road also saw it because as we passed they just stopped and stared at it."

Unlike the first, night-time instance mentioned here - a few years old now - this second 'bout of utter strangeness' occurred only (approx) 18 months ago.... and around 12 noon!

Again - while some properties in the general Chapel Ash region are said to be haunted, I'd not heard of anything specifically related to this stretch of road until now... so.... needless to say..... all concerned would very much love to hear from anyone who could possibly shed light on - or perhaps 'add to' - these baffling incidents?

Tuesday July 30th 2019

I'm sure that we've possibly mentioned the site 'White Ladies Priory' on this page previously (?) and this happens to be the very first place that I ever attended an overnight investigation, some 30+ years ago now.... and have spent a number of such evenings in the years since too.   As many visitors to this page will know, the ruins concerned stand in East Shropshire, not far from the busy city of Wolverhampton.... and easily stand as one of the most well-known, allegedly haunted, sites in the Midlands region.  It could probably go without saying that the priory is EXTREMELY popular with 'ghost hunting groups' and the likes, and 'strange stories' concerning the place are myriad....

Yesterday, an old school-time acquaintance, Jayne Cartwright, kindly shared her own peculiar story with me concerning this site...... an incident that occurred in 2012:

"I was out with the family and my camera to photograph White Ladies Priory Ruins. The day was bright and at first we were the only ones there.

I have to admit that I was most annoyed when a family arrived and pitched a picnic right in the middle, ruining the shots I wanted to take. There were a few other people mingling around too, bit its big enough for none of them to have been close to get in the way of the shots I wanted on the outside of the structure.

My son had been intrigued by the fact that sunflowers had been placed in holes in the wall, obviously there had been come kind of celebration there the night before.

My body was still all over the place after a serious accident that I'd suffered, so I didn’t walk too fast, and after about 45 minutes John and Jax (sons) were ready to leave, so I had walked towards the little lane to leave. At this point my son ran up to say he had spotted another sunflower somewhere at the furthest point away from me through a little arch / doorway. He called to me to follow, so I said I would, meaning they were some distance in front of me, and none of the other visitors were in close proximity; in fact I was outside the walls and the 3 or 4 other visitors were inside the walls.

I turned to follow and was walking approximately past the main entrance to the inside walls when suddenly ‘somebody’ banged into me. I can still remember the bump / brush of a ‘person’ as they banged into me. It was so clear, it was a 'shoulder to shoulder' bang, similar to when you are in a crowded place and I knew - I just knew as soon as it happened - that I had experienced something I could not explain, and that I had encountered something that proved that there is more to the world than we can see.

Of course, my immediate words were: "Jax did I just bump into you?" He immediately saw my bemused look and started shooting my spare camera, that he was using, in my direction, in the hope of seeing something that I couldn’t. He was a good distance away from me, and there was nobody else that it could have been. He swears that there is an indentation on the grass next to me, I think this may be where the grass had been flattened. We will never know, but his photo, was taken literally in the seconds that followed my initial call out to them. Both he and John immediately knew that what had happened, there was no doubt.

I was never a doubter, I am a realist, and I guess I just needed to experience something to believe, and since that day, I have".

A massive 'Thank You' to Jayne for sharing her experience with us!! 

Thursday May 9th 2019

I first visited historic Haden Hill House / Haden Hall - in Rowley Regis - during the latter half of the 1980's.  I'll happily admit that, at the time, I'd been led to believe that the structure had actually been 'demolished' a few years earlier.... so my trip to the region was purely in order to take a look-see at the spot where the place 'used to stand'.  Thankfully, however, it appears the article that I'd read - from a few years earlier - had been somewhat premature in it's suggestions that the local corporation would be 'tearing the site down' and, instead of an open space, I was overjoyed to find the place was still very much there!! 

At the time of this initial visit, the Victorian portion of the site - Haden Hill House - was undergoing a huge renovation project... which is responsible for the magnificent building that you see today.  Referring to the photograph above, the left-hand portion of the image is the aforementioned, 1870's house, while the right-hand section shows the 17th Century 'Haden Hall'.  (The latter wing is also shown here).  

  During the restoration period, the entire site was understandably 'fenced off' from the public, but a workman had spotted yours truly - mooching around the perimeter - and, sidling over, had asked if I was interested in what was going on?  Replying in the affirmative, I then found myself treated to a comprehensive tour of the entire site!

As readers can possibly guess, there are a number of legends and ghost stories associated with the location and, in more recent years, the place has played host to numerous paranormal investigations and tours.

Possibly the most famous spooky legend is that of 2 lovers.... a 'monk' from Halesowen Abbey and 'Eleanor', the daughter of a Hayseech miller.  (*The identity of the female does sometimes change from telling to telling, however!)  A staple of such stories, their relationship was conducted in secret... until they were discovered and allegedly 'walled up alive' in a tunnel, one end of which surfaced in the cellars of Haden Hall.  As a result, the apparition of Eleanor - clad in white and wringing her hands in despair - is said to haunt the building.......  Certain stories say that the monk appears in a particular, upstairs room in the property.

Confusingly, there seem to be a number of locations in the vicinity where a female ghost - or different female ghosts - have reportedly been seen?  In the surrounding parkland, for example, a typical 'grey / white lady' style figure has often been reported.... as well as a young woman in 'blue garb' being spotted sitting at the edge of the nearby pool....  (Image here).   Staff associated with the property are also said to have seen a 'blue lady' during the 1960's.

The older, Haden Hall is also said to play host to an elderly, female ghost.... that of Eliza Haden, who apparently lived here, alone, until her death in the early 20th Century.  Her apparition is said to have been seen peering from the upper windows of the house and, during the 1970's, a photograph was taken that supposedly shows her face sadly gazing down from the attic area!?  It was also during the 1970's that at least one 'ghost hunt' was held in this older section of the building... and I have a handful of scanned photographs in my files taken from images obtained during this investigation.

  
Returning to the 'physical history' of the place, the Haden Hall section of the site had been allowed to remain in a semi-derelict state for a number of decades until recent renovations thankfully restored it to it's current, majestic condition.  While meaning to re-visit the site in more recent times, it wasn't until only a few days ago - May Bank Holiday Monday - that I was finally able to actually see the wonderfully reconstructed property.  It was a most happy coincidence that this recent decision to go and re-acquaint myself with the location happened to fall on a day when a 'Wartime-themed' festival was being held there... meaning that both houses were fully open to the public, as well as numerous 1940's-styled exhibits and attractions to boot!  Relative to this period - serendipitously - a number of the ghost stories associated with the property actually hail from the WWII period, when 'catering' activities being carried out there had to cease due to staff strictly refusing to enter the site at night! 

Whatever the validity of the aforementioned tales, the site itself is an utterly fascinating and beautiful spot to visit, if you should ever get the chance.....  Please check the official Sandwell Council website for the Hall / House HERE and keep an eye out for forthcoming events and attractions.

  

Wednesday 8th May 2019

Visiting allegedly haunted sites will always hold a great fascination for a great many people, as just one, basic, aspect of such a practice is the simple fact that it 'brings you into contact' with, on certain levels, the very ghosts and hauntings that you have been reading about - sometimes over the space of many years - and can serve to make the investigator feel just that little bit 'closer to the mystery' (for want of a better, less theatrical-sounding, term).  My apologies for the dramatic angle here, but, no matter what your approach to this topic might be, it certainly seems that some form of contact with, or connection to, the subject is of paramount importance or emphasis to a great many?

Personally speaking, I've always found it highly fascinating and rewarding to be able to feel that you are bringing yourself 'closer to' the locations, events and characters involved; and - it has to be stressed - speaking as a highly sceptical and wholly objective researcher, this certainly doesn't mean (to me at least) a case of 'investigating in order to believe that I have experienced something paranormal', but, as with anything even mildly 'historical in nature', it's simply a case of 'adding meat to the bones' of the legends and tales we come into contact with and... well, basically... potentially being able to sometimes 'make human again' the highly 'insubstantial' characters that we find we are dealing with......

On this note, it's always felt terribly edifying to yours truly to be able to physicalise, in some way, those 'people that are now being presented to us purely in 'ghostly' form.  A simple example of what I'm getting at here is - as occurred some years ago now - being able to stand at the real-life graveside of a person who was said to be one of the ghosts who haunted a fairly 'famous' (for its ghostly heritage) property in the Black Country region.  Needless to say, this is a purely subjective act - given the overall subject being discussed here - but, purely on a personal level, I find it psychologically gratifying to be potentially able to 'put the human existence back into a ghost' at some level or another.....                       

And so:  I was recently contacted by someone who, it turns out, is a close relative of one of the 'ghosts' that allegedly haunted a site that the W.M.G.C. investigated (on a few occasions) many years ago now.  Because of the nature of the site, I'd initially taken the details related about the character in question with a pinch of salt; though, I hasten to add, that I will - as par for the course - 'make a record of everything' offered to me, over the duration of an investigation (including recordings, interviews, associated legends and stories, etc).  Everything will be noted for reference purposes, while still taking nothing as gospel.... and so forth.

In this instance, the character concerned had been mentioned a great many times over my association with the site in question - by numerous, unrelated people - including conversations with individuals literally years after the investigations / main research venture had ceased.  Again, believing that the data concerned could possibly have been little more than a well-known and much quoted 'legend' - embellished, added to, transformed, etc, with the passing of time - I had made a note of everything said, but still viewed the general topic with a dubious eye.......

On the whole, we will all have heard numerous, tragic tales of people supposedly associated with whatever places we are looking at.... but I'd personally hazard a guess that over 75% of these stories are nothing more than fantasy... or at least transmogrified, unrelated details that have been 'attached to a place' with time.  Needless to say, these stories seem a definite staple when it comes to allegedly haunted sites... the more dramatic the better: murders, suicides, battles, assaults.... you name it, it's been suggested / applied, somewhere along the lines, from place to place.

And so, bringing this brief ramble to a close, I refrain from adding any real, pertinent detail to this note, for most obvious reasons, but suffice it to say it was a highly refreshing change to actually find myself contacted by someone who could verify the real-life details concerning, in this instance, a most tragic legend for me!  As a result of this initially tentative inquiry, I find myself now able to view a death certificate for the person involved, visit a grave and peruse newspaper articles pertaining to their very real and sad demise.  Despite the unfortunate details of the non-too-distant (historically speaking) matter, it is - again - highly satisfying to be able to 'add life to' the unfortunate character concerned......  

Wednesday 8th May 2019 

Within recent days, our old friend Johnny Witton posted a couple of photographs of Dudley Castle on the W.M.G.C. Facebook page (LINK), which prompted one of our members, April Orchard, to tell the story of her first 'ghost sighting' - occurring in 2016, on her very first investigation - at the aforementioned site!!

It appears that there were around 20 people present at the time of the encounter, but only 3 of those actually 'saw the figure'.... which they took to be the famous 'Grey Lady'!

The group were in the process of holding a vigil in what is known to be the 'Kitchens' area of the ruins, when a 'calling out' session was underway.  April says that - lo and behold - every time they 'asked for a sign', they would hear a 'rustling noise' from the roofless room next door!!  Everyone present was so elated that they appeared to be receiving a response to their questioning, it was suggested by April that they all move into the room where the rustling was originating.... which they did.

Entering the area, they were instantly rewarded with the sound of rustling again...... but then came the crushing anti-climax, when they realised the noise concerned was actually nothing more than a section of 'blue tarpaulin' that was flapping In the wind!!  SOOO disheartening!!  Laugh!!

However...... the now deflated group were in the process of looking away from their discovery, when the figure of a woman suddenly walked from one wall of the room - across the floor - and into another!!  The form, which originated from the wall to the left hand side of the tarpaulin, was viewed by April from a side angle and appeared to be 'legless'... though the arms of the figure were clearly seen 'swinging', as in a normal, walking motion.  The figure was that of a young - late 20's / early 30's - slim woman, with long, dark, 'straggly' hair, and the bottom of her grey dress appeared to be made up on different lengths of fabric......

To her credit - because the figure had seemed so real - April had subsequently looked around the area to see if someone had perhaps set up a projector, or some such equipment, to possibly 'fake' the experience?  As mentioned, there were well over a dozen people in the room at the time, but only three of those present actually saw the figure concerned.  (*This kind of 'some do, some don't' scenario, needless to say, has frequently been reported during alleged ghost sightings, over the years, at a variety of different sites).   It should be noted that there was also a peculiar 'smell' noted at the time of the encounter, but those present were told that this was associated with a 'tramp-type-character' who used to 'hang around' the castle kitchens when they were still in operation.....?

While people do tend to react different to this kind of experience, April tells us that - while overwhelmed - she was left feeling absolutely ecstatic by her encounter!  She reports having been left feeling truly 'privileged' by the experience!

Following her sighting, April then saw the famous, 2014, 'Grey Lady' photograph that was taken at the castle, which was picked up by both National and International media sources after initially being seen on this very blog by 'Birmingham Mail' reporter, Mike Lockley!  On the night of their experience April's group had, coincidentally, entered the kitchen area of the ruin through the very doorway featured in this photograph, some 2 years earlier!!  (Mikes Article - HERE)

*As an asides to the above matter - relating to the 'flapping tarpaulin' matter - we had to admit that we could wholeheartedly share in Aprils disappointment, as 'we too' also had a similar story to tell....!!  Laugh!!  During an investigation at the picturesque ruin of Lilleshall Abbey, in Shropshire, many years ago, the group took some sound recordings... which, upon checking the footage, were found to contain a lengthy sequence of 'rustling noises'!?!  As these recordings had been made in a locked-off section of the ruin - the so-called 'Murder Room' - with no one physically present at the time, we were most excited to believe we had possibly caught something quite inexplicable!! 

However, after a few minutes of excited checking and re-checking, it suddenly dawned on us that we had used a huge, blue, tarpaulin to line the lichen covered floor of the chamber concerned on the night in question.......  A night, it had to be noted, that was particularly 'windy'........  Laugh!! 

A big 'Thank You' from the W.M.G.C. - to April Orchard - for kindly allowing us to re-tell her story here!!  If any of our page / blog visitors might be able to help April in finding the other two 'witnesses' to the sighting mentioned here.... then she / we would be forever grateful!?  If anyone is aware of friends or relatives who have attended a commercial investigation in the past and believe they have had a ghostly experience during the event... then please could you possibly check to see if it might have been the same 2016 matter being discussed here, perhaps?  If so, please drop a note to me - via wmghostclub@yahoo.co.uk - and we will pass your details on to April ASAP.  Many thanks!

Wednesday May 8th 2019

Just within the last few weeks, I have been contacted by someone who (quite enviably IMHO) 'owns a church', which they currently use for private enterprise purposes.  The reason why this person contacted me, specifically, was that they had just been told a peculiar story by a relative and, in searching the internet for potential input on the matter, they came across a mention of the W.M.G.C., listed in conjunction with the (wholly embarrassing) 'Cannock Chase Werewolf' shenanigans of a few years ago.

The key reason for the contact was that - a few weeks earlier - a friend of the relative was driving past the church in question when they encountered 2, giant, 'wolf-like' creatures, coming out of some woodland, just 100 feet down the road from the site. They had crossed the road.... and immediately sat down in the church car park, staring at him as he slowly drove past in disbelief!?  The man had been so shocked by the encounter that he immediately called his mum!

The owner of the church messaged all of the neighbours and, initially, no one knew of anyone in the area who owned large dogs, such as huskies, etc.  The witness said that - when sitting - the animals must have been around 4 feet tall.  (Interestingly, 'wolves' happen to be an all-time, childhood fear, of the church owner and - seeing as they work in the building through all hours of the night - it has certainly 'put the fear of God into them', being up there alone!?)

Since our initial correspondence on this subject, the owner admits that they have subsequently spoken to one neighbour who says that she has seen the animals too.  It is NOW believed that the creatures may well possibly be escaped dogs from a nearby rescue centre, perhaps?  

In furtherance to this encounter - but also as something of an asides to the matter too - my contact admitted that, with all the peculiar 'activity' that they had experienced at the church, nothing would shock them!  They have owned the church for approx. 2 years now and, the minute they took over occupancy, they were VERY aware of what was going on.  They believe that they have 'always been able to see odd things'.... as well as experiencing occasional 'premonitions' and the likes.  Our correspondent reveals that they were sure 'killings' had taken place in the basement of the church..... and visiting mediums only served to clear up what they had thought, it seems?

Often, tools would go missing around the building..... inexplicable voices would be heard;  items would be moved or sometimes heard rattling of their own accord!?  After only a few days working there, they noticed the voices of children.... playing late at night!?  In making some inquiries, they were told that the children in the next door property used to 'play with' the ghost children in the past.  The children concerned used to 'see' and 'interact with' a little, 'crippled' boy.... and a young girl.  The son of the family then took his mother to the grave of a girl who had died 140 or so years ago at the age of just 20 months old.  He told her that this was 'where she lives....'.  There was also believed to be a very strong 'male' force present, who would make himself very known when he wasn’t happy...  The father of the owner also said that he was very aware of this character, while he was helping around the property one night. Historically speaking, there is also said to be a veiled woman, dressed all in black.... often seen positioned at the rear of the church during funerals.

Neighbours of the property claim to often hear noises late at night, after the owner has left.

Activity escalated to an extent that the owner eventually called in 3 paranormal teams and one man did mention that the church was situated 'on a portal'?  3 visiting 'mediums' are said to have related quite a lot of information about the site, including suggestions that 'some' of the resident 'spirits are a blacksmith; a mute called big Tom.... and a lady who gave up her child called Jane Bisset.  (It is believed that this woman is the aforementioned 'Female In Black' figure encountered during funerals?)  The ground that the church is built on is believed to be linked to witchcraft.  There have been a number of 'human sacrifices' in the basement of the property.  This has been suggested, because, last year, 2 'malevolent spirits' had to be cleared from the basement area, as they were supposedly causing the owner - and other people - to almost 'faint' at times.  There was a very heavy and oppressive / scary atmosphere in the area and - since they have been cleared - it’s said to be an entirely different place!?  (2 of the 3 mediums  supposedly gave anyone the chance to 'pass over', if they wanted... and those that wished to remain are said to be more than welcome to do so by the owner!)

A recording from a 'spirit box' session is said to have been 'rather terrifying', but this is all that has been said on the subject in question, I'm afraid.  There have also been lots of references to 'the secret... of which no one knows'!?!  (The owner suspects that this is the aforementioned 'sacrifices', possibly!?)

I'm told that the last year or so has been much quieter... now that many of the resident 'spirits' have passed on.  However, it's said that, occasionally, there are 'people' lurking around!?  The owner believes that there is still a woman on the property, but they are unsure who, precisely.  There is supposedly a 'minister' in the graveyard and the last medium still feels there is a man 'trapped in the basement' who was kept there for sacrifice and has been unable to leave.........

Tuesday 19th February  

The W.M.G.C. have investigated a number of sites around Warwick, Warwickshire, in fairly recent years, but it had been a break of almost 3 decades, since my last, casual, 'daylight' tour of the town....  It was, therefore, a pleasure to receive the opportunity to be able to visit such a beautiful and historic region again at the beginning of this month.    

It probably goes without saying that the most famous, allegedly 'haunted', site on offer to visitors is the impressive edifice of Warwick Castle and  there has been a fortification on this spot since a wooden fort was first built here by William The Conqueror in 1068.  As you might expect, ghostly legends associated with the spot are many... though, it has to be stressed that pretty much 'all' are just that: myths and legends.  However, this clearly hasn't slowed castle authorities any in manipulating their ghostly heritage to the fullest in recent years!

Almost definitely, the most famous ghost story associated with the castle is that of the ill-fated Sir Fulke Greville... and it is his legend that gives the sites 'Haunted Tower' its spooky reputation!  James 1st gave Warwick Castle to Greville in 1604 and the latter utilised the stronghold as his country home. 

Just over 20 years later and, while staying at his London home, Greville was the victim of a murderous assault by one of his servants, Ralph Haywood.  In a desperate endeavour to save the badly wounded man, his physician is said to have 'packed the wounds with pig fat'.... causing infection and, finally, an agonising death!  His body was subsequently brought back to Warwick, to be buried in the Collegiate Church of St Mary.   (Right).

In late October 2007, Members of the West Midlands Ghost Club - along with B.B.C. Radio W.M. DJ, Danny Kelly - were allowed to investigate certain portions of the castle overnight.  The resulting recordings were aired as part of a 'Halloween Special' show for that year.

Situated where West Street meets High Street, Lord Leycester Hospital, is a magnificent complex of buildings dating from around the 1100's, to the 14th and 15th Centuries. 

The 12th Cent. chapel of St James - situated over the West Gate Arch, seen in the accompanying pic - was being renovated some years ago, when a headless skeleton, encased in rusty armour, was discovered hidden in a cavity in one of the walls!  It should come as no surprise then that a ghost, in the form of a headless figure, was said to wander a number of rooms within the historic site......  However, after the mysterious remains were buried properly, a little while later, the ghost is said to have disappeared for good!?!

In December 2005, members of the W.M.G.C. were asked to take part in a proposed Central T.V. documentary - on the subject of Midlands ghosts - and the picturesque Tudor House Inn / Hotel, on Stratford Road, Warwick, was chosen as a suitable location for the project.....

The Inn is said to be haunted by at least three different ghosts.... those of a young boy and girl and a gentle, female apparition nick-named 'Jennifer'.  A further figure - a white, hazy 'form' - was also seen going up the bar stairs by two visitors to the hotel one evening.....

Numerous people associated with the site, both staff and visitors, have heard inexplicable, disembodied footsteps both moving across the bar area and in the (empty) 'Mary Tudor Room' directly above.  The sound of music and singing has also been reported by numerous people in the bar area of the building.  Some heavy gates, used to lock up the bar at night, have been heard 'rattling' quite audibly when there was no one around to interfere with them.....  Further audible activity has been reported from outside the property, when people have supposedly heard the sound of 'barrels rolling' in the middle of the night, nearby....!?

The 30 minute documentary - 'Central Extra:  Ghosts' - was aired in January 2006.

"BRIEF INVESTIGATION REPORT: The Tudor House Inn – Warwick – Warwickshire.

Date Of Visit: 11th / 12th December 2005.
Duration Of Visit: Approx. 7.5 hours.
Time of Arrival: Approx. 9.00 p.m.

Present:

Investigative Team - Leonard Jackson, Steve Chew and Nick Duffy. Also, for part of the investigation - Tudor House Manager ‘Sweetie’ and I.T.V. Film Crew x 3 persons.

For the duration of the night, three paying guests are housed in rooms situated on the 2nd Floor landing.

Aims / Inv. Process:

General investigation of property, mainly focusing on sections of building noted as being of particular relevance / importance regarding the alleged paranormal history of the site. Investigation procedure incorporating:

1st person audio / visual observation.

(b) Static (area based) audio / visual recording, incorporating standard / night shot camera’s.

(c) General temperature recording. (Incorporating ‘ambient’ devices).

(d) Trigger objects – listed below:

*12” tall mannequin figure – positioned on table in Restaurant area of building.
*Cross – outlined on white paper – on small, corner window ledge of Mary Tudor Bedroom.
*Childrens chiming ball – situated on dresser in Mary Tudor Bedroom.
*Bible – placed on chair at top of Bar Room Stairs.

Brief Investigation Notes:

*9.00 p.m. – W.M.G.C. members arrive at site. Speak with Tudor House staff and gather general data concerning alleged haunting of site.

*10.00 p.m. – I.T.V. Crew arrive. Begin with filming external views of building, followed by ‘interview’ sessions – in Main Bar Area - with group members.

*11.30 a.m. – I.T.V. crew film group members setting up investigative equipment in Mary Tudor Bedroom.

Camera (utilising night shot capacity) positioned in (door / main window) corner of bedroom, facing – diagonally – towards small, corner window (on the ledge of which the ‘cross’ trigger object is positioned).

Thermometer and childrens ball situated on small dresser against corridor wall of room.

Door to M. T. Room locked at 12.15 a.m.

*Approx. 12.30 a.m. – I.T.V. Crew leave building.

*1.00 a.m. – video recording session in Mary Tudor Bedroom finishes. (At this point in the morning, ‘Sweetie’ retires for the night to Room 5 on the First Floor landing).

*1.15 a.m. to 2.00 a.m. – Group members conduct vigil on staircase between Restaurant area and 1st Floor Landing.

During this period:

Video recording session running in Main Bar Area. Camera facing up Bar stairs to 1st Floor area.

*2.10 to 3.00 a.m. – Group members conduct vigil in Bar Area.

During this period:

Camera 1: positioned on 2nd Floor Landing, looking towards Room 10 area.

Camera 2: positioned on 1st Floor Landing, facing upstairs towards 2nd Floor Area.

Camera 3: positioned in Restaurant Area, facing rear of property.

At approx. 2.49 a.m. Len Jackson walking along Reception Area corridor (going to retrieve camera 3 from Restaurant Area) when he hears loud ‘hiccup’ type noise. Cannot find source of sound and admits that the experience causes him to be momentarily reticent to enter Restaurant Area.

*3.00 a.m. to 4.00 a.m. – Group conduct vigil in Mary Tudor Bedroom.

During this period:

Video recording sessions in Main Bar Area. Camera 1 situated on Bar Balcony – 1st Floor level – filming down towards great fireplace end of room.

Camera 2 positioned facing Bar Stairs.

*4.30 a.m. – Group leave site.

Conclusions / Summary:

Nothing of an obvious ‘paranormal’ nature was detected during our visit. The only event of any potential significance was Len Jacksons experience at 2.49 a.m. in the Reception Area Corridor.

Temperatures within the building dropped steadily by 1.5 degrees during the course of the stay.

Doc Ends".

In more recent times, St Johns House Museum - a fine Jacobean house, set in its own gardens - appears to have become fairly popular with the 'Paid Ghost Hunt' / 'Commercial Ghost Venture' fraternity.  While we could find no real written records re. the alleged, 'haunted history' of this site at all, a quick check 'online' is pretty much all it takes to both 'set alarm bells ringing' and merit more than a slight 'sceptical grimace'...... 

To quote advertising blurb found on the net: "There have been many reports of paranormal activity and ghostly sightings at the mansion by staff and visitors alike, including the sounds of footsteps from empty rooms, dramatic drops in temperature and even a figure seen at one of the windows. It is thought two sisters both met tragic ends at the house; one was burnt to death when her clothing caught light while trying to dry herself by an open fire and the other fell ill after the house was broken into and many believe she literally died of fright".

All of the extremely limited data mentioned above seems absolutely standard from site to site.... which would basically lead the reader to surmise that all of the references are probably taken from the same, initial, very brief, source?  Whatever, its hardly 'riveting stuff', is it - 'dramatic drops in temperature' and 'a figure seen at a window'!?! - especially if you are being asked to, on the basis of such scant detail, dig deeply into your pockets, pull out your hard-earned cash, and pay handsomely for the pleasure of staying here, eh!?

In mid-2009, group members paid our most recent overnight visit to Warwick, when we were invited to investigate the lovely 'Lord Leycesters Hotel' in High Street.

Built around 1600, the ghost of a little girl has been spotted darting around one of the staircases of the building.  Upon being challenged by a member of staff, the child is said to have put her finger to her lips and - somewhat cheekily - told the person concerned to 'Shussshhhh....!!!' before disappearing!! 

A much more disturbing apparition altogether was the naked 'torso' of what appeared to be an 'Afro-Caribbean Gentleman' that was spotted by a cleaner, moving between some of the hotel rooms on an upper floor!

In this same area of the property, hotel equipment has been interfered with - hoovers and lights switched on and off, seemingly of their own volition - and, on more than one occasion, 'shoes' apparently witnessed 'flying through a wall'...!?! 

Visitors and staff have also reported uneasy and uncomfortable sensations, in a number of parts of the hotel, and a former chef claims to have had something forcibly 'brush past him' in the cellar of the site one day, even though there was nothing to be seen to explain the sensation........

In ending our little visit to Warwick, we thought we might part with a nice, gentle, historic ghost..... that of the genteel  Thomas Oaken.....

On my first visit to the town, the utterly gorgeous 'Thomas Oakens House'  - a 16th Cent. structure, lying within a stones throw of the castle - housed a 'Doll Museum' and 'Doll Hospital'.  However - today - is now a tiny, charming 'tea rooms', it seems!!

Oaken himself was born to a very poor, local family, but - through his hard work - he later became a very prosperous merchant in the region and was a great benefactor to the town!  While little has been published on the associated haunting, it is said that the quiet, gentle, spirit of Oaken walks through his former home at night.......

Monday 18th February 2018

It comes as a rather happy coincidence that three separate - and, of course, most interesting - images should find their way to us in the week leading up to this planned update of the blog!  It's always most stimulating to be able to put your mind into something visually challenging.... and, needless to say - at a basic level - there's nothing like a nice 'spooky photograph' to get the juices flowing, is there......?

All three of the images concerned have come to us via 'Facebook'.... the first (immediately above) being introduced in a post on the 'West Midlands Ghost Club' related page itself.  The Gentleman concerned explained:

"Hi folks.  Not saying this is a ghost - I know it isn't! - but this is strange....   What seems to be the outline of a fiqure of a person; never really bothered me until today!"

It is explained that the picture shows a wall situated inside the Gentlemans place of work and is a spot - perched on the radiator - that was a favourite 'resting place' of another, former, employee at the site.....  Sadly, the man passed away some years ago and, as the outline is roughly the same size and build of the man in question, it is relatively easy to almost imagine that the wall had somehow 'taken an image of him'.... as if to 'remember him by', perhaps?  The 'shadow' itself was initially noticed by a female member of staff not long after the man had passed away, which, of course, would doubtlessly prove to be significant in the time-line involved....

General concensus on the 'shadow' - on the WMGC Facebook page - is the simple reasoning that the mark concerned is simply 'dust' that has risen with the heat from the radiator and settled on the wall.  I'm sure most page visitors have seen this kind of effect - or variations on the theme - many times over the years and such a conclusion, therefore, is unquestionably the most obvious and most logical.  (Image below specifically 'darkened' to enhance the effect concerned).

However, whenever you find yourself dealing with such matters - in conjunction with some form of 'community' especially - there is always going to be the question of some type of 'lore' potentially appearing or developing and 'coming into play' too?  However insignificant this lore may be, it is - it should go without saying - of incredible importance to make note of, from a research point of view / angle.  For example, in the instance discussed here, it is said that the workforce involved openly acknowledged this 'effect', to the extent that it was referred to as:  'The shape of XXX'.  (XXX representing the name of the deceased). 

Furthermore, we're informed that people sometimes believed that they could 'smell smoke' at certain timers, as the deceased Gentleman was a smoker......  It was always called 'The Ghost Of XXX'.

Our 2nd photograph for this post - below - was again introduced to us on Facebook and concerns a site in the South Staffordshire region, not all that far distant from Wolverhampton Borough.

The image was obtained around 10 o' clock one evening, and the lady who took the shot was going through a regular / highly familiar process of arriving home and entering her yard.  She had 'just' literally passed the area where the anomaly can be seen prior to pulling up and switching her vehicle off...... 

She tells us: 

"I always look around - on getting out of the car to open the gate - because sometimes there are deer in the nearby woods.  Normally, I just open the gate, wait for the car to pass through (with my husband driving it in)... and then lock the gates behind it.  This night, however, I felt that I was being watched; it’s a fairly isolated place, so I’m always mindful, but I pretty-much knew knew no one else was there, as I'd just passed the area (with the car head lights on) and there is no other direction someone can enter from.  Anyway, I felt a little eerie... I looked up, behind the car... and 'that' was there!?!  It didn’t appear to be moving at all... and I think that’s what scared me the most, as it appeared totally still and 'staring back at me'!? 

I opened the gate - my phone was in my hand, as I use the torch option to be able to see the padlock - and, as soon as I shut and re-locked the gate, I took a photo!!  I initially used the flash, but nothing showed up.... so I turned the flash off and took another picture, and THAT was the result.....!!  I'm not saying it is a ghost, just strange.....

I'm left feeling a little eerie by the situation; a touch strange and scared!  I didn’t tell my hubby until we were inside our home - basically as he is terrified of things like that - but he kept saying: 'What’s wrong? You're jumpy! What’s happened?  What did you take a picture of?'  When he eventually realised I was a bit frightened, he stopped asking more questions......

Every night now, I’m constantly looking and checking in case of reflections, effects from security lights, etc.... but Ive not seen it again!!"

As I'm not at all personally familiar with the area concerned, the young lady involved was kind enough to send me a photograph of the same scene during daylight hours.  (Above).  It should go without saying that you always need to know as much as you possibly can about a location, in this kind of scenario, so the lady explains:  "All that is behind where the anomaly  was is a very tall hedge... and a garden behind that... that’s it.  A forested area is off to the right.  The anomaly is actually situated on the concrete of a car park".

When the daytime image was posted on the FB page, a couple of people instantly noted the 'traffic cone' that can be seen in the background of the shot and queried whether the 'effect' involved could possibly be an effect created by that, somehow?  In response to such suggestions, it was mentioned that the cone concerned is a constant feature within the scene involved, being used to block a nearby drive, etc.  The position of the cone is some 7 or 8 feet away from where the anomaly is seen in the pic.  Also, seen with the naked eye, it was estimated the 'effect' was about 6 feet in height......       

Our 3rd image, included this update - below - ties-in-nicely with another of our recent posts, having been taken in the 'School Room' of Warwick Castle approximately 4 years or so ago.....

The lady seen playing the role of 'school mistress' in the image was actually a friend of the photographer and was 'conducting a lesson' for the children shown, following an official show.  As a result of this, the lady taking the photograph can be sure of precisely 'who' was present in the room at the time: the area was closed to the public and, apart from those clearly shown in the image itself, there was only another friend of hers - standing to her side as she took the shot - and herself there too.    

         

Nothing at all untoward was noticed during the taking of the images concerned - there were half-a-dozen pics of the children sitting in the room, etc - but the strange 'background anomaly' was only spotted on sending copies to a friend later. Of all of the images, this 'anomaly' appears in only one, single shot.....

A photographer gentleman, who had expressed an interest in the matter, viewed the image a couple or so years ago and suggested that the 'dress' shown was something from the 15th Century, possibly!? 

The lady who took the picture admits that she gets a 'female', 'Asian' impression from the image.... something which, I have to agree wholeheartedly with, I find!?