- A team of "ghostbusters" has detected what
they believe is paranormal activity in a former hangman's cell at the Royal
Navy's largest base.
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- The team of ten spent two nights at Devonport Naval Base
in Plymouth, Devon, following reports of hauntings.
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- The investigation focused on the hangman's cell, where
where 141 French prisoners-of-war were said to have been executed, as well
at the 18th-century Master Ropemaker's House.
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- The cell contains what is believed to be the only remaining
working gallows in Britain, and was reportedly the scene of numerous executions
during the Napoleonic Wars.
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- One of the team, Barbara Jones, from Abercynon, South
Wales, said today they finished their vigil at 5am.
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- She said the team of ten all believed "beyond any
degree of doubt" that they had detected paranormal activity at the
base.
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- The hangman's cell was paranormally "very active,"
particularly below the hatch through which those hanged dropped.
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- There were changes in temperature in the cell, she said.
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- Underneath the hatch they had picked up activity relating
to "one particular person".
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- She said she could "quite understand" reports
of police and security staff being "spooked" patrolling in the
area and "legging it."
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- Although they did not see any ghosts, they had "very
good" photographic evidence, yet to be analysed, which had them "jumping
up and down."
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- "It has been very interesting, and there are many
areas on the base which my team would like to come back and help with,"
she added.
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- Earlier, team leader Carole Bromley, known as Goldy,
from West Drayton, Middlesex, said she had already seen a ghostly young
girl and "quite a few figures" on the base.
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- The paranormal researchers brought toys and blackboards
for child ghosts to play with.
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- They also set up objects, including a made-up bed, balls,
marbles and furniture in an attempt to detect poltergeists.
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- Their report is expected to be submitted to RN Commander
Charles Crichton in the next few weeks.
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- Before the exercise, he said: "The people who walk
here report spiritual activity to me all over the place ñ it's rampant."
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- Since the Second World War, The Master Ropemaker's House
has built a reputation as one of Plymouth's most haunted houses.
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- And the "ghostbusters" found that too was "active"
paranormally.
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- In the past, base staff have reported sightings of a
young girl in Victorian costume and a bearded sailor in the building.
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- ©2004 Scotsman.com http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2996829
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