Investigation Date: 29th June 2007
Investigators present: Drew Bartley, Fiona Vipond, Lee Stephenson and Ralph Keeton
The team arrived at The Lambton Arms Hotel at approximately 12:10 am. The hotel is a structurally magnificent building in the heart of Chester le Street town centre.
In attendance was Dan, the bar manager, who greeted us by the rear entrance, thus avoiding suspicious glances from drunken revellers on a usual Friday night. We set up our equipment in the main bar area where several of the hotels’ bar staff were eagerly awaiting our arrival. They had previously requested to participate in this investigation, therefore they were all enthusiastic for the night ahead (NB this investigation was a workshop, allowing ordinary people the chance to experience a ghost hunt).
Drew, Lee and Ralph carried out the usual baseline tests, whilst Fiona chatted to the staff.
After interviewing a few of the employees we gathered together to discuss and explain the process of the investigation, with Ralph putting one or two of the bar staff’s anxieties to rest.
We split into three groups for the first vigil of the night (unusually late, 02:15am).
Vigil 1
Team 1 The Cellar 2.15-3.00 am
Drew, Ralph, Lindsay, Phil, Carley and Catherine
At 2.30 am Ralph picked up on the name Henry. A metal object and a glass was heard being thrown from the tunnel area.
02.45 am Another sound was heard from the rear of the cellar.
Team 2, Main Bar 2.15-3.00am
Fiona, Rachel, Jeff and Matthew
There were no paranormal events experienced during this vigil.
Team 3 Function Room
Lee, Aimee, Jessica, Paul and Harriett
During the vigil, Lee called to the spirits in the room to communicate. A light anomaly was captured on night vision camera and the sound of intermittent tapping was coming from the corner of the dance floor later in the vigil.
Due to lack of time, we decided to cut down vigils to one only and concentrate on a group séance in the function room.
3.30am Function room séance
Present in circle, all named staff including team member Lee Stephenson.
Ralph Keeton conducting séance.
Fiona Vipond monitoring séance with night vision digital camcorder.
Drew Bartley observing séance via live CCTV footage in room 1 adjacent to function room.
Ralph picks up on a lot of personal information regarding staff. He also communicates with a lady in her late thirties name ?Alexandra or ?Alexandro. A very mundane personality in this life. Immediately whilst Ralph was talking, Fiona caught two light anomalies on digital camcorder.
Essence of a man allegedly hung outside the front of the building. This could explain members of staff experiencing feelings of nausea whilst at work.
04.20am Ralph closes the circle down after a relatively uneventful 45 minutes.
Summary
The Lambton Arms is a beautiful building that most certainly warrants a reinvestigation. The short time the team had did not do its ghostly presences justice. The team, only touched the tip of the iceberg. Most of the hotel rooms were occupied that night where most most paranormal activity allegedly takes place to our dismay. Ralph, as the team medium, is eager to revisit the Lambton Arms. We will indeed arrange to explore this building again.
Until then, we are grateful to have at least experienced the pleasure of investigating the Lambton Arms.
Our appreciation goes to the staff and management of the Lambton Arms for their hospitality, kindness and patience. Many thanks to you all.
Report written by Fiona Vipond