What seems to set the W.M.G.C. apart from most other self-professed ghost societies, is the simple fact that our dealings with paranormal-related topics are purposefully carried out in a purely ‘objective’, no-nonsense manner... casting off all of the unnecessary, blatant chicanery, ‘New Age’ bunkum and pseudo-scientific trappings that appear to have become the trade mark of late 20th / early 21st Century investigative concern. While group membership consists of a necessary mix of both ‘sceptic’ and ‘believer’, the W.M.G.C. constantly strives to promote an 'impartial' standpoint for the sake of true investigation, which – by definition – has to remain un-dogmatic and neutral. Unlike most other societies, the W.M.G.C. does not run to a ‘biased agenda’: we have no interest in either proving the existence of the paranormal, or disproving it. In the field, our research work is solely based on observation and impartial study - consisting of audio / visual recordings, manned ‘vigil’ sessions and attention to environmental factors. We pay particular attention to the notion of 'The Paranormal' as a cultural, psychological and social 'entity' in itself and endeavour to avoid all of the erroneous shenanigans and trappings that the subject has now, sadly and damagingly, come to represent to many.
The W.M.G.C. do not endorse the use of psychic / mediumistic types in investigative situations. Unlike most other groups, we do not make false claims in professing to be able to ‘alter’ a haunted situation in any way, shape or form. The groups motivation and intentions are refreshingly honest and purely research based. Unlike many, we are not interested in attempting to falsely prove that we have any form of ‘insider knowledge’ or ‘special powers’.
*Above - Group member John Conway climbs the stairs at the allegedly haunted Library in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Despite what some groups might now claim, there were no paranormal research societies active locally - in the Midlands region - during the late 1980's. Following initial, tentative contact between the 3 founding members of the West Midlands Ghost Club, efforts to launch some form of investigative group – albeit rather 'frustrated' and 'flailing' at first – were soon underway. August 1989 saw the very first article which carried a mention of the group – then called the ‘West Midlands Friends Of The Paranormal’. (Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time! Laugh, laugh!!!!) At the beginning of 1991, a name change was suggested and the group subsequently began using our more familiar W.M.G.C. moniker, which was wholly intended as a tribute to the spirit of the original Ghost Club (of Great Britain), which was founded in 1862.
Over the subsequent 20 years, the group has seen a variety of different faces come and go, including one of the founders of the association and, more recently, much loved and long-standing members. As discussed in the actual 'Membership' page of this website, we are always on the lookout for interested and level-headed individuals who wish to, in some way, become actively associated with the W.M.G.C. (Please take a look at the aforementioned page for further details and, if you decide that you may be able to help out in any way, feel free to drop us a line!!).
*Above - The groups Marianne Barker situated in the 'haunted, medieval cellar' at the Prince Rupert Hotel in Shrewsbury.
As for some of our more general, non-investigative dealings - one of the group’s most interesting and time-consuming projects to date has been the development of our web site. A fairly primitive version of this page was first launched in 1997, with a complete overhaul, expansion and re-launch taking place in 2000. Another re-launch, and a complete change of web-address in 2008 saw the site’s most recent incarnation.... bringing it to it’s current state.
*Above - W.M.G.C. member, Deborah Green, investigates an ancient church crypt on behalf of the group!
On film, October 2000 saw members of the group take part in the B.B.C. documentary: ‘Midlands Report – Ghosts’, recorded at Belgrave Hall in Leicester. (Broadcast Jan. 18th 2001). A few years later, three of our members featured in the independent video production ‘Ghosthunters’, made by Steve Bullen of the ‘Cracked Knuckles’ company (Surrey). Following the same vein, in early 2006, three W.M.G.C. members appeared in an episode of the I.T.V. topical, local interest programme: 'Central-Extra', which was broadcast on January 10th.
The W.M.G.C. also gave our backing to a proposed documentary series – also called ‘Ghost Hunters’ – which had been offered to the club by ‘Dash Productions’ of Granada Television. Sadly, the latter mentioned never came to fruition.
The W.M.G.C. is also frequently asked to provide references and background research for a multitude of paranormal related programmes and sources , including both mainstream and independent T.V. companies. [1]
In 2004, the group provided background material for what turned out to be the highly popular ‘Haunted Walsall’ display, which ran at the Town Museum for approximately 6 months. Other, similar projects have included the undertaking of investigations at selected venues in and around Burton On Trent for Chris Campbell-Brown, organiser of the popular 'Burton Ghost Walk'.
*Above - W.M.G.C. stalwart and founder member, Len Jackson, 'taking the weight off' during an outside investigation.
In all, the W.M.G.C. has appeared on a variety of different regional and National radio stations in excess of 45 times. [2] 2004 also saw the W.M.G.C. collaborating with The Mander Centre and Wolf F.M. radio station for a ‘Live Halloween Show’, broadcast from a number of allegedly haunted sites around Wolverhampton City Centre, while Halloween 2006 saw group members aiding Beacon Radio on an over night stay at the luxury, Madeley Court Hotel in Shropshire! In late October 2007, the W.M.G.C. became the first independent (non-commercial) group to be allowed access to the magnificent edifice of Warwick Castle for a full, overnight investigation. This latter mentioned visit was made in conjunction with a team from Radio W.M. and our old mate Danny Kelly!!!
A 'Sponsored Ghost Hunt' held at Coventry Guildhall and organised by (then) group member Kevin Wallace in November 2005 raised the sum of £500 for Birmingham Children's Hospital. (*Sum raised by W.M.G.C. members and 15 other attendees). Another 'sponsored investigation' at the same site in early 2011 - organised by club member, John Conway - raised in excess of £1000 for the MacMillan Cancer Nurses Charity.
Over the years, a number of our investigations and activities have been covered by both local and national periodicals and publications, resulting in well over 250 separate mentions in print to date! [3]
Some of the more ‘interesting’ propositions to have come our way in recent years include: offers of a 'modelling job' for one member following one particular press release (I kid you not!); a request for members of the club to appear on a special, Halloween edition of ‘The Salon – Live’ (again, I kid you not!) and a chance to help in background research for the Playstation 2 game, ‘GhostHunter’. For the launch of the aforementioned game, group members were invited to London, to play the game on an allegedly haunted tube station!!!! Other unlikely – but totally true – scenario’s include a request for us to go ‘pot-holing’ in haunted mines in the Peak District; a run-in with naked lap-dancers at the Kerrang Radio Station and a chance of spending a night in a glorified London cellar to the tune of £1400!!……
[1]: ‘B.B.C. T.V.’; ‘Central’; ‘Channel 4’; ‘Carlton T.V.’; I.T.V. Anglia; Polish Television – ‘T.V.N.’ ; Legal TV; Carey Street Productions (London); ‘Thames Television’; ‘Childrens .B.B.C.’; Residual Films (Birmingham); the ‘Shoal’ Television Company; ‘Princess Productions’; (the ‘Scream Team’ related) ‘Making Time T.V.’; I.T.V. 1 and I.T.V. 2; 'Most Haunted' producers and researchers working on behalf of the Derek Akorah show - 'Ghost Towns'.
[2]: Inc. ‘B.B.C. Radio Stoke’; ‘B.B.C. Radio Coventry and Warwks.’; ‘B.B.C. Radio WM’; B.B.C. Radio Shropshire; ‘Kerrang Radio’; SAGA Radio; ‘B.R.M.B. Radio’; ‘Beacon F.M.’; ‘B.B.C. Radio 5 – Live’; 'Stafford University Radio', 'Heart F.M.', ‘Walsall Hospital Radio’, 'Telford F.M. Radio' and 'Dudley Road Hospital Radio'.
[3]: The ‘Fortean Times’ Magazine; The West Midlands Life Magazine; The Staffordshire Life Magazine; The 'Paranormal' Magazine; The Buzz - Birm. Uni. Magazine; The Sun; The Express & Star; The Birmingham Evening Mail; The Lichfield and Rugeley Post; The Sunday Mercury; The Black Country Bugle; The Birmingham Post; The Walsall Advertiser; The Walsall Observer; The Walsall Chronicle; Sutton On Sunday; The Coventry Evening Telegraph; The North Shropshire Chronicle; The Redditch Advertiser; The Halesowen News; Sunday Mirror Magazine; Solihull Times; The Tamworth Herald; The Tamworth Times; The Paranormal News; The Coventry Observer; The Staffordshire Newsletter; The Shropshire Star; The Newport Advertiser; The Bromsgrove Herald; The Wolverhampton AdNews; The Willenhall, Wednesbury and Darlaston AdNews; The Dudley News; The Great Barr Observer; The Stafford Post; The Horsehay Steam Trust Magazine; The Sutton Coldfield Observer. Also the MENSA special interest newsletter: ‘The Optimist’; 'The ASH Magazine', along with the books ‘Spooky Tales From Smethwick’ by Marilyn Cliff 'Mysterious Happenings' and 'Eerie Happenings' by Carol Arnall.