'From Tiny Acorns'...: A Brief History Of The West Midlands Ghost Club.
Intro: Endeavouring To Cut Through The Bluff, Bluster And General 'B/S' Of The Current Research World!
What sets the W.M.G.C. apart from most other
self-professed ghost societies, is the simple fact that our investigations are
purposefully carried out in a purely ‘objective’, no-nonsense manner... casting
off all of the unnecessary blatant chicanery, ‘New Age’ bunkum and
pseudo-scientific trappings that appear to have become the trade mark of late
20th / early 21st Century investigator. While group membership consists of a
necessary mix of both ‘sceptic’ and ‘believer’, the W.M.G.C. constantly strives
to promote an 'impartial' standpoint for the sake of true investigation, which –
by definition – has to remain undogmatic and neutral. Unlike most other
societies, the W.M.G.C. does not run to a ‘biased agenda’: we have no interest
in either proving the existence of the paranormal, or disproving it. In the
field, our research work is mainly based on observation and impartial study -
consisting of audio / visual recordings, manned ‘vigil’ sessions and attention
to environmental factors.
The W.M.G.C. do not endorse the use of psychic / mediumistic types in
investigative situations. Unlike most other groups, we do not make false claims
in professing to be able to ‘alter’ a haunted situation in any way, shape or
form. The groups motivation and intentions are refreshingly honest and purely
research based. We are not interested in attempting to falsely prove that we
have any form of ‘insider knowledge’ or ‘special powers’.
Brief History:
Despite what some groups might
now claim, there were no paranormal research societies active locally
during the late 1980's. Following initial contact between the founding
members of the West Midlands Ghost Club, efforts to launch some
form of investigative group – albeit frustrated at first – were underway.
August 1989 saw the very first article which carried a mention of the group –
then called the ‘West Midlands Friends Of The Paranormal’ (well, it seemed a
good idea at the time!)
At the beginning of 1991, the group subsequently began using our more familiar W.M.G.C.
moniker, which was intended as a tribute to the spirit of the original Ghost
Club (of Great Britain), which was founded in 1862.
In the mid-90’s, group membership expanded to ‘4’ with the introduction of (then) UFO researcher, Roger Simpson. A qualified computer technician and audio / visual hardware buff, Rogers ‘Tekkie’ traits proved to be an invaluable addition to the post-investigative portion of group activities.
Over the period 2002 / 03, group membership more than doubled, but, due to unforeseen circumstances and complications, subsequently diminished again within a fairly short time. Of all the associates added during this expansion period, only one – the bouncer-esque Frazer Smith – has remained an active member of the group. Both his enthusiasm and his keen ministrations on behalf of the Club have made him a most welcome and appreciated addition to the company………
‘Enthusiasm for the subject’ was also a strong factor in our decision to add the team’s 6th member – Steve Chew – in early 2004. A telecommunications worker (and drummer in a rock band!), Steve has had a number of paranormal experiences in recent years and obviously embodies an overwhelming drive for the research field that few can equal…
Our most recent addition to the group came in the form of a solid, objective thinker, Mr. Kevin ‘Casanova’ Wallace. Kev – the Manager of an investigative team attached to a well known bank – was already a veteran of a great many ghost hunts prior to joining us.
Within the last 15 years or so,
W.M.G.C. members have visited literally thousands of (allegedly) haunted sites
around the Midlands region. Just some of the places that we have visited in an
overnight, investigatory capacity include: Belgrave Hall, Leicestershire; The
Manor House, West Bromwich; The Littleton Arms, Walsall; The Moat House,
Tamworth; The Littleton Academy of Dance, Wednesbury; The Court Oak Public
House, Harbourne; Horsehay Railway Museum, Nr. Telford; Whitefriars Museum,
Coventry; Wolverhampton Civic Hall; The Lunt Roman Fort, Baginton; The Brew
House Theatre, Burton On Trent and a host of private residences. (*See our
‘Investigations’ section for a full, chronological list of sites visited).
W.M. Ghost Club investigations are conducted in a ‘no nonsense’, practical manner, incorporating audio / visual recording sessions, ‘manned’ vigils and temperature observation. We do not condone the use of psychics as an investigative tool, choosing to focus on more reliable, ‘down to earth’ techniques.
One of the group’s most interesting projects to date has been the development of our web site. A fairly primitive version of the page was first launched in 1997, with a complete overhaul, expansion and re-launch taking place in 2000. May 2003 saw the site’s most recent rebuild – bringing it to it’s current state…..
Over the years, our activities have often attracted the attention of media related sources, including television, radio and a whole variety of publications and periodicals.
October 2000 saw members of the group take part in the B.B.C. documentary: ‘Midlands Report – Ghosts’, filmed at Belgrave Hall in Leicester. (Broadcast Jan. 18th 2001). Since then, we have also been asked to take part in paranormal related programmes by a number of mainstream T.V. companies. [1]
In early 2002, three members of
the group featured in the independent video ‘Ghosthunters’, made by Steve Bullen
of ‘Cracked Knuckles’ productions (Surrey). That same year, we gave our backing
to a documentary series – also called ‘Ghost Hunters’ – proposed by ‘Dash
Productions’ of Granada Television, and provided background information for the
‘Most Haunted Live’ broadcast from Dudley Castle. (Aired Oct. 31st).
During late May 2003, Club members were also invited to appear on the ‘ITV1’
debate programme: ‘The Last Word’.
During 2004, the group provided background material for the popular ‘Haunted Walsall’ display, which ran at the Town Museum for approximately 6 months. October (04) saw the W.M.G.C. collaborating with The Mander Centre and Wolf F.M. radio station for a ‘Live Halloween Show’, broadcast from a number of allegedly haunted sites around Wolverhampton City Centre.
In 2005, the group was asked to begin undertaking investigations at selected venues in and around Burton On Trent for Chris Campbell-Brown, organiser of the popular 'Burton Ghost Walk'. A 'Sponsored Ghost Hunt' held at Coventry Guildhall and organised by group member Kevin Wallace in Nov. 05 raised £500 for Birmingham Children's Hospital. (*Sum raised by W.M.G.C. members and 15 other attendees). Late 2005 saw the group being approached by I.T.V. researchers requesting background information for the 'Haunted Homes' series and staff working on the Derek Akorah show: 'Ghost Towns'.
In early 2006, three W.M.G.C. members appeared in an episode of the I.T.V. topical, local interest programme: 'Central-Extra' - which was broadcast on January 10th.
Around this period, the group membership expanded by one new member, in the form of Claire Stephens - partner of Steve Chew.
During 2007, the W.M.G.C. once again chose to 'expand our ranks' somewhat and added 4 new associates to the mix. This fresh blood came in the form of John Conway, Julie Badger, Robert Ellett and the illustrious 'Sir' Simon ...... Within only a short period of time, yet another new member was added to the mix, this time in the form of Julia Whiston......
Unfortunately, at the end of 2007, the group took a substantial blow with the news that one of our founder members - Len Jackson - was having to 'take a rest' from club activities....... Long standing member, Frazer Smith, also resigned his position within the group just before Christmas.
We often find ourselves
approached for technical / research advice by television / independent film
companies and media students [2]. Also, group members have appeared in
broadcasts on a number of local radio stations. [3]
Over the years, a number of our investigations and activities have been covered by both local and national periodicals and publications, resulting in some 150 separate mentions in print to date! [4]
Some of the more ‘interesting’ propositions to have come our way in recent years include: offers of a modelling job for yours truly following one particular press release (I kid you not!); a request for members of the club to appear on a special, Halloween edition of ‘The Salon – Live’ (again, I kid you not!) and a chance to help in background research for the Playstation 2 game, ‘GhostHunter’. Other unlikely – but totally true – scenario’s include a request for us to go ‘pot-holing’ in haunted mines in the Peak District; a run-in with naked lap-dancers and a chance of spending a night in a glorified London cellar to the tune of £1400!!……
References:
[1]: ‘B.B.C. T.V.’; ‘Central T.V.’; ‘Channel 4’; ‘Carlton T.V.’; Polish Television – ‘T.V.N.’ and ‘ I.T.V’.
[2]: I.e. Carey Street Productions (London); ‘Thames Television’; ‘Childrens .B.B.C.’; Residual Films (Birmingham); the ‘Shoal’ Television Company; ‘Princess Productions’; (the ‘Scream Team’ related) ‘Making Time T.V.’; I.T.V. 1 and I.T.V. 2; 'Most Haunted' producers and researchers working on behalf of the Derek Akorah show - 'Ghost Towns'.
[3]: Inc. ‘B.B.C. Radio Stoke’; ‘B.B.C. Radio Coventry and Warwks.’; ‘B.B.C. Radio WM’; B.B.C. Radio Shropshire; ‘Kerrang Radio’; SAGA Radio; ‘B.R.M.B. Radio’; ‘Beacon F.M.’; ‘B.B.C. Radio 5 – Live’; 'Stafford University Radio', ‘Walsall Hospital Radio’ and 'Dudley Road Hospital Radio'.
[4]: The ‘Fortean Times’ Magazine; The West Midlands Life Magazine; The Staffordshire Life Magazine; The Sun; The Express & Star; The Birmingham Evening Mail; The Black Country Bugle; The Birmingham Post; The Walsall Advertiser; The Walsall Observer; The Walsall Chronicle; Sutton On Sunday; The Tamworth Herald; The Paranormal News; The Coventry Observer; The Staffordshire Newsletter; The Shropshire Star; The Newport Advertiser; The Bromsgrove Herald; The Wolverhampton AdNews; The Willenhall, Wednesbury and Darlaston AdNews; The Dudley News; The Great Barr Observer; The Stafford Post; The Horsehay Steam Trust Magazine; The Sutton Coldfield Observer. Also the MENSA special interest newsletter: ‘The Optimist’; 'The ASH Magazine', along with the books ‘Spooky Tales From Smethwick’ by Marilyn Cliff 'Mysterious Happenings' and 'Eerie Happenings' by Carol Arnall.
