Submission March 2008, Version 6.0

Wolves hunt down paranormal prey

By Peter Drake


Ghouls and evil spirits beware – you may soon find yourselves hunted down by an eager team of paranormal investigators.

WOLF (which stands for ‘World Oneric Life Force,’) is the name of a West Midlands-based group that is making its mark in the realms of supernatural research and advice. Not only are they actively exploring the country’s most infamous haunted places, but they have been probing strange occurrences in people’s homes as ghost hunters-for-hire.

It was established in January 2007 by David Ball and Simone Taylor, who work alongside core team members Vanessa Penny and Gemma Wooldridge.

Despite its short history the group has already become an item at psychic fayres, associating with the likes of Richard Felix of ‘Most Haunted’ fame in public vigils at Dudley Castle, Berkeley Castle in Gloucester and the infamous ‘Galleries of Justice’ in Nottingham.

They are all normal, young people with day-jobs and busy private lives who share a zeal for the supernatural. Simone and Vanessa have been friends for years, attending local fright nights together. They met David through membership of a paranormal society; and after growing disillusioned with its clique-mentality and lack of professionalism they decided to form their own group – thus WOLF was born.

Their internet website contains extensive information on research into ghostly phenomenon, along with news of investigations and a forum for discussion. Interested members of the public are encouraged to join WOLF, and can gain core, associate and ‘cub’ membership of the group.


“I SCREAMED LIKE A GIRL”

Gemma was eager to explore her lifelong interest in the supernatural from the front-line after learning of WOLF’s website from a work colleague. “I went on there and it looked like everything that I had ever wanted to be involved in, the mix of the paranormal and the spiritual healing,” she said.

“I had been interested in it for a few years. I always felt that there was more out there than what the Catholic religion had taught me; there was more than heaven, hell and purgatory!

“When I was a child there were little coincidences in our house, such as hearing creaking on the stairs and lights flickering for no reason; I know this isn’t necessarily paranormal, but after we left, my Dad told me that he had once seen a full manifestation travel through the living room wall.

“When WOLF had a position come up for the role of research assistant I thought that it was an ideal opportunity to get involved more hands-on. So I applied - as you do - and when I met the others it was like we were old friends, I felt so comfortable just talking to them and the friendship has grown loads ever since.

“We all work really hard to make WOLF what it should be. To me, being involved in WOLF isn't just a hobby, I've achieved so much and grown loads spiritually, emotionally, and I feel that together we can take on anything. Sorry if that sounds cheesy!”

David was drawn to the mystical world after a lifelong sensitivity to all things psychic; he spent some time working on a church board that attempted to provide spiritual protection to a small village community where rumours of occultism and black magic were rife.

“I’ve always had a passion for the supernatural,” he said, and revealed details of his first experience with a ghost.

“I was in my bed and heard a click in the room, and turned to see a woman standing next to me. I couldn’t believe it.

“It was like thick cigarette smoke, tangible and almost solid. I screamed like a girl, and it disappeared as my brother came rushing in.”


“THERE WAS A GREEN FUZZY ENERGY RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!”

WOLF has been actively delving into local mysteries. One of their favourites is the legend of ‘Bella in the Wych Elm,’ with its links to witchcraft, pagan sacrifice and murder.

In 1943 the rotted corpse of a woman was found stuffed in the hollow trunk of a witch-hazel tree at a lonely spot in Hagley Woods, near Stourbridge. The victim was never identified and gained the nickname ‘Bella.’ Her murder was never solved.

Many believe that the woman had been sacrificed by Satanists in some gruesome ritual, as a police search of the undergrowth uncovered her severed hand. Occult tradition asserts that the spirit of a dead witch can be prevented from causing harm by being imprisoned in the hollow of a tree, and that a hand cut from a corpse contains powerful magic. Perhaps this was the reason for ‘Bella’s’ murder.

Simone has been researching the story for years, and has led on efforts to develop an understanding of the story by interviewing persons involved in the body’s discovery and the police investigation. The WOLF team has also conducted vigils on the lane beside the woods where Bella’s body was found.

Another of WOLF’s stomping grounds is Dudley Castle, in the West Midlands. It’s a location famous for both its long history and the romantic appeal of the castle ruins set upon a hill – but also a place where unearthly spirits freely roam. In recent times it has gained popularity for its public ghost walks and late-night vigils watching for spooky activity.

WOLF scored notable successes in summer 2007 after many eventful nights in different parts of the castle ruins, as Gemma spectacularly confirmed when she spoke of her experiences.

“In part of the castle I saw a visual of a green fuzzy energy right in front of me! This was amazing especially when I saw that the energy moved! We learned that this was a butler who had died in the chamber.

“My scariest experience was in the undercroft. During a group séance a monk was apparently standing behind me, and I felt a burning heat spread across my shoulders. According to the medium the monk was chanting in Latin and the word 'striven' appeared, and I was being poked with a red hot poker!

“The medium said that this was because I had some sins that I need to confess to myself - these have yet to become known to me! But I was incredibly scared and I don't scare that easily.”


PUBS AND POLTERGEISTS

The WOLF group have many more strings to their bow. Over the past year they have organised a large number of overnight ‘paranormal experiences,’ where members of the public can become investigators for the night. All sorts of high-tech gadgetry are used, such as the EMF meters seen in programmes such as ‘Most Haunted.’

At the behest of the proprietor of ‘The Starving Rascal’ pub at Brettell Lane, Brierley Hill, a private investigation was turned into a semi-public experience. Joining up with pub-goers, they held pendulum vigils and a séance in the reputedly-haunted cellar, finishing with a big Ouija session.

“People went away buzzing,” said Simone, “and everyone had a really good time.”

Further public vigils are planned at the renowned Galleries of Justice and ‘The Olde Trip to Jerusalem’ in Nottingham; Woodchester Mansion; The Commandery; ‘The Skirrid Inn;’ Dudley Castle; and the Ancient Ram Inn – locations that have featured on ‘Most Haunted’ and which are notorious for their paranormal history.

The WOLF team have also answered many requests for their expertise and advice in investigating reports of mysterious phenomenon in private residences. They show utter discretion and are careful to maintain confidentiality in sensitive cases.

A particularly creepy episode involved an alleged poltergeist at a Coventry property during Easter 2007, after WOLF were contacted by distraught tenants panicked by the ghostly incidents that tormented their home.

There were terrifying reports of screaming and cursing in empty rooms; arguments on staircases where no one had been standing; and things were so bad that one of them had actually moved out and returned only when it had quietened down.

“They knew of WOLF through friends,” said David, “and this sort of thing was unusual for them, out of character and highly unlikely to be a lie.”

WOLF’s vigils did not seem to catch any activity, but the two divination methods they used – pendulum dowsing and ouija board – hinted at what could be causing the trouble.

“We encountered a woman aged between 50 and 60 who was unhappy with the way she died and wanted it resolved before she could leave.”

The phenomena recommenced after the WOLF team left, and became so horrifyingly intense that it finally drove out the occupiers.

“There was a phone call one Friday, they were frantic - it had not gone away,” said David.

“They had wanted to leave for a while, and they couldn’t stand any more – they left the house, abandoned it, and we haven’t heard back since.

“The house is empty now, which is better for investigations, and we’re trying to contact the landlord.”


“THERE WAS SOMETHING HATEFUL AND EVIL SURROUNDING US”

Not all investigations have positive outcomes nor are they pleasant experiences. This was proved emphatically last summer by a frightening night the WOLF team spent at Temple Balsall, near Solihull.

WOLF held an overnight vigil at a medieval hall ascribed to the Knights Templar. They were a military-religious order from the Middle Ages which gained power and wealth from its role in the Crusades. Rumours circulated that they had discovered the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail in the Holy Land. Arousing fear and envy, in 1307 the order was accused of witchcraft; their most prominent members were arrested, tortured into confessions and burnt at the stake.

The Knights Templar built a great hall and chapel sometime between 1160 and 1180 on a small hill at Temple Balsall, surrounded by wooded meadows close to the heart of the old Forest of Arden. External brickwork was added during the 18th century. Its glory days have long since passed, but it still retains an eldritch magic.

Little wonder that the WOLF team encountered a highly-charged atmosphere during their vigil at the hall – as it also happened to be Friday the 13th, and was close to the 700th anniversary of the fall of the Knights Templar. By the end of the night everyone had come away drained of energy, feeling unnerved and reluctant to ever re-enter the old hall.

They brought their usual array of specialised equipment and techniques; typically the WOLF team are prepared with Dictaphones (to record sound), laser thermometers (which send red lights flying through the air, for sensing the temperature at the spot at which they are pointed,) night vision cameras, EMF meters (for probing changes in the electro-magnetic field, allegedly caused by paranormal activity,) besides tools such as ouija boards and séances.

There were no overtly disturbing or unusual incidents during the night; it was more of an overpowering sense of menace and foreboding that shook their senses.

“Temple Balsall was great, but a little scary,” said Gemma. “You know when you just get a really bad feeling that something is going to happen?”

The team decided that they could endure no more and made a retreat, with David and Simone the last to leave. In their final few moments the pair suddenly felt anxious and heavy-headed, followed by an unwarranted flood of anger.

“It was scary knowing that there was something hateful and evil surrounding us, a presence that wanted us out…I’ve never felt anything so strong,” said Simone.

As they finally left the Templar hall and began walking down a nearby lane, the rest of the group observed them and speculated upon the identity of the person that was seen momentarily walking alongside them.

But there had only ever been the two of them. It had either been a trick of the light, or something else – something more sinister.

They gathered together and hurriedly got into their car. David and Simone felt spaced out and sick, with a sensation of being surrounded by something that was outside the car and trying to force them away.

It was a psychic attack, and David suffered its effects for weeks with depression and lethargy, and other team members were similarly affected.


THE SHRIEKING THING AT THE SÉANCE

After hearing these spine-chilling tales I needed to see the WOLF team in action, in hope of perhaps seeing real paranormal activity, to convince me of its authenticity – and to scare the living hell out of myself!

I joined an investigation of supposedly haunted woods at an unspecified location. Needless to say its history was steeped in wild gossip, and the gloom was deep enough for anything to be possible. The ground was strewn with old, rotting stumps, and a pervasive sense of decay hung over it all. Darkness fell quickly and the woods were soon pitch-black, punctuated by the intermittent flash of a camera taking an infra-red shot. It made me feel even more disorientated.

We tried using a ouija board to make contact with spirits. I couldn’t help but remember the warnings issued by psychics, telling us that the things which communicate through ouija boards are not always helpful little spirits, but sometimes entities with a malicious, even malevolent sense of humour.

“With these sessions you need to take things with a pinch of salt,” said Simone later.

“There are things playing with you, and you’ve got to be careful. It’s important to use tools like Ouija boards under strict control. Whatever you’re communicating with could be mischievous or worse, calling you names, swearing, feeding on your worst fears and calling out things that it knows will hurt you.

“It’s not a good thing to ask questions like ‘when will I die?’ as you’ll only get a bad answer.”

I was surprised by the results of my first experience using a ouija board. My finger was gently touching the planchette as I watched it move ever so slowly on its own volition, answering the questions put forth.

It moved quicker and spelt out our names, one by one. This was unsettling, especially as I was fairly sure – but not certain - that nobody was cheating or deliberately moving the planchette. We each took turns to remove our finger and yet saw it continue its motion across the board.

Towards midnight we began a séance, a flickering lantern and candles breaking the profound darkness.

We gathered in a circle and held hands, applying ‘psychic protection’ to ourselves by a series of relaxation exercises. David called out to any spirits or entities that were present, asking them to make themselves known; there was nothing at first, nothing more than little gnats irritating the back of my neck.

I could feel a very slight, cool breeze blowing through the trees to the right of me, and it was probably only coincidental that Simone was also looking in that direction, then deciding to leave the circle to take readings. Later she told us that she had ‘psychically’ seen a short, petite woman with shoulder-length dark hair and a girl standing at the spot from where I had felt the breeze come. Try as I might, I had seen nothing.

After a break we continued the séance, and everyone was concentrating hard; I was lost completely in thought and near to forgetting where I was.

Until I was stunned by a sudden scream from right beside us.

A surge of fear and adrenaline coursed through me, and the rest of the group reacted with terrified yells or attempts to run away.

I could feel the ‘fight-or-flight’ impulse, but I forced myself to stand where I was, firmly gripping the hands of the others so as not to break the séance circle. I’d watched too many films to forget the importance of unity in the face of supernatural danger – or, as more likely, when attacked by a psychotic maniac.

There was another strangled scream; this time it seemed to be further away, moving out of the woods.

It would have been truly amazing if not for David’s revelation, told amid shaky laughter, that it had only been a pheasant – nothing ghostly or supernatural, just a bird that we’d startled and which had shrieked as it flew away. The shock turned quickly into droll reality.

The WOLF team try to follow a balanced approach, avoiding blind faith in the validity of any purported supernatural incident – but not discounting the possibility of real paranormal activity, not without rational analysis and investigation.

“It’s healthy to be a sceptic,” said David, “but it’s even better to keep an open mind.”


“IT CAN GIVE PEOPLE PEACE AND CALM”

Quite apart from trying to catch glimpse of unearthly spirits, WOLF has been at the forefront of the revolution in spiritual healing in the region, offering their services and advice to the public.

Simone is enthusiastic in her support for the benefits of reiki (pronounced ray-kee), the Japanese art of hands-on healing which channels and uses the ‘universal life-force’ to facilitate self-healing energy and open up the body’s ‘chakras.’

“It can give people peace and calm, revitalising the energy of the body,” she said.

“It doesn’t claim to ‘heal’ physical problems, but it can sometimes help, it can get people enthused to heal, and in a frame of mind to do so.”

Simone has been interested in spiritual growth and healing for some years, after the death of a close friend encouraging her to take a more active role in helping those in pain. She conducts workshops where reiki skills and techniques are taught.


“WE CAN’T GIVE IT UP!”

This hectic workload has had an impact on Simone, and it’s not surprising that the past year or so has been draining for the WOLF team. Creating a new group for paranormal study in the region and establishing its proud reputation can be inconvenienced by the necessity of a day-job.

“I’m so tired,” said Simone, “asleep at 1am and up at 7am for work, sometimes going to bed later when we’re on an overnight vigil. Sometimes I only get back at 4am, and it’s hardly worth bothering with going to sleep.”

But they remain committed to the cause. “We have a passion for it,” said David, “we’ve been pushed to our physical and emotional limits and we can’t give it up!”