OFFICE IN CREWE

Breeden House 12th January 2007
Edleston Road/Oak Street
Crewe, Cheshire



GROUP ... PARANORMALRESEARCH UK


Phil, myself and two other members attended this investigation.

This area was once Oak Tree Farm. The farm ran its own steeple chase once a year. The course ran all the way down to the River Waldron alongside a woodland. It must have been so picturesque. This all changed with the new Chester railway line. The end of the woodland park and racecourse came in 1868.

The farm became a pub. It was crewe's first theatre and it had its own bowling green. Oak Tree Inn (as it was now known) became the Pioneers Club during 1911-1962.

The building was knocked down after 1960 and a new building has been built and is now an office block.

People associated with this area.....
W.G.Steward - owner of Oak Tree Farm in 1873
John Pointon - landlord of Oak Tree Inn
Frank Middleton - original owner of Breeton House and responable for the alterations. He died
in his office in 1970.
Alan Pleasey - he had offices on the 2nd floor.
John Flatley - he died in 1968 at the age of 42, of a heart attack in one of the shops below.
Jim Armstrong - known as Big Jim. He was a big jolly man and the Pionerrs concert secartary
during the 1950's
Bill and Clara Nield - they were the stewards of the Pioneers from 1952 - 1960
Derek Ross - he was an American who died in 2000 of cancer. He had offices on the top floor.


PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

A man is seen by the lift on floor two.

Doors open and close.

Cold spots on floor two.

Feeling of being watched.

Internal telephones ring when no one has used them.


INVESTIGATION

We started our investigation at 10pm and we started on the 1st floor. After we had been asking out for a short time we were getting tapping sounds and a cold spot.


We made our way to the second floor. The middle office had an uneasy feeling. It was Alan Pleasey's office. When I walked to the centre of this room, my camera showed no battery but as I walked away, my camera was ok again. We were also picking up cold spots in this room.




As we left this room, we stayed in the corridor for a while. As we were asking out, the area felt horrible and an instance feeling of being watched.









It was now a little after 11pm and we made our way to an adjoining building. We saw a small light in front of us and again trouble with our camera's draining out of battery. One of our team felt as though their throat was being pressed hard by unseen hands.












By 12.30am, we decieded to go back into the main office building and to the 2nd floor. We were asking out and straight in front of me, the fire door opened and closed. We also heard 4 bangs, as if someone was kicking a ball against the wall.

We finished at 3am. I think this building had more surprises for us because I really felt as though we were being watched and I think this evening was a little taster into something bigger.

I felt so certain about this, that we were able to arrange a second visit the following night.

The Boot and Slipper, Wettenhall

The Boot and Slipper 26th November 2006
Wettenhall, Nr Winsford
Cheshire


GROUP ... PARANORMALRESEARCH UK



Our second investigation here started off as just me, Phil and Kath calling in to talk about our findings from the week before.

As we were talking to Trudy, we all heard the cellar door bang. Trudy told us that this was not the first time since our last visit, this had happened. She also told us that knocking sounds had been heard all week.






Kath, Trudy and myself went into the cellar (which is more a store room) for quite some time. As we were asking out, we heard shuffling noices and we all felt that we were not alone.

I took a series of photo's.
This photo was the only one with anything on. If this is dust, why had nothing showed up on my other photo's.







We left after a few hours knowing we would return soon. Something was happening here.

The Boot and Slipper, Wettenhall

The Boot and Slipper 18th November 2006
Wettenhall, Nr Winsford
Cheshire


GROUP ... PARANORMALRESEARCH UK



This is a black and white 17th century building, which has now been extended. It was first known as The Boot and Slipper but was changed to The Royal Oak during the late 1870's to 1880's. It was then changed back to The Boot and Slipper.

Part of the pub used to be a house and one of the old landlords(Ray) lived in the house with his family while working the pub.


PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

Male ghost number 1 ... he wears a flat dark cap, black waistcoat and seen with a dog.

Male ghost number 2 ... he is average heoght, about 70-75 years old, dressed in the 30's and 40's era with a black waistcoat or jacket and is bald.

Male ghost number 3 ... he has dark hair, aged about 60 years old, dressed in 50's style with black trousers, open shirt and mulit coloured paisley waistcoat.

People have reported seeing Raymond Harding(ex landlord Ray). He is dressed as male ghost 3. He is fondly remembered by many of the old regulars.

Voices have been heard in both male and female.

Loud bangs and thuds heard.

The large wooden chopping board in the kitchen has thrown itself across the room and smashed into the fridge.

A bottle was heard smashing on the floor when the pub was locked up and landlord and landlady were upstairs. They went to look and it was a whisky bottle lying on the floor(Ray's fav drink).

Doors open and close.

Staff have heard their names called out when no one else is about.



We started our investigation at 11pm with myself, Phil, Kath andJoan (the landlady) and Trudy (barmaid from the pub) and took the base temp readings for the pub. These were between 21 and 25. But as we measured the EMF readings by the bar, through the archway in the small diningroom and the door leading back into the bar, our readings were going through the roof. But normal everywhere else. I would like to point out that we did check for electric cables and there wasnt any. I took several photos but all I got were orbs (maybe dust).





By 12.15am, it was noticed that the door leading from the small diningroom to the new extension was open. This door had been closed tighty but as we examined it, it had been locked whilst ajar, and we could no longer close the door. Keys were needed to unlock this before we could close it again. How had this happened? Kath's torch and her infa red stopped working. We also heard knocking sounds. I felt a cold blast up my back.

Kath and I stayed in the small diningroom and Phil, landlady and Joan(barmaid) went out. We heard the same door rattling and banging, as though someone was messing about with it. At 12.50am, the same door opened slightly, again no one was about. Kath and I heard what sounded like a cat, but it may have come from outside.




By 1.30am, we were all sitting together in the small dininfroom. We were talking about the history and activity in the building. All off a sudden the EMF reader went off and a bright goldish light was seen above our table as we were talking about Ray. The sound of HA HA was heard as we were talking about the whisky bottle. The archway would catch a cold breeze every now and again. The laptop(which was recording and filming the archway) caught quite a few orbs in this area during the whole night.

We finished at 3am.

It was a very interesting evening. The archway and the door opening, along with the sound of laughter ment to me that this building was worth a second visit.

THE BLUE BELL, TUSHINGHAM

THE BLUE BELL 12th August 2006
BELL O THE HILL,
TUSHINGHAM, NR WHITCHURCH


GROUP ..... PARANORMALRESEARCH UK



This black and white Coaching Inn dates back (in part) from the 14th century.








It lies near to the highway that in 1668, the Harrison Gang (who were Highwaymen) ran their righn of terror. They stole horses from the River Seven, nr Shrewsbury to the River Mersey. They did most of their "business" between Whitchurch and Weaverham. The gang was made up of John Norman and two brothers Thomas and Richard Harrison.

There is a glass case inside the pub. It contains several items which were removed from the wall cavities during the renovation. On display are:- a cavalier hat which is about 300 years old, Lady's shoes and a hat worn by Miss Weaver in 1735, a mummified rat which is believed to be about 400 years old and two old pipes.






There is a priest's hole just above the fireplace, just above a picture. This is where the Cavalier's hat was found.














PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
... the ghost of a Cavalier
... the ghost of a duck (an old landlord keep a duck as a pet but this duck would bite people. The duck was buried in the pub and its ghost has been seen in the pub. The story of this duck is on one of the walls in the pub
... plug in Xmas decs have gone off on their own



I went to this investigation with Kath, Phil and another member. We started at 12pm.








In the hallway by the front door, Kath was having problems with her camera, her photo's were going out of focus for no reason. I took a photo of an orb at the same time and my camera was fine but I was not standing in the hall.






By 12.30pm, we were having a lot of problems with our cameras. Batteries were fading fast and the memories were being used up very quickly. A couple of us were starting to feel colder but the temp was staying the same at 20.7 deg.
The landlady, at this point, saw a bright blue orb at the bottom of the stairs by the ladies toilets but this had gone when we went to look.

We split up for a short while but nothing happened.

We all sat together agin in the small lounge and at 1.20am I heard someone whisper" HELLO " in my ear. There was no one sitting next to me but I could feel its breath as it spoke. This unnevered me but it did not seem threatening at all.

Both Kath and Phil heard two low groans and I had another whisper in my ear. This time it said "GILLIAN ". Just after 2am, Phil thought he saw a dark shadow go past the window outside. We had a look and there was no one about. We heard one more sign and apart from so called orbs on photo's, nothing else happened.

We finished at 3.30am.

I would love to go back here and do another investigation but I hope this time we can call out. We couldnt do this this time as the landlady didnt want us to. We do understand that the landlady was a little worried and we respect this.

As for the whispering in my ear. I cant explain this, as I know no one was sitting next to me. At least no one I could see.

OLD ST CHAD'S, TUSHINGHAM

OLD ST CHAD'S, JULY 2006
TUSHINGHAM, NR WHITCHURCH

GROUP ..... PARANORMALRESEARCH


Built in 1689, it replaced a much older timber framed structure.
Left isolated in the fields when the new church was built in 1863, on the main road half a mile away.

The church and churchyard is very peaceful. It retains the character of a church from a century ago. It even has a horse drawn hearse still resting in a coach house in the church grounds.
The building that holds the hearse was originally a meeting room. The hearse was made in 1880 by a firm of coachbuilders from Doddington, Nr Whitchurch. It was a gift from a former vicar. It was last used in the 1920's. Since then it has been restored by the County Museums Service. But it is now just left in the building.

By the main door, there is a flight of steps. There were to reach two private box pews and a gallery. One pew for the Stephen's Family( stewarts to the Cholmondeley family) and one for the Vernon Family of Tushingham House.








Inside the church, there are stained glass windows dating from the 19th century, solid oak bench pews, two box pews and roof timbers with intricate open work.







We were only able to spend a couple of hours here and most of the investigation was done in daylight.

We had a walk round, asking out.









While I was standing on the outside of the windows, I asked if their was anyone watching us and if so, please show me a sign. I took these photo's. I didnt see these at the time.


































Very quiet investigation but we didnt stay long. Well worth a second visit.

THE WHITE LION and ST. BERTOLINE'S CHURCH 26th July 2006
BARTHOMLEY, Nr Crewe.


GROUP ..... PARANORMALRESEARCH UK



The public house and the church are across the road from eachother.

The Inn dates from 1614, this date appears over the door. The Crewe Family emblem appears on the pub and gave it its name.

Old records indicate that The White Lion was not used solely as an inn until the latter part of the 19th century. Prior to this it was used as an office for John Crewe to collect rents. It was also used by clerk's for the parish. It was sometimes referred to as The Clerk's Cottage.

Across the road towards the church are some steps. These steps and the wall used to belong to another public house. This was called The Punchbowl. It was also a shop. It was knocked down in 1867.






The church is dedicated to an 8th century saint. It is built on an ancient burial site. There has been a church here since Norman times. There was a schoolhouse in the churchyard.

At the back of the church is The Old Rectory. The top storey (which has now been taken off) was haunted by Randle Crewe. He would walk along the passage at 12 midnight.

This small area was the site of the Christmas Day Massacre of 1643. Twenty men hid in the church tower. They were burnt out by the Royalists. Twelve were killed.


PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
... a large black hound is said to haunt the rectory drive (where the village hall is now) and the churchyard.
... a woman in white is said to walk around the churchfield
... things move in the pub
... an old farmer has been seen on top of the stairs. He wears a beige coloured smock and what looks like bags on his feet. He has a round face and beard.
... people have been pinched and what feels like arms around their shoulders
... smoke rings have been seen upstairs in the pub
... tapping and knocking sounds on the main door downstairs
... doors upstairs in the pub have been unlocked but then locked themselves
... doors slam shut upstairs in the pub
... shadows have been seen upstairs
... a man has been seen sitting downstairs in the bar but you turn round to get a better look at him and he disappears



Me, Kath and Phil with another member started in the churchyard at 9.3opm.

We walked round asking out as we walked. Phil stayed by the church wall and I took three photo's one after another. Two photo's had an orb on.











We continued to ask out as we walked around. I took a lot of photo's with orbs on but just as many without orbs.








We went into the pub at 10.30pm and sent up our equipment. We started our investigation at 11.45pm.

Phil and I took the temp readings and then we all went upstairs to the Function room.

It was very warm. We asked out several times. Kath had her leg tickled and the torch flickered when we asked anyone to mess with it.
Phil had been round this room with his Neg Iron det and he found nothing but when he passed it to me at 12.45am, it went off.





We left the room at 1.10am and stood on the landing for a while. Just in case the farmer paid us a visit. A tape recorder was left on the landing for the night.

We went downstairs into the bar area. Phil's neg iron det went off by me again. We asked out and took photo's but nothing else happened.

At 1.30am, we split into two groups. Phil went into the next room. Kath and myself stayed in the bar. Kath and I were asking out and table tilting but apart from me getting goosebumps, nothing happened. Phil and the other member were getting lots of photo's with orbs on, or was it just a dusty room.

At 2.30am we swoped rooms but nothing happened and we all tried table tilting in the room next to the bar. Still nothing. By 3.15am, Kath tried a pendulum but the results were mixed and we decieded that if we were in contact with someone, they were messing about. So we stopped.

By 4.20am, we were sitting in a small room at the back of the pub. I caught this strange orb (or just a very bright piece of dust)








We finished at 4.30am.

Very disappointing, no real evidence but when we were looking through what we had done, we caught this strange mist by Phil. This did not show at the time and no one else noticed this on the night even Phil.

ST EDITH's CHURCH 2nd JUNE 2006
SHOCKLACH, MALPAS, CHESHIRE


GROUP ..... PARANORMALRESEARCH UK



St Edith's church has been the site of a great saddness.
There is a legend that there was a flood and most of the village of Shocklach was flooded underwater. People headed inside the church because they thought they would be safe. But the water still came in. There are still scratches on the door and walls and this is where they tried to get out. These can still be seen today.




The church used to be in the centre of the village and another legend is that The Black Death came to the village. People moved away. They didnt move far and build a new village slightly further away from the church.
This is why the church now stands alone in fields.

The Norman Nave was built about 1150 with a 14th centry Chancel with a Norman south doorway.
The pulpit dates from 1687.





PARANORMAL SIGHTENINGS
... One night of the year, the Bereton family return to the church. Phantom coaches are seen. I have two dates for when this happens ... March 21st and Aug 28th. The first recorded sightening of this was in 1906.
... Several sightenings of an old woman by one of the graves.


Kath, Phil and myself came here.
Kath and I came here earlier in the day just to get the layout of the area. Eventhough we were on our own, I did get the feeling of being watched but we were in a graveyard where your imagination can go into overdrive. If I was feeling like this now, how would I feel after dark.

We arrived back about 10.30pm.

As we drove down the single track lane towards the church from the main road, we all saw what looked like car lights behind us coming up quite quickly.
We were about three quarters of the way down, so I drove quicker and turned my car round on by the church and headed back up the lane. As I have said, this is a single track lane and there is no way two cars can pass eachother. I drove all the way back to the main road but there was no sign of the other car or any lights.
What had been behind us?

I drove back to the church and we started the investigation but I must admitt, I did keep looking back at the lane all night and my little imagination of being watched was well and truly back.







We all heard noices but we were in the middle of the countryside.


I took a lot of photo's with orb's and just as many without.









I could not find any graves with the name Brereton on.









We could not go inside the church but Phil thought he heard voices or singing coming from inside.

We stayed most of the night until just before dawn.

What a wonderful spooky church. What had been those lights? Did Phil here voices from inside the church? Well a second visit is planned and hopefully these questions will be answered.