Spirit Catcher

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The Links on this page lead to some of the Case Studies i have done
The Science of Spirits
Borley Rectory
Queens House Greenwich

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The "Science" of investigating Spirits
What is it like to hunt for Spirits? What it certainly is not like is the film "Ghostbusters" from a Ghosthunters point of view Ghost hunting is very different from what people imagine.Every ghost hunt is different and what you come to terms with very early on is the knowledge that the vast majority of cases will be completely fruitless and without event.On the other hand though when you do produce an image on film or witness the presence of a spirit the whole process is well worth the wait.Anyone embarking on ghosthunting in a serious way should look at it not so much like a rollercoaster ride full of thrills but more like a long walk down a straight road with just the occasional sighting of a beautiful and brilliantly coloured butterfly to break the monotony.
Different types of spirits
"Recordings" It is believed that a "Recording" haunting where a spirit seems to repeat the event of there death or a certain event in their life happens becuase at certain times the conditions are right.By this i mean high emotion,fear,stress and even love possibly in combination with certain atmospheric or geological conditions,it may be that certain types of rock formation containing particular minerals,or certain levels of humidity,or tempreture all combine to produce a "recording" of an event. e.g "A spirit can be seen forever walking the pathway that existed in his time." The nature of this spirit often gives itself away particularly after structual alterations.So is it by changing the structure of a building changes the acoustic conditions or arrangements of metal and wood in effect pushes the "playback" button.
Anniversary spirits
The Anniversary spirit is very much the same as a recording spirit they are destined to return to the spot of a certain incident on the date of the anniversary, but as the "recording" spirit the atmospheric conditions must be right so it may be that the spirit returns each year at around the same time but not a certain date. e.g If a spirit's anniversary was in a certain month like december when it is cold and damp then it is possible that the conditions will not be the same on a certain day every year, so the spirit will return at around the same time each year when the conditions are right.
A "Presence"
This is a spirit you may not necessary see but will sense, it may be that in a certain room you feel you are being watched or can even smell something that there is no explanation for. With certain "Presences" you can tell if they are male or female it could be the smell of a perfume or pipe tobacco which would indicate the different sexes.Some people have even sensed the spirit of an animal.In this catogory comes the "cold spots" which is a certain sign of a spirit present.

"Poltergiest"
A Poltergiest is one of the most common amongst spirit phenomena, these specimins are slightly different to your average ghost as ghosts are more looked at at haunting places poltergiest are more often than not known to haunt people.Unlike spirits that stay exactly where they are and can be seen by anybody that happens to be there and the conditions are right, a Poltegiest will attach itself to a person and it is normally just that person and those close by that experience anything.Poltergiest activity is usualy short lived to a period of around two months, but by the end of it you could need to do some serious decorating.
Interactive spirits
Quite different to a recording spirit and not as violent as a poltergiest the interactive spirit is a sure sign that there is survival of the spirit after death.The interactive spirit is aware of your presence and may even respond to your questions and call you by name.If you move around it may follow you and will let you be aware of its presence also.These spirits normally only present themselves to loved one's such as a mother,father child.Which would make it extremely difficult to capture this fabulous event.
Time slipsWhat we might mistake as an interactive spirit could infact be a time slip this is a situation where it is possible for a window to open up between two times allowing people on either side of the window to view each other.It is not certain whether or not one or both parties actually shift in time or merely percieves another time.The result being that the person see's someone that should not normally be there or percieves a shift in there surroundings seeing them as they would appear in a time other than the present.Its also not certain whether the past is drawn to the present or the present is drawn to the past.
Spirits of the living
Now this is a phenomena where the spirit of a living person has been witnessed by a person or group in a different location other to where the person is at the same time.At the time you wouldnt know you were dealing with a paranormal apparition it would only come apparent at a later date after talking to the person involved.You may never know what you have experienced.
Spirits of the dying
These are spirits that bridge the gap between evidence of the survival of the spirit and an out of body experience.These spirits have successfully alerted people of dangerous situations and therefor have saved anothers life from beyond the grave.This phenomena has also alerted a loved one of there death before they would infact of had time to find out.
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The Ghosts of Borley Rectory.
In the summer of 2004 i spent alot of time going up and down the country doing case studies.
The following case studies are what people see and believe themselves the Truth?
The term "paranormal" is a huge and diverse subject. It may include: Anomalies, Angels, Demons, Channelling, Ghosts, Hauntings, Out of body experiences, Telekinesis, Witchcraft and so on.
Topics such as the paranormal deal with the term truth, and rely on your ideas and beliefs to determine what is and what isn't true to you.
My research on the paranormal have dealt largely with paranormal behaviours, and the stories that go with them. I have chosen to conduct my case study journal and later my tutorial presentation beginning on a case study of Borley, and in particular the Borley Rectory and church. I have enjoyed the research that I have done, and have found it very interesting, and I hope that you will also by reading my case studies.
SITE:
Located in the Essex countryside, approximately 60 miles SE of London, is the location of Borley, and the site of the infamous Borley Rectory, reputed as the "Most Haunted House in England". there have been in the past thorough and intense investigations, including those conducted by expert investigator Harry Price
The red brick building that had been Borley Rectory was built on the site of Borley in 1863 by Reverend Henry Dawson Ellis Bull, where he and his wife Caroline resided and raised 14 children. It was destroyed by fire in February 1939/28/02
It may be inferred that this was a building fated from the start due to the unfortunate history of its location. When it was built, there were already rumours regarding the surrounding area. Also on the location, is the Borley Church, which dates back much further than the rectory. It has been found in an article in the Doomsday Book, a reference to what was believed to have been a Borley Manor prior to 1066, and a wooden church built around a similar time to the Manor.
An interesting fact that I came across was that on record in the Dissolution of Monasteries,when i visited the abbey complexes of Rievaulx and Fountains in north Yorkshire, TBA (06/2004) there is mention of vessels and a large treasure once held by the Priory. These were not confiscated as would have been expected, and have to this day still not been accounted for, despite large searches of the area, including the use of metal detectors. Are the artefacts there and just very well hidden, have they disappeared or where they never there in the first place?

ALLEGED HAUNTINGS
Reports of paranormal behaviour make up a long list, including the following: Books appearing out of nowhere, ringing of bells, ransacking of locked cupboards, footsteps, cold patches and wailing in cellar wall.
In 1362, a Benedictine monk and a nun from Burres nunnery attempted to elope by horse drawn coach. The couple were apprehended and sentenced to death. The monk was hanged or beheaded, and the nun bricked up alive. There have been numerous sightings of the pair, particularly the nun by a number of people. The nun is often seen walking in daylight along a stretch known as the "nun-walk"(this sighting has become the most reported spectre at Borley. It has been said that tunnels now connect the two sites. The nun has also been said to have become a regular visitor to the nursery, where the children began to expect her. A Nursemaid left in 1886 because of ghostly footsteps.
On July 28, 1900, three daughters of Henry Bull sighted the nun. They assumed she was human, and approached her to welcome her as a guest. She had gone. Similarly, two men saw a "woman in grey" walking towards the lake. She disappeared suddenly, and they hurried to her aid assuming she had fallen into the water. Again, she had vanished. She had been regularly sighted at one of the gateposts on four separate occasions by a carpenter.
October 1930 saw the beginning of what was to be the greatest period of paranormal activity during the period of Borley Rectory, when Rev. Lionel Algernon Foyster, his wife Marianne and his daughter Adelaide moved into the rectory. It would appear that Marianne herself was the preferred target, as many of the attacks seemed to be aimed at her. The activity was accompanied by attacks on Marianne. She was assaulted twice - once struck in the face, the second time being flung from her bed after an exorcism. Price voiced his concern that these attacks were becoming violent. Interestingly, there were notes written on the walls addressed to her, some asking for help. Visitors to the house witnessed these, so Marianne could not have been responsible. The attention she attracted may have been due to her kind and caring nature (She was a social worker). During the stay of the Foysters', Price claimed there to have been at least 2000 separate incidences occurring.
Borley Churchyard behind Borley Church
Captain Gregson was the last person to live in the Rectory before it burnt down. He and his family lived in the house for a brief time before it was burnt down. In his article on the Borley Rectory web site, Gregson described himself as a "sceptic" and unwilling to believe in the hype that surrounded the building. "I can only repeat that I am not superstitious, that I have neither belief (nor much interest) in "Ghosts". But I am obliged to believe the evidence of my own eyes and ears, and I should be foolish indeed to condemn the evidence of the 100 or more living witnesses who bear circumstantial evidence to the strange happenings such as these to which I have referred." The locals will say that the stories are also nonsense, but when invited to stay there, they blatantly refuse. An interesting fact that cannot have been a hoax is the two cocker spaniels Gregson had during his stay at the Rectory. "They refused to enter the courtyard even in the daylight. Each went mad with terror at something they sensed beyond the threshold of the courtyard, and died mad." The ghosts may have achieved their goal and moved on Or have they?.... They may have relocated to the church buildings across the road. Or the locals may just be so tired of the publicity that they are not saying anything further. that's for you to decide. After a séance on March 27th, 1938, a message was received that "Sunex Amures and one of his men" would burn down the rectory that night. On February 27th, 1939, a fire broke out at midnight, destroying the rectory completely. Capt. Gregson had been unpacking some boxes when an oil lamp overturned and caught fire on some books.

Borley Rectory, April 5, 1944.
It was reported on the night of the fire by several individual witnesses that Gregson was accompanied by two strangers - a gentleman with a baldhead and a long robe, and a lady in a grey cloak. These sightings were told by complete strangers that were unaware of the tales surrounding the location.The actual site of the old rectory which no longer stands, is situated in the back garden of the house opposite the church.
CONCLUSION:
I believe it is highly unlikely that these events were fraudulent due to the great amount of evidence collected, the great number of observers involved and the great time span over which these events occurred The site still holds a mystique for parapyschoanalists such as myself. So all that is really left to say is in conclusion on already documented evidence as well as my own experiences in favor of this phenomena.
EVIDENCE FOR:
* Many sightings * Photographic evidence * Tape created from inside the sealed church in 1974 clearly showed footsteps, doors closing, a male groan. This is the most convincing evidence yet. * swinging noises in the cemetery grounds eminating or coming from a location of a large tree My own experiences were on my visit of 2004/22/06 at 11pm i experienced a most palpable atmosphere and many pictures of spiritual energy orbs. as with regards to all of the activity going on in and around Borley it is unlikely that the complete truth will ever be known. Unless other wise specified, all material and photographs are of my own source
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The Queens House Greenwich.
In the summer of 2004 i spent alot of time going up and down the country doing case studies.
The following case studies are what people see and believe themselves the Truth?
The term "paranormal" is a huge and diverse subject. It may include: Anomalies, Angels, Demons, Channelling, Ghosts, Hauntings, Out of body experiences, Telekinesis, Witchcraft and so on.
Topics such as the paranormal deal with the term truth, and rely on your ideas and beliefs to determine what is and what isn't true to you.
My research on the paranormal have dealt largely with paranormal behaviours, and the stories that go with them. I have chosen to conduct my case study on The Queen's House Greenwich, Which took place on 29th June 2004. I have enjoyed the research that I have done, and have found it very interesting, and I hope that you will also by reading my case studies.
SITE:
In 1616 Queen Anne of Denmark King james 1st wife commissioned Inigo Jones a well known designer of that time to design a pavilion for her at Greenwich It was apparently a place of private retreat and hospitality and was also designed as a bridge over the Greenwich to Woolwich Road, between the palace gardens and the Royal Park.Jones had spent the last three years in Italy studying roman and renaissance architecture so this would be his first important commission and the first classical building to be built in England.Unfortunataly work stoped on the building in 1618 as Anne had become ill and died later that year.Work only restarted in 1629 when james's son charles 1st gave greenwich to his queen Henrietta Maria.The building was finally completed in 1635 with the only original splendour surving to date being the painted ceiling of the queens bedchamber,the iron work of the tulip stairs,(the first centrally unsupported staircase in Britian)the discoloured but originally painted woodwork of the hall and its finely laid 1635 arble floor. Queen Henrietta Maria had little time to enjoy the house as when the civil was broke out in 1642 she went into exile in france and charles was beheaded in 1649, and his house being seized by the commonwealth regime and became an official government residence.It however survived.After his restoration to the throne in 1660 Henrietta Maria's son Charles II refitted the house to include two upper 'bridge' rooms to east and west over the road. This produced a square plan on the first floor, rather than the original 'H' of two separate blocks either side of the roadway only connected by a central first-floor bridge.
From 1673 studio space in the House was allocated to the Willem van de Veldes, father and son, the Dutch marine artists who came to England at the invitation of Charles and founded the English school of marine painting. The House continued to be used for various Royal 'grace-and-favour' residential purposes in the 18th century, when the replacement of most of its original windows with Georgian sashes gave it its modern external appearance
In 1805, George III granted the Queen's House to the Royal Naval Asylum - a charity caring for and educating the orphan children of seamen. This moved to Greenwich from Paddington the following year and eventually became part of the Royal Hospital School, which itself moved to Suffolk in 1933
The house was first restored similarly back to its original splendour in 1933-37 where it was used to show the museums early collections.Major restorations was completed in 1990 with additional work being completed later that decade.In 1990-98 the upper floors were fitted with furnishings to look something like the royal residence of 1670's
Since 2001 the House has been reorganised to showcase the Museum's fine-art collection, with an ongoing programme of displays and temporary exhibitions, including contemporary work. It has an active events and education programme and continues in its successful role as a place for corporate and private entertainment Hauntings.
The most famous and documented haunting of the Queens House was a picture taken in 1966 by a Rev Ralph Hardy from Canada, of a ghostly figure climbing the Tulip Staircase. The picture caused much curiosity and was properly examined by Kodak and other sources to prove its authensity. The Tulip Staircase has been a location for many sightings such as a maid who has been seen by members of staff of many occasions frantically moping the floor where allegedly she was thrown or fell to her death. She was a maid at the then greenwich hospital in the 1840's,the first sighting of her was in 1843. She has also been sighted in the underground tunnels of the Queens House.
Other Paranormal activity has been noticed mainly upstairs in the east and west wings where visitors to the house have experienced a number of different phenomena from certain smells like lavender to having there bottoms pinched. One member of staff Mr Tony Anderson witnessed the apparition of a young lady hovering from the upper floor across the balcony centred over the great hall and through the wall into the kings room.

Interview on site with Mr Tony Anderson.
On the 29th june 2004 i went to the Queens House Greenwich and interviewed Mr Tony Anderson who has worked at the Queens House for over 11 years, on monday 20th may 2002 Mr Anderson was doing his normal daily routine, as he was standing with his colleague's he noticed the door on the other side of the balcony situated over the great hall shut as he watched he saw the figure of a young girl drift down the balcony and through the wall the other side into the kings room. " I rushed down to the kings room with my colleague's to witness the apparition go through the outside wall" Mr Anderson said they all noticed the definite temperature change at that point in one certain spot.
He described the apparition as being a young female not any older than 20 small in height with her hair in ringlets wearing crinoline and a smoky blue grey light around her.He also told me that the nearest person he could see she resembled was Elizabeth 1 Bohemia Queen.
This is not the first paranormal experience Mr Anderson has experienced whilst working at the Queens House, he told me one night 11 years ago "I was walking down to the underground tunnels as i reached the doors i heard the large chains rattling which gave me a shock i thought someone was playing games with me, I then tried to unlock the doors and open them where a force pulled the doors shut from me. I tried again but the same thing happened, this went on three times before i shoved the doors hard and walked through. Once inside i felt very unnerved i then felt a hand on my shoulder turned around but no-one was there" Mr Anderson kept this experience to himself for a number of months until oneday a colleague of his experienced exactly the same thing.
These are not the only experiences members of staff have had a young man working the graveyard shift was called down from the Observatory site to the Queens House as he walked down the hill through the park he saw a group of children in a circle singing ring a ring a rosie standing with them was a tall gentleman in a top hat dressed in black. The apparition disappeared as soon as the young man got close to them.
Another sighting took place in the Queens House this time by two security guards observing the Queens House after the fire alarm had been activated as they walked up the Tulip Staircase a ghostly figure glided down the stairs and went straight through them both. The security men left there employment soon after that.
Mr Anderson said " i am alot more in tune with this kind of phenomena now, but am not sure i would like to experience it again it was a very frightening experience and did affect me for some months"
I also had the opportunity to talk to Mrs Patricia Clarke that same day who was one of Mr Anderson's co workers she told me "I witnessed a definite temperature change and the smell of damp wood,i didn't see the apparition but accompanied Mr Anderson that day".

CONCLUSION:
I believe that undoubtingly Mr Anderson saw something may 20th 2002 and with all other documented sightings by members of the public and members of staff that the Queens House has a definate ghostly resident staying. There are three levels of experiencing phenomena: 1.Clarascented level,which is your own natural senses picking up on supernatural activity ie: hair on your arms standing up 2.Claraudiently level,which is hearing noises,certain smells unexplained and moving objects. 3.Clarvoyently level,which is clearly seeing a ghost or apparition. The Queens House has had every level experienced at sometime. I have since been back to the Queens House and taken photographs
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