Our event at the celebrated Busby Stoop Inn in Thirsk - often hailed as one of York’s most haunted buildings - started off in true Friday 13th style when the owners informed us that the haunted bedrooms we had booked for the event had been flooded out due to heavy overnight rain which had seeped through the roof. Nevertheless we decided that there were enough accessible haunted areas to investigate the notorious drinking den and just had to go ahead.

We started with a combined group vigil in the main bar and called out continuously hoping to make contact with some of its resident spirits including the child thought to be the girl who was drowned in the nearby river in the 1970’s after her mother checked into the old former coaching inn and the ghostly maid regularly spotted in both the gents and ladies toilets which now sit in a space once occupied by the original kitchen. Try as we might however these and the other ghostly inhabitants refused to communicate with us for the whole night and apart from some odd spikes on the EMF metres absolutely nothing unexplained occurred. Two of our game lady ghost hunters even sat in the area said to be frequented by the territorial spirit of Jack supposedly known to have a strong dislike for women but absolutely nothing occurred.

As one group sat in the restaurant area of the bar they heard an interesting heavy noise down the bottom end but could not totally rule out the cause as being from the group investigating the toilet areas. Notwithstanding the lack of paranormal or unexplained phenomena our fantastic ghost hunters remained bright and cheerful and full of good humour. One laughingly commented, “At least we know you don’t make stuff up!” The team who particularly felt for a group of first time ghost hunters appreciated the sentiment and it was true as the lack of activity proved to any doubters that as we always stress we NEVER stage things on any event and would rather have a quiet night than deceive ourselves and/or the public that ghostly activity has occurred when it has not. That said we have never experienced such a quiet night as the Friday 13th spent in the Busby Stoop and even on other less buzzing ghost hunts usually have a little something of an evidential nature to think about. Not to worry it’s the nature of the beast as they say and the team at least have the fabulous Lincoln Gaol coming up. Will we go back to the Busby Stoop for another try at contacting its shy and diffident ghosts? Maybe but just not for a while.

The team and I were invited to check out two old houses in North Wales this week-end which were thought to be haunted. We had a great time and received a lovely and friendly welcome from the owners. Whilst in the area we took the time to check out the nearby abandoned Denbigh mental asylum which was recently feautured on Most Haunted Live and Ghosts of the Asylum. It has to be the most foreboding, eerie and amazing building I have ever seen. Pictures of it just do not do it justice or capture its full magnificence and the fact that it stands in between two other incredible derelict and abandoned buildings only emphasises its loneliness. It is an absolute travesty that these fantastic buildings have been left to rot and someone should be made accountable for the sheer waste and irresponsibility of such actions. If ever you get the chance do check it out for yourself. You certainly wont be disappointed.

Lesley x

The Golden Fleece in York has an unmistakable and unique atmosphere and is a joy to investigate. Perhaps it’s the mere thought of the numbers of people and different time periods the place has known over 500 years of occupation that triggers the mind into believing that a ghost may be lurking around every corner. Having noted its creepy ambience it is of course the serious job of every investigation team to separate the setting (however suggestive of ghosts) from the evidential reality of what just may be paranormal activity which defies all rational explanation and we certainly did have some interesting phenomena during our time exploring the place.

One group experienced two unexplained flashes of light whilst investigating the Shambles room and footsteps were heard by another group which were described as moving around them. When in St.Katherine’s room spikes were noted on the K2 EMF meter with no logical reason being found to account for the anomaly. Distinct knocking occurred on request in this area and in the downstairs back bar. A few people were also thrilled when they heard what was described as a woman’s moan or whining sound. During a combined vigil in the Function room one lady astonished her friends and family by becoming suddenly emotional and running from the room in tears. They all said that she was never known to cry and was well recognised as one to always be in strict control of her emotions. She went onto to describe that after laughing and joking earlier she was suddenly overcome by the most overwhelming sense of sadness leaving her dumbfounded as to what had triggered the bizarre episode. Thankfully she soon returned to her normal jovial self but what interested the team was that one of the ghosts reported in that same room is that of a woman who runs out screaming in tears as though terrified and fleeing from something terrible. So was this tragic soul’s panic and emotion actually being transferred onto one of our ghost hunters?

Whilst in our own experience the Golden Fleece has never quite lived up to its reputation as the most haunted building in York it has always shown to be worthy of investigation. The team are really excited however to pitch it against another North Yorkshire drinking den later this month when we conduct our first-time ghost hunt at the Busby Stoop Inn - which also competes for the same title. We will keep you all posted as to what we discover during our night there on Friday 13th August (!) or better still why not come along and take part. Just a few places left now!