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Friends of mine had sent me DVD's of a show called Most Haunted. This show had what appeared to be a group of paranormal investigators going around the UK searching for ghosts, spooks and spectres. Watching the first series, I was impressed with their presentation style, with the show running at about 25 mins. The show was fast moving with slick effects and reenactments and some sort of conclusion at the end. Being an american, I obviously thought that these guys had always done this.
However, I later found out that Yvette Fielding was a childrens tv presenter and their medium Derek was an ex footballer. As I continued to watch the show on to series two, they went to a place called Brannigans in Manchester. This was a case done by a previous paranormal investigation group, way back in 1999 with an interview with one of the investigators, Geoff Stanley. I later found out that he belonged to a group called Phoenix (not Arizona) Paranormal
Investigations. On closer inspection, the Phoenix team went there after stuff going on was getting out of hand. Minor poltergeist activity and strange cold spots were proving to be too much for the
staff working there. From bar staff to bouncers, no one seemed to be staying. The group went in a total of seven times to not only try and document the phenomena, but to 'quieten down' the aggrieved spooks, who we possibly connected to a High Methodist branch of the church. With a
bar downstairs and a church that had at one time housed 16000 people, there was a lot of work to do. Further digging found that the paranormal investigators had to create a perimeter of containment, as there were a couple of nasty guys upstairs. One was a caretaker and the other was a Reverend. After repeated visits, the activity had lessened and was few and far between. Phoenix Paranormal Investigators had been in, done some clearance work, starred in a segment for 'Psychic Livetime', a satelite tv show in the UK where a glass had been thrown by an invisible force and the crew captured a spirit light zooming away at high speed. No one heard about it, nothing was done.
2002 saw them talking about Brannigans on a documentary called Haunted Britain (currently being shown on Discovery Travel. A very believeable piece, with genuine tension and apprehension. Brannigans became quiet.
Perhaps, a little too quiet!
Fast forward to 2003. A relatively new show on British Satellite and cable called Most Haunted began its second series with a trip to Brannigans Manchester. This was first aired on 4/8/2003. The format was now an hour long with more slick video fx, color to black and white and new music. The highlight of this program was the apparent possession of Derek Acorah (real name Johnson, ex footballer) So vigorous this possession was, the crew found it difficult to bring him
out of it. A pen friend in the UK, met Geoff Stanley shortly after this show went out at a Pagan festival. He relayed the story that due to insurance problems, Geoff was unable to be in the show, other than for the interview, however he asked the manager of Brannigans to stay and he let him, provided that he would stay behind the cameras. When the possession happened with DA, Geoff had to administer healing to Derek, as he was finding it dificult to move his legs. Eventually, DA recovered and on camera vowed never to go back again. On further talking to staff members, it seems they sat in circle (which was briefly filmed). According to Geoff, the circle cast, was not closed down, acting as a doorway to the spirit plain. There were rumors of
staff playing with makeshift ouija boards down in the basement staff room, opening more portals. The place was getting a little more active."
Geoff also related a story that in early 2004, Phoenix was contacted by the screenwriter for White Noise, Niall Johnson. His meeting with them was at........................Brannigans. Geoff said he was interested in investigation methods for a possible future film. Niall was given a small tour of the upstairs of Brannigans and spoke to some staff.
Staff members said that many people had stopped overnight in the wake of the Most Haunted program and a charity sleepover was planned in a couple of weeks time. I found the article at a website called Ghosts UK, (http://www.ghosts-uk.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=340) called "Lifes a Gas for Teetotal Vicars Spirit". Geoff later found out that the night had not gone to plan, with hi jinx turning to sheer terror, as a large block of brickwork was thrown and came through a false floor, landing in the foyer. Things were starting to stir...............
Fast forward to October 31st 2003. Radio station Galaxy 102 decided to hold a live radio show from upstairs in Brannigans. The show was supposed to last three or four hours. it lasted just over one hour citing communication problems with equipment. According to Brannigans staff, the young radio show staff and technicians were picking up strange noises, footsteps and then a pane of glass was smashed seemingly by an unknown hand. Subsequent stopovers and live shows were halted, with a number of padlocks keeping unwanted people out.
However, spooks do not need keys to leave their prison. Geoff had kept on eye on Brannigans, making sure that the crystals were kept 'topped up'. Only problem was, the protection was partially destroyed, culminating with a home visit from the reverend. The thing was, the reverend had evolved. On doing a Google search for brnnigans experiences, through various forums, people visiting the bar had a feeling of being watched when it was quiet to feeling drained. My friend asked 'You say the rev had evolved?, but into what? Geoff replied that the rev now had vampiric properties, his spirit was actively draining the life energy from the young people 'drinking dancing and cavorting' downstairs, retreating back into the bell tower until the next night. Early December, Geoff was woken by a phone call from Jacky, another psychic in Phoenix asking if anything strange had happened to him tonight. Yes, I will count to three and we'll say what we experienced in one word. Jacky said demon, Geoff said Reverend. Seems that the psychics who went in initially to Brannigans got a visit from a 'foot soldier' demon sent by the reverend. Jacky reckoned the demon was none too bright, trying to chew on her head to see if she was tasty. Jacky called H, the other psychic and she had been in the woods with her coven and felt she was being watched from close quarters by a demon, lurking behind the trees. She then said, this has come from the church, the thing is getting stronger..................................
AUGUST 2005 - My friends, friend of a girl friend (confused?) has spoken to Geoff today. Seems that Most Haunted, the possible catalyst for the increase in activity is looking in broadcasting LIVE FROM BRANNIGANS ON SEPTEMBER 4TH. Geoff added, 'this is not wise as I have been having dreams of something like this happening. If a psychic gets taken over by the rev, it could be fatal............... Geoff went in to Brannigans last week and sat there, and took notes. Various containment spells around the building had been DECONSTRUCTED meaning someone has high knowledge of craft and/or mediumship. There is a vortex of energy emanating from the VIP bar, all the way to the bell tower. The rev is aware of Most Haunted returning, as Antix productions have already been in scouting for places for static cameras. Geoff also sensed that someone (antix?) had been searching for crystals and talismans for removal. There are several portals around the building that have been opened through ouija board abuse.
Friends of mine in the UK have sent me new episodes of Most Haunted and I have noticed they are using a technique they call 'Glass Divination'
This is called in my country a ouija board session. Ouija boards are still actively sold here in toy shops, although not recommended for your little boy/girl. You don't want a visit from Captain Howdy (The Exorcist) I always thought that using Ouija board in the UK was illegal. If this is so, are they not breaking the law? Also if they are repsonsible for removing protections for the sake of making a live show more interesting they are morally wrong!!!
Geoff is trying to contact the psychics in Most Haunted to warn them of the dangers they may face. If ouija board, glass divination, whatever you want to call it is done, coupled with Yvette Fieldings taunting ('come and have a go if you think you're hard enough') coupled with being a live event, someone could get hurt.