Some Ghosts That Weren't.....!!!!
It has to be said that, in a lot of instances, things that may have appeared to initially be 'not of this world' can have very mundane and 'normal' origins. This isn't to say that ghosts do not exist, of course - this section is not intended to simply be an exercise in blatant 'nay-saying' - but, sometimes, a most rational explanation is 'just around the corner', if you frequently choose to look for it!
As with a lot of the waffle on this website, this piece is far from being a comprehensive list of 'things to take into consideration' when looking into paranormal matters. Simply put, this section is merely intended to convey a few of the intriguing scenarios and experiences noted by the W.M.G.C., where things weren't quite what they first appeared to be......In looking into the culture of this subject - taking a little time to study the investigators as well as the allegedly haunted - there are frequently claims made towards the adoption of a 'common sense' attitude in ghost research. This sort of sentiment generally runs along the lines of: 'We always rule out the mundane, before reaching a paranormal conclusion!' What such a statement actually says about the sort of people making it, as far as psychology and belief goes.... well, this absolutely speaks volumes!! However, such sentiments are mentioned here, by us, purely as a means of being able to utterly refute the use of such a blatantly illogical maxim!!! In short - try as hard as you will - but you cannot possibly begin to cover every naturally occurring, yet still peculiar, scenario to even approach 'ruling out' a non-paranormal source as the cause of a strange encounter....!
So - in short - what is related below are instances from the W.M.G.C. files where fairly peculiar scenarios have been viewed, misinterpreted, or blatantly 'faked', to read as something they were probably not. This, of course, isn't intended as a judgment on the bulk of the people making the reports, as, unless otherwise stated, such experiences and situations were related with both honesty and a clear and genuine enquiry for the truth of the matter.... 
In our first scenario, we appear to be dealing with a simple case of something rather extraordinary-looking being fairly 'ordinary' for a given region.....! It begins when a good friend of the W.M.G.C. reported a sighting of what appeared to be 3 'highwaymen', seated at the side of a busy crossroads, near Barr Beacon in Walsall. She described the figures most clearly, saying they were all seated on chestnut horses and dressed in cloaks, long boots, masks and hats... From what she could make out, at least one of the men seemed to be sporting a musket-style pistol. At one point during the brief experience, our witness seated in a static car, the rider nearest the road apparently turned his head and looked straight at her. He, she said, had dark, straight, collar-length hair and piercing eyes!
As her vehicle began to move, she only then thought to ask her companions whether they too had seen the riders! However - as she went to indicate towards the figures - it was realised that they were no longer there!!! On instantly explaining the situation, her comments were met with a considerable degree of derision..!!!! Evidently, no one else had seen the riders!
Not able to let such a fantastic opportunity pass us by, the group contacted the local press shortly afterwards and an appeal for information on the region was duly printed. On the day following the publication of the article, we received a telephone call from a gentleman who was a frequent visitor to the Barr Beacon region....
"Those 'highwaymen' that you're looking for up on the Beacon...." he said."Yes....?"
"Well, they're NOT ghosts.......!!"
The man explained that he had apparently seen three, 'strangely clad' riders a number of times...... and had even spoken to them on one occasion!! When he had first seen the men, he too had thought them to be something 'not of this world', likening their appearance (at a distance) to something 'out of a period drama'.
Further calls received also spoke of the very 'real' status of the riders; however, all admitted that the men were dressed in strange attire, leading to suggestions that they were possibly members of some form of historic, re-enactment group!?Following visits to the region itself and conversations with locals, it was ascertained that these mysterious horsemen are clearly a regular sight in the region...... and, in fact, are said to even stable their horses not far from the site of our friends experience!!Needless to say, all that the above mystery really took to explain away was some input from people who basically knew the region concerned and were familiar with the numerous characters who serve as visitors to Barr Beacon. Without such input, however, the region could well have quickly developed yet another aspect to it's already colourful ghostly heritage!! It cannot help but be considered how many ghost groups currently operating would have shirked any thought of background research and - psychic in tow - been spied instantly 'communing with the spirits of highwaymen' at the crossroads concerned...!?! Laugh!!!!
And on the subject of alleged, 'phantom riders' and psychic intervention, it came to the attention of the W.M.G.C. not long ago that one paranormal association had, via mediumistic means, been speaking to one of the regions most well-know spooks...... that of Gideon Grove, the ghostly horseman of Wombourne!Skimming over details for the sake of brevity, the legend of Gideon Grove begins with the siege of Holbeche House in the early 17th Century, following the discovery of the infamous 'Gunpowder Plot'. The fleeing plotters had taken refuge at Holbeche and decided to make a stand there against the pursuing royalist troops. In the ensuing battle, local legend has it that a groom to one of the fleeing party, a lad by the name of Gideon Grove, attempted to escape the scene of impending carnage, but was pursued by soldiers and mercilessly shot in a nearby plantation...The story of the phantom rider has been mentioned many times over the decades, but none had reported on the matter more avidly than the local, historical newspaper, The Black Country Bugle. Beginning in the early 1970's, the paper published details of the tale numerous times, allegedly uncovering a mention of the Holbeche battle and the doomed Gideon in the works of a local, 18th Century poet called Rhymer Greensill...... A considerable poem, covering the aforementioned happenings and written by Greensill, was duly unearthed..... the unfortunate G.G. being mentioned by name in the prose concerned!!
Irrespective of the Bugle input in this matter, it has to be briefly mentioned that the actual figure of a phantom horseman in the Wombourne and Himley area was a feature of many decades standing. The subject had hit the local press a number of times over the years, the late 1950's being a rather popular time for such matters. Much of this coverage centred on 'fake ghost riders', tearing recklessly around the lanes and canal tow-paths in the locality!! (It transpired that the people responsible - up to 3 riders, dressed in white - were known to the local constabulary and were warned about their dangerous antics!!)Whether we should potentially view this dodgy activity as a pre-cursor of 'things to come', shooting forward in time again to more recent years, it appears that all was not entirely well with poor Gideon Grove and his own alleged haunting!! Moving back to the coverage splayed on the matter by the Bugle, it now appears that the Grove character was nothing more than an interesting 'invention' of a former editor of the newspaper!! He had, doubtlessly, sniffed a nice, little earner for his publication in creating a history to fit in with an aspect of local, ghostly folklore!!! Furthermore, it seems that our 18th Cent. poet was not only an invention of the enterprising editor too, but also a pseudonym that was used by gentleman concerned!!
And so - returning to the original paragraph in this particular story..... what of the ghost hunters mentioned and their fairly recent conversation with the spirit of Gideon Grove, we ask? Without turning this section into a condemnation of the use of psychic-types in investigative situations, it does indeed serve to illustrate the sorts of problems that can arise when using less than objective means as an investigation tool. After revealing the above mentioned data to the group concerned, we were subsequently told that the psychic in question was no longer associated with the outfit involved!!!
In one damning instance, an elderly lady had been told by a visiting psychic that her home was being haunted by the nasty spirit of a young man. She was informed that the entity concerned was rather disturbed and out to cause as much trouble as possible for her...!!
Reported activity in the case involved the inexplicable movement and disappearance of objects around the home, including food from the kitchen cupboards. Lights and electrical items were allegedly found to have been turned on during the night, grandfather clocks stopped, despite having been wound properly, and so forth. Having contacted the psychic from an advertisement in the rear of a local newspaper, they had turned up and revealed the aforementioned data... before charging her £60 or so and leaving the premises, without a hint of how the situation should be rectified!! (Which, in itself, seemed strange to us, as a lengthy, dramatic floor-show frequently seems to be the aim of such people!!
With her fears reinforced, the lady subsequently called on the W.M.G.C. for a visit and - hopefully - some means of ridding herself of the troublesome 'spirit'. On visiting the house and spending a few hours in conversation with the woman, it became clear that the reasons for her problems were anything but paranormal in nature, however. It was clear to the group member - who had considerable experience of such matters - that the woman concerned was suffering from a form of dementia and, so sad to say, simply 'creating' a lot of the presumed ghostly happenings herself!!This kind of scenario, it seems, can be held accountable for a considerable number of situations. Over the years, we have had cause to speak with genuine and friendly people who have, through different forms of psychological quirk or aberration, either 'caused' their own haunting scenario, or come to believe that they are beset by preternatural powers and forces..... This type of situation is an all-too-real occurrence, unfortunately, and sincerely needs dealing with as delicately as possible. Unfortunately, with a lot of the more hysterically motivated groups in operation, any unthinking, pro-paranormal reinforcement provided by the clubs concerned can cause immeasurable damage to the 'victims' involved!!
Another aspect of this field to be taken into consideration is the now popular 'commercial ghost concern' or 'paid ghost hunt'. This is, simply put, where members of the public are charged to attend a so-called paranormal investigation. This general subject, it has to be said, is an absolute minefield from start to finish, with most events being planned and hosted by the kind of people who should never be let near a potentially paranormal situation, let alone allowed to portray themselves as any form of authority in this field. It should go without saying that money is the key to most of these endeavours and, as with anything that is basically allowing someone to make a few quid at the drop of a dodgy hat, a lot of unscrupulous people have firmly 'jumped on the band-waggon' in recent years!!!
One, particular - allegedly haunted - property actually appears to have been 'anything but'... though this didn't deter it's use as a stage for commercial ghost hunting events a few years ago!The site itself shall remain nameless, but suffice it to say that - for many years - it had been an establishment freely open to the public which had a somewhat limited appeal from a potential visitor viewpoint. It's recent history (at the time that the ghost events were staged) had been a trifle chequered with regards to periods of closure, queries regarding change of ownership and questions as to whether it was able to fiscally sustain itself and so forth.
Just prior to W.M.G.C. members learning of it's alleged, haunted status, the building had come up in a correspondence with respected author and Midlands folklorist, Andrew B. Perrins. In a note, he had happened to mention of a visit to the site, by him and his wife, when he questioned a guide concerning any potential ghostly activity at the property? In reply, he was told that there was no ghostly heritage associated with the building, save for the sound of a piano 'once' being heard to seemingly make a sound by itself... an action that was jokingly put down to a mouse running across the keys!!!
In later speaking with a person who had worked at the site for a number of years, a group member was asked if the W.M.G.C. were possibly the club that had recently been mentioned, in the press, as hosting 'ghost hunts' at the site? At this point in time, the group was unaware of any such news, but were categorically told by the ex-staff member that there was no ghostly history / activity associated with the property whatsoever. The person concerned was also involved with a form of 'Friends Of...' group attached to the site and it was mentioned that a considerable amount of derision had been poured on the subject at a recent meeting. Reading between the lines, it seemed that the sudden 'haunted status' of the premises seemed to be something of a welcome coincidence given it's (then current) precarious state of existence!?!
Another property - which hosts 'ghost events' to this day - has been well known to a group founder for over 20 years. The site concerned had been a favourite spot of the member and even served as the focus of a photographic study carried out in his late teens. During visits to the site, he had frequently engaged a variety of staff in conversation and, given his interest in such matters, the topic of ghosts and hauntings in the region seldom went unmentioned. Still, there was never anything of interest along such lines reported... despite staff being interested in the subject of ghosts too. (Many years back, the property even cropped up in the local press with regards to it's potential, ghostly heritage and no one could provide anything of merit to the debate). In his conversations with staff, he had been informed that the site had, basically, never held any supernatural history, or ghostly heritage.
Still - coming forward to more recent times - and we find that the site has been hosting commercial ghost events for around 10 years now, bolstered by, according to certain websites, a staggering list of different ghosts and incredible, spooky happenings!!!! Laugh!!!!
Returning to the subject of a peculiar scenario lending itself towards paranormal theorising: in one of our more recent cases, the W.M.G.C. were asked for their opinion on some activity going on in a Midlands household. The happenings concerned included poltergeist-like effects and, most interestingly, 'images' that appeared to have been forming on the wall of a bedroom in the property! These pictures were described to the group as appearing as castle-like shapes, kite motifs, random lines, crosses and so on. We were told that these images were seemingly developing - clearer and clearer - with time and were rather hard to see during daylight hours, but seemed more defined at night. Photographs of the pictures were requested by the group and a series of digital shots were emailed back. The pictures concerned clearly showed feint and, it has to be said, very peculiar looking motifs on them!Addressing the matter from a practical angle, we had asked whether the images might just be a design on the wall under layers of paint or paper that was simply leaching through? On this matter, we were assured that this wasn't the case, as some 5 coatings of paint had been put on top of a layer already on the wall when the family had moved in a couple of years earlier....
Despite such assurances, a group member began running checks of some DIY related forums, with particular interest in the removal of marks made by the likes of indelible felt pens on walls, etc. It transpired that this was a particular bug-bear of the DIY enthusiast, some comments indicating that the only way to safely remove these marks - and avoid a leaching effect - was to actually remove the plaster-board of the walls concerned and replace the affected regions entirely!! While researching this angle, group member Steve Chew had also been looking at the images with more than a creeping impression of familiarity for some while..... something that he just couldn't put his finger on?
The 'release' came shortly afterwards when Steve suddenly made a suggestion to the group that the image looked very reminiscent of the logo for West Ham Football Club..... and a quick check of the motif (for those in the group who had no knowledge of 'footy' related matters!) soon revealed that this was indeed what the picture represented!!!Needless to say, it seems that our initial suggestion regarding some form of leaching effect was the probable cause of the matter at hand. Having said that, this clearly constituted only a small part of the happenings being reported at the house and other incidents experienced by the residents could not be so easily explained away....
This latter mentioned consideration is, however, a common feature of a lot of allegedly haunted sites where the (quite naturally occurring) act of hyper-vigilance and hyper-sensitivity has come into play. (In short, this is where the resident or witness 'becomes aware' that they possibly have something strange going on around them and, as a result, a semi-obsessive state is entered where every single creak, groan or seemingly alien scenario is noted down and related as 'part of the ongoing phenomenon', etc).
Needless to say, there appear to be a number of cases where a simple matter of misinterpretation, or even subtle machination (for whatever reason), doesn't seem to account for matters that appear to be 'wrong', from a potentially paranormal viewpoint..... A wonderful case of 'dubious ghost reporting' came from the Tamworth region in 2007, brought to the attention of the W.M.G.C. by our good friend, Carol Arnall.At the time in question a number of reports of 'ghostly Roman soldiers' had been made to the local press in association with the Ashby Road area of the region. There appear to have been some 10 correspondence received by a local newspaper over a fairly brief period of time, 5 of which were alleged witness accounts, involving some 9 different people. (The other 5 letters were from parties interested in commenting on the events concerned).
In looking at the source material proffered - instead of rushing to the region and trying to 'spot' the ghosts or, in some way, 'communicate with them' - the construction of the messages involved initially appeared slightly suggestive......? The first report which introduced the strange goings-on involved a sighting of a solitary solder which stepped in front of a car, followed quickly by a group of soldiers being spotted (in the same encounter), along with some form of bright light, which afforded the witness a good look at the spooky interlopers. Seemingly, to the credit of the person concerned, a query was raised in the note as to there possibly being some form of pageant or film being held / made in the area (i.e. a degree of rationality displayed) and a request for other, potential witnesses placed....
The following week, 3 more correspondence were presented in the local press, seemingly backing up the initial report. One letter seemed to be indicating towards 'other' sightings of Roman-looking soldiers in the region, while the other two reported experiences in the same area for the same night as the initial encounter. (Both of the latter indicated towards sightings of some form of bright light during their encounter too). Most interestingly, at this juncture, it seemed wholly refreshing to see that all of the correspondents so far appeared very good, descriptive witnesses..... and, it has to be said, rather level-headed and even rational to the point of almost / even dismissing a paranormal source for what they had witnessed!A week or so later, another person wrote in to the newspaper to relate an alleged experience which is said to have taken place in 1999. The author of the letter had, interestingly enough, not seen anything untoward during his encounter, but had information about another driver who apparently had. Again, the note was well written, presented in a matter-of-fact manner and involved the kind of 'roadside ghost' motif that has turned up in literally thousands of reports, the world over, etc.
In all, the correspondence received cover the sightings of 9 different people who all appear to have had exceptionally similar experiences in the region concerned. From a research point of view, at face value, the matter presented potential investigators with one of the most impressive - measured - and accurately reported cases of recent years!!
At face value, what we would seem to be looking at in the case of the above information is something fairly 'unique' in this day and age , i.e.: Some 9 witnesses apparently coming across pretty much the same phenomenon - definite, corresponding motifs, etc - in the same, small area, (with the bulk of which occurring) over a small period of time. In truth and statistically, such detail transcends the usual standards of a potential haunting - again, with the corresponding, seemingly accurate details proffered, pure volume of witnesses, etc - and would seem to exceed 99.9% of cases with it's sheer, overall intensity....
Furthermore, reading between the lines of the reports concerned, it doesn't take an overly sceptical mind to potentially begin to detect the whiff of something fishy afoot...... In the first and most obvious instance, all of the reports received seem just a little 'too well' written and constructed; a measured, logical viewpoint in pretty much all examples, seemingly providing us with a clear case of the clearly peculiar being reported by the clearly, level-headed........ a distinct rarity in this day and age when looking into bulk sightings of a solitary phenomenon. From this angle, it is also a distinct rarity - perhaps 'unheard of', even - to find all of the correspondents concerned reporting almost exactly the same phenomenon: Romanesque-motif, lone figure, bloodied troop of soldiers and light source. While all seem to have been mentioned in varying degrees of emphasis in the reports, it is peculiar to find such well corresponding data from unrelated sources......; peculiar and rather suggestive!
As a final footnote to this particular case, it subsequently seems that the paper, in endevouring to carry further comments on the subject, appeared wholly unable to contact 'any' of the alleged people involved in initially reporting the matter to them..........!!!