The Shoe Inn - Plaitford
Investigation Date: 4 February 2012
This 15th-century coaching inn, situated just on the edge of the New Forest on the A36, has been welcoming hungry travellers ever since 1430 and is steeped in history.
Today it is a family-run free house with an elegant rustic interior and a pretty terrace garden. The Shoe Inn is renowned for its quality home-cooked food and is the perfect retreat for a relaxing weekend away or a comfortable overnight stop.
But what else lies within these walls, we intend to find out
This 15th-century coaching inn, situated just on the edge of the New Forest on the A36, has been welcoming hungry travellers ever since 1430 and is steeped in history.
Today it is a family-run free house with an elegant rustic interior and a pretty terrace garden. The Shoe Inn is renowned for its quality home-cooked food and is the perfect retreat for a relaxing weekend away or a comfortable overnight stop.
But what else lies within these walls, we intend to find out
The Report
The team arrived early to this location and took the opportunity to enjoy a meal and to meet the photographer from Spirit and Destiny who was covering some of the investigation for the magazine. Following this Kerry, the landlady of the pub showed the team around the premises, so base line test could be made and to familiarise themselves. The investigation had to begin upstairs first until the pub closed to the public and then further vigils could begin downstairs.
After the meal had finished and prior to the first vigil taking place, Jim took the opportunity to show the team members the new K2 meter. He placed it on the table and after a short time it started flashing red, then stopped and then flashed again. This happened several times; both Carol and Jim felt the presence of a young girl running back and forth across the bar.
Team 1: Jim, Mac, Pauline, Charlotte, Nikki
Team 2: Carol, Zoe, Emma, Tina, Jane
Area's Investigated
The Main Bar
The Restaurant
The Games Room
Private accommodation (apart from the rooms being used by the family)
Equipment Used
Digital Camera’sNight Vision CameraDigital Recorders
EMF meter
Infra Red Thermometers
Dowsing Rods
Hearing Enhancers
Auto Writing Board (Planchette)
After the meal had finished and prior to the first vigil taking place, Jim took the opportunity to show the team members the new K2 meter. He placed it on the table and after a short time it started flashing red, then stopped and then flashed again. This happened several times; both Carol and Jim felt the presence of a young girl running back and forth across the bar.
Team 1: Jim, Mac, Pauline, Charlotte, Nikki
Team 2: Carol, Zoe, Emma, Tina, Jane
Area's Investigated
The Main Bar
The Restaurant
The Games Room
Private accommodation (apart from the rooms being used by the family)
Equipment Used
Digital Camera’sNight Vision CameraDigital Recorders
EMF meter
Infra Red Thermometers
Dowsing Rods
Hearing Enhancers
Auto Writing Board (Planchette)
Team 1 - Private Accommodation Upstairs
The first vigil began in one of the bedrooms to the rear of the lounge. Once gathered in the room the team begin to call out to any spirits present and Jim immediately had the feeling of walking around. Many of the group cold feel a distinctive temperature drop occurring whilst Mac picked up the dowsing rods to begin communication with any spirits that may be present. It was at this point that the digital recorder picked up a sound which sounds like "HELLO"
The first vigil began in one of the bedrooms to the rear of the lounge. Once gathered in the room the team begin to call out to any spirits present and Jim immediately had the feeling of walking around. Many of the group cold feel a distinctive temperature drop occurring whilst Mac picked up the dowsing rods to begin communication with any spirits that may be present. It was at this point that the digital recorder picked up a sound which sounds like "HELLO"
The team then began a séance with Jim calling out. Mac could hear breathing around her which was not another member of the team. Jim picked up on a spirit and asked them to make themselves known to the team. Both Mac and Nikki heard a noise and then tapping sounds were heard in response to the questions - one knock for yes and two knocks for no.
Question: "Are you a female?". One knock - Yes
Question: "Are you connected to the pub?". One knock - Yes
Nikki feels sick while Jim and other members of the group feel as though they are being pushed. Jim then goes into a trance and Mac calls out to whomever Jim is communicating with, but they move away. When Jim comes round Mac asks how old the spirit was and he has a feeling of 43.
After a short while Jim picks up on a young girl. Mac asks if he could find out her age and he states around 8 or 9 years of age and her name sounds like Rose. At this point Mac stopped the circle and was a little shocked. She explained to the group that earlier on during the day whilst resting at home, she felt she had been visited by a young girl aged around 9 years old and by the name of Rosalyn, and that she would come to her during the investigation at The Shoe Inn. The visitation was so vivid that Mac wrote everything down and now showed the group. This proved to be some of the best evidence from the night and some of the best the group has ever had.
Jim informed Mac that this is what the girl wanted and then moved towards her and gave her a hug. Mac felt very emotional from this. The séance continued and it was felt that someone else was also in the room and standing behind Jim. He also picks up on a lady who seems to watch over the children. There was a feeling of loss or looking for something.
Jim gets a word and is not sure if it is a name - Pearl or Pearls. Thinking perhaps it may be a female spirit, Nikki asks him how she is dressed and Jim replied that it looks like a long nightdress. There was also a young girl who wanted to be close to Mac as she resembles her mother. Mac calls out to her as they want to help her, by crossing her over.
The team move to the next bedroom which was the cabin room. They initially did not pick up very much when they started this vigil, but as they remained in the room Jim did pick up on a very busty lady present, who would have either been a landlady or perhaps a prostitute, whilst he was relaying this to the team Nikki again gets pushed.Then a very well spoken gentleman came through, who said he was a writer. He gave Jim the name Geoffrey (Jeffrey) Charles Winchester. (The name has been checked, but we have been unable to find this person). He was complaining about the noise, "Night after night - how can I work" he says.
The team ask if he was in the Theatre and his response via Jim again, "Not really, although I did sometimes for them". Mac asks if she can take a photo and is told to go ahead, but no matter what she does, she is unable to make the flash work. The spirit informs them that he sometimes stayed at the pub during his travels.
Another spirit then comes forward by the name of Charlie, he was wearing something that looked like a top hat and had a very large nose. There was a feeling he could have been connected to the old stage coaches that would have called at the Inn many years back.
Jim asks if anyone can feel anything - Pauline felt as though there had been a fire here at some point. Both Mac and Nikki's legs are hurting and Charlotte said she felt empty. Jim had a feeling of wanting to hide. He feels there is a spirit who walks around the hallway and that someone had also fallen down the stairs.
Question: "Are you a female?". One knock - Yes
Question: "Are you connected to the pub?". One knock - Yes
Nikki feels sick while Jim and other members of the group feel as though they are being pushed. Jim then goes into a trance and Mac calls out to whomever Jim is communicating with, but they move away. When Jim comes round Mac asks how old the spirit was and he has a feeling of 43.
After a short while Jim picks up on a young girl. Mac asks if he could find out her age and he states around 8 or 9 years of age and her name sounds like Rose. At this point Mac stopped the circle and was a little shocked. She explained to the group that earlier on during the day whilst resting at home, she felt she had been visited by a young girl aged around 9 years old and by the name of Rosalyn, and that she would come to her during the investigation at The Shoe Inn. The visitation was so vivid that Mac wrote everything down and now showed the group. This proved to be some of the best evidence from the night and some of the best the group has ever had.
Jim informed Mac that this is what the girl wanted and then moved towards her and gave her a hug. Mac felt very emotional from this. The séance continued and it was felt that someone else was also in the room and standing behind Jim. He also picks up on a lady who seems to watch over the children. There was a feeling of loss or looking for something.
Jim gets a word and is not sure if it is a name - Pearl or Pearls. Thinking perhaps it may be a female spirit, Nikki asks him how she is dressed and Jim replied that it looks like a long nightdress. There was also a young girl who wanted to be close to Mac as she resembles her mother. Mac calls out to her as they want to help her, by crossing her over.
The team move to the next bedroom which was the cabin room. They initially did not pick up very much when they started this vigil, but as they remained in the room Jim did pick up on a very busty lady present, who would have either been a landlady or perhaps a prostitute, whilst he was relaying this to the team Nikki again gets pushed.Then a very well spoken gentleman came through, who said he was a writer. He gave Jim the name Geoffrey (Jeffrey) Charles Winchester. (The name has been checked, but we have been unable to find this person). He was complaining about the noise, "Night after night - how can I work" he says.
The team ask if he was in the Theatre and his response via Jim again, "Not really, although I did sometimes for them". Mac asks if she can take a photo and is told to go ahead, but no matter what she does, she is unable to make the flash work. The spirit informs them that he sometimes stayed at the pub during his travels.
Another spirit then comes forward by the name of Charlie, he was wearing something that looked like a top hat and had a very large nose. There was a feeling he could have been connected to the old stage coaches that would have called at the Inn many years back.
Jim asks if anyone can feel anything - Pauline felt as though there had been a fire here at some point. Both Mac and Nikki's legs are hurting and Charlotte said she felt empty. Jim had a feeling of wanting to hide. He feels there is a spirit who walks around the hallway and that someone had also fallen down the stairs.
Team 2 – Upstairs Bedroom
As they entered the room to begin the vigil the team remark on how cold it was. Carol picks up on a man and he is standing behind Jane, he is not happy and she believes that he died here. Jane says that she feels like someone is pulling at her top. They use the Dowsing Rods to communicate with him.
Question: “Are you a young man?” The rods cross indicating “Yes”
A bad smell is then noticed by the team and Jane asks him “If it was him” Answer: “Yes”
Carol gets the name Alfred and Jane asks the spirit to confirm if that was his name, but the rods do not move.
Question: “How old are you?” After selecting numbers by tens, they came to the age of 42.
Question: “How did you die? Were you murdered?” Answer: “Yes”
Question: “Do you know who did it?” Answer: “Yes”
Question: “Was it a friend of yours?” Answer: “Yes”
Question: “Were you murdered over a woman?” No answer given.
Question: “How long ago were you killed? After a selection of numbers, they came to 16 years ago.
A member of the team gets the name John and asks “Is your name John?” Answer: “Yes”
Carol asks if he was killed with something to do with the fireplace and the rods cross for “Yes”
Team 2 – Bedroom off Lounge
Upon entering the room they pick up on a little girl and feel that her name is Sophie; although this is Sophie’s room. Jane uses the Dowsing Rods again to try and communicate with her.
Question: “Is there a little girl here called Sophie?” The rods cross for “Yes”
Carol says that Sophie is aged 2 or 3 years old and does not stay here all the time, but goes all over the place; she stands and watches the other children here. Carol also picks up on a boy called Jack and says there is someone downstairs they don’t like.
Emma sees something black moving about and Carol says that Sophie is coming round to them and moving about more now. They ask Sophie and Jack to push one of the toy cars that were there, but nothing happens. Carol says that Jack is nearly 6 years old and is a lot stronger then Sophie and he hides her things.
As they entered the room to begin the vigil the team remark on how cold it was. Carol picks up on a man and he is standing behind Jane, he is not happy and she believes that he died here. Jane says that she feels like someone is pulling at her top. They use the Dowsing Rods to communicate with him.
Question: “Are you a young man?” The rods cross indicating “Yes”
A bad smell is then noticed by the team and Jane asks him “If it was him” Answer: “Yes”
Carol gets the name Alfred and Jane asks the spirit to confirm if that was his name, but the rods do not move.
Question: “How old are you?” After selecting numbers by tens, they came to the age of 42.
Question: “How did you die? Were you murdered?” Answer: “Yes”
Question: “Do you know who did it?” Answer: “Yes”
Question: “Was it a friend of yours?” Answer: “Yes”
Question: “Were you murdered over a woman?” No answer given.
Question: “How long ago were you killed? After a selection of numbers, they came to 16 years ago.
A member of the team gets the name John and asks “Is your name John?” Answer: “Yes”
Carol asks if he was killed with something to do with the fireplace and the rods cross for “Yes”
Team 2 – Bedroom off Lounge
Upon entering the room they pick up on a little girl and feel that her name is Sophie; although this is Sophie’s room. Jane uses the Dowsing Rods again to try and communicate with her.
Question: “Is there a little girl here called Sophie?” The rods cross for “Yes”
Carol says that Sophie is aged 2 or 3 years old and does not stay here all the time, but goes all over the place; she stands and watches the other children here. Carol also picks up on a boy called Jack and says there is someone downstairs they don’t like.
Emma sees something black moving about and Carol says that Sophie is coming round to them and moving about more now. They ask Sophie and Jack to push one of the toy cars that were there, but nothing happens. Carol says that Jack is nearly 6 years old and is a lot stronger then Sophie and he hides her things.
Team 1 and Team 2 – The Games Room
Unfortunately due to family problems both Zoe and Emma had to leave, so it was decided to now work as one team. As they enter the room they call out to the spirit who was in the room by the name of John. Jim feels someone touching his hair, while Jane calls out to John to come forward. Jim goes into a trance and Jane begins to ask him questions.
Question: “Who is there? Can you give us your name?” Answer: “If I tell you, will you fuck off and I’m not John, he’s a pussy.”
Question: “So who are you? You told me to fuck off, come tell us who you are?”
Jim returns from his trance and tells the group that this spirit is still in the room, but not talking and he likes a pint. He likes to be called Mr Fredrick and he wants respect. Carol says he is not happy with the laughter, so Jane swears back at him and Carol confirms that he doesn’t like that at all.
They try the Dowsing Rods with Jim calling out, but do not get any response. Carol informs them that this spirit is very angry with Jim and he doesn’t like Jane because she swears. It was decided that both Jim and Jane would leave the room and see if anything occurs.
We later found out that this man was an executioner and was known to be angry with people in general, but he would not do anything.
Restaurant Area by the Bar
In this area the team use the auto writer, but receive no communication; however they thought they could feel slight movement, but this could have been their own body movement. They then formed a circle and began a séance with Jim calling out.
Throughout the evening Jim had been picking up on a man and a lady that walk around the bar. He said the lady had nothing to do with the pub and follows a path where the pub now stands. As for the man, he goes behind the bar and was a landlord. Kerry (the owner) told the group that she too had felt someone watching her and following her around the bar and that others had also reported on picking up on this man.
Back in the Games Room
During this return visit to the Games Room, Kerry also accompanied the group and told them the story of a child that was trapped in the fireplace. From time to time she would be seen and other teams also pick up on crying and aggression – the team had experienced the aggression side. The story goes that a John Taylor had been caught here and he was taken from this place and killed. John was the name that Carol and another team member had picked up on and Carol also picked up on the fireplace earlier as well.
We tried one last séance here, but apart from the feeling of someone being there, nothing else happened and we called it a night.
Unfortunately due to family problems both Zoe and Emma had to leave, so it was decided to now work as one team. As they enter the room they call out to the spirit who was in the room by the name of John. Jim feels someone touching his hair, while Jane calls out to John to come forward. Jim goes into a trance and Jane begins to ask him questions.
Question: “Who is there? Can you give us your name?” Answer: “If I tell you, will you fuck off and I’m not John, he’s a pussy.”
Question: “So who are you? You told me to fuck off, come tell us who you are?”
Jim returns from his trance and tells the group that this spirit is still in the room, but not talking and he likes a pint. He likes to be called Mr Fredrick and he wants respect. Carol says he is not happy with the laughter, so Jane swears back at him and Carol confirms that he doesn’t like that at all.
They try the Dowsing Rods with Jim calling out, but do not get any response. Carol informs them that this spirit is very angry with Jim and he doesn’t like Jane because she swears. It was decided that both Jim and Jane would leave the room and see if anything occurs.
We later found out that this man was an executioner and was known to be angry with people in general, but he would not do anything.
Restaurant Area by the Bar
In this area the team use the auto writer, but receive no communication; however they thought they could feel slight movement, but this could have been their own body movement. They then formed a circle and began a séance with Jim calling out.
Throughout the evening Jim had been picking up on a man and a lady that walk around the bar. He said the lady had nothing to do with the pub and follows a path where the pub now stands. As for the man, he goes behind the bar and was a landlord. Kerry (the owner) told the group that she too had felt someone watching her and following her around the bar and that others had also reported on picking up on this man.
Back in the Games Room
During this return visit to the Games Room, Kerry also accompanied the group and told them the story of a child that was trapped in the fireplace. From time to time she would be seen and other teams also pick up on crying and aggression – the team had experienced the aggression side. The story goes that a John Taylor had been caught here and he was taken from this place and killed. John was the name that Carol and another team member had picked up on and Carol also picked up on the fireplace earlier as well.
We tried one last séance here, but apart from the feeling of someone being there, nothing else happened and we called it a night.
Conclusion: by Jim
South West London Paranormal would like to thank the host at The Shoe Inn for a nice evening. We did pick up on some things that were confirmed by the host and the other teams that had been here.
I have to say that it could have been a lot better. We were put off with the worry of the host’s children saying they were scared. There is no room for children on any paranormal investigation and we would not have come knowing that children would be in the next room. The sound of the cat spoilt some of the recording and with the bad weather worrying some of the team, we were lucky to get what we did.
I must add at no time did we work with children in the same room or nearby, as soon as we heard them we stopped and they were never left alone.
Would we go back to The Shoe Inn? - No not with the children running around.
South West London Paranormal would like to thank the host at The Shoe Inn for a nice evening. We did pick up on some things that were confirmed by the host and the other teams that had been here.
I have to say that it could have been a lot better. We were put off with the worry of the host’s children saying they were scared. There is no room for children on any paranormal investigation and we would not have come knowing that children would be in the next room. The sound of the cat spoilt some of the recording and with the bad weather worrying some of the team, we were lucky to get what we did.
I must add at no time did we work with children in the same room or nearby, as soon as we heard them we stopped and they were never left alone.
Would we go back to The Shoe Inn? - No not with the children running around.
Personal Accounts and Statements
Denise
Curiously enough I really "enjoyed" the Shoe Inn. The downside was the children upstairs I think we were all pretty uncomfortable with how unsettled they seemed to be. I also thought it was a really good idea to eat just before the investigation as it held off the drops in energy that I often suffer. As well as having fun with the group obviously.
Interestingly enough my experiences started at the table. I kept looking under the table for the dog or cat that kept nuzzling my legs whilst I ate. I realised later on they were spirit animals. I was aware later of a spirit dog that seemed to be with Carol and Jane’s group quite a lot of the time. In one of the kids’ bedrooms I felt very, very queasy and had to leave the room. Tina and Zoe felt the same and also left the room. It was in this room that Emma could see shadows and I was seeing a bluish light. Downstairs in the games room I could feel the aggression that Carol picked up. It seemed to me that he was an ex landlord and the word I would use was seething that we were bothering him. I had my hair pulled 3 times in this room - quite noticeably. I felt that the Shoe Inn itself was quite an interesting location but did not feel as old or as active as lots of other locations. Overall I enjoyed the Shoe Inn and will be looking forward to Yesterdays World.
Medium Jim Arnold
Well last night saw the first of this year’s Investigations at the Shoe Inn, report will follow. I have to say for me although it was a nice place, and there did seem activity going on, it didn’t really do much for me. We did have some good Evidence with Mac, but overall very quiet, a place i would not return. I don’t feel the young children in the place helped, and when you hear them say their scared you have to say to yourself time to move on. If I was to rate the night on a scale between 1 for poor and 10 for good. I would say a 4
Nickki
Shoe Inn was a lovely welcoming place, we did pick up on a few things, heard tapping which seemed to respond to our questions, well done to Mac for picking up on a little girl prior to our investigation and been able to validate her during a séance. I also felt uncomfortable and think it's not right holding investigations when children are around, apart from that had a great time as usual with great people!!
Pauline
Not one of the best places I have been too, did not like the fact that the Landlady's children were about felt uncomfortable for them, heard tapings in response to our questions, a gentleman came through Jim Geoffrey Charles Winchester who said he was a writer that used to pass through, also he picked up on the name Charlie, who I thought was connected to Coaches, which was confirmed, Jim said he wore a top hat. On our way home I was telling Denise about this who was on the other team and she said coachmen use to wear top hats.
Jane Taylor
It was a friendly place and we did pick up on a little girl who Carol thought was called Sophie and a little boy called Jack. We also picked up on a man called Jack .I felt very uncomfortable the fact we were investigating the landladies children’s bedrooms for me I really didn’t enjoy the evening but well done team for all getting home safe
Charlotte Jacomelli
Nice pub with lots of original features that I found quite interesting. I have to say that this was the least enjoyable invest that I have been on. Jim and Carol were fantastic as always and a massive well done to Mac on the little girl called Rosalyn. There was also a rather nasty ex-landlord that was picked up on, the landlady confirmed that he had dealings with old time gangsters. Children and animals were also picked up on. There was a lot of background noise, T.V and children crying going on and I felt that I couldn’t concentrate. I wouldn’t rush back.
Curiously enough I really "enjoyed" the Shoe Inn. The downside was the children upstairs I think we were all pretty uncomfortable with how unsettled they seemed to be. I also thought it was a really good idea to eat just before the investigation as it held off the drops in energy that I often suffer. As well as having fun with the group obviously.
Interestingly enough my experiences started at the table. I kept looking under the table for the dog or cat that kept nuzzling my legs whilst I ate. I realised later on they were spirit animals. I was aware later of a spirit dog that seemed to be with Carol and Jane’s group quite a lot of the time. In one of the kids’ bedrooms I felt very, very queasy and had to leave the room. Tina and Zoe felt the same and also left the room. It was in this room that Emma could see shadows and I was seeing a bluish light. Downstairs in the games room I could feel the aggression that Carol picked up. It seemed to me that he was an ex landlord and the word I would use was seething that we were bothering him. I had my hair pulled 3 times in this room - quite noticeably. I felt that the Shoe Inn itself was quite an interesting location but did not feel as old or as active as lots of other locations. Overall I enjoyed the Shoe Inn and will be looking forward to Yesterdays World.
Medium Jim Arnold
Well last night saw the first of this year’s Investigations at the Shoe Inn, report will follow. I have to say for me although it was a nice place, and there did seem activity going on, it didn’t really do much for me. We did have some good Evidence with Mac, but overall very quiet, a place i would not return. I don’t feel the young children in the place helped, and when you hear them say their scared you have to say to yourself time to move on. If I was to rate the night on a scale between 1 for poor and 10 for good. I would say a 4
Nickki
Shoe Inn was a lovely welcoming place, we did pick up on a few things, heard tapping which seemed to respond to our questions, well done to Mac for picking up on a little girl prior to our investigation and been able to validate her during a séance. I also felt uncomfortable and think it's not right holding investigations when children are around, apart from that had a great time as usual with great people!!
Pauline
Not one of the best places I have been too, did not like the fact that the Landlady's children were about felt uncomfortable for them, heard tapings in response to our questions, a gentleman came through Jim Geoffrey Charles Winchester who said he was a writer that used to pass through, also he picked up on the name Charlie, who I thought was connected to Coaches, which was confirmed, Jim said he wore a top hat. On our way home I was telling Denise about this who was on the other team and she said coachmen use to wear top hats.
Jane Taylor
It was a friendly place and we did pick up on a little girl who Carol thought was called Sophie and a little boy called Jack. We also picked up on a man called Jack .I felt very uncomfortable the fact we were investigating the landladies children’s bedrooms for me I really didn’t enjoy the evening but well done team for all getting home safe
Charlotte Jacomelli
Nice pub with lots of original features that I found quite interesting. I have to say that this was the least enjoyable invest that I have been on. Jim and Carol were fantastic as always and a massive well done to Mac on the little girl called Rosalyn. There was also a rather nasty ex-landlord that was picked up on, the landlady confirmed that he had dealings with old time gangsters. Children and animals were also picked up on. There was a lot of background noise, T.V and children crying going on and I felt that I couldn’t concentrate. I wouldn’t rush back.
