Morecambe Winter Gardens

The Winter Gardens has a wonderful history. Many famous Actors, Comedians (Laurel and Hardy) graced it stage. The theater fell into decline and finally closed its doors in 1977. Since the MOST HAUNTED visit the theatre has become very popular for Ghost Hunts and is bringing a regular revenue for the theatre restoration fund.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

• Phantom footsteps


• Knocks and bangs.
  
• Physical contact - people touched and pushed.
  
• Haunted staircase - the spirit of a woman who fell to her death after a row with her partner. Was she pushed?


• Poltergeist activity
  


• Singing ghost - woman's voice heard singing.
  
• Dog - heard growling.
  
• Apparitions - a male on the stage who does not like anyone else there.
• The office is haunted by the two men who designed the winter gardens .


• A young boy named Thomas who drowned.


• Two ladies, Mary and Elizabeth.

CASE REPORT: START 9AM-FINISH 4.30AM

Areas Investigated:

• The main auditorium


• The Circle.
  
• The Gods.


• Gents and Ladies Bar.


• The Stage and Access balconies.


• Dressing rooms.


• The Cellar.

Evidence Collected:

2 x EVP's
Orb

Personal Experinces:

At one point late into the morning I was last to descend the staircase leading from the Gods down to the Circle balcony. Half way down, there was a very loud bang. I actually thought something had fell out of my rucksack and turned to look, but all was clear. The whole of the stairs was checked and there we found nothing. The bang sounded like a very heavy object had dropped. All the group present tried in vane to re-create the sound but to no avail.

The group were all present when individual seats in the Gods came down of their own accord (I did check how easy this was to do manually and the seats were quite stiff to pull down). All the seats were checked before hand. This happened 3 times. Jacqui (please view her detailed report on her experience) had a very alarming experience in the cellar area. Before I give you an overview of this I would like to state that I have know Jacqui for 8 years now and can say that she is a very honest down to earth person, and I believe what happened to her to be genuine.

NOW down to details. Our group plus the medium were in the cellar (part of this is flooded). The story goes that it is believed that a previous TV programme who ventured into this area opened a portal which allowed all and sundry to enter into the space. An Entity was said to live in the cellar and trap unfortunate souls who pass through the portal.

A circle was formed which included Jacqui and the Medium, John. Those left stood close to them. People reported cold draughts (I have to say I thought they were coming form the open drains), swirling blue mists in the centre of the circle (I could not see this) and some felt they were aware of the Entity and of a spirit of a small child.

Jacqui started to shake uncontrollably and gripped the hands of her companions to such a degree that she was hurting them, she stared to sob. John came in and held Jaquie hands. He came to the conclusion that a spirit was seeking refuge in the circle and wanted to be released through Jacquie... which was done. At which point Jacqui collapsed, sobbing. She was then helped out of the cellar to recover.

The Circle reformed on John's request, where the said Entity spoke through him briefly and said "Get the fxxxk out" nothing else transpired and as the team was leaving the cellar, Gill took a little paddle through to the other flooded rooms much to some peoples dismay.... of course, nothing happened to her.

During the start of the session I could clearly hear what sounded like the tinkling of metal, this was recorded on the Digital Recorded. This sound stopped when Jacqui had supposedly released the spirit. There was also a strange sound of what sounded like a man wretching in the background.

Conclusions

A great place that I want the team to return to at some point. The night was extremely quiet for such a reportedly haunted location, and apart from the seats, the loud bang and Jack's ordeal nothing else happened.

Did Jacqui channel the spirit of a trapped boy? I can only say that I feel Jacquie may have! We can only go by our own experiences, and I trust her to be genuine.

The Star, Acton by Nantwich

The Star has a very colourful history attached to it. This Inn dates back to either the late 16th century or early 17th century. Its earlier name was The Stirrup Cup or House. I do have a list of some of the old landlords of The Star but not from its earlier name. This old coaching inn still has the mounting block outside and although it has been extended and altered over the years, it’s still true to a very fine country inn. It was reported that Lord Byron's head of command gathered here the evening before the legendary Battle of Nantwich.

REPORTED ACTIVITY: 2007

• Lady in white who walks through the original part of the bar.
• A sinister presence on the 2nd floor, dark shadows, doors opening on their own.
• a man died in the bar area.
• Male presence in the bar area (it is thought it is an old landlord).

2008

• Present landlord Jim, cellar light turned on when he was in the cellar, the door from the bar was locked and know one else was with him.
  
• Liz (Landlady) experienced 'something' pass
  behind her which blocked the bar light off.
  
• Gill (SA team member) took the following photo in the dining room when interviewing Jim. This was also very close to where Liz had her experience.


• June 1st - Jim reported that one of the pumps in the cellar had been turned off. He commented that he NEVER turns the pumps off at any time. On inspection by us the switch was not loose and could not have been accidentally knocked off.

CASE REPORT: START 1AM - FINISH 9.00AM

Areas Investigated::

The main bar area and the second floor accomodation.

Evidence collected:

• EVP's x 4
• Dark shadow which was experienced by all present.
• Partial manifestation of man leaning against the bar. He had a flat cap and white shirt on.
• Loud bang at bar area.
• Red streek of light which was witnessed by 2 people present.
• Knocks on request.
• Dowsing- Layline passes through the corner if the property, and possible portal/vortex.
• Cold spots (althought there was a skylight above us that could rule of this.
• Extensive 'spirit light' activity.

Conclusion:
Upper floor accommodation - During the early evening walk round, Steve and Jacquie reported that as soon as they turned into the corridor, there was a strong feeling of something/one in the corridor. When they dowsed the area, that feeling remained so we were certain we would see or hear something during our vigils.

Also on dowsing the upper floor, it revealed a lay line cutting across the corner of the property emitting from the far right room (front of property). And a high energy field was located close to the bathroom. When we moved upstairs for the later vigil, the corridor that had originally felt foreboding, now felt calm, and noting was recorded here.

Ground floor bar areas - The main bar felt peaceful and quiet. It was all together different when we moved to the adjacent front bar and rear room. Immediately, the room felt busy, like a party atmosphere, or as you would expect a busy bustling pub.

EVP’s were also recorded in here and all people reported a moving dark shadow that seamed to circle the table. Kath witnessed a partial apparition at the bar mainly head and shoulders of a man standing, leaning against the bar with a flat cap. moustache and white shirt.

Cold blasts were felt at the rear bar vigil but on inspection a skylight was located and so this could rule out the feeling of cold air.

We are certain the Star DOES have paranormal activity, and think a second visit would be worth while.

The Ye Olde Vaults, Nantwich

The SA team investigated The Ye Olde Vaults, Nantwich.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

Main Bar

• a shadow in the window alcove (street side)

The Cellar

• electrical disturbances
• footsteps, banging and knocking
• tinckling of glasses
• physical experiences (touching, pushing)
• audibles
• switches being tuned off
• scratching and tapping.
  
  CASE REPORT: START 10.30PM - FINISH 3.00AM
  
  Areas Investigated
  

The cellar and the main bar.

Evidence collected:

• One good orb photo (see left)
  
• EVP


• Loud sounds of creaking in the main bar.

Conclusion
Is the Old Vaults haunted? The people who work there
think so, but the majority of the SA team did not find anything conclusive to support the eye witness accounts.

Crewe Heritage Centre

The museum is located at the rear of a the Tesco superstore, in the old LMS railway yard for Crewe Railway Station.

It was originally named 'The Railway Age' and on its initial opening was a great success for the town. Unfortunately the centre fell into decline until new management was installed in late November 2007.

The museum is now undergoing extensive renovations.

It has three signal boxes. The largest being the North Signal Box (see photo right).

The main exhibit of the museum is the BR Class 370 APT now undergoing restoration and upgrading. The main exhibition hall features many trains, carriages and exhibits, including the exhibition of a LNWR Travelling post office (TPO) coach and assorted Royal Mail Exhibits . The investigation was an initial recce for a possible future charity event.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

Most activity was reported in the North Signal Box.

CASE REPORT: START 9PM - FINISH- 4PM

Areas investigated

The North Signal Box

• BR Class 370 APT train
• LNWR Travelling post office.
• Main exhibition area

Evidence collected

Activity in the lower section of the North signal box. The EMF meter was responding to questions.

• Spirit lights were reported.
• IR Video of Orbs in the Traveling Post Office.
• Feeling of the carriage moving from side to side.
• Footsteps and voices in the main exhibition hall.

Conclusion
Our team felt that there maybe 2 areas of paranormal interest. We agreed that another recce vigil should performed in order to substantiate a definite paranormal activity is present before giving the thumbs up for a charity event. All the incidents experienced could be rationalised.

The Leopard, Burslem

This was once known as The Savoy of the midlands. It is over 300 years old. The building started life about 1640 when some cottages were knocked together. Helen Wedgewood took the building over in 1740. She turned it into a hotel and public house. The pub was bought in 1872 by James Norris when the building was in decline. He renovated the building and an extension was added in the early `1900’s. Another 57 bedrooms were added, so that made 102 rooms over 6 floors.This ex Grand Hotel now has derelict rooms, 58 bedrooms have just been reopened after being sealed up between 1931 and the 1950’s. Tunnels have been found in the cellar.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

• Leigh is said to walk the cellars. She was the local witch.
• Mary, an owner from the mid 1800’s
• A mudered woman who had her throat cut by the tall gentleman.
• A sinister tall man with a goatie beard
• Drunken, ugly old woman in the cellars.
• A man named James walkes the building
• Children in the cellar.
• Poltergeist activity e..g. Bricks and glasses thrown at customers.
• Physical attack e.g. People have been held by their throats against walls.
• A pack with the devil.

CASE REPORT: START 9PM - FINISH 6AM

Areas investigated

• Main bar areas
• Outer extension now derelict.

Evidence collected

• Polterguise activity in dissused area.
• Audubles "I have done nothing"
• Orbs

Conclusion

This was an organised event. We deffinately felt that the location warranted another visit and that the location had paranormal activity.

The Knights Grange, Winsford

The Grange appears under this name for the first time in 1325/6 as the Grange of Knytes. These were young men working on the farm. They were labourers rather than scholars and they had not taken there full vows.
Lady Mary Cholmondeley (1563-1625) bought the property and she built the brick mansion you see today. The old farmhouse is now a fully licensed public house and what is left of the out buildings form a sports centre.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

• Ida (a nun) has been seen sitting on a chair by the front door.
• After closing time the landord has heard tables and chairs moving downstairs across the stone floor .
• A woman has been seenon the first floor of the building.
• Shadows have been seen in variouse parts of the building.
• A customer’s dog (early 2007) would not stop growling at the fireplace in the lounge.
• Pool balls move on their own.

CASE REPORT: START 11PM - FINISH 2.00AM

Areas investigated

• Loft compartment
• Main bar areas
• 2nd floor accommodation

Evidence collected

A figure standing by the patio doors located in area 1 . This figure was described as a hooded cloaked figure and their cape was flowing as if the wind had caught it. Kath checked out the are and nothing was found. When she returnd to her location (in the pool room) the figure could be clearly see again.

Conclusion

With the exception of the above nothing conclusive was found here.

The Gym, Winsford

It is believed to have been first built in the 1780’s, but the plaque shows that most of this building dates from 1822. This chapel was became a Sunday school in the 1870’s – 1890’s and a new extension was added. The corridor was added in the 1990’s and it was converted into a gym in 2002.

REPORTED ACTIVITY

• Objects move around.
• Power would turn off.
• Shadows have been seen on the stairs leading to the first floor flat, bottom of
  the stairs leading to the first floor gym and by the large weight machine.
• Smell of fire and wet dog in the middle room by the large mirrors.
• The hatch door leading to the attic opens.
• Feeling of being watched from the stairs leading to the first floor flat
• Jason (the owner) was pinned to his bed in the flat.
• The threadmills switch on as if some one is standing on them. They also show.
• A heartrate. This can only happen if you hold the silver handles.

CASE REPORT: STARTED 10PM - FINISH 4AM

• Areas Investigated
• Main gym area.
• First floor gym.

Evidence collected

• Movement was seen on the stairs going up to the first floor room, a bang was heard shortly afterwards and was recorded on the Digital recorder.
• Digital recorders wrere turning on and off.
• Other loud bangs.
• Cold spots on stairs going up to living quarters.
• Gill felt cold breath on her face when we were having a conversation about a minister who worked here.

Conclusion
Very disappointing after such a good start, but we think if the owner had stayed, more things would have happened. The activity (if you wish to call it that) seemed to happen around him. Very enjoyable night and a second visit is in the pipeline.