Bisham Abbey, Berkshire 06/02/10

Members: 10

Guests: 2

Weather: Damp, Cold

Duration: 22.00-04.00

This investigation came up at quite short notice for the group so expectations were high as SPRG headed to Berkshire for our first vigil of the year. The building itself is certainly a spectacle, only problem was that it was dark when we arrived. It certainly would have nice to see it in the day. The site dates back to 1260 and originally served as a country house for the Knights Templar. King Edward took the rights for the land and house in 1307. Other notable figures included Henry VIII, who granted the house and abbey to Anne of Cleeves as part of their divorce settlement. The last family to own and live ion the abbey were the Hobey's. Of whom have a ghostly secret of their own, to be revealed later. The Abbey is now used as a conference centre, and the grand hall caters for functions and wedding receptions. The building still features some of its stunning elegance and amazing historic decor.

Upon arrival we were met by the night porter who would be on standby for the night should we need him. After a quick tour we decided to set up our gear and get started. I (Clint D) took a group to the Warwick Room on the ground floor and Ben took his group to our base area on the first floor, the Elizabethan room. In this room Ben was picking up on a small boy running around aged between 6 or 7 years old, he also believed that there was some plotting going on, also mixed with sad news. My group in the Warwick room had a few odd happenings at first, there seemed to be a knocking noise on one of the walls, this turned out to be quite consistent, it was later found out to be heating pipes. April caught some orbs on her video camera that seemed to start and then shoot off in the same directions by our guest Sean. Ed thought he heard a heavy sigh at one point. This beautiful room was once a temporary hospital ward in the first world war. Many people in this room confirmed it somehow had a medicinal smell to it, even to this day. We had isolated a stand alone camera in this room and at several points there seemed to be some movement next to this. Nothing visible though. There were some small fluctuations on the EMF meter, nothing major though. I felt a little dizzy in one particular corner, April and guest Tammy confirmed that this corner did indeed have some odd feel to it. The major scare at the end of this vigil was when Ben came downstairs to call us upstairs. Normally this would be done with radios, but Clint S had turned his one off by accident so the other group couldn't hear. This turned out to be perfect timing as Ben reached the closed door just as I opened it and as it was dark all I could make out was a dark figure noise to nose with me, my instant reaction was to collapse to the floor in sheer terror much to the amusement of my non-sympathetic group members. I knew this was to be talked about all night during the breaks. Even better so Tammy had caught it on film, for people to watch again and again! Great!

After that excitement it was time for vigil two. the groups just switched locations for this one. Ben's group experienced the same wall tapping's that we all did in the Warwick room, they also soon realised it was heating related. Ben felt that dark decisions were once made in the room, and no presences were felt on this occasion. In our vigil April and Helen picked up on a very weird smell that no one could really put there finger on what it was. A few orbs were picked on the hand held cameras as well as the stand alone ones. I felt in this room that it was a heavy female presence, and whoever it was like to think of themselves as important, or in charge. I also felt that this room was of importance to lots of ladies, maybe a drawing room? or a place to dance? I felt that the name Elena or Helena had a connection with this woman and to this room. However I felt that something wasn't right with her as if a plot was being made or a secret being kept. Helen was pleased to tell me that this seemed to marry up with what Ben had picked up, this would be verified later. A few odd noises heard by the doors but maybe a draft could be accounted for on this? Ed heard a distance deep laugh come form another room, we were not sure at the time in which direction this was coming from. Soon enough the vigil was done and after a break and some snack time it was time for the séance in the great hall.

The great hall really is a spectacle with its high ceiling and original 12thC beams in the roof, not to mention the eerie portraits that adorn the hall it's literally dripping with historic atmosphere. April began calling out during this séance and we seemed to get replies in the form of knocking near the end of the hall near the head table. the hall was set up ready for a wedding exhibition the following day. This seemed to go on literally on command for a good half hour or so. In this hall is the portrait of Elizabeth Hobey (1528-1609) She and her family lived at the house, but she is notoriously known for tying her son to a chair and leaving him in a room to die through neglect, whilst she went on a vacation. It is believed that her spirit wanders the hall near her portrait as she grieves for her son. Was this her replying to us? Also this story seemed to match up with the information Ben and I separately came up with in the Elizabethan room upstairs. It certainly pleased us. April thought she heard distant voices form a corridor just off the hall. No one else heard this. The knocking seemed to quieten after a while and the room felt a little calmer. It was time to close off the séance and take a breather. As we edged toward the end of the night. We decided to do group walk round to cover more ground. Sadly it was very quiet as the night progressed and we reached the early morning with nothing else to report. We decided to pack up and head on home.

It seemed that there was certainly a lot of history in this building and the Elizabeth Hobey story certainly made for an interesting night. It would be nice to maybe return here at some time. A big thank you to the staff at the Abbey for welcoming us and giving us a good run of the place, we appreciate it. Mrs Hobey if that was you in the great hall we thank you and send out our love and respect and wish you go peacefully. Until next time. SPRG.

SPRG 2010