When did you first begin to investigate the paranormal?
Thirty-nine years ago. I was on holiday with my family, and we
happened to wander into a second-hand book store in Chichester.
I picked up a battered copy of Flying Saucers Are Real by
Major Donald E. Keyhoe, and I was hooked. I paid two shillings for it,
and it changed my life.
How?
Because it taught me that there are more mysteries in this world
than we realise. After reading that book I never took anything for
granted.
What’s your favourite paranormal subject?
There are a few, I suppose. The truth is that anything paranormal
fascinates me, but poltergeists, cryptozoology and alternate dimensions are some of my pet subjects. There are certain sub-disciplines
that interest me, too. I’m fascinated by ghosts that haunt aircraft and trains, and within the cryptozoological field I’m particularly intrigued
by Bigfoot, Mystery Big Birds and zooform creatures. I’m also interested in the phenomenon of “imaginary” childhood friends, and my book
on the subject INVIZIKIDS - was published in August 2007.
.
Is it true that Guy Lyon Playfair has agreed to write the foreword for your next book book?
Yes. Guy investigated the Enfield case along with Maurice Grosse. Darren and I actually visited Guy at his home on the day that
Channel 4 screened Interview With a Poltergeist to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Enfield. He’s an amazing chap.
Is investigating poltergeist cases scary?
Look, I’m not too interested in tame polts that think they deserve a round of applause just because they can stick a pencil in your ice box
or drape a pair of boxer shorts over your begonias. I’ll investigate them - I rarely turn a case down - but after you’ve investigated a really intense
case everything else seems small potatoes by comparison. Given the choice, I’d much rather deal with a psychotic polt who can trash your
house in seconds and throw stuff at you - - they’re far more interesting and present you with a better opportunity to collect evidence.
As for getting scared...not any more. What’s the point in being a paranormal investigator if you’re going to be afraid of the paranormal?
Would you want to be operated on by a surgeon who was afraid of the sight of blood? I don’t think so.
I’m not being disrespectful, but investigators who poop their pants when the spooky stuff starts are probably in the wrong game.
How do you rate other investigators?
Well, I think you have to draw a distinction between research and investigation. Darren and I do both. You can research polt activity from
the comfort of your own armchair, but if you want to be an investigator you have to get out in the field and get your hands dirty. There are
literally hundreds of would-be investigators who think that all they have to do is read a book about poltergeists and equip themselves with
an EMF meter and they’re good to go. There’s a lot more to it than that, I’m afraid. Darren once asked someone who claimed to be a
poltergeist investigator, “What do you think of Enfield?” He replied, “Enfield? What’s that?” That just about says it all, really.
There are a lot of good investigators out there, but there are also a lot of wannabes. Normally you can spot them by their names.
If someone claims to belong to an outfit called something like The Phantom Elimination Squad or something with a silly, contrived acronym
like the Ghostly Happenings Of Staunton on Thames Undetermined Netherworld Investigation Task Force [GHOSTUNIT-F], then my
advice would be to run a mile or get them some medical help.
You’re also critical of some psychics who claim to “move spirits on into the light”. Why?
Well, I’m not saying there isn’t a place for this sort of activity, but my worry is that much of it of it is bollocks. Firstly, you can’t just walk into
a room and work out exactly what sort of phenomenon you’re dealing with. It takes time. Poltergeists are masters at the art of disguising
both their identity and their true nature, and both Darren and I have known them to masquerade as spirits and fool some very experienced
psychics and mediums.
Another question that needs to be addressed is just what right they have to move anything on anywhere. How do we know that such
spirits - if that’s what they really are - are meant to be “moved on”? Maybe they’re supposed to be here on this earthly plane to fulfil some
purpose that we’re unaware of.
There are a small number of serious mediums who do engage in this type of work in a professional manner and refrain from making
hasty judgements, but in my experience the majority really haven’t a clue what they’re doing - or why.
What do you make of the recent rash of TV programmes on the paranormal?
It depends which programmes you’re referring to. Some just play to the audience and make real investigators fall about laughing.
Others, like Psychic Private Eyes, are well-conceived and definitely worth watching. I suppose anything that heightens the public
consciousness regarding the paranormal is good, but people need to be able to discern between the pulp-TV shows and the serious
stuff.
Both you and Darren are critical of those who milk the media purely for publicity purposes and to make themselves famous.
Why, then, do you have a WRAITHSCAPE MEDIA CENTRE site devoted purely to your media involvement?
Because we need to. The Media Log, for example, is there primarily for editors and other media professionals who need to check out our
track record before hiring us. It also makes good sense to have a site where you can promote your books and other merchandise. There
is a difference between using the media for self-aggrandizement and using it to enhance your career and business.
What’s been the highlight in your career?
Working with Darren, definitely. He’s a fantastic researcher and I’ve learnt a lot from him by studying his techniques. He brought me in to
the South Shields Polt case, and if it hadn’t been for that I’d have been denied the opportunity of a lifetime. I’ve a lot to thank him for.
What’s next on the agenda?
More books. I’ve at least five coming out over the next eighteen months, and maybe as many as six. Darren and I are looking for a really
good case to get our teeth into, so if anyone out there has any suggestions we’d welcome them. END
Thirty-
Major Donald E. Keyhoe, and I was hooked. I paid two shillings for it,
and it changed my life.
How?
Because it taught me that there are more mysteries in this world
than we realise. After reading that book I never took anything for
granted.
What’s your favourite paranormal subject?
There are a few, I suppose. The truth is that anything paranormal
fascinates me, but poltergeists, cryptozoology and alternate dimensions are some of my pet subjects. There are certain sub-
by Bigfoot, Mystery Big Birds and zooform creatures. I’m also interested in the phenomenon of “imaginary” childhood friends, and my book
on the subject INVIZIKIDS -
.
Is it true that Guy Lyon Playfair has agreed to write the foreword for your next book book?
Yes. Guy investigated the Enfield case along with Maurice Grosse. Darren and I actually visited Guy at his home on the day that
Channel 4 screened Interview With a Poltergeist to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Enfield. He’s an amazing chap.
Is investigating poltergeist cases scary?
Look, I’m not too interested in tame polts that think they deserve a round of applause just because they can stick a pencil in your ice box
or drape a pair of boxer shorts over your begonias. I’ll investigate them -
house in seconds and throw stuff at you -
Would you want to be operated on by a surgeon who was afraid of the sight of blood? I don’t think so.
I’m not being disrespectful, but investigators who poop their pants when the spooky stuff starts are probably in the wrong game.
How do you rate other investigators?
Well, I think you have to draw a distinction between research and investigation. Darren and I do both. You can research polt activity from
the comfort of your own armchair, but if you want to be an investigator you have to get out in the field and get your hands dirty. There are
literally hundreds of would-
poltergeist investigator, “What do you think of Enfield?” He replied, “Enfield? What’s that?” That just about says it all, really.
There are a lot of good investigators out there, but there are also a lot of wannabes. Normally you can spot them by their names.
If someone claims to belong to an outfit called something like The Phantom Elimination Squad or something with a silly, contrived acronym
like the Ghostly Happenings Of Staunton on Thames Undetermined Netherworld Investigation Task Force [GHOSTUNIT-
You’re also critical of some psychics who claim to “move spirits on into the light”. Why?
Well, I’m not saying there isn’t a place for this sort of activity, but my worry is that much of it of it is bollocks. Firstly, you can’t just walk into
a room and work out exactly what sort of phenomenon you’re dealing with. It takes time. Poltergeists are masters at the art of disguising
both their identity and their true nature, and both Darren and I have known them to masquerade as spirits and fool some very experienced
psychics and mediums.
Another question that needs to be addressed is just what right they have to move anything on anywhere. How do we know that such
spirits -
There are a small number of serious mediums who do engage in this type of work in a professional manner and refrain from making
hasty judgements, but in my experience the majority really haven’t a clue what they’re doing -
What do you make of the recent rash of TV programmes on the paranormal?
It depends which programmes you’re referring to. Some just play to the audience and make real investigators fall about laughing.
Others, like Psychic Private Eyes, are well-
Both you and Darren are critical of those who milk the media purely for publicity purposes and to make themselves famous.
Why, then, do you have a WRAITHSCAPE MEDIA CENTRE site devoted purely to your media involvement?
Because we need to. The Media Log, for example, is there primarily for editors and other media professionals who need to check out our
track record before hiring us. It also makes good sense to have a site where you can promote your books and other merchandise. There
is a difference between using the media for self-
What’s been the highlight in your career?
Working with Darren, definitely. He’s a fantastic researcher and I’ve learnt a lot from him by studying his techniques. He brought me in to
the South Shields Polt case, and if it hadn’t been for that I’d have been denied the opportunity of a lifetime. I’ve a lot to thank him for.
What’s next on the agenda?
More books. I’ve at least five coming out over the next eighteen months, and maybe as many as six. Darren and I are looking for a really
good case to get our teeth into, so if anyone out there has any suggestions we’d welcome them. END
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