(UK Paranormal)
Mike Driscoll.
Wendy Driscoll.
Ray Matthews.
Scott Badger.
Keryn Carter.
Anji Ricobi.
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2 x Digital Video Camera.
(NightShot).
4 x Digital Still Cameras.
1 x Advantix stills camera.
Multiple flashes for all cameras.
4 x Dictaphones.
2 x EMF Meters.
Walkie Talkies.
Digital thermometer with remote units.
Lap Top computer with motion sensing software.
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UK Paranormal were asked to take part in a television program to be aired sometime in March 2004. We accepted and the venue was then chosen from two candidates. The Black Swan was deemed most suitable for filming so we arranged a date for the 4th October.
When the team arrived the filming was already under way as they interviewed the owner, the staff, and John Girvin, a local Devizes historian. During this time we decided to discuss our plans for the night as we had already decided that we would probably continue the vigil after the film crew had left. There was not much else that we could accomplish during this time so we had nothing to do but play the waiting game.
Once they had finished the filming, introductions were made to the members of the team who had not yet met the crew, and then a brief idea of the program was relayed. At this time, a certain member of the team was starting to suffer a little stage fright, (Funny how he can chase ghosts around in a haunted building without fear, but when a camera is trained on him…)
After we had dinner we headed down into the cellars where the filming was due to begin. First they wanted to film us setting up an experiment, so we set two controls using flour, marbles, and a cross. These were set in two separate areas. Once they were satisfied that they had covered that part of our work it was time for the small acting parts (We made it clear that at no point would we indulge in anything that would involve falsifying of evidence though.)
In all, the filming in the cellar took about an hour and before we knew it we were standing alone in the pub. Filming was over and the building was settling down. We had no idea that the night was going to be even more interesting now that the commotion had died down.
Once all was finished with the TV crew, we checked the situation in the cellar to see if it was worth continuing on for the night. (They had used a smoke machine so the cellar was quite misty, but in next to no time it had cleared enough to begin). We made a quick check of the controls to make sure they had not been touched during filming and then we headed back upstairs to sort out our plan of action.
A look at what the sensitives had written down showed that there had been quite some activity, even during filming. Following is a transcription of all written accounts taken during the vigil.
1 -
23.00 Man on horseback, namely a rogue. People waiting to escape in 2nd left side of cellar.
23.01 Two robbers knelt down playing with the earth (burying something).
23.02 Pip experiences sharp pain in head, as though something has fallen from the ceiling. (Centre cellar).
23.03 Little boy running around upstairs (Blonde hair). A wall hiding a man and a horse. Wall not always there.
23.10 Something underground.
23.11 Small boy in pantry (Left to bottom of stairs).
23.13 Left cellar to the top right, some kind of entry.
23.15 Middle aged woman in ladies toilet.
23.18 Tall man in room left to the top of the stairs that lead to the conference room, like an usher. Some kind of judging taking place. Another door where men are escaping down another staircase. Hangings outside in the square.
23.26 Very drunken man in light long coat, wearing a hat, has stubble. Waiting for another man, he's stumbling, trying to talk to a man and woman who is waiting for a lift in order to escape and time is running out.
23.30 Pip feels very sick and her tummy aches as though she has been punched in the stomach. A fight is breaking out, more of a scuffle really. A man has fallen to the ground (the drunken man), he's been stabbed in the left side and blood is coming from his mouth. He has something in his hand.
2. This is a brief transcript of the events of the vigil and the sensitive's impressions.
12.25 Reflection of an old man with short grey hair looking at me, reflected in the certificate of excellence frame facing the bar. (Black frame)
12.44 Cold draft on hand, in bar area.
12.55 Pip saw arm, elbow/wrist in cellar.
01.08 Bar area/ eating area. Old lady's presence - singing/humming.
01.10 Cold spots in party room. (left at top of first flight of stairs).
01.15 Young man, quite good looking knocking on door to room 4. Slowly turning the handle (to avoid being heard by anybody). Coming into the room and being greeted by young lady smiling at him. She is a maid, dark hair and pretty. She is in love with the man.
01.16 Name - Victoria (Anji picked up this name, and she never usually gets names).
01.20 Head and shoulder of man flashed in corner of dining room (front)
01.24 Wendy hears noises in cellar whilst Mike, Scotty are in room 4 setting up control experiment. Ray goes down to check but finds nothing, comes back up.
01.30 Eating area, fireplace, felt movement, quick shadows.
01.50 Wendy and Pip smell a weed (herbal).
02.05 Lots of noise outside.
Once Mike and Scotty returned from setting the room 4 control, it was decided to set up another in the conference room. Once this was running, the team headed down into the cellar to conduct a table tipping experiment.
Although the table did not move during the experiment, some very interesting results were gathered.
02.50 Wendy collapses during table tipping. A general feeling of unease is reported. Anji reports feeling a presence from the other room just before the collapse. Wendy is taken away to recover.
02.55 Anji smells something that is similar to impulse.
02.56 Wendy and Anji hear a door move.
03.00 Ray sees quick flash of what looks like horse head apparition, but has since reported that it was more than likely flash residue and image recognition brought about by his knowledge of Ambrose Saintsbury.
03.06 Toilet door bangs.
03.07 There is a large spike on emf, but no reason can be found.
03.30 Pip suddenly starts gagging and feels as though she is being choked. She leaves the area to recover. Unusual click heard in bar area that cannot be identified.
03.55 The team decide to try and bait Ambrose into showing himself. Mike gets a really uncomfortable feeling.
04.04 Pip has an extreme laughing fit for no apparent reason. Says she kept seeing images of clowns.
04.05 Mike and Ray hear a scuff like sound beyond the cellar door.
04.16 Glass ping sound heard by all, but each thinks it comes from different location.
04.17 Something touches Pip on the lower back.
04.27 Pip sees something to the left side of Mike. Mike also described to Ray earlier how he felt there was something there.
At this point it was decided to call it a night as everyone was feeling rather drained.
After checking all video footage we can report that nothing of any significance was captured. There was one anomaly on the EVP recordings. Caught in the restaurant area towards the front of the building. However as we are unsure weather or not this completely genuine and not just something picked from outside we have decided that it can not be used.
It must be pointed out that we have done the Black Swan twice before and so some of the things picked up by the sensitive's here was already known, but we always encourage them to write down anything they feel, whether they think it is relevant or not. After a third investigation of this venue, it is the impression of UK Paranormal that there does seem to be something in the cellars, but what it is, is still to be discovered.
Ray Matthews.
I would like to add on a personal note that this vigil was from psychical point of view one of the most interesting we have so far conducted. In my opinion there is something happening in the cellars of the Swan, but weather it is paranormal in nature or the result of air pollution or even low frequency sound can not be determined at this point due to the limitation we have in our personal gear. We will certainly continue to visit this fascinating venue and continue our work there!
If you would like to stay at the Black Swan or indeed contact them about a vigil of your own they are at:
Black Swan,
Market place,
Devizes.
Tel: 01380 723259
Keep watching this space… (And don't forget the TV Program in March 2004).
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