Rothley Train Station & Museum, Leicestershire 30/08/08

Duration: 22.00-04.30

Weather: Mild

Members: 11

Having done a theatre at the start of the month, we were really counting ourselves lucky to be allowed to such a prestigious location as this. The station originally opened in 1899 and served as one of the midlands most prominent railway lines of its time, in 1948 it became part of British Rail and then continued to run for a further 20 years before closing down in 1966. Within the last 40 years the station has been fully to restored to it's splendour as it looked in the mid 1900's. All lighting around the station is powered by gas, as it would have been back then. We arrived with plenty of time and had a great time just looking around. We were shown around the station by Craig Hughes who looked after us for the night. Several TV shows and films have used the station in years gone bye, as it looks so authentic. After meeting with the staff and with who would be looking after us for the night, we started to scout out possible areas of interest for the night. We were told that a specific side of the platform was most active, the staircase and the ladies waiting room were also noted to be haunted. This was were the cameras were set up.

Just before beginning we were treated to the sight of one of the original restored engines coming into the station, which was a real thrill, some of the group even got to stand in the drivers carriage! it was starting to get dark so best get a move on. Garry took monitor duty for the first vigil at our base station which we set up in the ticket office. Clint D, Ed, Adel and Ben took the staircase area. Liz, Emma and April took the waiting room, and Angie, Lorraine and Clint S covered the parcel room which was situated under the staircase. The group on the stairs were finding it hard to decipher any noises or movements due to it being outside and the lorries rumbling past. The group in the Parcel room experienced a lot of bangs and clicks but nothing untoward. Clint D picked up on the feeling of a small child that had fallen down the staircase and later died. Ben also felt that an accident had occurred on the stairs at some time. The group in the waiting room didn't have anything to report his time around. Garry had noticed a vast amount of orbs captured on the cameras, some could be dismissed others not so easily. After the first hour we had a break and then swapped locations, Clint D's group went into the waiting room, Angie's group took the stairs, and Liz's group went into the parcel room. Just before the vigils began, Adel, Ed and Clint D all noticed a tall white figure rushed past the window of the waiting room, they ran out quickly to see if it was a member of the team, however everyone was accounted for and in their positions. Very interesting that three of the team saw the same thing. Interestingly enough Angie came back with the same information that Clint D had picked up on, on the stair area about the child having the accident. This was later verified by Craig. The group in the parcel room only experienced the usual knocks and bangs of which some could be explained.

After a break and some food, we began to set up the séance. This was held in the waiting room. The warmth and smell of the lamps generated a sleepy atmosphere among the group but it was time to focus and see what we could get. After Angie had opened up the séance, she picked up on a small girl who she feel had been killed further down the line whilst waiting for her father. The glass began to move on the table, and then spelled out "Victoria."

The glass on the table starting to spell information and correlate dates that Angie had verified. The other information coming through seemed to be quite jumbled and didn't make much sense, the glass movement then became very weak. It was time to call an end to the séance, and some serious caffeine was needed for some of our sleepy group members. After a long break a few of the drivers got some sleep as it was a long drive back and starting to get light. Ben, Adel, Ed and Clint D took a walk sticking close together on the track just down the line. There were a few uncomfortable noises and crashes, but it was getting quite windy at this point so we were just trying to be logical. At one point it felt as if the group was being followed, it went away then came back again. By this time the sun was coming up and the drivers had got some good sleep in, some woke up on platform benches wondering where they were and why they were so cold! No names mentioned (April).

We at SPRG would like to thank Craig and his team at Rothley for being so hospitable and helpful throughout. This is definitely worth a visit at some stage during the year anyway, something for everyone, you just cant help but feel a little nostalgic around the place. Check out their webpage here.

Until next time SPRG

SPRG 2008