WEDDINGTON CASTLE - An Online History
Investigations of potential hauntings at Astley Castle by the West Midlands Ghost Club (www.westmidlandsghostclub.com).
Two reports by the West Midlands Ghost Club (WMGC), along with relevant imagery, are featured on this page, for which grateful thanks are given to the WMGC. Please click on the links below to access details and imagery of these investigations.
Investigation 1: 27th - 28th May 2006
Investigation 2: 20th - 21st October 2006
Picture Gallery of investigations
1) Investigation Report: Astley Castle and
Churchyard – The Midlands.
Date Of Visit: 27th / 28th May 2006
[I]. Introduction:
This report was compiled as a fairly casual / general, ‘observation of
proceedings’ made during the visit. (The bulk of which was recorded on audio
tape on site). Rough note form has been used throughout, for the sake of
brevity.
Present:
Investigative Team - Frazer; Steve and Nick.
[II]. Aims / Inv. Process:
General investigation of region - mainly focussing on allegedly haunted Castle
surroundings and nearby graveyard. Due to the fact that the Castle itself
is in a terrible state of decay, it is deemed unsafe for group members to
actually enter the structure.
Investigation procedure incorporating:
(a) 1st person audio / visual observation.
(b) Static (area based) audio / visual recording, incorporating standard / night
shot camera’s.
Due to the nature of the area being covered, a completely ‘casual’ approach was
taken during the visit, involving general patrols of the region concerned, as
well as static observation periods. Our visit was initially aimed at being
nothing more than a reconnoitre of the site concerned with a view to conducting
future investigations. However, we were so impressed with the area, we decided
to turn our visit into an investigation.
[III]. Brief History / Haunting:
The Castle (and surrounding area) in question is allegedly haunted by two
‘period’ apparitions. The gentle form of a ghostly monk has been seen many times
in the nearby churchyard.
[IV] Primary (1st Hand) Notes: Findings, Experiences / Poss. Significant Events:
Upon arriving at the site, Steve accosted a local resident who told us that he
had just visited the nearby graveyard because of a recent act of vandalism –
local yobs throwing stones through the church windows – which occurred the
previous night. The gentleman concerned was happy to accompany us into the
churchyard and kindly filled us in on certain historical details, etc,
associated with the region.
After his departure, the group took some photographs of the site and – after
briefly investigating some nearby out-buildings - walked around the perimeter of
the Castle. Having almost completed our tour, I happened to look up at one
of the windows of the property and saw, what I initially took to be, half of a
pure white ‘head / face’ disappearing behind one side of a window frame. It
appeared as if someone had just been taking a quick look at us and speedily
withdrew their head when I’d spotted them. Somewhat perplexed, I was about to
say something to Frazer and Steve when, through a nearby window on the same
floor, I saw a large(ish) bird, possibly a pigeon or dove, flying in the same
direction that the ‘shape’ had appeared to dart. From this, I immediately
presumed that the head / face I had seen was actually just a bird……… Having
mentioned this to my companions, Steve asked if I was sure it had been the bird,
and I had to admit that – although likely – the fleeting glimpse that I had seen
was not bird-like in any way, but more oval and, as mentioned, approaching pure
white in colour.
We re-entered the churchyard and Steve placed his camera on a tomb lid, facing
towards the Castle ruins. Frazer had taken a seat some 40 or so yards away
(on a bench) and was generally looking in the direction of myself and Steve.
While he is sitting, he begins aiming questions at the air around him –
specifically mentioning one of the historical figures said to haunt the
locality. As we re-join him, he reports having just seen a ‘bright light’ appear
some 18 inches from his face – slightly to the left of his head, but at eye
level – which seemed to shoot off quickly, out of sight, to his left. The light
itself was 18 to 24 inches in length and 2.5 to 3” thick, tapering off to a
point at both ends. (This happened approx. 10.18 p.m.) It was seen clearly and
was brilliant white in colour.
As we sit discussing the matter on the bench, Steve sees a greyish ‘arc of
light’ just in front of us and slightly to our left. (Around 5 feet from the
group and fairly close to the ground).
A short while later, Frazer reports seeing a ball of light – about the size of a
melon – with a surrounding glow about it. This was spotted amongst some trees
near the churchyard / Castle gate, not far from Steve’s (still recording)
video camera. Frazer offers to show us where the light was and, as we begin
walking towards the spot, I see a quick moving, hazy, semi-circle of light
travelling both under the trees and then to the left of them. I suggest the
presence of passing cars on the road a few hundred yards behind the spot, but
Frazer says that the light he saw couldn’t be accounted for in this way.
At the spot in question, I recognise my ‘effect’ as being made by car headlights
in the distance and Frazer and Steve suggest that I remain at this point, while
they return to the bench so that we can later compare notes, etc. I subsequently
wonder what I’m doing standing alone in such a place and generally ‘put the
willies’ up myself to the extent that I have a creeping feeling on the back of
my neck!
After watching cars proceed along the road in question for a while, I return to
the churchyard, convinced that what I had personally seen was an effect of their
headlights. (Note* Having said this – the fuzzy, moving, light effect that I
initially saw from the churchyard was not at all akin to the ‘round’ and
‘static’ light seen by Frazer. Therefore – also trusting Frazers observational
skills implicitly – I am in no way stating that the obvious cause of my ‘effect’
was also that of the other ‘anomaly’ witnessed. The ‘passing car effect’ was
spotted by all present, sporadically throughout the visit, but the light which
Frazer reported only occurred once).
Just prior to my return to the group, Frazer had a fleeting impression of a
figure standing in the arch of the main entrance to the church. He describes the
form as being possibly 5.5 to 6 feet high, vague and grey, and appearing to turn
quickly and vanish in the instant that he saw it. Frazer openly admits that this
was probably nothing more than an optical illusion of some kind.
The group move to the small pathway leading from the churchyard to the Castle and Steve reports having just seen a round, ball of light, approx. half
the size of a human head, situated in the tree’s to the right of the Castle
moat bridge.
Standing on the path, talking amongst ourselves casually, Steve suddenly lets
out an almighty, startled cry – scaring the life out of yours truly, who was
facing in the opposite direction at the time!
Following a query as to what had happened, Steve reports having turned slightly
to look over his left shoulder – whereupon he instantly spotted a ‘figure’
standing immediately behind him!! He subsequently describes what he saw as
taller than Frazer (in excess of 6 feet) and grey in colour. Only having a
fleeting glimpse, he could say little more, save for the fact that there was
something like a long, ‘cloak’ effect to the form and that it was standing
completely still.
While Steve is still recovering – and in the period when endeavouring to explain
what he had seen - Frazer clearly appears mildly agitated about something……
Interestingly, it turns out that - just prior to the sighting - Frazer clearly
heard a brief, rustling sound. He described it as ‘akin to the sort of noise
made by flapping fabric’, which was seemingly originating from directly behind
Steve. This occurred at 11.25 p.m.
Frazer suddenly says out loud: “If that was you with us there – please come
back………”
Steve instantly reacts again and – most unlike him - appears to try and flee the
area in which we are standing! It transpires that, as Frazer delivered his
question, Steve saw a figure situated some 8 or so feet away, apparently moving
quickly towards the group……… I happen to be looking in the direction of the
church / Castle gate at this exact time, but see nothing at all.
Steve is all too evidently shaken by the encounter for some while after. A
description of the figure is given
as: Appearing to have some form of diamond /
net type pattern to it’s clothing and most probably female. It appeared to be
wearing something akin to a ‘Dracula-esque’ collar – i.e. the collar wings
sticking out – and it had straight shoulders……… Steve gets a feeling of the
‘Tudor’ period associated with the form. Because of this, I suggest that the
previously mentioned patternation of the clothing might have been reminiscent of
the padded, diamond designs that you frequently see associated with the period.
However, Steve says the effect wasn’t padded, but more like ‘engraved’………
In comparing both of the figures recently witnessed, Steve states that he
believes they were not the same form. The 2nd figure appeared smaller than the
1st and the 1st lacked the detail that the 2nd had shown. He now laments the
fact that he hadn’t tried to view the 2nd figure for longer, instead of
attempting to escape it!
Of considerable note is the peculiar fact that Steve says he couldn’t see the
head of the 2nd figure? (Note* In this, he is not stating that the form was
necessarily headless, but, in the brief time that he saw it, he didn’t actually
‘notice’ a head). Interestingly, such details certainly fit in with some of the
historic figures directly associated with the site.
(Steve drew the above diagram of the figure upon returning home).
Directly after the sighting, Frazer suggests some further experimentation, but
Steve doesn’t appear keen on the idea. An item of information, unknown to myself
until this point, is the fact that Steve had mentioned having a feeling that
they were being followed by a ‘tall woman’ earlier on in the visit.
As we re-enter the churchyard, my cassette recorder picks up a clear ‘clang’
sound – quite a sustained note - very much like that made by a bell. As we are
passing through a metal gate around this point, this might account for the
sound, though I do not recall having heard such a noise which was quite clear
and obvious. The gate concerned is also very rusty.
We return to the bench and spent the rest of the visit seated. Nothing further
of interest occurred and we leave the site during the early hours.
[V]. Conclusions / Observations:
Despite the comparative brevity of the investigation – in opposition to our
usual ‘all-nighter’ vigils – Astley Castle appears to have furnished the group
with a host of potentially paranormal occurrences.
Of considerable note when looking back at the investigation is the simple fact
that a few of the events (potentially) encountered were of such ‘impact’ as to
catch certain group members off guard and, doubtlessly, led to reactions not
normally associated with these members. Needless to mention, Steve – while
being prone to ghostly experiences at times – is certainly not a person one
could regard as ‘jumpy’ or ‘flighty’ in a potentially paranormal situation. One
can only conclude, from some of his reactions during the visit, that the events
experienced were of such magnitude as to throw him totally off kilter.
Given the alleged, ghostly history associated with the site, a number of the
experiences shared by the group during the visit would certainly seem to have
had possible connections with the region and its history / folk-lore.
End of investigation
report.
Back to top
2)
Investigation Report: Astley Castle and Churchyard – The Midlands.
Date Of Visit: 20th / 21st October 2006
This was the WMGC’s second visit to this site, the first taking place in
late May 2006.
Present:
Investigative Team – Claire, Kevin, Len, John, Julie and Nick.
Aims / Investigation Process:
General ‘stake-out’ of the area concerned, focussing on the area surrounding the
allegedly haunted Castle and the nearby graveyard.
Investigation procedure was purposefully kept at a very basic level. The bulk of
the visit was taken up with casual ‘patrols’ of the region concerned, along with
'static' periods of observation.
Visit Notes: Including findings, experiences / possible significant events:
The group arrived on site at approximately 9.20 p.m. and entered the graveyard.
The visit began with a cursory walk around the region to familiarise everyone
with their surroundings, etc, including viewing the Castle ruins from the
surrounding grounds. During this period, John reports having a brief
feeling of losing his balance while walking through the churchyard – though he
says that this was a by-product of the darkness and walking on uneven ground,
rather than anything of a paranormal nature. Also during this time, a Club
member left the rest of the group to speak briefly with the occupant of a nearby
cottage.
Whilst standing at the side of the house ruins, Claire took some
photographs of the general area - two of which showed interesting anomalies.
(These photographs are yet to be studied in any detail, however).
It was subsequently decided that the attendees should split into two groups of
three people and ‘static’ vigils begun at two particular spots: a bench in the
churchyard and on the bridge which crosses the moat at the entrance to the
Castle.
These spots were chosen on the weight of our last visit to the site.
• The churchyard bench was the site of some potential light phenomenon and
served as a good vantage point for anyone wishing to observe the house side of
the churchyard. (Leading down to a cluster of trees around a kissing gate, where
potential light phenomena was previously observed).
• The bridge gives a good view of both the nearby churchyard, pathway leading to
the house and – most importantly - the area where Steve witnessed two
separate figures during the May visit.
Vigil One ran from 10.04 pm to 10.34 pm. No one on either team reported anything
of interest during this period.
Vigil Two ran from 10.34 pm (approx) to 11. 20 pm (approx). While situated on
the bridge, Claire and Nick detected some three or four solitary
sounds – something like large ‘drip’ noises – from somewhere behind the locked,
house gates. (As we had been suffering terrible showers for the preceding days,
we presume that this was nothing more than water falling from the surrounding
trees).
Towards the end of Vigil Two, Len believed that he saw some vague lights
in the trees around the kissing gate area and went to investigate. As mentioned
above, such lights were seen in this area during our last visit, some of which
(at least) were due to car headlights on a road which runs around a mile
distant.
As the night had been all too evidently getting colder as time went by, it was
decided that we should skip any further static vigils and the visit should be
rounded off with a general ‘patrol’ of the churchyard area.
At approx. 11.20 pm, Kev was walking thorough the graves on the house
side of the cemetery – towards the tower end of the building – when he felt
(what he describes as) a ‘vibration’ in his left ear and the feeling that
someone was standing close to him. He says that he did jump slightly and
instantly checked, but there was on one present. He did feel strange for some
minutes afterwards.
At 11.45 pm, while standing with John and Julie, relating the above mentioned
incident, the three saw a light seemingly moving through the kissing gate trees
from (Castle) left to right (behind the church). Kev reported that it looked
like a torch, while John says it appeared to be like a car. The same light was
seen again a little later and it was the by-product of car headlights.
Moments later, Kev happened to take a head count of the group – shining his
torch on the figures for illumination, while standing on the grassy portion of
the house side of the graveyard. (Just roughly in front of the ancient ‘stone
head carving’ on the wall). In his words:
“We turned around and I shone the light at the tree with the bench and I could
see 2 people there. I said to Conna and Julie, ‘there’s two’, I then shone my
torch towards the newer graves in the corner of the yard where I thought Clare
had gone and I saw another two people (Claire and another). I said to Conna and
Julie, ‘there’s the other two’.
Conna then said, well that’s everyone accounted for.
It took me about 20 seconds to say that makes 7 people and there are only 6 of
us here.
It would appear that Clare had been at the newer graves by herself, and whatever
I had seen had just registered as another person right close to her.
All I had been doing was a headcount to see if the lights in the tree was one of
the group”.
Unfortunately, as Kev had only been taking a cursory glance around the group, he
did not note any real detail about the ‘extra’ figure, except for the fact that
it was dark in appearance. (In opposition to Claire C. who was wearing a light
coloured jacket).
The group leave the site at approximately 12 midnight.
End of investigation
report.
Back
to top
3) Picture gallery of images taken during investigations (a fuller gallery can be seen at the WMGC site by clicking here).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more paranormal investigations of local sites you can visit the West Midlands Ghost Club website at: www.westmidlandsghostclub.com. Many thanks to the WMGC for supplying the above reports and images.
