Southern Paranormal - Investigations

Coalhouse Fort - The Return Investigation

18th August 2007

Attendees :
L&E: Kerry Price, Val Butler, Ken Taylor, Alan Hall, Selina Dean, Kim Wallis, Jim Lewis, Lee Barrows, Tara Nash, Matt Hasler
D&H: Julie Harwood, Wayne Blyth, Tim Stevens, Di Moore, Alison Blyth, Sandy Rutter, Mark Pettet, Maria Street, Ross Richardson.

Rota:

8:30pm- Arrive at Fort
9:00pm- Health and Safety tour
9:45pm- Break
10:00pm- Vigil 1
11:00pm- Break
11:15pm- Vigil 2
12:15pm- Break (1/2 hour)
12:45pm- Vigil 3
01:00are- Break
02:00am- Vigil 4
02:45am- Break
03:00am- Vigil 5
04:00am- Pack up and leave

Teams

Team 1:
Kerry Price (Team Leader)
Julie Harwood
Val Butler
Ken Taylor
Alan Hall
Ellie – Guide

Team 2:
Selina Dean (Team Leader)
Wayne Blyth
Tim Stevens
Kim Wallis
Kieron - Guide

Team 3:
Di Moore (Team Leader)
Alison Blyth
Sandy Rutter
Mark Pettet
Jim Lewis
Mel - Guide

Team 4:
Maria Street (Team Leader)
Lee Barrows
Tara Nash
Ross Richardson
Matt - Guide and Investigator

Team 1:
Vigil 1- Right hand lighting tunnels
Vigil 2- Casemates and Theatre
Vigil 3- Tunnels
Vigil 4- Latrines and Quadrangle

Team 2:
Vigil 1:- Theatre and Casemates.
Vigil 2:- Tunnels
Vigil 3:- Latrines and Quadrangle
Vigil 4:- Lighting Tunnels (right side)

Team 3:
Vigil 1:- Tunnels
Vigil 2:- Latrines and Quadrangle
Vigil 3:- Casemates and Theatre
Vigil 4:- Lighting Tunnels (left side)

Team 4:
Vigil 1:- Latrines and Quadrangle
Vigil 2:- Lighting Tunnels (left side)
Vigil 3:- Lighting Tunnels (right hand)
Vigil 4:- Tunnels

Introduction

Southern Paranormal conducted an investigation at this site back in December 2006. The site usually goes quiet at that time of year so we were very lucky to have got so much activity last time. Many members on hearing about our experiences there wanted to join this investigation so we had a very good mix of both London & Essex and Dorset & Hants investigators for our second visit with as many people new to the site as ones that had visited last time.

This proved to be the right mix of people throwing up a lot of information and names and activity.
We were very lucky this time to have a new vigil area to investigate which proved to be very active, this was the lighting tunnels.
As you will see from the notes much was picked up in there.

As I said in the previous report, Coalhouse Fort does not advertise its ghosts and means that a group goes in ‘blind’, without knowledge and preconceptions. This is all good experience and training and so I love bringing the team here. We have become very fond of the site and the staff and have a great working relationship and it is the most consistently active place that I have visited so far. This was to prove an odd investigation as many things picked up were new to the group with a few old faces making themselves known. This site has a lot to tell.

History

East Tilbury has a long history of defending the country from the bronze age hill fort nearby, the earth ramparts built here in 1402, the battery that was built here in 1799 adjacent to St Catherine’s church to the present Palmerstone fort. There has been a settlement in East Tilbury since Saxon times.

The current building went through many problems due to cracking and design. The final building was supervised by Colonel Charles Gordon of Khartoum.

When the fort was completed it contained barracks for 6 officers and 180 N.C.O.'s, a hospital for 14 patients and a small amount of peace-time married accommodation.

As well as being built as a defence against the French the fort was active in both World Wars

In 1946 the Admiralty took over the site for the training of sea cadets. In 1949 the War Department had let the site for storage for a shoe company. In 1962 the fort was passed to Thurrock Council.

It is currently being managed by the Coalhouse Fort Project.

Tour:

Before the vigils started we were given a health and safety our around the building. The investigators who were new to the site walked in front to give them a good feel of the place and the investigators that had been here before followed at the back.

Information came forward during this, some of which is included here with the rest being in the personal reports.

Theatre

Val is given the name Alice Barker or Baxter.

Tunnels

All at the back hear someone following them, Alan takes a picture and there are orbs on it.
Something slaps Kerry across the right hand side of her face.
Julie has a pain to her right side of her face.
Kerry and Julie have the image of someone facing them shouting at them.
Julie and Kerry feel static electricity which gets worse as they pass the wreckage room and then subsides.

Latrines

Kerry sees a balding man inexplicably squeezed into the first barred window high up in the wall just after turning into the entrance to the latrines.
Right Hand Lighting Tunnel
Only Simon and Kerry were in this area.
Kerry hears footsteps behind her.
Kerry is given the names Malcolm and also Charlie and James Wilson.
Kerry feels that someone died of a heart attack in this area.
As Simon and Kerry make their way into the end room they both feel activity. Kerry feels like it is the same static feeling that Julie and Kerry felt approaching the wreckage room.

Vigil Notes

Team 1

Vigil 1: Right Hand Lighting Tunnels

On entering the tunnel Val is given the name Brian and the name Arthur Armstrong. This information was given only to Kerry
All make their way through the tunnel to the end room.

-Ellie doesn’t like the feeling in here and wants to keep her eyes shut.
Kerry doesn’t like it in here either.
Orb top of camcorder screen in direction of entrance.
-Kerry can see a figure in the tunnel near the entrance.
Val takes photo, orbs on it.
-Kerry calls out
Thermal imaging camera records a drop in temperature of 7c in the same area.
Val hears a knock.
-Kerry calls out.
Julie and Val are shaking.
-Knock on stone heard.
Another knock heard.
-Kerry calls out.
Val’s hair is standing on end.
-Val throws a stone down the tunnel.
Val feels someone coming.
Orb on camcorder right to left of entrance.
-Julie and Ellie feel a woman present.
-Kerry calls out
Q: If you are already in here can you make yourself known?
A: Beth and Julie gasp as they here a noise.
-Alan can see something down the tunnel.
Val hears a squeak.
-Alan keeps seeing movement on thermal imager but no change of temperature.
-Kerry calls out.
Something taps Val on the head.
-Kerry feels a presence to her left (left hand wall)
Kerry stands in corner opposite entrance where Alan has just moved from.
-Something taps on Val’s shoulder.
Something touches Kerry’s head.
-Kerry feels a presence to her left and says that it makes a funny noise and then
feels the presence move behind her.
TEMP in corner opposite entrance 13.3c<15.9c
-Alan given the name Armstrong.
-Alan stands with his back to the entrance.
Kerry sees a middle aged man in the tunnel behind Alan’s right shoulder who
has long hair.
Knock heard
-New battery in thermal imaging camera drains.
-Alan and Julie hear a woman’s giggle coming from the tunnel.
-Kerry calls out
-Kerry feels very cold and feels a pressure building.
Julie and Kerry hear a growl.
Kerry feels trapped.
-Alan sees a light down the tunnel.
Kerry calls out.
Orb on camcorder bottom right of doorway.
-All are very cold.
-Alan calls out
Kerry, Julie and Ellie hear a noise a groan.
All hear a tap.
-Val calls out
Ken takes over filming from Kerry and films in the tunnel.
-Rest of group feel very edgy and impatient.
Alan wants to tell us all to ‘piss off’.
All in the room smell a stale, unwashed smell.
-Alan calls out.
-Team make there way out of the room, Ken leads with Alan at the back. Kerry
takes over filming.
-Alan hears a noise which he likens to someone playing the recorder badly
coming from the room we have just left.
-Kerry hears footsteps.
-Rumbling noise heard by all which sounds like distant thunder coming from the
tunnel ahead.
-Ken calls out
Same noise heard again.
-Ken calls out for noise to be repeated.
Same noise heard again.
-Ken calls out.
-Team make their way a little further down the tunnel towards the turn in the
tunnel.
-Ken calls out.
Orb on camcorder from Ken to right wall.
-Kerry hears a noise which sounds like someone shouting ‘yoo-hoo’.
-Ken calls out.
Ken feels suddenly very cold.
-Two taps heard ahead of Ken by all.
-Ken calls out
As Ken calls out the rumbling noise is heard again followed by the sound of
Wind (team would not be able to hear the weather outside from their position).
-All feel drunk and are swaying, so all make their way outside.
-Team go back in and make their way into the room with steps in.
All are cold but the temperature is warmer in this room than the tunnel.
TEMP tunnel 16c, Room 19c which then drops to 13c.
-Julie left elbow is freezing cold.
-All feel a blast of cold air coming from the opening set halfway up the wall but
the temperature is static and the draft does not show up on the thermal imaging
camera.
Ken puts his hand to the opening and can still feel the cold air coming through.
-Julie’s arm is still cold and thermal imager shows a cold streak down Julie’s
elbow to wrist. Cold streak is 22c and her hand and shoulder are 32c.
-Val calls out.
-All hear a noise.
Val said the noise was a cough.
Ellie sees a white naked eye orb to the right of the entrance.
-Alan feels sick.
Kerry hears whimpering.
All feel temperature drop.
-Ellie can smell the unwashed smell again.
All are very cold.
-Val calls out.
-Both Ken and Ellie put their hands to the opening in the wall and the breeze is
no longer there but Kerry can feel the breeze coming through the tunnel.
-Kerry’s right elbow is cold and feels that someone has hold of her arm. TEMP
of Kerry’s elbow is 4c lower than rest of her arm.
-Cold breeze comes through the opening again.
-Ken calls out for the breeze to stop and come down the passage again.
Breeze stops in opening.
Squeak heard.
-Ken feels the breeze come through the opening again.
Val is very cold down her left hand side.
-Val and Kerry feel something sinister happened down here.
-Very large slow orb captured on camcorder top right of entrance which
coincides with a noise heard which sounded like a groan or sigh from the
entrance.
Breeze has gone again from the opening in the wall.
-Julie, Ellie and Kerry feel sick.
-All make their way to the exit as Alan feels very ill and has a pain in his stomach
like he has been stabbed or beaten and is bent over.
All feel they have been followed outside.
-While the team are outside Kerry goes to lean on something which she sees as
a solid structure which isn’t there. As Kerry looks at it she realises that there is
a figure of a man in a black robe hovering about 4ft off the ground between her
and Julie and is given the name Stephen. The figure moves back and then
disappears. Kerry does not disclose this to the rest of the group.
-All make their way back to the room with the steps in.
-Alan calls out.
Kerry hears someone saying NO.
Alan sees a flashing light down the tunnel.
-Alan calls out.
Alan hears someone imitating Alan.
-Kerry calls out.
Val is very cold.
-Kerry calls out.
Val hears a noise.
Alan says that the spirit is laughing at Kerry calling out.
Orb on camcorder from right to left of entrance.
-Orb comes from tunnel and enters the room.
-Kerry calls out.
Julie feels the spirit is laughing at Kerry.
Alan is given the name Art or Artie
-Ken feels cold down the right hand side of his face.
Ken and Val feel their flesh crawling.
Orb on camcorder from floor to right of entrance.
-Julie looks at Alan and can see someone else.
Val relays how she saw the same thing when she looked at Alan when the team
were making their way down the tunnel on entering the tunnel for the first time.
-Val calls out.
Kerry hears a woman’s voice.
Val is given the name Alice.
-Val has the feeling that the door has been sealed off and both her and Ellie feel
that there was an opening to the right of where the entrance currently is.
-Kerry calls out.
Orb enters the room form the tunnel and Kerry feels a cold breeze follow it.
-Val and Julie both have a backache when they stand with their backs to the wall
opposite the entrance.
Orb on camcorder entering the room from the tunnel.
-Kerry calls out.
Kerry feels something trying to pull the camcorder out of her hands and hears a
noise down the tunnel.
-Kerry and Ellie hear a growl.
-Alan calls out.
Kerry feels something tugging at the pen around her neck.
Ellie feel numb from her chin to her chest.
-Alan feels someone has had a heart attack down here which he attributes to Art.
Alan feels irritable and edgy.
-Kerry feels sick.
Ken hears taps to the left of the door.
-Val, Julie and Kerry hear someone humming.
-Kerry calls out.
Alan is very cold and feels someone standing to his left (right hand wall).
Ellie feels a cold breeze.
-All hear scraping but is coming from the theatre.
Val is very cold.
-Bang is heard through the opening in the wall followed by a breeze.
Alan is very aware of a presence to his left which is trying to affect him.
It becomes very hard for the team to get Alan to hear what we are saying and so
we all make our way slowly outside.
Alan once again feels very sick.
-Ellie sees a shadow of a man half way up the stairs.

Vigil 2:Theatre and Casemates

All settle around the table.
-Two orbs on camcorder to Kerry’s right from the floor moving up.
-Kerry feels very upset and her lip is quivering.
Kerry can taste and smell blood.
-Ken picks up on an army man in full battle dress.
Julie can smell something unpleasant.
-Ellie and Val both have a pain in their bottom right jaw.
-Kerry calls out.
Kerry starts to feel ‘odd’ so Julie takes over filming.
Kerry feels very dizzy and is very cold like she has been in the water for a long
time. She also feels that she has had a knock on the head.
-Alan has pain in bottom left jaw.
-Val feels like her left arm is missing.
-Ken is given the name Alfie Thompson.
Val is in a lot of pain.
Ken picks up on Alfie cleaning his boots.
Kerry relays to the group that on the health and safety tour on their first visit
she saw a man cleaning his boots to the right of the entrance to the latrines.
-Val picks up on an effeminate male.
Alan laughs as at the same time he picks up on a cross dressing male and feels
that he is something to do with a stage show.
Val sees the spirit going around the room tapping people on the head and both
Val and Alan feel that he was a bit of a joker.
Julie and Kerry get the image of Gloria from the old TV show ‘it ain’t half hot mum’.
Kerry can smell cheap flowery perfume.
-Kerry sees someone standing behind Ken.
-Ken ‘Someone knocked a shell onto Alfie’s boots while he was cleaning them
and everybody was laughing at him’.
Ellie and Julie hear a noise.
-Julie feels odd and can’t keep her eyes open like she has been drugged.
-Ken feels Alfie got into a fight in this room and gave someone a black eye.
Alan hears whistling.
-Ellie is cold down her right hand side.
-Val is cold down her left hand side.
Kerry feels senseless.
Julie feels like she is ‘off her face’.
-Kerry’s jaw is clenching
-Ken calls out.
All notice shadows on the ceiling of the casemates (on later investigation it
turned out to be the shadows of the trees outside through the floodlights).
-Val takes over filming.
-Ken is very cold.
Julie feels very spaced out and feels that although she is leaning on what she
knows to be a table she feels like she is leaning on a water bed.
Kerry hears a thump
Ken sees a light to the left of the stage.
-All hear a loud metallic chink on the railings to the casemates.
Kerry sees a figure to the left of the stage.
-Kerry sees a green light on the railings which coincides with an orb in the same
area being picked up on the camcorder in the same area moving towards Val
and the camcorder.
-Ken calls out.
All feel another spirit with them.
Orb on camcorder from the stage to camcorder.
-Kerry and Alan feel that the spirit is a woman.
-Alan relays that when he entered the room for the first time tonight that he has
seen a woman in a green military uniform waving at us.
Camcorder will not focus.
-Kerry feels uncomfortable as she feels someone behind her and swaps seats with Ellie.
Ellie feels very cold and feels confused.
Orb on camcorder from Kerry to stage.
-Julie feels that the female spirit is to the left of the stage and the man to the right
of the stage behind Ken.
Orb directly in front of camcorder top right to bottom right.
-Ellie is very cold.
-Ken calls out.
-Alan calls out.
All hear a noise on the stage.
-Alan feels that he has met this woman before.
Julie says that when Alan was relaying seeing the woman waving she believed
that the woman was waving at Alan only.
Alan feels like someone has walked through him.
-Alan calls out.
Orb on camcorder from the left of stage to the bottom.
-Alan given the name Ruth.
Alan and Kerry can see a figure to the left of the stage.
Kerry is given the name Ruthie.
-Julie feels very ill and can no longer sit down she stands and leans over the table
for support.
-Ken sits on the left hand side of the stage.
-Kerry can taste and smell blood again.
Julie can smell something bad but cannot identify what it is.
-Kerry feels shivery.
Alan feels someone constantly walking backwards and forwards through him.
-Alan calls out.
Orb on camcorder from Alan to Kerry.
-Chair behind Julie scrapes on the floor and moves towards Ellie, the chair was
too far away for Julie to have moved it and she hadn’t moved from the table.
-Alan calls out.
Ken and Kerry feel on edge.
-Ken and Kerry hear a noise towards the railings.
Orb on camcorder from the middle of the table upwards.
-Kerry sees a woman holding on to the railings in the casemates looking through
at us.
-Ken calls out.
Orb on camcorder from Ken to the railings.
-Alan agrees that the woman’s name is Ruthie, Ruthie Grayson.
Orb from railings to camcorder.
-Alan calls out.
Orb on camcorder in front of Kerry towards ceiling.
-Alan says that Ruthie keeps coming in and then going back out to the casemates
and takes that as a sign that the casemates will be the place where he can contact her.
Kerry is given the image of a woman with red hair in front of Julie in the middle of the table.
-Alan sees someone walk across the stage.
-All move to Casemates.

Casemates

Cold spot approximately 4ft square by Howitzer gun.
Val’s Dictaphone comes on and plays what she has recorded and won’t switch off.
Alan picks up on a fire and he feels very hot like his feet are stuck to the floor.
Alan can see Ruthie with her arms out, Alan reminds her of someone.
Tap heard by large cannon type gun in area of display board.
Julie sits alone and is given the phrase ‘don’t be stupid’.
Ruthie says to Alan ‘you are my Charlie, why did you have to go?’
Alan is given the name Charlie Billet and Alan has strong feeling that he wants to say goodbye to her.
Alan waves goodbye to Ruthie and says goodbye to her and starts crying. He feels Ruthie kiss him on the cheek which makes him even more emotional.
Ken, Val and Julie keep staring at the balcony opposite casemates.
Val is given the name Harry Wainwright and Kerry the surname of Barnes Kerry feels very dizzy on the way back to NAAFI.
All of us felt a presence on the corner balcony opposite the NAAFI, Val given the name Wing Commander Philip Newton.

Vigil 3: Tunnels

Room 24

- Orbs from floor to ceiling in the middle of the room. Camcorder will not focus
on this area.
- Two consecutive orbs on camcorder towards Kerry from the entrance.
- Orb on camcorder from centre of doorway to Ken which moves very slowly.
Val feels someone in front of her staring into her face.
Kerry’s face is very itchy.
- Val has shivers going up her legs.
Val doesn’t like standing near the doorway.
Kerry looks away from the door and sees a naked eye orb in front of her.
- Orb on camcorder from entrance towards Kerry.
- Alan calls out.
Alan and Kerry have trouble breathing.
- Kerry feels someone standing next to her by to the left of the entrance.
- Ken is very cold.
- Alan calls out.
Orb on camcorder towards Alan.
Kerry feels a breeze coming through the doorway.
- Alan can hear whispering but cannot make out the words.
Alan’s chest and throat feel constricted.
- Julie sees a figure standing against the wall between Ken and Alan when Val
takes a picture. Val takes another picture to see if the figure was a shadow. It
wasn’t.
- Alan calls out.
Flickering orb around Alan on the camcorder.
- Alan feels something around his neck.
- Val is given the name Frank.
Orb on camcorder from the wall to the immediate right of the door to the floor.
- Alan is given the name Tom or Tommy and is feeling similar to how he did on
the first investigation here although he doesn’t feel emotional like he did then.
The spirit is a young male about 17/18 years old.
- Alan sees something go across Ken’s feet who is opposite him.
- Alan feels the spirit being shook by the shoulders which is making his neck,
Shoulders and head hurt. The man has done something wrong.
Val feels the spirit panicking.
Ellie hears someone shouting.
- Ken calls out.
Val and Kerry feel someone by the doorway.
- Julie and Kerry feel unsteady and want to lie on the floor where they are
standing (against the wall to immediate left of doorway).
Alan feels that the male did something to a man who he sees laying on the floor
where Kerry and Julie are standing.
- Julie and Val feel someone walking towards them and assume it is Ken. Ken
hasn’t moved (confirmed by camcorder footage).
- Ken and Alan both have very bad back pain to the right hand side of the small
of their backs.
Orb on camcorder between Alan and Ken.
- Alan calls out.
Val looks at Ken who seems to be a lot taller and feels this is spirit. Kerry sees a
man between Ken and Alan who has short black hair and has a woollen
reefer/donkey jacket on.
Alan is in a lot of pain.
- Val calls out.
Orb on camcorder from the doorway across Ken’s legs.
- Julie and Kerry can taste blood.
Val’s nose is blocked and Julie’s throat is congested.
- Alan feels that the male spirit was caught in here having sex with or
raping another male and has the feelings put on him.
Val feels someone trying to shut her eyes.
- Ken sees a naked eye orb going across the opening halfway up the wall and can
see the room getting lighter then darker.
Julie feels sick so all leave the tunnels.
- All renter tunnels.

(airbrick) Room

- Alan hears whistling.
Alan stands in the area where there are airbricks inset low in the wall as he
feels that he has been asked to stand there.
All hear whistling.
- Ken sees someone standing next to the wall to his left.
Orb towards camcorder.
- Alan feels as though he has something around his ankle and is chained to the wall.
- Orb from Alan to camcorder.
- Alan calls out.
- Val calls out
All hear a whine.
Alan sees 7 orbs go across the wall towards the doorway.
All hear a noise.
- Orb on camcorder from Alan to the left wall.
- Kerry and Alan swap places.
Alan calls out.
Orb on camcorder from Alan to Kerry.
- Alan can smell twist tobacco.
Alan calls out.
Kerry feels something tugging the bottom of her left leg.
- Orb on camcorder from doorway to right of camcorder screen.
- Alan calls out.
Ken can see someone in the tunnel.
- Alan feels someone behind him in the far left corner.
- Alan calls out.
Kerry feels that the floor was lower and not the same building. Has the feeling
that the spirit won’t interact with us as it is an animal. She feels that the area
was used for bear baiting and Alan could feel the bear chained to the wall in
this area but lower down (pit).
- Alan is physically sick.
- All leave the tunnels.
- Julie is overcome with sadness and cries and is very withdrawn because of this
and Alan being sick we do not re-enter the tunnels.

Vigil 4 :Latrines

Julie does not join the team for this vigil
-Kerry’s left ankle hurts
-All hear a loud popping noise behind Ken.
Alan feels like the walls are shaking
-Alan calls out
Val has pain in her back and head.
-Kerry’s heart is racing she is given the names Thomas Weston, Christopher
Barclay or Barnet and the first name Adrian.
Val has a headache
-TEMP using thermal imager 15.8c left of arch 13c arch and 16c right arch.
-Kerry sees small boy (about 6 or 7) by the right hand of the arch he has on a
beige leather or moleskin jerkin a dirty ripped shirt (was once white) and a pair
of trousers pulled up high but only come just to below the knees, which were
grey or blue and dirty. He was barefoot. He is surrounded by straw. I had a
feeling that he had something to do with boats and horses and he had a smell
with him which smelled like something rotting straw.
-Something touches Kerry’s right arm.
-Ken and Val feel a heavy weight on their shoulders
-Alan whistles and hears one note reply
Kerry feels activity through archway (towards entrance) and sees a bent over
man scuttle from left to right.
-Knock heard behind Val and Ken.
-Val feels someone stood in the middle of the room between us all.
-Kerry has sharp pain in collar bone (like a break) and is given the name Charlie.
-Alan feels cold
Kerry and Ken feel sick
Cold breeze moves across Alan
-Alan calls out for spirit to make a noise
Tap heard to Kerry’s left.
-Val can smell garlic.
Kerry is given the name Matthew (Matthias) Defreitas.
-Alan feels someone standing next to him.
Alan is slapped across the face all hear the noise
Alan gets punched in the back
-All hear a bang
-Alan sees a light move across the floor in archway next to Kerry.
-Thermal imager used, everyone’s body temperature has dropped by 8c
Alan moves to end of Latrines towards exit but in view of group while Kerry uses imager.
-Alan calls out and feels someone behind him so moves to other end.
-Alan feels someone stood next to him again and is very cold although his body
temperature is still 19c as are all of ours which have dropped from 26c.
-Something touches Alan’s left hand while it is in his pocket
Cold blast across Alan’s face
-Alan hears noises to the right of latrines exit.
-Alan feels hurt like he has been beaten.
-All move to the corridor just outside the entrance to the latrines.
-Kerry is given the impression of the male spirit who was in the theatre room on
our 1st investigation here. She is scared to tell the group that it is him as she feels
that the spirit will do something to her if she does.

Team 2

Vigil 1:Casemates

10.20 - average temp 15 degrees
10.35 - scuffling noises
No further activity

Theatre

10.45 - Average temp 16 degrees
Everyone sees room suddenly go very dark
Everyone hears the door bang very loudly
The temperature around us drops slightly
Kim gets very cold & starts to shiver
Wayne gets the impression of someone saying “Good F**k off then!” as we are leaving.

Vigil 2: Tunnels

Room 8

Average temp 14c.
12.00- Something affects Tim’s camera
12.05- Thermal image camera picks up shape in doorway & everyone feels a
cold draught.
12.05- Temp drops 2c.
12.20- Something touches Kim’s arm and Tim’s head at the same time then
everyone hears a big bang.
Room 24
Average temp 13.8c.
12.25- Kim smells fuel, Tim sits in chair in corner of room & feels very cold and
has a tingling sensation in his feet.
12.35- Tim feels someone brush past him then sees a light in the corridor.

Room 26

Average temp 16c.
Everyone starts to feel cold but temp has risen by 1c.

Vigil 3:Latrines

01.30- Average temp 15c.
Simon hears noises from the gate at the end of the room.
Selina catches orbs on camera.
Tim calls out & throws stones but gets no response.
Everyone starts to whistle & sing ‘pack up your troubles’
Everyone feels icy blasts & temp drops

Quadrangle

Selina senses someone leaning out of one of the windows.
Tim senses someone through the broken doorway.
Simon hears sounds of metal bars being tapped.
Kim, Tim & Simon all smell burning followed by disinfectant.

Vigil 4:Lighting Tunnels

03.20- Simon gets ringing in his ears. Tim feels very uncomfortable, team leaves.
03.30- Kim smells old fashion perfume outside.

Vigil 5: Return to Theatre

03.35- Average temp 17c.
Temp drops by 2c.
Simon hears a tap on the ceiling & Kim smells disinfectant.
Tim gets the feeling someone is standing at the bars & temp goes up 3c.
Selina smells airplane fuel then Simon gets very cold & feels uncomfortable.
Wayne feels the floor shaking.
We all smell juicy fruit & the temp around Simon drops 6c to 11c.
Wayne films several orbs flying around Simon.

Team 3:

Vigil 1: Tunnels

Room 24

TEMP floor 10c, walls 11c, Air temperature 17.5c-18c. Humidity 89.
10:26pm- Thump heard by all.
- Alison feels as though someone has slapped her across the face.
- Di’s cheeks feel very cold.
10:27pm- Alison goes to stand outside the room as she feels funny.
- Right hand side of Sandy’s face tingling.
- Average air temperature drops from 17.5c>14c.
- Mel and Alison hear shuffling outside the room.
- Di feels like she is being court marshaled and is given the names Art or
Arthur Livingston, Jonathan Kinglake and Harry Fielding.
- Something poked Mark on the head.
- Average temperature drops to 14c.
- Mark and Jim hear a groan.

Room 26

TEMP walls 19.5c, rest of room 16c.
- Di feels drunk and as if someone was beaten in here.
- Mark has a pain in his side as though he has been punched.
- Di given the name George Montague.

Vigil 2: Casemates and Theatre

Casemates

- Sandy and Mark hear what sounds like a piece of metal dropping to
the floor.
- Di hears noises coming from the left hand corner of casemates.
- Sandy captures orbs on camera.

Theatre

- Jim feels tightness around his neck.
- Mel hears creaking.
- Alison feels that tests and experiments were carried out in this area.
- Jim feels something fall on his leg, He looks on the floor and there is
an old chewing gum wrapper on the floor.
- Sandy sees a flashing light.
- Mel given the name Baxter.

Vigil 3: Latrines and Quadrangle.
Tunnel to Latrines

12:57am- Woman’s voice heard saying hello which was heard by Alison, Mel and Mark
- Alison is given the name Emily Burkhart and has sick feeling in her chest.

Latrines

- Mark and Alison can smell what can only be described as animals.
- Di can hear lot’s of voices in her head.
- Jim feels pain in the left side of his face and is given the name Oliver
Barrington.
- Alison sees a man hiding around the corner.
- Alison calls out but feels that the man is aggressive and is looking
down his nose at the ‘civvies’.
- Alison calls out
- Noise heard while Alison is calling out which sounds like the wind
which could not be heard from the latrines.
- All can smell a strong smell of horses and urine.

Team 4:

Vigil 1: Latrines and Quadrangle

Quadrangle

10:25pm- Lee has the image of a very important man coming down the fire
escape to face a firing squad.
10:30pm- Lee calls out
- Maria given the name Tompkins.
10:35pm- Ross hears a bell.
- Matt has the feeling of being ashamed of the weeds growing in the area
and has the urge to pull them up because if he doesn’t he will be in
trouble.
- Matt feels someone behind him by the gate.
10:40pm- Lee hears footsteps opposite Matt.
10:42pm- Maria can hear footsteps on wooden boards.
10:45pm- Lee smells burning and hears rustling as the team walk away from the
area.
10:50pm- Matt and Lee hear someone laughing.
- Lee can smell vomit.
10:55pm- Lee hears a noise like someone running their fingers across a comb
and feels sick.
- Ross feels dizzy.
- Lee is scared to open his eyes.
11:00pm- Matt is tearful, he feels sick and senses a man lying on the floor
saying ‘help me’.
- Maria is given the name Roger.
- Maria calls out.
- Lee hears scratching.
- Matt and Maria hear dripping water and can smell stagnant water.
- As Lee sits down Matt is given the image of his Nan reaching up to him.
- Lee is tearful.
- Lee and Matt want to leave the Quadrangle so all leave the area.
11:10pm- All re-enter Quadrangle.
- All notice a weed being pulled up which wasn’t there before.
- Ross, Lee and Matt hear a sound like a tapping on a pipe.
- All the team hear something being thrown in one of the rooms.

Vigil 2: Left Hand Lighting Tunnels

12:00am- All hear a groan.
- Lee hears scratching.
- Lee can hear shuffling behind him down the tunnel.
- Breeze comes down the tunnel and is getting colder.
- Temp 11.8c>10.4c.
- Matt’s right arm is shaking and he feels like something is biting him
and draws a picture of what he sees .
- Lee has the vision of wings as they are walking out of the area.
- All leave
12:23am- All re-enter lighting tunnels.
12:25am- Matt feels very sick.
- Ross feels very distressed and upset.
- Everyone’s eyes are watering and everyone wants to cry. They all feel very sad.
- Camcorder battery flies out of Lee’s camcorder and drops to the floor.
12:30am- Lee feels very shaky.
- Matt still feels sick.
- Ross feels very shaky and on edge. He feels like something is going to rush at us.
- The left side of Lee’s face is burning and feels like he has been slapped.
- A creak heard by all down the tunnel.

Vigil 3: Right Hand Lighting Tunnel

TEMP 12.4c
01:30am- Matt feels dizzy and has problems with his right eye.
- All feel uncomfortable in the corridor.
- Everyone is cold except for Matt who is very warm.
- Temperature is fluctuating.
- Matt has the feeling of being welcomed.
- Lee feels very uncomfortable.
01:35am- Maria feels a draught down her right leg.
01:40am- TEMP 11.9c.
- Male spirit is misunderstood and is in hiding. He felt guilty for a long
time afterwards because he set someone up. (has image of latrines).
The man who is in the latrines is in the tunnels. Given the name
James and is scared of going into the other tunnels (narrator not given).
01:45am- Matt feels ill.
- Maria feels something touch her back.
- Matt doesn’t want to shut his eyes as when he does he can see hands
and heads against the opening in the wall.
01:50am- Maria calls out.
- Odd noise heard by all.
- The name Donahoe given (narrator not given).
- Lee sees someone walk past the opening in the wall.
01:55am- All feel sick walking down the corridor except Maria.
- All feel fine when by the exit.
02:00am- Tara sees a light down the tunnel.
- Lee and Tara feel uncomfortable about going back down the tunnel.
- Once in the tunnel Lee and Tara feel sick.
- Lee feels someone behind them

1st Room

02:05am- Ross calls out.
- Maria given the names Thomas and Littlejohn.
- Matt feels sad, his eyes are watering and he feels cold.
- Lee feels the room feels different.
- Matt feels small like a child (a boy) all except Maria feel the same.
- Matt feels like he should be clinging onto Maria like a child.
- Lee starts to panic and feels like someone is tricking the team.
- Lee and Matt feel another spirit was using the boy spirit to get close to the group.
02:10am- All feel panicked and all make a hasty retreat.
- Once outside Maria is given the name Brading.

Vigil 4: Tunnels

Room 24

- feels very cold in this room.
- TEMP floor 12c, Walls 12.4c.
- Flash is not affecting anyone’s vision.
- Lee hears movement in the tunnel outside the room.

Room 26

- Room feels warmer than room 24.
- Matt can smell soil.
- All start to feel cold although the temperature is going up.
- Maria is given the phrase ‘Good morning Mr. Magpie. How’s your wife and children?
- Tara shivered when Maria called this out.
- Matt feels aggressive feelings towards Maria.
- Matt says that someone is asking what Tara is doing. Matt replies that she is taking notes.
- Lee feels very cold.
- Matt is given ‘if you wore the right uniform you wouldn’t be cold’ and
that the spirit said that Maria shouldn’t be here and he won’t talk to
her. He also said that if Ross cut his hair he would make a good soldier.
- Lee feels a cold draught.
- Maria is given the name Roger.
- Matt hears cheerful whistling.
- Matt hears footsteps in the tunnel and feels that he should move his legs.
- Maria hears ‘at ease soldier’.
- Matt says that he was a high ranking officer and didn’t live at the fort.
- Matt is being nagged for a ‘roll up’.
- Matt says that the man’s name is Edward but won’t give his rank.
- Ross asks if he has any children.
- Matt says that he won’t answer as he doesn’t need to.
- Matt’s head is pounding and says that Edward knows what state the
fort is in and that the people here are good people.
- Maria is given the song ‘pack up your troubles in your old kit bag’ and
Edward was the spark to the trouble.
- Matt says that Edward tried to control the trouble but it all backfired.
He wasn’t there to protect the other group but his here for us and wants his fags.
- Maria is given the song ‘row, row, row your boat’ and thinks that this
is a clue that the man was in the navy. She also says that the men were his.
- Lee feels very sick and goes to stand behind Maria.
- Matt says that ‘it’ only wants Lee but won’t disclose what ‘it’ is.
- Maria picks up that there was a power struggle here with the person
here after Edward and is given the name Charles.
- Matt confirms that there was a Charles here.
- Lee is given the rank Commander.
- Matt says he was very nasty and hated being called Chas.
- Matt’s hands are cold.
- Lee’s sickness is gone.
- Matt feels tired and says that Edward won’t come down again.
- Matt says that Charles is arrogant not nasty, He was the same rank as
Edward but younger than him. He also says that Charles is sorry that
he didn’t protect the other group.

AT THE END OF THE INVESTIGATION, TEAM 4 PLUS THE REMAINDER OF THE INVESTIGATORS JOINED FORCES FOR A FINAL VIGIL IN THE THEATRE. THE NOTES ARE AS FOLLOWS.

4:30am- TEMP 14.5c.
- Maria hears ‘step up to the Mark’.
- Lee is given the word performance.
- Maria is given ‘waiting in the wings’.
- Thump is heard by all.
- Maria is given ‘Marvelous, bloody good’.
- Maria bangs on the table and a bang is heard in response.
04:45am- Maria is given the name Reg.
- Matt says’ you know when a sergeant is around’.
- Maria says ‘we couldn’t have had a better team tonight’.
- Lee’s back is cold.
- Matt feels a draft.
- Maria is given ‘bats in the belfry’ and ‘good fellow’.
- Lee feels a draft under the table confirmed by rest of team.
- Lee and Julie hear a scream (could have been a fox).
05:00am- Maria has the impression of someone is desperation who feels guilty
about what they had done.
- Lee and Maria both have cold backs.
- Maria feels that the spirit in the room is agitated and tapping their legs.
05:05am- Lee feels cold.

Kerry's doodle of man in latrines

Matt's doodle from the lighting tunnels

Personal Reports

Kerry Price

I was excited to get back to this site as it had thrown up so much information last time and to be honest had scared me witless.

We arrived and set up camp in the NAAFI and discussed what we would do with the staff.

Simon gave us all a tour of the building for health and safety reasons with the people that had attended the site before dropping to the back so that all the new attendees would be able to have a good look as they were going around.

On our walk around something very odd happened. When we went into the tunnels I instantly had the feeling that we were being followed and it started to feel very crowded. As Julie and I were walking along I had the impression of a man in front of myself and Julie facing us and walking backwards. He was leaning towards us and had very close cut ginger hair. He was shouting at us and the people that had been here before. What he was saying was ‘fucking pigs’ and ‘get out’ this was repeated over and over again. I was getting quite agitated so in my mind I said back ‘you fuck off’. I winced as I said it which was just as well as I felt then that someone had hit me around the face and my right hand jaw started to hurt. I said to Julie what I had felt and she also knew that someone was having a go at us and when I told her what he had said she blanched and said those words had been going through her head too. At this point we stopped as the team were making their way further into the tunnel and we had slowed down a bit. Alan, who was behind us said that someone was following us, we agreed and he showed us a photo that he had just taken in the tunnel behind the group which showed orbs on it.

As we made our way further in, I started to get the feeling of electricity. This was a kind of static feeling which was similar to that felt when an electrical storm is in progress. I had goose bumps and my hair was standing on end. At that point I was very aware of my ‘hackles rising’. When we got to the next room the feeling was much worse. This room contained pieces of aircraft wreckage. It is a shame that we did not have our EMFs at the ready as I am sure that there would have been a very high reading for this room. As I hurried past it, I glanced in and could see the figures of 2 men sitting on the floor with their backs against the left hand wall. They both seemed upset and had their heads down.

The next thing that struck me was the entrance to the Latrines. On our last visit the information that was given to us was very upsetting and I was interested to see if I had the same feeling when I went in, I didn’t.

As I entered the room something caught my eye. I looked up to the grilled window that is set high up in the left hand wall, I wished I hadn’t. What I saw was a man impossibly scrunched into the space of the grilled opening. It seemed that he had somehow squeezed himself into the space for effect if nothing else. He looked poised to jump out and returned my gaze when I looked at him which unsettled me as this very rarely happens. He seemed angry and very agitated. I couldn’t wait to get out of this space. After the tour I dropped back to speak to Simon who then showed me an area which he was going to let us investigate which is off the usual route for paranormal groups. This area was the lighting tunnels. I didn’t have time to think about it, the next thing I knew we were entering the right hand tunnel.

As soon as I entered this space, I knew that someone else was in there with us. I started to feel uneasy and was taken aback when I became aware of a man having a heart attack in this space. My chest became very constricted and I had the feeling of very strong heart palpitations. When I slowed my walking down I could hear footsteps and then shuffling coming from behind me.

Unusually some names instantly popped into my head. The names given were Charlie and James Wilson and the name Malcolm but I wasn’t given a surname. As we approached the end of the tunnel, I started to get the feeling of electricity again, this time it was so strong that it almost took my breath away. This culminated in the last room. It felt as though someone was in there and I felt that we (well me at least) were definitely not welcome in there. Simon could also feel the activity in there. I have never felt anything as strong.

Next we went into the left hand lighting tunnels. Although very dark and creepy, I didn’t feel ill at ease at all, the only feeling I got was of animals in there. I wasn’t sure if they were dogs or cats or maybe something else altogether.

We then retired for a break. Some of us wanted to go to the toilet so I went along also. For some reason the area of the toilets felt very active. As soon as I entered the toilet I had a feeling of déjà vu. Last time I was here I had an image in my mind of a woman sitting on the ledge, I had the same feeling this time. She had a bright green knee length trench coat on, had black back combed hair and I had the feeling that she had died of a heroin overdose. She seemed to be to have come from the era of the late 60’s or early 70’s but that could just be the influence of her style of dress.

I was also fascinated once again with the area to the right of the entrance gates. I had the feeling that this area was used for court marshals and the feeling was stronger this time. With this in mind some of the team notes make interesting reading.

So with teams sorted out Julie, Alan, Val, Ken and I were joined by Ellie our guide for our first vigil which was the lighting tunnels.

I wanted us to go first for this as I had just felt the activity down there and thought that whatever was there a short time ago would probably still be down there. We made our way into the right hand lighting tunnel. Only I had been down there from the group and I was interested to observe what information people would be given.

As soon as we entered I started to feel uncomfortable. As we walked down to the end room Alan said that someone had died of a heart attack in this space. I was amazed as it was in the same area that he picked this up which to me meant that there was still spirit present in the area. As we entered the end room the feeling of electricity had left which was a relief, however I started to feel trapped and felt that someone was coming down the corridor for us. I didn’t relay this to the rest of the team but through filming could see that Val, Julie and Ellie were feeling more than a little uncomfortable.

As I was filming Alan I could see a shape approaching down the tunnel and we could hear faint noises in the tunnel. I didn’t relay this information immediately as I wanted to see if anyone else felt or saw the presence. The figure I saw was of a man, he seemed tall but on reflection most people of average height would look tall in these small tunnels. He was very slim, had a long face and nose and had longish grey or blonde hair. He had on what appeared to be a shift of some kind that was grey; in fact all of him was grey. I only got to see this figure over Alan’s right shoulder as Alan was in the doorway and the figure was maybe 3 or 4 feet behind him. For some reason he didn’t frighten me. I thought that the threatening presence was someone else. All of us could smell tobacco in this area and also the smell of unwashed bodies. There were some very strange isolated cold spots and drafts that could not be accounted for. This was a very intense area and I was more than happy to leave. However we had to get out as Alan was in pain from what felt like a stab wound to his stomach. He was doubled over.

Once outside I saw what can only be described as a monk in a black robe. I was sitting down and thought that there was a solid structure to my left however when I leant to the left there was nothing there. I was sitting down so I didn’t fall over. As I looked up to see what I thought was a solid structure there was nothing there but when I looked behind me I could see the monk hovering about 5ft off the ground and about 4ft behind where I was sitting on the steps. It was only momentary but long enough to see that the man had dark hair and eyes and a dark stubble rather than beard on his face which was unkempt. He was no older than his mid-thirties. I had the name Stephen come to mind at which he disappeared.

I did not say anything to the team and just explained that I had nearly toppled over and left it at that. Ellie saw a dark male shadow hovering above the floor later and I can only conclude that it was the same spirit. For some reason this monk scared me.

Our second vigil was in the theatre and casemates. As soon as I entered the theatre I felt ill. I could smell blood and I felt like I had been in water a long time. I felt delirious. Julie also felt very ill in this space and both she and Ellie felt almost senseless when in the area around the near side table. During this vigil Ken picked up on a soldier called Alfie polishing his boots and getting into a fight. I found this interesting as I had seen a man polishing his boots on our first visit in the area to the right of the gate that leads to the latrines. I had completely forgotten about it but it just sounded so familiar to me. Everyone else picked up on a woman. Alan named her Ruthie Grayson. Alan reminded her of her boyfriend and wanted to say goodbye to him, this she did in the casemates area which is covered in the notes. The oddest thing was that a chair moved which camcorder footage can prove no-one was near it nor did anyone move. The noise was so sudden that everyone jumped.

The tunnels were our next destination. Room 24 was our first stop. The area felt odd. Alan picked up on a man called Tommy whom he felt was being shook for being caught doing something wrong. It transpired that this man had either had sex with or raped another man in this room. Both Julie and I felt the need to lay down where we were standing and Alan confirmed that the victim was lying on the floor where we were standing. This made a lot of sense to me as during our first investigation here my team had picked up on a male being raped.

The room made us feel ill; Ken and Alan were in a lot of pain to the small of their backs.

In room 26 Alan picked up that he felt something around his ankle and was chained to the wall. As he said this I felt that there had been a bear baiting pit in this area and that we wouldn’t make contact with the spirit as it was indeed a bear. I felt very sad and could see a terrier dog tearing at the bears face while it was whining and whimpering. The image was so vivid that even now as I write this report it is making me upset.

Alan was physically sick in this area as I relayed this information.

Julie also started to feel ill so we all went outside.

Once outside Julie burst into tears and couldn’t speak for about 10 minutes. I know that she felt ill but I had never seen her fazed let alone inconsolable.

Our last vigil of the night was in the latrines. I was dreading going back to the latrines after I had seen the man squashed in the barred open window. I felt extremely scared when I saw it for 2 reasons. His body looked wrong in the way that it was squashed in the space. The impression he gave was that he had small legs and body and big hands. He reminded me facially of Mr. Burns from The Simpson’s. He had white almost non existent hair at the sides but none at all in the middle. He had a very thin face and nose and seemed to be coloured grey. The thing that frightened me the most about him was that when I looked up and saw him I know he saw me. This filled me with terror. This was made worse when I compared a picture that I drew of the scene with a picture Matt had drawn of the ‘thing’ he had seen. To me they could well have been the same man ‘thing’.

We walked through to the latrines to the wash room area. I sat on a crate next to the right hand opening to the end room while Ellie sat next to me. Next to her was Alan and Val and Ken sat on the opposite side of the room.

We heard a very loud pop in this area. We couldn’t find any reason for the noise nor could we distinguish where it came from. I was instantly scared as in my head I associated this noise with the man in the window. Alan got slapped around the face in the area which was audible to all and then he got punched in the back. Whatever was down here wasn’t friendly. I picked up on a small boy who was dirty and smelt unwashed that I associated with horses.

Immediately after I saw the boy I was given the name Matthias Defeitas but I don’t think that it was the boy’s name.

There was a fluctuation of temperature which was picked up by the thermal imager. Ellie and I were very scared and at one point felt so uncomfortable that we were scanning the room back to back armed with thermal imager and torch.

Towards the end of the vigil I saw a hunched man scuttle across the entrance to the latrines from right to left. I knew that this was the man that we had witnessed on our theatre vigil on our first investigation here. I wanted to tell the group that he was there but felt strongly that if I said anything then he would do something to me. Once in the tunnel immediately outside I went to say what I had seen and then became very scared again and spent the next couple of minutes staring at my feet in silence. Anyone who knows me would find this strange.

This was a great investigation. I felt so much activity that I think it will be hard to top. All of the teams picked up on a lot of names with the name ‘Art’ or ‘Arthur’ coming up regularly with the surname Armstrong also confirmed by a few members.

At least one member in each team got slapped around the face with most people in my team feeling pain to the side of their faces.

It was a very emotional investigation for most with many members feeling panicked, sad or so emotional that they started crying.

Also some teams picked up on very similar information or had similar experiences in the same area.

During one of the tea breaks Val asked me if I knew if there had been a Saxon settlement here and for some reason she was also picking up on the bronze age. She could see a hill. There has in fact been a settlement in East Tilbury since the Saxon period. In 1402 an earthen rampart was erected here.

No evidence can be found of what it looked like but it is interesting to add that there is a ditch attributed to this fortification adjacent to St. Catherine’s Church next to the fort. Maybe this was the hill she could see?

There is also a bronze age hill fort close by which could also be what Val picked up on.

Maria was given the name Charles who took over from managing the fort. As you can see from the history at the top of the report the fort was in fact finished by Colonel Charles Gordon of Khartoum.

This was yet another fantastic investigation at the site. So much information was picked up on with all teams having some activity if not a lot.

Once again the fort staff were so friendly and welcoming that we all felt comfortable straight away, it was like catching up with old friends. I can’t wait to go back as of course we will be in 2008. How could we possibly stay away?

Julie Harwood

To be perfectly honest this trip to Coalhouse is still a blur to me. I have heard of other people getting like this after an investigation but I myself have never experienced it and its quite a horrible feeling to know you have been somewhere, spent the best part of 8 or 9 hours there but can’t remember much about it. This certainly was not the case the last time we visited. In fact I still remember more about that visit last December than I do about this visit. With this in mind please excuse my briefer than normal report. I will just recall what I remember which unfortunately may not be much of what is believed to have been a very active evening for the team.

I do remember on the walk around both Kerry and I feeling like someone was stood shouting at us and as we thought that we both looked at eachother because it felt as if our faces had been slapped / hit. Near the wreckage room we also felt very uncomfortable and felt a static electricity feeling that is hard to put into words.

I was in a team with Kerry, Alan, Val, Ken and we were joined by Ellie our guide who is always a pleasure to work with. I can think of no one better to accompany our team as she was with Kerry and I on our last visit and I remember us spooking her out so much that she and I spent most vigils holding hands in terror! Our first vigil was in the lighting tunnels an area that had never been investigated by a group before. My thanks go to Simon and the CHF team who trusted SP UK enough to let us in there. This area was made up of long tunnels with small rooms at either end of them. We went down the tunnel to the right (as your looking at the entrance) and settled as best we could in the room at the end. I knew Kerry was sensing something in this area as she was unusually quiet and staring down the tunnel which was out only means of escape. Val, Ellie and I stood very close together as we all felt quite ill at ease also. I could smell tobacco smoke in the air which was odd as obviously none of us were smoking however I cant rule out that 5 of our team were smokers and so the smell could feasible be coming from us as we had all had a cigarette on our after tour / pre vigil break. The thing that did puzzle me was the stink of unwashed people. Now I know the team and none of them smell like this (or I would have told them!) so I knew that was odd. Also we had lots of cold spots and we just could not determine where they were coming from. Alan I believe was also affected in this area. We then went to the other end of the tunnels and stayed for a little while in this room but I did not like this room at all. From the minute we got in there I felt like someone was holding onto my lower arm. My arm just felt like it was getting colder and colder and when Alan put the thermal imaging camera on it, my forearm did in fact read about 10 degrees lower than the rest of my arm and body. I don’t know what caused this but it stayed with me for the rest of the vigil and was quite unnerving.

Our next vigil was in the theatre and casemates. We went in to the theatre first and Alan picked up on a woman that was trying to get his attention as he reminded her of her sweetheart. This was quite a calm vigil compared to our last visit to CHF however that changed when a chair that no one was anywhere near moved seemingly on its own and made the whole group jump. We then decided to move onto the casemates. I know Kerry and Alan picked up a lot here but I felt like I just wanted to go and sit on the wood looking out over the yard and towards the quadrangle and so I did. It was a very calming experience and I seemed to go into like a daydream state. Val had to speak to me 2 or 3 times to get me to answer, which is not like me. I felt quite contented there and could have sat there all night. I literally had to be dragged back for the break.

Our 3^rd vigil was back in the main tunnels and we headed for Rm 24. The room was strange and unfamiliar to me as I don’t think our team got that far on our first visit or at least I don’t remember doing this room. Kerry and I both felt the need to lay down in this room and Alan seemed to be picking up the spirit of a man who had done something he should not have done and had been caught doing it. Ken and Alan were in a lot of pain in this room and so we decided to move on. We moved on to Rm 26 and Alan immediately felt like he was held prisoner in here and was chained to the wall but could not communicate. I felt so sad and lonely in this area. I just wanted to curl up and die, that’s the only way I can think to describe it. I felt sick and scared and wanted to leave. Alan started retching and so we decided to leave for him to get some fresh air. Once outside I noticed I felt no different. I wanted the group to leave me alone. I burst into tears but did not want consoling. When I was asked what was wrong, I did not know I just knew I wanted to cry! People being around me was making me worse and I just did not want to speak to anyone at all. I am sorry if I was rude to anyone, I really did not mean it and it sounds silly to say but it did not feel like me.

This sadly is where my investigation of Coalhouse fort ended that night. For the first time in over 70 investigations I sat out of the 4^th vigil as I just wanted to be on my own. So while my team headed off to the latrines and quadrangle I stayed put in the NAAFI and just enjoyed some peace and quiet which is just what I wanted. I don’t know why I wanted this as normally I would want to be with others at 4am in one of the most haunted sites in Essex, but that night I just wanted to be on my own.

Thank you to Simon, Ellie, Matt, Kieron and Mel. Yet again you were a pleasure to work with and we thank you for always welcoming the SP UK team like old friends. Kelly, I really hope next time you will be able to join us as we missed you!

Di Moore

We travelled to Coalhouse Fort (starting off about 2pm from Southampton) Julie, Maria and I in my car hoping to avoid traffic on the M25. We were very lucky. On arriving we had a picnic and chilled out, walked around the outside as nobody was there. This Fort was amazing from the outside, could not wait to get inside.

After everybody arrived we were asked to take our cars inside and then the staff locked us in. Getting out of the car had this strange feeling of being watched from the windows. Inside we unpacked ready for the investigation.

Tour round: Simon took us for a tour round telling us where we could go and the health and safety points about the Fort. In the Latrines I felt dizzy (never ever fainted before) but this made me think this could be what it would be like if I was going to faint. Also standing in the Quadrangle I started to sway and could not stand still.

Group 3. Alison, Sandy, Mark, Jim, Di and Guild Mel

Vigil 1. Tunnels and rooms 24 and 26.

In the tunnels the floor in parts was wet. We walked though this maze of tunnels to Room 24, this was a bare room with only one chair in it. We settled down and stood still and then called out to spirit to come forward. We heard some creaks and noises and Alison decided to sit in the chair, which was in the corner of the room. After a while she got up and walked to the door and outside. She came back and asked me to sit in the chair. I sat there and felt depressed. It was like I was being told off or being Court Marshalled. I also heard movement outside and whispering. There were cold spots too. We stood outside in the tunnel in pitch darkness and this was scary. Blasts of coldness. Now we moved to Room 26. This had a chair and small table in it in the corner. Mel asked if I would stand in the middle of this room which I did. I closed my eyes and started rocking. My legs hurt trying to stop myself. Others did this and some had the same effect. Then Mel said about doing Human Pendulum (never ever done this before but was up for it). We stood in the middle of the floor asked ourselves questions to see which way we would sway for yes and no. We started by asking out loud, there seemed to have been a man beaten up and left for dead. Not in this room but around this area. I got the name George, Monty, NO! George Montgomery. Jim got different names. I will do Human Pendulum again this was so good, this room 26 is known as the wobbly room.

Vigil 2. Latrines and Quadrangle.

We went to the Latrines first, again through some tunnels. We walked around then stood still, standing in silence then calling out to spirit. I sat on some boxes which turned out to be ammunition boxes. I could hear crowds of people talking and laughing, being very busy then we walked along and I saw a man (shadow) he was about 5' 3'' tall just standing there but could not see his face. Alison at this point saw something looking round a corner and went to investigate. When we got there she was talking angrily and a thought came into my head, it said DONT TALK TO ME IN THAT WAY so I said it to Alison who replied that she knew he did not like her.

Now to the Quadrangle this was outside with balconies on all four sides. As soon as I got inside the Quadrangle I picked up on two people walking along the balcony chatting. I did not see anybody just sensed this. It seemed a happy place. We all stood in the centre and called out to spirit. I sensed eyes looking down on us watching. Some got orbs on camera; it then started to rain so it was lucky it was break time.

Vigil 3. Casemates and Theatre.

In the Casemates I kept looking at the left hand corner as I thought someone was there but everyone wanted to go to the Theatre and I didn’t want to stay on my own. In the theatre there was a big table with chairs around. I felt nothing in here but Jim felt something touch his leg, we sat there for a long time but still nothing for me.

Vigil 4. Light Tunnel.

This was a very narrow tunnel with no lights on it was very black. I felt very uneasy thought it was evil. I felt like I was swaying again. After a while I wanted to get out but stayed, and then the sickness started. I was feeling very sick and this was not only me. I finally went out with Alison and Mel (Mel was actually heaving).

This was another great night, thank you to everyone.

Tara Nash

Team - Maria, Lee, Matt, Ross, Tara

Vigil 1 - The Quadrangle & Latrines

We first went to the Quadrangle. Lee had trouble keeping the camcorder in focus. Maria and Matt felt something watching them from upper left-hand windows. Matt mentioned that he couldn't believe the state of the weeds in the Quadrangle, later on it was not him self saying it, it was a feeling of someone saying it to him, as if worried that they would get in trouble is their commanding officer saw the state of the place. Matt starts to pull up some weeds, placing them in a small pile. We then leave the Quadrangle for the Latrines.

In the Latrines Matt sits on metal trunk facing the Latrines, we all stand in a circle avoiding middle part of floor. Suddenly Matt sees a man reaching up at him from a lying position on the floor crying out for someone to help him. Matt asks Lee to sit where he is sitting to see what he can see or feel. Lee does this and has the same experience, they both see blood running from the left side of the mans mouth, Matt and Lee are very emotional. We all feel sick and some of us dizzy. They want to leave so we head back to the Quad. Once at the Quad we notice that more weeds have been pulled up and some have been trampled on that were previously upright!

Vigil 2 – Left-hand lighting tunnels

Again I feel sick and the others dizzy. We go to the end room of the lighting tunnel. None of us like standing by the entrance to the tunnel, it’s as if something is watching us. Again camcorder is in and out of focus. Maria gets some names, one of which I think is Thomas. Matt gets someone who he feels is hiding, he has done something bad, but didn't mean to. He thinks it was to do with the man lying on the floor in the Latrines. Ross feels very emotional and cries. We go into the tunnel, Matt feels something pulling on his arm, it is very crouched and small, and he feels it should be a lot taller? He feels it is bad, evil, and demonic and starts to draw a sort of goblin type head, has to get out, feels bad in there. We all feel heavy presence and sick and dizzy. We all go outside. We then decide to go into the right-hand lighting tunnel after asking Simon if ok. It feels a much lighter atmosphere in there. Don't stay in long as vigil time is up.

Vigil 3 – Right-hand lighting tunnel

We enter tunnel and go to the room at the left end of tunnel. Maria gets the name Thomas I think again. I am sitting next to Matt on the table by the entrance of the corridor. After a while I cannot sit there any longer, feel a foreboding presence in the corridor. I cross to the other side of the room, then feel calm and relaxed. Matt stays there, also feels the presence, but fights the urge to move. We then go down the corridor towards room at other end, we stop and stand in a group, and we all hear a low and very audible growl. We walk on. Matt sees a face/head in the wall, at exactly the same time I feel extremely sick, bile taste in my mouth. We feel very panicked in tunnel, need to get out, move to room at other end. Again Matt feels the Demonic presence. I can't really remember what happens here, but we have to get out. Once out Matt draws again the Demonic creature and it has wings!

Vigil 4 - Tunnel rooms 24 & 26

We were quite nervous about going in here as although we didn't know what had happened to previous group were very shaken up after coming out. We felt a relaxed and calm atmosphere upon entering this area and started in room 24. Nothing much seemed to be going on in here, temperature was quite cold though. After a while we moved onto room 26. In here Maria and Matt got the presence of Edward, he was in charge of the fort, he would not talk to Maria, said women shouldn't be there, but would talk to the men. Temperature was extremely cold, felt colder than other room, but reading was warmer. Lee mentioned that he was freezing, Edward said to Matt that he was an idiot for not wearing the correct uniform, (Lee had on a t-shirt)! Edward said to Matt that he would protect us in these rooms and that while he was there we would be ok. Maria asked him what ranking he was, he would not communicate with her. She then got the song row, row, row the boat in her head, Matt said this was Edward giving her a clue that he was commanding office (I think) in the Navy. Edward then said to Matt that he had to leave but would be back shortly. Once he had gone Matt felt a bad presence come into the room - his name was Charles and he was a lot younger than Edward and had taken the fort over afterwards. Edward came back and Charles seemed to retreat, Matt said that he got the feeling that Charles wasn't really as bad and nasty as he came across, just trying to leave him mark. Just before we leave the room Edward says to Matt that he must tell the previous group that he was sorry they went through what they did in the room, but that he wasn't there at the time to protect them.

Maria Street

I have been looking forward to this investigation for a long time. Dark, spooky tunnels, eerie atmosphere and a fistful of ghosts, how could it fail to disappoint? I travelled down with Di and Julie. We made good time, arriving in just two and a half hours. We parked up for a snack and for coffee and it wasn’t too long before the others started to arrive. First impressions were of ones of awe and trepidation of what lay ahead. What a privilege it was to be allowed to investigate this fantastic building.

After setting up, we had a guided tour and a health and safety talk, conducted by possibly the friendliest hosts we have ever had. We then started our vigils. I had no idea what to expect. I had purposely not read the previous reports. All I knew is that Kerry and Julie had ran out of the fort in terror last time, but, why and where they were, I did not know. I was in a team with Lee, Ross and new member Tara. Matt was also with us, partly as a guide and partly as a team member. We started in the Quadrangle and the Latrines. We went to the Quadrangle first because both Lee and I had been drawn there on the tour. It was a very drizzly night but we didn’t feel cold at all. We stood in the centre of the Quadrangle for a while and soaked up the atmosphere. I immediately got the name James, but did not voice it because I had got the same name the night before on another investigation, so I thought it was my imagination. Lee and Ross felt there was a man present on the stairs and we saw a light flash on the wall underneath the staircase. We heard what sounded like a tap on one of the metal posts and then Tara also heard a bell ding, but we couldn’t be sure if this was a boat from the nearby Thames. Matt then had a compulsion to pull up the grass growing in-between the cracks of the paving slabs. He felt he was ashamed of it looking so bad because visitors were expected. Our time here was soon up so we went into the Latrines. We all settled down and started to call out. Matt was sat next to where I was standing and started to get emotional and then he jumped up in fright. He described a man led on the floor reaching out his hand and saying ‘Help Me’. He asked somebody else to sit there to see if they could experience the same thing, so Lee sat there. After a few minutes he also got emotional and jumped up. He had sensed the same thing and described blood coming out of the man’s mouth. We moved a little further along but I felt very calm and could not pick up what the others had. It had frightened them so much though, that for our last ten minutes we went back to the Quadrangle, where we immediately spotted a weed had been pulled up, but not by Matt. He had only pulled up the grass and only in a certain area. Our time was soon up and we left for a break.

Our next vigil was in the left lighting tunnels. We were stood in a room near the entrance when we all heard what sounded like a growl. This did not bode well. I still did not feel threatened though. The next thing to happen was a shuffle that was heard in the far end of the tunnel, so we all decided to do the brave thing and venture further to investigate. We all made our way to the far end and waited. We called out and Lee, Ross and Matt felt very uneasy. Tara and I, however, felt nothing. It got so bad for the men that we all went outside for a breath of fresh air. After a little while, we ventured back inside but went through the tunnel to room 16 which adjoined the tunnel we were in previously. Ross, almost immediately felt very emotional which is so unlike him. Ross and I started with Southern Paranormal at exactly the same time and we were in the same team on our first investigation with them and we have worked together a few times now and he is very objective and calm, so this was really strange. Matt also felt very uncomfortable down here, as did Lee, although, once again, Tara and I felt fine. It started to heat up a bit when Lee’s camera battery suddenly went flying from his camcorder. This had also happened a little earlier on but we thought maybe it hadn’t been locked in properly. This obviously was not the case as after it had happened the first time, Lee made sure it was properly secured. It was at this point that Matt jumped up and drew a picture of what he thought was in the adjoining room and I say ‘what’ not ‘who’ as what he drew most definitely not human and it had wings. This was strange as Lee had had the impression of wings also and the men all felt that this thing was going to rush at them any second, so, once again, we all left the tunnel and stood outside for a while. After five minutes, we went back in, but this time in to the right lighting tunnel. We didn’t have long here but the feelings of menace were still there for the men.

It was then break time but our next vigil was back in the right lighting tunnel and once again we waited in the room by the entrance and, just as in the left lighting tunnel we felt that all the activity was further down. We all made our way to the far end and called out. Once again, the men felt threatened and this time, so did Tara. I felt a touch on my leg, like a gentle stroke and Matt felt I had the presence of a young boy with us. I then got the name Thomas, which Matt confirmed was the name of the little boy, who was known to haunt the tunnels. Matt felt that this was why I had been unaffected all evening, because I was the only parent in the group and Thomas was looking after me. Matt also felt the presence of a man who was frightened. He felt this man was frightened of whatever was in the tunnel because he had done something wrong. He felt that the demonic presence in the tunnel was waiting for his soul. Matt felt that something was building and that we were being tricked by something not of this earth. It was then that we made a hasty exit. We did go back in and everybody (apart from me) felt uneasy half way down the tunnel. I was still cool, calm and collected.

Our next vigil was in the main tunnel in rooms 24 and 26. It was here that I finally started to feel something, but still not fear. I started to call out and Matt sensed the presence of a gentleman who was known to him and whilst this gentleman respected me, he did not wish to communicate with me because I was a female and should not have been there. Matt said that he was there to protect us from the malevolent presence we had detected previously. It was whilst Matt was conversing with him that I was shown a colouring book and a teddy. I felt that this was a child giving me this gentleman’s name and I asked if he was called Edward or Teddy for short. The response was ‘Don’t call me Teddy’ but Matt confirmed that the gentleman’s name was Edward and that he was the previous owner of the fort. I felt that he was connected with one of the children haunting the fort, but this could not be verified. I then got the word ‘magpie’ in my head and first of all I thought that this may be the nick name for a regiment, but then I realised that we had seen several magpies on the journey down and had saluted them as the superstition dictates. This made me think that we were being asked to salute this gentleman or we certainly would have done, had we met him when he was alive. Both Ross and I felt that he was a Sergeant Major or a man of higher rank. Matt said that he was not a Sergeant Major but he was most certainly an officer. The song ‘Pack up your troubles in your old kitbag’ came to mind, in particular the second line ‘while you’ve a Lucifer to light your fag’. This spooked everybody a bit. I then got the name ‘reg’ but I felt that this was short for regiment and I again wondered aloud what his regiment had been. Shortly after that I got the song ‘Row row row your boat gently down the stream’ in my head. Matt said that was a clue and we clicked that we were talking to a naval officer. Matt says he was the founder of the fort. It wasn’t long before Matt sensed another presence that was also known to him. He was another owner of the fort but in later years. Matt felt that there was a bit of a power struggle between the two gentlemen. I then got the name Charles and Matt confirmed that this was his name. I then got the name Kelly but am unsure if this was a surname or a first name. We left this vigil feeling a lot happier.

It was now time for everybody to pack up and go home and it was whilst everybody was packing up that I had the name George in my head. I asked Matt quietly and he said that this is the other name that Charles goes by. We were supposed to be going home then but Simon very kindly allowed for another vigil to go ahead, so my team with the addition of Julie went along to the Theatre for a final vigil. Julie and Tara sat on the stage and I sat at the table with Matt and Lee, whilst Ross filmed us all. We’d not long sat down when I heard ‘step up to the mark’ and Matt asked which mark. I then said ‘benchmark’ which didn’t really make sense but it was as if a standard had been set and we had to step up to it. I also felt I was being told that I could not have wished for a better team that night (which I immediately seconded) but having Julie there completed it. We just all gelled together so well that I’m sure this is why we had so much activity. The funny thing was that I had never investigated with Lee or Tara before, so it wasn’t familiarity, but it just felt so right. I then heard ‘Marvellous, Bloody good!’ which Matt confirmed was just the sort of thing that Edward would say, and exactly how he would say it. Matt started talking to Julie and I heard ‘Balderdash! (thumped hand on table) Enough of this tomfoolery!’ We started talking again and Julie heard a thump come from behind her on the stage. I thumped my hand on the table again, but this time there was no reply. Matt started talking again and I heard ‘Excuse me, we are diverting.’ It was as if this spirit had got our attention and we then ignored him. I really felt it was a male and got the name Roger. I felt that he was extremely agitated about something and didn’t know which way to turn. I felt that he was sat opposite Matt and was blond with foppish sort of hair which he kept running his shaking hand through. I felt that he had done something wrong and didn’t know what to do about it and that he was very frightened of the consequences. He’d made a huge mistake and could see no way out. Matt was still talking to Julie through all this and I didn’t like to interrupt again so I stayed silent. This was too much for this man though and without realising it I was tapping my legs and getting agitated. Julie noticed and asked why I was doing this and it was then that I became aware of how rude it must have seemed to Matt. (Sorry Matt, it wasn’t me, honest!) I described how he was feeling and Tara remembered the man in the lighting tunnels who was hiding from the demonic presence. Was he showing us how frightened he was of the after life and his imagined consequences and was he now trapped here because of his fears? Unfortunately we didn’t get the opportunity to find out; as once again time had beaten us to it, but as we left the theatre I felt strongly that this man did not want us to leave. Matt also felt a pull back to this room and this definitely warrants further investigation. This man has a story to tell. I felt that he really needs to get something off his chest, but I have no idea what. Thank you once again to my team for being so easy to work with and for Matt and his excellent guidance and cheerfulness. The same also to the rest of the Coalhouse Staff. It was a pleasure to come to such a welcoming place and I enjoyed every second. Thanks also to Kerry for securing us such a great place to investigate. Looking forward to the next one!

Tim Stevens

My first impressions as we entered Coalhouse fort was one of excitement, what a fantastic location.

Our hosts were very friendly and provided us with endless coffee and marsh mellows thank you.

CASEMENTS

For me not much here really, but atmosphere seemed really thick.

Theatre

We tried to get a response, by calling out with not much success. A few temperature fluctuations were noted. Once the door into the theatre banged loudly, it seemed to be in response to us calling out and I twice saw the door move as I described how a door moves if there was a wind to move it to the other group members. Both times as I described this, it was almost on demand. With that said it might have been the wind although the door was perfectly still apart from these 3 instances and we were there for aprox 40 mins. Also during this vigil all of the team witnessed the room suddenly growing pitch black dark only for a couple of seconds though and back to normal!

Tunnels

Very interesting and spooky, after travelling down one of the tunnels we came to a room and sat calling out again to no avail really. A strange incident did occur though, our guide was being bothered by what he thought was a moth, only to find on my closer inspection, it was a red admiral butterfly. We tried to set it free through a nearby iron grill, only to find the ceilings and walls covered with butterflies. We tried another room and I sat down in a chair that was situated in the corner. I felt very cold, almost icy sat there. Our guide suggested someone stand in the tunnel outside and I volunteered. I slightly moved down the corridor and saw what I believed to be a stray torch light on the ceiling in the distance. On hearing the other group felt instantly relieved, as it made me jump only to be told the other group were 10 rooms down and this was about 2 rooms down. What I saw seemed to be like a glowing mist on the ceiling that darted forward about 2 feet. I had thought it a torch. Also during our tour of the tunnels at one point we all heard an enormous bang as if a cannon had gone off, this was also confirmed when we met another group also in the tunnels.

Latrines

We made our way to the latrines, and despite my best attempts to get a response it seemed at first quiet. Suddenly I decided to whistle an old war song, "pack up your troubles in your old kit bag" to which the response was a very ice cold breeze that everybody felt and apparently orbs were filmed appearing in response to us singing and whistling wartime songs!!

Theatre

Here we tried again, we were supposed to be in the lightning tunnels, but unfortunately I suffer from claustrophobia and as the tunnels were very small it got the better of me!

So we called out several times to no avail. I have no idea of time as I didn’t have a watch but we were in here for some time. Our host was sat on the stage area and I suddenly got the distinct feeling that there were 2 people watching us from behind some bars to the left of the stage looking at it. Suddenly our host informed us that the temperature around him seemed to be dropping fast, a slight understatement as the temperature dropped approx. 6 degrees C in about 2 mins. All the time the temperature was dropping Wayne was filming a lot of orbs coming from around our host!

I would like to say thank you to our hosts for an enjoyable evening and night, supplying us with all the tea coffee and marsh mellows we could have, and for making us feel so very welcome!!

I am annoyed that my fear of enclosed spaces got the better of me in the lightning tunnels as they looked fascinating and I believe some others had some great experiences there. That said I found it a great site and hope that I can at some point in the future return.

Alison Blyth

My first impression of Coalhouse Fort was amazement at how big the building was. The place has so much atmosphere that it sent shivers down my spine. I knew from the moment we got out of the car that we were in for a great night.

After meeting the rest of the combined groups we set off for our first vigil. My group were in the tunnels and decided to visit room 26.As soon as I entered the room I felt very uneasy and giddy, swaying from side to side. I decided to sit in the corner on the chair provided. I felt as though someone had hit me hard on the right hand cheek. It stung like crazy and made me feel as if I had to hold my face to stop the pain. I sat quietly and after a short while I became very agitated bordering on aggressive. I asked our guide Mel if I could step outside the room as I felt I was losing control of my emotions. I explained to Mel how I felt and she assured me that I am not the only one to feel this way in this area.

We moved on to room 24 and instantly my mood lifted and I felt quite merry as if tipsy. I was swaying from side to side and began to feel quite nauseous. I got the distinct impression that I was one of a group of four , and felt a sense of guilt as I felt that a man had been tricked into trusting these three men only to be beaten to an inch of his life and left to die. Luckily I didn't feel the anguish of the poor man who had been beaten just the feeling that he had to be taught a lesson for something he had done wrong. I felt remorse like the feeling that this was not meant to have happened but I couldn't change the fact that it was reality. We tried an experiment which impressed me immensely. We closed our eyes and asked out asking to be swayed forward or backwards to correspond with yes and no. My triggers were forward for yes and backwards for no. What fascinated me was mark, Sandy, Mel and Di and I could not see what anyone Else's reactions were only Jim could see as he was filming (see notes for our team for the results). As I was standing in the corridor I saw what could only be described as a man peeping around the corner keeping a watchful eye on me. I tried to get some more information but unfortunately I gleaned no further information from this man.

Our next vigil was in the latrines and the Quadrangle areas. Whilst nothing significant happened here when we called out, both Mark and I heard a woman saying hello. We both looked at each other which confirmed that we had both heard the same thing. We gained some interesting photos and I go the name of Emily but nothing more than that.

We moved on to the latrines. This area was interesting for me as I could smell horses and felt at some stage it was used for keeping animals. We called out and heard a heavy sigh but cannot confirm that this was anything paranormal as by this time it was starting to get cold and sighing was nothing unusual especially when you are standing about. I did sense a male who stood about 6'3" but without a name I was unable to get any further information.

We visited the theatre area and I sensed another gentleman who seemed very pre-occupied with some sort o testing he was taking part in. He seemed very elusive and wanted to concentrate on what he was doing rather than be bothered by us.

I attempted to do a vigil in the lightning tunnels but due to being claustrophobic I could barely concentrate on the vigil, but I was impressed with myself a I managed to stay in this area for forty minutes .

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would like to thank our guides especially Mel for looking after us all so well.

Sandy Rutter

We arrived about 18.00 hundred hours and it looked fantastic from outside. We went into the fort about 20.00 hundred hours and it looked even more fantastic from the inside. The first thing we were met by was the huge building, what a site it was spectacular in its own right. Now I can see why the people want to save it. It has character and it is a part of the British heritage. When we drove into the fort it was covered with army vehicles -brilliant. We met the rest of the team and introduced ourselves to the new members of the team then the Coalhouse Fort team introduced themselves, what a great bunch of guys and gals. Down to earth crazy people just like us. Simon the leader of the CHF told us about the fort and then showed us around the fort and buildings it was brilliant

Vigil 1

The Tunnels

Alison

Sandy

Mark

Jim

And our guide for the evening Mel

Our team went into the tunnels first we tried room 24 it was good. Alison sat on the chair that was in there and the lights went out and we called out no responses at first but Alison had her face touched by something. She felt uneasy so she went out of the room. Mel the guide went with her then they both came back in and Di sat on the chair lights went out and again something touched Di's face and she said she felt as if someone was interrogating her and Alison had that same feeling. Jim sat on the chair and he got the name Harry Fielding and it stayed with him. We went into room 26 and we all tried an experiment. We all stood up, feet apart and our arms to the side of us. Jim was looking at us. We all got our questions in our head and we swayed either back or front in reply to what we were asking. Was Harry Fielding there and we all went forwards. it was a good experiment all in all a very good start.

Vigil 2

Same Team The Latrines

It was good we got 3 unexplainable whistles like wind blowing through the trees.

Alison saw a figure leaning at a corner of a door way and started to get aggressive towards who ever she was talking to. Di saw a figure standing in the latrine and mark sensed he was over 6ft and Jim mentioned this was the place Harry Fielding nearly murdered someone.

Vigil 3

Same Team the Theatre & the casemates

The first room we went into was full of heavy artillery and machinery. I got a couple of orbs on my cam but that was it, nobody felt anything it wasn’t cold it was a happy atmosphere so we went next door to the theatre. It was very quiet in here not active at all.

Vigil 4

Alison

Sandy

Mark

Mel

Kieron

The Light Tunnels

Well what can I say about this one but what a fantastic vigil. We went right into the tunnels; it was fantastic very narrow and very dark. We went into the first bit of the tunnel it was like a room. We called out nothing happened but something pinched my right elbow. Alison and Di both felt uneasy so Mel took them outside and left me Mark and Kieron there. Mark called out and we heard a drip of water from down the tunnel. We knew it was there and straight afterwards we heard what could only be described as a footsteps coming towards us. We where ready with our cams and cameras and we caught an orb.

All in all it was a fantastic evening. I would love to go back. A great big thank you to the Coalhouse Fort team for making us feel welcome hope to see you all again soon.

Wayne Blyth

Well, where do I start?

We travelled up from Poole in atrocious weather conditions but found ourselves confronted with a sight so impressive, I felt sure it would not disappoint. I was proved right.

After meeting our team-mates, we were given a brief tour, and health and safety talk by Simon. During the walk round we went into the theatre and immediately I found myself to feel quite dizzy. I hope this would just be the start of good things to come.

Vigil 1. Casemates and Theatre

Selina (our team leader,) Tim Stevens, Kim and I headed to the casemates and theatre. We attempted calling out in the casemates but nothing was heard or seen in my opinion. In the theatre however, we again attempted calling out throughout our time there. All the team members sensed there was someone or something present behind the bars. Towards the end of our visit Tim asked out and said that we were just about to leave. At this point, the words “Good f*** off then” sprang into my mind. What was interesting about this is that Kieran, our guide said, on our exit from the theatre, that several people had expressed the same views while in there.

Vigil 2, Tunnels

Here, I was allowed use of Alan’s thermal imaging camera. This is a fantastic piece of equipment, and one, which could prove invaluable for future investigations. We settled into our vigil room and straight away found a warm spot emanating from the tunnel, going past room 26. I still cannot explain this as the room and, indeed, the tunnels felt quite cold all night. At one point we saw a butterfly, which resisted our attempts to put it outside. On returning to the tunnels, we found literally hundreds of the butterflies all resting on the walls surrounding us. Strange how no one noticed them at all on our walk round.

We marched on into another room. Here we were to experience cold breezes all around us, but nothing was detected by the thermal imaging camera.

Vigil 3. Latrines and Quadrangle.

In the latrines, with Simon accompanying us this time, Selina said she didn’t want to stand in one particular spot, although she wouldn’t say why. So up I stepped. After a few attempts at calling out, with no results, we decided to switch all lights off, which were coming from the camcorder, torches and thermal imaging camera. On doing this, we found ourselves in the darkest environment I have ever witnessed. Even after a time your eyes adjust, but here they didn’t. At one stage, I could have sworn Simon got up and stood next to me. On turning the lights on again, I was surprised to see Simon in the same place as before, and stating that he had not moved during the “lights off”. Selina then told me that this was much the same as her last experience and why she declined to stand where I had been.

We carried on asking out, with Tim even throwing stones and asking for them to be returned. He also attempted whistling old wartime tunes in the hope of a response. Unfortunately, no responses were heard or seen.

Next we went to the quadrangle, but apart from it being a very atmospheric and quite creepy place, nothing was to occur here for me.

Vigil 3. Lighting Tunnels.

These tunnels are extremely claustrophobic and I can understand Tim for what happened next. After making our way down the long, thin tunnels, we came to a stop in a small room. I turned the camcorder to face the way we came and immediately filmed an “orb” I concentrated the camera in the same direction and Tim stood beside me. He had grabbed my jacket and was watching the screen. I could tell he was getting agitated as his breathing started to get heavier and he had started shaking. At this point he asked Simon if we could leave the area. We exited and he began feeling quite sheepish. I would have to say that, in all honesty, I don’t blame him, as I had not really liked it in there myself.

In place of the tunnels, we were allowed into the theatre again. This was more impressive this time, as Simon started to feel extremely cold where he sat on the stage. Tim, with temp gun, noted that the temperature dropped several degrees in less than a minute, which was felt simultaneously by Simon. All the while I was able to film numerous “orbs”. I started to get quite concerned for Simon, as he appeared to be suffering, and offered to quit the vigil, if he wished. He bravely persisted though, and eventually the temperature started to rise. It would be worth seeing the “orbs” I captured again as they seemed to be extremely impressive. However, some have to be dismissed as dust as they only appeared after Simon had brushed past one of the tables in the area.

Conclusion.

A fantastic location with tons of potential. Simon has informed me that some areas have specific times for activity. We were just unlucky not to be there at these times. I do feel, however, that there are more chapters to this story, and we are not quite ready for the epilogue.

Thank you Simon and Kieran, and all for the best experience yet, and re-igniting my passion for the subject of the Paranormal.

This was a great night, made better by great team members and brilliant hosts, with extremely welcome refreshments.

Lastly, thank you Alan, for trusting me with your thermal imaging camera.

Selina Dean

I was really looking forward to this investigation as so much had happened the first time we visited this location I was eager to know if we would pick up on the same feelings as we got the first time.

Alan and I arrived around 8pm & met up with the rest of the group. After our walk round of the Fort we split into our teams & set off to our vigil areas.

My team of Kim, Wayne, Tim & our guide Kieran set off to the casemates. After calling out for a while we heard a few scuffling noises but nothing else so we made our way to the theatre. Inside the theatre we all sat around the table & called out. It started off very quiet but then the room suddenly went very dark, the temperature dropped & then the door banged. When it was time to leave we said we were leaving and Wayne suddenly got someone say to him “Good F***K off then!”

Our next vigil was in the tunnels. As we made our way through the different rooms we could all feel cold breezes and at one point Tim felt someone touch the top of his head at the same time Kim felt someone brush past her. The most interesting part of this vigil was when Wayne picked up a dark shape standing in the doorway to one of the rooms on the thermal image camera.

After a break we moved on to the latrines. I was looking forward to this area as on our last visit to the Fort this area spooked me out the most! After much calling out we had still had no response so Tim decided it would be a good idea to whistle & sing war songs. As we did we were suddenly confronted by an icy blast that seemed to move around us. Unfortunately as things had just started to happen it was time to move onto the quadrangle. As soon as we arrived at this area we all had the feeling of being watched. I thought I saw a man leaning out of one of the windows at one point & Kim & Tim both smelt burning followed by the smell of disinfectant.

Our last vigil area was the lighting tunnels. We made our way inside to find the area was very narrow & claustrophobic & unfortunately it made one of our team members very uncomfortable so we left. At this point we decided to return to the theatre. Once again we all sat around the table & started calling out. This time we seemed to get a much better response. We heard, taps, Wayne felt the floor shake below him, the temperature was going very cold then rising again & Tim got the feeling of someone watching us from the bars . The last part of this vigil was the most interesting part of the night. I could suddenly smell airplane fuel followed by the smell of juicy fruit! The smell got so strong that everyone could smell it. Simon then started to feel very cold & uncomfortable. Tim checked the temperature around him & within a minute the temperature dropped from 17 degrees to 11! At the same time Wayne filmed several orbs flying around Simon.

This was a great end to the night & hopefully we can return to the Fort in the future.