Haunted Earth`s Ghost World

A GHOSTLY INVESTIGATION OF CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL, IRELAND - PARTS ONE & TWO

2018-01-18T17:50:00.000+00:00

In early January 2018 I flew over to Belfast to join for the evening with Ghost Searchers Ireland (GSI) to investigate the former prison at Crumlin Road.

The prison (like most) has a tragic past, with women and children being imprisoned there from the early days, and later, members of I.R.A and their mortal enemies, the UVF and UDF during the period known as `The Troubles`.

In its history, a total of 17 men were executed there for various crimes, and 15 of them still remain within the prison grounds in unconsecrated ground.

The prison has a history of abuse and suicides, the most poignant being the suicide of a 10-year-old boy named Patrick Magee, who hung himself following imprisonment by a court.

There are many recorded ghostly events reported within the prison which are detailed in the show, but what we experienced added a new dimension to that ghostly history which was verbal abuse never recorded before.

Even more weirdly, twice threats were made to kill me by these inmates and recorded as EVP.
It is believed that the reason they chose to be so vulgar in their comments was due to the fact that I am an Englishman who was formerly a police officer.

Historically, the Irish had every reason to fear outsiders and the police because of the tragic and inhumane treatment of them, and particularly during the 19th century when many died of starvation due to the `Potato Famine` when their crops were blighted and destroyed leaving the majority desperate for food. The British and the landowners of that time largely refused to help, and so many fled to the then colonies and the USA to escape starvation and death.

It is fair to point out that it wasn`t only the Irish who suffered at the hands of the British.
Many people from all over the UK lived in dire poverty and suffered heinous abuse at the hands of the then government.
But for the Irish, the British (mostly wealthy and landed Scots and English) wanted to ethnically `cleanse` the country of the poor, and to canvass public support magazines of the day portrayed them as savages more akin to being ape-like than human - as you can see from this image.

Following the Irish revolt when the majority of the country seceded from Britain, it later led to the IRA committing more murders and ultimately, `The Troubles`, as Britain retained the northern part.

It is every credit that today the majority of the Irish - both North and South have buried the stirred enmities of the past, and the country as a whole enjoys a new era of peace and reconciliation with each other.

When I led this investigation I was completely mindful of its history and knew my presence was likely to stir up old animosities which resulted in some of the most amazing EVP ever being recorded there.

Here is a free preview of some of the events you will see in this two-part show.

In the below video I experience my first threat to kill me. I was referred to as a `Peeler` which is an archaic term for a police officer, and still used today.

In this feature, you`ll hear some amazing Class A EVP, and some extremely coarse language which clearly showed their displeasure at me being there.

And in this final `taster` clip, we recorded Class A EVP of a man speaking a tongue which we assumed was Gaelic, but Irish language speakers have declared it to be not Irish, but unknown.

As you can appreciate this is possibly one of the very best investigations to date.
And you can see this show Friday night (January 19th, 2018) at 10 pm (UK time) when I will post a link to this page for you to view part one.

My special thanks to Gary Watters and his excellent team at Ghost Searchers Ireland for inviting me over to work with them.

HERE IS THE LINK TO PART ONE (Broadcast date 19th January 2018)

HERE IS THE LINK TO PART 2 TONIGHT (26th January 2018) Starts at 10pm (UK time)

NEW HAUNTED EARTH 2018 CALENDAR - `REFLECTIONS`

2017-12-11T19:41:00.000+00:00

This is an advertisement for my new Haunted Earth calendar for 2018.

It is printed on thick paper which is semi-glossy and has unique images taken by me and voted for by viewers on Facebook.

Some of you are aware that photography is a strong interest of mine and here are 13 images shot by me in East Anglia.

This is a limited edition print run and won`t be repeated.

The calendar when folded out on it`s spiral hinge is A3 in size and includes public holidays in the UK and US.

There is also ample space to write in important dates.

I do hope you`ll buy a copy as funding is intended to purchase a higher quality camcorder for my video work.

International Standard (airmail) and International tracking signature services Sat 16 Dec Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Fri 15 Dec Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Switzerland Wed 13 Dec Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland Thur 14 Dec Canada, Finland, Sweden, USA United Kingdom Fri 22 Dec Special Delivery Guaranteed Saturday Delivery Thur 21 Dec Special Delivery Guaranteed Thur 21 Dec 1st Class and 1st Class Signed For Wed 20 Dec 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For Here is a purchase link:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR PURCHASE

THE LEGEND OF BORLEY RECTORY & CHURCH - A para-documentary

2017-11-26T12:52:00.000+00:00

In any investigation, the testimony of witnesses is key to deciding whether accounts given by them stand up to scrutiny. And the Borley Rectory story of alleged paranormality is one of them.
In terms of hard verifiable evidence, there is very little, if hardly any at all.

So the course of events from Borley`s inception to it`s later destruction rests largely on Harry Price the incumbent clergy, and also the families and staff who lived and worked there.
This documentary attempts to place Borley into a clearer perspective by analysing these accounts and the character of those involved.

Certainly, by the time the Daily Mirror became involved, the rectory was well known locally for reported activity, and there cannot be any doubt that the rectory was spiritually active, but ..... by how much?

Throughout it`s life, the hauntings were always variable according to whoever the witnessed them. By the time of the Foysters, they seemingly reached a crescendo of activity.

I hope you enjoy this presentation as I attempt to draw some balance in the entire rectory story by focussing on the main actors, and looking more in depth at their characters and honesty.

In my mind, this is far more compelling than simple witness accounts.

I also return to the hauntings at Borley church, which not only has many reports of activity both within and outside the church, but also has some evidence provided by a paranormal investigation in the 1970`s.

Was it the most haunted house. Or was it merely an opportunity for fame and fortune?
Here all is revealed from facts surrounding this most infamous of cases.

A taster for the show

The show becomes viewable at 10pm (UK) time, tonight, November 26th 2017

A HAUNTED EXPERIENCE IN A TRANSYLVANIAN CEMETERY - A Para-Documentary

2017-11-08T16:40:00.000+00:00

In late August, 2017 and while visiting Transylvania to to explore Hoia Baciu Forest on the outskirts of Cluj Napoca, I visited Central Cemetery with my resident friend and guide, Agatha Eliza.
I`ve never visited a Romanian cemetery before, and found this visit fascinating both in terms of history, culture and as well as architecture.
This is a bonus video to enjoy, and includes some samples of EVP captured on the day.
I truly enjoyed this outing and sincerely hope that you will too.

HISTORY

Hajongard cemetery (officially Central Cemetery, in Hungarian Házsongárdi temető, from German Hasengarten), on Avram Iancu Street, is one of the oldest cemeteries in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, founded in the sixteenth century. It is one of the most picturesque sights of the city. It covers an area of ca. 14 hectares.

VIEWING LINK (Operational from 2200 hrs, GMT 8th November 2017).

A HAUNTING AT BACHELOR`S GROVE - PURPORTEDLY THE WORLD'S MOST HAUNTED CEMETERY

2017-10-21T12:12:00.000+01:00

In October 2017 while in Chicago for the para-con, I visited in company with Cheryl Lynn Carter and Melissa De Santis, the cemetery and woods at Bachelor's Grove, Midlothian, Illinois.

Reputedly the world`s most haunted cemetery, it certainly lived up to it`s reputation with a series of amazing events which included - EVP, strange smells, and the sounds of a woodman splitting logs and musket fire from the woods being recorded to camcorder.

A very intense investigation, and one I hope you will all enjoy.

This show will be viewable from the second link at 10pm (UK time) today, Saturday October 21st 2017.

The Main Show

A DAY AND NIGHT VISIT AND INVESTIGATION IN HOIA BACIU FOREST

2017-09-15T22:01:00.000+01:00

Marius Lazin - Hoia Baciu Project

TRAILER

Having visited Poveglia, reputedly the most haunted island in the world I decided in late August to visit and investigate Hoia Baciu forest in Transylvania, Romania which is regarded to be the world's most haunted forest.

Meeting up with Marius Lazin from the Hoia Baciu Forest Project, plus two friends, I explored the forest during daylight, twilight and finally during full darkness.

The forest historically dates back over 55,000 years, and since medieval times it has been the scene of a number of reported disappearances ranging from 200 medieval people, a shepherd and his flock (for whom the forest is named after), and numerous people right through to the 20th century.
One famous case speaks of a young girl who disappeared for over 5 years, but later emerged with no change to her age or clothing.

One of the many UFO`s shot over the forest by Emil Barnea

Just off into the forest .....

The forest is also reputedly haunted and during the 1960`s, it was the scene of a number of UFO sightings which were seen above the circle clearing in the forest.
My visit touched on a number of reported anomalies, and particularly the lights which have reportedly been seen, and also emotional intensity experienced by some visitors.
Another interesting facet of the forest legend is the fact that there are a lot of tree`s with abnormal growth. Many appear bent or distorted. These I explored in some detail too.
All in all it was a fascinating investigation resulting in EVP being captured on 2 cams.
Also some experiments with EMF meters yielded some interesting results which are shared in the video.

FULL SHOW

A VISIT TO A VERY HAUNTED NAPOLEONIC ERA FORT

2017-07-28T15:43:00.000+01:00

Early in June 2017, and just prior to my jaunt to the Adriatic to visit Venice and Poveglia with my American friend Mark Painter, we visited Harwich Redoubt Fort, in Harwich, Essex. A town famous in history for it`s connections to The Mayflower.
The Redoubt was built as a harbour defence for a possible invasion by the French during the Napoleonic era.
The fact that it exists today is down to the volunteer labour from the people of Harwich who stepped in to help restore it.
During the restoration, they even discovered a huge Victorian cannon which had been dumped in the moat.
Anyway, our visit was to tap into the presences there, and we were not unrewarded despite the dreadful weather conditions outside!

THIS SHOW WILL BE `LIVE` FROM 2200hrs (BST - GMT+1) FRIDAY 28th JULY 2017

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HAUNTED EARTH 2017 DOUBLE DVD `SPIRIT REALMS` BRAND NEW SET!

2017-07-20T16:13:00.003+01:00

Here is the latest Haunted Earth double DVD set .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAUNTED-EARTH-2017-DOUBLE-DVD-SPIRIT-REALMS-BRAND-NEW-/253055063148?roken=cUgayN

Each set is surface printed with high quality case and free autographed card. Each set will be despatched the following working day on receipt of payment.
Payments will be via Paypal - you do not have to have an Ebay account nor a Paypal account to purchase.

Contained on DVD 1
A night in a haunted watch office (Coleby Grange control tower).
The haunting at Potsford Gibbet
The strange case of a ghostly priest who refused to die.
A day and a night in a haunted medieval ruin.

Contained on DVD 2
A visit to haunted Bachelor's Grove (Chicago)
A return to the haunted bunker (ww2 control bunker)
A haunted bridge of whispers.
AND AS A BONUS FOR FREE
Some selections of my own musical compositions.

Each DVD set costs £25 GBP
For p&p please add.
UK £2.95 (signed 1st class)
Everywhere else (inc: Europe/ USA/Canada/Australia/South Africa and New Zealand) add £5.30
Each set sent in a protected Jiffy bag.
All proceeds will be used to visit Romania in August to shoot two investigations at the world`s most haunted forest of Hoia Baciu and at a Transylvanian castle!
So for you all it`s a win win situation :)

PLEASE SUPPORT MY WORK ON PATREON TO ALLOW ME ACCESS TO INVESTIGATE SOME OF THE WORLD`S MOST AMAZING HAUNTED PLACES.
Links:
Patreon account:
https://www.patreon.com/ChrisHalton
Patreon link has full details.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Haunted.Earth

POVEGLIA - PART TWO - THE NIGHT INVESTIGATION OF THE MOST HAUNTED ISLAND ON EARTH!

2017-06-22T09:25:00.000+01:00

Here is a short `taster` from my new two part show filmed on the island of Poveglia in the lagoon of Venice.
The first part is a day exploration of the hospital ruins and a trip to where the ash of 161,000 souls was deposited following mass cremations for the bubonic plague.
Undoubtedly, the island is deserving of it`s reputation, and I believe that in this show (shot with my American friend, Mark Painter) that we have possibly the best activity ever captured there.

Below is the main show for part one which will be public on Friday, 23rd June 2017 at 10pm (GMT).

HERE IS THE LINK TO PART TWO TO BE BROADCAST FROM 10pm June 30th 2017

A HAUNTED BRIDGE OF WHISPERS - A Mini Para-documentary with Ghost Box session

2017-05-24T18:08:00.000+01:00

Following a haunted tale concerning the apparent death of a Lady Sparrow in the 19th century, I set foot on a derelict bridge which witnessed the last moments of this lady`s life as her horse took her and her carriage into the depths of a lake where she drowned.
I recount that story, and reference the Irish labour that was required to build the lake and bridge, and of whom many died both there and elsewhere on dangerous construction projects where health and safety wasn't an issue. And interesting to note I picked up many Irish EVP`s with some voices interacting with me towards the end. One telling me that I had visitors, and sure enough three youths arrived at the locality to have a BBQ. How amazing is that?
I do hope you will enjoy.

PLEASE NOTE: THE BELOW LINK WILL BE ACTIVE AT 10pm TONIGHT (24/5/2017)

Links:

Patreon account:
https://www.patreon.com/ChrisHalton

Please support me if you can. Your help is important to allow me to shoot at better locations and to improve the quality of my work. - Patreon link has full details.

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Haunted.Earth
Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Constantine9999

GHOSTLY ENCOUNTERS AT AN ANCIENT CASTLE RUIN

2017-05-21T14:17:00.000+01:00

In this show, I attend Baconsthorpe Castle in Norfolk with Eddie Mallett to investigate the inner and outer gatehouse. The site traditionally is active with light anomalies, some of which were caught there three years ago on a similar investigation. On this occasion some EVP was captured by both Eddie and myself, and a fantastic light anomaly was caught on cam by Eddie in an empty castle room. This is a beautiful site with a great history and I hope you`ll enjoy this visit as much as us.

GHOSTLY ENCOUNTERS WITH A RELUCTANT SPIRIT- FULL P-SB7 SESSION

2017-04-15T14:42:00.001+01:00

This time I visit a church cemetery dating back to the 11th century during twilight to see whether or not spirit wanted to communicate.
This was very unusual in as much as spirit knew who I was, and later, a presence repeated three times the same question.
Quite an interesting journey out into the countryside, and the last `ghost box` shoot before filming soon a new para-documentary.
I hope you enjoy :)
This video will be viewable at the link below from 10pm (GMT) tonight, April 15th,2017

A RETURN TO THE HAUNTED BUNKER - FULL P-SB7 `GHOST BOX` SESSION

2017-04-11T15:43:00.001+01:00

In this edition, I return once more to the scene of over five years solid investigation which is the former WW2 bunker at Rivenhall, Essex.
I could write a book on the activity recorded there, but instead I will share this earlier show which collates much of these paranormal events.

Joining me on this visit is Andy Radley, a fellow paranormal investigator and WW2 enthusiast.
Andy decided to wear his USAAF Captain`s uniform to draw through activity relevant to that period.
And by utilising a P-SB7 `ghost box` - which I have never used here previously, it was evident that the presences were not too happy as you will see and hear.
The bunker was a place that helped much into my research of haunted places as I was able to measure and quantify activity. This is an opportunity that you seldom get at other locations.
I hope as always that you enjoy this show and will share to friends and colleagues.
The show will start at 10pm (GMT) tonight, Tuesday 11th April, 2017 when the link below comes active.
Until then, enjoy the earlier video. It is very enlightening.

THE STRANGE CASE OF A GHOSTLY PRIEST WHO REFUSED TO DIE - WITH FULL P-SB7 `GHOST BOX` SESSION

2017-04-01T16:39:00.000+01:00

Recently, I spent some hours investigating on camcorder and `ghost box` the former church at Santon Downham in Norfolk.

This was subject to an earlier investigation over two years ago and a link is published below for those who may not have seen it.

Santon church is no longer used for Christian worship with the summer months being handed over to a colony of bats which use the church for breeding. During the day, it is only open then to visitors.

The church has a notorious history of haunting, with my guide and friend in the paranormal, Eddie Mallett who has recorded activity there over the years with some spectacular results as can be seen from these captures reproduced here with Eddie`s permission.

Is that a figure in the mist?

On the night in question we were joined by fellow paranormal enthusiast and investigator, Michelle Fairhurst who has investigated the church a number of times.

The evening started off quietly enough, but gradually the temper and atmosphere changed when we started a `ghost box` session which clearly showed that the late Rev. Kendell wanted to communicate.

The responses from the ghost box were simply amazing, and importantly very clear from the outset as we progressed through a three hour investigation.

A light anomaly captured

Some amazing activity was also captured on video showing a pair of white light ghostly feet zipping
down the aisle, and the sound of someone attempting to interfere with Eddie`s camcorder tripod while we were outside - leaving the church empty.

I am drawn to believe that the only active spirit in this building is the Reverend Kendell who is able to confect some amazing activity and create multiple personalities in there.

I recall that during my first visit to Santon something very unusual was captured during an interview with Eddie that you can see here:

This current visit produced a vast array of paranormal activity which I hope you will be able to enjoy.
THE BELOW LINK WILL BE ACTIVE FROM 10pm (TONIGHT) SATURDAY APRIL 1st 2017.

A DAY & NIGHT IN A HAUNTED MEDIEVAL RUIN - A Para-documentary

2017-03-13T20:46:00.001+00:00

In company with Eddie Mallett, we visit a rather obscure and seldom known haunted medieval church ruin which was destroyed when a jet fighter flew over low in 1949. The vibrations of a near impact were enough to destroy the tower and nave.
The church is reputedly haunted by a priest, and strange lights.
During our visit we were able to capture a light anomaly and quite a bit of EVP. Yet the site feels pleasant enough with no negativity.
An enjoyable day and night visit to Tivetshall St Mary, in rural Norfolk. I do hope you will enjoy :)

Below is the link for tonight`s show at 10pm (GMT). It has lots of EVP and a light anomaly to share.

GHOSTLY MANIFESTATION CAPTURED IN THE WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE?

2017-02-10T18:29:00.000+00:00

From this recent publicity shot issued by the White House there can be seen two light anomalies above and in front of President Trump, with a further form over the doorway.
The image has been examined for light reflection on the lens, smears, or other explainable causes.
The shot was carefully taken to avoid light glare, and a smudge would leave a blurred area over the photograph. And smoking is highly unlikely as President Trump is a non-smoker.
The light form looks to be a genuine haunting with someone in spirit looking over the conversation.

Here is a report on White House hauntings: HAUNTED WHITE HOUSE

I find this image to be fascinating and compellable evidence of a haunting.

A HAUNTED MEDIEVAL INVESTIGATION - A BRIEF VISIT TO AN EARLY MEDIEVAL CHURCH

2017-02-07T17:26:00.002+00:00

I recently visited the church of St Mary the Virgin in the quiet country hamlet of Fairstead in Essex.
The building has been subject to a full historical visit (with paranormal activity) on an earlier date.
The video is linked here: A CHURCH HAUNTED IN TIME
This church can be visited during daylight hours and is but a few miles from Terling from where it is signposted.

During my current visit some interesting EVP was captured which is shared in this production.

I do hope you will enjoy this latest production and hopefully shortly (if the weather improves) I will be visiting my next location, a very interesting church which has in and around an amazing ghostly history.

This video will be live (tonight) Tuesday, February 7th at 10pm GMT.

Here is a short `taster` you can see now with some great EVP!

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE `WHITE LADY GHOST` - A Para-documentary

2017-01-13T16:33:00.000+00:00

On a hot day in August 1975, a Diane Berthelot who was feeling particularly unwell visited with her husband and young son, St Mary Church in the village of Worstead, Norfolk.

While there she sat alone on a pew when her husband took a series of photographs which included one still of her sat down.

Afterwards she apparently felt much better and her health improved after they returned home to Essex.

A while later the images of that day were developed and printed when it was noticed that there was a strange light anomaly behind Diane in the church. The anomaly appears human in form, and some claim that it appears to be wearing an old fashioned hat. People from the village were aware of the legend of the `White Lady`, who apparently possessed curative powers, which they ascribed to helping Diane.

The last known occurrence connected to the legend of the `White Lady` happened many years earlier, in fact during the 1830`s when a guest staying at a local hostelry heard that the `White Lady` appeared in the church every Christmas Eve.

Determined to prove this to be nonsense he decided to climb up into the belfry on Christmas Eve so he could look out for the ghost - should it appear.
He was later discovered in a terrible fright and claimed he had seen her before dying on the spot.
After that, nothing was heard further on this apparition until Diane and her family paid the church a visit.

Critics have argued that the apparition was merely strong sunlight reflecting off someone sat behind Diane. This has been utterly repudiated by the Berthelot family although from looking closely at the image there does seem to appear below the apparition a dark pair of legs with shoes.

However, the legend of the `White Lady` has endured, and many people visit the church in the hope that they might receive some beneficial healing from the presence of this spirit.

During my visit there to film and open up spiritually, I was suffering from a back pain near to my left kidney which has a stone awaiting removal. Can I say I was cured?
That is a difficult question to answer as I clearly felt much better while there, but the pain soon re-appeared after I returned home.

Regardless, I managed to capture some odd E.V.P, and even saw a black shadow drift across the front of the church`s organ.

I hope you enjoy this visit and my impressions gained from being there, which is a beautiful 14th century church with 16th century additions.

A `taster` clip

THIS IS THE MAIN SHOW WHICH WILL BE `LIVE` TO VIEW FROM 10pm (GMT) Friday, January 13th 2017.

THE WELLSTEAD INCIDENT - A GHOST STORY By Chris Halton

2017-01-04T16:18:00.000+00:00

THE WELLSTEAD INCIDENT (c) 2017 - By Chris Halton

Having spent 30 years as a police officer, and dealing with situations that varied from serious crime such as murder, to ordinary domestic related incidents, I was well versed in all that was deemed bad or good in human character.
Indeed such was the temper and tone of my life I was perhaps entwined with the stress and the excitement that came part of that very existence which was what I perceived to be the pure essence of life and death.
And so retirement from all of this became a cut-off point from all that I knew to be normal to my life, and adopting a more sedentary life style was something for which I was ill-accustomed for and wanted.
For some months I decided to follow the same well beaten path of my colleagues in retirement by becoming a private detective, which I had hoped, would allow my well trained legal and investigative faculties to be put at least to some good use.
Despite advertisements in the back pages of local newspapers and circulars, the request for my services appeared more in the vein of following errant husbands or wives in domestic infidelity cases, or chasing debtors for unpaid debts.
In the main these offered little chance for excitement or opportunity to perform a task that well suited my detective skills for which I may be boastful to say that on three past occasions I received a Chief Constables Commendation, and two commendations from judges at court for jobs well done.
This dissatisfaction of not having any real and tangible purpose often left me lingering for the earlier life I enjoyed, and the thought of spending the remainder of my days performing these very humdrum tasks left me feeling somewhat disconsolate with my very being and future.
However, that all was to change on the day of November 10th this year, when I received a telephone call request from a Lady Fitzwilliam, the wife of a businessman of note to call at her home to deal as she briefly said, `with a most pressing and urgent matter that required the greatest discretion.`
Following her instructions, I was directed to contact her personally at her home, Wellstead Hall, near the town of Sudbury in Suffolk.
Arriving at 2.30pm that day, and on a very dull and overcast afternoon, the weather cast a deep gloom over the hall having negotiated a mile long drive to get there.
The house appeared to be a very old timber framed property of great antiquity, with part of the house constructed of a soft mellow sandstone that appeared in part to be the remains of a former monastic building for which the timbered structure had been added later.
Standing a few yards east side of the house I noted the ruins of what appeared to be a chapel of some note which gave the whole site an eerie, if not sombre presence.
Indeed if the house was observed on a more agreeable day, it would look truly magnificent imbued with the history of years long lost in time, but here I digress.
Leaving my car in the curved carriage drive in front of the building, I gathered my case and hat and made my way quickly to a large oaken front door which was from memory painted black with a large brass lions head door knocker.
Lifting the heavy door ring I tapped twice against the back plate from which resonated a loud and almost thunderous echo into the property.
Presently I heard the shuffling of feet, and a voice of a man shout, “Be with you in a moment”.
Within seconds the door creaked open, and standing in front of me was a grey haired, apron wearing gentleman, who was resplendent in a shirt, collar, and tie, and who introduced himself as `her ladyship's valet`; and appeared to be cleaning the inside of the property judging by a rather grubby duster in his rubber gloved hand.
Without further introduction from me, he ushered me into a large hall, which were framed by oil paintings and two fine mahogany hall porter chairs.
With a brief smile he beckoned me to follow into an open door from the hallway into a large heavily beamed drawing room where a slim, well dressed middle-aged woman was sat in a large winged armchair by an open hearth log fire.
She stood to her feet, and smiled and said, “My name is June Fitzwilliam, and you must be the detective I asked to see, named Mr Alshott. Oh, and no formalities here, please call me June, and your first name is?”
“Oh, I`m Derek, pleased to make your acquaintance”, as I outstretched my hand and shook hers.
Having been requested to sit down in the opposite winged chair, Lady Fitzwilliam stared directly into the flames of a rather handsome stone fireplace which was suitably fitted with a large fire dog grate piled with burning logs.
She seemed as though she was mesmerised by the flickering lights curling from the spitting, split wood , and after this momentary distraction she turned to me and said, “So pleased you got here, I`ve been at my wits end over this, let me explain”.
After having been offered and accepted the gentile comforts of an afternoon tea with June and served by her valet, she related to me the following story which I will share here in the main without the necessities of speech quotations.
Some twenty years earlier, June and her husband Sir Angus Fitzwilliam bought the rambling and run down hall from the estate of the former owner, an hereditary peer, Lord Wellstead who died without issue aged 92.
The Wellstead`s had owned the property since the dissolution of the Catholic church in the 16th century. The house was originally the property of a Cluniac order of monks who were forced off the estate in 1536, and much of the original buildings were demolished and sold for building material. By the time the Wellstead`s arrived, all that remained were the partial remains of the refectory and the adjacent ruined medieval chapel. The timber framed extension was added by the Wellstead`s.
I interjected, “A fascinating history, but how is this relevant to my being here, June?”
Looking at me rather curtly she said, “Everything, Derek, if you allow me to continue”.....
She then drew a deep breath and continued, “Do you believe in ghosts, Derek? I can understand completely if you don`t, but I really don`t know how to describe the events over the last few days.”
I replied that although I didn't personally believe, I was at least open minded to the possibility and experience of such an event.
“Well” she added, looking somewhat relieved, “Three nights ago it started. That is to say, three nights ago at 11pm I was sat in this room reading. I heard the door knocker, but as Charles had already retired for the night, I went alone to answer. Upon opening, there was no trace of anyone being there. As there was a breeze I assumed that perhaps it may have been that which caused it. But to be honest, in all the years I`ve lived there it has never happened before. But one has to be reasonable and logical about such matters, so I put it all down to that.”
Stopping briefly to sip her favourite Earl Grey tea from an elegant Minton breakfast cup and saucer, she added, “The following night, I was again here in this room at the same time when the door knocker went again. Just one loud rap. At this time Charles was in the kitchen and he went to answer the door. Again there was nobody there and no wind or breeze this time. Charles went outside with a torch and thought he saw someone walking into the church ruins next door. But again nobody was found. On both occasions I informed the police, but by the time they arrived, whoever, or whatever called at my home had obviously long gone by then. Last night was even more stranger than the last. Charles was with me again in this room in case the mystery caller arrived at the same time.
Sure enough the door knocker was rapped, and we rushed straight to the door. This time I too saw someone or something heading to the ruins, but as it was raining hard I wasn't able to see who it was. All I can say is that it looked by the size and height to be a man. Again the police were called and the grounds and ruins were searched, but nothing, nothing at all.”
She paused and then said, “And here is why it was even stranger still. When it rains, callers arriving on foot at the door leave wet footprints as the ground there is dry due to the porch. And yet there were none! And when the police called their footprints were quite self-evident in the rain after they had left.”
She then got up and took from the mantelpiece and said, “This morning in the post I received this card from my husband sent a few days ago stating that he was hopeful of returning tonight. The card was depicting Monaco in the south of the country, and I knew he would probably sail to return via Marseilles as he hates flying. But knowing the troubling weather we've been experiencing over the last few days I realise that there was no guarantee of him getting here in time. So I`ve called you in to help”.
And with a soft but hesitant smile, she continued; “Well if you could, and I will reward you handsomely for your trouble.”
“Well, I am more than happy to assist, but why not call in the police again?” I answered.
She pointed out that each time the police responded it was at least half an hour after the event, and so to resolve this, she wanted me to sit up outside in my car to catch the caller as he arrives. She added that should her husband return in time he would join me.
Having agreed a fee for my troubles, I arranged with her to return at 10pm that evening, and would remain hidden from view in my car on the driveway. Hopefully then this mystery could be explained.
Later that evening I returned as agreed and parked my car to afford a discreet view of the front of the house which was poorly illuminated as there was no outside lighting, and just the minimal light from the corners of the curtains downstairs. Fortunately though it was close to a full moon and there were no clouds in the night sky.
After calling first at the house, I returned to my car and remained partially hidden from view in the back seat.
After what seemed an eternity, (but in fact was no more than an hour), I saw a solitary figure of a man walk to the front door and knock once. I immediately opened the rear door and clambered out, but the man had gone. The best I could describe was a short stockily built man wearing a raincoat with a belt.
I went to the spot where I saw him, and looked in either direction. He was nowhere in view that I could see, and so I stood quietly still hoping that I may hear something of his presence. In the far distance and towards the old chapel ruins I heard very faintly the sound of someone walking, but saw no light of a flashlight or similar.
Certain that this was indeed the mysterious caller, I quietly, but as quickly possible, walked to where he was heading and just barely discernible in the gloom I saw him enter the main chancel of the ruined building.
I headed over to him and nervously challenged him as he stood with his back to me and said, “What are you doing here may I ask, this is private property?”
He turned around slowly and stood facing towards me by a few feet as I shone the light into his face. He raised his arms and snapped, “You can put that light away from me, I'm the owner of this property, so who the hell do you think you are?”
I could see that the man was Sir Angus Fitzwilliam , judging by the large framed photograph I had seen inside the house. I quickly apologised, and feeling more relaxed I explained why I was here.
He smiled reassuringly and said, “Oh, I perfectly understand, poor June does get rather jittery when I am away.”
He explained he had just returned from his trip abroad, and thought he had seen someone among the ruins and went to investigate.
He added that he liked to wander on his own to the ruins to appreciate the quietness and tranquility, especially after being away on a hectic business schedule. He claimed the place was haunted and asked whether I believe in ghosts.
I told him what I told his wife, that I am open minded on such matters although I personally have never seen a ghost. He laughed, and said, “Well sometimes we may meet a ghost and never know it”.
He struck me as a kindly and congenial character, and we sat down on a ruined stone wall where he spoke about his life and hopes for the future. He offered me a cigarette during our conversation from a silver cigarette case that his wife had bought him on their wedding anniversary, and told me how much comfort the case gave him when he was away from his beloved wife. He then strangely became quieter and more sullen at the mention of June, and said that he needed to be alone now for a short while, and asked that I go to the house to assure his wife that he was safe and had now returned.
Shaking hands with him, I went as requested to the house and explained to June that her husband had now returned home, and would be returning shortly after visiting the old ruins.
She was visibly quite excited and pleased that he had come back safely, and asked her valet to prepare some sandwiches for both him and myself.
We had both barely sat down when the door rapped again. She laughed and said, “Oh this time I know who that will be”, and rushed to open the door.
Instead of her husband, stood at the doorway was a rather glum looking police officer who asked that he may be permitted to come inside.
Thinking that this had everything to do with her intruder, she beckoned him into the lounge and asked that he sit down.
Still looking very serious and perhaps embarrassed, the police officer said, “I think I had better stand Lady Fitzwilliam. I have been asked at this late hour to deliver a telegram to inform you that your husband had died in France four night's ago from a heart attack following a heavy business meeti....` Before he could finish, June frantically turned to me and said, “But you told me you have just spoken to him, what`s going on here, where is Angus?”
I was momentarily in a state of shock myself upon hearing the news, and mumbled briefly and incoherently before I could spit out the sentence that confirmed unequivocally that I had indeed just spoken to him inside the church ruins. I assured all parties present that this was the case and that he had said he would return shortly.
At June's insistence we left the house with the officer and went to the ruins where I had last seen him. And indeed he was nowhere to be found. But resting on the wall where we were both earlier sat was a silver cigarette case, the very case from which Sir Angus had earlier offered me a cigarette.
I picked this up and gave it to June as she seemed visibly shocked to see it. Very nervously she fumbled to open the lid clasp which revealed within an engraving bearing the words, `To my dearest Angus, love June`.
She then burst into tears and was inconsolable with grief, but found the strength to ask the police officer, "Please tell me, what time did Angus die, does it say?"
Looking back at the telegram the officer replied, “Why, it says, 11pm”.
I realised that I had shared the late hour of the night alone in an old church ruin with what I could sanely describe as a ghost, and a ghost of a man who had desperately tried to return to his own home for four nights. And sadly perhaps for June, she never saw him again except at his funeral a few days later.
He never called again at the house, although immediately after the funeral I did share with her the conversation I had shared with him, and for that at least she was at peace again.
Even to this day, I often query with myself all of the events that happened, yet I still find it difficult to believe a person could exist in spirit and still be able to return in solid form. I guess that's why people call this the paranormal, and more importantly, the power of love.
(c) Chris Halton 2017

A GHOST STORY - THE TREASURE TROVE OF BISHOP BONNER - By Chris Halton

2017-01-04T16:09:00.001+00:00

`The Treasure Trove of Bishop Bonner`
( An appreciation of M.R James - by Chris Halton).

As a serious collector of old photographs, etchings and prints, Alex Smith was well known to many dealers in the antiquarian book trade, and especially those who auction or sell by approval to those with a registered interest through the post.
One such dealer, for whom we will refer to here as `Banhams of Oxbridge`, sent him in the post their latest catalogue of `Objects D`art and other Antiquarian Oddities`, which was a 10 page booklet listing prints, original photographs, and some etchings dating back some 150 years or more.
Having sat down at his leisure on a quiet, wet, February afternoon, he glanced at the many items listed and was immediately struck by an odd and somewhat faded photograph of a woodland setting which featured a rather square and rather obtuse looking stone building surrounded by heath.
The sepia daguerreotype photograph measured around 12" x 6", and bore (according to the accompanying description) on the reverse in pencil, `Bishop Bonner`s Treasure House, Norfolk.` It was unsigned and undated.
As the imagery in the catalogue photograph was rather small and devoid of such detail that would allow a more intimate examination, he decided to call Banham`s by telephone to ask for the print to be sent on two week`s approval.
The price struck him as rather exorbitant for the subject matter offered, as at 4 guineas, the image could not be attributed to any well known or famous photographer or studio.
When he raised this issue with Banham`s, his contact there, a Mr Cecil Byers a director of the said establishment, assured him that it would pique his interest, and that he would soon appreciate it`s value as it was shot some 100 years earlier.
Still not particularly convinced by his rather mediocre explanation, he placed his order with him as at the end of the day if I didn't want or need it, it would only cost him the return postage fee.
Within a few days the print arrived rolled neatly in a carboard tube, and with a small note thanking him for his interest.
Having carefully rolled it flat on a table with two paperweights to prevent it returning to it`s coiled form, I he looked through a handheld magnifying glass and noticed something a little odd.
The door appeared to be partially open, although I was certain in the rather small catalogue image that it was closed.
His confusion could simply be attributed to a printing error in the catalogue, and so rather than dwell on such irrelevant concerns, he proceeded to examine the reverse, where as described in a hastily written hand, were the words, `Bishop Bonner`s Treasure House, Norfolk`. Unsigned and undated.
Now from his education, he knew Bishop Bonner was a recalcitrant priest to Elizabeth I, and under the rule of her sister, Mary, he was a well known burner and persecutor of alleged Protestant heretics.
Bonner lived in an age where the Catholicism of old (which had been earlier rejected by King Henry VIII and his son, Edward VII) was forcibly re-enacted as the state religion by Mary following the death of Edward. With Bonner, `Bloody` Queen Mary found a natural ally and approved somewhat of Bonner`s cruel atrocities against her adversaries - whether real or perceived.
He also recalled that he too earned the nickname of `Bloody Bonner` because of his pleasure with torture and murder.
As a result, he acquired great personal wealth, and was promoted to Bishop of London with a palace (now gone) at Copford in Essex.
In short, he was a cruel, merciless, greedy man who later met his end in Marshalsea Prison on 5 September 1569 - having been jailed unrepentant for his many sins by Elizabeth I.
So, Alex mused, how is this photograph connected or even relevant to `Bloody Bonner?`
After an hour spent working through his Gazeteer of Norfolk, and a number of historical reference books at his command, he found that the `Treasure House`, was in fact a medieval `warreners cottage`, within Thetford Forest.
In the old days, it belonged to the church, and was a source of fresh rabbit meat for the tables of the Priors of Thetford, and the cottage or lodge was built to protect the warreners from attacks by brigands, and as a place to safely store the freshly killed rabbits before transporting to Thetford Priory.
Although here was a connection to the church of the day, there was nothing that he could read or discern that linked Bonner and his treasure to this lodge, although legend dictated that Bonner had in fact buried his treasure in the grounds of present day Copford Hall, a house built later upon the foundation of his palace after it was destroyed and following his death.
Folklore in the locality apparently gave reason to believe that Bonner haunts the land around the hall, and at times his ghost had been spotted in search of his lost treasure.
But like all good tales, nobody had ever in fact reported seeing this manifestation, and despite efforts of past owners at Copford Hall, nobody had ever found any trace of it.
Yet here perhaps erroneously, this ancient photograph gives claim to the real location of his wealth which if to be believed, was a remote building many miles from his former possessions in Copford.
Giving no further thought to this story, he retired to bed to ponder on whether to buy this old photograph and follow through the story, or merely to simply return it at the modest cost of return postage.
On the morning of the following day, his thoughts once more returned to the old photograph which still lay where he left it on the table the night before.
Still somewhat `blurry eyed` from his recent sleep he at first thought that his eyes were deceiving him when he had occasion to glance at the image as he proceeded to read the morning newspaper.
Here he could now see a rather short and rotund figure of a man walking away just a short distance from the doorway. Clearly, he was certain that he hadn`t seen this previously, and despite the faded quality of the photograph and foxing around the print, there was clearly something amiss.
He returned to the catalogue image, and considered whether he had taken leave of his senses.
And yet here before him was the greatest shock and surprise. It too correlated with the image he had in my possession. A short rotund man in dark clothing in exactly the same position as in the photograph.
Trying desperately to resolve this mystery, or perhaps some unknown mental malady which had apparently seized possession of his mind, he looked more closely through his magnifying glass at the depiction of this previously unseen man.
He was clearly dressed in a dark monk like habit with the hood obscuring his face from being gazed upon. In one hand I could see a small square box upon which his hand was holding a carrying handle. His head was slightly stooped forward, almost as though he was focused upon some intent, or perhaps with a deed or act to perform.
He decided therefore to note down in writing what he had seen, which was timed and dated. He would return later to note any changes in the image, or perhaps hoping deep down it would remain the same, as if to reassure him that he had not taken leave completely of his senses.
Having spent a few hours that day away from home on business in the ancient town of Colchester, he found himself the vicinity of Copford Church - close to the said ancient Copford Hall, where he came across the local church verger, an elderly man.
Upon enquiring on the history of the village, he told him that he had lived in the village all of his life, and by some fortune was also a local historian who had collected his own reliquary of the area.
Without discussing the photograph in his possession, he enquired about Bishop Bonner`s legend.
He at first noticeably grimaced at the mere mention of his name, as even to this day, Bonner`s reputation had brought some undeserved shame upon those that lived in the area.
Looking at Alex with wizened powder blue eyes set rather narrowly on a long sharp face, he responded rather agitated, “You are not after his treasure I suppose?”
Alex retorted, (and perhaps through some shallow guilt of what he had already presumed to know), “Of course not, but more about the man when he lived here as Bishop of London”.
Shaking his head dismissively, he replied, “Well, what can I tell you that history doesn`t already know, he had other properties and possessions across the region, stretching from London to Norfolk, yet here his name has indelibly stained more so than in any other area, which was due to his cruel and harsh treatment of others, and not for any good works. And particularly so for the poor, or Protestants like myself who he hated with mortal disdain”.
He then explained, “According to legend, the door of the church is studded with traces of human flesh which some believe was the work of the Danes”.
He continued, “I can say from folk I have spoken to, and whose family have lived here for centuries, the flesh belonged to a local man who rejected Bonner`s stance on Catholicism. Bonner offered him salvation by returning to the old ways, and threatened him with death if he didn`t. The man chose the latter, and Bonner had him nailed to the door of the church to make an example, and where he so remained for days until he expired from loss of blood and exposure to the elements.
It was said that Bonner was so angry that he beat him with sticks and tree branches as he writhed in pain. He was such a cruel and sadistic man and without any shred of moral decency.”
Somewhat shocked by this tale, Alex was hesitant to follow through with his next question which vexed him so badly for an answer, but regardless he asked, “Did Bonner have a connection to the Priory at Thetford, and in particular it`s outlying properties as in the `Warreners Lodge` in Thetford Forest?”
The old man exclaimed, “What an odd question, but I can say that he owned a cottage next to the church in Dereham in Norfolk - as he was once rector there, and that this is some 25 miles north of Thetford. Perhaps your questions should be directed there. Talk of Bonner leaves a rather bitter taste in my mouth as I am sure you can now appreciate. Good day sir”.
He then dipped his hat, turned away from me, and hobbled off towards the church barely supported by a hickory walking stick.
Alex decided to leave matters there, and not to antagonise him further. He returned home once more to that now beguiling image, as curiosity with what I might find had gotten the better of him. Yet he was also left feeling very uncomfortable and even more indisposed to the tenor of that insidious man in the photograph.
On arrival back home, I immediately went to the photograph on the table - And upon his approach to it, a gnawing sensation in his stomach prepared him for the worst I might find inside it.
Again using the magnifying glass he saw that the figure was now emerging from a line of trees next to the clearing. He or it, was no longer carrying the box as he had observed earlier, and the head in the hood was turned towards the camera in a manner that presupposed that he was alert to Alex`s supposed intrusion. The face was without any discernible definition, but he was sure, well reasonably certain, he was actually smiling cynically at him.
He shuddered at this apparition, and stepped back away from the table upon which the image rested. Now it become quite seemingly something very personal, and deeply worrying.
He again checked the catalogue photograph, but there was no image of the hooded man in view. He had gone as though in an instant! I surely must have imagined this.
Alex immediately placed down his glass and sat down relieved for he felt once more at ease, and was ready to discount all of this until he glanced nervously back at the original.
In the foreground and to the right hand corner, he could see just a sliver of blackness, just enough to show that he had moved forward and towards to the right of him - as he had apparently slipped off the screened area.
The thought as to where he may have gone caused Alex to look closely around the room which was now falling into darkness as the sun had slipped from view outside.
He felt very cold as a shiver of fear shot down his spine, and his senses snapped into a defensive reaction. Was he with him in this room?; he shuddered and thought, Is he still somewhere in the confines of that image?
Every creak of every joist in that house became cruelly convincing in his mind, that the presence of this man who he was certain was Bonner, was now in hiding somewhere with malicious intent within his home.
The old Verger`s words rang like an alarm bell in Alex`s mind. He thought, perhaps Bonner had reached out from beyond the grave to inflict some cruel and historic torture upon him?
He decided that the only way to end this nightmare was to venture out to rural Norfolk and to travel to the remote Warreners Lodge. Perhaps the answers to this strange set of circumstances lay there, but first he had to find out more about the photograph from Banham`s. If they offered it for sale, they must surely have a record of where it came from?
After an unsettling night`s sleep, he welcomed the yawning light of the emerging sun the next day. Deep down he was hoping that he was suffering from an excitable over-imagination, and had even convinced himself that he had been under a lot of pressure from his work, and that perhaps after ringing Banham`s, all will be resolved to his own personal satisfaction.
So many wishes and thoughts as he attempted to extract himself from a situation that some would deem as possibly paranormal, and yet logically, he knew that the paranormal was nothing more than fiction. No scientific mind of the modern day could ever accept anything less, as there was now an answer for everything, he assured himself.
After gulping down a strong coffee, he rang his contact Mr Byers at Banham`s.
He decided to play it straight and not to share any of the experiences he now believed he mistakenly thought he had with this photograph.
Mr Byers informed him that although the image is shown in their stock list, he was unable to source where it came from. He explained that sometimes image stock was bought in bulk from an estate, and later were separated into single lots for sale - which he was certain was the reason here. In any case if Alex wasn`t happy with the item, he could simply return it.
For reasons that he could only describe as being motivated by curiosity, he decided to purchase the photograph but managed to get a bargain 50% reduction on the purchase price due to his preferred trading status with Banham`s.
Having sent the cheque in the post to close the deal, he thereupon packed an overnight case with the photograph inside, and set off to Thetford where he acquired an overnight room at the ancient White Horse Coaching Inn, a large old timber-framed hotel with a centuries old tradition.
After dinner, he retired to the residents bar where he struck up a brief conversation with the barman, a young local man who like many other locals of this area, spoke with a broad, rich, Norfolk accent, and who asked of Alex whether he was there on business - as agriculture was the main trade in the area.
Alex, having told him he was a historian, he then broached the subject of the Warreners Lodge in the forest.
The barman admitted he knew very little of it's history, but the night porter, a man named Jim Wright, was someone who had many connections within the farming community, and was surely the very best person who could assist Alex in his quest.
He added that Mr Wright was a `bit of a gossip`, and that Alex should be prepared for a long discussion - such was the way of people in this locality.
Having returned to his room, he removed the photograph from his suitcase. To protect it whilst travelling he had earlier placed into a temporary frame of a stiffened card back, and protected with cellophane.
Again Alex checked the image for any new detail, but everything appeared as it was when he first purchased it.
After 10pm when Jim Wright came on duty, a hot drink previously ordered for this time was dutifully delivered by him. And as the bar man warned, Jim was indeed very talkative and knowledgeable of the area.
Jim would be described as being quite tall, and a rather wirey looking fellow in his late forties with a mass of grey hair and rather long old fashioned sideburns. He had a smile that stretched from ear to ear, and his old fashioned button up waistcoat and collar studded white shirt with a narrow tie reminded me somewhat of a turn of the century railway man. But his pleasing and laid back demeanour epitomised the local farming folk in this part of Norfolk.
Alex tentatively shared with him the unusual photograph which Jim immediately recognised from his childhood. He added it had been taken many years earlier by a local photographer, a man who was apparently one of the first in the district to own a camera.
Jim recalled that this photograph was of the lodge about the time of `that murder`, and ironically perhaps, the image had been shot a week before his death by the actual victim. The killer was never caught, and the photographer victim was believed to have been obsessed that the lodge was where Bishop Bonner hid his most precious treasure before being detained at the displeasure of `Queen Bess` (Elizabeth I).
The victim he knew was a man named Daniel Wilkerson, the son of a wealthy landowner who had spent much personal resources hunting for `Bloody Bonner's Baubles` as he used to refer to it. Everyone thought him to be mad because of this unfounded obsession.
In fact (and according to what Jim had learned as a child) Wilkerson was one night enraged over a disagreement with a member of the hotel staff who apparently was never seen again the following day. The argument lay around the legend of Bonner's treasure, and importantly the reason why he hid it either in, or near to the lodge.
Although suspected to have been involved, Wilkerson was never arrested or charged and claimed that he had witnessed a dark robed figure of a man follow the staff member from the hotel shortly after their dispute.
Alex quietly shuddered, but managed to retain his quiet composure.
Jim added, that owing to Wilkerson`s social importance as that of a wealthy land owning Squire, the authorities were loathe to move against him, and particularly so as his uncle was the local Justice of the Peace. The disappearance therefore was ascribed to the actions of a homeless vagabond, a type that used to frequent the area in search of odd jobs and farm work. Neither the hotel worker or the `vagabond` were ever seen again.
Jim continued, “My late uncle knew of Wilkerson, and regarded him as rather unstable in character. Having been employed as a game keeper on the estate which covered the warrener`s lodge, he often saw him flitting around the building at all times of the day or night. He claimed he knew where the treasure was, and that Bonner hid it in the area as he knew the site so well from his tenure at Dereham”.
“And the strangest part is .....”, Jim paused and continued, “is that Wilkerson claimed he had captured Bonner in that very photograph that you now possess”.
Alex laughed as to mask his own fear of what I had already discerned, and exclaimed, “So Wilkerson claimed he captured a long dead Bishop in a photograph that you and I cannot see!”
“Well”, replied Jim rather glumly, “He died a week to the day after he took it, so who knows what was going on his his mind”.
The story of his murder apparently raged for weeks. It was said that Jim`s uncle had found his body early one morning lying out in a shallow trench. His arms were stretched out in frozen fear, and there was a look of terror etched on his battered face.
There were multiple bruises on his body, and so beaten was he that it was only possible to identify him from a fob watch and his clothing. Whoever committed this crime was certainly more deranged than him.
And the oddest part of the whole episode was that both his jacket pockets were filled with sand and some natural debris.
Despite vigorous police enquiries at the time and a huge reward offered by the Wilkerson's, the killer was never found.
Alex enquired about the vagrant that Wilkerson claimed earlier to have followed the former staff member from the hotel. “Could he have been perhaps responsible as he bore witness to a supposed suspect in a disappearance?”
Assuredly, Jim replied rather oddly, “No, I don`t think it was him”..
Alex asked Jim whether he believed in the treasure legend, but he merely shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Who knows what to believe, but I never felt comfortable around that lodge as a child. And at night people have reported hearing or seeing strange things. It just doesn`t feel right.. “
Thanking Jim for the background story he left Alex alone to ponder his own thoughts.
He pondered. “Is there such a hidden treasure, and if so, would it not be too dangerous to go there the following day after all that he have seen in that image?”
He thought nothing more about it as he was too tired after a long drive from Essex, and retired for the night.
The next thing he remembered from that night was arriving for the first time at the lodge the following day, which despite the passing years still remained, although in rather splendid isolation against a back drop of forest which had hardly changed in centuries.
Strangely perhaps the building appeared to have been in some use as there were wooden staves and picket fences around the structure, and smoke curling into a wisp from a chimney fire.
As Alex drew closer to the door, he could hear someone, or something, shuffling around inside. He felt a tremendous fear or caution that something did not feel right, and stood away to the rear of the building. He then heard the door open and close, and to the side walking towards the forest, he saw the very same man from the photograph dressed in a habit with the hood up. He appeared to be carrying a box in one hand.
He followed, (or at least he felt driven to follow), and kept behind at a safe distance as the figure entered the forest. A short-while later he could hear digging, and the grunting of a man not used to manual work from behind a small bush.
He crept cautiously, and saw a deep hole with a small oak coffer padlocked in iron strap work, which remained upright inside this pit. But the man had gone, he was nowhere to be seen or heard.
He didn't know why, but he was urged to go inside the pit where he picked up the box by it's heavy handle, and noticed it was very heavy, very heavy indeed...
As he was about to extract himself with the box from the pit he felt a tremendous blow to the back of his head and slumped forward and then onto his back.
He looked up, and there was the menacing face he had seen robed in the photograph.
All he remembered was an evil smile as again he struck him across the head with a wooden stave, and he lost consciousness ......
“It`s 7.30am sir, your early morning call you requested”... The voice was softer, that of a woman and Alex realised that I was actually sat upright in his hotel bed with somewhat of a terrible headache. The caller was a maid outside the room, and he thanked her, as he heard her footsteps trail away outside.
He realised that his imagination had got the better of him, and no doubt aided by the tales shared to him the night before by the porter.
And now he had to make a decision as to whether to travel over to the old warrener`s lodge, or whether to return home none the worse for the weird experience.
He again referred to the photograph taken all those years before by Wilkerson. Now feeling as though he was fated to go there he looked at the image through his magnifying glass. And once more a cold tingling shock revived his senses when he saw standing clearly and faced towards him by the entrance to the lodge, the robed figure.
This time his hood was down, and he could plainly see a fat, balding face staring coldly at him with a grimacing smile. To him this felt to be a challenge, and one where science and logic could overrule primitive fears and superstition. There had, he concluded, to be a logical explanation.
He no longer cared who or what was in this photograph, he wanted to find out the truth of what was perhaps the greatest mystery he had ever encountered - as unsettling as it felt.
Having settled his hotel bill,he packed away his belongings into the boot of his car and drove for about 30 minutes before reaching a rather crude car parking area where he removed from the boot an old spade to check out whether the dream had any substance in the real world.
He remembered his route from the dream, and after a few minutes he came across a rather square 14th century stone building that he immediately recognised as the lodge.
There were no doors or windows, as by now it had become a shell, but the forest and clearing looked very much the same from the photograph. As he walked towards the structure he could hear feet walking behind him. He stopped and turned – but there was nobody there, and he continued to the now barred entrance.
He looked around and saw a couple walking their dog, but they both stopped to look rather oddly at him. He waved back, but their faces turned towards the side of the building as though they had observed someone or something else. He looked in their direction and there certainly wasn`t anyone else there, and if the truth would know it, he rather felt alone with himself and continued with his inspection of the empty shell of the lodge.
It was hard to imagine the history of this 600 year old building, save the remains of two fireplaces and a medieval garderobe (toilet). There remained but a hollow and forlorn structure.
Following the trackway he recalled from the photograph and his dream, he walked into the forest, a dark almost impenetrable world of tall trunks and a dark menacingly quiet canopy which gave the air of some dark medieval cathedral.
He noticed that the bush in his dream was there, and upon stepping inside he saw a large hollow in the ground. Whether through fear or through a deep and driving curiosity, he dug deeper and deeper before the spade hit something hard.
He clambered down and scraped away the light sandy soil where he discovered to his shock and dismay, a heavy human skull much stained by the yellow impurities of the sand around it.
After a few seconds he pulled the skull clear, and below was a dark cavity which he reached into. Out came a ruby pendant, then a gold cross, and countless rings and jewellery set with precious stones in gold. For here was a King`s ransom in real treasure, and Wilkerson had been proven right, Bonner's treasure was indeed here.
The excitement quickly diminished any fear I had, and he placed the precious artifacts into a canvas sack he was carrying.
Having satisfied the hole was now empty save for the ruins of a well rotted wooden box he quickly left, abandoning the spade in situ, for he no longer cared or worried. Excitedly he thought that he had beaten the curse of Bloody Bonner, and now his only thoughts were upon returning home and declaring this hoard to the appropriate authorities as treasure trove.
As he walked down the track-way back from where he had come, he met the couple I had seen earlier. Both appeared shocked and looked beyond me to my rear, but Alex remained silent as he smiled courteously, and hurriedly moved on to where he had parked his car.
Having looked around a few times, he felt personally assured that there was nobody following, although the couples dog was snapping and snarling in the gathering distance as it strained on it`s leash towards him. but there were nobody he could see following him, and felt quite safe if not a little apprehensive for what he had duly accomplished.
Returning to his car, he drove the 2 hour journey back to his home. He was finally safe to sort out the treasure, and to make notes inside his diary. Tomorrow, he would declare the find to the Coroner`s Office and the world..
Inspector Frank Johnson of the Essex Police placed down the diary recovered from the car of the late Alex Smith, a former collector and dealer in antiquaries and object d`arts.
He had been reading passages aloud to colleagues gathered in his office, and took a sip of office tea before looking around at the gathered police detectives.
Somewhat bemused by these entries, he placed the diary into an evidence bag and passed it over to Det Sgt Stanley Jones, the officer assisting in Smith's apparent murder.
He asked, “Have we recovered any of the items recorded in this diary, Stan?”
“No sir, the strangest part of all is that the canvas bag was filled with sand and debris, and we can find no trace of the photograph.”
“And what of the hotel, Stan, have we verified the stay and the meeting with the night porter. Has he anything to add?”
Jones rather formally replied while reading his notes, “Our enquiries confirm he stayed at the hotel, but there is no record of a night porter working there by the name of Jim Wright. Someone did once work there by that name, but that was a porter believed murdered some distance from the hotel many years ago allegedly by a Daniel Wilkerson - but nothing could be proven as the body was never recovered”.
He continued, “Thetford police have spoken to the barman referred to, but he states he left a message with a night porter to speak to him at 10pm, but when the porter arrived with a hot nightcap, there was no reply. It was assumed that he had retired to bed. And he did check out normally the next day following an early morning call by staff”.
Inspector Johnson interjected, “This is all very odd. All we can say is that Smith visited Thetford two days ago, and was reportedly acting oddly despite having a reputation as a sober and respected collector of antiques with no known mental issues or drug problems. And now his battered body was found this morning in the driveway of his home by the milkman with no trace of any culprit, And in his jacket pocket a bag full of sand and debris. No neighbours saw or heard anything, although one recalled his car arriving late into the night. If I cannot find any fresh leads, this case will be left on file unsolved, as murdered by a person or persons unknown. None of this makes any sense at all”.
And resignedly he added, “And what of that dealer who sold him that damned photograph?”
Three weeks later, Raymond Simonsen, a noted collector of antiquarian prints and objet d`art receives in the post a catalogue from a respected dealer in Oxbridge. Listed on page ten is a rather interesting photograph bearing a pencil inscription, `Bishop Bonner`s Treasure House, Norfolk`, Unsigned and undated ......

(Copyright Chris Halton 2015

THE GHOSTS OF OLD WARDEN ABBEY HOUSE - NEW PARA-DOCUMENTARY WITH NIGHT INVESTIGATION

2016-12-16T17:35:00.001+00:00

Seldom am I allowed to shoot anything from an ancient property, and particularly one which is 500 years old. But here was such an opportunity as I took a break from the `modern world` by renting for a few days stay, a house which originally formed part of a large 16th century mansion which had in turn been built from the remains of a former Cistercian abbey.

The house had a very pleasant environment although previous renters going back over 20 years had reported varying tales of paranormal activity.

Having decided on my own to shoot a night investigation I was beset with innumerable problems in setting up the shoot.

These ranged from:

1) Wireless microphones persistently refusing to work at first - despite the batteries being fully charged.
2) A new large battery I use for my IR light was flat, so I had to struggle without the usual flood of IR illumination.
3) My cellphone was completely drained.
4) Video and audio in the night shoot was affected by reduced audio and focussing issues.

These problems were recorded in the house day book as affecting electrical equipment which either refused to work, or even refused to switch off with these items apparently coming back to life in the middle of the night.

All in all, it was an interesting if not problematic experience.

Despite all, I managed to capture some EVP, and particularly the whine of a dog.

I also saw quite clearly a huge white flash of energy measuring some 2` x 1` move quickly across the room. Sadly, it was not recorded to tape despite my best expectations.

I hope you enjoy this investigation which will commence from the link below at 10pm (GMT) tonight.

A HAUNTED EXPERIENCE AT THE CONGRESS PLAZA HOTEL - HALLOWEEN 2016

2016-10-28T13:18:00.000+01:00

Chris Halton in old Chicago.

Here is a video from my stay at the haunted Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, USA.

As you will see, I picked up quite a bit of activity in the area of my hotel room door and adjacent corridor. And as a bonus, the riddle of missing room, 666.

The Congress Hotel is regarded as one of the most paranormally active hotels in the world with ample evidence of material gathered by investigators. In fact, the movie, `1408` starring John Cusack and Samuel L Jackson was based on that building.

The link below will be `live`at 10pm (GMT) - 4pm (CDT) FRIDAY OCTOBER 28 2016.

Hope you enjoy and Happy Halloween Hauntings!

A VISIT TO HAUNTED BACHELOR`S GROVE CEMETERY

2016-10-21T18:24:00.000+01:00

Here is the first of three productions shot while recently in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
In company with the writer and folklorist, Ursula Bielski and Wendy Moxley-Roe an investigator and archivist of this cemetery, we carry out a short investigation which provided some interesting EVP.

Both Ursula and Wendy also provide to camera their own experiences and with a special focus on the now famous White Lady Ghost whose presence haunts this area.
All in all, an interesting experience which I hope you will enjoy.

HERE ARE SOME LINKS TO FOLLOW:
https://www.facebook.com/BachelorsGroveForever/
https://www.thepathtobachelorsgrove.com/
http://www.chicagohauntings.com/

The show will start at 10pm tonight, (4pm (CDT) Friday, 21st October 2016

A RETURN TO A VERY HAUNTED CHURCH

2016-08-05T13:49:00.000+01:00

Here in late July, I return to an earlier visited church at Fairstead in the county of Essex.
On this occasion I decide to chill inside the church and open up to spirit where I obtained some responses which I have shared for you today.

I previously visited this beautiful building in the quiet hamlet of Fairstead in November 2015, and you can view that visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhVO9KJPlo4

More investigations and para-documentaries coming soon.

If you haven`t already, please subscribe to my site here on Youtube and be sure to check out many other videos available here online.

THIS VIDEO WILL BE VIEWABLE FROM THIS LINK AT 10pm FRIDAY AUGUST 5th 2016.

MURDER AT THE RED BARN - NEW PARA-DOCUMENTARY

2016-07-09T13:39:00.001+01:00

Here is my para-documentary on a very high profile case in late Regency England whereby a local daughter of a mole catcher in Polstead, Suffolk (Maria Marten) has an affair with a young squire with devastating results. Her lover, William Corder subsequently murders her, and buries her body inside the Red Barn, and moves to London to later marry an affluent woman.

Maria`s body is discovered following alleged psychic dreams by her step-mother, and Corder is arrested, found guilty, and executed. What follows is even more interesting as his body is dissected, and his skin used to bind a book of the crime. His skeleton was given to West Suffolk hospital, to be used for anatomical training for nurses and doctors.

Even weirder was that his skull was removed years later from his skeleton, and Corder`s ghost appeared at the thief's home to demand its return!

I am especially indebted to the author and historical criminologist, Stewart Evans who acted as a consultant on the documentary, and assisted further by appearing in this programme and even sharing with me archive material which appears throughout.

I am also grateful to Alex McWhirter of Moyse`s Hall museum, Bury St Edmunds for allowing access to exhibits from the Corder trial and also appearing on screen to talk about them.

One of the most fascinating accounts I have come across for a long time, and related to camera for your interest and enjoyment.

THIS SHOW WILL BE LIVE FROM 10pm (GMT) on SUNDAY 10th JULY 2016 FROM THE LINK BELOW: