Shoreham Village Hall
Shoreham Village Hall - 21/09/07
Team Present
Kevin – Group Manager/Medium/1st Aid
Jo – Group Manager/Medium
Dante – Scientific Researcher
Jenny – Medium
Barbra – Sensitive/1st Aid
Gail – Sensitive/1st Aid
Ash – Medium/Manager of C.W.M Paranormal
Cath – Empath/Manager of C.W.M Paranormal
Tina – Manager of C.W.M Paranormal
Darren – Manager of C.W.M Paranormal
Simon – Guest
Fred – Guest
Lorraine – Guest
Graham – Guest
History
Shoreham is a village and civil parish in the valley of the River Darent six miles north of Sevenoaks in Kent. The parish includes the settlements of Badgers Mount and Well Hill. The probable derivation of the name is estate at the foot of a steep slope. Steep slope was from the Saxon word scor. pronounced shor, but written sore by Norman scribes. The Darent valley was one of the major areas of Stone Age settlement; and Shoreham is mentioned in the Domesday Book. It was also known as a smuggling area. Moreover, it was the most bombed village in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Papermaking was once a local industry, the mill closed finally in 1925.
WWI: Memorial Cross
There is a white memorial cross in the hillside opposite the village church. It was dug in 1920 as a memorial to local men killed in action.
Shoreham was also the birthplace and home of Private Thomas Highgate, who, aged 19, became the first British soldier to be shot for desertion after the First World War Battle of Mons on 8 September 1914. However, there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that he was deserting his post; Pte Highgate was undefended at his court martial because all his regimental comrades had been killed, injured or captured.
In 2000, Shoreham Parish Council voted not to include his name on its war memorial. However, after a posthumous pardon in 2006, it was considered that his name might be added.
WWII: Shoreham Aircraft Museum
The official opening of the Shoreham Aircraft Museum in 1978 was attended by fifteen former Battle of Britain pilots. It pays lasting tribute to all those airmen who fought in the skies over southern England during World War II and houses a substantial collection of aviation relics excavated by the group over many years from sites of crashed British and German aircraft, as well as items which have been donated.
Run by local enthusiasts, the Museum is largely funded by proceeds made by visitors whose donations contribute to the recovery and preservation of the artefacts.
The now famous battle fought between Fighter Command and the Luftwaffe, the Battle of Britain, brought the village of Shoreham directly into the war, when on 15 September 1940, a Dornier Do 17Z, part of a force of about 100 German bombers approaching London, was shot down shortly before noon.
The invading formation had been challenged by nine RAF squadrons and the battle developed into a series of individual 'dogfights'. The unfortunate pilot of the Dornier was forced to land in a field at Castle Farm, with a Spitfire circling overhead, its cockpit canopy open, and its pilot waving a handkerchief, to signal a warning to the growing crowd of hop-pickers nearby to stay away until the Shoreham Home Guard arrived to recover the German crew.
Feldwebel Heitsch, the pilot and Feldwebel Pfeiffer, the observer, were driven to the public house in Shoreham village, where they were bought a brandy before being driven to Sevenoaks Police Station. The museum holds a collection of photographs of the Dornier, along with items taken from the wreckage at the time.
1924 was a special year for Shoreham. After much effort a Village Hall was built as a memorial to those in the parish who had given their lives in the First World War. Opposite the site of the hall lived H.R.Barbor (1893-1933), a drama critic, journalist and playwright who had the idea of staging a production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' with a cast drawn from among the 1500 villagers. So, in a crowded meeting in the new Village Hall the Village Players were formed and their first production played to the delight of the locals. In fact, such was their enthusiasm that it was necessary to have two casts playing on alternate nights to accomodate all those who wished to take part.
Portals To Beyond – A brief history of us and how we work
Our team member Jenny arranged this investigation with kind permission from the panel in charge of the hall, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all involved in this process. Jenny was keen for us to investigate the hall as she works there and has felt a spirit presence on more than one occasion, and this sometimes made her a little uneasy as she felt as if she was being watched.
Portals To Beyond was founded in March 2006 by Joanne Whichelow and Kevin Walker. We formed the group to give ourselves and other like-minded individuals a place to develop their psychic abilities and further their interest in the paranormal in a safe and protected environment,
We are a very close knit team and it helps in that the majority of the team have been close friends for many years so there is a bond, love and trust there which helps us all to work in love, light and truth to hopefully prove life beyond death.
Our team members pick up on spirit in different ways.
Some are Clairaudient which means clear hearing, some are Clairvoyant meaning clear seeing, and some are Clairsentient which is the ability to hold an object or touch someone and sense the energy surrounding that person, place or thing.
We also have healers in our group, Dante is fully qualified in many areas of Reiki and insured to teach and heal others and Jo is a crystal healer and uses crystal oracle cards for readings.
Before each investigation and after it, Kevin will lead the group and any guests in a psychic protection exercise to keep them safe from any less well-intentioned spirit energies for the duration of the evening. This is a very gentle visualisation routine, which helps even the busiest of minds to relax and focus on the task ahead!
Sometimes when spirit energy comes close to a person it can cause a variety of things to happen, from light headaches, dizziness, a tightness of the chest, a tingling down your arms, a cold breeze or you may feel like you have cobwebs on your face and even try to brush them away.
In the event of this happening to any of our members/guests, we stop the investigation immediately to assist them in the best way possible until they are fully recovered, however, most people experience these things with no fear or unpleasantness.
We encourage our members and core team to meditate daily if time allows and get to know their spirit guides, the ones with you from birth to death, so that you may work as a team with them and help their protection to be more effective. On our websites we have many informational webpages on such matters so this knowledge is available to all.
Any guests that attend our investigations are with us by recommendation of our team members only, as we have no wish to bring along any negative influences or people who have less than honourable intentions.
At all times spirit are treated with the same respect that we give to the living. No slandering them, shouting at them or anything else that could be classed as direspectful, our group hold a zero tolerance policy to such things.
Any person attending the investigation must not have partaken of any alcohol or illegal substances beforehand, again this is a zero tolerance for Portals To Beyond.
We take every precaution necessary to ensure all of the team and our guests have a good and safe night of paranormal investigating.
For a better look at our policies, informational pages and reports from our other investigations please go to:
www.PortalsToBeyond.co.uk
Notes
The team arrived at Shoreham Village Hall around 9pm and spent some time looking around to get a feel of the place, while Dante and Darren carried out baseline readings, which are as follows.
Baseline Report
Kitchen Annex
EMF:0.02mg
AIR TEMP:25.5˚C
SURF TEMP:16.5˚C - 17˚C
HUMIDITY:58% - 65%
Notes:
Fluctuating EMF field at the centre of the kitchen.
Entrance Hall
EMF: 0.04mg
AIR TEMP: 24.2˚C
SURF TEMP: 18.5˚C
HUMIDITY: 49% - 52%
Notes:
Curtain on far left next to entrance doors had a cobweb and dust that appeared to give off EMF readings.
Main Hall
EMF: 0.02mg
AIR TEMP: 23.3˚C / 23.4˚C
SURF TEMP: 16.5˚C - 17˚C
HUMIDITY: 54% / 58%
Rear of stage, left section
EMF: 0.03mg
AIR TEMP: 20.9˚C - 21.3˚C
SURF TEMP: 14.5˚C - 16˚C
HUMIDITY: 61% - 63%
Rear of stage, directly behind the stage area
EMF: 0.02mg
AIR TEMP: 20.6˚C
SURF TEMP: 14.5˚C
HUMIDITY: 5%
EVP set up at 22:22 with the full team assembled in the main hall. Environmental readings as of 22:49 for the main hall is as follows:
Humidity: 58%
Air Temperature: 21.2˚C
Surface Temperature: 16.5˚C - 18˚C
INVESTIGATION NOTES COMPILED BY DANTE
23:11
EVP sets reset and calibrated. Step area of stage now reading 20.1˚C with 62% humidity.
23:13
A loud sound is heard in the ceiling, thought to be either one of the lights cooling down or the support beams for the ceiling heating up.
23:24
Fluctuating surface temperature of 18˚C – 19.5˚C while air temperature around the top step on the stage remains consistent, meanwhile Ash calls out to spirit.
23:25
Ash brings forward a spirit contact.
23:27
Area around Ash suddenly increases in surface temperature from 20˚C to 23˚C.
23:28
Doorway temperature of the right door is 23˚C – 25˚C.
23:30
Break
00:30
EVP Test Event (at rear of Stage)
Team members present:
Dante - Observer
Ash - Medium
Darren - Note taker
Simon - Guest
00:38
Protection – Ash feels sick.
00:45
Equipment set up and recording, research begins.
00:55
Ash calls out, Darren gets tightening of the throat.
00:59
Ash hears sighing from behind the stage. Dante hears what sounds like chickens roosting.
01:00
Ash hears a noise so we head around through the rear corridor directly behind the stage and into the room on the right. Immediately we all smell custard.
Team Notes
While Dante, Darren, Ash and Simon were at the rear of the stage, the rest of the team were in the main entrance hall conducting a quiet vigil and some members of the team wrote down various notes during this time.
Gail
Throat sore again, gone afterwards
Tina
Even before the lights went down I heard whispering.
After the lights went out I began to feel sick and ended up running out to the toilets.
I wasn’t actually sick but was close. Came back in and helped with Barb.
Kevin
Vision of WWII aircraft, spitfires, young pilot, short dark hair, shouting out “Tell her I love her” (plane in a spin/dive and upside down)
While healing Barb, felt bolshie upright man come into me / close by me, drooping cheeks, tear only from right eye.
Jenny
I was very concerned for the safety of Ash. I felt he could be put in a situation that would zap him of all his positive energy.
I felt somebody “with him” but not a good influence.
I sat the whole time asking for Ash to be protected.
Jo
Male energy, 53, older man, moustache, greying, head injury, chest complaint, only wants to do what he wants to do and when he wants to do it. Stubborn and very over confident.
Cath
Hearing knock when asked. I heard noises coming from the mens toilets, doors banging and the flushing of toilet (Ash going to the toilet over the other side of the hall?)
I felt light headed and a cold breeze around my legs and back.
Someone touched my right arm very gently.
Heard bang from the ceiling, had stomach ache, Tina felt sick and I went into ladies bathroom with her. Came out and then helped Kev and Jo who were assisting Barbra with a spirit energy that had become too close to her.
Shoreham Village Hall EVP Report
Digital Voice Recorder
EVP Phase tests I and II are set up at the rear of the stage, while phase III is set over the opposite side of the hall, while Dante, Darren, Simon and Ash are simultaneously conducting an EVP test with the tape recorder at the rear of the stage.
EVP PHASE I SETUP COMMENCING AT 22:24:36’s
A series of low pitched laughs can be heard, laughing at the same time as the rest of the team, however, this laugh seems to be laughing at the team and not with the team. Of particular note is that the rest of the team were based on the opposite side of the stage (the front) and these laughs were recorded fairly clearly around the rear.
An unusual sound can be heard, similar to what a massive heavy bag of wheat or rice would sound like if it were to be dragged along the rear passage or on top of the stage itself.
While this sound of something heavy being dragged around can be heard, there is a very clear sounding laughter (almost unearthly) that comes out very clearly on the recording, and it would have to have been virtually on top of the digital recording device to have come out that clearly, and I made sure that the rear of the stage was locked off so that team members did not wander down there. Again of particular note here is the fact that listening to this “unearthly laughter” is the observation that it dosent sound human, it is very low pitched, and sounds a lot slower than all the other sounds around it (ie, if you were to record something in fast play and shortplay and then replay them, in this instance the laugh sounds slowed down).
A series of knocks and footsteps can be heard just shortly after the demonic laughter. Of note is that when I was near the stage I remember commenting to Jo about how I had heard big heavy footsteps.
Just after Barb makes a comment or observation about something the rest of the team start laughing and there are two very loud thumps on the floor or wall, NOT footsteps. An irritation to the teams presence perchance?
Another thump can be heard.
A single loud bang can be heard.
The unmistakable sound of a low flying aircraft approaching the hall, the aircraft can be heard for around a minute or so.
Formation of aircraft can be heard.
Formations of aircraft begin to dive and drop altitude.
For reference, this is the sound of a vehicle driving over a speed bump (to rule out the car as a cause for the aircraft EVP).
Another fast low flying aircraft can be heard.
Another low flying aircraft.
Ceasing phase I recording.
PHASE II DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER COMMENCING 23:12
A very faint aircraft engine can be heard in the distance.
Once again a very faint aircraft engine can just about be heard.
An incredibly loud single knock on a wooden surface can be heard, and clearly as well.
A single heavy knock or footstep can be heard.
Sound resembling a radar ping can be heard.
Ceasing phase II recording.
PHASE III DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER COMMENCING 00:34
A couple of knocks can be heard, (doors closing) but time sync suggests this is Ash going to the lavoratory.
A light tap on a hard surface can be heard after Jo calls out to spirit requesting a tap or knock.
The same tap can be heard again.
A clear knock can be heard after Jo again asks for a tapping sound.
A knock was heard, and a suspicious laughter afterwards.
Tina feels sick, Cath goes with her to the ladies lavatories.
Barb gets a bad headache attack.
A sound either resembling a klaxon alarm (airport fire truck for example) can be heard in the background, twice several seconds apart, while Jo is talking.
END OF REPORT
INVESTIGATION REPORT NOTES COMPILED BY JO
As the team begin their investigation in the main hall area, Kev can pick up on a noise of what sounds like a heavy sack being dragged across the floor.
Ash calls out for spirit to communicate with us by either making a tapping sound, or a knock, or maybe touching one of us.
At this point different tapping sounds can be heard around the hall, and a moaning sound which is heard quite clearly by some of the team and our guests, is heard around the back of the stage area quickly followed by two knocks. Jo asks Tina to call out for spirit communication as it is felt by the team that there is a male energy present which makes Jenny in particular feel quite intimidated, and Jo feels he may respond more to a females voice. Almost immediately after Tina calling out three very heavy footsteps are heard in the hall.
Jenny, Barbra, Kev, Cath, Tina and Darren feel a cold breeze circulating around them.
The presence of a girl child spirit is picked up on, but it’s felt that this is linked with Jenny. Ash begins to see a white mist form around Darren just as Darren reports feeling a cold spot. Dante takes the temperature reading around Darren and it is fluctuating between 16.5˚C – 17.5˚C.
On request Ash calls out to spirit again, and clairaudiently (meaning clear hearing) picks up on a male voice that has quite a taunting tone in it’s voice. Two taps are heard as Ash continues to call out for communication.
Ash asks is this spirit entity male and asks it to tap if this is so, and nothing is heard. Ash then asks if this is a female, and a tap is heard. Ash then asks are you between ages 20-30, and nothing is heard, he asks again, are you between the age of 30-40, and a tapping sound is heard.
At this point Jo begins to feel very sickly and feels like there is a knot in her tummy, and Darren has this sensation too only it affects his throat and chest.
Tina suddenly starts coughing rather violently so Jo breaks from the vigil to give Tina some healing and ask that if this is spirit inflicting themselves upon her, that they must remove the condition immediately.
The atmosphere in the room has suddenly become very oppressive, so much so that Jenny moves from where she is sat to sit near Jo. Jenny picks up on the name Gordon, and that he had visited the hall to meet someone but she never showed up, so it’s like this male energy is very cross about it and is making his feelings quite clear to the rest of the team. She also feels he has a “thing” about females and this bothers her somewhat.
Jo calls out to this spirit energy that instead of him affecting the team in the way he is, that he concentrate his efforts on moving our trigger objects. Our trigger object expreiment consisted of some old coins which were drawn around on a plain sheet of paper and left in a secured area, the idea being that spirit get curious and move them around.
Ash calls out to spirit again and the females in the group feel a strong breeze around them. Jenny sees a figure move around the back of Kevin.
Kev can clairvoynatly (meaning clear seeing) see old time tea dances taking place in the hall and feels there are RAF connections.
Jo can clairvoyantly pick up on a military male who had a very stiff upper lip and and was a very stubborn character, not wishing to communicate with us at all.
Ash calls out to the female energy felt earlier to come back and communicate with us, but it’s felt that this military character is holding her back from communicating with us any further. Jenny then feels a tight hand grip on her arm, and both Barbra and Jo see a figure walk across the room.
At this point Ash goes in to trance (trance mediumship is sometimes used to allow a spirit to communicate clearer through using a medium such as Ash, for a channel).
The spirit that comes to us through Ash is the male that Jenny picked up on, he came to meet a lady friend here at the hall and she didn’t show up. As Ash sat in trance, his facial features changed along with his voice.
Kevin handled the trance session with Ash as he is a trance medium himself but as Ash is an experienced trance medium we had no worries at all.
Barbra and Jo can feel a pain to the right right side of their heads and Jo feels that this is Gordon who Jenny has picked up on earlier, and that the pain is from an injury sustained by the war.
With Ash out of trance now, we ask him what he felt and picked up on.
He could see a chubby faced high-ranking male who drank Port and always smoked cigars. Because of this the male spirit energy had a very bad cough and had lung problems. This would explain the tightness of chests and shortness of breath several members of the team experienced.
Jenny wonders if the energies present in the hall have felt a connection with her as her Aunt used to attend wartime tea dances. Darren feels that Gordon and the girl spirit child are perhaps linked in some way.
Dante then takes Simon, Graham, Darren and Ash to one side for the EVP experiments in the rear of the main hall while the rest of the team conduct a quiet vigil in the main entrance area.
As Jo calls out for spirit to make themselves known to us, several taps and banging noises are heard in response. Jo feels the “cobweb” feeling across her face, indicating spirit are close by.
Suddenly Tina is overcome by a strong feeling of nausea and has to rush to the ladies toilets in case she is sick, and Cath goes with her to make sure she is ok.
Barbra reports that she is feeling extremely dizzy so the vigil is stopped to help her.
Our 1st aiders check Barbra’s pulse rate but it is normal. Barbra reports that she can hear a male voice inside her head saying “Take me, take me”, and it is felt that this male energy was trying to push himself forward in order to put Barbra in to a trance like state. Jo, Kevin, Cath and Tina form a healing chain with Barbra and request firmly but politely that this presence steps back from Barbra, as she has not given permission for this to happen to her.
Barbra soon begins to feel better and more with it, so the team wait for Dante to finish his EVP experiment before rejoining them in the main hall.
Almost all of the team felt as if they were being watched from this area.
As it was by now, 02:30am, the team decided to call it a night and Kevin conducted our closing protection and Ash performed a cleansing ritual to leave the hall and it’s spiritual occupants in peace.
Conclusion
This was a fantastic location for a paranormal investigation with a fair amount of activity, much history and we are extremely grateful for this opportunity.
A good deal of phenonema was felt by most of the team and it’s guests and there are certainly some things we are left unable to explain.
We managed to capture some great light anomalies on our photographs, which on closer inspection are shown to have maze like formation to them.
We would welcome the opportunity to investigate Shoreham Village Hall again in the future to see if anything has changed.
