There is something out there!

Ghostly sightings and stories of hauntings have been around for centuries. Our interest in the subject seems to be on the increase given the fact that more TV programmes are covering the subject. There is even a Paranormal channel set up by Yvette Fielding (Most Haunted). Tune in and take a look, especially if you're a fan of Arthur C. Clarke.

Nor should we forget to mention interesting publications, such as the Fortean Times magazine, published monthly, it is a very good read indeed, for those of you with a deepened curiosity for all things paranormal. I would certainly recommend you go out and get yourselves a copy.

Another magazine entitled Paranormal has recently been revamped and the latest issue includes articles by accomplished authors, such as, Paul Deveraux, Nick Redfern and Janet Bord. There is a very interesting piece on a recent poltergeist haunting in the north east of England. If this case is genuine then it's one of the scariest examples of poltergeist activity on record (not to mention the most bizarre).

This distinctly unpleasant entity terrorised a young family in South Shields. It sent death messages via a mobile phone and even used a Bob the Builder doll to taunt an investigator (shades of Chucky, the thankfully fictitious toy from the Childs Play films). This case could become as famous and baffling as the Enfield Poltergeist, which grabbed the public's attention back in the 1970's and was the inspiration for the BBC's notorious Ghostwatch programme. These cases are fascinating and are well worth a Google.

Richard Felix, paranormal historian and owner of Derby Gaol has a series of DVD's that covers ghostly activity throughout the British Isles. Sunday Mercury readers maybe particularly interested in his documentary about West Midlands ghosts. Dudley Castle is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in England, and Warwick Castle is supposed to have more than its fair share of ghosts as well, including that of a black dog and a witch. If you happen to be visiting any of these places and experience something unusual please let us know. Another good source of information is Haunted Birmingham by Arthur Smith and Rachel Bannister. They mention many places around the city that are said to be haunted, in fact you could be walking past a haunted building every day on your way to work!

In his book Ghost Stories of Erdington, my friend Patrick Hayes writes about a haunted telephone box near the railway station. Many people have witnessed a strange, distressed woman trying to make a call. However, on closer inspection the phone box is found to be empty. Apart from her obvious agitation, people have noticed her unusual clothes which seem to be of World War Two vintage. Could this be the ghost of a woman caught up in an air raid? Have you ever seen anything unusual like this on your way to and from the station?

It is good that more people appear to be taking an interest in the supernatural and are asking questions, this is how we learn and will undoubtedly benefit us all in finding the answer. I feel that we are ever closer to finding out the truth and unlocking the mystery.

It would suggest to me and others who have witnessed what we may deem as paranormal, that something is happening beyond our comprehension. Just because we do not understand it yet, does not mean that it doesn't exist. Therefore should we ignore our own personal experiences and that of others? I think not.

Group members and I spend whatever time we can researching the paranormal whether it is past or present in order to study, observe, analyse and hopefully one day understand.

Ideally we could do with having a vacant property where paranormal activity is said to take place. We could set up base there and monitor the surroundings, cataloguing all that happens over a long period of time. This would be an excellent way of gathering more data for study.

There is something out there.