OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT
INTO ALLEGED HAUNTINGS AT
JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL, JEDBURGH
SATURDAY 30 MAY 2009
INVESTIGATION TEAM
INVESTIGATION CO-ORDINATOR - DEREK GREEN
TEAM LEADER/ FIRST AIDER - JOAN GREEN
TEAM LEADER - STEPHANIE MACDONALD
TEAM LEADER - COLIN FLYNN
TECHINICAL TEAM LEADER - MARK ORD
INVESTIGATOR - LISA BOWELL
INVESTIGATOR - BILL GREEN
INVESTIGATOR - COLIN MACDONALD
INVESTIGATOR - CAROLANNE DOUGLAS
INVESTIGATOR - FIONA BISSET
INVESTIGATOR - LYNN ROBERTSON
INVESTIGATOR - JOAN MCAULEY
INVESTIGATOR - IAN ROBERTSON
INVESTIGATOR - GREG ROBERTSON
INVESTIGATOR - SORAYA BADAR
INVESTIGATOR - BRONACH MCELHONE
Report compiled by – Derek Green
Scottish Area Investigation Co-ordinator
Owners and Occupants: Scottish Borders Council.
GHOST CLUB INVESTIGATION SCHEDULE:
17:00 hrs - Arrive at Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum, Castlegate, Jedburgh, TD8 6QD.
17:05 hrs - Enter Main Building.
17:10 hrs - Investigation Team gather in Base Area.
17:15 hrs - Tour of Building and prepare Thermometers.
18:00 hrs - Briefing from Joan Green (Team Leader)
18:05 hrs - Briefing from Derek Green on Health and Safety (Investigation Co-ordinator).
18:20 hrs - Prepare for First Vigil.
18:25 hrs - Investigation Groups make way to first location.
NB: PLEASE REFER TO THE GHOST ROTA BELOW TO SEE THE GROUP YOU ARE IN AND
THE PARTICULAR LOCATION YOU ARE IN FOR EACH TIMED VIGIL. THE
INFORMATION BELOW IS JUST A SHEDULE TO SHOW THE TIMINGS.
Rota of Investigators / Experiments
Investigation at JEDBURGH JAIL, JEDBURGH
Saturday 30 MAY 2009
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Please also refer to your GHOST CLUB INVESTIGATION SCHEDULE ABOVE:BRIDEWELL& MALE DEBTORS/FEMALE CRIMINALS JAIL BLOCKS
INVESTIGATION GROUPS ROTA OF 9 VIGILS
ALL EQUIPMENT WHICH IS OWNED BY INVESTIGATORS MUST BE BROUGHT TO INVESTIGATION.
_________________________________________________
Investigation Co-ordinator: Derek Green
Team Leaders: Derek Green
Joan Green
Technical Team shall consist mainly of Investigators with Equipment.
Technical Team Leader: Mark OrdTechnical Team: Derek Green
Colin Flynn
Craig McDonald
Investigation Support: Ian Robertson
Joan McAuley
Staff Member present: Elliott Lewis.
Responsibility of Team Leader is to ensure that Group vigils run to time.
GROUP 1 GROUP 2
Derek Green Joan Green
Bill Green (Scribe) Soraya Badar
Lisa Bowell Colin Flynn
Lynn Robertson Fiona Bisset
Stephanie MacDonald Leanne Cofax
Craig McDonald Carolann Douglas
Experiments are listed by location and must be carried out by a team member.
BASE AREA: GAOLER'S HOUSE.
BLOCK ONE - BRIDEWELL BLOCK
BLOCK THREE - MALE DEBTORS/FEMALE CRIMINALS BLOCK
Vigil Time Location Group Number
ALL VIGILS ARE 25 MINUTES LONG
1 18:30 - 18:55 hrs Block 3 Dayroom/ArcadeGround F 1
Block 1 Cells 1st Floor 2
__________________________________________________
2 19:00 - 19:25 hrs Block 1 Cells 1st Floor 1
Block 3 Dayroom/Arcade Ground F 2
__________________________________________________
3 19:30 - 19:55 hrs Block 1 Workrooms Ground Floor 1
Block 3 Cells 1st floor 2
__________________________________________________
4 20:00 - 20:25 hrs Block 3 Cells 1st Floor 1
Block 1 Workrooms Ground Floor 2
__________________________________________________
20:30 - 21:00 hrs BREAK 30 Minutes
__________________________________________________
5 21:05 - 21:30 hrs Block 3 Cells 1st floor ALL
__________________________________________________
6 21:35 - 22:00 hrs Block 3 Dayroom Ground Floor 1
Block 1 Workrooms Ground Floor 2
__________________________________________________
7 22:05 - 22:30 hrs Block 1 Cells 1st Floor 1
Block 3 Cells 1st Floor 2
__________________________________________________
8 22:35 - 23:00 hrs Block 3 Cells 1st Floor 1
Block 1 Cells 1st Floor 2
__________________________________________________
9 23:05 - 23:30 hrs to Be Decided ALL
__________________________________________________
10 23:30 - 23:50 hrs EXTRA TIME IF REQUIRED ALL
__________________________________________________Temperature Monitors will be placed in the following locations:
MALE DEBTORS/FEMALE CRIMINALS BLOCK 3.
DAYROOM
ARCADE
TWO THERMOMETERS IN TOP FLOOR
HAND HELD THERMOMETERS MUST ALSO BE USED AT ALL TIMES.
The following equipment was used on this investigation:
Supplied by Mark Ord
Rapid/OS Digital survailance Recorder,
4 Swann Infra Red Cameras (10 metre range),
Sony analogue voice Recorder,
Handheld Digital Camcorder,
EMF Meter,
Infra Red thermometer
Supplied by Dave Alderton
Binatone Adventurer 450 two way radios - 4 off
Samsung VP-850D 8mm Camcorder
Sony Handycam DCR-DVD110
Olympus DVR VN-2100PC digital recorder - 2 off
Sanyo TRC-630M microcasette recorder
Olympus Pearlcorder S928 microcasette recorder
Sentient DVR recording kit - 4 colour/nightshot cameras
Panasonic DMC-T23 digital camera
Finepix A204 digital camera
Polaroid 600 AF camera
Cellsensor
Gaussmaster - 2 off
Environment Meter N09AQ - light, sound, relative humidity, temp
Electrosensor electromagnetic field detector
BDS300 metal sensor
Fluke 77 series II multimeter
Hitachi laptop to download photographs and play video from recorders if needed (kept this in car)
Raytek MT4 temp gun
_________________________________________________________
The following areas were covered during the investigation.
* Bridewell Block 1
* Male Debtors/Female Criminals - Block 3
* Block 2
_____________________________________________________________________
HISTORY
Built in the 1820’s to a design by Archibald Elliot following prison reform principles of John Howard, Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum offers an insight into what prison life was like during the 19th century. Here visitors may trace the history of law and order and discover the harsh sentences, including transportation, imposed upon children and adults.
The imposing structure stands on the site of the former Castle of Jedburgh, which was razed to the ground in 1409, and enjoys commanding views from the top of the Castlegate over the scenic town of Jedburgh. The building is a scheduled monument of importance - rated category A and enjoying a unique architectural status in the Scottish Borders. It offers a fascinating chronicle of the 19th century for both architectural historians and visitors seeking something different for a day out.
Nowadays the Jailer’s House acts as a museum for the Royal Burgh of Jedburgh, with traditional displays, costumed figures and audio visuals bringing history to life. Discover fascinating facts on the links Jedburgh has with leading figures in scientific discovery. The kaleidoscope was invented by Sir David Brewster - a native of Jedburgh. Mary Somerville, an eminent scientist of her day hailed from Jedburgh. She has an Oxford College named in her honour. James Hutton, the father of modern geology, studied formations of sandstone cliffs in Jedburgh and formulated revolutionary theories which challenged theological beliefs of his day concerning the creation of the earth.
Displays on crime & punishment and the Prison Reform movement, are set within the magnificent castellated cell blocks. Here the stories of inmates, prison staff and infamous sons and daughters of Jedburgh are recounted against the background of law and order in Scotland.
The Victorian prison, now a museum of imprisonment and local history, is situated on the site of the Royal Castle of Jedburgh. These include finds made during excavations upon nearby Dunion Hill Iron Age settlement and at Greyfriars' Garden in the town. The Royal Castle of Jedburgh occupied this site from the 12th century until 1409 when it was destroyed to deny its use to English soldiers. John Howard's Reformatory Imprisonment principles influenced the design and construction of this prison in 1820-1824 on the site of the town gallows.
ALLEGED ACTIVITY
Jedburgh Castle Jail has been the subject of many reported paranormal occurrences. Many apparitions have been seen and there have been many reports of a ghostly piper seen standing on the battlements. Strong presences have been felt and on many occasions strange lights have been witnessed. The jail found itself highlighted in the media in 2005 when a paranormal investigation team experienced extreme poltergeist activity.
Official Report compiled by Derek Green from notes of the Investigators
The following information has been taken from the notes of the investigators present and where possible notes have been copied verbatim and listed by location.
INVESTIGATION REPORT
Prior to the investigation, the following was recorded by the investigators:
At 17:55 hrs, Lynn Robertson witnessed a dark shadow move from left to right in the Children’s dressing up area. Both Lynn and Joan green came out in goose bumps. When Lynn was in the area herself she felt very uncomfortable.
In block 3 Stephanie MacDonald sensed the following names: Devlin, Costello, Grant and Somerville.
__________________________________________________________________________________
The purpose of this investigation was also under test conditions. The groups were split into the following. Group one was made up of mostly sensitives and group two was made up mostly of non sensitives. The idea behind the grouping was to see if the sensitives could heighten the conditions for non sensitives.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL– THE ARCADE
TIME: 18:50 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
TEMPERATURE: 17.6C
OUTSIDE WEATHER CONDITIONS: DRY, SUNNY
VIGIL ONE
A Circle was formed with the following investigators:
Lisa
Stephanie
Derek
Lynn
Derek opened the circle up in prayer and asked for spirit to come forward. Lisa had a communication with a male prisoner, she described him with short hair and wearing a dark shirt and trousers and he seemed to have the name Learmonth. Lisa felt he was a cheerful person and she said that he was trying to move towards Stephanie and whisper something in her ear. He gave a year 1812 and said that he was there for seven years for sheep stealing. He had two children and Lisa added that he was fed up because nobody was listening to him. He then added that he had been caught red handed and was sentenced by the Sheriff.
Lisa then stated that she had a communication from a gentleman called Samuel Jackson; she added that he said the word Sheriff. Stephanie then stated that she had a communication from a gentleman who had died in the prison due to a problem with his teeth. No one at the time could help him and he died.
During the circle both Lisa and Lynn had joined hands and Lynn said that Lisa’s hand felt as though it was changing. Lisa’s communicator confirmed that his name was Learmonth and he kept saying “Right you are girl.”
Derek then closed the circle down and asked for any spirit energy to remain in the room. Lisa’s communicator said he did not want the circle to close and could not understand why people were leaving. Derek then explained the reason and this would appear to have been accepted and the circle was fully closed down. Derek then openly asked for spirit to remain in the room and Stephanie noted that she sensed a small monkey.LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK ONE 1ST FLOOR
TIME: 18:45 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL ONE
Joan started to call out with each member in a separate cell. Joan then tried a knock and rap experiment but no response was recorded. At 19:00, Soraya felt as though some one was moving around and she heard what was likened to shuffling. At 19:10 hours, Carolanne was in cell 8 and found it hard to breathe. She decided to move into cell number 9 where upon she could taste blood in her mouth. At 19:15 hrs, Joan asked for all the investigators to close a cell door and stand in the corridor while she asked spirit to try and open a door after the team left.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK 1 1ST FLOOR
TIME: 19:25 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
VIGIL TWO
A Circle was conducted in cell 16. The sitters were the following investigators:
Stephanie
Lisa
Lynn
In the corridor Derek asked out and placed stones in some cells and asked spirit to try and move them in any way possible. Derek then asked for the circle to be opened up and Lisa sensed a female with long black straggly hair. She also gave the impression to Lisa that she was a Jailer. Lisa then said the lady walked into the cell and then back out again and had been there for many years. Lynn then picked up the names Marlene and Elizabeth Strang. Elizabeth gave the impression that she was a warder and she looked after the Prisoners who came to the jail. The lady Marlene said to Lynn “You are Pitiful”. Stephanie then said that she had the impression of a lot of deaths caused by an epidemic and she then added that she sensed a spirit gentleman around her. Stephanie described him with fair hair, shirt with sleeves rolled up and that he was a Doctor. Lynn then sensed there was a man with a pinkie missing and Marlene once more came forward and said to Lynn “you are pitiful”. Lynn then said that the gentleman was wearing a three quarter length coat, a tyle hat and although he looked smart, he was wearing an open shirt at the neck and was not really that smart looking.
Stephanie said that she sensed a spirit man who had a cough caused by a sore throat; Stephanie could feel the pain in her throat. He said that he was not happy about the deaths which were to do with the lack of care. Stephanie again sensed the monkey and Lynn said the man with the tyle hat was wearing riding boots and was called Brackenridge. This man was not a prisoner. Both Lynn and Lisa then described coldness across their arms. Stephanie then said she could sense a Monk with his cowl up although he would not give a name. Lynn and Lisa could also smell Camphor and the feeling that somebody wanted the Bosses sorted out.
The circle was then closed and Lisa felt cold and light headed.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – THE ARCADE
TIME: 19:25 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL TWO
Joan asked a series of questions with a tape recorder running. Joan asked for raps to the following answers: Twice for Yes, Once for no. At 19:25 hrs, Soraya sat in front of the scrying mirror, surrounded by Carolanne, Colin and Joan Green observing. Joan then asked spirit to show themselves in the mirror. During this experiment, various people in the team claimed to see faces in the mirror, with this kind of experiment, different people see different things. Though these experiences are interesting it is not conclusive.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK 1
TIME: 19:50 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
VIGIL THREE
Derek asked the team to walk about the corridor and to go in and out of cells. Lynn sensed a spirit man who was looking for a farm worker called Petersen. Derek then tried an experiment in the hope of intensifying some activity. He threw stones into a cell and asked for them to be thrown back but nothing was reported. Lynn then said she had a communicator called McKenzie and the year 1826. Lynn said he appeared to be a man of the cloth. In cell 3 the time was recorded at 19:58 and Lisa felt sick and dizzy. Stephanie reported headache feelings in cell 5. Derek then asked for cells doors to be slammed shut but nothing was recorded. Derek entered cell 8 and noted that he too did not like the atmosphere. In cell 3 Dave recorded a strange EMF Fluctuation. When Lynn entered cell 3 she had the feeling “stand your ground”. Lisa then sensed the name Elsie and the time of the 1890’s. Lisa felt very dizzy and this then followed with the name Frances.
Bill Green noted hearing what sounded like a bump coming from the stairs area. Derek and Stephanie investigated but could not find anything. Lisa then became aware of a female energy come out of cell 8 and go into cell 6.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK THREE 1 ST FLOOR
TIME: 19:50 HRS
TEMPERATURE: 19.0C
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL THREE
Joan asked Colin to put stones in cells 2, 4 and 5. Joan then tried a knock and rap experiment in the corridor but no response was recorded. The cell doors were closed and Joan asked for the stones to be moved, disappear or be thrown into the corridor. Again nothing was reported. At one end of the corridor, four stones were placed and Joan asked the group to concentrate to see if the stones would move as part of an experiment. Nothing was recorded Joan then threw a stone and asked if the stone could be thrown back from one of the cells. Nothing was recorded. Joan then finally asked for a cell to be opened after they had left the corridor. All webcams were running.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK 3 UPPER FLOOR
TIME: 20:25 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
VIGIL FOUR
Lynn sat in cell 8 with the scrying mirror and Derek asked for spirit to go into cell 8. During this experiment, Lynn noted seeing various faces in the mirror, both male and female. One face came through of a gentleman with his left eye missing, it was then discovered that during group two’s experiment, Soraya noted seeing a man with his left eye missing. The face would appear to have come through at both experiments with two separate people at two separate times. Derek then called time on the experiment and at 20:40 hrs, an other experiment was carried out. Stones were placed by Derek on stools in cell 8, Dave followed by setting up a camera to view this while group were not there. On returning and checking a few hours later, no stones had moved out of position.
Stephanie sensed a gentleman of dirty appearance called Harold. He had one leg and shoulder length hair. He was emotionally unbalanced, he proceeded to finish off with a rhyme:-
BOWS AND BELLS
YOU’LL GO TO HELL
BOWS AND BELLS
IN HELL YOU’LL DWELL.LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK 3 GROUND FLOOR
TIME: 20:25 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL FOUR
Soraya went into cell 3 and Colin into cell 4. The whole area was cold. Soraya started to sense a female called Mary Ann who was huddled in the corner because she was so cold. At 20:30 hrs, Mark took a temperature reading in the cell and it was recorded at 12.8C, Soraya asked if Mary Ann would affect the machine Mark was holding. The following temps were recorded in a very short time period:
12.8C
12.3C
12.2C
12.1C
12.0C
11.7C
11.8C
11.6C
11.3C
11.2C
11.1C
11.4C
11.3C
11.7C
9.9C
10.0C
9.9C
11.3C
Finish.
During the fluctuations recorded by Mark Ord, Soraya said that Mary Ann was aged about 22 years. She had been imprisoned for stealing and said that the conditions were awful. From the 11.7C – 9.9C drop, Soraya felt an unpleasant presence and she was sure she had witnessed a shadow in the right corner of the cell, then it disappeared and the temperature went back to 11.3C.
Although the temperature differences were not much it did start at 13.0C and dropped to 9.9C. These were very quick and in a time period of about 1.5 minutes and three people were in the cell.
BREAK.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK THREE 1ST FLOOR CELLS
TIME: 21:30 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: ALL
VIGIL FIVE
Joan started asking a series of questions to provoke answers and responses with two raps for yes and one rap for no. All was quiet in cells 1 and 8 and in cell number 2, Lisa heard a woman humming and Soraya heard a rapping when Joan was calling out. Joan then asked for a noise and Soraya and Lisa heard what sounded like a boom.
At 21:40 hrs, Joan started throwing stones and asked for spirit to copy her. Lisa heard a stone falling near to cell 2. Joan then tapped the wall and asked for a reply. Soraya then felt earache and something touch her hair. Derek then tried knocking on a cell door for a response. Joan then asked out for spirit to come forward in the cell corridor and Derek started throwing stones, more knocks were carried out as well, but no responses to any of the experiments were recorded.
At the end of the vigil, Craig heard a cell door open downstairs and it did sound quite muffled. Nobody was in the lower parts of the building. On investigation no door had opened down stairs.
During questions and rapping, Lynn once again had a communication from the man with the missing eye. He explained that he took prisoners to the stocks. Another communicator called Mrs Porter came forward and told Lynn she had worked in the kitchen and was connected to a nearby farm. Joan then asked a question about a Laundry and Mrs. Porter replied “no clothes were washed, everyone was very dirty”. At 21:45 hrs. Lynn received another communication from Mr McKenzie the minister. He came in and out of the Prison to visit prisoners and was Church of Scotland. Lynn also noted smelling blood and the odour of a smelly dog.
At 21:45 hrs, Stephanie was in cell 5 and she had a communication from a young gentleman called Simon, clean shaven with blonde hair tied in a pony tail. He was wearing black breeches and a long sleeved white shirt, black coat and he also seemed to be wearing something that looked like a ministerial collar. He was a member of the clergy. He then communicated that the place was not always full of bad people. All of them were poor and desperate and they had no food to feed themselves or their families.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK 2 DOORWAY
TIME: 21:55
INVESTIGATORS: DEREK GREEN, LISA BOWELL AND LYNN ROBERTSON
VIGIL SIX
Scottish Borders Council had allowed the door of cell 2 to be opened and a small group of investigators were allowed to stand just in the doorway. The following was recorded between Lynn and Lisa:
•Sick people were unable to stand up.
•Lisa then sensed a man coming through with very hollow eyes, long hair, greyish hair and not looking well.
•There had been an outbreak of Scarlet Fever and prisoners were moved to other blocks.
•A man called Wilson was referred to as Sir.
•Low beds were in the cells with white covers. A Mr Swann was also mentioned.
•There was also a sanitation problem.
•There was a Dysentery type condition.
•A guard was sensed walking around with lots of keys and was in charge of the block. He had a dark coat, tall dark hat and moustache and the name Mr. Southern was called in.
•A small highland Terrier dog was sensed.
•Communication came through which was “Can I help you, you don’t want to mix with those, you want to be more careful. The’re badins in here, all sorts in here. People to be hanged.”
•At 22:11 hrs, an orb was seen with the naked eye at the back window.
•“Are you from the Governor?”
•Orbs again seen with the naked eye at 22:12hrs.
•At 22:15 hrs, a loud thud heard was by all three coming from inside the block.
•Lisa now has a headache.
•Lisa and Lynn both seeing light anomalies with their own eyes.
•All three investigators are now aware of noises coming from the back of the Block, they can only describe the noise like a disturbance.
•It has now been agreed to close the doors and let the camera run.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BRIDEWELL LOWER FLOOR
TIME: 21:50 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL SIX
A Circle of four was held in cell 3. The circle consisted of the following sitters:
Fiona
Colin
Soraya
Joan G
Ian Robertson recorded the following:
•A cold draught was felt in the room but when investigated, an open door was found.
•Soraya felt that spirit were reluctant to come forward.
•The atmosphere seemed imposing; it was felt that a warder was holding them back.
•The prisoners felt nothing could be done to help them.
•Fiona senses the word abomination in her mind.
•Colin sensed a child called James who was watching. He also experienced a slight pain in his right foot.
•Circle closed.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BRIDEWELL BLOCK
TIME: 22:25 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
VIGIL SEVEN
Derek asked out and tried throwing some stones to generate a response but nothing was recorded. Lynn and Lisa went into cell 16 and Lynn received the impression of a young woman who was very clean, hair tied back at the nape of the neck and with a pony tail. She kept saying to Lynn try St Martins. The name Samantha then came forward and Lynn had the impression that she was on her knees saying the lords Prayer. Lisa and Lynn felt the cell very cold and Lisa felt dizzy. A noise was heard coming from the window and Lynn investigated. On closer inspection she was able to replicate the noise and could find the cause. Lisa then started receiving mental pictures of how the cell would have looked; she could describe where the bed, a chair and what looked like a table sat. Lisa also described it as very dusty and dark looking. Lynn also commented that Samantha was pregnant. Lynn and Lisa then both heard what sounded like an Owl or the sound of someone taking a sharp intake of breath. Lisa then said she thought she could see an outline of someone standing in the cell doorway, wearing a light coloured top and had dark hair. Craig, while in cell 15, had a horrible feeling of suspense and noted that shadows seem to be moving around the cell. At 22:48 hrs, Craig could not take anymore and moved into cell 14 and instantly felt he was being ‘willed’out, he not welcome.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK THREE 1ST FLOOR
TIME: 22:25 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL SEVEN
Mark and Soraya sat at the end of the corridor remaining quiet. Joan went into cell 8 and asked spirit to go to other block and she asked them to try and do three things for group one. This was an experiment, the questions were the following:
1) Give Lisa a name and ask her to mention it.
2) Go to Derek and give him a message.
3) Give Lynn a year or a date.
While in cell 8, Joan felt herself being pushed.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK 3 UPPER LEVEL
TIME: 22:55 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 1
VIGIL EIGHT
Derek tried a series of loud knocks and bangs and asked out but nothing was recorded.
LOCATION: JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL – BLOCK ONE 1ST FLOOR
TIME: 25:45 HRS
INVESTIGATORS: GROUP 2
VIGIL EIGHT
The group tried a silent vigil and no sounds were recorded. Soraya sensed a male presence in cell 5, she called out for a response but nothing was recorded. In cell 9 at 23:00 hrs, Colin thought he could smell a bad odour.
23:10 HRS, INVESTIGATION STOOD DOWN.
EXPERIMENT THEORY
Joan McAuley and Ian Robertson were instructed by me to move between both groups and observe a sensitive group and an experimental group. They recorded their own notes and I have summarised them below:
JOAN McAULEY
GROUP ONE
DAYROOM
18:50 HRS
18:55 CIRCLE
•It is possible that some noise from the camera is disturbing the circle.
•Lots of flickering eyelids.
GROUP TWO
DAYROOM
19:22 HRS
•Joan calls out; I heard two taps in answer from next room.
•Mirror experiment at 19:20 hrs. It could be an optical illusion IE, eyes playing tricks.
•I have looked in mirror behind Soraya and can see movement but I think it is my eyes playing tricks on me.
GROUP TWO
BLOCK THREE
19:48 HRS
In cell 2 I am feeling a very intense atmosphere.
19:54 HRS
Soraya is feeling shivery
20:07 HRS
I am hearing clicking noises at the end of the corridor cell 3 side.
20:15 HRS
The laptop has switched itself off, will check with mark about this>
20:13 HRS
I feel itchy.
IAN ROBERTSON
Observations
I observed both groups within the same locations, one after the other. I was expecting the atmosphere to be more charged with Group one than Group Two. I found no observable difference. The number of observations reported by group one seemed to be more numerous than Group Two. This is what I would have expected. This could be because Group One was largely made up of people who appear to be sensitive.
Comments on individual circles held within groups.
Group Two – This group took sometime for communication and when it came forward it was mostly feelings, moods and sensations. No direct contact was really made.
Group One – Circles were more dynamic with what looked like more direct contact to named individuals.
Conclusion
Both groups need to have a balance with both an experienced Medium and equipment.
_________________________________________________________________
EVP Experiments
EVP Experiments were conducted by the following:
Joan Green
Joan's question and answer experiment did not flag up any anomalies.
TRIGGER OBJECTS
Stones were used but no movement reported.
___________________________________________________________
Ghost Club Investigation notes by Dave Alderton
Location: Jedburgh Castle Jail, Jedburgh, Scotland
Date: 30/05/09
Doc Ref: 300509/05/004Arrival: 16:25hrsFormat of Investigation:
1 Tour
2 Baseline Data Test, survey and equipment placement
3 Team InvestigationTechnical Team : Dave Alderton, Mark Ord, Ian Robertson1 Arrival and Tour
Arrived at the location 16:25hrs and carried out a sweep of the external location and grounds. Four photographs taken – three of Gaolers House and one of entrance gate.
It is worth at this point to note it was a very hot summer’s day with no wind, stone walls facing sun very hot and this would have to be taken into consideration as the building and temperature cooled. East side of the jail was in shade.2 Baseline Data Test , Survey and equipment placement : 17:40 -18:40hrs (some power on) (Note –plan provided by Jedburgh Castle and confirmed during baseline test).
All following location names taken from tour information and signage. Some power circuits were initially left on for safety reasons, then all lights switched off at 18:48hrs.
Baseline oC and EMF mG taken throughout by myself as follows:2.1 Block 3 – Upper Storey - Male Debtors/Female Criminals
Sleeping Cells
Equipment placed in the reported areas of activity within Block 3 upper storey as follows:
Camera 1 – Cell 1
Camera 2 – Cell 2
Camera 3 – Cell 8
Camera 4 – Corridor looking south west to bridge
DVR Station – North end of corridorBaseline testing carried out prior to equipment placement. EMF negligible with low levels corresponding to sources present – lighting circuits and portable heater supplies.
Thermal profile as expected with a steady 18/19oC throughout, varying towards windows and doors with both draught and sunlight. Heater in Cell 4 was on at a low setting. Temperature in cell recorded as an increase by 1oC.
Ten photographs taken, one of each cell and two of the corridor in the same direction as the camera.
Note 1 – When exiting the upper storey of Block 3 by the bridge, entering the Gaolers House a sensor sets off the sound of a bell ringing.2.2 Block 3 – Ground Floor - Male Debtors/Female Criminals
Dayroom/ArcadeEMF negligible with low levels corresponding to sources present – lighting circuits and portable heater supplies. Large amount of bright sunlight shining through north east window in dayroom area. Thermal profile as expected with a steady 18/19oC throughout, varying towards windows and doors with both draught and sunlight.
2.3 Block 1 – Ground Floor - Bridewell WorkroomsEMF negligible with low levels corresponding to sources present – lighting circuits and portable heater supplies. Thermal profile as expected with a steady 18/19oC throughout, varying towards windows and doors with both draught and sunlight.
Mark Ord was setting up his video recording units on the ground floor of Block 1. Refer to Marks report for camera placement locations.2.4 Block 1 - Upper Storey – Bridewell Sleeping Cells
EMF negligible with low levels corresponding to sources present – lighting circuits and portable heater supplies. Thermal profile as expected with a steady 18/19oC throughout, varying towards windows and doors with both draught and sunlight.Unable to get access to Block 2 until 21:50hrs.3 Team InvestigationVigil 1 Block 3 Ground Floor – Dayroom (18:50-19:20)18:50 EMF and temperature sweeps - no change to baseline
18:55 Digital Audio Recorder placed. Video camera set up as diagram below.
19:00 EMF and temperature sweeps - no change to baseline
19:07 Photograph taken
19:11 Photograph taken
19:12 Digital sound recorder set up.Note 2 – high amount of sunlight coming through window. Responded to circle sitters measurement checks – no change to baseline.
Vigil 2 Block 1 Upper Storey – Bridewell (19:20-19:45)19:21 EMF and thermal sweep of cells and corridor – no change to baseline.
19:23 Video camera placed as diagram below19:25 DV Recorder placed in cell 16 with circle taking place.
19:30 EMF and thermal sweep of cells and corridor – no change to baseline.
19:40 Investigated door slamming (ground floor entrance to Block 3 had shut). Breeze had
picked up and the design of the Jail meant natural wind tunnels could be
created. Mark confirmed that the door had slammed shut.
Vigil 3 Block 1 Ground Floor – Bridewell Workrooms (19:45-20:15)19:45 Digital Audi recorder placed in Cell 3
19:48 EMF and thermal sweep of cells and corridor – no change to baseline.
19:50 Camera placed in two locations as below (1) 19:50 – 20:00 and (2) 20:00 – 20:15
19:56 Two EMF spikes of 0.7mG in quick succession picked up and then back to baseline
in Cell 3. Location shown below of non static source. No visible contributable cause.
20:10 Lisa commented that she felt sick inside of Cell 4. Carrying out an EMF sweep there
were three sharp bursts on EMF 0.5-0.6mG in the centre of the room and then back
to baseline. No visible contributable cause.20:15 Vigil ended
Vigil 4 Block 3 Upper Storey (20:20-20:45)20:20 EMF and thermal sweep of cells and corridor – no change to baseline. Slight
temperature variance with cooling effect of dusk. Cell 4 warmer – heater on – low
setting as baseline.
20:25 Scrying experiment started.
20:30 EMF and thermal sweep of cells and corridor – no change to baseline. Slight
temperature variance with cooling effect of dusk.
20:35 Scrying experiment ended.
20:38 Digital audio recorder placed in Cell 8 – stone experiment took place
20:45 Vigil ended – nothing further to report. Digital audio recorder left in Cell 8 over break.BREAK 20:45-21:35
Vigil 5 Block 3 Upper Storey (21:35-21:50)21:35 EMF and thermal sweep of cells and corridor – no change to baseline. Slight
temperature variance with cooling effect of dusk.
21:44 Soraya stated that something had touched/moved her hair while in Cell 2. Camera 2
was set up directly above Soraya but nothing picked up on later inspection.
21:46 EMF and thermal sweep of cells and corridor – no change to baseline. Slight
temperature variance with cooling effect of dusk.
21:50 Placed camera and digital audio recorder within entrance to Block 2 – Male Criminals
Prison. No access allowed on either round floor or upper storey due to safety considerations therefore no baselines able to be checked out and no inspection to
check location prior to recording.Vigil 6 Block 3 Ground Floor – Dayroom (22:00-22:20)
22:02 EMF and thermal sweep of area – no change to baseline. Slight temperature variance
with cooling effect of dusk.
22:10 Inspected Block 2 – Derek asked me to take a note that at 22:11 an orb was seen
and a thud heard while Lynn there at doorway. Upon later inspection, no orb was
seen or thud was heard at that time on the video and audio recording equipment.
22:20 Vigil ended – nothing further to report.
Vigil 7 Block 1 Upper Storey - Bridewell (22:20-22:50)22:20 EMF and thermal sweep of area – no change to baseline. Slight temperature variance
with cooling effect of dusk.
22:25 Lisa stated she heard a sound like an owl close to her in cell 16. Investigated the cell
and heard nothing although I did hear a sound outside from some sort of bird but
further away.
22:27 Lisa stated she heard heavy breathing within the cell. EMF and temperature sweep
revealed no change from baseline. I could report no sound.
22:42 Heard a door slam and heard footsteps through the two floor gratings as if people
were below, with slightly muffled voices. I checked the time and thought that the other
group were early. I went down stairs to meet them but the ground floor was empty.
EMF and temperature sweep revealed no change from baseline. Need to flag this as
a point of inspection for Mark Ord’s camera equipment set up below.
As I was carrying out the inspection the next group came in and reported that no-one
to their knowledge had entered Block 1.Vigil 8 Block 3 Upper Storey (22:50-23:10)
22:50 EMF and thermal sweep of area – no change to baseline. Slight temperature variance
with cooling effect of dusk.
23:10 Vigil ended – nothing further to report - lights on and equipment packed away.SummaryThe majority of EMF readings were expected with fluctuations caused by typical power/lighting sources. Thermal scans throughout the investigation revealed no change from baseline, other than the normal cooling effect with nightfall.
There were two instances within Vigil 3 where sporadic EMF readings were recorded from a non static source which differentiated with the baseline testing. This was in Cell 3 and 4. Although no contributable cause was found at the time I would request a more detailed inspection of the electrical circuits and cable runs within the Jail before ascertaining if this can or cannot be explained.
During Vigil 7 in the upper storey of the Bridewell I heard a door slam and then the sound of a group below us. This could be heard due to the two large circular gratings within the floor. I remember checking the time and thinking that the other group was early. I went down to meet the group and found that it was empty. After a measurement check the other group then entered. I would recommend that Mark check his footage from this block at around that time to see if anything was picked up.
During the investigation, I placed four cameras linked to a DVR in Block 3 upstairs, covering cells 1,2,8 and the corridor. Another camera was placed in Block 2 along with an audio recorder and a handheld camera accompanying me during the vigils. Combined with Mark Ord’s recording equipment placed, the Ghost Club North technical team covered about 10 locations with constant nightshot video and audio recording.Analysing the footage takes time and each piece of footage needs to be gone through thoroughly so as not to miss anything.
From all of the recordings that I set up, there were two key areas of note.
(1) The audio recording when Derek called break and everyone went back to base camp. I left this running in cell 8 in Block 3 upper storey for 50 minutes from 20:45 to 21:35.
(2) The video and audio recording within Block 2.Picked up on audio within these two areas were the sounds of footsteps, shufflings and doors closing. Although I cannot confirm that everyone was accounted for during the break and some investigators may have entered the area, Block 2 is more interesting because it is out of bounds and the doors were locked behind the cameras.
Because Block 2 was out of bounds I cannot rule out interference of some sort or worst case foul play and therefore I cannot fully confirm that the sounds picked up were unexplainable. However, I can say that the sounds were local and not caused by an external source.
A full transcript of this will follow.
SUMMING UP
Firstly on behalf of The Ghost Club Council, myself and the investigation team, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Elliott Lewis of Jedburgh Jail and Scottish Borders Council for all their courtesy, assistance and input in making this investigation possible for members of The Ghost Club.
The second investigation at Jedburgh Castle Jail was a very quiet one. Sadly there were no physical phenomena or manifestations in any way but there was a lot of communication from the sensitives. There does appear to be some very interesting notes taken by Dave Alderton after listening to his recording apparatus which was set up in Block Two.
I do feel that the Ghost Club carried out a very thorough investigation with the high amount of equipment which was on site that night. It was very interesting to watch the laptops all with four different web cams attached and watch all the different rooms for an unsuspecting figure to possibly appear out the darkness. I have to offer a very special thanks to Dave Alderton and Mark Ord who are the Technical Team on these investigations. The two lads work extremely hard in setting up all the equipment in a really short space of time. They then have to view the endless hours of footage after the investigation and that is very time consuming. Again I have to offer my sincere thanks to them both for their dedication and interest in the work they do . I would also like to thank Ian Robertson and Craig McDonald for assisting Dave and Mark on the night with all the setting up and dismantling of the equipment.
I do feel that Jedburgh Jail does have something hidden within its walls; it is just a matter of time as to when activity will take place.
Once again I offer my sincere thanks to Elliott Lewis and Scottish Borders Council for making this investigation possible for members of The Ghost Club.
Derek Green
Area Investigation Co-ordinator (Scotland)
Saturday 1 August 2009
© The Ghost Club 2009
