The Shakespeare Hotel - Manchester

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:25:00 +0000

Date: March 10th 2012.

Team Present: Chris Andrews, Jo Alton, Chrissie Tither, Judith Singleton

Jemma Couser, Shirley Bell, Martin Cooper, Emma Knight, Gwen Cooper, Ian Brown

Member Guests: James Wilson and Cindy Hoskins

Time: 11.30pm till 0300. Weather Conditions: Cool, Dry & Still.

The investigation commenced with the setting up of camera equipment and monitor for Ian to analyse during the evening.

Chris checked the main stairs for dust by using a laser and monitoring the levels of dust emitted as we were setting up CCTV cameras in this area to monitor the stairs, the purpose of this was to be aware of possible orbs that could be seen on the cameras as being dust and skin particles. Chris also noted that the stairs were uneven after using a tape measure and plumb line, this would possibly cause disorientation when climbing up or going down the stair case. We were all aware of a very pungent smell of sewers in the upstairs dining area which is a possibility of a broken sewer pipe which would be emitting methane gas to a degree however wasn’t to such high levels that it could be combustible.

Jemma implemented the use of her answer card deck in a bid to perform readings of the room at the beginning of the evening this is what she came up with:

Jemma reports seeing a teenage girl aged around 15 to 16 from the period of 1857, who came across as a sweet girl but in male company could be a bit of a tease.

Her job in the establishment would have been to tend the candles and light them. She is thought to have had a confrontation with a male at the top of the stairs in which possibly resulted in her being pushed down the stairs, as she was falling, she it is believed that she may have knocked the candles off the wall which may have caused her to catch fire.

The male involved, whilst in shock, stood at the top of the stairs and stared at the girl as she burned to death, he offered her no help. In his guilt, he is believed to have taken his own life by hanging himself in the living quarters of the hotel above the kitchen.

I (Judith) was in the bar area upstairs using the EMF meter (Electro Magnetic Field Meter) checking for potential EMF hotspots.

I found that close to the bar itself was a very high EMF reading which were in a straight line to about a foot long, theses readings would be there for a minute or so then disappear then reappeared a couple of minutes later.

On investigating this further I found on the other side of the bar was a cooler unit for the pumps which is on a thermostat, which would give me the intermittent readings of high EMF. Some but not all of the plug sockets in the upstairs area also gave off readings of high EMF.

Shirley sets up a trigger object which consists of a tray covered in flour with old coins, small skittles and a gold ball. A photograph was taken of this after she set it up. We left it all evening but had no movement or results off this, a photograph was taken at the end of the investigation as comparison.

On inspection of the cellars, we found it to be extremely noisy, as there were pumps and beer coolers running. A lot of the team members were experiencing feelings of sickness in one of the rooms in the cellar, on inspection Chris noticed electrical wiring in that vicinity amongst the ceiling beams and walls, he explained that this in turn was also giving off very high EMF readings (Electro Magnetic Field). EMF can cause a number of unwanted bodily reactions including, Feelings of sickness, Disorientation, Light headedness. The ceilings were also very low so the air in the atmosphere was quite heavy and was also damp as many cellars are.

With the air been damp and heavy, the possibilities of orb like anomalies was high, as water particles contained within the air could cause light reflection from the flash, and present themselves as orbs in photographs and on video cameras. Insects will also have the same effect on cameras and present themselves as orbs.

Martin and Jemma both entered a small room in the cellars which had a door to it that was only 3ft high. In this room the first few feet was covered in a thick muddy silt, as there was water leaking from the ceiling. Beyond this, was an open dry space which contained a single chair and table.

Martin discovered a single strand of blonde hair, which was dangling from the ceiling beams. This may have been left by previous groups who have conducted paranormal investigations in the past. This may also be the reason a chair and table have been left there, as this room isn’t used by the hotel that we aware of.

Martin commenced filming in this area which at present is being analysed & put together. Both Martin and Jemma found that this area had a suppressing feeling to it and on doing a call in the room they both found the room to go darker, and people observing at the door entrance also commented on how the room appeared to get darker during this call out. A Dictaphone was also used at this time which at present is being analysed.

While investigating the cellars James was escorted back to the hub area as he reported feeling unwell, of which may have been due to the atmospheric conditions in the cellar. Some people are affected more than others.

On returning to the hub (which was located in the dining area upstairs)

James reports feelings of being strangled, or that maybe someone was hung, he felt this was a man in his late 20’s to early 30’s who was very sad (maybe suicidal) he also feels that there is also a woman with him who passed over aged 28, She had long black curly hair. He felt this was a couple. James then had to leave the room saying “Whoa this is weird” (felt it wasn’t him). Gwen has commented she kept hearing humming noises in the hub area.

I (Judith) sit on the stairs with Michaela documenting. I feel the presence of a little girl aged around 8 years old, with long blonde hair and carrying a rag doll. I feel that reports have been made of the sound of someone running up the stairs to have nobody come into the room and find no one on the stairs. I feel that she is running away from someone. I feel that this is residual energy and has come with the pub when it was moved from Chester.

1.30 Planchette experiment. (The Planchette is an automatic writing tool.)

James, Cindy, Emma and Jemma all place their fingers on the Planchette upside down to minimising the risks of pushing the Planchette accidentally. Emma starts calling out for energies to come forward, she feels there is no energy and it is flat. James calls out still no response. Jemma calls out stills feels flat so Chrissie who is documenting takes over all 4 people on the Planchette feel it twist and turn yet the pen doesn’t move. Chrissie right eye starts to water and she sees an orb pass in front of Cindy. Nothing else seems to be happening so the Planchette is closed down at 1.45am.

Investigation is terminated at 0200.

Investigation Conclusion:

On a scale the Shakespeare is an old venue and is situated in the heart of the city centre.

It has been visited by previous paranormal organisations in the past, of who all have drawn their own conclusions.

For Phase2, our scientific methods could find no evidence to support phenomena which couldn’t be rationally explained, and would therefore deem as non-paranormal.

However, we are awaiting final analysis of our footage and other recorded media.

Photographs taken by Gwen Cooper, using a 35mm disposable camera did show some unusual images, however, these have been submitted to & examined by a photography expert, and the professional opinion returned to us is that the film may be "fogging" This is a effect created by faults occurring on the film during the manufacturing process or can happen during the processing stage in the photo laboratory. A similar effect called striping can happen if the film or camera has passed through a x ray machine similar to the ones found at airport security as the film is being hammered by x ray emissions but this effect would occur thoughout the entire film roll. As this effect was at the beginning of the film this probably occurred during the manufacturing stage, probably by light entering the film case or faulty photochemical coating.

Our Psychic methods where somewhat more conclusive, with presences & event being described and experienced.

Some names & events experienced on a psychic level have been verified as true happenings, although confirmation has been issued on certain elements, we as rational investigators can still not confirm the presence of any paranormal activity or phenomena, this however does not state that activity is not there, it merely records our findings and conclusions of the nights events.

Phase2Paranormal

The Shakespeare Hotel - Manchester