Investigation Date: 14th September 2007
Investigators present: Drew Bartley, Fiona Vipond, Lee Stephenson and Ralph Keeton and guests Debs, Rebecca and Michelle
The Hare and Greyhound public house is located on the main road through Bowburn in County Durham and dates back to 1909 and is charming, atmospheric place which seems to be trapped in time. There are many original features around the building which adds to the feel of the location.
The bar area did not clear until 12:45am. After the place had emptied, Ralph walked around the property and gave commentary on what he could sense. Immediately on entering the lounge area Ralph stated that somebody had broken their right wrist as he was feeling the pain. Somebody had done this in the recent past, within the last 20 years. He also got pains in his head which Ralph claimed was like an axe in his head. On continuing into the bar area, Ralph could sense a tall man who was a policeman. This man saw it as his duty to protect the property owners, Debs and Dave. The policeman wore the numbers ‘5-4-3’, or those numbers in any sequence, on his shoulders. Upstairs in the property, in the bedrooms, there was a different atmosphere. A very calm and welcoming one. Ralph could sense a lady up there who was extremely motherly and nurturing and who enjoyed being around. She wanted to look after the people living in the property. The lady’s presence had a calming effect on us all throughout the night as we were all finding it difficult to stay awake. This is unusual for all of us to feel this way.
A CCTV camera was set up in the corridor behind the bar and another set up looking along the corridor above, running along the living quarters. A crucifix trigger object was placed on the bar. By the time all our equipment was set up the first vigil did not start until 02:45am. We split into two groups, one group of three (Drew, Fiona and Rebecca) and one group of four (Lee, Ralph, Debs and Michelle).
Vigil 1
Start time: 02:45
Drew, Fiona and Rebecca in the bedrooms
Ralph, Lee, Debs and Michelle in the bar and lounge
The vigils of both groups were quite uneventful. It was decided to spend an hour on the first vigil and moving around different areas of each floor during the hour. Drew, Fiona and Rebecca investigated three bedrooms on the first floor. In the first bedroom investigated there was nothing to report. Moving on to the second bedroom the group held a small séance to see if they could provide some means of contact for any spirits residing there. During the séance Drew and Rebecca felt a cold blast of air which could not be explained but that is all that happened which could possibly have been unusual. In the third and final room, the group once again sat and called out to the atmosphere to encourage spiritual activity to occur. During the vigil here the group heard a whistle noise and a crackling noise. What this could be we don’t know. Ralph, Lee, Debs and Michelle performed their vigil downstairs in the bar and lounge. Initially they stayed in the bar area for the first 30 minutes then moved to the lounge for the final 30 minutes. Whilst in the bar area no paranormal activity was witnessed despite trying to communicate with any spirits that were able to hear us. Ralph was able to pick up on the presence of the policeman picked up earlier. Ralph reiterated what he had mentioned earlier about the policeman. In addition, Ralph mentioned the names Jim or James and Mitchell though these names are not linked. He talked of a rivalry between another pub and this one. This is not the case in present times but may have been in the past. Unfortunately Debs could not confirm this. Ralph was plagued with injuries during the vigil in the bar. Because of the many injuries he was experiencing, it was suggested that there may have been a pit collapse or big accident of some sort. Once again, this could not be confirmed. Ralph asks “Where is the Manor?”. After a quick thought, we all mentioned it is probably what is now Bowburn Hall Hotel. Lee mentioned there is a sign for it as you drive into Bowburn which Ralph would have passed. Therefore, this statement should be discounted as Ralph probably would have seen it without realising as he drove to the property. He also sees people bowling in the bar and a Wurlitzer somewhere possibly suggesting a fair. At 03:15am the group moved into the lounge. Ralph sensed this part of the building is newer. He also smells smoke and starts to feel the injuries again that he had been feeling earlier. During the vigil Lee’s walkie-talkie display was flashing. He talked to Drew on his walkie-talkie to ask if he had his walkie-talkie in his pocket in case the button was getting pressed. He replied it was and that he would turn it off. Although his walkie-talkie was off, Lee’s one still kept flashing. At 03:27am a loud creak was heard from somewhere towards the front on the lounge. This could not be explained. As soon as this happened, Lee’s walkie-talkie one again started to flash. Towards the end of the vigil Ralph could hear distant voices but could not make out what was being said. The two groups then reconvened for a break before starting the second vigil.
Vigil 2
Start time: 04:30
Drew, Fiona and Rebecca in the bar, lounge and cellar
Ralph, Lee, Debs and Michelle in a bedroom at the front of the property
This vigil lasted 30 minutes as time was getting on. Drew, Fiona and Rebecca investigated the lounge, bar and cellar with, unfortunately, not much to report. Halfway through the vigil, at 04:45am, something was thrown but the source was not found. No other experiences occurred. Upstairs in the bedroom, Ralph spoke of the presence of the lady mentioned earlier and that is all he sensed. Ralph asked the lady her name which she thought was rude of him but she was a very peaceful presence and made everybody feel comfortable and cosy. She apologised a few times if she scared Debs one time because she didn’t mean to. Debs could not recall which time the lady could be talking about. Nothing unusual happened during the time in the room upstairs.
This investigation was a diagnostic one and, although nothing definitive happened, it was an enjoyable night in a building which was extremely welcoming.
Our thanks go to Debs and Dave for allowing us to investigate their property.
Report written by Lee Stephenson