Inquiry into supernatural events at Ferryhill centre

Dec 5 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

AN investigation is to be carried out into ghostly goings on at a community centre. The North East-based Esoteric Paranormal Investigations team will visit the Mainsforth & District Community Centre in Ferryhill, County Durham.

The team said that incidents at the centre have included:

:: Unexplained temperature fluctuations.

:: Spectacular light anomalies on photographs, videos and seen by the naked eye.

:: Unexplained strange noises – bumps, groans and voices.

:: Strange smells which come and go.

:: Doors opening and chairs folding of their own accord.

:: Tables which move around the room.

The centre was built as a miners’ welfare hall in 1927.

Anne Piper, who lives in Gateshead and is co-ordinator of the investigations team, said: “It is an unusual location.

“When it comes to paranormal activity, people don’t think of buildings like that.”

On the night of Friday, December 12, the team will set up cameras trained on stationary objects to catch any movement and will use a computer linked to a microphone and recorder to pick up unusual sounds.

The visit will be a public event, with places at £20 to cover the cost of the operation.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about the paranormal because of a certain TV programme, and we like to show how investigations should be done properly and respectfully,” said Anne.

She said it was believed that the building was used as a wartime hospital. “It may have something to do with the number of people who have passed through the building or even what was on the land before the centre was built.” Community centre chairman Bill Holdsworth said: “I am sceptical, but because I spend a lot of time in the building by myself, I couldn’t afford to think in any other way.

“But there have been a few inexplicable events.

“On one occasion, I walked towards the centre’s office and when I went to turn the light on, I felt a force on my left shoulder which spun me around.

“It had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck.”

The centre will certainly be jumping on Saturday night when one of the punchiest rhythm and blues bands in the country, Dr Feelgood, are booked to play.

To book places ring (0191) 496-1090.