30th October Investigation Ye Olde Salutation Inn & Stanford House:
One the first night of the Halloween Investigations we delved into the ancient caves of the Salutation Inn before travelling to the beautiful yet foreboding Stanford House
Both extremely fascinating locations, both rich in centuries of history. Mysteries, tragedies, and dark deeds form their legacy. We were in for more tricks than we were treats
Ye Olde Salutation Inn
Although our time in the caves was brief, it was certainly not forgettable. After explaining the history of the Inn, we descended into the caves. Passing Rose's snug, our guests were able to each look and examine the doll that is said to be favored by Rosie, the spirit of a little girl believed to haunt the caves of the Salutation Inn.
Bringing the toy with us we set it down with some sensors and began to call out. We experienced responses and various temperature and air pressure changes which the sensors picked up. It seemed like the spirit of a small child had come through. With one guest picking up a darker entity lurking nearby. Could this have been Rosie or the highwayman?
The Caves under the Inn hold many secrets that have not yet been found, but this was one secret that wasn't revealed.
Stanford House
SINGAPORE THEORY
We then set off to Stanford House. The guests were introduced to the building and told of its history. We then started the Singapore theory with a twist. Around the room were pictures and faces of the people who once called Stanford house home. Beneath each picture was a sensor device. Questions were asked and names were called. The tapping device underneath William Stanford's picture on the fireplace went off quite frequently.
To help possibly debunk the sensor going off, we had moved it to see if this would help however the device continued to go off as if someone was tapping the device. The temperature device underneath the portrait of Mary continued to go off in response to questions.
Blindfold Seance
Our next session involved the small safe room, this is where we conducted a Victorian Seance except we were blindfolded. All of sat around the table in the dark, calling out to whoever might be there. We had placed our dead bell in the corridor outside the room. Strangely, this went off over six times during our session. Guests reported hearing footsteps outside of the room as if someone was pacing outside.
The strangest aspect of this session involved the small safe in that room; the people who were closest to it felt uncomfortable and uneasy and requested to be moved. We had switched people around and most of our guests reported the same general uncomfortable sensation of being in the chairs closest to the safe. One guest even reported feeling the sensation of someone jabbing them in their sides. As we moved around, taps was heard nearby. Even our most skeptical guests we left unsure.
EVP
We split the group into two, so they could each take part in two smaller sessions. The first of the session was the EVP session which was conducted in the room nearest the stairs. Questions were asked. One question that was asked was how many spirits there were. A series of taps was heard after almost as if in response to the question.
Coffin Estes Method.
The other group did the estes method except one person was blindfolded and asked to lay in a coffin, wearing headphones connected to the rempod. They would be unable to hear anything other than the rempod, they would say what words they heard. The other people in the room would call out and ask questions, we would see what words were said.
During the session, some of the answers that were given seemed to be that of a child coming through. At one point a doll in the room which responds to touch set off and started to crawl towards a guest.
Our Guests then had free time to conduct their own investigations and use whatever method they wished.
31st October:
All Hallows eve, and tonight's investigation was all set to go, after an introduction at the Salutation Inn, the guests were led down to Stanford house, to conduct the Halloween Investigation. Who knew what would happen this night, of all nights.
SINGAPORE THEORY.
Like the previous night's investigation, the night started with the Singapore theory. Sensors were placed under the portraits of the house's former in the hopes that we might be able to communicate or the very least identity who might still be here.
During this session, as the history of the house was revealed. The sensor underneath the portrait of William Stanford continued to keep going almost as if in response to the various stories and questions that were being presented. This was consistent across both evenings interestingly.
YES & NO
Our first session of yes & no was quite quiet at first; the group moved into a circle. During this part a guest felt their hands rising. Soon the responses that were being given seemed to be that from a child, possibly a small girl. When asked, the responses seemed to imply that the little girl was near a desk?
Our second session seemed more responsive with more consistent answers to the questions that were being asked. Throughout the session once again it seemed that the spirit of a little girl came through. At one point, it seemed like the spirit of a man and a young boy also came through.
Coffin Estes Method
Once again, we took the coffin estes method. During our session we received responses that someone or something needed help or support. Our Deadbell went off repeatedly in response to some of the questions, then suddenly after hearing the word “goodbye” everything went silent. One of our guests wore a cross on their necks and one of the responses other than holy was dirty came through.
During our second session it seemed like the spirit of John Burnside came through as one of our guests felt like they was in interaction with him. During this session, the spirit of a pregnant woman came through and responded to questions, two of our guests in this session felt pains in their sides.
Victorian Blindfold Seance.
During our blindfolded Victorian seance once again this was conducted in the small safe room. This was quite an intense session. The guests that was closest to the safe reported the feeling of pressure on their bodies, almost as if someone was leaning on them. They felt uncomfortable and uneasy. One guest reported that their arm was pulled all the way back, causing them to burst into tears.
Other guests felt a tingling sensation and more feelings of pressure upon themselves. The sounds of tapping was heard. Many felt as if their arms were being lifted. At one point in this session, an evil laugh was reportedly heard.
EVP
During this EVP session, many questions wee asked to try and gain a response but one of the strangest and possibly sinister reports was that of a growl/heavy breathing coming through three times.