Monmouth Shire Hall
Monmouth Shire Hall
09/04/11
Investigators present
Gareth, Maryse, Grace, Roger, Allison, Richard, Hannah and Jamie
With the manger of the hall
Michael Booth
Reported Activity
(From eyewitness reports)
A caretaker reported seeing a black cloak and the bottoms of a pair of legs disappear behind a pillar – investigating further, he found no one in the area. Doors have also been said to close themselves and the smell of perfume also fills the air. A visiting medium stated the building was haunted by a judge. Cold spots have been reported on the stairs. A medium has also seen a judge in red robes, fierce dogs and an armed guardsman.
Also reported a family and old man in the court area who were hanged for stealing food and a member of the royal family (possibly a king?). The medium refused to enter the cells reporting "it was awful, I couldn't face going down there". She also said that if she went down there she would make the activity worse.
Visitors have reported the feeling of being watched and
An Apparition has been seen in the court lobby, stairs and back stairs.
Pre-Investigation Analysis
Two Members of the team, (Roger Dixon & Gareth Mates) Visited the hall to get a tour and to look at the areas which have had reported activity in them.
The members took a few pieces of equipment with them to get some baseline readings. These pieces of equipment were: G-UK Advanced EMF Meter, Aaronia Multidetector ll Electro smog EMF meter and a 4 – in 1 environmental meter. Readings were taken and noted afterwards.
Present Investigators discussed with Mike and Tony about the alleged activity at the hall.
No activity was noted or experienced during visit.
Naturally occurring electromagnetic radiation was detected in Courtroom 1.
Method
Team Allocation
HUB monitors: Grace, Roger and Maryse
Field Investigators: Jamie, Gareth, Richard, Alison and Hannah.
Control Desk / HUB
The control desk is from where the investigation is controlled and monitored. In this area we can monitor cameras, temperature, audio, radiation and EMF levels via various pieces of equipment such as wireless thermometers, EMF meters connected via leads to a laptop, cameras connected to TV's and video players as well as various other pieces of equipment. This area is where the team all report back to and where data can be analysed.
Our Control Hub / Desk setup at Monmouth Shire Hall
HUB placement: Lobby outside courtroom 1 & 2
Areas Covered during investigation
All areas were visited during the investigation.
Areas Covered by HUB
The areas covered by the HUB were:-
Court room 1: EMF meter connected to laptop, CCTV Cameras and Temperature sensor.
Main Stairs: Temperature sensor and CCTV camera.
Back Stairs: CCTV Camera
Judges room: CCTV Camera
Court 1 Gallery: CCTV Camera
Stairs down to the cells: CCTV camera
Cells: CCTV Camera
Court room 1 lobby: Hi 8 Video Camera connected to video player and TV.
Equipment in the HUB
1 x 4 Camera DVR System
1 x DVR Monitor
1 x Laptop connected to EMF Meter via audio lead.
4 x Video Recorders
2 x portable TV's
2 x Flat screen TV's
1 x TV/Video combination
2 x weather station
2 X Walkie Talkie Docks
1 x Walkie Talkie
4 x USB Lamps
Table cloth
When we refer to activity as unexplained we do not confirm that this is paranormal but that we can not find an explanation for the activity at this time
Investigation
Explanation of terms
EVP stands for Electronic Voice Phenomena and this is where questions are asked openly to an location and recorded on a tape player or digital dictation machine and then played back to see if there is any unexplained noises or voices on the recording.
Vigil is another term for the team visiting and staying in one area to carry out data gathering.
Positive data is another term for images, videos, audio or other types of readings that have been collected that might point towards being paranormal activity.
Natural phenomena are when activity that has occurred is actually natural or man made and not paranormal.
Walkthrough is where we visit a area and collect readings without holding a vigil, this may be because the area is two small, noisy or that the team will visit the area later in the investigation in smaller numbers.
Callout is where a person will shout out a name or sentence that is associated with the location to try and get a response on equipment such as audio or visual equipment.
Team's arrival
Time 6:00pm
The team arrived at the location and was greeted by Mike Booth (manager of the hall) who proceeded to grant us access to the hall. The team split into two with Grace, Roger, Gareth and Maryse setting up the HUB and Jamie, Alison, Hannah and Richard receiving a tour of the hall.
After the tour and setup the group had a quick break and then started the investigation.
Investigation Start: 9:00pm
Vigil 1
Area: Court room 3 ground floor.
Arrival: 9:05pm
Departed: 9:35pm
Temperature; 22.3oC
Investigators present:Jamie, Richard Alison, Hannah and Gareth
Equipment used: - Negative Ion detector, Canum I, Cellsensor EMF Meter, Digital camera x 2, Laser thermometer, Natural EM Meter and Digital Dictation Machine.
Method
The investigators arrived at this area and started to collect readings around the room,
An EVP session was conducted at 9:17pm and equipment monitored. Photos were taken.
A quick negative ion field was detected but then faded. The Canum I picked up varying levels of Ultrasonic waves in the room.
Personal Experiences
One investigator witnessed the light underneath the door to the room briefly being blocked out as if something was walking past the door.
Positive Data collected
None collected
Vigil 2
Area: Council Meeting room 3rd Floor.
Time: 9:40pm Arrival – 10:10 Depart
Temperature; 24.3oC.
Investigators present: Jamie, Richard Alison, Hannah and Gareth
Equipment used: - Negative Ion detector, Canum I, Cellsensor EMF Meter, Digital camera x 2, Laser thermometer, Natural EM Meter and Digital Dictation Machine.
Method
The team members visited this area due to a few members of the team getting strange feelings from this area during the tour. Before the team entered the room there was strange readings in the outside area by the lift. High levels of ultrasonic frequencies were being picked up without a source. Upon Further analysis the lift and heating system was ruled out. The readings then faded away, no further readings were picked up.
We then proceeded to the room and prepared to conduct another EVP session, which commenced at 9:43pm.
Ultrasonic frequencies were again picked up in this room and were the highest in the right hand side of the room by the window and door. After further analysis the source of the frequencies were found. The frequencies were coming from the under floor ventilation and pipes nearby.
There was low temperatures recorded in this room and the source was discovered to be a chimney vent behind the chairman's chair in the centre of the room.
Three of the investigators were getting the feeling that something was watching them from the right hand side of the window. At the same time banging was heard from outside the room.
As the investigators prepared to leave the room two of the investigators felt that a chair that was by the door had moved. They proceed to say that when they had entered the room the door touched the back of the chair but once we left the chair was no where near the door. A marker was placed by the chair and the room was to be visited later in the investigation to see if it had moved.
Personal Experiences
See method for experiences.
Positive Data collected
None collected
Walkthrough
Area: Cells
Time: Arrival – 10:15pm Depart – 10:20pm
Temperature; 21.2oC
Investigators present: Jamie, Gareth, Alison, Richard and Hannah
Equipment used: - Negative Ion detector, Canum I, Cellsensor EMF Meter, Digital camera x 2, Laser thermometer, Natural EM Meter and Digital Dictation Machine.
Method:
The team walked through the Cells taking readings and photos. The team took readings of all the electrical equipment in the cells to get a base reading for the location.
The team agreed to come back to the location later in smaller groups.
Personal Experiences: None experienced
Positive Data: None collected
Vigil 3
Area: Court Room
Time: Arrival 10:24pm Depart 11:00pm
Temperature; 21oC
Investigators present: Jamie, Richard Alison, Hannah and Gareth
Equipment used: - Negative Ion detector, Canum I, Cellsensor EMF Meter, Digital camera x 2, Laser thermometer, Natural EM Meter and Digital Dictation Machine.
Method: The team arrived at the location and setup some equipment. The team try some callouts to see if any equipment would be affected. The team decided that it would be the right time to split into smaller groups and cover the location.
Personal Experiences: none
Positive Data: none
Individual group reports
Whilst the team split up they were still being monitored by the HUB. All individual readings were sent back to the HUB.
Group 1: Jamie & Richard
Area: Lobby outside Kitchen on second floor
Time: Arrival 11:05pm Departure: 11:25pm
Temperature; 23oC
Equipment used: - Walkie Talkies, Digital Dictation Machine, Digital Camera and Cellsensor EMF Meter
Method;
The team members entered this area and sat down to conduct an EVP session. They commenced a Callout and took readings. As they asked questions the lift operated on its own and opened on their floor next to them. As the lift operation is unfamiliar to the investigators further analysis of this system needs to be checked.
As they were sitting they noticed that light from underneath a door was being blocked by something but nothing was seen.
As the investigators went to leave the area they experienced interference on their walkie talkies that was not experienced on the other walkie talkies. As they went to lift the walkie talkie off the floor the equipment emitted loud popping sound. This went on for a few minutes and then stopped as sudden as it started. No explanation could be found for this. Earlier on in the evening one of the other investigators experienced the same interference in the door way of the kitchen.
Personal Experiences
See Above
Positive Data collected
Audio of lift moving and walkie talkie interference.
Area: Cells
Time: Arrival; 11:27 Departure 11:40
Temperature: 21.1oC
Equipment used: - Walkie Talkies, Digital Dictation Machine, digital Camera and Cellsensor EMF meter.
Method; the investigators visited this area and held another EVP session and took readings but no audio or abnormal readings were recorded.
Personal Experiences
Tapping sounds were heard in response to investigators tapping on the floor but upon further inspection it could be the pipes cooling. Also sounds of whistling was heard and interference with the walkie talkie in response to a question.
Positive data collected
The Interference with the walkie talkie in response to a question is recorded on the digital dictation machine.
Group 2: Alison and Hannah
Area: Council meeting room 3rd floor
Time: Arrival: 11:16pm Departure 11:35pm
Equipment used: - Cellsensor EMF Meter, Digital Camera, Walkie Talkie and Laser Thermometer.
Method;
The two investigators sat in this area and took some readings using their equipment. They carryout a callout but got no response. After a short time they choose to visit another area.
Personal Experiences
None
Positive data collected
None
Area: Court 1
Time: Arrival 11:38pm Departure 12:50am
Temperature: 21oC
Equipment used: - Canum I, Digital Camera, Walkie Talkie and Laser Thermometer
Method:
The two investigators arrived at the area and commenced a callout session. Readings and photos were taken but no anomalies occurred. There was a peak of ultrasonic frequency around by the judge's chair but upon investigation it was concluded to be the ventilation system.
Personal Experiences
None
Positive Data Collected
None
Group 3 – Gareth and Maryse
This part of the investigation was a walkthrough to get readings, photos and video for comparison and analysis when reviewing data after the investigation
Area: Court 1 Balcony
Time: Arrival 11:00pm Departure 11:10pm
Temperature: 21oC
Equipment used: - Digital Camera, Cellsensor EMF meter, Mini DV video Camera and Walkie Talkie.
Method: The two investigators arrived at the balcony to watch over the court and to take photos. There were no unusual readings or reports of activity up on the balcony but earlier in the evening a few investigators commented that they felt as if something was watching them from the balcony.
The area was filmed by the Mini DV camera but no anomalies were recorded. The investigators decide to visit another location.
Personal Experiences.
None
Positive Data Collected
As the investigators were leaving a small light quickly appears and then vanishes below the investigators in the court at the top of the cell stairs. This was recorded on the DVR system.
Area: Cells
Time: Arrival 11:11pm Departure 11:20pm
Temperature: 21oC
Equipment used: - Digital Camera, Cellsensor EMF meter, Mini DV video Camera and Walkie Talkie.
Method
This area was visited and filmed using the Mini DV and digital cameras. Readings were taken and noted.
Personal Experiences.
None
Positive Data Collected
None
Area: Kitchen
Time: Arrival 11:20pm Departure 11:45pm
Temperature: 22oC
Equipment used: - Digital Camera, Cellsensor EMF meter, Mini DV video Camera and Walkie Talkie.
Method
The two investigators were asked to investigate this area after activity was encountered by other members of the team. The investigators sat in this area and noted readings. No further interference was detected by this group.
Personal experiences
None
Positive data collected
None
Area: Judges Room
Time: Arrival 11:50pm Departure 12.00pm
Temperature: 22.4oC
Equipment used: - Digital Camera, Cellsensor EMF meter, Mini DV video Camera and Walkie Talkie.
Method
The two investigators were called from the HUB to go to the judge's room to take some photos and collect some data. The camera in the judge's room kept moving so it was decided to try to find an explanation for this. Also the toilet light at the back of the room kept turning on when no one was in the room. The investigators sat in the room and took some photos and conducted an EMF sweep.
Personal experiences
None
Positive data collected
A photo of what appears to be a Childs face in the doorway between the court and judges room.
The group meet back at Court room 1 and conducted another Vigil
Vigil 4
Area: Courtroom 1
Time: Arrival 12:00am Departure 1:00am
Temperature: 22.4oC
Equipment used:- Digital Camera x 3, Cellsensor EMF meter x 2, laser thermometer, Canum I, digital dictation machine, 2G EMF Meter, Negative Ion Detector and Walkie Talkies x 3.
Investigators present: Jamie, Richard, Alison, Hannah, Maryse and Gareth
Method
A digital dictation machine was left to record whilst the team conducted callouts and took readings. One investigator was sat up in the balcony taking photos of the courtroom.
During this time there were no abnormal readings.
Personal experiences
During this time we had banging in response to a question and sounds of movement and banging behind the benches by the window. At this time photos were taken and an apparition has appeared in the same area twice at the same time as the noises.
Footsteps were heard by an investigator, it sounded as if the foot steps were coming from the judge's room and stopping by the judge's chair.
Also at this time Alison heard banging from the cellars and went to investigate, as you got to the bottom of the steps she had a large ultrasonic reading which was not present earlier in the investigation.
Positive data collected
The banging and movement sounds have been recorded and photos of two apparitions, one in the benches and one near the judges chair.
Reports between vigils
Some of the group were commenting that they experienced headaches, nausea and chills in the court. A natural explanation can not be found for this at the time.
Investigation concluded at 1:00am
Lead Investigators Report
Gareth Mates
This was a great investigation and location and it was a shame that the investigation was short.
I was happy with the level of activity at the location and the atmosphere was great. No one felt uncomfortable at all. The manger (Michael) was very polite and helpful and his knowledge of the hall was very interesting and helpful. I would like to revisit the location again and carry out an all night investigation.
Environmental data
Court room 1
|
Time (PM)
|
Temperature oC
|
EMF (Mg) @ 1KHz
|
Radiation
(rhn's)
|
|
22:10
|
21.2
|
0.0
|
n/a
|
|
22:40
|
21.2
|
0.0
|
n/a
|
|
23:10
|
21
|
0.0
|
n/a
|
|
23:40
|
21
|
0.0
|
n/a
|
|
00:10
|
21
|
0.0
|
n/a
|
|
00:40
|
21
|
0.0
|
n/a
|
Court Lobby & Stairs
|
Time (PM)
|
Temperature oC
|
EMF (Mg) @ 1KHz
|
Radiation
(rhn's)
|
|
22:10
|
22.4
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
22:40
|
22.4
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
23:10
|
22.4
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
23:40
|
22.4
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
00:10
|
22.4
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
00:40
|
22.4
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
Conclusion
All the theories that are offered are only theories and there is not conclusive proof that this is the actual cause of types of paranormal phenomena. The theories that are offered are the best ones that R.I.P. South Wales can use to explain the activity.
After reviewing the data collected. We looked at trying to find a natural explanation for the reported activity.
We didn't encounter any unusual temperature or EMF changes and they stayed steady all evening.
We are very happy with the data we collected and are able to put forward, each piece of data is open to scrutiny and ultimately is down to the viewers impressions and thoughts.
Possible Natural Explanations
The smell of perfume could be explained by the wood of the banisters absorbing the perfume and when the wood heats up then the smell is released.
It was noticed on the night that the rooms have a under floor ventilation / Heating system that could explain the reports of cold spots.
Final Conclusion
We at R.I.P. South Wales feel that Monmouth Shire Hall has activity but further investigation and analysis would need to be undertaken to assess the full extent of reported activity and to class it as haunted.
I personally feel that from the data collected on the night the Shire Hall has got some very interesting phenomena and I haven't experienced as much photographic data in any other place.
It was very interesting to find out that the locations activity has increased since we visited in the space of a few days and this type of phenomena is leading me towards thinking that the hall has a intellectual haunting which is said to be when a location is haunted by a energy that seems to possess some sort of intellect.
As this is new activity though, this would need to be investigated to gain any further understanding of it.
We would like to take the chance to thank you for your hospitality and for allowing R.I.P. South Wales to investigate your location. It has given us a few things to think about.
General Reports written by Gareth Mates
Lead Investigators report written by Gareth Mates
Photo from the investigation can be found at this link
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150230448433053.316992.132715108052#!/media/set/?set=a.10150230448433053.316992.132715108052#!/photo.php?fbid=10150230450968053&set=a.10150230448433053.316992.132715108052&type=1&theater|