The Falstaff - Stratford-Upon-Avon
Investigation Date: 10 December 2011
The History
Always a prominent feature on Stratford's landscape, right in the heart of the town, the Shrieve's House and the awarding winning and haunted Shrieve's House barn (The Falstaff's Experience) date back to the 16th century, although a dwelling has stood on this spot since 1196.
The first known tenant of the building was William Shrieve, who was an archer to King Henry VIII. His name still survives today and in a house such high rank, it could be reasonably assumed he was an important figure in his day and may possibly have been a Sheriff of some sort, as his name suggests.
In the 16th century it was a tavern and the tavern keeper, William Rogers, is said to have been the inspiration for Shakespeare's famous comic character Falstaff. There is documented evidence that his family had strong connections with Shakespeare, as Shakespeare's daughter Suzannah was close friends with Elizabeth, the daughter of the Rogers.
In the 17th century, wounded soldiers were brought back to the building after the first battle of the English Civil War at Edgehill. Following the war, John Woolmer, tenant of the building was made the very first Mayor of Stratford.
Having survived two great fires, the plague and Civil War, the house has a lot of secrets to share including hidden priestholes, secret chambers and not forgetting the hauntings.
The Ghosts
There are a number of 'dominant' spirits said to be active in the property: an archer from the time of Henry VIII; a serial murderer from the 18th century; a little girl who was a pickpocket in the tavern; a Catholic gentleman from the time of the reformation and a justice of the peace who used his power to run an extortion ring with threats, violence and trumped up charges. There are also sightings of the parliamentary soldiers, children and animals. During certain times of year a dark hooded figure with red glowing eyes, who is said to be a very ancient spirit, stands back and watches.
Address: 40 Sheep Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6EE
Video
Highlights of the nights investigation
Highlights of the nights investigation
PHOTOGRAPHS
The Report on the Night's Investigation
The Falstaff experience is a place that is lost in time, with each room displaying the historical past of many episodes of time, from the Great Plague of 1665, the accolades of John Dee, many replica scenes of everyday life during the 1500 and 1600.
Perhaps due to the many displays and manikins, the place evoked a sinister atmosphere. Every gloomy corner produced dark fears of being watched by unseen eyes. The night was also very cold and at times it did hinder the investigation, as concentration lacked as you fought to keep warm.
It is certainly a place that steps back into time and one can almost imagine the likes of William Shakespeare walking upon the cobbled pathway past this house and also of the many people who dwelled with these very walls.
Team: Jim Jane, Emma, Charlotte, Pauline, Mac, Nikki, Tina, Denise
On Camera - Sue
Vigil Areas
Front Entrance and Shop
Meeting Area
Garden
Stairways
Individual display rooms on 1st floor
Seance and pyramid room on 2nd floor
Equipment Used
Digital Camera’s
Night Vision Camera
Camcorder
Digital Recorders
EMF meter
Infra Red Thermometers
Dowsing Rods
Hearing Enhancers
Ouija Boards
Auto Writing Board (Planchette)
On Camera - Sue
Vigil Areas
Front Entrance and Shop
Meeting Area
Garden
Stairways
Individual display rooms on 1st floor
Seance and pyramid room on 2nd floor
Equipment Used
Digital Camera’s
Night Vision Camera
Camcorder
Digital Recorders
EMF meter
Infra Red Thermometers
Dowsing Rods
Hearing Enhancers
Ouija Boards
Auto Writing Board (Planchette)
It was decided that due to the layout of the building it was best to keep as one team. The fact that each room lead onto each other, it was impossible to eliminate the noise that each team could make and thereby not being able to clarify if any paranormal noise that would be picked up would be classed as genuine paranormal.
During the initial walk around with the owner, Jim who was also accompanied by Emma, began to pick up on a few things. In places there were bad smells, which they both noticed. Jim also picked up on a man who was not happy with the team being there and wanted them to go. The owner of The Falstaff confirmed that they knew of this man and that other groups had also seen him here.
Start of investigation - 10.30pm
The team began the investigation in the front entrance and shop area and then moved on up the stairs on to the first floor.
The shop area itself appeared very quiet on the activity front and due to this the team moved on through and began another vigil on the stairs and landing on the first floor. In this particular area the activity appeared to heighten, as strange figures we're seen by some members and others felt as though they were being touched. Jim felt he had been pushed, but the floor was uneven, so this could have contributed to this. There were also sudden cold spots felt.
Nikki asked if someone was standing in the doorway as she could see a figure there. Jim picked up on a male spirit with dark curly hair, but was unable to receive any more information regarding him.
The team moved into a display room further along the corridor and formed a circle with Jim calling out. As each member stood silently in the circle, Jane could feel someone breathing on the side of her neck and touching her hair, with no other person being that close to her. Some members of the team could smell an awful stench, relating to faeces. Jim confirmed that this was the area where previously he and Emma had also smelt a foul stench. There was sounds also heard, but it was hard to distinguish where they were coming from. It had turned very cold within the circle and Tina felt two hands pushing down on her shoulders, there was a feelings amongst the group of someone wanting them to move on and this someone was moving around the circle.
As they continue in the circle one of the team noticed that Jim's face had changed and they started to get worried when he does not response to them. After a short while he let out a deep funny laugh. The team prod him with question and eventually he replies stating that his name is William, but they called him Willy.
Question: "Did you work here?". Answer: "No"
Question: "What do you do for a living?". Answer: "I'm dead, I don't work"
Question: "What did you do for a living?"
Mac asks the team if they felt there were some people coming into the room to watch.
Willy tells them "No one will hurt you, not here"
Question: "Thank you, is there somewhere we are not safe?". Answer: "Yes, just be careful"
Jane declares she is not feeling too good with bad tummy aches that feel like sharp pokings.
Mac asks "Willy, how many spirits people are here with us?". Answer: "5"
Question: "Will they come forward a little more?"
Nikki believes she can see someone standing behind Mac.
Question: "What did you do here Willy?". Answer: "I was the Master"
Question: "What was this place then?"
Jim starts to cough and comes out of his trance. He was feeling a little sick and others in the group also remarked that they felt the same.
The team continued on to the next room which had the display of John Dee and also the following room which had the manikin of Sir Francis Drake. Both of these rooms felt bitterly cold, however the temperature gauge did not record it being that cold. There was the odd feeling of being watched and other apprehension which could not be explained, however nothing further did occur and it was decided to move on up to the séance room which was located on the next floor up.
The team made their way up the precarious steps to the next floor where the séance and the pyramid room which contained a copper triangle, was located. It was decided to visit this room now just so that all members of the team could get a feeling for the place, no vigil would take place at this time and they would return later on in the evening. However, while they were there, Jim's could see someone near Tina and she confirmed that she could actually feel someone close by, she then suddenly falls back as if she was either grabbed or had been pushed back.
Emma then notices that Jim has gone off into a trance and the team gather around.
Question: "Who are you?". Answer: "Leave"
Question: "Why do you want us to leave?". Answer: "Peace"
Mac continues to talk to the spirit who is not responding and Jane asks "Won't you speak to us because we are women?"
Question: "is this Willy?". Answer: "No"
Tina asks "Are you the one that grabbed me?". Answer: "Yes"
Jim returns from the trance very drained and he told the group that he believed the spirit’s name was Robert. This spirit feels very strange and he doesn't know if he was coming or going.
It was at this point that the team decided to take a break and return back to the meeting hut. Following coffees and teas the group tried their hand at table tipping. Despite calling out the table did not move, but some of the group felt the table vibrate a little. Mac felt very tired and could not explain why and there was amongst some of group fits of laughter, which at times were hard to control. At the end of the investigation some of the group which had been to The Falstaff before had experiences the very same thing in the same location and could not explain why they had the fits of laughter during that time. The team have not had much luck with regards to table tipping and this time round all that was experienced was giggles and tiredness.
Continuing in the same room Jim's suggests using the dowsing rods. Jane calls out asking "If there are any spirits in the room to cross the rods indicating yes". The rods did cross, but there was also other sounds heard. She calls out to the spirit she believes is outside the room to come in and ask if it is the spirit of a young stable boy which they had picked up on beforehand. She then asks "If he is affecting Jim's?" as Jim was now swaying.
Question: "Is your name Tom?". Answer: "Yes"
They ask his age and after counting he acknowledges the number 12.
Question: "Did you die here?"
Question: "Do you live upstairs?"
Question: "Did you make the noise we heard outside?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Are you unhappy?"
Question: "Is it you that is trying to affect Jim?" The rods cross violently indicating "Yes"
Question: "Do you want the lights off?" Answer: "No"
Sue says she can’t get Orbs with the lights on and just then the camera makes a funny noise.
Question: "Are you still affecting Jim?" Answer: "Yes"
Jim is very quiet and looks like he is falling asleep.
Question: "Can you tell us what happened and how did you die?" Through Jim he said "Fell"
Question: "Is there someone here that scares you?" Jim comes back from his trance and tells the team that he felt the boy had fallen under the horses and got trampled on.
After a short break the team use the auto writing board. The questions asked only required answers with Yes or No, but they were receiving no response. Jane asks "If you’re the Master move the board towards me" and after a short time the board did move towards her.
Jim then asked "Are you unhappy with us being here?" but receives no response. With a clean sheet of plain paper the pen begins to move around, but the team are unable to make out any of what has been written. Jane asks "If the Master would talk to us through the Ouija board?" the board move straight to Jane, which they took as an answer "Yes".
Once some members of the team gathered around the Ouija board they began to ask some questions.
Question: "Are you the Master?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Would you like us to leave?". Answer: "No"
Question: "Do you want to go to the light?". Answer: "No"
Question: "Is it you that keeps affecting Jim?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Is it because you don't like him". Answer: "Yes"
Jim says "He is not going anywhere and that they will go back into the main building". Answer: "No"
Question: "Can you spell out your name". The glass moves to the letter "F"
Question: "What comes next please?". But the glass does not move.
Question: "Can you spell your name?". There is still no movement from the glass.
Question: "Can you do something to let us know you are still here?". Answer: "Yes"
However, the glass did not move and the room was very still and quiet.
Question: "Could you touch one of us?"
A member of the group could then hear a popping sound.
Jim's asks "Is there anything harmful in the house?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Are we going to be safe?". Answer: "No"
There becomes a feeling of uncertain within the room.
Jim asks "Is it him that touches up the women?". Answer: "Yes"
Jim then has the feeling of being drunk and has to sit down. He asks "Why don't you alike me? Spell it out". More noises are the heard and the glass spells out "WHY UR WITCH"
Question: "Is that right?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Can you spell out your name as you can spell that?". Answer: "FERH"
Jim asks "Are you British?". No response
Further countries are named: French, German, Spanish and Dutch, to which the glass moved.
Question: "Can you confirm that you are Dutch?". Answer: "Yes"
It was then decided to end the Ouija board session as they were not getting any substantial feedback.
It was at this point Jane notices that Emma is sitting on the bench staring into the corner, when she approaches her; she asks her if she is OK. Emma replies that he has a knife and is looking for Jim. Jim moves over to Emma and reassures her that all is good and there is nothing to worry about.
The team move back into the main building equipped with a small table to try and do some more table tipping upstairs. Once again some members of the team gather around the table and ask the spirits to move it. Mac hears something knocking underneath the table and it is also heard by others members. Jim calls out for them to repeat the knocking again, however this time they feel that the table was trying to move, but it was very brief and further to this the table remains still. Jim appears then to be having problems and he is unsure what is going on.
The room then becomes very quiet and the team are having no further luck with either the table or the dowsing rods, so they decided to try the Ouija board. They receive a response straight away and then hear a loud noise, but cannot determine where it is coming from and then all goes still with the board again. Jim asks for a response by knocking once for "Yes" and twice for "No". They hear a faint noise, but once again cannot ascertain where it is coming from.
Mac then calls out for something to be moved within the room or for the spirits to throw something, but nothing happens. One member of the team hears what sounds like a ball and chain and Jim hears a jingle.
Jim knocks again asking for it to be repeated and a louder knock is heard by most of the team, he asks again for them to repeat it and it is heard again. At this point Emma also believes that she saw a cat moving around the room.
As the team stand quietly asking for activity to occur they hear sounds like barrels being rolled. It was 2 o'clock in the morning and believed that if there was a pub nearby they would not be changing or delivering barrels at this time of the morning. Mac thought the sound was the wooden ramps which are situated on the ground floor. They had notice earlier that when you stepped on them they did make an awful racket, which could well be the sound they were hearing. However, they were the only people in the building, so who or what was making this noise, which did not occur the once, but a couple of times.
It was decided to leave a Dictaphone recording at the location of the wooden ramp while the team continued investigating the remaining of the building. (We are able to confirm having spoken with the owners several days later, that The Falstaff had once been a pub and it was possible that they had heard barrels being moved as there was nowhere in the immediate vicinity that would resemble the undistinguished noise these make).
The group moved on to another part of the building, Jane commented that she was feeling different to the last time they were in this area - far less apprehensive. Jim picks up on a female presence and asks her to make herself known to the others and he knew who she was. It was the young girl that had been reported as being seen here by other people. She looked to be around 10 – 12 years old and would get close to people and pick their pockets.
Jane thinks she sees someone popping their head around a corner in the room and Mac calls out and hears a feather drop, while other members of the team are being tickled. Jim felt it was the young girl and this could be what she was doing to distract people before picking their pockets.
The team move on around the building and as they do so they hear what appears to sound like growling. There was also the added feeling from some members of feeling sick. They then move into the loft area where the séance and copper room were located. The copper room was separated by an enclosed curtain around it and a copper pyramid constructed in the middle with two chairs within it – the idea is to sit within this area and see what experiences you encounter.
Most of the group sat around the large séance table while 2 members, in turn, went into the pyramid room. As the séance began, most of who were sat there, started feeling quite sick and Jim was not sure, but felt as though someone was walking on the boards behind him and Tina acknowledged that she could see someone to Jim’s right.
Jim calls out and whistles hoping it might be repeated, but nothing came back in response. Each person within the séance calls out, but to no avail as they receive no activity or reply. Mac picks up on someone standing behind Jim’s right shoulder and Jim confirms that someone is now touching his arm.
Most of the members who did enter the pyramid room experiences very little and it was then the turn for Jim and Jane to try it out. The other members return to the séance and continue to call out. After a while Sue enters the pyramid room to film and notices that Jim appears withdrawn and very quiet. Jane approaches him and asks if he is alright, but there is no answer she and Mac continue to bring him around and after some time he opens his eyes. He says he feels so relaxed and peaceful within this area and didn’t want to stop, but at the same time feels very out of breath. Although he is talking he doesn’t appear to be with it at all
The group began another séance around the table and called out to the spirit lady that had been picked up on before. They did hear some noises, but were unable to determine what they were and where they came from and in addition, they felt movement around them, but nothing that came through as a spirit.
Jim felt the chairs vibrating and others also felt this. Jane notice the auto writer was moving on its own. They stopped the séance and looked to find that the once clear white sheet of plain paper was now covered with pen lines. Nothing that could be distinguished as letters or words, but it showed that the auto writer had indeed moved, as all members involved declared that they had not touch it during the course of the evening.
Jim then appeared to be having problems with his breathing and many noticed that the room seemed to have gone darker. Jane and Mac tried to bring Jim back, who continued having problems. Slowly, but surely Jim maintained his normal breathing, although coughing continuously. He felt a little unwell now as though he had been laid up with a cold. It was decided at this point to leave the room and end the investigation for the night.
During the initial walk around with the owner, Jim who was also accompanied by Emma, began to pick up on a few things. In places there were bad smells, which they both noticed. Jim also picked up on a man who was not happy with the team being there and wanted them to go. The owner of The Falstaff confirmed that they knew of this man and that other groups had also seen him here.
Start of investigation - 10.30pm
The team began the investigation in the front entrance and shop area and then moved on up the stairs on to the first floor.
The shop area itself appeared very quiet on the activity front and due to this the team moved on through and began another vigil on the stairs and landing on the first floor. In this particular area the activity appeared to heighten, as strange figures we're seen by some members and others felt as though they were being touched. Jim felt he had been pushed, but the floor was uneven, so this could have contributed to this. There were also sudden cold spots felt.
Nikki asked if someone was standing in the doorway as she could see a figure there. Jim picked up on a male spirit with dark curly hair, but was unable to receive any more information regarding him.
The team moved into a display room further along the corridor and formed a circle with Jim calling out. As each member stood silently in the circle, Jane could feel someone breathing on the side of her neck and touching her hair, with no other person being that close to her. Some members of the team could smell an awful stench, relating to faeces. Jim confirmed that this was the area where previously he and Emma had also smelt a foul stench. There was sounds also heard, but it was hard to distinguish where they were coming from. It had turned very cold within the circle and Tina felt two hands pushing down on her shoulders, there was a feelings amongst the group of someone wanting them to move on and this someone was moving around the circle.
As they continue in the circle one of the team noticed that Jim's face had changed and they started to get worried when he does not response to them. After a short while he let out a deep funny laugh. The team prod him with question and eventually he replies stating that his name is William, but they called him Willy.
Question: "Did you work here?". Answer: "No"
Question: "What do you do for a living?". Answer: "I'm dead, I don't work"
Question: "What did you do for a living?"
Mac asks the team if they felt there were some people coming into the room to watch.
Willy tells them "No one will hurt you, not here"
Question: "Thank you, is there somewhere we are not safe?". Answer: "Yes, just be careful"
Jane declares she is not feeling too good with bad tummy aches that feel like sharp pokings.
Mac asks "Willy, how many spirits people are here with us?". Answer: "5"
Question: "Will they come forward a little more?"
Nikki believes she can see someone standing behind Mac.
Question: "What did you do here Willy?". Answer: "I was the Master"
Question: "What was this place then?"
Jim starts to cough and comes out of his trance. He was feeling a little sick and others in the group also remarked that they felt the same.
The team continued on to the next room which had the display of John Dee and also the following room which had the manikin of Sir Francis Drake. Both of these rooms felt bitterly cold, however the temperature gauge did not record it being that cold. There was the odd feeling of being watched and other apprehension which could not be explained, however nothing further did occur and it was decided to move on up to the séance room which was located on the next floor up.
The team made their way up the precarious steps to the next floor where the séance and the pyramid room which contained a copper triangle, was located. It was decided to visit this room now just so that all members of the team could get a feeling for the place, no vigil would take place at this time and they would return later on in the evening. However, while they were there, Jim's could see someone near Tina and she confirmed that she could actually feel someone close by, she then suddenly falls back as if she was either grabbed or had been pushed back.
Emma then notices that Jim has gone off into a trance and the team gather around.
Question: "Who are you?". Answer: "Leave"
Question: "Why do you want us to leave?". Answer: "Peace"
Mac continues to talk to the spirit who is not responding and Jane asks "Won't you speak to us because we are women?"
Question: "is this Willy?". Answer: "No"
Tina asks "Are you the one that grabbed me?". Answer: "Yes"
Jim returns from the trance very drained and he told the group that he believed the spirit’s name was Robert. This spirit feels very strange and he doesn't know if he was coming or going.
It was at this point that the team decided to take a break and return back to the meeting hut. Following coffees and teas the group tried their hand at table tipping. Despite calling out the table did not move, but some of the group felt the table vibrate a little. Mac felt very tired and could not explain why and there was amongst some of group fits of laughter, which at times were hard to control. At the end of the investigation some of the group which had been to The Falstaff before had experiences the very same thing in the same location and could not explain why they had the fits of laughter during that time. The team have not had much luck with regards to table tipping and this time round all that was experienced was giggles and tiredness.
Continuing in the same room Jim's suggests using the dowsing rods. Jane calls out asking "If there are any spirits in the room to cross the rods indicating yes". The rods did cross, but there was also other sounds heard. She calls out to the spirit she believes is outside the room to come in and ask if it is the spirit of a young stable boy which they had picked up on beforehand. She then asks "If he is affecting Jim's?" as Jim was now swaying.
Question: "Is your name Tom?". Answer: "Yes"
They ask his age and after counting he acknowledges the number 12.
Question: "Did you die here?"
Question: "Do you live upstairs?"
Question: "Did you make the noise we heard outside?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Are you unhappy?"
Question: "Is it you that is trying to affect Jim?" The rods cross violently indicating "Yes"
Question: "Do you want the lights off?" Answer: "No"
Sue says she can’t get Orbs with the lights on and just then the camera makes a funny noise.
Question: "Are you still affecting Jim?" Answer: "Yes"
Jim is very quiet and looks like he is falling asleep.
Question: "Can you tell us what happened and how did you die?" Through Jim he said "Fell"
Question: "Is there someone here that scares you?" Jim comes back from his trance and tells the team that he felt the boy had fallen under the horses and got trampled on.
After a short break the team use the auto writing board. The questions asked only required answers with Yes or No, but they were receiving no response. Jane asks "If you’re the Master move the board towards me" and after a short time the board did move towards her.
Jim then asked "Are you unhappy with us being here?" but receives no response. With a clean sheet of plain paper the pen begins to move around, but the team are unable to make out any of what has been written. Jane asks "If the Master would talk to us through the Ouija board?" the board move straight to Jane, which they took as an answer "Yes".
Once some members of the team gathered around the Ouija board they began to ask some questions.
Question: "Are you the Master?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Would you like us to leave?". Answer: "No"
Question: "Do you want to go to the light?". Answer: "No"
Question: "Is it you that keeps affecting Jim?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Is it because you don't like him". Answer: "Yes"
Jim says "He is not going anywhere and that they will go back into the main building". Answer: "No"
Question: "Can you spell out your name". The glass moves to the letter "F"
Question: "What comes next please?". But the glass does not move.
Question: "Can you spell your name?". There is still no movement from the glass.
Question: "Can you do something to let us know you are still here?". Answer: "Yes"
However, the glass did not move and the room was very still and quiet.
Question: "Could you touch one of us?"
A member of the group could then hear a popping sound.
Jim's asks "Is there anything harmful in the house?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Are we going to be safe?". Answer: "No"
There becomes a feeling of uncertain within the room.
Jim asks "Is it him that touches up the women?". Answer: "Yes"
Jim then has the feeling of being drunk and has to sit down. He asks "Why don't you alike me? Spell it out". More noises are the heard and the glass spells out "WHY UR WITCH"
Question: "Is that right?". Answer: "Yes"
Question: "Can you spell out your name as you can spell that?". Answer: "FERH"
Jim asks "Are you British?". No response
Further countries are named: French, German, Spanish and Dutch, to which the glass moved.
Question: "Can you confirm that you are Dutch?". Answer: "Yes"
It was then decided to end the Ouija board session as they were not getting any substantial feedback.
It was at this point Jane notices that Emma is sitting on the bench staring into the corner, when she approaches her; she asks her if she is OK. Emma replies that he has a knife and is looking for Jim. Jim moves over to Emma and reassures her that all is good and there is nothing to worry about.
The team move back into the main building equipped with a small table to try and do some more table tipping upstairs. Once again some members of the team gather around the table and ask the spirits to move it. Mac hears something knocking underneath the table and it is also heard by others members. Jim calls out for them to repeat the knocking again, however this time they feel that the table was trying to move, but it was very brief and further to this the table remains still. Jim appears then to be having problems and he is unsure what is going on.
The room then becomes very quiet and the team are having no further luck with either the table or the dowsing rods, so they decided to try the Ouija board. They receive a response straight away and then hear a loud noise, but cannot determine where it is coming from and then all goes still with the board again. Jim asks for a response by knocking once for "Yes" and twice for "No". They hear a faint noise, but once again cannot ascertain where it is coming from.
Mac then calls out for something to be moved within the room or for the spirits to throw something, but nothing happens. One member of the team hears what sounds like a ball and chain and Jim hears a jingle.
Jim knocks again asking for it to be repeated and a louder knock is heard by most of the team, he asks again for them to repeat it and it is heard again. At this point Emma also believes that she saw a cat moving around the room.
As the team stand quietly asking for activity to occur they hear sounds like barrels being rolled. It was 2 o'clock in the morning and believed that if there was a pub nearby they would not be changing or delivering barrels at this time of the morning. Mac thought the sound was the wooden ramps which are situated on the ground floor. They had notice earlier that when you stepped on them they did make an awful racket, which could well be the sound they were hearing. However, they were the only people in the building, so who or what was making this noise, which did not occur the once, but a couple of times.
It was decided to leave a Dictaphone recording at the location of the wooden ramp while the team continued investigating the remaining of the building. (We are able to confirm having spoken with the owners several days later, that The Falstaff had once been a pub and it was possible that they had heard barrels being moved as there was nowhere in the immediate vicinity that would resemble the undistinguished noise these make).
The group moved on to another part of the building, Jane commented that she was feeling different to the last time they were in this area - far less apprehensive. Jim picks up on a female presence and asks her to make herself known to the others and he knew who she was. It was the young girl that had been reported as being seen here by other people. She looked to be around 10 – 12 years old and would get close to people and pick their pockets.
Jane thinks she sees someone popping their head around a corner in the room and Mac calls out and hears a feather drop, while other members of the team are being tickled. Jim felt it was the young girl and this could be what she was doing to distract people before picking their pockets.
The team move on around the building and as they do so they hear what appears to sound like growling. There was also the added feeling from some members of feeling sick. They then move into the loft area where the séance and copper room were located. The copper room was separated by an enclosed curtain around it and a copper pyramid constructed in the middle with two chairs within it – the idea is to sit within this area and see what experiences you encounter.
Most of the group sat around the large séance table while 2 members, in turn, went into the pyramid room. As the séance began, most of who were sat there, started feeling quite sick and Jim was not sure, but felt as though someone was walking on the boards behind him and Tina acknowledged that she could see someone to Jim’s right.
Jim calls out and whistles hoping it might be repeated, but nothing came back in response. Each person within the séance calls out, but to no avail as they receive no activity or reply. Mac picks up on someone standing behind Jim’s right shoulder and Jim confirms that someone is now touching his arm.
Most of the members who did enter the pyramid room experiences very little and it was then the turn for Jim and Jane to try it out. The other members return to the séance and continue to call out. After a while Sue enters the pyramid room to film and notices that Jim appears withdrawn and very quiet. Jane approaches him and asks if he is alright, but there is no answer she and Mac continue to bring him around and after some time he opens his eyes. He says he feels so relaxed and peaceful within this area and didn’t want to stop, but at the same time feels very out of breath. Although he is talking he doesn’t appear to be with it at all
The group began another séance around the table and called out to the spirit lady that had been picked up on before. They did hear some noises, but were unable to determine what they were and where they came from and in addition, they felt movement around them, but nothing that came through as a spirit.
Jim felt the chairs vibrating and others also felt this. Jane notice the auto writer was moving on its own. They stopped the séance and looked to find that the once clear white sheet of plain paper was now covered with pen lines. Nothing that could be distinguished as letters or words, but it showed that the auto writer had indeed moved, as all members involved declared that they had not touch it during the course of the evening.
Jim then appeared to be having problems with his breathing and many noticed that the room seemed to have gone darker. Jane and Mac tried to bring Jim back, who continued having problems. Slowly, but surely Jim maintained his normal breathing, although coughing continuously. He felt a little unwell now as though he had been laid up with a cold. It was decided at this point to leave the room and end the investigation for the night.
Conclusion
Various Dictaphones were left around the building and when coming to analysis them it was found that the sound did appear to travel a lot in this building, as was noticed when playing back the Dictaphone – you were able to hear the team at the other end of the building complete opposition sides where the Dictaphone was placed.
There were very faint sounds as though someone was moving around, but it was far too faint to say that it was paranormal and for some unknown reason the tape stopped half way through.
A number of sounds were heard coming from the room which was used as the hub. This was in the garden area and well away from the main building itself and during the investigation this Dictaphone was left to record. What this recorder picked up was unbelievable; however we will let you decide when you listen to the EVP’s below
Various Dictaphones were left around the building and when coming to analysis them it was found that the sound did appear to travel a lot in this building, as was noticed when playing back the Dictaphone – you were able to hear the team at the other end of the building complete opposition sides where the Dictaphone was placed.
There were very faint sounds as though someone was moving around, but it was far too faint to say that it was paranormal and for some unknown reason the tape stopped half way through.
A number of sounds were heard coming from the room which was used as the hub. This was in the garden area and well away from the main building itself and during the investigation this Dictaphone was left to record. What this recorder picked up was unbelievable; however we will let you decide when you listen to the EVP’s below
What must be pointed out, is these sounds were taking place in the early hours of the morning. There was no one else around and we have tried to remove the ticking from the clock in the room, so that the only sound you would hear is the unknown one’s above. These sounds continued throughout the recording.
This had turned out as a very strange investigation with the paranormal activity being totally active to absolutely flat. Jim was also affected very differently than on any other investigation he had taken part in. There was definitely paranormal activity going on at The Falstaff, although unfortunately not a lot was picked up. The séances and the use of the Ouija board gave almost nothing.
During the journey home the team decided not to return to this location, however the following day Jim requested that he wanted to return back and therefore, the team will be returning for Round 2 in September 2012.
This had turned out as a very strange investigation with the paranormal activity being totally active to absolutely flat. Jim was also affected very differently than on any other investigation he had taken part in. There was definitely paranormal activity going on at The Falstaff, although unfortunately not a lot was picked up. The séances and the use of the Ouija board gave almost nothing.
During the journey home the team decided not to return to this location, however the following day Jim requested that he wanted to return back and therefore, the team will be returning for Round 2 in September 2012.
Personal Accounts and Statements
Denise Gauntlett
It did feel flat. I wonder if the cold left us all a bit flat. I wonder if the cold drained a lot of energy. Oddly enough the Falstaff is the location I have been most excited about before I left home.
In the car on the way down Pauline mentioned that she had 2 names that had come through to her during the day. Tom, and Sally. Pauline believed there would be a stable boy.
I still believe there were some unexplained noises including what sounded like Barrels rolling (I think some of the group thought it was the noise of the wooden ramp downstairs) It did sound wooden -(not a metallic noise as modern barrels are made from).
I felt uneasy in the main house but I think that was down to the confused set up of the rooms. For me the most active place felt like the staircase that we visited first. It felt almost electrically charged and the space between Pauline and myself it felt warm.
Pauline M Jenkins
I was a bit disappointed with the Falstaff from the point of paranormal activity, I had been excited about this one and even had a feeling of a bit of dread. For a couple of days before had I had a couple of names come into my head Tom the stable boy and Sally, which I told Denise on the way, which I'm pleased to say you picked up on this in the Kitchen area and which was confirmed by the rods.
The Séance room was interesting, I sat in the triangle and felt the chair vibrating but not sure if it was because i was cold and I felt a cold breeze that kept going round and round. I felt like we were being watched, Tina thought she saw a child’s face and a mist building up. I started to feel very uncomfortable and had to leave the triangle, first time I had felt nervous all night. It was a shame that there was not more activity but glad that I have been there.
Nicolette Richards
Was excited about Falstaff and the history behind it.....Started off well with quite a lot of activity. We did here noises which sounded like barrels being moved, tried to debunk, but not able to find source??? Sadly later on in the investigation the activity went very quiet for most of the team, apart from Jim who was having a lot of strange experiences which he could not explain and seemed to be draining him. Did have a great time as usual but don't think I would want to go back.
Jim Arnold
Well I had been looking forward to this investigation and trying their séance room, and copper pyramid. When we arrived I had a walk round with Emma and one of the staff and started picking up on things straight away which was confirmed by the member of staff. Both Emma and I at one point could smell something not very nice, I also felt the presents of a man who did not want us there, he was not nice at all, and the smell was connected to him.
The night started OK, but seemed to change as the night went on it seemed to quieten down. We were followed most of the night and I picked up on a couple of well known spirits here, the little girl pick pocket, and the man that likes to touch people.
I did have a problem with someone attaching themselves to me, and not letting go. I was starting to feel very drained, and nearly collapsed twice, the team say I went very quiet, and at the end of the night I felt not only really tired, but also did not feeling very well.
Did I enjoy the Falstaff event, no not really I was disappointed, we had heard a lot of talk about this place, and although we had lots of sounds that we could not explain very little happened for the team. I do think it was worth the money, and for those who have never been it’s worth going. Would I go again, well at first I said no I would never go back, however I now need to go back.
Tina Marie Wade
I think I echo everyone else thoughts, I too had really been looking forward to this one, but was a bit disappointed at the end although I did experience spirit when I was grabbed and pushed
Emma Buchanan
I was really was looking forward to The Falstaff, when we walked around the first time there was things activity going on and something were happening . Jim was picking up some stuff , on the second time around I did not feel as scared but felt like we was being watched all the time . Jim was not himself on this one and not sure what was going on ,would I go back no x
Jane Taylor
On the walk round with Jim, Mac and myself I was very anxious and nervous. As the evening progressed the feeling went. I did have a sick feeling and stomach pains. Poor Jim went through the mill with the spirits. We did hear very strange banging noises that we couldn’t work out what they were. It was a bit of a disappointment but as normal we had many laughs along the way. Well done Jim and the team. Would I go back I must be mad, but yes I would.
Mac O'Brien
As I have been to the Falstaff before I thought I knew what I was letting myself in for. The last time we didn't pick up much and the same again this time. However we did hear some really strange noises which we can't explain. However can't explain what had happened to Jim this night as I have never seen him behave the way he did this night. It was as though he was lost in a little old man body and he kept talking to himself. Whatever it was didn't leave him until he got home or did it. I don’t know but he wants to go back. Good luck with that one Jim. But overall it was a great investigation with a bunch of lovely team members who made the night unforgettable. Well done everyone for a great night.
Sue Chaplin
Initially as the investigation begun there was apprehension and nervousness especially on the main stairway and the surrounding areas, shadows were seen and unusual noises heard. This gave a sense that the night ahead was going to be full of activity. However, as the night did progress on, it did become “flat”. There were some unexplained noises heard which raise some questions, but it appeared the spirits did not want to communicate.
The night was cold and perhaps this did not help contribute to the investigation. This place has a lot of potential, so much history involved; I find it hard to believe it would lack any activity. Jim experienced a lot of connection with the spirits and often took the brunt of it.
There is one other point I would like to make. I came to The Falstaff some time back with another paranormal group and with a few of the members of this team. When we first came a few of us experience a fit of giggles in the meeting area during one of the breaks. This giggling fit was infectious and hard to control, in fact I remember be given filthy looks by people who perhaps were not party to this feeling. This experience I had totally forgotten until it happened again – same place, perhaps even the same time – who knows. Uncontrollable laughter for no reason, totally unexplainable and very weird indeed.
It did feel flat. I wonder if the cold left us all a bit flat. I wonder if the cold drained a lot of energy. Oddly enough the Falstaff is the location I have been most excited about before I left home.
In the car on the way down Pauline mentioned that she had 2 names that had come through to her during the day. Tom, and Sally. Pauline believed there would be a stable boy.
I still believe there were some unexplained noises including what sounded like Barrels rolling (I think some of the group thought it was the noise of the wooden ramp downstairs) It did sound wooden -(not a metallic noise as modern barrels are made from).
I felt uneasy in the main house but I think that was down to the confused set up of the rooms. For me the most active place felt like the staircase that we visited first. It felt almost electrically charged and the space between Pauline and myself it felt warm.
Pauline M Jenkins
I was a bit disappointed with the Falstaff from the point of paranormal activity, I had been excited about this one and even had a feeling of a bit of dread. For a couple of days before had I had a couple of names come into my head Tom the stable boy and Sally, which I told Denise on the way, which I'm pleased to say you picked up on this in the Kitchen area and which was confirmed by the rods.
The Séance room was interesting, I sat in the triangle and felt the chair vibrating but not sure if it was because i was cold and I felt a cold breeze that kept going round and round. I felt like we were being watched, Tina thought she saw a child’s face and a mist building up. I started to feel very uncomfortable and had to leave the triangle, first time I had felt nervous all night. It was a shame that there was not more activity but glad that I have been there.
Nicolette Richards
Was excited about Falstaff and the history behind it.....Started off well with quite a lot of activity. We did here noises which sounded like barrels being moved, tried to debunk, but not able to find source??? Sadly later on in the investigation the activity went very quiet for most of the team, apart from Jim who was having a lot of strange experiences which he could not explain and seemed to be draining him. Did have a great time as usual but don't think I would want to go back.
Jim Arnold
Well I had been looking forward to this investigation and trying their séance room, and copper pyramid. When we arrived I had a walk round with Emma and one of the staff and started picking up on things straight away which was confirmed by the member of staff. Both Emma and I at one point could smell something not very nice, I also felt the presents of a man who did not want us there, he was not nice at all, and the smell was connected to him.
The night started OK, but seemed to change as the night went on it seemed to quieten down. We were followed most of the night and I picked up on a couple of well known spirits here, the little girl pick pocket, and the man that likes to touch people.
I did have a problem with someone attaching themselves to me, and not letting go. I was starting to feel very drained, and nearly collapsed twice, the team say I went very quiet, and at the end of the night I felt not only really tired, but also did not feeling very well.
Did I enjoy the Falstaff event, no not really I was disappointed, we had heard a lot of talk about this place, and although we had lots of sounds that we could not explain very little happened for the team. I do think it was worth the money, and for those who have never been it’s worth going. Would I go again, well at first I said no I would never go back, however I now need to go back.
Tina Marie Wade
I think I echo everyone else thoughts, I too had really been looking forward to this one, but was a bit disappointed at the end although I did experience spirit when I was grabbed and pushed
Emma Buchanan
I was really was looking forward to The Falstaff, when we walked around the first time there was things activity going on and something were happening . Jim was picking up some stuff , on the second time around I did not feel as scared but felt like we was being watched all the time . Jim was not himself on this one and not sure what was going on ,would I go back no x
Jane Taylor
On the walk round with Jim, Mac and myself I was very anxious and nervous. As the evening progressed the feeling went. I did have a sick feeling and stomach pains. Poor Jim went through the mill with the spirits. We did hear very strange banging noises that we couldn’t work out what they were. It was a bit of a disappointment but as normal we had many laughs along the way. Well done Jim and the team. Would I go back I must be mad, but yes I would.
Mac O'Brien
As I have been to the Falstaff before I thought I knew what I was letting myself in for. The last time we didn't pick up much and the same again this time. However we did hear some really strange noises which we can't explain. However can't explain what had happened to Jim this night as I have never seen him behave the way he did this night. It was as though he was lost in a little old man body and he kept talking to himself. Whatever it was didn't leave him until he got home or did it. I don’t know but he wants to go back. Good luck with that one Jim. But overall it was a great investigation with a bunch of lovely team members who made the night unforgettable. Well done everyone for a great night.
Sue Chaplin
Initially as the investigation begun there was apprehension and nervousness especially on the main stairway and the surrounding areas, shadows were seen and unusual noises heard. This gave a sense that the night ahead was going to be full of activity. However, as the night did progress on, it did become “flat”. There were some unexplained noises heard which raise some questions, but it appeared the spirits did not want to communicate.
The night was cold and perhaps this did not help contribute to the investigation. This place has a lot of potential, so much history involved; I find it hard to believe it would lack any activity. Jim experienced a lot of connection with the spirits and often took the brunt of it.
There is one other point I would like to make. I came to The Falstaff some time back with another paranormal group and with a few of the members of this team. When we first came a few of us experience a fit of giggles in the meeting area during one of the breaks. This giggling fit was infectious and hard to control, in fact I remember be given filthy looks by people who perhaps were not party to this feeling. This experience I had totally forgotten until it happened again – same place, perhaps even the same time – who knows. Uncontrollable laughter for no reason, totally unexplainable and very weird indeed.
Below are two recordings from a locked off recorder left in the hub, you can sometimes hear a the tick of a clock, but i have tried to remove that as much as i can. The rest of the sounds had no patten to them and were on and off throughout the recording
