Shadows From The Past, At the Cock Inn Rubery

These days, apart from being a popular community pub, the Cock has gathered a reputation for being haunted and has been written about by the paranormal historian Richard Felix (he will be visiting the pub on the 17th September for a book signing, the pub appears in his latest book, The Haunted Tour Of Britain, West Midlands). His paranormal investigative team have conducted many investigations at the Cock. Birmingham Ghosts and Hauntings have also recently carried out an investigation there.

Poltergeist activity seems to be taking place in the cellars. Staff regularly report problems pulling pints in the bar. When they go to the cellars to investigate, they find that all the gas taps have been tampered with. The landlords, Rob and Damien, have both been shocked to see the shadowy outline of a man in one of the lower cellars. Other people claim to have heard voices coming from the empty cellars. Not surprisingly some of the staff refuse to go down there, at least not by themselves. Female visitors to the cellars seem to trigger off strange activity such as lights flickering on and off.

In the lounge of the pub the ghostly apparitions of a woman and a young girl have been seen for a split second before disappearing. Also in the lounge the landlord's three dogs have been seen, hackles raised, growling at seemingly empty tables and vacant chairs.

Our investigation began one night at 11:50pm. Temperature and EMF readings were normal to begin with. It wasn't long before we started to hear sporadic taps and knockings, some of which seem to be in direct response to questions asked. One of the investigators felt a pushing sensation on her back. Some of us could hear faint voices, as if a quiet conversation was going on in another room.

Another noise we heard seemed like a person shuffling about in the pub. A strange, whining sound was also heard, which the landlord Rob could not attribute to any equipment or machinery. Oddly, these sounds seemed to travel about, sometimes below us, sometimes above us. Two of the investigators experienced a cold spot in the vicinity of the pubs dartboard. I myself saw a shadow move across the bar. Rob the landlord has also seen this shadowy figure in the past. We all experienced strange vibrations and tingling sensations throughout the night and occasionally the floor seemed to shudder.

This was an excellent investigation and we will definitely be returning for further research. Many thanks to Rob and Damien, landlords of the Cock Inn, for their generosity and friendliness. Also thanks to the staff and one or two of the customers whose interest in spirits is not confined to those served behind the bar.

I have included an EVP recording at http://birminghamghosts.webeden.co.uk/#/audio/4530518323 which you may be interested in listening to. Rob asks "was it a candle that started the fire?" He seems to get a response, what do you think? We also seemed to have picked up another strange sound on the other EVP recording - you can probably hear the audio better using headphones.

The Cock Inn is a lovely, inviting, atmospheric old pub and I can definitely recommend the delicious burger and chips!

I have been asked by the landlords to add this message. The pub cannot cater for any more paranormal groups who wish to carry out investigations on the premises. The landlords respectfully request that people decline from contacting them regarding investigations at the present time.