Written and edited by Vicky Grant

Hi everyone! 

Welcome to the first installment of many dead central blog posts to come to you this year.

As many of you know, for the past couple of months I have been reaching out to those in the paranormal community and asking them a series of questions. I wanted to know more about other investigators beliefs and theories on the subject of the paranormal as well as find out about their own personal experiences.

I have been in contact with many investigators and I am humbled by how many responses I have had from people on social media who were willing to take part in this little experiment.

Each and every reply was just as fascinating as the next and I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of them, whether it be a serious approach or something a little more lighthearted.

I asked all of the investigators the same five questions and each answer, theory and experience varies throughout.

I believe this just goes to show that in one way or another, the paranormal community can come together, because no matter how different our experience or theories may be, evidently, we are all out trying to prove the existence of the afterlife, so…  No matter what we believe – it’s clear that we all want the same thing.

Before you begin reading, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who took part in this questionare, it really and truly does mean a lot to me and after reading all of the wonderful responses it makes me feel even more determined to continue my quest into the unknown. 

**In alphabetical order**

Alex Duggan

• Location: Northampton, UK
• Links: Twitter – Website – Personal Twitter – Facebook – Youtube

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you?For me, the paranormal basis means anything that cannot be explained. If there is just even just a 1% chance something could be explained, then it simply cannot be classed as paranormal, in my opinion.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) My belief is that our loved ones come and meet us at the end and take us on to the ‘other side’ which I call the After Death. This is where our conscious energy passes to the realm of life where we live on with our loved ones. People often say that “Hell is here on Earth” and that’s kind of what I believe, to an extent – life is what you make it but on this Earth we are controlled by money and greed.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? It would probably have to be a voice recorder. With so many ghost hunting gadgets around you need to be able to understand exactly how they work to be able to use it as ‘evidence’. I’m experimenting with many different recording devices and theories, and believe that keeping things simple to reduce false readings is the best way. I’m fascinated with EVP, audio research and the thinking behind frequencies and vibration’s. I believe it’s easier for spirits to speak with us in this way, than for them to actually manifest visually in some form.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) This is a difficult one. I believe that some energy can be left behind with certain objects – i.e. wedding rings, granddad’s favorite chair etc. I’m not sure about things like haunted doll’s etc – “Why would anyone want to live inside one of them?” Unless maybe that something in a physical form can store their conscious energy. But personally I’ve not experienced anything with haunted objects of that nature.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. My first paranormal experience, where I firmly believe it was paranormal, was around 6 years ago. I was in a graveyard in Wales. It was in the day and I was just walking around doing some day-filming, prior to the night’s investigation, I saw a man dressed all in white walking along, I could hear his footsteps in the leaves and then he disappeared from view, behind a tree. I ran down to the main gate of the graveyard where Miki was standing and he hadn’t seen anyone walk past at all. The main thing that confirmed this for me was when the lady who gave us the location said (she had no knowledge of what I specifically saw) afterwards that her daughter won’t enter the graveyard anymore due to her seeing a man dressed in white walking along in the same spot and he disappeared. It was exactly the same as what I had seen!!

Andy Bailey

• Location: Coalville, Leicestershire, UK
• Time within the paranormal field: 8 years
• Links: Website – Facebook – Twitter – YouTube

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? Paranormal – a phenomenon that leaves questions to be asked, often to which no logical explanation exists. A strange occurrence or happening to provoke thought and inspires curiosity with those of an inquisitive nature.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I’d like to think we die and go to heaven. I’m personally very skeptical but remain open minded and respectful of others opinions. If I saw a ghost I think I would sh*t myself and run.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? With a passion for photography I’m continually pushing the boundaries of new technology. I feel privileged to be part of the tech era and being gifted with the ability to understand how electronics work and how they can be modified to further improve their use in a paranormal environment. So, I’d have to say a good camera, obviously which I would modify to full spectrum. Producing a single image has great appeal, unlike other equipment you can look back at a photo time and time again. As my mother used to say “a picture paints a thousand words”. Too true!
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) Whilst skeptical I would still say yes. I’ve been told some very convincing stories by people that I have known for a long time. People, animals, living bodies for sure. I’m not so sure about general objects, however, houses, toys, certain places that tend to be associated with spirits may just be one of many places they visit.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. I’m a total skeptic and have dismissed several paranormal situations in the past and guess I always will. I’m not easily convinced but on the contrary I do believe there is something out there. I usually find an explanation and debunk issues but I think that’s because, While I’m not a defensive person in day to day life, i’m guessing I like to keep my barrier up when dealing with the unknown. Due to this I’m guessing I’m pretty uninviting to the average spirit, they would rather interact with someone who is open to communicate with them.

Reverend – Annette Hughes

• Location – Racine, Wisconsin USA
• Time within the paranormal field – Witness-45+years, Studying- 30+ years
• Links – Facebook – Twitter

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? I look at it as anything outside of normal events. Something that is unique,unusual,mysterious and cannot be explained with science
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) (good question, never thought of this) I would think it may have something to do with a person’s level of consciousness at time of death ,also a person’s acceptance when they pass on. I would like to think that someone who knew they are dying but did not want to leave yet would be able to transfer for physical form to energy immediately because they feel so strongly about staying with loved ones. Maybe a person that passed fast or unexpectedly may take a little time to adjust to energy form just because they don’t exactly know what’s going on yet or could be in denial. I also believe we have some sort of spirit guide that also help us thru the change. Maybe how quick we transition depends on how quick our spirit guide comes to us and help with the process. I can think of many more scenarios.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? An SLS camera set up for sure. You’ve got a laser grid,emf, ovilus, anomaly detector and more. Can’t go wrong with that tool
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) I absolutely believe in this phenomenon. I’ve actually seen it psychically and in person. Many,many times I’ve met people who have been fine and brought an antique into their homes just to have crazy things start happening that will ultimately stop once that item is removed or cleansed. Especially mirrors. I think people leave a little piece of their souls, good or bad, in that reflection. If you have strong emotions about an object and your constantly coming into contact with it, I believe you would be leaving emotional energy imprint on it,like a warm hand print on a wall thru thermal cam. If it were something you absolutely loved or absolutely hated, you may want to keep other energies from taking it, or maybe your energy wants to protect another energy from being harmed . Like “ marking your spot” so to speak. Then there are cursed items. Curses are caused by strong energy or how strongly the intention is when cursing that item. The stronger the intention, the more energy being used.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child?Please explain what happened. It all started for me as a very young child. The first thing I remember was when I was about 4-5. I remember I had an “invisible” friend that I used to think was a fairy. When I got older I came to the realization that what I was playing with was an orb. When I was about 8 we moved into a row of 4 townhouses that were in 1 building. We would watch light switches physically go up and down, door knobs turning on open doors, TV’s turning on and off ( in the 70’s TV’s had knobs that you had to pull out to turn on or push in to turn off),sounds of walking & walking up or down stairs, glass breaking but no broken glass found, the sound of soup type cans rolling across the floor, beds shaking, and soooo much more. We did find a headstone with the name “Emma 1848- “ whether this was the spirit in that row of homes I do not know. 4 families witnessed this,and of course it was worse where ever I was. Not much longer after that I had found out that I was a sensitive. The activity never stopped for me after that major haunting when I was 8.

Ansley SC

• Location: California, USA
• Time within the paranormal field: 7 years
• Links:  Twitter – Facebook – Blog – Instagram – YouTube

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? The world ‘paranormal’ to me truly means the unknown. In this field, one of my favorite things is the fact that it is unknown & nothing is definite. So to me, when I say I’m a “paranormal investigator” I mean that I’m an investigator of the unknown, however you want to classify it. This field is constantly changing & we never truly know (and never will know) what exactly we’re dealing with because there are no experts. You can’t be an expert of something you don’t fully understand. And to me, that’s unheard of, which makes it so special.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) My theory of the afterlife goes like this: When we die, part of me believes we go through a process of a dream-like memory stage. One where we see our life played before us, see our most important, special, favorite, & hardest moments. Even our death. And I believe that some, when they see their death can’t cope with it or understand & so they linger here, lost and confused. Although, another part of me believes we aren’t shown any of that, rather we hold onto it in the afterlife until we are able to let go. Because if we were shown these moments, why would so many spirits be in denial of their death or not even aware? Of course other factors come in to play regarding how they died and how connected they still are to their physical self, possessions, & life. But still, I cannot help but ponder these theories, and many more possibilities.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? Honestly, when it comes to equipment, I am open to trying and using any. My favorite piece of equipment would be the SB7 Spirit Box, because I have had such amazing, unbelievable intelligent contact through that that I still cannot comprehend or believe. But if I had to choose truly ANY piece of equipment, I would go with the natural. When I say natural, I mean I would stick with my senses and my body. When trained properly, the body is the strongest piece of equipment you can use, because it is natural, as is our energy. Spirits are made of natural energy as well – what better way to truly connect with an energy than through another energy, right? When trained to separate your own energy from theirs; your own emotions, your own experiences, your own fear etc. And quiet your mind & listen only to your intuition on investigations, you will not believe what you are capable of.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) Absolutely, my first experience was caused by a toy I had growing up that moved around in front of my eyes due to a spirit. I believe when spirits don’t release their connection from a physical object they were attached to, they cannot “move on” and remain here with their belongings until they are able to let go. Nowadays, we’ll find spirits of the past that are attached to old jewelry, old toys, old books, or clothing etc. In the future, when all of the people alive in our current generation have passed, you’ll find spirits that are attached to iPhones, computers, video game systems, & Starbucks.
5. Your first paranormal experience  – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. When I was about 8 or 9 years old, I had a poltergeist experience with a toy cat I got from a Thrift Store. That night, I went home and it actually ended up moving around my room in the middle of the night and levitating. I was very frightened by this for years, but as I continued to experience more strange phenomena, I began to get very interested. I dung into my family history and found we had a very long history of ‘sensitives’. The more I learned about it, the more interested I became, which seemed to open me even more so. I decided to start a team largely passed around helping spirits. That’s one of the things I noticed as I began doing research prior to this: Out of all the paranormal TV shows that existed, not one of them ever focused on good spirits & helping them. I then knew what my purpose in this field was, for whatever reason, I knew. I started my team about 2 years after I first had my experience with the toy. And actually I ended up investigating that cat later on and found a sweet little girl named Allison (as told to me by herself on EVP) was attached to it. To this day, I still have that cat, and Allison, the phantom girl that pulled me into this field, still continues to play with her.

Dave Schrader

• Location – Minnesota, USA
• Links – Website – Podcast – True Crime Tuesday – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? The paranormal is the experiences that we cannot clearly pigeonhole as definable incidents. Things that after closer examination defy logical explanation.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) The jury is still out for me on this. I have personally witnessed so many unusual things but I cannot firmly convince myself one way or another of what is actually taking place. 12 years ago when I began a deeper exploration of The Afterlife I thought I had a reasonable grasp on the concept but I can say with all honesty that grasp was fleeting at best and continues to evolve and change. I am more firmly rooting myself in the camp that we are more likely dealing with temporary “Time Slips” as opposed to seeing disembodied souls lost in time and space.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? I love EVP, even though the results are subjective at best, I love the concept of real time communication. With that said, my favorite tools as of late have been the SLS Camera and the Paranormal Puck created by DigitalDowsing.com
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) It depresses the hell out of me that we may be “attached” to items. I have heard stories of men still connected to their lawn mowers or other household items. Yuck. What a horrible afterlife sentence. I do believe we leave fragments of our essence to things we feel close to, jewelry, places and so on but I don’t believe we are stuck there or with items. We have left an echo of our presence.
5. Your first paranormal experience  – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. I have had experiences since I was 2 yrs old, which I personally do not recall. They have been retold to me by my parents and relatives that were there at the time. I can say I have had some paradigm changing experiences that have left me scratching my head and at times unnerved. I had a fully manifested shadow person walk through me at Waverly Hills in Louisville, KY, I have seen unexplained things fly in the skies above Trout Lake, WA and had a brief albeit shocking sighting of a Bigfoot like creature in Foley, AL. Life is amazing if you stop long enough to experience it.

Donna Oliver

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Time within the paranormal field: I started Philly Ghost about one and a half years ago and have been involved with the paranormal for the last 20 years.
Links: Website – Twitter –  Instagram – Facebook – Youtube

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? The meaning of the word paranormal describes phenomenon that doesn’t fit into our currant understanding of accepted scientific theory. I believe that common vernacular or everyday use of the word has a much more expanded meaning, which unfortunately encompasses far too much of the ‘dark side’ and far too little of the ‘light side’ of such occurrences. While this might stem from our cultural and religious beliefs, I feel it is limiting. To me, the aspect of learning and exchanging ideas predominates the definition of paranormal. My hope is that over time, our understanding of the paranormal shifts to a concept that is one to be explored in a more accepting, positive and though provoking manner.

2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost? The afterlife remains a mystery. I believe that there are many variables which impact spirits, beings and energies. While some of those with whom I’ve communicated could be considered, ghosts, I’m not convinced they all could be called ghosts. I think attachments to life, bonds, unresolved issues, even perhaps unfulfilled purpose are some of the things that keep people connected to this plane. I don’t, however, believe that when the aforementioned is present, it automatically precludes an entrance to the afterlife. So, a person doesn’t necessarily leave this life and then become a ghost. I believe the impasse may be more a matter of a choice made directly by the person or one that has been evoked on the person’s behalf.

3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? If I could choose only one piece of equipment for paranormal investigations, my choice would have to be a digital voice recorder. The ability to capture EVP’s is essential to my paranormal investigations. Clearly being able to video or photograph an apparition would be the ideal piece of evidence. Having said that, the likelihood of having the opportunity to do so is minimal. While we do see many instances of such occurrences online, I do not believe in their authenticity very often.
The reason why I’ve selected a digital voice recorder is twofold. First, an EVP is the most direct connection that a ‘spirit’ can make, which is least effected by other environmental or technical variables. Secondly, I’m able to capture the voice anomaly. Granted, the message might be subject to interpretation, but the occurrence is there and in the most fundamental sense, that’s what counts. In addition, if the EVP is a reply to a question, or part of a dialogue in a conversation, it presents as an intelligent response. This lends to the overall quality of evidence.

4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) I believe that ‘spirits’ can attach themselves to objects, although I don’t think it happens too often. When this does occur, it’s generally not an offering of good tidings. I have two beliefs about this phenomenon. The first belief is that the object may have been somehow involved in a past event that left an imprint of a residual negative energy. The second belief is that there is a ‘being’ attached to an object. Again, for the most part, this would not be the result of anything good. Whether the ‘being’ was sent there or chose to be there, a haunted object is generally not representative of a positive type of energy.

5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. I witnessed my first paranormal experiences as a young child, guess I was probably about 3 years old. Even then, I was not known to be a ‘good sleeper’, much to the dismay of my parents. The difficulty seemed to be in my ability to fall asleep. On a few occasions, I had a visit from a very nice lady, who would sit on my bedside and talk to me for a while. This would usually be enough to calm me down and help me drift off to sleep. After putting me to bed, my parents would leave the bedroom door ajar; a nightlight from the hall would illuminate the edge of the doorway. Thinking back, I can still recall her gossamer image, as she sort of ‘flowed’ through the opening, walked across the room, along side of the bed and then sat down next to me. While her features were not well-defined, her meaning was clear. We would chit chat about a birthday party that I’d attended, my new doll or a much anticipated adventure at the park. The conversation would always end with a very sweet good night to a very nice little girl. She would say she would wait until I fell asleep before going and in as much as I can recall, she did.

In the morning, I would eagerly share the details about the experience with my parents. They were really quite amazed and asked all sorts of questions, in an attempt to figure out what was going on. Essentially, she became known as my friend, ‘The Lady’.
While there didn’t seem to be a pattern to her visits, they continued several times for a little over a year. This occurred in the 1970’s before the advent of baby monitors and small video cameras. My parents would periodically look into the bedroom, trying to keep watch, but they never saw her. They did, however, come to believe in the lady. They wanted to figure out who she was and would often say, “We want to see her, too”.

Ian Varrow 

Location – Hastings, East Sussex, UK
Time within the paranormal field –13 years as an investigator, experiences since age 5.
Links – Website – Twitter

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? The term Paranormal is an event or activity that occurs, that a scientific or logical explanation cannot give you answers to. After trying to explain by investigating using these methods, if you still have no explanation, it’s possibly Paranormal.

2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I was brought up religiously, and although working in the paranormal field has change my views on some things slightly the basics are still there. When a person dies, i believe that their next journey is to move on to the next place, whatever people may believe that is. The one’s that do, i would class as spirits that can from time to time come back, maybe to watch over someone, check in on relatives or give them guidance. The ones that don’t move on for whatever reason, be it unfinished business, fear of judgement, trapped for some reason, just don’t want to go or don’t know they are dead. These I class as ghosts, as they are still attached to the earthly realm. I believe that finding out the reason that they are still here, is the answer to how to help them move on.

3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? Apart from ourselves, which is the best piece of equipment. I would have to say one of our Full spectrum converted Gopro cams. Not only do they film in all spectrum’s but, because of the protective cases they are in they create their own white noise which is good for capturing EVP’s.

4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) In the time I have been investigating, my team and i have only come across this twice, and both times it was a mirror. I guess if a traumatic event happens and the particular item was involved or had great meaning to the person, then i believe it’s possible. Maybe it’s a clue to their death, or something they wanted to go to a particular person and it never did. There could be many explanations as to why, again an investigation is probably the only way to get a resolve.

5. Your first paranormal experience  – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. My first Paranormal is experience was when i was aged 5. My mother and i had moved in with my Step father, in his flat that he rented from the company he worked for. The building was one of the oldest in the area and was converted into flats. We had lived there for a few months before things started, we had a dog which would never go upstairs, which was strange but no one took any notice of it. One night i woke up, the light from the hallway was partially lighting the end of my room up. From the bottom of my bed a dog appeared to walk up towards me, I sat up and lent over to stroke it, to which I feel straight through it and onto the floor. My mother came up as i was screaming in fright, she told me i must have imagined it as the dog was downstairs. About a week later i woke up again, this time to a man stood at the end of my bed staring at me. I screamed, my mum came in and actually saw the man before he disappeared. Activity continued from then on, footsteps up the stairs at least once a week even in daytime, voices, shadows, things moving. This wasn’t just happening in our flat, other residents were experiencing activity also. Even my friends as I grew up there would experience stuff, they still speak about it today. I lived there for 11 years and the activity became part of our normal life.

Jacob Fife

• Location – Virginia USA
• Time within the paranormal field – 8 Years
• Links – Facebook

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? For me the word “paranormal” means anything that is unknown to mainstream science or knowledge. This can be ghosts, UFO’s, cryptids, and the list goes on. By being a paranormal investigator I am looking for all things unknown in hopes of not only proving their existence but also learn more about them.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) My theory on the afterlife is that when we are dying our guardian, and loved ones or whatever you want to call them visits us and it’s more of a welcoming to a new life instead of mourning over the ending of your one here on Earth. I think you then go to another plane of existence that is still able to interact with the living under certain circumstances, and we stay there until we either go to another plane or we remain there to watch over our loved ones who are still alive.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? If I could choose one piece of equipment to use on an investigation it would be a thermal imaging camera. When I was very young I remember watching “Ghost Hunters” on tv and I was always fascinated with the Thermal because you get to potentially see spirits in the room with you in real time in their full form. There are many experiments that I have always wanted to try with the thermal and hopefully one day I will be able to.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) I believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects and people but I think it is easier for them to attach themselves to a person than it is an object. I think that in order to attach themselves to an object they have to have a connection with it somehow and that opens the channel for attachment. I think that when a person opens themselves up for communication with the spirits they inadvertently open themselves up for an attachment, but they can protect themselves from this if they so desire. I think most spirits can attach to any individual that is opening themselves for communication and doesn’t protect themselves or their energy.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. My first paranormal experience is actually my earliest life memory. The paranormal has always been apart of my life and I remember when I was 4 waking up one night and seeing multiple shadow people walking up and down the hallway that was in front of my bedroom. The visual of those two figures walking around has always been imprinted in my mind and that was the first time that the paranormal made itself known to me that I can remember. I started investigating the paranormal when I was 10 (I’m 18 now) and I don’t see the paranormal ever leaving my life. That first experience raised the first of many questions that I want to answer in the paranormal field, and that’s why I started Fife Paranormal.

James Bosley 

• Your Location – Nottingham, UK.
• Time within the paranormal field – 10 years since first getting involved in the paranormal, 3 years officially paranormal investigating.
• Links – Twitter
• Co-Editor of the Dead Central Blog 

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? It’s anything ‘above’ normal. So for me that’s anything that we can’t immediately explain through natural or scientific phenomenon. Most of my experience has been cantered around haunted houses, haunted buildings and objects. The ‘paranormal’ umbrella is huge and includes clairvoyance, telekinesis, psychogenesis etc. – there always more to learn!
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I don’t really have a clear answer for this; my mind has changed a multitude of times throughout my time studying and being actively involved with the paranormal. I’m not religious but believe we have to accept some kind of superior being/creator to believe in an afterlife. The way I look at it, for the moment, is that if we were here just to live, reproduce and die into black empty nothingness, why do we have complex emotions, meaningful relationships and an appreciation for things like art and music (the stuff that ‘feeds the soul’). I’ve yet to make a decision, but for now my mind is still completely open. If I were to choose a theory I’d say we don’t exist within the same ‘realm’ as we do now, after we die and that the hauntings we experience are residual (stone-tape theory) happening between different layers of time.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why?  I’ve done A LOT of research around paranormal equipment and have used a pretty extensive range of devices. It’s the simple stuff that’s the best, so a decent night vision camcorder is my answer – Sony with Night Shot being the camera of choice. It can be fun to use EMF meters, ITC devices and SLS cameras but the results are generally far less substantial than evidence caught on a standard camera.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) This is one of my favorite areas of the paranormal. I’ve been fascinated by supposed ‘haunted’ objects from the beginning. There are a plethora of reports of haunted dolls, furniture, clocks, boxes etc. I collected haunted items for a period of time, in a bid to establish whether there was any truth to the claims; from cursed paintings, haunted Ouija boards and Dybbuk boxes to dolls and charms. I even ran an experiment with a ‘haunted’ doll to test whether it is all in the mind. I think it is unrealistic to expect spirits to vessel in a single object, should an afterlife exist. I also believe that if we are told an object is haunted and have an established belief in ghosts and spirits we will associate otherwise easily explained activity with the haunted item. If spirits do exist, then it would make sense for them to appear in certain places, with certain people at certain times – but I don’t think this is attachment, just a phase or visit.
5. Your first paranormal experience  – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened.  I was a child, around eight years old. I have a twin brother and we shared a room in a bungalow, sleeping in bunk beds. I had the top bunk in a fairly big bedroom that was straight off a long hallway that ran through the center of the bungalow. I woke up one night and lay facing the ceiling, it was ice cold to the point I could see my breath. I could feel there was something unusual about the room and lay staring at the white ceiling for what felt like an eternity before forcing my self to sit up and look down at the room. As I did, immediately, I saw a solid figure of a young girl (around 6-8) standing in the doorway of the bedroom, dressed completely in white (typical, huh?). We had a 3/4ft fish tank next to the door in the bedroom and she had her hand right through the glass, moving it as though she was swirling the water around the tank. I was anxious, but not terrified, it felt surreal. I was looking at her for a while and she hadn’t seemed to notice me – if she was even capable of noticing me. I climbed down the ladders of the bunk bed and she remained in the same place, still clear as a ‘real’ person. I was now looking right in the face of this girl but it was almost as though her features had been softened so much that they were blurry. I reached out towards her and my hand went straight through her, at which point I walked straight through her and out of the room! Although it was a pretty vivid experience, the rational and slightly skeptical side of me puts it down to lucid dreaming – who knows!

JG Voss

Location – Seneca County, New York, USA
Time within the paranormal field – 15 years
Links – Twitter – Website – Personal Encounters

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? For me, the word “Paranormal” represents the existence of something from outside the normal realm of life. For instance, seeing an apparition (ghost/spirit) or experiencing an eerie unnatural change in the environment that chills and spikes all your senses to run for safety. I believe a miracle with visible physical changes can be described as a paranormal event.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) My theory on the afterlife would have to begin with having been pronounced dead as an infant. Since I came back from being dead, and remained on earth, I would have to theorize that there is a process to becoming a ghost. The fact that spirits are roaming the earth make for a good case that some of the dead may be going through a certain protocol before moving on to their final destination.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? The piece of paranormal equipment I would choose would be the Kinect Camera as described at the following link:
   Ghost hunter discovers the ‘superior’ Kinect technology, to track ghosts
   https://www.neowin.net/news/ghost-hunter-discovers-the-superior-kinect-technology-to-track-ghosts.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) Yes, I do believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects. That is why I use Holy Water to bless any purchased vintage items. My personal theory and experience with sensing a spirit attachment to an object happened when I was a child as described in the next answer.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened.  The first paranormal experience occurred when I was a child. Following are the details as shared in my book “Paranormal.”Chapter Two: Hello, Mr. GhostAt the age of about 11, I lived in an apartment building that always frightened me because it had a scary gargoyle face mounted over the entrance door. The building was located in the Bronx, one of the five boroughs of New York City in the State of New York. One day, I decided to explore a closet in my room to see what was inside. To my delight, in the corner of the closet I found a rather large rectangular box that appeared to be a game. After opening the box and taking out the pieces, within a matter of seconds, a frightening feeling came over me. Quickly, I put the pieces back in the box, buried it back in the closet, and never touched it again. Later on, I found out that it was an Ouija board, soon after came a paranormal encounter.One night not long after discovering the Ouija board, I was fast asleep in my bed and suddenly woke up with an eerie feeling. I sensed something was present and attempted to open my eyes widely to see better, since even though there was no light on in the room, there was a slight glow coming in from the street lights. As my eyes began to focus, I could see a tall thin figure of a man standing on the side of my bed. He had a long angular thin face and appeared to be in his 70’s or 80’s and was staring intently at me. He slowly started to bend over and his face ended up being about three feet from mine. My heart was pounding and my body felt paralyzed from the terrorizing sight. Somehow, I mustered up the strength to jump up and out of bed. I hysterically waved my arms in front of me attempting to push him out of the way and ran to my parent’s room pounding on their door screaming that there was a man in my room.My Dad immediately jumped into action and went to my room and of course came back reporting that he saw nothing and told me to go back to bed. I went to my room as told but tried to stay awake with the covers up to my chin but eventually fell asleep from exhaustion.

Kim Reynolds

Location – Nottingham, UK
Time within the paranormal field – 5 years
Links – Website – Twitter – Personal Twitter

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? To me the Paranormal means anything out of the ordinary… things that cannot be explained.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I’m not sure, I’d like to think that there was an afterlife. It would be nice to rejoin our loved ones or friends that have passed. But I don’t know so that’s why I like to investigate it, to find the truth.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? I think EVP can be really interesting. I remember using a voice recorder when Iwas younger and left it in my hallway and no one was in the house but me and my brother. We was both in the living room with the door closed. When I played the recording back I was shocked to hear a man say “help us”. He had a strong Scottish accent. To this day I cannot explain this. I think when used in a environment where there is no contamination they can capture some weird stuff.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?)  No, i’m not a strong believer in haunted objects. Though I do like to hear stories about them.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. My first paranormal experience that I remember was in my Mums bedroom. I was about 13, I had a night vision camcorder and we was investigating – As I was obsessed with it back then too. We was calling out and then all of a sudden a white light appeared. It didn’t look like a car light, it looked it floated towards us. But I was so scared, I remember trying to run but my Mum pinned me down, it was as if it knew it had scared me. It backed off and disappeared. I would love to see this again.

Lee Roberts 

• Location: Nottinghamshire, UK
• Time within the paranormal field: 22 years [I know, I know, I don’t look old enough right 😉]
• Links: Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – Youtube

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? The unknown, anything that is not seen by the average person as the normal. I’d include UFO’s, Bigfoot, Lockness monster, Ghosts etc.

2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) Good question, I’m not sure anyone knows the answer to this. I’d love to believe you automatically become a Ghost, imagine turning up at Ghost HQ and there is an X Factor type audition… God as Simon Cowell and the devil as Louis Walsh! (UK Joke)
I hope once life is over the rules, interviews and auditions are all over and you are free to become who or what you like.

3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? Just myself, I love a gadget as good as the next investigator BUT if I was to use just one I’d dump the lot and just use my own instincts. How can we design a piece of kit to detect something that we don’t know exists? Yes we get great results on gadgets but we have no proof any equipment works 100%, it’s mainly guess work.
Trust your own instincts.

4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) I believe if there are such things as Ghost they could go anywhere and attach to anything, so yes why not.. I think if I pass away and in 100 years someone disrespects my old belongings I’d defiantly poltergeist the sh*t out of them.

5. Your first paranormal experience  – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. I was 6 years old.. I was getting up for a wee around 2am and outside my bedroom door there was a young boy. I ran back to bed (after I had relived myself)and shouted my mum. To this day she said I was dreaming BUT I know I wasn’t. That was my first taste of the paranormal, I experienced quite a few bits and bobs as a kid.

Lorien Jones

• Location: Northants, UK
• Time within the paranormal field: 12 years
• Links: Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? Working within this field I hear the word paranormal used a lot. People who don’t like the term ghost hunting tend to refer to the events as paranormal investigations. This is used when referring to spirits or ghosts as opposed to all things beyond the explanation of science. I have to say I’m probably guilty of this too so therefore I would say that I would consider the term paranormal to be used regarding spirits these days, rather than all things unexplained.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I like to believe that when we die we go back to the place that we came from. Some people call this heaven, I don’t know what it’s called. I think when spirits go back there, it takes some time for them to be strong enough to be able to visit or haunt a place of its choice.  On the other hand I think if a person has a traumatic death and they don’t actually realize that they have passed on then they can become grounded before moving on. I’ve also heard enough stories to be open to the idea that a person’s spirit might hang around their body for a day or two after they have passed, before moving on.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? My choice of equipment would most definitely be my voice recorder, without a doubt. To hear the voice of someone you can’t see, who wasn’t present too tops it all for me.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) I think the idea of haunted objects is a fun one. How scary to think that nearly anything could be haunted. I don’t understand how a spirit could become attached to an object, or possess a doll for example, so I’m still undecided. I could imagine a precious object being ‘followed’ by a spirit if it got into the wrong hands. But I don’t see why a spirit would stay with an object for eternity.
5. Your first paranormal experience  – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child?Please explain what happened. I’ve always been fascinated with ghosts since I was a little girl. But with no reason why, it intrigues me more. I don’t remember an experience that stands out to me, but I know I was always a believer that there were spirits around us. A boring answer really lol.

Luke Allerton 

• Location –Nottingham, UK
• Time within the paranormal field – 3 years
• Links – Website – Instagram – Twitter – Personal Twitter

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? To me the word “paranormal” simply means the unexplained, something we think is out there giving us reason to go and find out the truth, whether it be supernatural , aliens and UFO’s, vampires and other monsters etc, do you get my drift?
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I believe in this universe there are many dimensions from one side to another, I believe there are many worlds living in one and once we die we just simply cross over to the other side and carry on living in that dimension a bit like an alternate universe and we see spirits in this one as a glitch in the atmosphere and like the upside down in stranger things, just a nicer version.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? I like using equipment when I’m investigating. Some more than others, if I had to chose just one piece of equipment I think it would be a Dictaphone to catcher evps as this device can’t be manipulated by anything other than a voice.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) I’m still unsure if spirits can attach themselves to objects as I’m still yet to experience a truly haunted item. However I would like to think they can, like if I had an item I really loved whilst I was alive then once I’m dead I’d like to follow it to make sure nothing bad happens to it.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. My first sight of what I believed to be a ghost was when I was 18 working in a bar in my hometown of Grimsby, I was in the cellar alone changing a barrel when black smoke formed into a figure of a very tall man who walked up to me and then walked through a door. I wont lie I shot out of the cellar like a bullet ! But after calming down I went back down there with some other staff and did an Ouija board which told us its name was Ian and then told me to die….

Mike Davis

• Location: Shrewsbury, UK.
• Time within the paranormal field: 15+ years
• Links: Website

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you?For me the paranormal is anything that science cant explain. Whether that be spirits, demonology, medium-ship etc, there is so much out there which we just don’t have answers for, and that’s what motivates me, seeking and proving the unknown.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I believe in God, so I believe that when we die we move to another plain. Personally i believe there are many types of spirit, the main being residual energy which is just a replay of a scene or incident from the past and grounded spirits who may be here for many reasons but the main one seems to be they have some sort of unfinished business. I’ve also been lucky enough over the years to discuss this with a Catholic exorcist and that experience certainly didn’t alter my views!!
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? Personally I believe teams rely to much on equipment now, when I started we had boards, glasses and dowsing rods!! and I’m only 35 so it shows how much the field has changed in such a short space of time. I’ve been very lucky over the years to work with different types of teams, some rely on equipment some use their senses. My problem with a lot of paranormal equipment is that there is no real scientific proof that half of this stuff works. For me the best experience is seeing a door slam or hearing footsteps in an empty building rather than seeing a dial indicate there may be an increase in EMF. Don’t get me wrong, equipment is good and needs to be used but your best piece of equipment are your own senses.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) If spirits/ghosts do exists and they can haunt a building why shouldn’t they be able to haunt an object? With regards to attachment to people, i think its a very interesting field. Over the years many people have claimed possession but only recently has the scientific community started diagnosing mental health issues which could rule out many of these cases, saying that yes i do believe in very specific circumstances certain energy can attach itself to people and i say energy because i don’t necessarily believe spirits of people can.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. I don’t really want to discuss my first experience as its very personal to me and my family, but it gave me the drive to prove what i saw was real. My best experience actually came in my home town which is strange in itself. Over the years I’ve probably done 400+ investigations around the country so for it to happen in Shrewsbury Prison it was pretty special. I was overseeing a group of guests in the main block by the segregation cells. I was about 20 yards from the group making sure no one came in that end of the block. As i stood looking away from the group I heard someone come down off the balcony and saw them walk out of seg and walk between 2/3 cells. I could make out a person and could hear keys. At this point i radioed the team leader as i thought it was the caretaker….. I asked for them to be quiet and the person left. About 10 mins later the same happened again, again i did the same and radioed it in……. at this point I walked down into seg to ask them to be quiet as i thought they would disturb the team in the block. As i turned the corner to go up the stairs to the balcony I was confronted by a locked gate….. the whole area was empty….. it was then I got my radio reply to say the caretaker was in C wing and I was completely alone with the group in the main block. I must admit at this point the hair on my neck stood on end and i ran out through the block and back to the hub, i’m not sure what that energy was i felt or saw but it didn’t feel great and its the only time I’ve run out of a location!!!!! Anyway, later the caretaker (who was an old guard) confirmed that when it was a working prison, inmates often described the noise of someone going to open their door, but nothing happened or there was no one there, those that saw the energy described it as a dark hooded figure carrying keys….. maybe an old guard or warden??

Miki York 

• Location – Northampton, UK
• Links – Twitter – Personal Twitter – Facebook – Personal Facebook – Youtube – Personal Youtube

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? Paranormal to me, means strange occurrences that cannot be explained with natural causes.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) When a person dies and passes over to the other side, I believe that our spirit goes through a process of reflection and time to look back on the life they have just left and see if they achieved a full life. Then the spirit can choose if they want to be reincarnated or stay in the spirit realm. When choosing to stay in the world of spirit, they can visit anyone they wish to in the physical world.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? I would choose the spirit box as my one piece of technology that I would always use on an investigation. Mainly because I have had many amazing responses on my PSB7 spirit box. Getting answers to controlled questions is proof itself to me that spirits can use the white noise to speak to us. Obviously spirits don’t have a voice box so need a carrier frequency to speak and get their voice heard.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) I believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects, such as dolls. I have a collection of haunted dolls that I work with and do experiments with. I believe that I have one haunted doll called Janet and she came to me from Texas in America. The doll is over 115 years old and the family that sent her to me said she was kept in the attic because all of the family hated her and feared her. Not every doll is haunted and it seems to be the new ‘thing’ in the paranormal world to have a haunted doll. I started collecting and working with them 4 years ago. I think the spirits attach themselves to objects that they feel comfortable with or remind them of good or happy times when they were alive. Dolls being a popular haunted item, as many would have had and played with them as a child.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. My first paranormal experience was when I was about 16. I used to see shadows and black silhouette figures walking around outside my house. I didn’t really know what it was at the time but they were definitely interesting to me. They never had a face and would always just walk with heads down, never looked around or had expressions.

Paul Jackson 

• Location – York Region Ontario, Canada
• Time within the paranormal field – Since I was about 10 years old, I’m now 49 years old.
• Links – Facebook – Twitter – Website

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? To me the word ‘Paranormal’ means anything NOT Normal.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I believe that every being is energy and energy doesn’t disappear rather your energy changes state right away at time of death.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? We like the mapping cameras and the spirit boxes used in conjunction with Video to document.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) Yes I do believe that spirits can attach to certain items. I think that it’s something they cherished in the time they where alive or something they didn’t want to passed along to other living people.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. As a young child had several experiences including slamming doors, hearing my name called, shadow figures

Paul Stevenson 

• Location – Haunted Magazine HQ, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, UK
• Time within the paranormal field – (as a fan): since I was about 8 years old… (as a hobby) probably ghost hunting and reading and writing about it for last 20 years (as a job) Launched Haunted Magazine August 2009
• Links – Website – Facebook – Twitter

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? The word Paranormal means “not normal” to me. There’s so many definitions to it, some say its beyond science and, yet science tries to determine it and say it’s all tish-tosh and mumbo jumbo, if it’s beyond science then how would they know. I like to think of it as something that will always be here, never go away and it’s something that will frustrate people who try to analyse and explain it, leave it alone, it’s that thing you see in the corner of your eye and then it’s gone, I don’t want to explain it, or analyse or to put it into a bracket and say, “ladies and gentlemen, here is the paranormal”. It’s just something that’s there and no matter how many times we ghost hunt, or we investigate the paranormal it’s always one spooky step ahead of us.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) Not really got a theory on it, if I am totally honest, it would be nice to think that when you die and you end up in heaven in your nice humble abode chatting with your family who you haven’t seen since they died and there’s a checklist on a table and you can (if you want) come back to the land of the living BUT not as what you have already been, you can choose (from this checklist) BUT it’s not compulsory. As you can tell from my answer I don’t really have an answer to it, I am not saying it don’t happen, I’ve already said anything can happen in the realm of the paranormal. If there is a heaven, I’d rather chew the fat with my Grandmas and Grandads than come back as a Bee or something.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? Whilst I am a fan of gadgets from time to time, I have never seen them as an essential part of Ghost Hunting, yes, they serve a purpose. I am not one to raid the ghost hunting gadget shops to make sure that I am equipped with the best flashing light and white noise technology. Yes, I will happily use them and comment on them if I am ghost hunting and they’re around, but I tend to be more comfortable with the gadgets that I am blessed with – two eyes for looking, two ears for listening, one mouth for calling out and shouting out WTF and OMG at times and obviously two legs for running away as fast as I can when needed.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) Again, you probably already know my answer to this, anything is fair game in the paranormal, I won’t dismiss it, nor will I say it’s 100% proof positive. Can a doll be haunted, can it be possessed by a nasty spirit? Who knows? Just because something can happen, it doesn’t mean that it necessarily will happen. 2017 was the year of the haunted dolls, there were more dolls scaring the bejesus out of people than anything, was this to be with the fact that there were a few haunted doll films out and it was subliminal, maybe, who knows? I do find some dolls very freaky, I have twin daughters who love their dolls and their playroom is full of them, some cute, but some right freaky ones, trust me, they don’t need to be haunted to stop me from not looking at them. People say coins and ornaments can be haunted, I am certainly not going to spend time arguing with them or trying to discredit them, might have a laugh or too at their expense -one thing I will say is that as a living breathing person we have an energy source, call it electrical, call it a soul, call it what you will. Now, from what I can gather energy just doesn’t switch off, the power source is still there when you turn a light switch off, it’s just not being used until it’s switched on again. Could we pass our energy on to coins, dolls, other people? It’s one of those fascinating paranormal questions that will never be 100% answered, sorry experts.
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. This is something I’ve been thinking about recently, was my first ever experience with a ghost earlier than I thought. When I was younger, I mean really young I used to have an imaginary friend called Steve. A lot of people say it’s either cos the child is a bit of a loner or possibly has too much imagination running through his body. I am told this story by my parents’ cos I can’t remember anything about Steve, so I rely on their recollections. Mum said that she had to set a place at the dinner table for him, my Dad says that he had to stop whilst he was driving to pick him up a few times and then one day my Mum asked where Steve was, and I said, “he is dead”. Was it a ghost, did a spook spend some precious time with me, or was I just an awkward child with too much imagination on my hands? Guess we will never know. If that wasn’t my first “ghost” experience then when was my first paranormal experience and how do you define “paranormal” (see Question 1), I have tried and failed. I used to work in a call centre many years ago, I did the night shift 9pm-7am and it was in an old mill, close to where I live that had been used back in the day when children worked there, young children had worked and died there according to the history of the mills and although the owners at the time had built houses, schools and a church for the families that worked there, the conditions and hours they worked were still atrocious. From 11pm I was the only person left on the night shift, there weren’t that many calls, but a night shift worker was needed for emergencies etc. Now working nights had its advantages but one of the disadvantages was that if you were tired there was a chance that you could nod off, and I’ll admit that over the four years I worked there, I did nod off a couple of times. On one occasion, I woke up sharpish, because (and I can remember it as clear as if it was yesterday) I was surrounded by young kids, wearing flat caps, short trousers, mucky faces and it’s just as if they were behind me, circling me, imagine I was sat on my chair, computer in front of me and they were ALL looking at what I was doing, and there must’ve been 30 or 40 of them just staring into my screen. Was I asleep, was it a dream? I checked the time I had nodded off for less than a minute, was a pretty vivid picture to have fallen into dream state that quickly. Who knows. BUT if that wasn’t a paranormal experience there was a few times at the mill, at night when things happened that I couldn’t explain. The walk to the loo was a pretty scary walk at times, remember no other person was in the mill, there was a security person manned at the gatehouse in a separate building but that was it, just me on my lonesome, or was I? Locked doors would rattle when I went past, I ran past at times, I put it down to the wind outside. Knocks on the door to the office, doors slamming on other floors, needless to say there was a few occasions, a lot to be honest, that I held my bladder in until I got home about 7:30 am after the shift.

Michael Scot 

• Location – Corona, California
• Time within the paranormal field – 5 Years
• Links – Youtube – Twitter

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? To me the paranormal is anything that cannot be explained with modern day science or technology. I believe ghosts, monsters, aliens etc all fall under the category of “paranormal”.

2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I believe after death most people crossover into another dimension (heaven, the other side, whatever you’d like to call it). That is our true home and our lives here on Earth are just to gain experience and knowledge for our soul’s growth. Unfortunately not all people crossover immediately after death, some people remain caught between this dimension and the next as ghosts.

3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? I would always choose my camera! I think a camera is an incredible ghost hunting tool because you can use it to catch both visual and audio evidence.

4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) I do believe ghosts can attach themselves to objects. I think that if a ghost doesn’t crossover for whatever reason it can attach itself to an item that meant a lot to them in this physical life. I believe they attach themselves to the object because it’s a comfort item to them, sort of like a child clings to their blanket or stuffed animal.

5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. My first paranormal experience happened when I was in my middle 20’s. I moved into my husband’s home which we believed to be haunted. During my time living there we continuously heard unexplained knocks and bangs along with footsteps and on occasion our kitchen cabinet doors would open on their own! Our animals always acted weird within the home, they would stare down empty hallways at nothing and bark and growl at empty rooms.

Tammy Hodgson-Peck

• Location – Nottingham, UK
• Time within the paranormal field – As part of a a paranormal team only a few months but as a guest with a number of teams about 4/5 years
• Links – Website

1. 1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you?  Feeling, sightings and experiences that we just can’t explain within ourselves.
   2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) There has to be more to life than just living that one life. There are many people that feel that they have visited a place before and know their way around somewhere yet know that they’ve never been there before. Some people can even remember their past lives in great detail, now if this wasn’t the case how can we explain that?  I have always believed that the “light” that people talk about is the way to heaven (if there is one). But recently I read somewhere that the “light” could the birth of a new life and being born out of the mother. At the moment I’m leaning to believing that more as it’s a wonderful thought and its not the end of that soul.  I believe that ghosts are souls that can’t rest or move on due to something bad happening to them or they are waiting for a loved one to die so they can be at rest together.  I feel that every soul has many lives and they all have a purpose and they carry on reborning until that purpose is fulfilled. Ghosts could also be a soul waiting for the next host body.
   3.  With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? I have always loved and been fascinated with EVPs and while I know that there was a model that if you brushed yourself in a certain way it would pick up and turn it into words it’s still one of my go to bits of equipment.  Over the years I have picked up some amazing things.  But in saying this since I joined a team. Im using more equipment  and having a wider understanding of said equipment  I starting to favor the sprite box when played backwards as I can’t explain some of the answers that the sprit box picks up.
   4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) We have favorite things in life so I don’t see why not. I’m more inclined to believe that a sprite has attached itself to something if that object has eyes so a doll or a painting as its kinda like human form and can somehow use the eyes to see. I have a thing about eyes though, as when I die they can take what they like as its no use to me. But my eyes they are mine and are coming with me where ever that may be.
   5. Your first paranormal experience  – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened.  I don’t think I am 100% certain I have had one yet, in my head everything can have an explanation as to why that has happened. Trick of lights, our eyes playing tricks or another person.  But there are a few I can’t explain first being at Newsham Park in Liverpool – while in the nurses quarter in one of the bedrooms we was standing in a circle and it felt like someone had ran in the room and jumped dead was loud, but this could have been another guests playing tricks as it was dark. (See I’m always trying to think of ways it’s not paranormal) and the EVPs that we got from that area was amazing, at one point we all jumped and the EVPs response was “HAHAAHA got ya”. The second is the human pendulum, the more events and paces I go the stronger this is becoming. I will start swaying and the pushing is becoming stronger and harder I can’t explain this.

Virtue Fern

• Full name: Virtue Fern
• Location: Currently London UK (expat Australian)
• Time within the paranormal field: 20-25 yrs as a medium, although I prefer the term practitioner.
• Links – Website – Twitter

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you? Paranormal means dealing with deceased people and various inhuman forms that inhabit the spirit world. I do this spiritually I don’t use equipment, nor am I an investigator. I never asked to be able to contact to dead but it started spontaneously many years ago & I have learnt to deal with it. I am now very interested in this field & work with the spiritual realms actively. I first started to be contacted by the dead I was a wee bit confused about it however, after many years now I’m looking to learn more.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) From my experience, and I don’t pretend to know the absolute answers of course, death is a kind of freedom. If you feel you have had a good life, not done too much harm to others & have no unresolved issues you’ll be fine. However, your question is interesting as it refers to a ghost or a spirit. I would be comfortable saying a ghost is someone that has had trouble passing over & joining the spiritual realms. A spirit has passed over. I deal with a lot of ghosts. A lot! Mostly their problems concern nasty unfair & quick deaths they couldn’t comprehend, I help them understand what happened to them & find members of their families (already passed) so they can join them and to achieve peace & move into the spiritual realms. Although, those in spirit can still contact the living once they have passed over, I’ve experienced this many times too.
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? With all due respect to paranormal investigators, my best tool to deal with the dead is my own mind. The dead communicate with me through my subconscious mind and I try to translate what they are trying to get through to me. It’s not a perfect system but I find it works. If someone handed me a EVP recorder or a ghost box I would throw it out the nearest window 🙂 (I’m sorry, I’m trying to be honest). However, I sincerely hope that technology can record the dead because I think the public interest it brings and the need for proof in the afterlife is so important. I believe that investigators & those who connect spiritually are both as equally important.
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) Yes, I have had to deal with hauntings where ghosts have refused to leave a house or a space because they still believe they are they owner & others living people are ‘invading’ their space.  They still attach themselves to the material world & therefore won’t pass on. Although, I haven’t a lot of experience with ghosts attaching themselves to more personal objects but I still think it is entirely possible.
5. Your first paranormal experience  – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child?Please explain what happened. Through out my childhood I had spiritual experiences. I’ve learnt about astral travel, precognition, telepathy, even Ouija boards. The first significant ghostly experiences happened to me in my 20’s & I wasn’t sure what to do so I kind of just let them happen for a while. It was like a part of my mind opened up. The first really significant ghostly incident which convinced the dead could really communicate was when I was working at a ceramic studio which was part of a re-purposed very old prison complex. It had extensive gardens which had been created by the inmates in the 1800’s. I walked on a one pathway through this garden to the studio daily and, in one particular part, I felt like something was grabbing my ankles & trying to pull me to me knees, it was like something was under the earth. Then, when passing this part of the path, I started to get visual impressions of a man in a dirty grey old fashioned shirt & a pair of tattered trousers. I basically didn’t really react as I had no idea what to do with this information back then. This when on for many weeks. One day I working in the studio in the communal work areas when two women I knew started chatting about the latest research about the old prison & to my shock they started to talk about how the records showed that some prisoners could not accounted for as being released or died. There were many rumors they were  buried in the gardens they created. I was shocked as I had no previous information about this & I then realized what I was experiencing. Since this time I taken ghosts a lot more seriously.

Vicky Grant 

• Location – Leicester, UK
• Time within the paranormal field – 4 Years
• Links – Twitter – Personal Twitter
• Editor of the Dead Central Blog. 

1. Could you please explain in your own words what the word ‘paranormal’ means to you?The paranormal to me is something I will always associate with Ghosts and other worldly beings. I know that the word paranormal can stand for a multitude of unexplained things but during my lifetime and with becoming an investigator my world revolves around ghost stories and the unknown – therefore, In my mind, it’s always been about the more spiritual side of things.
2. What is your theory on the afterlife? (When a person dies, do we automatically become a spirit or do you believe there is a certain process to becoming a ghost?) I believe that when we die, the energy from our bodies is released into another realm, It’s not quite the one we live in, it sort of just ‘coincides’ with our own. Although my theory on becoming a spirit is a little more complex. I believe that if you die happily, with no unfinished business, you are able to move on (entirely to the other side, where your loved ones are) BUT you are allowed to visit our living realm from time to time – sort of to see what’s going on and check up on your friends,  like visitation – on happy occasions, like a birthday or an important day of an event in your lifetime. If you had a more tragic death (Like you were murdered etc) I believe you are somehow trapped between the two realms, so you can see your loved ones on the other side, but a part of you will be trapped in our living realm whilst you still have unfinished business. During my time as an investigator, this makes sense in my mind, as a lot of spirits I have communicated with will generally ask for help. Now with the darker side of things, like poltergeists and other ‘trickster’ beings, I believe they just simply mastered the art of being able to travel between both realms to cause a little trouble…. So, much like we have people in the living world who can cause trouble, I believe it’s the same for the spirit world. Maybe they have spirit police? Who knows!
3. With all of today’s paranormal technology, if you could choose just one piece of equipment to use on an investigation, what would it be and why? I am VERY fond of paranormal gadgets and equipment, I’m not going to lie! Mainly because I have had a  lot of credible evidence come through whilst using certain devices, but, my absolute must have and favorite piece is the SB7 spirit box. I have had so many amazing responses on this device which have been intelligent answers to questions. So, wherever I go, expect me to be bringing that bad boy with me!
4. Do you believe that spirits can attach themselves to objects? (If yes, what is your personal theory on this phenomenon?) This is something I am completely on the fence about, mainly because it’s something I have yet to experience myself. I know there is a million and one stories out there about possessed or cursed objects .. I just don’t understand why a ghost would attach themselves to something? I tried to think outside of the box. Last week I was sat in my living room looking around at all of the things that surrounded me. TV, Lamps, photos... and I couldn’t picture myself coming back to stay with any of it, even my important personal stuff. Sure, It’d be nice to see things again, but I wouldn’t want to stay with it 24/7! – When an item comes to be possessed (if indeed that can happen) – Maybe they hold the energy of something that happened?, or a moment in life.. and MAYBE as a spirit you’d like to visit and see what’s happening to that item now…. I really don’t know, Though I am intrigued with the prospect of haunted dolls. Does anyone own one? Can I borrow it for a week? … LOL. #VLOG
5. Your first paranormal experience – Was this witnessed when you were an adult or a child? Please explain what happened. My first experience was one I remember very well, almost as if it happened yesterday. My granddad passed away when I was young and not long after his death, he visited me. I can vividly remember seeing his figure in my room, though I wasn’t scared of him and I distinctly remember he was almost see-through and glowing a pale white color. He had a smile on his face as he looked at me. He didn’t speak, he just waved before vanishing into nothing right before my very eyes. I realize I was young at the time and this quite easily could be dismissed as a dream, but it felt so very real to me and to this day I am convinced that I had come into contact with the afterlife.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog as much as I did, it’s certainly opened my eyes to the prospect of different views on the paranormal…. WOW!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Until next time, 

Happy Hunting!