Text-only website version
This section was created to comply with best practice as set out in the Disability Discrimination Act (1995). As such all text appears in Arial font in at least point size 12.
To visit the regular PSI website, please go to www.p-s-i.org.uk
Welcome to the
website of Paranormal Site Investigators (PSI).
PSI exists to research and investigate the alleged existence of ghosts.
This website can be used to find out more about one of the UK's most
professional paranormal investigation and research organisations.
Navigate around the site to find out more about how we operate, about our team
and our previous investigations.
The press centre covers our previous media work and provides information for
journalists. The research section details our formal research activities.
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Where are you
based?
Most of the PSI team are based in the north Wiltshire area.
Do you do this for a living?
No; no one in the country does. There is no public money available for
investigations or psychical research. Through charging, mediums can make a
living as can entertainers or event organisers. These are not essentially
paranormal investigators. Around 30 postgraduates world-wide are employed to
research Parapsychology, although research into 'ghosts' does not fall directly
into this category.
It is possible to be voluntary but not amateur, however. Many groups investigate
for a hobby or to 'thrill-seek'. A small number of groups including PSI strive
to be voluntary but professional.
How can I study parapsychology?
Parapsychology is a post-graduate specialism of the academic discipline
psychology. A 'parapsychologist' is an academic who has studied the specialism
at post-graduate level. Several short courses and online courses are offered in
'parapsychology' which are not accredited. These should not be treated as
qualifications in parapsychology. The best way to study parapsychology is to
enroll on an MSc course in a University that specialises in the field.
How much does it cost to be involved with PSI?
PSI makes no charge for membership, involvement or investigations. From time to
time venues have overheads to cover, and they may levy a charge to investigators
directly. PSI charges nothing on top of this.
Can I join PSI?
You can join PSI for free, entitling you to receive our newsletter, journal and
apply to become further involved. To sign up please use the form to the top
right of this page, or email membership@p-s-i.org.uk
How do I become more involved with PSI?
PSI occasionally accepts applications for regular members to become regular
Guest Investigators. Visit the join the team section of the website here for
more details.
To get involved with research, please visit the research section of the website,
here.
Why is it not easier to get involved with PSI?
PSI caps its active members to two tiers, so that PSI can invest time and
resources in developing investigator's skills.
PSI ensures the suitability of investigators through a rigorous selection
procedure for the peace of mind of venue owners, cohesion of the team and
reliability of the results reported.
This process also benefits incoming members, so they can be sure they are
entering a trusting, stable and safe group.
I own/manage a venue that I would like to be investigated. Do you make any
service charges?
PSI never makes any charges for service. Please visit the investigation request
section of the website here.
How can I contact a medium for a reading?
PSI does not set up such events, but you can click here to email Joanna Whitby,
our resident medium, or visit her website here.
Are there any paranormal investigation groups in my area?
Almost certainly. If you search the internet, almost every county in the UK has
at least one investigation team based there.
Many groups do not accept new investigators, but do avoid signing up to the
first team that might accept you. Paranormal investigations are entirely
unregulated, and there are a number of teams with unprofessional, unethical or
dangerous methods of practice. Of the more noteworthy organisations, some are
scientific-rationally focused and others spiritually-focused. It is worth
researching to find out which is the best team for you, and ask for advice from
others.
Can my website exchange links/banners with yours?
PSI welcomes communications from other organisations and each exchange request
is dealt with on a case by case basis. Email website@p-s-i.org.uk
Any other website should feel free to link to this website.
Can I send you an unusual photo I have taken?
PSI responds to all enquiries. It should be noted that oftentimes conclusions
cannot be drawn without PSI having in-depth knowledge of the exact circumstances
surrounding the capturing of a photograph. Please view sceptically any team that
claims to do otherwise.
I have another question
It is most likely dealt with elsewhere on the website, but please do feel free
to email us with any enquiries at enquiries@p-s-i.org.uk
PSI staff are
friendly, professional and approachable. Do not hesitate to contact us with any
queries using the email addresses below.
We do not disclose postal addresses or phone numbers on these web pages. If you
would prefer to be contacted by these means please note your contact details in
any email correspondence.
General enquiries: info@p-s-i.org.uk
Membership enquiries: membership@p-s-i.org.uk
Request an investigation: venues@p-s-i.org.uk
Press and media enquiries: press@p-s-i.org.uk
Research or journal enquiries: research@p-s-i.org.uk
Website feedback: website@p-s-i.org.uk
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User data
PSI staff have no means of gathering any data about any users, or about the
identity of individuals who visit the PSI website.
Members/Contacting PSI
When individuals contact PSI, including joining PSI, staff retain their details
indefinitely in secure, password protected databases.
No contact information or information about individuals is shared with any third
party without prior consent.
Staff may place the contacts of individuals who contact us on our mailing lists
if it is felt appropriate, unless requested otherwise.
All details and information held can be destroyed on request.
Confidentiality
All information supplied to PSI is held confidentially within the organisation,
unless agreed otherwise. Exceptions occur when PSI is held to have a duty of
care; when staff believe individuals may be of harm to themselves or others PSI
is bound to communicate all known information to relevant emergency services or
to local authorities.
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PSI is a
not-for-profit paranormal investigation and research group, based in the south
west of England.
Our aim is to scientifically monitor and record alleged incidences of paranormal
phenomena.
Specifically, PSI’s objectives are to:
■ Investigate allegedly haunted sites across the southwest and beyond
■ To contribute to the field of psychical research
■ To work constructively with the media to raise public awareness of the field
Use the bar to the left to find out more about how PSI operates.
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PSI believes that
paranormal investigations should be conducted in a way as close as possible to a
scientific experimental case study. This derives from PSI’s objective of seeking
to find evidence of paranormal phenomena. Unless investigations are treated
scientifically, PSI could never hope to draw any conclusions or meaningful
evidence from them.
As such, PSI has clear research objectives when conducting investigations. PSI
has clear experimental hypotheses to falsify, and seeks to eliminate as many
compounding variables as possible.
Similarly, PSI has strong codes of ethics it adheres to on investigations.
Whilst PSI’s core objective in designing investigations is to gather scientific
evidence, PSI recognises that use of spiritual methods have a place in
generating rich case studies for the benefit of venue owners. Spiritual methods
can also be useful in generating further research questions, even though they
must be discounted as scientific evidence. Thus, PSI defines its methodology as
the ‘scientific-holistic’ method.
Further, whilst PSI as a research organisation has set ethos, individual
investigators range from hardened sceptics to sceptical-believers. Each
investigator has different individual motivations for investigating with PSI,
but each still contributes towards its overall design.
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This substantive
section details PSI's investigation methodology; Investigations are compared to
conventional scientific research.
The section explains more about what PSI does on investigations, and more
importantly why we do what we do. Italicised words carry definitions to their
right.
PSI methodology is split into three sections, which are outlined below.
Ethical issues associated with investigations are also considered.
PSI conducts investigations in the context of three research objectives:
1. To develop a case study of a particular property
2. To conduct qualitative, naturalistic research over the course of the
investigation
3. To perform quantitative field research
Investigations as
a case study
One research objective of conducting a paranormal investigation is to build up
an overall picture of a property. The purpose of this objective is to build a
catalogue of allegedly ‘haunted properties’ and provide a rich and detailed
report for the benefit of owners of the properties.
As such, the report brings together several strands of research:
■ A historical report of the venue
■ A catalogue of anomalous phenomena reported over time
■ Witness reports of ‘anomalous phenomena’ derived from interviews with
witnesses
■ An account of any phenomena recorded over the course of the investigation
■ An account of any information established through non-scientific spiritual
methods over the course of the investigation.
Case studies are not randomly selected and are either self-selective, by venue
owners approaching PSI or venues are purposefully chosen because of accounts of
anomalous phenomena.
Case study reports do not impose limitations or constraint by requiring all
phenomena to be operationally defined. There is no attempt to manipulate
variables and no attempt to systematically determine how variables interrelate.
No analysis or critical assessments are made of case studies, and no conclusions
are drawn from them as to whether reported phenomena are valid or accurate, and
are not used to generalise findings.
Investigations as naturalistic research
Investigation settings are slightly artificial in nature. Operationally an
investigation consists of a group of trained participants being used to
self-report, in non-operational terms, any phenomena witnessed. Individuals act
as participants as they are split into groups, spending forty-five minute
sessions in different locations, being asked to report what is experienced into
voice recording equipment. Such accounts are subsequently transcribed.
Attempts are made to record by various means any phenomena reported for reasons
of verifiability (see below). In addition, attempts are made to record phenomena
independently of participants, following the tenacious paranormal theories that
phenomena can include unexplained voices when white noise is recorded, and that
phenomena can include spontaneous PK. Thus sound recorders are set up to record
against static radio or television channels, and camcorders record ‘trigger’
objects to test the PK theory.
Further tenacious paranormal theories are occasionally tested during
investigations. Methodologies for these are noted in the relevant investigation
reports.
Participants also act as ‘investigators’ by engaging in quantitative field
research, which will be described later.
Such naturalistic research presents a large number of threats to reliability and
validity. Attempts are made to minimalise such threats, but it is not possible
to eliminate all threats:
Reliability: Human testimony
Human participants’ testimony is flawed, representing a problem of reliability:
■ Participants thus carry photographic equipment to attempt to capture phenomena
witnessed. However, photographic equipment can also be flawed, as discussed
later.
■ Self-reports are made instantly, as opposed to reliance on retrospective
reporting, a method associated with even more problems of reliability.
Reliability: Human psychology
Empirical phenomena reported by participants can be psychologically caused,
presenting further problems of reliability:
■ Participants are open to ‘suggestion’. Efforts are made to minimise the level
of suggestion. For example groups of participants are not permitted to discuss
with other groups anything witnessed during sessions, to avoid the experiences
of one group affecting the reporting of another group. It is more difficult,
however, to limit the level of suggestion within a group, as participants can be
influenced by what others are experiencing. These problems cause treating
witness reports as ‘reliable’ to be flawed, making analysis difficult.
■ Participants can be primed by expectation. Participants are not permitted to
research the history of venues in advance of investigations, so as not to be
influenced by the knowledge of past events, owners or previous phenomena
reported. Similarly, in the selection of venues, efforts are made to avoid
venues previously ‘studied’ by television programs focusing on the paranormal.
Any evidence reported by investigation leaders who have researched or dealt with
venue owners in advance of the investigation is treated as suspect during
analysis. Finally, participants are deemed to be ‘primed’ by having participated
in paranormal investigations before.
■ Empirical reports can be the result of hallucination, including group
hallucination and imagination. It is noted when phenomena are witnessed by more
than one participant, in the attempt to promote inter-observer reliability, but
the problem of group hallucination remains. Efforts are made to control
conventional factors that could cause affected perception, such as a prohibition
of use of alcohol or mind-altering drugs on the day of investigations.
Similarly, any evidence reported after, say, 0200 can be viewed as especially
unreliable, due to the potential of cause by sleep deprivation. The problem of
witnesses reporting events that may have not taken place is possibly the
greatest problem of reliability, calling all evidence into question that was not
verified by photographic equipment.
■ Sampling errors can effect phenomena recorded. The individuals own experiences
and mindset can affect what is reported. For example studies have shown that
those who self define as ‘sceptics’ have less ability to report phenomena when
it is witnessed, whereas those who self-define as ‘believers’ have been shown to
report phenomena where none is in evidence.
Reliability: Recording equipment
Reliability of photographic equipment is a threat to verification of recorded
empirical phenomena. For example digital cameras may appear to record anomalies
where it is in fact distorting light, dust, moisture or reflections. Where
possible these variables should be controlled, but otherwise analysts should
have an awareness of the location and any potential factors which could
interfere with photographic equipment. Further, use of digital cameras are
backed up with use of 35mm cameras and camcorders, which are held to be more
reliable. Finally, all locations that are to be the settings of sessions are
photographed on two occasions before the investigation to act as a baseline.
Internal validity
Problems of internal validity can be identified and attempts made at control. In
a natural largely uncontrolled environment there can be problems associated with
outside events, which can be confused by participants as anomalous phenomena.
All possible outside events must be recorded and verified with other groups or
by venue owners before any inferences are drawn. For example all potential
phenomena recorded are noted with the time of the event, and all teams have
synchronised time pieces. This allows events reported outside of the session
setting to be verified by other groups. Venue owners are also interviewed
between sessions concerning any possible outside events. Similarly, analysts
should have an appreciable knowledge of the venue, to be able to analyse any
structural factors. However, it is not possible to eliminate all outside events,
so even corroborated reports must be treated scepitcally.
Construct validity
■ One identifiable threat to construct validity is bias, including demand
characteristics, social desirability and experimenter bias. Again, it is nearly
impossible to guarantee elimination of all such biases. Trained, experienced
participants who are not reinforced for reporting phenomena help to overcome
these biases, but it is difficult to fully rule them out.
■ A further threat to construct validity is that alternative theories can be
found to explain phenomena. Any explanation found should be deemed to be the
most ‘likely’ explanation. Therefore at the stage of analysis, evidence should
be ruled out if there is a more likely explanation for a reported phenomena,
other than it being ‘unexplained’.
Ecological validity
An arguable strength of paranormal investigations is the relative ecological
validity of the research. That is investigations are conducted in ‘natural
settings’, in properties actually reputed to associated with anomalous
phenomena. There are, however, significant threats to the ecological validity of
investigations and to the nature of ‘naturalistic’ research specifically.
Investigations are forced environments with use of monitoring equipment. Efforts
are made to minimalise the intrusiveness of such operations, but
‘investigations’ can never fully represent ecologically valid natural
conditions.
Following naturalistic research ‘investigations’ all evidence is analysed
against the weaknesses in reliability and validity as outlined above.
Analysis tends to be a process of elimination of all evidence, and the
occasional drawing of tentative conclusions that recorded phenomena may be, as
yet, unexplained.
Quantitative field research
Such research contends to test the tenacious paranormal theory that there is a
correlational – not in this case causal – relationship between phenomena
reported by participants and and fluctuations in the environment recorded using
equipment.
Tenacious theories expound that there is a correlation between phenomena and
fluctuations in: temperature, air pressure, humidity, presence of ionic
particles and in the electromagnetic field.
Thus baseline readings are recorded on two occasions in advance of the
investigation, once immediately before. Participants record readings every
fifteen minutes throughout sessions to establish a baseline against which
readings recorded when phenomena are reported can be contrasted.
There are numerous problems of reliability and validity associated with such
correlational research:
Reliability and validity
■ Human error can compromise the reliability of equipment readings. Whilst
participants are well trained in the use of equipment and are supervised at all
times, human error cannot be discounted.
■ Equipment error can further compromise reliability. All equipment is
duplicated and readings compared with each other before investigations begin,
but equipment error can never be fully ruled out.
■ Problems of internal and construct validity can compromise equipment readings.
That is, outside a laboratory setting it is difficult to establish a direct link
between equipment readings and reported phenomena: extraneous factors can
account for fluctuations. Thus, investigation leaders must attempt to control or
at least have knowledge of the causes of such extraneous factors, so elimination
can take place. For example natural or artificial temperature fluctuations
should be controlled or established. Further, external factors that cause
electromagnetic field fluctuations should be controlled (for example turning off
electrical equipment and mobile phones) or established (for example establishing
the location of power lines).
During the stage of analysis, correlation between reported phenomena and
environmental fluctuations can be highlighted. However there is need to
establish if the frequency or intensity of the fluctuations constitutes a
significant correlation, that could not have occurred naturally.
The frequency of such correlation can be too few within one session or
investigation to attempt to establish a correlation, and may be more appropriate
to meta-analyse across investigations.
Analysis and conclusions
As noted previously case study findings are not suitable for either analysis or
conclusion.
Evidence recorded through naturalistic and field research should be analysed in
respect of the methodological weaknesses in reliability and validity as outlined
above.
In practice, the majority of empirically recorded phenomena are ruled out under
the tests of reliability and validity. However, occasionally evidence withstands
scrutiny and can be declared ‘unexplained’. It should be noted that on the rare
occasions that evidence is not explainable it should not be described as
paranormal and will almost certainly not ‘prove’ the existence of the
paranormal. Firstly, by definition spontaneous anomalous phenomena tend not to
be repeatable, so proof cannot be established. Secondly, outside of a laboratory
setting, it cannot be positively established that the phenomena are not caused
by more mundane extraneous factors.
If a significant relationship between phenomena reported and environmental
fluctuations is established it should be emphasised that this is a correlation,
not a causal relationship. That is, without the ability to manipulate the
independent variable, is it not possible to conclude that such readings are
caused by the paranormal. For example, studies have shown correlation between
fluctuations in the electromagnetic field and the reporting of phenomena, but
argued that electromagnetic fluctuations caused perception of phenomena, as
opposed to electromagnetic fluctuations being caused by phenomena that had been
reported.
Finally and conversely, it should be noted that an investigation revealing no
evidence of spontaneous anomalous phenomena does not prove that a venue is not
‘haunted’, at best it proves that there was no phenomena reported on that
investigation.
Ethical issues
Ethical conduct is of great importance when conducting investigations,
especially as human participants are involved and individual’s properties are
the setting.
A number of investigation groups operate with unethical practices. PSI offers
assurances of its strong ethical standards, and presents the basis tenets of its
ethics, below:
■ Doing no harm. This relates to not putting participants at risk of undue
physical or emotional harm during an investigation, and being insured against
liability. Participants are chosen via a rigorous selection and training
procedure that ensures they are not of a nervous disposition. PSI carries out
safety assessments in conjunction with venues. PSI mediums offer spiritual
protection for participants who self-define as ‘believers’. PSI insists each
investigator completes and carries with them a full medical form.
■ Consent. All individuals participate with informed consent and no individuals
under the age of 18 are not permitted on PSI investigations.
■ Deception: All participants are fully briefed, trained and aware of all
research objectives.
■ Freedom to withdraw. All participants are free to withdraw at any time.
Further, venue owners have the right to halt any investigations at any time.
■ Confidentiality. All evidence and information gathered on investigations is
held in confidence within the organisation unless agreed otherwise, this applies
to work with the press. For these purposes the organisation is defined as
constrained to trained team members, and specialists associated with PSI to whom
confidentiality is occasionally extended.
■ Debriefing. All participants are fully debriefed and unload experiences at the
end of investigations, to ensure they leave the in the same psychological state
in which they arrived. PSI has follow up procedures should participants need to
discuss any issues after any investigations.
■ Reporting research. PSI has a duty to take due care any reporting of results,
especially to the media. PSI take the responsibility as being seen as
‘representing’ the field very seriously. PSI never sensationalises evidence or
vies for attention. PSI never makes unscientific claims, including concluding
that a property is ‘haunted’, or not ‘haunted’.
■ Treatment of venues and owners. All venues and owners are treated with respect
at all times. PSI always shares results with venues, abides by their wishes and
continues contact for as long as venues and owners need. Ethical responsibility
extends to not conducting investigations in any way which might cause a venue to
feel any 'presence' they feel has been exacerbated. PSI never performs
'clearances', but can refer venue owners to suitable individuals or groups
should they request that information. PSI has special ethical procedures for
dealing with private homes and families.
All PSI
investigators are required to successfully complete our training and selection
programme.
Before being accepted as a PSI Guest Investigator, all applicants must complete
the first three compulsory training modules, and attend ongoing training as
required.
All PSI training is developed and delivered by accredited trainers, adopting
accelerated learning techniques.
Some of our training modules are listed below:
Applicant training module: Introduction to PSI
This module introduces the applicant to the realities and responsibilities of
investigating the paranormal within PSI.
This training is peer and leader assessed.
Applicant training module: Equipment workshop
This module introduces applicants to equipment used on PSI investigations.
Participants learn why specific equipment is used, and are trained in its use.
Applicant training module: Investigation operations
This module is a detailed study of how investigations and organised and
conducted.
Applicants identify the importance of our methodology and investigation
protocols during this module.
Investigator training module: The scientific method
This module introduces investigators to the scientific method, and explores the
relationship between paranormal investigation, science and psychical research.
Investigator training module: Theories of the paranormal
This module explains some of the unscientific theories associated with
conventional paranormal investigation, and places them within the context of the
scientific advancement of the field.
Copyright
Evidence gathered on investigations are the joint copyright and ownership of PSI
and the individual investigator.
All copy on this website is the intellectual property of PSI and should not be
reproduced without permission.
Public Liability Insurance
PSI holds public liability insurance for all investigations and events
conducted, up to the limit of one million pounds.
Liability Release
All members at PSI events are required to sign a disclaimer releasing PSI and
the venue from all liability.
Police Notification
PSI notifies the police and relevant local authorities of investigations where
appropriate.
PSI Newsletter
The PSI newsletter is a fully art worked four-page publication, and carries
articles relating to PSI news, recent and future investigations, research and
media operations. The newsletter is available to members only and is produced
from time to time.
PSI Journal
The PSI Journal is a substantive, academic-style publication carrying research
and experimental articles, book reviews and external contributions. The Journal
is available to members only.
PSI Investigation Reports
PSI produces a substantive report for most investigations.
The equipment used
by PSI on investigations will be familiar to most investigation groups. To find
out more about how the equipment is used please consult the methodology section
of this website.
Equipment falls roughly into three categories:
■ Basics: Health, safety and recording equipment needed for the smooth-running
of investigations, also basics for experimentation.
■ Environmental monitoring equipment: Used to monitor environmental fluctuations
from the baseline.
■ Recording equipment: Used to attempt to record any evidence of phenomena.
PSI tends to hold duplicate copies of most equipment, so all groups can be fully
equipped.
The basics:
Including:
■ Torches
■ First aid kits
■ Legal and insurance documentation
■ Voice-activated digital note-takers
■ Multiple channel two-way radios
■ Trigger objects
■ Sound equipment to produce white noise
■ Synchronised time pieces
Environmental monitoring equipment:
Including:
■ Stationary thermometers
■ Mobile thermometers
■ Spot-temperature thermo-guns
■ Humidity detectors
■ Air pressure detectors
■ Electromagnetic field meters
■ Negative ion detectors
■ Power back-ups for all equipment
Recording equipment:
Including:
■ Camcorders with night vision functionality
■ Infra-red boosters
■ Digital cameras
■ 35mm cameras
■ Voice-recording machines
■ Motion detectors
■ Power back-ups for all equipment
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Individuals tend
to chose PSI because our reputation for professional excellence, our
sensitivity, and frequently because they live in a region that has been
investigated by PSI.
PSI never makes any service charges for investigations.
Commercial properties: investigations
PSI traditionally investigates commercial properties, such as museums, castles,
public houses and hotels. PSI has an effective media machine which can generate
positive media coverage for venues if requested, but also can operate with
strictest confidentiality where requested.
Private properties: assessing your needs
PSI has investigated a number of private homes, from terraced houses to stately
homes. Our founders work with families to assess the best course of action for
them. Where a formal investigation is inappropriate, or where families would
prefer a spiritual solution, PSI acts as a referral agent to more appropriate
services.
Our code of conduct
PSI abides by strict codes of conducts and investigation protocols. All venues
and houses are guaranteed a friendly, professional, unobtrusive investigation to
the highest of standards, with post-investigation support available.
PSI always stays in touch with venues and families for as long as they need
after investigations - we never just walk away.
PSI typically presents venues with a substantive report following any
investigation, but in other cases will always share results and conclusions with
venues and families.
To contact us to request and investigation please email venue@p-s-i.org.uk
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The overall
direction and activities of PSI are guided by the Founders in consultation with
the Core Members, all of whom are entitled to attend PSI investigations. Some
Core Members hold specific portfolios within the organisation, based on ability
and time commitment.
Guest investigators are invited to PSI investigations where the size of venue is
appropriate.
Navigate around this section to found out more about our patron - Peter
Underwood FRSA - our founders, core team and current pool of guest
investigators.
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PSI is privileged
to have Peter Underwood, FRSA, as the organisation's patron.
Author, broadcaster, lecturer and respected 'elder statesman of psychical
research', Peter Underwood, was described by The Guardian as "the world's
leading paranormal investigator".
The "undisputed King of Ghosthunters" is a veteran of television, radio and has
penned more than 45 books. He is also President of the Ghost Club Society
(founded 1852).
Mr Underwood describes PSI as an "admirable organisation", and is a contributor
to the PSI Research Journal.
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Dave is 23 and has
lived in the south west for most of his life. As Co-ordinator, Dave is
responsible for the overall running of PSI, its investigations and its media
operations. Dave is also co-editor of the PSI Journal. Dave has only been
interested in this field for three years, but his scientific grounding and BSc
qualification have helped Dave to bring rationality to PSI operations. Dave is
hoping to commence an MSc in Transpersonal Psychology in Autumn 2005.
Nicky is 23 and originally comes from Jersey in the Channel Islands. Nicky's
interest in the paranormal began when she was 6 yrs old and saw her first ghost
in Guernsey. Since that time, she has read extensively on all areas of the
paranormal. Nicky holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Plymouth
and aspires to study parapsychology at postgraduate level. Her areas of
specialism are psychology and parapsychology and she regularly works with the
media on behalf of PSI. Her strong grounding in scientific method is
complemented and contrasted by her being a developing sensitive.
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Name:
Dave Wood
Age: 23
Location:
Swindon
Portfolios: Co-ordinator, press, website, journal.
Name:
Nicky Sewell
Age: 23
Day job:
Training and Development
Location:
Swindon
Portfolios: Venues, training, team development, journal.
Name:
Andy Butler
Age: 37
Day job:
Ganner
Location:
Swindon
Portfolio: Mediumship
Name:
Jo Butler
Age: 43
Day job:
Nurse trainer
Location:
Swindon
Portfolio: Mediumship
Name:
Aimi Curtis
Age: 34
Day job:
Insurance
Location:
Hampshire
Portfolio: Investigator
Name:
Phil Dobson
Age: 34
Day job:
Cabinet maker
Location:
Nr Devizes
Portfolio: Analyst, baselining
Name:
Hilary Holden
Portfolio: Administration
Name:
Ian Holden
Portfolio: Researcher, admin
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Name:
Timmy Joe Page
Age: 30
Day job:
A&E Nurse
Location:
Swindon
Name:
Shele Simpson
Age: 35
Day job:
Procurement
Location:
Swindon
Name:
Kirsten Allnut
Age: 25
Day job:
Estate Agent
Location:
Nr Chippenham
NB - there also another four potential regular guests who have not fully
completed the process.
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PSI accepts
applications from ordinary members (sign up form, right) to join its pool of
Guest Investigators, for positions that arise occasionally. Less frequently, as
Core Team members move on, new Core Members may be drawn from the pool of Guest
Investigators.
All successful applications are subject to completion of an application form, an
interview, a compulsory training programme and assessed field experience.
Please download our recruitment leaflet for more details.
After reading the above leaflet if you are still interested in applying please
email membership@p-s-i.org.uk and request the application form.
Please note that your application may be kept on file before until vacancies
arise.
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PSI investigations
are professionally-run, scientifically grounded research field studies. All
investigators are vetted, fully trained and assessed.
Most of the venues investigated are detailed on these pages.
Please select a year from the menu, left, to view investigations conducted in
those years and for more information about reports.
Occasionally, formal investigations cannot be made public for various reasons
and are noted as 'Undisclosed locations', or 'fieldwork' in the case of informal
investigations which cannot be disclosed.
See related articles, below, for information on how to request an investigation,
and more about our methodology, equipment and legal practices.
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Venue: Ancient Ram
Inn
Location: Gloucestershire
Date: 25th September 2004
Media: BBC website.
Description: Built in 1145 allegedly on a burial ground, the Ram claims to be
one of the oldest buildings in the country.
Venue: Red Lion
Location: Avebury, Wiltshire
Date: 1st October 2004
Media: Newspaper x4, radio x3, Fortean Times magazine, BBC website.
Description: Built in the 1700s at the centre of the ancient stone circle.
Venue: Private Residence
Location: Wroughton, Wiltshire
Date: 9th October 2004
Media: Newspaper x1, radio x1, BBC website.
Description: Cottage built in 1900 for dairy farmers.
Fieldwork
Location: Undisclosed, Wiltshire
Date: November 2004
Media: None
Description: None
Venue: Black Swan Hotel
Location: Devizes, Wiltshire
Date: 15th October 2004
Media: BBC website.
Description: An early 1700s coaching inn, with access to the tunnels running
underneath Devizes.
Venue: Hare and Hounds
Location: Corsham, Wiltshire
Date: 31st October 2004
Media: None known.
Description: One of the oldest coaching inns in the area.
Fieldwork
Location: Undisclosed, Devon
Date: November 2004
Media: None
Description: Undisclosed
Venue: Chavenage Manor
Location: Gloucestershire
Date: 28th November 2004
Media: BBC1 Television, BBC website.
Description: Elizabethan country house virtually untouched since 1576.
Venue: Cross Guns
Location: Avoncliffe, Wiltshire
Date: 11th December 2004
Media: Newspaper x1, BBC website.
Description: Seventeenth century tavern set in a tiny hamlet.
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Fieldwork
Location: Undisclosed, Wiltshire
Date: January 2005
Media: None
Description: None
Venue: Clifton Inn
Location: Swindon, Wiltshire
Date: 5th March 2005
Media: Newspaper x2, radio x1.
Description: Nineteenth century inn built on the site of an old priory.
Venue: Bodmin Gaol
Location: Cornwall
Date: 2nd April 2005
Media: Newspaper x5, radio x2, The Times, BBC1 TV, BBC, BBC, BBC.
Description: Eighteenth century gaol and execution location.
PSI as UKParanormal Guests
Venue: Bell Inn
Location: Nottingham
Date: 9th April 2005
Media: N/A
Description: Inn and underground cave system.
Fieldwork
Location: Undisclosed, Cheltenham
Date: May 2005
Media: None
Description: None
Venue: Heritage & Tourist Centre
Location: Corsham, Wiltshire
Date: 21st May 2005
Media: Newspaper x2, BBC website.
Description: Arnold House is an 800 year old former residence for affluent
families.
Venue: Old Wardour Castle
Location: Wiltshire
Date: 11th June 2005
Media: None by request.
Description: Unique medieval six-sided castle built in the fourteenth century.
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Venue: Woodchester
Mansion
Location: Gloucestershire
Date: January 2006 (tbc)
Media: tbc
Description: Gothic mansion constructed in the 1870s.
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PSI produces full
reports for most investigations conducted. These reports vary between 10 and 20
pages in length and can include: introductions, inventories, scientific
methodology reports, venue history, building plans, preliminary reports,
investigation results, analysis, conclusions and summaries.
Occasionally PSI does not produce formal reports if there is little data
collected, but all results are shared with venue owners.
Full reports cannot be published on the website for reasons of confidentiality.
However, agreed summaries are frequently published by the BBC; visit the press
centre for more details.
By summer 2005 PSI aims to publish a full investigation report on this page,
where confidentiality issues have been eliminated. Do check this page again
soon.
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For media
journalists who would like to more know about how PSI works with the media,
please visit the for the press section.
PSI works with the media primarily to raise public awareness of the field of
paranormal investigation
and psychical research.
Such work is never for self-promotion; it is geared towards raising the level of
rational debate amongst the public. The popularity of the field as at an all
time high, but is often trivialised or misrepresented by entertainment-geared
television programmes. PSI works to counter this trend by presenting the field
as one of scientific, rational professionals trying to find answers.
Much of PSI's media work takes place within the context of individual
investigations and their findings. Some venue owners request no media attention.
Under such circumstances we adhere strongly to our confidentiality policies.
Navigate this section to find out about our TV, national press, radio and local
press work, as well as our relationship with the BBC.
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Welcome to PSI,
this section may help answer any questions you might have. If not feel free to
email us on press@p-s-i.org.uk
Why give the paranormal coverage?
Interest in the paranormal is very high at the present time. With millions of
people tuning into paranormal TV programmes, and increase in coverage on
television generally, radio, newspapers and magazines.
Do the public take the paranormal seriously?
Recent surveys by academic institutions show that around 50% of the public
believe in some paranormal phenomena. There is a need amongst the public for
information on the subject.
Why should I work with PSI in particular?
Some media work with PSI because they wish to pursue a regional connection, and
PSI is the organisation in the south west with the most media experience.
Other media representatives approach PSI for national pieces because of the
wealth of experience PSI has with TV, radio and the written media, or because of
PSI's professional reputation.
What can PSI help with?
PSI can provide good investigation case studies. PSI representatives are also
experienced at answering readers', viewers' and listeners' questions about the
paranormal. PSI also comments, researches, or debates the scientific and
sociological nature of paranormal investigation and psychical research.
How do I contact PSI's press representative?
Email press@p-s-i.org.uk detailing your contact details and your preferred
method of contact, and we will contact you quickly.
How can I keep up-to-date with PSI activity?
Email press@p-s-i.org.uk to be added to our list of contacts to receive PSI
press releases.
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PSI has appeared
in two television features for BBC Television. PSI has also been consulted
professionally during the production of other television programmes and
features.
Date: April 2005
Channel: BBC1
Programme: Spotlight
Subject: Bodmin Gaol Investigation
Date: January 2005
Channel: BBC1
Programme: Points West
Subject: Chavenage Manor Investigation
Email television@p-s-i.org.uk if you are involved in a production or feature for
television and would like to contact PSI.
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PSI is happy to
work with national press and magazines to promote the field of paranormal
investigation and psychical research positively and rationally.
Date: April 2005
Publication: The Times
Section: Quotes of the Day
Subject: Bodmin Gaol Investigation
Date: November 2004
Publication: The Fortean Times
Subject: Red Lion Investigation
Email press@p-s-i.org.uk if you like PSI to contribute to a national press or
magazine article.
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In addition to
working with BBC TV and radio, PSI works frequently with sections of the BBC
website.
PSI has an exclusive arrangement with BBC website (Wiltshire) to publish
investigation summaries, and also works with other sections of the BBC website.
Date: June 2005
Section: BBC Wiltshire
Title: PSI Ghostwatch: Corsham TIHC
Link to article (pending)
Date: June 2005
Section: BBC Cornwall
Title: PSI Ghostwatch: Bodmin Gaol
Link to article (pending)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4416187.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4416187.stm
Date: April 2005
Section: BBC News
Title: 'Something' found at ghostly jail
Link to article
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4401911.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4401911.stm
Date: April 2005
Section: BBC News
Title: Ghost group spends night at jail
Link to article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2005/05/03/psi_chavenage_feature.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2005/05/03/psi_chavenage_feature.shtml
Date: March 2005
Section: BBC Gloucestershire
Title: PSI Ghostwatch: Chavenage Manor
Link to article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2005/05/03/psi_ram_feature.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2005/05/03/psi_ram_feature.shtml
Date: March 2005
Section: BBC Gloucestershire
Title: PSI Ghostwatch: The Ancient Ram
Link to article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/03/18/psi_report_crossguns_feature.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/03/18/psi_report_crossguns_feature.shtml
Date: March 2005
Section: BBC Wiltshire
Title: PSI Ghostwatch: The Cross Guns
Link to article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2004/12/01/psi_report_blackswan_feature.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2004/12/01/psi_report_blackswan_feature.shtml
Date: December 2004
Section: BBC Wiltshire
Title: PSI Ghostwatch: The Black Swan
Link to article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2004/11/08/psi_report_privatehome_feature.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2004/11/08/psi_report_privatehome_feature.shtml
Date: November 2004
Section: BBC Wiltshire
Title: PSI Ghostwatch: Private Home
Link to article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2004/10/28/psi_report_redlion_feature.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2004/10/28/psi_report_redlion_feature.shtml
Date: October 2004
Section: BBC Wiltshire
Title: PSI Ghostwatch: Red Lion
Link to article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2004/10/27/psi_feature.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2004/10/27/psi_feature.shtml
Date: October 2004
Section: BBC Wiltshire
Title: Wiltshire Ghosthunters
Link to article
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PSI
representatives are frequently interviewed on local radio stations concerning
recent investigations, or to debate the general field of paranormal
investigations.
Nicky Sewell also appears as a guest on talkSPORT radio - the UK's #1 commercial
radio station - from time to time to answer listeners questions.
Date: April 2005
Station: BBC Radio Cornwall
Subject: Bodmin Gaol follow up
Date: April 2005
Station: BBC Radio Cornwall
Subject: Bodmin Gaol Investigation
Date: March 2005
Station: talkSPORT radio
Subject: Special guest for phone in
Date: March 2005
Station: GWR Wiltshire
Subject: Clifton Inn Investigation
Date: December 2004
Station: talkSPORT radio
Subject: Special guest for phone in
Date: October 2004
Station: BBC Radio Wiltshire
Subject: Red Lion Investigation follow up
Date: October 2004
Station: BBC Radio Wiltshire
Subject: Red Lion Investigation
Date: October 2004
Station: BBC Radio Wiltshire
Subject: Red Lion Investigation
Date: August 2004
Station: Swindon FM
Subject: Paranormal debate
Email radio@p-s-i.org.uk if you would like a representative of PSI to feature on
a radio programme.
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PSI sometimes
works with local newspapers across the region, particularly in covering results
of local investigations when requested.
02.06.05: Gazette and Herald
27.05.05: Chippenham News, p1+3
07.04.05: Cornish Guardian
04.04.05: Western Morning News
31.03.05: Cornish Guardian
31.03.05: Evening Advertiser (full page)
29.03.05: Evening Advertiser
07.03.05: Evening Advertiser
03.03.05: Evening Advertiser
16.12.04: Wiltshire Times (full page)
30.10.04: Evening Advertiser
07.10.04: Gazette & Herald (front page)
07.10.04: Swindon Star, p12
04.10.04: Evening Advertiser, p15
21.09.04: Evening Advertiser, p3
02.09.04: Gazette & Herald, p7
27.08.04: Chippenham News, p6
25.08.04: Evening Advertiser, p14
21.08.04: Evening Advertiser (front page)
Email press@p-s-i.org.uk if you like to cover PSI investigations or activities
in a local or regional newspaper or magazine.
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Research
undertaken by investigation groups can be defined as 'lay psychical research' as
it is not conducted through academic institutions.
A small number of paranormal investigation groups in the UK define lay research
objectives outside investigation settings.
These few that do present valuable research, typically in the form of
non-academic articles published on websites.
Two notable organisations in the UK publish more academic lay psychical research
journals, covering the whole range of psychical research.
PSI has the distinction of being the only known UK organisation to publish a
journal focused on investigation and apparition phenomena.
Navigate around these pages to find out more about our journal, investigation
research, common field experiments, and about experiments outside of the
investigation setting. You can also find out how to get involved with PSI
research, and links to other groups and organisations that publish research.
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The PSI journal is
available free of charge to members of PSI; you can sign up to PSI using the web
form, right.
The Journal is a substantive document that strives to be as academic in style as
possible whilst still retaining levels of accessibility essential to lay
research.
The Journal can include:
■ Non-experimental research articles geared towards lay paranormal theories used
when investigating.
■ Write ups of experimental research designed to inform and improve the way we
investigate the paranormal.
■ Investigation reports that are approved for publication.
■ Reviews of books of interest to investigators and researchers.
■ Submissions by external, occasionally non-academic contributors.
In line with academic standards, the PSI Journal is striving to be
peer-reviewed.
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In their own
right, investigation reports represent a bulk of historical, structural and
empirical research.
Whilst paranormal investigations can be treated as quasi-ethnographic case
studies, they can also be a useful tool to inform lay psychical research.
Researchers can regard investigations as opportunities to:
■ Gather raw data and witness reports of phenomena experienced, to formulate
practical research questions
■ Test hypotheses which can inform standalone research
Research and experimental findings can also inform both the methods we use to
investigate the paranormal, and the procedures used to analyse results.
In the section, the field experiments section provides examples of how theories
can be tested in investigation settings. Similarly, the experiments section
provides examples of how investigations can be improved through experimentation.
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Most paranormal
investigation groups conduct a standard range of field experiments as normal
practice on most investigations.
PSI's rationale in conducting such experiments is to test tenacious paranormal
theories. PSI does not accept these theories to be correct, so seeks to falsify
or measure correlations to inform future research.
Field experiments include:
■ Environmental monitoring: to test the theory that there is a correlation
between phenomena and fluctuations in (spot and ambient) temperature, humidity,
air pressure, levels of ionic particles and in the electromagnetic field.
■ Sounds recording: against a white noise backdrop, to test the theory that
electro-voice phenomena can be recorded.
■ Kinetic experiments: typically recording trigger objects, to test the theory
that alleged spirit can move objects.
You can find out more about the methodology of these field experiments in the
methodology section of the website.
In addition to the
standard range of field experiments, PSI investigators from time to time conduct
a range of other informal field experiments to inform research and theories.
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PSI is in
agreement with parapsychologists and many other lay researchers in contending
that the investigation of the paranormal and anomalous phenomena lends its to
the social rather than the physical sciences; to psychology in particular.
Thus, the first range of formal PSI experimental belongs to psychology:
First range of experiments: Psychological
PSI's psychological experiments involve human participants in controlled
settings. Such research is geared towards testing the theories and practice
surrounding the investigation of the paranormal. All experiments involving human
participants conform to strict ethical guidelines.
Second range of experiments: Physical science
PSI recognises that physical science has a part of play in psychical research.
Consider that many tenacious paranormal theories relate to physical science,
particularly those relating to environmental correlations and kinetic forces.
Most formal academic study of the paranormal is psychological, in recognition of
the major weakness of the field in that it is near impossible to observe
spontaneous phenomena in a laboratory setting with the tools of physical
science.
Thus, PSI's second range of experimentation takes place in naturalistic settings
that are more controlled than investigation settings. Experiments primarily
focus on formal testing of the equipment and methods used to investigate
physically-focused tenacious paranormal theories.
All experiments conducted by PSI are reported in full in the PSI Journal, which
is free to all members of PSI.
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In addition to the
work PSI already does with investigation groups, there is the scope for any
suitable person to get involved with PSI research.
You can help at any number of levels, either inside PSI or contributing from
outside of PSI.
External involvement
Members of other teams or individuals can get involved, for example:
■ Submitting an article as a guest contributor
■ Peer-reviewing for the Journal, for those with enough experience
■ Collaborating with PSI researchers on articles
Internal involvement
PSI members or others who want to get more involved can:
■ Help with article writing, research and experimental design
■ Submit book reviews, perhaps if you have less experience
■ Be involved as an experiment participant or assistant
Please contact us for you could like to contribute or to get involved.
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Founded in 1882,
the SPR has been one of the most important contributors to the field. The SPR
Journal occasionally deals with haunting and apparition phenomena.
The Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena publishes a
journal which occasionally deals with haunting and apparition phenomena. ASSAP
also has an investigation wing.
Investigation groups that publish research on their websites:
Otherworld North East
Gateshead Paranormal Investigators
Paranormal Research Organisation
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These pages
provide links to a number of external sites, including parapsychology websites
and useful information sites.
There are scores of investigation and forums sites on the internet, most of
which are very similar. These pages have attempted to identify the few key sites
which staff have read which contain reportable qualities.
Any site should feel free to link to PSI. Any website will be considered by
staff, please contact us.
Please also find a link to PSI's medium's website.
PSI is not responsible for the content of external websites.
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PSI takes no
responsibility for the content or practices of outside website links:
http://www.otherworldne.org/
Otherworld North East
A well designed website with much accessible evidence of good practice. You can
also buy the Otherworld North East book through links on this website.
http://www.bristolghostclub.org.uk/
Bristol Ghost Club
A professionally designed website of a paranormal investigation organisation
with good practice. BGC is not accepting new members at the present time.
http://www.anomalous-phenomena-investigations.co.uk/
A new investigation team based in the north east. API has a very informative
forum and evidence of some very good developing practice and procedures.
http://gpi.moonfruit.com/
An investigation team website with some good research-oriented paranormal
articles on its main website.
Unreviewed websites:
Ghost Hunters UK
National Paranormal Research Investigators
This Haunted Land
Phoenix Spirit
Team Maynard
Paranormal Research Organisation
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Parapsychology is
the scientific discipline most closely allied to paranormal investigation and
psychical research. It should be noted that parapsychology deals with a large
ranges of atypical experiences, with very little time devoted to one-off
anomalous phenomena.
Users should be weary of the use of the term 'parapsychology'. A
'parapsychologist' is only a psychologist who has specialised in parapsychology
at postgraduate level.
A parapsychologist is not: a paranormal investigator or a lay researcher who
chooses to call them self thus; nor is it anyone who has taken an unaccredited
short course, either in person, by post or on the internet.
Below are some interesting parapsychology and lay psychical research websites:
Koestler Parapsychology Unit, University of Edinburgh
Rhine Research Centre, Institute for Noetic Studies, USA
Parapsychological Association
American Society for Psychical Research
Society for Psychical Research
There are hundreds
of websites with interesting news and information about the paranormal, here are
a few:
The Paranormal News
The Supernatural World
Mysterious Britain
BBC Wiltshire
BBC Gloucestershire
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A number of
investigation groups run forums or message boards on their websites. Users
should note that a number of investigation groups and their forums are populated
with unpleasant, unstable or dangerously ill-informed individuals.
The forums below are recommended by PSI:
http://www.theanswerspeopleseek.com/
A large and active forum/message board for paranormal discussion.
The TAPS forum is particularly friendly to all users.
Similar sites to above:
Otherworld North East
UK Ghost Investigators
http://www.anomalous-phenomena-investigations.co.uk/
A smaller forum/message board packed with a wide variety of accessible
information. API is a good forum for more research-orientated in-depth
discussion.
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