Southern Paranormal - Investigations
Marwell Hall Halloween Investigation
Saturday 28th October 2006 – 8pm – 6am
Attending Investigators – Julie Harwood, Maureen Taylor, Alison Blyth, David Ireland, Brian Ward, Amanda Horley, Rab Gardner, Abbie Holding (London & Essex member), Rachel Bettany, Simon Steadman, Paul Martin, Tim Stevens, Ross Richardson, Maria Street, Adam Hackett, Sarah Couper, Jan Coles, Diana Moore, Marion McCaffrey, James Lewis (London & Essex member).
Guests – Sophie, Nikki, Mike, Duncan, Rodger & Leslie Pigerham.
Vigil Plan for the Night
| 7.00pm | Julie, Brian, Alison, Abbie, Rachel, Simon & Jim arrive to set up. |
| 7.45pm | Everyone meet at Roundabout outside Marwell main entrance |
| 8.00pm – 8.45pm | New members - tour of the hall with Maureen |
| 8.45pm – 9.00pm | Short break before starting vigils |
| 9.00pm – 9.45pm - Vigil 1 | Team 1 Kitchen, Kitchen Corridors, Cellar (Ground Floor) Team 2 Main Hall, Library & Woodlock Rm (Ground Floor) Team 3 Top of stairs & Corridor (1st Floor) Team 4 Boardroom & Kitchen (1st Floor) Team 5 Christmas Tree Rm & others (top floor) Team 6 Attic Nursery & adjoining areas (top floor) |
| 9.45pm – 10.30pm – Vigil 2 | Team 1 Main Hall, Library & Woodlock Rm Team 2 Kitchen, Kitchen Corridor, Cellar Team 3 Boardroom & Kitchen Team 4 Top of stairs & Corridors Team 5 Attic Nursery & adjoining areas Team 6 Christmas Tree Rm & others |
| 10.30 – 11.00pm | Break |
| 11pm – 12am | Seance All teams in Main Hall |
| 12am – 1am | Team 1 Top of stairs & Corridor Team 2 Boardroom & Kitchen Team 3 Christmas Tree Rm & others Team 4 Attic Nursery & adjoining areas Team 5 Kitchen, Kitchen Corridors, Cellar Team 6 Main Hall, Library & Woodlock Rm |
| 1am – 1.45am | Break |
| 1.45am – 2.45am- Vigil 4 | Team 1 Boardroom & Kitchen Team 2 Top of stairs & Corridor Team 3 Attic Nursery & adjoining areas Team 4 Christmas Tree Rm & others Team 5 Main Hall, Library & Woodlock Rm Team 6 Kitchen, Kitchen Corridors, Cellar |
| 2.45 – 3.00am | Short Break |
| 3.00am – 3.45am - Vigil 5 | Team 1 Christmas Tree Rm & others Team 2 Attic Nursery & adjoining areas Team 3 Kitchen, Kitchen Corridors, Cellar Team 4 Main Hall, Library & Woodlock Rm Team 5 Boardroom & Kitchen Team 6 Top of stairs & Corridor |
| 3.45am – 4.00am | Short Break |
| 4.00am – 5.00am - Vigil 6 | Team 1 Attic Nursery & adjoining areas Team 2 Christmas Tree Rm & others Team 3 Main Hall, Library & Woodlock Rm Team 4 Kitchen, Kitchen Corridors, Cellar Team 5 Top of Stairs & Corridor RP Team 6 Boardroom & Kitchen |
| 5.00am | Pack up equipment, tidy up |
| 6.00am | Leave |
Guest Medium – Rodger Pigerham
Maureen Taylor & Leslie Pigerham accompanied Rodger on vigils
Vigil 1 with team 6 in Nursery
Vigil 2 with team 6 in Xmas tree room
Vigil 3 with team 2 in Boardroom
Vigil 4 with team 5 in Main Hall
Vigil 5 with team 3 in Kitchen Corridor
Vigil 6 with team 5 in Corridor/Top of stairs
Baseline Tests – completed by Alison Blyth & David Ireland
Main Hall – Temp 14.5, EMF no fluctuations, draft noticed from main door/entrance.
Library – Temp 14, EMF no fluctuations, slight draft noticed from near windows and from doors to other rooms.
Woodlock Rm – Temp 14.5, EMF no fluctuations, nothing abnormal noticed.
Kitchen Corridor – Temp 16, Fluctuations noticed but only near sources of power and cables etc. Lots of noises being made by kitchen equipment that team need to be aware of on vigils.
Kitchen – Temp 18, Fluctuations noticed but only near sources of power and cables etc. Again, kitchen equipment can be noisy ie fridge’s etc
Cellar – Temp 14, EMF no fluctuations, Very dusty. Musty smell very apparent (which could cause headachey type symptoms)
Bottom of Main Staircase – Temp 14, EMF no fluctuations, No draughts were notice in this area.
Halfway up Main Staircase – Temp 14, EMF no fluctuations, No draughts were notice in this area.
Top of Main Staircase – Temp 14.5, EMF no fluctuations, nothing abnormal noticed.
Men’s Loo – Temp 14, EMF no fluctuations, nothing abnormal noticed.
Corridor – Temp 16, EMF no fluctuations, Watch out for large tiger toy on the side unit.
Meeting Rm – Temp 13, EMF no fluctuations, nothing abnormal noticed.
Boardroom – Temp 15.5, EMF no fluctuations (apart from near power / computers), Lots of packaged equipment stored here, desks and lots of computer equipment.
Little Kitchen – Temp 16.5 – 17.5 fluctuating, Fluctuations noticed but only near sources of power and cables etc.
Christmas Tree Rm – Temp 12.5 – 13.5 fluctuating, EMF no fluctuations, lots stored in here. Large slope/bump in floor as you enter room.
Attic Landing (top of stairs) – Temp 12, EMF no fluctuations. Un even flooring.
Maureens Rm – Temp 15.5, EMF no fluctuations, Uneven floorboards esp. by door which do creak when people tread on them.
Corridor to Nursery – Temp 11.5, EMF no fluctuations, Creaky floor.
Nursery – Temp 11 – 11.5 fluctuating, EMF no fluctuations. Slight draught from old windows.
Resources Rm – Temp 12.5, EMF no fluctuations.
Area between Resources Rm & Nursery – Temp 12.5, EMF no fluctuations.
Locked off equipment & experiments
Locked off night vision camcorder in Main Hall
Locked off night vision camcorder half way up main stairs looking down
Locked off night vision camcorder in kitchen corridor
Locked off dictaphone in Main Hall
Locked off dictaphone in Library
Locked off dictaphone in Kitchen corridor
Locked of Dictaphone in The Woodlock Rm
Trigger objects
Objects – Coins
Place – Main Kitchen
Set by – Simon & Rachel
Time – 7.20pm
Protected by motion sensors
Objects – Cross & Glass
Place – Small upstairs Kitchen
Set by – Simon & Rachel
Time – 7.26pm
Protected by 2 x motion sensors
Other equipment left – MP3
Team Equipment
Each team had
At least 1 digital camera
1 x Night vision Camcorder
1 x Laser Temperature Gun
1 x EMF meter
Clip board, pen and note sheets
Teams also had access to the following equipment
Dowsing Rods
Glass for divination
Ouija Board x 2
Automatic Handwriting Planchette
Plain Paper
Team / Vigil Notes
Please note that due to the size of the vigil areas some floor teams decided to work together for vigils. Notes are provided in this manner.
Please note that due to the size of the vigil areas some floor teams decided to work together for vigils. Notes are provided in this manner.
Team 1
Vigil 1 Kitchen Corridor & Cellar
9.30pm In the Cellar Paul feels like his right ear & head is being tickled very lightly.
Nothing else unusual is felt or experience in this area or the kitchen corridor.
Vigil 2 Main Hall
9.50pm Rab and Rachel hear a clicking sound by window in Main Hall
9.52pm Team try dowsing and their rods indicate a female presence is with them in the hall.
10.00pm Tim takes a picture of the leather sofas by the window and notices a large orb which appears to have faces in it.
10.10pm Paul can smell a strong odour of burning rubber
Team 2
Vigil 1 Main Hall
9.10pm Temp 12-13, no EMF
9.15pm While Ross is stood in centre of the hall on his own EMF meter spiked and then dropped again for no apparent reason.
9.17pm Alison could feel a draught, Temp by door 11.5-12, draught confirmed
9.20pm Maria & Julie are sat on sofa and can both hear what sounds like a large clock ticking
9.26pm Maria & Julie see light by door to kitchen corridor, it is established that it is a small gap in the wood letting light in from the other side of the door.
9.31pm Team are starting to feel chilly in this area and its noted that the temp has dropped to 11.
9.37pm Alison hears a “Mmmm” noise from the fireplace
9.40pm Team note that either they have got used to the dropped temp or it has got warmer as they are not feeling so cold now. Temp taken – back to 13.
9.44pm Team hear a loud knock / thud from the wall behind Maria
Vigil 2 Kitchen Corridor & Cellar
9.47pm Kitchen Corridor temp 14.5 all around, no EMF
9.50pm Julie & Ross here thud by back door after Alison has called out
9.51pm Alison senses someone but they will not come forward
9.53pm Alison gets name Alfred and then 1874
9.56pm Julie hears a shuffle by the door to the kitchen
9.57pm Alison hears a cough
9.59pm Alison hears what she describes as a woman singing or a radio playing up the spiral staircase
10.00pm Alison describes the music like hymns
10.04pm Light at top of the spiral staircase goes out – team check and it is upstairs team that turned the lights off
10.06pm Maria can hear the music and describes it like church organ music
10.06pm Julie wonders if there was every an organ in the main hall.
10.10pm Team make their way down to the cellar, temp 14, No EMF but Alison feels very sickly.
10.15pm When Julie is stood by the door on the right (when facing into the cellar) she feels she has been touched on the head / hair very lightly
10.20pm Maria feels she is being pushed towards the door Julie is stood against
10.22pm Ross stands by the door and feels sickly and a bit dizzy
10.24pm Julie keeps having her head touched and Maria feels she is being pushed backwards and forwards. Alison likens the feeling to being tipsey drunk and team agree this is what it feels like.
10.26pm Alison gets the name Robert who was a happy go lucky drunk
10.27pm Ross is still swaying in front of the door and team get fits of giggles
10.30pm Maria notices how cold it feels behind her. Temp in area still 14.5 but behind Maria it is only 13.
10.31pm Team start feeling very woozy and decide to leave the area
10.35pm When they leave the cellar they all notice the pungent smell of fish in the kitchen corridor especially by the door to the kitchen. Temp 12-12.5 and still no EMF. Team check kitchen and the smell is not in there, just in the area outside the door. No reason for this was found.
10.38pm Smell completely dissipated.
Teams 1 & 2
Vigil 3 – Boardroom
12.00am Rab thinks he sees an orb by the window with the naked eye
12.05am Team attempt glass divination
12.06am Glass does move but very slowly at first
12.07am Alison feels we are communicating with Peter
12.08am Rab & Rodger hear a clicking sound coming from the kitchen
12.10am Alison & Rodger sense Rowland in the room
12.10am Alison calls out for Rowland to make himself known and all the team hear a knock on the boardroom door as if someone wants to come in – Julie checks, no one is there.
12.11am Rab gets a pain in his right arm
12.13am Rab, Tim, Alison & Rodger can smell burnt matches / sulphur
12.10am Glass moves and we appear to be communicating with Peter again. He is distressed that he did not have a proper Christian burial and that his body now lies in a shallow grave in the grounds of the hall.
12.10am Everyone starts to feel cold and temp reading confirms it has dropped by 2.5 degrees
Team agree to try and locate Peter’s grave in the grounds and to say a prayer for him.
Team are all still hearing knocks and Alison and Rodger still feel Rowland is present trying to intimidate the team. The team challenge Rowland through calling out and at one point the temp behind Tim dropped by 3 degrees and it felt to him like someone was behind him.
When calling out for Rowland the team could hear taps from each of 3 areas and at one point Julie thought she saw someone behind Tim, looking round the kitchen door into the boardroom. Team decided to split into the 3 areas (corridor, kitchen and boardroom) to see if they could trap Rowland but Rodger sensed Rowland just leave the floor completely when we did this.
Vigil 4 – The hospitality/meeting room
1.59am Julie opened door to let team in and experienced a cold blast of air on her face like something was rushing out of the room.
2.00am Temp 15, No EMF
2.03am Lots of orbs on digital pictures
2.05am Rab hears 7 light thuds from the floor
2.05am Rab decides to sit on the floor where the noise came from
2.06am Maria & Alison hear 3 thuds above them. Although there is a team upstairs, it does not sound like anyone moving about.
2.07am Alison is grinning and says she feels like a naughty child
2.09am Alison calls out, light anomalies caught on camcorder and then all team hear a thud when Julie asks out for a noise to be made within the room
2.11am Alison senses a playful little boy aged between 5 & 6
2.15am Rachel, who is in the corner of the room, has icy cold hands
2.16am Team hear a tap coming from near Rachel
2.18am Julie & Alison suddenly for no reason feel uneasy where they are
2.19am Rab sees orb or light by door near Julie
2.19am Ross captures an orb on digital camera by the door near Julie
2.22am Rachel is still very cold and so swaps places with Maria
2.25am Team decide to try Glass divination
2.30am Glass does not move but various sensations are felt by the team including an extreme cold felt by all the team but especially Ross who is literally shaking with the cold and when he moves past Rab, Rab can feel the cold off of Ross.
Called out for camcorder batteries to be drained and shortly after camcorder battery (new battery) and Julie’s digital camera battery die.
Temperatures taken of people in the circle and temperatures range from 24 – 26 but Ross is still icy cold.
Gentle thuds heard from under the table so Paul & Alison go under table to investigate. Nothing experienced but on leaving the area at the end of the vigil Paul notices a tiny fingerprint on his glasses lens. All teams fingerprints are much bigger than the one on the glasses!
Vigil 5 & 6 – Christmas Tree Rm, Nursery and surrounding areas
3.05am Rab feels a cold spot in the Christmas tree room (in the far corner)
3.25am Orbs caught on Rachel’s camcorder by the door. Ross captures orbs by Julie who is sat on the landing area with Alison & Maria.
3.26am Maria picks up on a Nanny figure and gets the name Elizabeth
3.27am Team look into room opposite corridor and Julie, Maria and Alison all see it appear to get darker and then lighten again like something moved into the doorway and then away again. Maria, Julie & Alison all feel very very uneasy.
3.30am Rachel and Ross go into the storeroom where team saw the darkness move and Rachel captures an orb on camcorder.
3.35am Team on landing still feel very apprehensive
3.40am Team decide to all move into Maureens room
3.45am Orb filmed behind Maria floating down
3.46am Julie, Alison and Rab hear a very quite growl / grumble
3.49am Julie starts to feel dizzy and shaky and has a headache come on very suddenly
4.15am Team relocate to the nursery
4.16am Julie, Rachel & Rab hear a thud near the hatch
4.30am Team relocate to the resources room opposite the nursery
4.31am Rab, Alison and Rachel hear a tap coming from behind Julie who is sat nearest the door
4.32am All team hear a bang from the other side of the room near the window
4.33am All team hear a click come from near the window
4.34am All team hear a tap come from same area of room as above
4.36am Julie & Maria feel like they are being watched
4.37am Julie & Alison feel like they are at school and feel a bit silly and naughty (like swinging their legs while sat on the chairs)
4.37am Maria does not feel like this but instead feels in a position of authority and like she is responsible for children / looking after them / protecting them.
4.38am Julie and Rachel both hear a “oooohhhh” sound
4.40am Rab sees a orb across the room and Julie takes a picture and Rab is pointing to exactly where the orb is.
Team 3 & 4
9.20pm Boardroom – Temp 16 – 17.5 fluctuating, No EMF
Both Jan & David feel unusual in one area of the room (corner) Temp in this area was 20.
David picks up on a death associated with the room
Both Sarah & Jan experience a tickling on their right arms
David picks up on a stabbing (both the victim and the murderer) this incident was not an accident and was over money. Right hand side of window.
Glass divination attempted – no movement
David confirmed that a man called Peter has had enough and wants to move on
10.00pm Top of stairs
Temp 14.5 – 16 fluctuating, No EMF
Emf then spikes at 2-3 – team consider it could be electrics and notice fluorescent lights/signs increases the readings the most.
When the EMF meter was passed by David’s lower back it caused it to spike to 3.He made sure he had no equipment on him and even removed his phone from his pocket but there was still an elevated reading – no good reason found.
10.15pm Nikki & Amanda could smell tobacco, yet did not smell it 5 minutes beforehand.
10.30pm Amanda wandered down the stairs and detected a very musty smell. When photo’s were taken where the smell was they had orbs on them.
12.00am Christmas Tree Room
Temp 14.5 – 15, No EMF
Sarah feels a sharp poke at the back of her knee
Team call out for Rowland
The team could feel the area get warmer and team members reported feeling a tingling in their hands.
12.10am Jan & David felt a cold draught on their right side.
12.12am Team see a flash of light and then the EMF meter switched itself off and then on again.
12.45am Temperature in the area started to drop and Amanda this time called out for Rowland.
In Maureens Room now, David felt a cold breeze about hand level and it felt like it was swirling. His back was also very cold and it did not seem to make any difference when he moved about.
12.30am 2 EMF meters batteries died as did the camcorder battery.
12.35 The camcorder appeared to have good battery life again like it had recharged.
12.37am Nursery – Temp 13, No EMF.
12.40am Adam caught 2 small orbs on pictures he took
Team called out and camera batteries drained again David still has cold back. Temp in front of David is 22, behind David it is 13.
12.50am Resources Room – Batteries in the EMF meter died again (after they had only just been replaced)
12.55am Camcorder which died earlier now has an amazing 210 minutes left of battery power (?)
2.00am Back in the Christmas Tree Room
Temp 14, No EMF reading
Divining Rods indicated a presence with the team that wanted them to leave. Through the rods Rowland appeared to know what he had done was wrong and felt remorse for it. Said he wanted to apologise to Lucy and he was not happy in the hall. He then appeared to leave and they could get no further reaction.
When Amanda asked to speak again with Rowland as she did not believe him an orb was caught on camcorder going behind / between the rods. Rowland wanted help to cross over and said eventually he would speak to Amanda.
2.30am Team were in Fire Cupboard area, Rods seemed to mess about then the team picked up on Lucy’s brother. Soldier, 1901 census were also picked up.
3.10am Team in Kitchen, Temp 16-17, Orb appeared on camcorder by Jan’s elbow. Mike also felt a tickle on his neck in this area.
3.20 am Team pick up on Wallers men, roundheads and the fact they let a cavalier escape which led to trouble.
Team 5
9.20pm Christmas Tree Room – Temp 23.7, No EMF
9.30pm Diana has a cold feeling, temp 22.8 – slight drop
9.47pm Maureens Office – Temp 21.5, No EMF
9.50 – 10.20 Séance in Corridor (see team 6 notes)
Simon has a slightly cold neck
10.20 Nursery – Temp 22.5, No EMF
10.45pm 2 orbs captured on camcorder just before tape ends
Trigger Object checks – No movement however the MP3 has died and has recorded nothing.
10.50pm Rachel’s torch dies – Battery dead? When checked back in team room battery is fine.
12.03am Cellar – Temp 21.9, no EMF
Dragging sound heard . Checked with other team on floor and they confirmed no movement.
Team also hear “oooh” sound twice. Abbie confirmed her team had also heard it.
Team hear footsteps / walking above them (on hard floor) from corridor even though area is carpeted. Checked team in the area and no one was moving.
2.10am Main Hall – Cold breezes felt by team
2.15am Team hear a couple of raps / taps which appear to be in response to questions / calling out.
2.40am Library – Glass divination attempted – slight response only
4.15am Top of stairs
4.33am 2 direct response knocks from calling out from Elizabeth Seymour coming from other side of gents loo door.
Team 6
9.22pm Nursery Cold spot in corner to the right of the window, 9 degrees lower than rest of room.
9.25pm James feels cold and Rodger can picture a cradle in the corner where James is stood
Team hear what sounds like creaking but agree it could be the distant sound of fireworks.
Rodger senses a lady in her early 50’s walking over to the cradle
9.30pm Rodger gets the impression the baby in the cradle is dead Temp taken 11.8.
9.32pm Maureen feels someone touch her shoulder
9.35pm Abbie feels as though there is someone in the corridor / room outside the nursery
9.40pm Rodger senses the name of the deceased child is James and Abbie and Rodger sense the lady is distressed / upset
Time period 18 something, temperature starts to drop again.
9.45pm Rodger feels something grab his hand in the corridor while leaving the nursery
Séance – both teams 5 & 6
Rodgers chest feels tight
James has a digging feeling in his back
Name Rowland and Rodger can feel Lucy in the doorway
Duncan feels something brush past him
Leslie senses / feels someone behind her
James feels a cold breeze on his face and then the back of his neck
Maureen feels a cold breeze across both of her hands
Cold breeze seems to be circulating around everyone
Rodger & Maureen feel Beth is in the middle of the circle
Leslie feels someone touching the top of her head
Camcorder battery dies
Abbie feels like the teams are being watched
Duncan and Brian feel like there is someone behind them
Sophie has a tingling feeling in her back
James sees a flash of red in the doorway of the Christmas Tree room
James can picture a little blonde boy or girl peering through the banisters with their legs dangling down
10.20 Christmas Tree room – clicking sound heard by all then EMF turned off
Maureen and Abbie both feel light-headed and are experiencing a tingling sensation.
10.24 EMF meter keeps turning itself off for no apparent reason
10.25 Temp keeps steadily dropping – 13.9, 13.2, 12.9, 12.5
10.27 Rodgers hand is feeling cold – temp drop observed from 29.5 down to 21 in a matter of seconds.
12.00am Main Hall
12.01am Thud sound heard by James
12.03am Duncan feels cold, temp recorded 13.9, No EMF
12.05am Abbie sees a flash on the ceiling
12.07am Sophie is cold but room temp has risen to 15.0
12.10am James hears the sound of something dropping – team can not be sure what it was if anything
12.13am Sophie hears a deep thudding sound
12.16am James sees a shadow under the door to the kitchen corridor
Temperature on the door drops from 18.8 to 12 for no apparent reason
12.17am Temp in hall now 10.9 and team feel the cold
12.20am James feels a cold spot on his left side
12.21am Abbie feels a cold breeze pass her
12.25am James has a feeling of being watched and has a tear in his eye
12.28am James has a vision of a lady in a white dress with an umbrella / parasol and has the name Elizabeth
12.29am Abbie sees a light go past the door
12.30am Abbie feels the sensation of being in a crowded room
12.32am Temperature around Sophie has dropped slightly to 14
12.35am Abbie is suddenly very cold
12.37am James can hear someone walking up and down the corridor
12.41am James is freezing when in fact the temperature has got warmer
12.43am Corridor near long room Temp decreased from 14 to 13 and then down to 12 for no apparent reason.
12.50am Temperature has gone back up to 14.9
1.50am Kitchen
1.51am James feels a cold shudder when he stands next to the window in the kitchen
1.55am Sophie feels like there is someone else in the kitchen with them
2.04am Kitchen Corridor Sophie feels a cold breeze move past her
2.05am Sophie can sense a panic or as if someone was running. James feels as if someone was once chased down this area.
2.06am Team hear a bang
2.07am James can picture white coats ie Dr / Vet of the 1930’s or 40’s. He feels it could be war related.
2.10am Sophie feels that a girl was mistreated, something nasty hence the panicky feeling
2.20am Duncans left arm is 3 degrees colder than his right arm but the floor on either side of him is the same
2.25am Sophie’s left arm is colder than her right and James ear feels like it is burning
2.30am Team hear noise from the kitchen. They have not heard it for the rest of the vigil and it keeps repeating seemingly on demand. Tapping / clicking.
2.34am Team hear a growling sound. At first they thought it was someone’s stomach but no one thought it was theirs.
2.35am Team hear thud from the far end of the corridor
2.40am Team hear scratching from the kitchen and then a groan
3.00am Top of Stairs & Corridor
Temp on stairs 15.6, No EMF
3.01am Top of stairs – Sophie can imagine a woman in a red dress falling down the stairs and breaking her neck
3.15am James can feel a sharp persistent pain in his neck
3.16am Duncan & Abbie’s body temp is 20.9
3.17am Abbie felt something touch the top of her head
3.20am one of the stairs creaked as if someone was walking on it, but all the team were still and had been for at least 5 minutes
3.22am Abbie feels as though someone is half way up the stairs by the window looking up at the team
3.24am Team feel the room temperature has increased. Room temp now 16.0
3.25am bang from downstairs – sounds like a camcorder or door slamming ? Nothing out of place as far as team can see.
3.27am Team see a greeny white flash from above the men’s toilet door
3.28am Thud heard on one of the stairs and Abbie starts to feel cold – her body temp has now dropped a degree to 19.9
3.30am Team see a shadow by the chair on the landing area
3.35am Team hear knocking from the corner by the administration office. James picks up the name William and when asked to tap again, team hear large tap / thud from corner
3.37am Still a tapping sound from near office and Sophie hears a high pitched laugh not heard by the rest of the team.
3.40am Sophie and James feel like someone may have fallen or been thrown from the top banister.
3.45am Temperature in the area increases to 16
4.00am Boardroom Team hear a dragging sound
4.30am Team are sat in corridor outside boardroom and a serviette flew off the map box. No one was near it and there was no noticeable breeze in the area. When the team picked it up and put it back, they asked for it to be done again and within seconds the serviette flew off the map box again.
4.34am Team hear knocking sound in corridor followed by a groan
4.35am James and Abbie feel icy cold, left side of Abbie is 27.9 and her right side is 22.1
Whole Group Séance in the Main Hall lead by Alison & David
Start 12.20am
12.25am Tim can feel a cold draught across his back and a tingling sensation on his left side. Temp inside circle 16.5
12.25am Amanda’s elbow feels cold
12.26am Temperature has dropped to 15.3 in the circle and around Amanda, Tim & Rab
12.28am Somewhere a door creaks and distant footsteps are heard by some of the group
12.29am Tim feels a cold breeze on his neck as if someone had blown on him
12.29am Alison had a cold breeze to her left. Temperature in rest of room 15.5, temperature by Amanda is 13.5
12.30am James and Sophie can feel a breeze between them (temp 13.8)
12.30am The back of Alison and Paul’s hands are 13.1
12.31am Temp in the room has decreased from 15.5 to 13
12.32am Sophie feels a cold spot right in front of her
12.40am Julie can hear faint talking (women) coming from the kitchen corridor and a couple of other people by Julie hear this too
12.41am Temperature around Julie has dropped from 15 to 14
12.42am Julie captures a very bright light in the centre of the circle on her digital camera
12.42am Group rotate 180 degrees clockwise
12.44am The people now stood by the fire place feel warm
12.45am Rachel and Simon feel a little sickly and dizzy
12.45am Alison can smell something strong and musty
12.45am Maureen feels someone is standing behind her by the main door
12.45am Rab and Amanda still feel cold especially around their arms
12.45am Simon feels cold on his arms and hands and a little around the neck
12.46am Rodger picks up the name Thomas
12.45am Abbie can smell Lavender
12.50am Amanda feels like she can sense someone stood in the corner of the room
End 12.50am
Marwell Personal Reports
Julie Harwood
Always a treat to return to Marwell, this time made it extra special as we were introducing our new members not only to the Hall but also to investigating for the first time with the team.
On arriving at the hall the only strange thing I felt was a slight sense of unease as we passed the library. Being used to wandering around old apparently haunted buildings on my own setting up equipment etc it surprised me that on this occasion I felt a little trepidation when I passed the library and had to ask Abbie to come in with me to set up the locked off dictaphone. This was only a fleeting feeling as when I passed the library several times afterwards I felt no unease of any sort.
I was in team 2 with Alison, Maria & Ross and we started our nights investigating on a vigil in the main hall. A few orbs were caught on digital camera’s and we all had a go at calling out however we all felt at ease in the hall and the room felt very quiet.
Our second vigil was in the kitchen corridor. We all sat on the floor and Alison could sense the presence of a man called Alfred. We called out to him and we heard some knocks. One knock seemed to come from the back door and the others from the office behind where Ross was sat. It reminded me of when Abbie, Wayne and myself did our first investigation of Marwell back in May 2005 and Wayne said he could sense an older bearded man sat at a desk in the same office. Could this have been Alfred? Maria and Alison could also hear music and a woman singing. We thought it was the group upstairs and wondered why they were singing but when Alison opened the door to the staircase the sound got less which does not make any sense as surely with the door opened they would be able to hear it clearer and louder.
After all fell silent we decided to go down into the cellar. We called out asking if there was anyone there, could they do something. I felt a slight tickle on the top of my head a couple of times however being in a dusty cellar with lots of spiders webs, I could not be sure it wasn’t that causing the tickling sensation I was feeling. After a couple of minutes down there, we all noticed we were starting to sway about and I have to admit we did get a fit of the giggles. Alison hit the nail on the head when she said that we seemed to be acting drunk. It was so true, but not a nasty drunk but a funny tipsey drunk. Alison had to sit on the steps to steady herself, I was slouched up against the wall because I felt like I could not stand up and Maria and Ross were both having to dig their heals in (to the point of making their feet hurt) to try and stop themselves swaying. The odd thing was when we left the cellar it was not until a couple of minutes later that we realised we were acting completing normal again, the giggling had stopped (and believe me we were seriously giggling in the cellar) and no one was swaying or felt dizzy. A Fascinating feeling. The only other odd thing that happened was just as we were about to leave we all got the overwhelming smell of fish, it smelled just like someone was cooking a kipper or similar. We poked our head in the kitchen and it did not seem to be there but it was so strong just outside the kitchen door and then it seemed to dissipate. I have no explanation for this but it was clearly a smell that all of us could detect.
Our next vigil was a group séance back in the main hall. I sat out and took temperature readings when required. A few spirits were picked up on by Rodger and a couple of group members and there were some pretty major temperature drops around people especially Tim, Simon & Amanda who were feeling either incredibly cold or cold breezes rush past them. The only strange thing I heard in this vigil was the sound of people talking coming from the kitchen corridor. I mentioned this and was glad when several people near me (Sarah and or Marion I think) said they could also hear it. It was very short though and I could not hear it for long.
For our next vigil we joined up with Rab, Tim, Rachel, Paul, Maureen & Rodger in the Boardroom. We attempted glass divination but with no success this time (which surprised me as we have always had glass movement in this area before) however Tim noticed a sever cold spot behind him like someone was standing there and Rodger confirmed there was a spirit with us. We tried the glass again and managed to contact Peter who expressed that he did not like talking to us with Rowland around. We were however able to ask Peter why he had not moved on and were able to ascertain that even though he had been released he could not pass over as he had not received a Christian Burial (it is believed Peters body lies in the grounds of the hall which is where he was buried after being killed). Rodger agreed to say a prayer for him in the grounds where they believe he is buried and this was done during our next break. The cold spots were moving around the room now and Rodger believed this was Rowland stalking us. As we followed him around the room the cold spot moved into the kitchen and when we went there the cold spot moved again this time into the corridor. Maureen and Rodger said he was playing games so we all split up and covered all areas leaving him no where to hide. When we did this no one noticed any cold spots anymore.
For our next vigil our team teamed up again with Rab, Rachel & Paul in the hospitality room. We tried glass divination as Alison could sense the spirit of a young boy aged about 5 or 6 but the glass did not move. Suddenly the atmosphere in the room changed (in my opinion) and we all suddenly became icy cold. Poor Ross however was shaking with the cold and Rachel’s hands were like ice cubes! Rab even commented that he could feel the cold pouring off of Ross. A couple of times we all heard the pitter patter of what sounded like little feet and Alison & Paul got under the table to investigate however nothing else was picked up until we left the vigil. On the lens of Paul’s glasses was a tiny fingerprint. He was pretty sure he could not have done it as 1) he is very careful not to touch the lenses of his glasses and 2) because the fingerprint was tiny and not at all the size of a mans fingerprint.
Our final vigils were up in the attic and our teams decided not to break in the middle but to do the whole area together. We started off in the Christmas tree room but I felt absolutely fine in there so Alison, Maria and myself went an sat on the landing area. We were all really nervous of the room ahead of us as before our eyes the room seemed to get darker, then lighten again and then darken again etc. This was very strange and a little unnerving however on hindsight it was very early in the morning and we were all a little tired. Maria did however pick up on the spirit of a Nanny who was fiercely defending the children she looked after and said the name Elizabeth though she did not know if this was related to the Nanny. Alison and I knew this had been picked up on before but purposely did not say anything to Maria so we did not lead her in anyway.
We then went into Maureens room and then down to the Nursery and resources room but again all was quiet apart from a few sounds that in my opinion could be attributed to the resident mice rather than any spirit. The one thing that did amaze me was in the resources room when Rab saw an orb with his naked eye. I took a picture just as he was pointing to where he saw it and yes in the picture, in direct line to Rab’s finger was a very bright orb. Spirit presence or just a bit of dust in the right place at the right time.
All in all a fantastic night at Marwell which I know my team really enjoyed. I was very privileged to have Ross and Maria in my team. Even though they were new to working with us they got stuck in straight away and were eager to try anything. Thank you to all the members for attending, especially James who travelled down from London to join us for the night and also to Rodger & Leslie who again travelled a long way to investigate with us.
Tim Stevens
On my initial tour of Marwell hall I found it to be a fascinating and very interesting place I also felt comfortable everywhere apart from in the attic. I had a feeling of not being wanted up there as if we were intruding and someone was watching us and wanted us out!
My first experience was in the main hall as Rachel was doing the divining and found that our female presence that we had contacted through the rods was standing basically where I was stood filming Rachel. My legs were very tingly from the waist down. I also caught an Orb on digital camera in the spot where we were being led to constantly by the windows and two leather couches. On the Whole I found the main hall comfortable. On later and closer inspection the orb appears to show the face of a female! Later Roger our medium for the night confirmed he believed it to be the face of Lucy.
My second experience was during the seance in the hall I was stood in a circle with everyone. I was positioned by the fireplace. I had a slight tingling sensation on the left-hand side of my head by my ear, followed by a cold draught behind me. I cannot recall the original temperature on the other side of the hall by the windows I think it was approx. 19 degrees C, but at that moment the temperature behind me was 13.03 degrees C, then it went quiet for a bit then a cold blast of air blew onto my neck as if someone had just blown gently onto my neck. Definitely not a breeze a directed flow of air!!
Amanda Horley
Vigil 1:
As Mike wasn’t joining us until later we joined forces with David’s team to investigate the first floor. The boardroom was unusually quiet. David picked up on a man who had been killed there, and also his murderer. Both he and Jan felt uneasy about the area to the right of the window, and Jan and Sarah both felt that their arms were cold and tingling. We tried a glass divination but with no success.
Vigil 2:
For the second vigil we covered the area around the main stairs and the corridor above it. The EMF meter had a huge reaction to an area of wall at the top of the stairs, but after consulting with Maureen later we were told that this was a 17th century wall and should not have any electrical cabling running through it. David’s lower back also caused the EMF meter to go off, despite taking his phone out of his pocket. We could not work out a reason for this. There were no major temperature changes, but orbs aplenty were captured on stills cameras. I did pick up on the “musty” smell that often moves around on the stairs and was interested to see that Adam got a photo with orbs on it at the spot where I pointed it out.
Group Séance:
After a break we gathered in the main hall for a group séance and several of the group including myself felt very cold. In my case my left elbow was cold but the right side of my body felt fine. I was near the fireplace and there could have been a draft either from there or from the two side doors from the hall. Most of the people who felt cold were in this area so we moved the circle round. Unfortunately this left me positioned near the front door. By now I was very cold all across my back and arms although Maureen who came to stand behind me was unable to detect a draft. Rodger and Maureen felt that Alice was standing behind Rab and myself, but we were unable to get her to make herself known to the circle. Alison and Rodger both felt the presence of a male spirit that made them uneasy, and when contact couldn’t be made we broke the circle. Afterwards both confirmed independently that they believed the man to be Rowland.
Vigil 3:
Mike had joined us by now, but we stayed as one large team and started in the Christmas tree room, which felt quite cold. David did feel a male presence in there and the room felt like it had warmed up but it would not communicate with us so we moved on to Maureen’s room. This was very quiet and we moved on to the attic nursery which was equally as quiet as was the old Education room opposite.
Vigil 4:
During the break before this vigil I had been trying out the diving rods (which I have had no success with in the past) in the library, and as they did seem to be working for me tonight we took them with us for our return trip to the attic. We returned to the Christmas Tree room and with David using the rods contacted Rowland. He said that he was sorry for what he had done and regretted it, but when I took over the rods and challenged him he admitted to lying to us. He then wouldn’t talk to us any more and we couldn’t contact anyone else so we returned to the attic nursery, which again was quiet. We moved across to the old Education room and with Sarah using the rods picked up on a male who was a soldier who was in the house in the early 1900s. He didn’t live there, but was visiting an aunt and was a brother of Lucy who we have met on previous investigations. This all ties in with the known history of the hall, which Sarah would not have been aware of.
Vigil 5:
For this vigil and the following one we were on the ground floor of the building and staying together as one large team we started in the kitchen area and the nearby corridor. Again using the rods we picked up on two Roundheads. We had Rodger with us for this vigil and the interesting thing about our conversation with the Roundheads was that there were occasions when the answer was yes for one of them and no for the other (confirmed by Rodger). In these circumstances one rod moved across and the other stayed still. It appeared that they were in trouble with their officers for letting a cavalier escape and were looking for him. One was married and the other was married but also had a sweetheart!
Vigil 6:
For this final vigil we split into two groups and Jan, Sarah and myself started in the library. We took it in turn to use the rods and contacted three spirits who were present. Alice, Lucy and Michael. Lucy’s brother William who we had contacted in the old Education room was also present. Confusingly, Lucy confirmed that Rowland was actually telling the truth when he said that felt guilt for his actions, but she didn’t forgive him. After speaking to Michael we swapped with the rest of the team and went into the Main Hall. There, with Sarah using the rods we spoke to Beth. She was answering questions almost before I had finished asking them, and as we have previously uncovered a lot of information relating to her I asked instead about Michael. She confirmed that he lived in the house before the mid 1500’s, was the son of the owner and was killed (rather than an accident or illness) when he was aged 7/8. This is useful information as we may be able to investigate this further through the history of the hall.
This was a very mixed investigation for me. Areas that have previously been very active were incredibly quiet, and other areas seemed to come to life. I think all of us on the two teams who tried the rods were delighted at how successful they were in contacting the spirits present, as these are a medium that we have not used much in the past. It seems that we learn something new every time we investigate this wonderful building and I am looking forward to the next time. I hope that the new members who were in our team enjoyed themselves and learnt a little more about the various items of equipment we use and look forward to seeing them again at future investigations.
Marion McCaffrey
This was my first visit with the Southern Paranormal UK group and with great excitement was looking forward to it. Diana picked up my sister Sarah and me from my flat. We did get lost trying to find the hall but I don’t think we were alone. My impression of the Hall was what a beautiful building and the entrance hall was just so large with high ceilings.
After meeting Julie and the rest of the group we had a tour of the sites where would be doing our vigils. I was in group five with Brian, Simon and Diana.
Xmas Tree room: We had another group visitor James who had gone into the wrong room. He did not like this room said he felt a tightening on the throat and like someone pushing him. He went off to rejoin is group. I reported sensing a little boy names John and a sense of a fire in this room. There were changes in temperature readings. Moved out into the hallway joining the other group and joined a seance that was being held there. Roger could sense spirits Lucy and Eve who were playing with us causing cold breezes and touching of faces. I could sense the changes in temperatures and also the cobweb effect on the face.
The Attic room: Emf meter readings were normal and the temperature was 22.7. I called out for contact and so did Brian there was no contact in this room.
Cellar: Temperature 21.7 and normal emf meter readings. Diana was feeling sick in this area. We all took turns in calling out and Brian felt a cool breeze on his right side. Heard some tapping and voices and we checked to make sure nobody was upstairs at this time - there was no one there.. There are 2 doors in the cellar and Diana sense that was something behind one of the doors. We then moved to the kitchen area and Simon went back in the cellar by himself. Simon could hear someone walking along the floor by the cellar door as if they were wearing leather soles and walking on wooden floor. This are is carpeted out.
Entrance Hall: seance was held here with all the group and experiences ranged from temperature changes, a feeling of wanting to laugh and dance and i saw Henry 8 in the centre of the circle and I did say to Roger about this at the end of the evening i also got the impression that Henry had got married there but this was not confirmed. Later on our group and Roger and 2 others not sure of the names held a vigil here. Beth and Michael were sensed in this area, Simon asked for some knocking so we could tell if it was them and we had some responses from Beth. In the library we had a seance with glass divination and received answers by movement of the glass from a Alice Long.
Boardroom and Kitchen: Temperature 23.3 emf meter was zero.
Tried calling out and some glass divination and table tipping but got no response.
Hallway and
stairs: Roger sensed Elizabeth Seymour and Lady Dacre. Simon tried to get a
response from Mistress Seymour but there was nothing from her. I did not sense
anything in this area although some photos that I took did show orbs in this
area
Maureen Taylor
Vigil 1 – the attic nursery
All seemed quiet at first, then as Rodger said he had two different nannies, with their charges, from different eras, I felt them faintly, though maybe part of it is that I know they are often there so I expect to feel them... hard to tell.
The first is an older woman, maybe in her mid fifties, the child she is looking after is a baby about a year old. The woman’s chair is to the left of the window as you look into the room, the childs cradle to the right of the window. The woman is pacing to and fro, and several people (including Sophie) feel that part of the room is much colder than the rest. She is pacing to and fro, upset about something, Rodger says that she either bends over the cradle to look at the child, his name was James, or on occasion picks it up, all the while pacing to and fro across in front of the window. The child, Rodger tells us, is dead, but he thinks that either the nanny is not sure about this, or she knows and is upset about not only the death of the child, but about her employers reaction – will she be blamed.
The second nanny is younger, Rodger has told me about her before, her name is Alice Wendell he thinks, she is 27 years old. She too is responsible for just one child, it’s cradle is the other side of the room, nearer the door, and just behind where I was sitting, I could feel her at times as she walked across the room to check on the child.
I also felt another presence in the room, but it was coming and going – turned out to be our friend Beth checking on where I was and what was going on – perhaps she was making sure that things were going the way she had planned for us... at one point I felt her hand on my right shoulder for a few seconds.
As we were walking along the corridor towards the Christmas tree room, just a few yards before we reached the fire door Rodger had someone grab him by the hand, he’s not sure who it was, they didn’t reveal themselves to him. A moment after that I felt a presence in between Rodger and myself as we came through the door – Rodger was behind me. We now think that it may have been Rowland trying to prevent us going to the Christmas tree room.
Vigil 2 - Christmas tree room
James was the first one to walk into the room – he had gone a little ahead of the rest of us, straight away he commented that he though unpleasant things had happened in there.
As usual May, one of the 19th century maids, was in the room, on the floor in the far corner, apparently bound and gagged as usual. it was only a few minutes before she got up and started dancing around the room, something she has never done for us before – Rodger told us that she was showing him that she was now free to do as she wished. A week or two earlier Lucy, who shared the room with May, had gone to visit Rodger and told him the whole story of what had happened to her and May, as a result of her telling him the story and his believing her (nobody else had ever done so, in life or death) she had finally been freed from her restraints. I could certainly feel her dancing around the room, she came past me, well, right through me I think, because as she did I had a sudden pain and tingling sensation in my head and a sense of happiness, no, let’s call it joy, it was more than just happiness, coming from her. I think she’ll still be around, in the same way as Lucy stays, to torment Rowland... and I shall come to him in a moment. Lucy wasn’t around at that time, at least, I felt that she was there, but holding back in order to give May her five minutes of fame...
There was an underlying feeling in the room, and in the area outside it, of something else lurking close by, something not so pleasant... Rowland, not a nice person to encounter. Wherever Lucy is around the hall he is close by, trying to prevent her from telling anyone what he did to her and May... but he no longer has the power to do very much at all, to anyone.
As there isn’t a great deal of space in this particular room we moved outside into a larger space where we held a séance. Rowland came through first – Rodger had said that he could see him standing in the doorway of the Christmas tree room, but he came over to our circle and was obviously standing behind James who said that he could feel something digging into his back. It was Rowland trying to hurt him, James said that the sensation was getting more intense all the time, but stopped after two or three minutes - - this was the best that Rowland managed all night, he grew steadily weaker as the night went on – something that we’ve experienced before. He was very definitely annoyed with us all – but that’s nothing unusual, fortunately he doesn’t have the power to harm us in any way. The most he can do is poke and prod and move small objects.
Once Rowland realised that we knew he couldn’t harm us he disappeared, and instead we had Beth and Lucy inside our circle (more of an oval really as the space wasn’t very wide). They were walking up and down within it, and I think they were trying to
see if any of us could tell the difference between the two of them – playing games as usual.
Group séance
The whole group, after a break, assembled in the main hall. Most formed the séance circle, but Rodger and I stayed out of it – Rodger to see better what was going on and to be able to move around the room if necessary and see what or who was happening.
Alice Long appeared and as she so often does, attached herself to Rab – she stood between and just behind Rab and Amanda – was there any significance in her position, or was it just because she likes Rab. We tried moving the circle through 90 degrees to see if Alice stayed where she was or not - - she moved with the circle and stayed between Rab and Amanda!
Michael was there too, but not messing about as much as usual because Alice was there watching him, I was getting the feeling that he was looking for shoelaces to undo, but didn’t date try it as Alice would have given him a telling off. As soon as Rowland appeared Michael shot off, obviously frightened by him, but Alice stayed.
Over the last two or three investigations at the hall Rowlands power seems to have been diminishing, this has happened gradually as Lucy has recounted parts of her story to Rodger over the last few months. On any investigation he seems to have a certain amount of power at the beginning of the night, but it seems to drop dramatically as the night goes on. Towards the end of the séance he tried to fool Rodger into thinking that he was someone else and gave the name Sir Thomas Seymour - - I was able to tell Rodger that Sir Thomas Seymour didn’t exist, not at the hall anyway, I don’t know if there were any Sir Thomas Seymours, but I suspect not.
Several people said they could hear voices coming from the corridor in the south wing – it was two Roundheads, arguing, I could hear them too, and it went on through much of the night – we talked to them during a later vigil.
Time ran out and we had to finish...
Vigil 4 – Board room and adjacent kitchen and hallway
We started this vigil with the whole group in the boardroom. A table was set up for glass divination. As we started Rodger said that there were two males in the room with us – Rowland and Peter, again we’ve met both of them on other occasions. Several of us sat around the table and asked questions of the glass. The first movement was a fairly violent shift of the glass towards the edge of the table, it then stopped and wouldn’t move again – we’re quite sure this was Rowland trying to demonstrate his power – but that’s the only movement he managed. We then had a much gentler response to our questions, definitely a different person coming through, and we soon realised that this was Peter. Several people were asking questions at first and he was responding to them, but we were having difficulty working out just what he was trying to tell us. I then had an idea, I don’t know where it came from, it may even have been Peter himself putting it into my head. We had established on previous nights at the hall that he had been murdered in this room and then buried out under the lawn. I asked if one of the reasons that he was still there was because he had never had a proper Christian burial and was he waiting until somebody came along and did that for him. He said it was. I told him that though we couldn’t actually go out there and dig up his body and transfer it to the local churchyard in Owslebury, we could go outside and Rodger would locate where he had been buried; and we could all then go out and say a prayer around his grave. He said that he would like that, he realised that it wasn’t practical for us to go digging him up – fortunately for us. During the session with Peter he was very faint and hesitant at times, as if something was preventing him from saying anything, Rodger now tells me that he had cloaked himself in an effort to prevent Rowland from getting to him and stopping him from talking to us. It was only when I reassured him that he could not be harmed that he came through more clearly.
All the time this was going on Rowland had been lurking in corners, and finally retreated behind the kitchen door – as if he thought his mere presence would frighten us - - no chance!!! Several of the group went off to try and chase him back into the boardroom, but he wasn’t having that and seemed to disappear. Once we were all back together he reappeared – and as he so often does, stood in the kitchen doorway.
We then decided to split up, several stayed in the boardroom four of us went into the kitchen with the glass to see if we got any responses in there, but we didn’t really have enough time left for much to happen, and several went to the area in between the two rooms. Rowland certainly wasn’t happy about this, we’d covered all the areas he could lurk in. Rodger suddenly said that Rowland had run into the boardroom and wheeled himself through to it – just in time to see Rowland disappear down through the floor and away from us.
Hall and Library
The whole group settled down on the sofas and the floor, feeling very comfortable. Little seemed to be happening, but I had a feeling that Beth at least was lurking close by, but not coming forwards - - she was waiting for something... or someone, then I felt her standing behind me, watching Rodger being confused. I’m sure she was laughing at him, in fact I actually heard – only the second time I’ve ever done so. Michael then appeared, and I think that Beth had got him there to distract Rodger from what she was planning to do to him. Michael was running all around the hall trying to get Rodger to chase him, but there was no way that Rodger could have kept up in his wheelchair. We could nearly all see small and very bright orbs, red and white, shooting around the room as Michael was running around – he seemed to be really enjoying it all. Rodger then said that Beth had popped up behind him and was trying to take him over – she’s stepped into his body on several occasions over the last few months, and she and I have had some very amusing, though short, conversations together. He was determined that she wasn’t going to do it and she was doing her best to get in, but he wasn’t having it, I asked her not to do it as it would possibly tire Rodger too much as he still had the rest of the night to do.
Halfway through the vigil we moved into the library. We contacted Alice using the glass, she came through as soon as we started. I had had a message from Beth earlier in the week to say that Alice wanted to talk. She wanted to tell us about the new south wing of the building. We first established that she and her husband had moved into the hall in 1813. She then told us that when they moved in the new wing was partly built, but had no roof on it, and that her husband completed the structure, along with what was necessary in the existing hall to make access to the new wing possible from all the floors of the hall. She said that yes, George Dacre had started building it but had been unable to complete it. She and her husband were the next owners of the hall after George Dacre and his family.
Kitchen Corridor
I was late arriving at this vigil as I’d planned to spend it with team four but couldn’t find them – they weren’t in the hall where they should have been according to the list, they’d combined forces for the night, which worked out reasonably well as the vigils groups were set up so that a pair could work together on each floor if they wanted to. Having failed to locate them I headed for the kitchen area where the dowsing rods were already in use. The pair of Roundheads were already communicating with the group through them, but they were starting to run out of relevant questions – at which point Jan and I took over the questioning. As we are both archaeologists and historians and therefore know something of the English Civil War we could come up with questions that the pair could probably answer for us. It was very amusing when the two rods answered the same question differently on several occasions – then we realised that Jan had had a Roundhead assigned to each rod and each was answering the questions, it wasn’t coming from just one of them. We established that they were common soldiers and musketeers. They seemed very vague about dates and I guessed that they were getting confused between things like ‘1600s’ and 16th century’, after some questioning we realised that they didn’t really know what the year was anyway! One was older than the other, the older one married with children; one of them said he came from London. For the younger one the skirmish at Marwell was his first fight, but the other said that he had been involved in the Battle of Cheriton, just a few miles away. They were Wallers’ men and billeted at the hall. The argument they had been having all night was about the Cavalier that had escaped – it turns out that they’d allowed him to escape, they were guarding the entrance to the cellar where he had been imprisoned. In communications with them several months ago Rodger and I had been told that he had escaped through a tunnel leading from the cellar, and I can only presume that these two Roundheads knew about it and allowed him to escape through it. They were in trouble for allowing him to get away and were arguing about whose fault it was, about who should get the most blame for it I think. We asked them if they were friends – they said yes, they were, but it didn’t prevent them disagreeing with one another.
Top of stairs
Having got Rodger and his wheelchair back up the stairs again we settle down to wait.
Nobody appeared to be sensing anything very much here, but Rodger then said that he had Elizabeth Seymour, standing in the doorway of the office that was once part of her bedroom, she didn’t want us there and was telling us to leave. Earlier in the night Amanda had come to me and said that she could smell Elizabeth Seymour on the stairs (we’d had the same smell on the previous investigation at the hall and had it confirmed by Beth afterwards that it was Elizabeth). She turned her back on us and started to walk away. Simon decided that he wasn’t going to put up with that sort of behaviour and followed her as she walked back down the corridor, this time disappearing into what is now the gents loo. He followed her in, asking her questions all the way. After a few bangs and crashes in there he reappeared, told us that she had slammed a door in his face!
Rodger then asked one of us to go down to the third stair from the top of the bottom flight, which I did. He asked me if I could feel anything as he could see Ranulph Dacre standing there in his best naval uniform. As I got to the top step of that flight I could feel him there, he walked down the three stairs with me. One of the group, at the beginning of the session, said that she had a fantasy, that she wanted to see a lady in a flowing blue gown gliding down the stairs. About five minutes later she almost got her wish – she suddenly said that she could see in her mind a green dress, with white underskirt showing at the front, I was given a mental image of it as well. A moment later Rodger said that Elizabeth Dacre had just turned up – I had been feeling that she was about somewhere and would turn up for us. Unfortunately they weren’t saying anything. Rodger though that maybe it was because he was getting tired and finding it more difficult to communicate, which may have been the case, but I also now realise that we didn’t actually try asking them any questions, maybe if we’d asked specific questions we might have got a response, I can’t really be sure.
Briefly back to the boardroom
Part way through our vigil at the top of the stairs Abbie came running along the corridor to ask us if anything very much was happening for us, and if not could we come back to the boardroom to join them as things seemed to be very active there for them – we did. It was a bit of a squeeze getting us all into the space she wanted us in, but we just about managed it – she described what had been happening, but very little happened once we all arrived. Rodger said that Rowland was still there, but he couldn’t hurt any of us. Seems that among other things a serviette had lifted off the top of the map chest and floated to the floor, they tried to get it to do it again, but couldn’t. Rodger told them it was Rowland thinking he was being ever so scary!!
The torch we were using to illuminate the glass suddenly dimmed and then drained completely over a period of about ten seconds, it had been quite bright, the batteries had only been put in that evening. On talking to Rodger since, he tells me that he had a message from Beth to say that she had done it in order to make us close the glass divination session down as Rowland was trying to come through and make mischief for us.
Nothing much more happened for the rest of the vigil as far as I can remember.
Other comments
At the beginning of the night, before vigils started, and if I remember rightly, just before everyone arrived we were talking about the lack of phone signals around the zoo, and Rodger got his out to check it – his signal was at full strength, mine was too, James got his two phones out and one had a full signal. Not long after he looked at it again and the signal strength was still right up, but the message on screen said ‘limited service’. I tried phoning Rodger on mine and his didn’t ring – so he didn’t actually have any signal at all at the time. A couple of times during the night Rodgers phone turned itself on, and on one of those occasions he had no signal, but a text message came through from his daughter, Frankie. I know that someone else’s phone turned itself on during the night as well, but I can’t remember whose it was.
Towards the end of the night, when there were about a dozen or so of us in the Mildmay room chatting over coffee, Rab suddenly reacted to something, he was about to ask if the woman nearest him had pinched his bum, then I think he realised that there was nobody near enough to him to have done it - - I’m quite sure that it was Beth!!
When I did the tour of the hall with the new members at the beginning of the night Sophie, our one paying guest, was very puzzled - as we walked along the first floor corridor towards the top of the main stairs she could see her office door open, she remembers locking it up on Friday evening before she went home, and as far as she is aware there would have been no reason for anyone to go in there between then and Monday morning - - but it was very definitely open, and actually propped open with a box full of waste paper. There may be a logical explanation, but I won’t know until I speak to her again in a day or two...
Well, I think that’s about it, I hope everyone had a good time at Marwell again. It’s a shame that the tickets for the night didn’t sell very well, but at least we were allowed to continue with the investigation, and I for one found it a very interesting night... and look forward to more of them – there’s something different every time.
Rodger Pigerham – Guest Medium
Having had some connections with Marwell spirits I was looking forward to revisiting for my first investigation with Southern Paranormal UK. As it is somewhere where a lot of unexplainable things happen, I certainly wasn’t disappointed on Saturday.
On arrival at the Hall before the investigation started I had my first experience of what the Halls’ spirits had install for me. When Maureen told me I wouldn’t be able to get a mobile signal at the Hall, on checking my mobile I notice I had a maximum signal Maureen checked her phone to find the same, minutes later my phone was still showing full signal but the message on the screen told me I had no service. Impossible !, also while Maureen , Amanda, Duncan and James, were drinking coffee in the Base room Lucy came in and gave my wife Lesley a big warm bear hug, now for the investigations.
During the vigil sessions I refrained from informing the groups what I was picking up on initially so as not to give them any preconceptions or to influence them in anyway.
Vigil 1 Attic Nursery & adjoining areas
This was with Team 6 (Abbie, James, Duncan, Sophie) Maureen and Lesley also joined us for this session.
On entering the Nursery I was made aware of a female presence by the window, this was a former nanny. She appeared to be pacing between her chair in the left hand corner of the room past the window to the cradle on the right. In the cradle was her small charge a male of around 12 months of age unfortunately this child was dead, the nanny gave me the impression she did not want to believe the child was dead as she kept checking on it, and replacing the dead infant back in to its cradle. The nanny was in her early 50’s, time period sometime in the mid 19th C. I was given the name James for the child, no year though, Sophie was feeling uncomfortable but I think this was because she was sitting on top of the cradle. When she changed positions she felt the other nanny who is 27 yrs of age and her name is Alice Wendall as being behind her on several occasions.
We then changed locations to the landing, whilst I was going along the corridor someone grabbed my right arm and pulled me back sharply my right hand went very cold and this was confirmed by digital thermometer reading taken on both hands. On reaching the landing I was aware of two male spirit present, one was that of a small boy by the name of Michael who I know and the other was a less pleasant character by the name of Rowland Standish. Before starting group séance on the landing I briefly went in the Christmas Tree room it felt very depressive and I picked up on a female by the name of May, she was a servant and was showing herself to me as being bound by her feet and hands, she was kneeling beside a bed facing me, she was naked and there was a rope around bedpost and her neck.
Several of Team 5 said they had experienced a tightening around their throats and we decided to join groups and do a group séance on the landing. Almost immediately James felt someone push him in the back this sensation grew and he started to feel pain. I then asked my spirit guide to prevent Rowland from hurting James, which he did and the pain subsided. At this point Lucy and Beth joined us and went around the group making various members feel hot and cold. One member of the group also saw Michael sitting with his feet through the banisters.
Vigil 2 Christmas Tree Room, With Team 6.
On entering the room for a second time the atmosphere was totally different, it took me a minute to pick up where May was as she was now moving around the room. May gave me the information that she was no longer confined to this room and was free to leave at will. Several members felt May as she danced around the room; she also produced several tapping noises on the wall. I was overcome with a happy emotion, having knowledge of May’s past this was very surprising until I realised she was imposing this feeling on me, to show she was happy now.
Main Hall group séance.
On entering the Main Hall I felt one male and one female presence, these were Alice Long and I was unsure of the male presence. After the group séance started I was having a problem focusing as I had two Roundheads arguing in the corridor behind the Main Hall wall leading to the Cellar, their energy was quite strong and I had to move away from the wall.
I was then able to pick up on Alice Long who was standing between Rab and Amanda, both of whom could feel her presence. Also the male presence was being felt, he said that he didn’t want us there and gave us his name as Sir Thomas Seymour. I know this to be incorrect and it was Rowland Standish giving me false information to confuse me. I also picked up on Michael circling the group but he disappeared as soon as Rowland showed himself, but Alice Long remained with us for the whole session beside Amanda and Rab even when the circle was turned.
Vigil 3 Boardroom and kitchen area. Team 2
I was a bit apprehensive when entering this area as it has caused me problems before. On entering the room I was able to pick on two male spirits, one was that of Peter and the other was that of Rowland Standish lurking in the kitchen area off the Boardroom. We decided to do a glass divination and Peter came through, he was apprehensive at first as Rowland appeared to be suppressing him. ----------- decided to challenge Rowland by informing if he wouldn’t come to us we would come to him; the group split and some went into the kitchen area, Rowland immediately went into the corridor
After we followed him into the corridor, he went down the corridor to the meeting room where I felt him disappear to the floor below.
On returning to boardroom we were able to communicate with peter through the glass divination he informed us he felt he had to remain at the hall as he had not been given a proper burial. We informed him we could if he so wished we could try and locate his grave as I have found it on previous occasion, and say a prayer for him he responded that he would like us to do this. We informed him we would do this as a whole group in the break which we did.
During the break James, Sophie, Lesley and I went outside to locate Peter’s grave. I knew the rough location and James located it using the dowsing rods. We then collected the whole group outside around his grave, and first giving any who didn’t want to partake the opportunity to leave, Lesley led the group in saying the Lord’s Prayer.
Vigil 4 Main Hall etc with Team 5.
In the main hall I was able to communicate with Beth who informed me that she was with Michael, both Beth and Michael were felt by several of the group at various times, we also had shapes and orbs. Micheal was moving around the group affecting members, then Beth had several attempts at taking me over it was quite a struggle to stop her, she told me she was doing this so the group could hear me talk in a high pitched girly voice!!. We then proceeded to the Library, where I was met with a female presence which I knew to be Alice Long. We tried glass divination to communicate with her. We had some success and she was answering questions given to her by Maureen on the building of the right hand wing of the Hall during her time there. She then grew faint; I think that this was due to the amount of energy she had used in main hall séance.
Vigil 5 Kitchen Corridors, Team3.
Team 4 decided to join us for this vigil, group members sat in the corridor and I was aware of our two Roundheads to my right near the cellar door. They were still arguing as to whose fault it was that their prisoner had escaped and which of them was going to tell their commander they had managed to let him go.
The group decided to try using dowsing rods to gain information from the Roundheads with varying degrees of success with Jan getting the most responses. One of the Roundheads took a liking to her. I decided not to use the rods as I already have a lot of information from these two spirits and felt this may influence the rods. Instead I just confirmed the team responses and listened to what the Roundheads were saying.
This was a fun experience as it is always with our two Roundheads as they never seem able to agree on anything. They even agreed to Jan through the dowsing rod response that they argue a lot, but they are the best of friends. They made the whole group feel amused at their antics.
Vigil 6 Top of Main Stairs. Team 5.
On reaching the top of the stairs I became aware of a female presence, it was that of Elizabeth Dacre but she disappeared rapidly. After the team called out I became aware of a presence at the end of the corridor leading to Gent’s toilets. This was the spirit presence of Lady Elizabeth Seymour who I have encounted before. She quickly took offence at Simon calling her Elizabeth instead of Lady Seymour, when Simon asked her why she wouldn’t answer his questions she replied through me that he was inferior and she didn’t talk to the likes of him I am not sure of exact wording .
She then retreated into her bedroom which is the room beside and including the Gent’s toilet. Simon S decided that he would follow her into the Gent’s toilet still asking questions. Both myself and Maureen realised it would not belong before he returned, this is what happened as Simon S came out saying “No way am I staying in there, as the toilet door has just shut itself.” This came as no surprise to myself and Maureen, we decided to leave her in peace. At this time I became aware of a male presence halfway up the main stairs, he gave me his name as Ranulph Darce and shortly afterwards he was joined by his grandmother Elizabeth Dacre who stood beside Lesley on staircase landing holding her hand, in the same way as Beth does, in order to absorb energy. The two spirits failed to give me any further information but I am unsure if this was because I was starting to feel mentally drained as this is my first attempt at focusing on spirits for this length of time. At this point Abbie came and joined us and asked if we would like to join groups as they had had loads of activity near boardroom, we agreed leaving Lesley and two members behind to see if Elizabeth Dacre or Ranolph would do anything
As we went along boardroom corridor I became of Rowland’s presence, he was laughing and informed me he had warned us earlier he would do something. He had made a piece of paper move then float to the floor scaring the females in the group , I explained to the group he wasn’t capable of doing anyone any harm only scare them for a min. we then proceeded into boardroom to contact Peter again or Rowland if he would come forward. I did inform the group he preferred to lurk around corners and make females feel uncomfortable, but we tried a glass divination and got Peter for a few seconds before the torch we were using drained completely really fast so we were unable to proceed, Peters energy was also very weak.
I have since returning home found out through Beth that it was her who drained the torch in order to close the session as she did not want Rowland to be able to feed on Sophie’s fear and build his energy up. She assures me she was only doing this to protect the female members of the group from seeing Rowland’s history and what he used to do to women..
All in all I had a very taxing but exciting night, this was to be expected knowing Marwell halls spirits and they didn’t disappoint.
Thanks to Southern Paranormal UK members for inviting me and making my night a really pleasant experience I hope I can work with them again on an investigation somewhere.
Paul Martin
Being the first
time for me at this particular venue, myself and the other "first
timers" were given a quick tour of the house by Maureen, the resident
Archaeologist.
This was fascinating, seeing behind the scenes of a house of this type, areas
that the public would not usually get to see.
It was while we
were doing this, and had entered the area of the Library Room (and before the
actual investigation had started), that i felt a strong pressure in my
forehead, giving me a slight headache, that lasted until we left the area.
During a later conversation with Tim, during one of the breaks, it became
apparent that he had experienced the same sensation, at the same time, in the
same area, only neither of us had mentioned it at the time.
After a quick cuppa, we set out on our first vigil.
Myself, Rab, Tim
and Rachel made up team 1, and we headed for our first investigation area,
which was the corridor by the kitchens, and the cellar.
The corridor, we all agreed seemed very calm and neutral, so we decided to head
down into the cellar.
This area again felt calm to me, and the only thing I could comment on was the
tingling/tickling sensation on the top of my head, on and off.
We then moved on to our second investigation/vigil area, the Main Hall.
The first thing I noticed here, was a strong, rather unpleasant smell that the others in the team didn't notice. (Later, during the seance in the same room incidentally, Alison also commented that an unpleasant smell was manifesting there.)
We experimented
with Rods, which appeared to continually direct Rachel to an apparent female
presence towards the windows in the corner of the room. We also detected a
distinct cold spot in this same area.
Tim, who had been snapping away with the digital camera, also took some photos
towards this direction, right where Rab had detected a particularly distinct
cold spot.
The Orb he subsequently caught on the camera was very distinct, and indeed on
later inspection, when observed at a closer magnification, and as mad as it
sounds, a clear female face could be seen within the orb... (and I, personally,
have always been rather sceptical of orbs.)
Next, after a
quick break, the whole group went back to the Main Hall for a seance.
Various people felt cold drafts around them and Rodger detected a female
presence, Alice, and a young boy called Michael, in and around the group.
I felt nothing of any significance here.
Next, and back in
our smaller teams again, we headed up to the Boardroom and Kitchen for our next
vigil.
Rodger was with us for this vigil, and told us that a spirit known as Peter was
present in the room. An apparently timid soul, who was reticent about coming
forward and communicating because of another entity, Roland, who seemed to
dominate and frighten him.
At a point when Roland appeared to have moved away, Peter appeared to make
contact with us through glass divination, which four of us took part in. This
was the first time I had done this, and was surprised at how clearly the glass
moved, considering our fingers barely brushed the bottom of the glass.
It appeared, from the responses of the glass, that he was unhappy that his
body, after his murder, had been unceremoniously placed in an unmarked grave,
in the grounds of the house.
He was then asked whether a prayer said over the spot where his body lay, would
make him feel better, and he appeared to confirm that it would, and this was
done at a later point during the investigation.
We then moved on
to the hospitality room for our next vigil, now joined by Julie, Alison, Maria
and Ross.
The room was colder than a lot of the other rooms, and Alison could sense a
young boy with us and tried to make contact with him, but he didn't seem to
keen to come forward. Although at this point, batteries were draining rapidly
as we tried to communicate with him.
Rab commented that
there appeared to be a particularly cold spot under the table at which we were
sitting, and also around Ross, who said that he was freezing. A couple of us
popped our heads under the table for a moment, and i thought that we had not
encountered anything of note.
However, as we left the room, i noticed that i could not see properly through
one of the lenses of my glasses.
As soon as I found some good light, I had a good look at them and noticed that
on one of the lenses, there was the outline of a small finger mark on one of
them, complete with a clearly defined fingerprint.
I am always very careful not to touch the lenses of my glasses, as this leads
to irritating smudges on them, and when I tried to re create the mark on the
lens, using my own finger, I could only make a very vague smudge, that was
twice the size of the print I had found after the vigil.. So who had touched
the lens?
For the last
couple of vigils, we remained on the top floor, spending time in and around the
Xmas Tree room (and adjoining rooms), the attic nursery, and adjoining areas,
including corridors.
During this time, various people thought they saw some movement in a couple of
the doorways, perhaps even a face peering round a doorway. I personally saw and
felt nothing worth noting at this time. Perhaps because, as much as anything,
my eyes, and senses, were becoming very tired by this point.
It was now time head back to base, clear up, and get off home for a couple of hours sleep.
All in all, a very interesting place.
Sarah Couper
This was my first investigation with Southern Paranormal UK. I found the experience enjoyable and very different. I was made very welcome by the team I was in and by the group as a whole. The following are my experiences:
Vigil 1
The boardroom – I experienced a strange tickling sensation in my left arm that went to my right arm and down my back, when I moved from the chair I was sat on it eased off but resumed as soon as I sat back down. Strangely it seemed to be only the women in the team that were effected in this room. We did a glass divination experiment in this room but with nothing distinct.
Vigil 2
The staircase – looking down the staircase I thought I could sense something going up and down the stairs, this was also experienced by another member of the team. I took pictures in this area; there appear to be orbs on these pictures. At one point I sat on the landing above the stairs I got the feeling that children used to do this during parties.
Vigil 3
The séance – During the séance I had the overwhelming feeling of happiness, kind of a doing something I shouldn’t be feeling and I wanted to dance and laugh, this was also experienced by the person next to me.
Vigil 4 & 5
Attic Rooms – Christmas tree room – experienced a stabbing pain behind just above my left knee in here during our first visit, but nothing else other than that. I never felt uncomfortable in here. The nursery rooms had an extremely relaxed atmosphere during our first visit. On our second visit (education room) we did an experiment with dowsing rods. I had a go, I seemed to be communicating with a male, soldier, he stayed in the hall with his aunt in the early 1900’s, he claimed to be the brother of Lucy, but he would not give us his name. He was happy talking to us and said that he would try and contact us in another room later on.
Vigil 6
Kitchen and corridor – the group split – we went into the kitchen but we never sensed much in there, so we joined the other in the corridor, where they were using the dowsing rods. I filmed some of the dowsing experiment here, where we seemed to be in contact with 2 roundhead soldiers trying to locate a cavalier prisoner.
By 4 am I was beginning to feel very tired.
Vigil 7
Library – the group split again half of us went to the Library and the others to the great hall. We went to the library first. We took some pictures in here and picked up orbs. We used the dowsing rods again and an Alice came through, I was passed the rods and continued asking Alice questions, Alice confirmed there were others with her one of which was Lucy. We asked Lucy some questions and she confirmed that her brother and Michael were also present. We used the rods to point to the position of each of them. Alice was behind Amanda, Lucy was behind Jan, Lucy’s brother (William) was behind me, and Michael was between Lucy and William. In the Library Lucy confirmed that a person we had asked questions of via the rods in the Xmas tree room was telling the truth, but that she could not forgive.
Hall – I used the rods here and appeared to contact someone called Beth, we asked questions that one of the group knew the answers too. We asked some questions about Michael’s passing – we had a negative to accidental death and illness, but a positive to murder – I became quite emotional at this point and asked if this was Beth’s emotion, she confirmed yes and I asked her to step back from me, one of the other members of the group then experienced the same thing. At this point I saw a shadow cross between us, and one of the group started to feel cold. Beth confirmed that in the future at least one spirit would manifest.
Maria Street
This was my first investigation with Southern Paranormal and what a great location to start with. My first impressions were that it reminded me of a posh country house where the best of society would gather for parties. The evening started with a tour of the house which was led by Maureen. This was very informative and was a good opportunity to see the place with all the lights on!
After a short break we began our vigils. I was in team 2 with Julie, Alison and Ross. We started in the main hall. I felt very comfortable here and relaxed in one of the leather sofas. No sooner had I sat down when a loud tap was heard on the back of the sofa. I leant back to try to recreate the sound but all we could hear was creaking. Very intriguing! There were a few orbs picked up on the video camera but was otherwise very quiet.
We broke off for a cup of tea and continued our investigation in one of the corridors and then the cellar. We heard a loud thump whilst sat in the corridor and Alison picked up on the sound of organ music which none of us could hear to start with, but a few minutes later I could also hear. It sounded like you were sat in church. We then proceeded down into the cellar which was very dark and confined. After a few minutes, Julie felt that something was touching the top of her head. After a couple of times of this happening, I swapped places with Julie but nothing happened to me. However, Julie was touched again. Ross then tried, but again, it was Julie that they were after! I then noticed that I had started to sway. I felt that something was pushing me into the wall and I had to fight to stay upright. This was followed by a feeling of nausea and light headedness. Before long both Ross and Julie followed suit. The only person not affected was Alison which was interesting because she was sat on the cellar stairs and not stood where we all were. Alison picked up on the feeling of being drunk, and she was right, that was exactly how we all felt, and we were all giggling and having a great time. I was almost sorry to leave the place but our time was nearly up, so we made our way back up the stairs where we were met with the smell of rotten fish. We couldn’t identify where it came from and after a couple of minutes, the smell disappeared.
Our next stop was the board room where we were joined by another team and Roger, the medium. We attempted glass divination and the glass did move in answer to our questions but was quite weak. Rachel, who was sat in the corner, reported feeling icy cold, so I swapped places with her. I, however, felt quite comfortable. A few orbs were caught on camera and the presence of two entities, one good spirit called Peter and one not so good spirit called Rowland. Peter was reluctant to come forward due to the presence of Rowland but he did manage to communicate to us that he could not move on because he was not buried in consecrated ground. According to Roger, he was buried in the grounds of the hall so Maureen asked Peter if he would like for us to say a prayer for him and he liked this. We stopped for a break and then the whole team went out into the grounds to the spot that Roger identified as Peter’s grave. We stood round and recited The Lords Prayer. We communicated further with Peter after the break and he was a lot happier and no longer intimidated by Rowland.
Our final vigil was in the attic and surrounding rooms which included the nursery, the education room and the Christmas tree room. This was the most unsettling and the most intriguing location for me. I felt as if we were being watched and the room that held the most fascination for me was the storage room. Both me and Alison saw flashes of light in this room so we all concentrated on the doorway into the room and it was getting blacker and blacker. Alison detected a woman stood in the doorway and I got the impression that she was a nurse maid. After further prompting from Alison I said that I felt that she wasn’t threatening but was just curious about us all. I felt that she was just protecting the children in her care and I also got the name Elizabeth. Both me and Alison got goosebumps down our spine. We moved into the Christmas tree room but didn’t stay in there for long. I personally didn’t feel anything nasty in this room. We then made our way to the nursery but once again I felt quite comfortable in this room. It was very quiet so we made our way to the education room which is now known as the resource room. Both Alison and Julie reported feeling like children. They both wanted to kick their legs and swing back on their chairs. I, however felt like the adult, the one who tells the children to behave, which I found intriguing because I am a Learning Resource Assistant in a junior school and I felt quite at home in this area.
All in all, a great night, and I would like to thank everyone for being so friendly and welcoming, in particular the members of my team and I look forward to working with you at our next location
Brian Ward
My team was Diana, Marion, Simon and our first vigil of the night was in The Christmas Tree room. We started with some EMF and Temperature readings by this time the room had settled.
Now I know some of the history of some of the sprits who inhabit this room and I had an experience in this room which I could not explain and was hoping along these lines again this visit.
The room felt completely different to the last time. We all had a go at calling out. I did feel a temperature drop and the temperature reading was normal so that was slightly strange. There was a few tapping sounds but nothing else happened so we moved to Maureen’s room and again nothing happened. We joined Team 6 and held a séance on the Attic landing the only thing that I felt during this séance was a freezing cold breeze going across my left hand.
My team then went to the nursery or also known as the Blob room to me. The atmosphere has changed since the room has been tided up nothing seemed to happen even after calling out so we moved and had a look at some of the other rooms in this section of the attic. After a break we went to our next vigil which was The Kitchen corridor and cellar.
The cellar was a place, which I have wanted to investigate since I started going to Marwell investigating. Slightly disappointed, as I did not sense anything.
Simon and myself did try a little experiment by one of us at a time spending some time down the cellar on our own and we both thought we could hear someone walking along the kitchen corridor with leather soul shoes on but the kitchen corridor floor is carpeted. The only people there were Diana and Marion very strange.
The next vigil of the night was in the Great hall and Library it must have been one of those nights as again I did not fell anything so we joined up with Rodger and some group members and opened up a glass divination. Roger said that some sprits where in the library with us but I don’t really think they wanted to communicate with us.
Our team had a short break and moved of to The Board room to open up a glass divination experiment nothing happened so Simon filled the glass with water and put it in the middle of the table so we could try some table tipping but unfortunately, again nothing happened.
Our last vigil of the night was the top of the Main Stairs with Roger and Maureen, Rodger felt that I think the name was Lady Elizabeth. Simon tried to communicate with her but I don’t think she was having any of it.
I would like to thank Marwell and Maureen for getting us back to Marwell and to Rodger for joining us on the night. Marwell is beginning to feel like a second home to us. Nothing much happened to me but a good investigation all the same.
Rachel Bettany
I was really looking forward to this investigation, as it was my first with the group. Marwell Hall is an impressive building with an interesting history, and I had a really good night
Vigil 1
The first vigil of the night was the kitchen and cellar (a little worrying for my first one) but I felt quiet comfortable in the corridor, we then sent a little time in the cellar, I also felt at ease there, and all was quiet.
Vigil 2
The next vigil was in the main hall, each member of the team sat for a while on opposite walls, I tried my dowsing rods, they seemed to indicate the presence of a female spirit in the area between the two sofas.
Vigil 5
This was in the Christmas tree room, Rab felt a sudden cold spot at the far end of the room which disappeared suddenly, but other than that it appeared quiet, although a did catch a possible orb by the door, Rab also heard a couple of bangs in the corner. I also caught orbs in the other rooms on that floor.
Vigil 6
This was in the attic area which was also quiet, some orbs were caught on digital camera, but unfortunately not much else.
Over all it seemed quiet but well worth the visit, I had a great night.
Simon Steadman
I was looking forward to my first investigation with the group and hoping for a good night.
As it turned out it was to be a quiet night, with only a couple of occurrences. During the séance I felt a cold breeze on the back of my hand at several points, which was confirmed by Julie with a temp gun (showing it was cooler than others next to me). While the team were in the cellar we all heard footsteps in the corridor, sounding like leather boots on a wooden floor, I left the other 3 in the cellar and went to check, nobody was there and I noticed the floor is carpeted I checked along the corridor and confirmed with Abbie that nobody was walking around, and went back to my team. While on the main stairs a few of us heard two knocks on the door of the gents, I walked along to check the corridor felt cooler although unable to check, I tried to push the door to the gents open but it felt like it was being pushed from the other side, I tried the door again it opened as I went in the door of the left hand cubicle shut.
At the end of the night I joined a few others in a séance with a video camera, during this the camera battery dropped from 17 min to nothing, a member of the team mentioned that someone else had the same problem earlier, with the same amount of time on there battery.
I thoroughly enjoyed my night at Marwell and can’t wait to do the next one.
Rab Gardner
Team 1 consisted of myself, Rachel, Paul & Tim.
Vigil 1
Kitchen Corridor: Everyone felt comfortable and relaxed. No EMF spikes or light anomalies were detected.
Cellar: Same feeling as corridor. Multiple call outs were not responded to until near the end of the vigil when we asked for someone to be touched. At that point Paul experienced a tingling on top of his head and above his right ear. Again no spikes or lights were detected.
Vigil 2
Main Hall: Quiet at the start with nil response to calling out. After a while all of us felt the need to look over towards the window. At that point Rachel used the rods which indicated a female presence. As Rachel continued with the rods the rest of us began to pick up a cold spot moving amongst us. Tim managed to get a spectacular orb in which can clearly be seen the face of a girl. By that point it was time to move on.
Séance Main Hall
Everybody gathered in the Main Hall for a group séance. A number of people felt cold spots, Tim even felt something blowing across his neck. For my part it was interesting, because a now familiar cold spot/entity chose to stand between myself and Amanda on my right side. This entity we now know is called Alice and I feel honoured whenever she turns up. Thanks again Rodger for confirming that it was her. We even turned our circle around the room and she still followed. Whilst standing there I began to feel myself being pulled backwards out of the circle and then Alice stepped forward between Amanda and I then leaned against our shoulders. At that point Alison picked up a change in the atmosphere of the room and Alice left. By the sound of Alison’s voice it was something unsettling, at which point the group circle was closed down.
Vigil 3
Boardroom & Kitchen: At this point we teamed up with Julie, Alison, Ross & Maria in order to have a séance in the boardroom. Roger joined us as and then we settled in. Alison began calling out and the glass started moving. We were able to establish a name, which Rodger confirmed as ‘Peter’. However, Alison picked up another presence, which was unfriendly and seemed to affect ‘Peter’. Rodger confirmed this presence as ‘Roland’ – a nasty individual who had murdered ‘Peter’ in that room. ‘Peter’ wouldn’t communicate whilst ‘Roland’ was in the room. Therefore, proving ‘Roland’ was a coward we witnessed Roger racing down the corridor to chase ‘Roland’ away. Bizarrely it worked and we were able to communicate with ‘Peter’. As we sat trying to work out what ‘Peter’ wanted I was distracted by a painful burning type sensation on my lower arm and hand. It soon passed and Roger confirmed I was picking up on ‘Peter’.
Amazing, first time I’d ever experienced anything like it, if Roger hadn’t been there I’d probably have rationalised it in some way.
Vigil 4
Hospitality Room: Room with a large table in the middle. We placed ourselves at the table and in the corners of the room. Nothing seemed to be happening and all felt comfortable, but then Allison and Rachel in opposite corners, began to feel cold. I felt a need to sit on the floor almost under the table. Not long after, I saw an orb flash low near to where Julie sat. Several people captured a number of orbs near corners of the room and above the table. After we all investigated under the table, we picked up a moving cold spot under there which headed towards Ross. We set-up glass divination and Alison started calling out. Whatever was there seemed weak and the glass didn’t move. Ross, however, was having all the fun. As I sat next to him, I could feel waves of cold pouring off his back as if a fridge door had opened. It was that bad, that Ross was physically shaking. But, the glass still didn’t move. We then closed the circle down and then we realised Rachel was as cold as Ross.
Vigil 5
Christmas tree room & others: Paul, Ross & I went into the Xmas tree room whilst the girls (Julie, Alison, Maria & Rachel) settled on the landing. On entering, I felt a cold spot about halfway in which quickly disappeared leaving the room relatively peaceful, however, I felt slightly weird and caught myself putting the lens cap on my camera every time I took a shot within that room. Paul’s probably still laughing at that one. Just before leaving the room I distinctly heard someone clear their throat to my RH side where no one stood. Meantime, Alison & Julie noticed in another room that it appeared to be getting darker. Maria & Rachel were picking up on it as well and then Alison saw a Matronly type figure peering round the door and not seeming too happy to have us plodding around. We then split up into different rooms to see if we noticed anything. Having been told someone was watching, it was difficult to remain objective and I convinced myself I saw a face. But it was only a set of books on a shelf – amazing what low light will do to you.
Maureen’s room: Can’t really remember much happening in that room because of two things; I felt the need to play tricks on someone and mess around; and I couldn’t keep my eyes off the corridor outside. I felt the need to go back into the corridor and hadn’t realised I was staring until Alison asked me a question. Just at that point, I was convinced a shadow moved across the landing. Which reminds me, why was I the only one to go into the corridor at that point? On further investigation we didn’t notice anything else and decided to move on.
Vigil 6
Attic Nursery & adjoining rooms: Don’t know what it is but the adjoining corridor between the two areas but it always feels unpleasant - possible vigil area next time. Previous visits to the Nursery had always resulted in different things happening. This time was different, it was quite peaceful. No sounds, light anomalies or EMF spikes. We moved on and settled into the old education Resource room. This area was interesting; Alison & Julie said they felt like naughty children whereas Maria felt she ought to be telling them off. As we sat and discussed this we began to hear bangs and knocks as if something was trying to attract our attention. Alison called out and we received bangs, clicks and thuds in response. We started picking up orbs on camera and just before Ross took a picture I saw an orb shoot over his head towards me. By that time it was the end of the vigil and we had to go downstairs.
Marwell is a joy to investigate in and I was very pleased that we visited again. The really interesting thing about it is that we experience something new every time.
I would like to extend my thanks to new fellow team mates Rachel, Paul, Tim and later on Maria and Ross. They were outstanding and a joy to work with. Look forward to working with them again.
Jan Coles
Boardroom
David concentrated on picking up any Spirits and found two male presences – Peter and Rowland. He picked up on a stabbing. Peter began shouting to David and Rowland made his abhorrent nature apparent. David picked up on money and a burial.
We tried using a glass to communicate with the two men, but it only moved a very minuscule way.
Main Stairs
Walking up the main stairs, a lovely waft of flowery, girly perfume was smelt by some of the group. This is believed to be the 17th century housemaid, Beth.
David had a very hot back as he sat at the top of the stairs, we measured this and his front was considerably cooler.
Sarah observed someone repeatedly going up and down the first flight of stairs.
Amanda smelt tobacco on the first window landing.
Images of Orbs were taken.
The EMF meters were playing up, although one did emit a steady click next to David for a time.
Maureen’s old Office –
Nothing to report
Christmas Tree Room
David and Amanda used a set of dowsing rods. Rowland came through and was made aware of history’s opinion of him. Temperature changed when we asked R to do something to prove he was there.
Nursery (former Blob Room) & room opposite – The atmosphere was very light, and warm with no sense of the unpleasant, sad, intimidating feeling of previous visits.
No contact made
Library – Sarah, Amanda and Jan
Sarah and Amanda used the dowsing rods. Amanda called out and Jan caught a bright white orb at the foot of a White board, consecutive photo showed orb moved to top of White board. Two orbs appeared over Amanda’s head.
Sarah contacted Lucy Standish a 15 year old 19th century girl/ Amanda spoke to her and a 60 year old lady called Alice Long, who also once lived at the Hall.
Sitting at a table I felt the most wonderful, beautiful, serene, warm feeling inside me. Amanda said Lucy was standing right behind me. Amanda asked Lucy if she believed Rowland when he said he was sorry for what he had done and the surprising answer was Yes. We were amazed and asked again. Lucy said she did not, however, forgive him.
We three women hope to work together again as we had excellent results.
Time ran out for this vigil.
Main Hall - Amanda, Sarah, and Jan sat on sofas near window. Photos of one bright orb near window and one small dim orb.
Sarah held the rods. We believe Beth – a 17th century Housemaid in her early 20’s came to talk. I took several photos of a very bright orb near us. The atmosphere was very light, joyful, and happy and the conversation was both amusing and fun.
Amanda held the rods. We believed Beth came through as she knows Amanda, who volunteers at Marwell. These are the Questions with Answers following.
A - Was Michael’s (an eight year old boy from the 1500’s) death natural? No
A - Was it through illness? No
A- Was it deliberate? Yes
J- Was he the son of the house? Yes
J - Was he the heir? Yes
Sarah took the rods - Beth projected onto her the sadness and deep pain she felt for Michael’s early death.
Sarah asked Beth to step back form her and also Amanda. As Beth did so, Sarah saw something walk away from her on the floor by her feet.
When the other team members joined us from the Library – they brought four spirits in with them captured on digital camera.
Kitchen – Sarah, Mike and Jan . Sarah caught on camera an orb moving from/or behind my right elbow.
Noise from the refrigerator made calling out any questions and hearing responses impossible, so we moved to the Kitchen Corridor.
Kitchen Corridor – with Rodger in attendance. Several of the group began to use dowsing rods. As this was my last chance to have my first go with the rods that evening, I took the opportunity and made contact with two Parliamentarian ‘Roundhead’ soldiers.
(I was for a time a member of the Sealed Knot Civil War re-enactment group and hoped to find out a little more on the period. I was a Musketeer and Swordsman –don’t tell the Lads in the corridor I was on the other side).
I held the rods, asking the following Questions and receiving these Answers. Rodger told me the two men were standing right behind me. The right hand rod appeared to be giving the answers from the right hand soldier and the left hand rod those from the left hand soldier.
J - Were you involved in the nearby Marwell skirmish? Yes - both
Was this your first fight? No-right hand soldier, Yes- Left hand Soldier
Were you in the Battle of Cheriton? (1644 AD) Yes - Left hand soldier
Were you at the Basing House siege? (1645 AD) Hesitant to answer, as not familiar with it, i.e., hadn’t happened yet.
Are you Pike men? Definite No from both & sense of insult as Pike men were considered to be a bit rough
Are you Horsemen? No – both
Are you Musketeers? Yes – both
Are you swordsmen? No – both
Do you use Apostles (12 leather or wooden kegs sung on a bandolier) to keep your black powder in? Yes – both
Are you Hampshire men? No – both
Rodger said at this point one was from London. Also, one man was older than the other. They were Waller’s men billeted at the Hall.
Maureen asked if they liked me (great...) Hesitant response but I felt a gentle hand on my right shoulder.
Did you deliberately let the Royalist/Cavalier go? Yes – both
Were you arguing as to who was to tell the Commander? Yes – both
How many soldiers were billeted here? 70? No 69? No 68? Yes
Asked if liked a drink of ale, or cider or beer? Hesitant No from both
Are either of you married? Yes - Left hand soldier
Do you have a Sweetheart? Definite Yes – both
Do you have children? Yes – left hand soldier
Do you two quarrel a lot? Definite Yes – both
Are you best of mates, friends – despite the arguing? Definite YES - both
Time ran out here. Team felt very amused and light with this encounter. Wanted really to continue.
Room opposite Nursery formerly known as Blob room
David, Sarah and Amanda on Rods, Jan taking notes, Adam and Amanda filming. Everyone asking questions.
We believed that a girl called Lucy had come through and she felt safe because she knew Amanda very well. We asked if she was happy, yes, very happy. Was that because people now knew her unhappy story? Yes it was. Do you forgive Rowland? No. Do you think that he is genuinely sorry? Yes.
Were there any other Spirits in the room? Yes one more. He said he was male. Are you Lucy’s friend? Hesitant movement of rods. Are you a relative? Definite yes. Are you Lucy’s Father? No. Her brother? Yes.
We tried asking his name – are you called Edward? No. John? No. Henry? No. William? Yes. Are you a soldier? Yes. Were you in the NW Frontier of India? No. Were you in Britain? No. the Boer War? The first World War or were you a peacetime soldier? Couldn’t get a Regiment out of him though I tried. Then communication broke.
Rodger believes that response in all our conversations with Lucy and William were in fact Rowland taking the Mick; R was William’s Uncle. I dunno.. Maybe R was trying to take the emphasis off himself.
After the Investigation was complete, the group returned to the Mildmay room to pack up. I took a photo of my much better half Adam by two metal sculptures of a giraffe and a bird. Beth’s bright orb was there with him.
Adam captured many images on Digital Camera and Video camera that evening. He has yet to experience anything Paranormal, but involved himself fully.
David Ireland
Well we have just come back from Marwell zoo and i have to say that unfortunately this was not really an active investigation for me at all. I personally think this is because the "spirits" at Marwell are so aware of us and they now that we know that they are there that is why they dont give us much activity anymore. The only active part of this investigation for me was when we began to use divining rods, which I have never personally used before. Although they did move for me i dont feel as though we got any information out of them about the spirit we were contacting that we didn’t already know. unfortunately dont really have any thing to report about Marwell and the investigation. All I can say is that it is still one of my most favourite places to investigate and will always be a special place for me as it was the location of my very first investigation with the group.
Di Moore
8pm After arriving at Marwell Hall Maureen took us on a tour of the building and told us a little history, which was very interesting. My team was team 5 with Brian, Simon & Marion. Brian was our team leader and after picking up the equipment we started off to the Christmas Tree room and other adjoining areas. Brian had the Video camera, Marion with the aid of a torch took notes and I had the EMF meter. We stood for a few minutes then Brian started calling out to the spirits. I felt calm and not much happened to me apart from thinking about my grandson aged 7 years, which later I found out a boy spirit about that age visits the area we were in. There were no readings on the EMF meter.
We then went to the corridor after meeting up with another group and had a séance with them. I took Brian’s camera so he could join in, this was very good. I filmed people reacting to how they felt. The battery at this time ran out.
9.45pm We then moved on to the Nursery. The feeling in this room was cold and sad. In one room with lots of stuffed animals lots of people felt scared but I was fine with these animals.
11pm After a break we all did a séance in the main hall. Once again I didn’t feel scared but experienced a feeling of happiness and wanted to dance.
12am Then we went on to the kitchen, corridors and cellar. I have never had a fear factor but in the cellar I was very uncomfortable. I didn’t like it. Down the bottom of the stairs was a door on the left. Although it was locked I felt very scared of it and looking up the stairs in the darkness made me expect to see a shadow or something walk past in the corridor. When in the corridor coming from the bottom of the stairs we heard 3 footsteps, twice. Once Simon came up to investigate, I thought it was Simon but realised it couldn’t have been. We asked to look at Simons shoes. There was carpet on the floor and the footsteps sounded like leather soled shoes or boots walking on hard floor. I only looked through the kitchen door but did not like this area either.
I went back down into the cellar for a second time but nothing happened.
1.45am After the break we moved onto the main hall, library and woodlock room. Medium Rodger Pigerham was waiting and both Leslie and I thought we saw a light in the door to the right of the fireplace, but when I investigated it was a crack in the panelling. Rodger picked up on Beth, Lucy and Mike which Maureen and Leslie had met before. But I did not sense anything.
3.00am After a short break we moved onto the Boardroom and little kitchen. We sat round a table and did a séance, tried glass divination and table tipping but sadly nothing happened.
4.00am Next was the top of the stairs and corridor and we were joined by Rodger, Leslie & Maureen. I think at this stage I was getting tired. We sat on the stairs and Rodger called out. I saw or heard nothing here but at 4.30am I closed my eyes and saw the most beautiful green dress, off the shoulder with lace, very slim waist then flowing out. I mentioned this and Maureen said ladies of that style did once live there. Closing my eyes once more again I saw a similar dress but this time very pale pink.
In all Marwell Hall was a most amazing place for me on my first paranormal investigation with Southern Paranormal UK. Thank you all for a most enjoyable evening and night.
Alison Blyth
Once again the building leaves me in awe of its beauty and atmosphere within its walls. This was my fourth visit and every time I visit it gives away another secret it has been holding for years.
My team consisted of Julie, Ross and Maria and of course myself.
There were a few areas which I experience new things and one which absolutely fascinated me was the cellar. I have never been down there before and the reactions from my team were amazing. It was very musty down there and I could smell a mixture of damp and what could only be described as creosote with an undertone of a sweet spirit !
We positioned ourselves and decided to call out. As I had the camera I believed at first that what I was capturing was dust , but after we had been stood for a while I couldn’t claim that it was and the way they were moving would indicate to me that they could be orbs. What struck me as strange was the fact that every time Julie spoke they would move towards her despite her standing still. Whilst Julie was standing in the doorway she felt on a couple of occasions that her hair had been touched and even after we had checked that nothing was sticking out to cause it , it continued to effect her. At this point we all became very giggly even Ross couldn’t contain himself so it wasn’t a girly thing. We composed ourselves and took it in turns to stand in the area where Julie had been touched. Firstly Maria felt that she had to hang on as she was swaying, and then Julie and Ross felt this sensation. It was described as a feeling of being merry and at one point Julie slurred her words. The only conclusion that we came to was that who ever remained in this area was a male and that he had been drunk and maybe we were picking upon his emotions. I have no explanation for this encounter as there was no underlying reason for it.
The next area which intrigued me was the Boardroom. Now I know the history here as I have described them in my previous report, but loud taps and bangs were heard and as we had a bigger group as Rabs group joined we were able to spread out in the area surrounding the room. I picked up a strong intoxicating smell of sulphur which made me feel sick and I definitely sensed the infamous Rolland who we had come across before. I became very agitated which was a sharp contrast to the cellar and became what could only be described as leery and argumentative. The group split into teams of two and Ross joined me in the hallway. The highlight of this vigil for me was the fact that ‘Roland ‘ supposedly ran from us down the hallway and our temperature gun read the door as dropping from 24degrees to 15degrees instantly. We ran down the hallway to verify this and suddenly it all went still. The bad atmosphere I was sensing suddenly lifted which indicated to me that whatever was there had gone .
In contrast to this Rabs group joined us upstairs in the attic area and my mood lifted from being what could only be described as moody to feeling like a little schoolgirl in the nursery area. Julie shared this feeling with me and all we could do is laugh. Such a sharp contrast in emotions. As I knew this area well Julie and I decided to see how our new members felt here. I was very impressed with Maria as she picked up Elizabeth and described her as a nanny or carer . This did impress me as she had never visited this place and we knew that the information she was giving us was correct and not something that could be researched.
All in all a fantastic evening filled with mixed emotions and senses.