26th November 2004

The second event in November saw LPS investigating the Datchworth Area in Hertfordshire. After stopping at The Plough, a local haunted pub, we set off along the road to Datchworth Green. The Green has many ghostly sightings including an apparition of a woman by the swings. Pictures were taken revealing orbs but this could be due to moisture/insects. The temperature was around 1-2°C in this area and there were no EMF readings in the park area.

We then walked along Rectory Lane. A horseless cart haunts this lane and there are reports of people seeing limp and lifeless limbs hanging from the cart.

Members took photographs, filmed and talked as they walked up the haunted road. No sightings were made but parts of the road have a very spooky feel to them. The temperature was on average 1°C along the lane. Rectory Lane leads up to All Saints Church. The chattering of monkeys has been heard here and a shadowy figure has been seen late at night.

Pictures and video footage were taken and a Dictaphone was left at the front of the church. Shortly after arriving at the church Leana saw a figure in white walk along the graveyard and disappear. When checked, it was found that it wasn’t any LPS members that she had seen. Was this the apparition that has been seen? A tombstone stirred feelings in some members and the name of the deceased was taken to research. An area around the back of the church also had a very intense atmosphere. I myself felt a presence in that area. Sandi discovered a cold spot in the area and when measuring the temperature it dropped by four degrees to –4°C and back to 0 in a space of about one to two minutes. Temperature around the cold spot remained constant at 0-1°C. Nothing came up on the EMF meter. Sandi and I turned to walk away from the area (back to the front of the church) and I heard what sounded like someone trying to whistle. It was a small rush of air and a squeak/whistle. I turned around to find nothing visible behind me. I asked Sandi if she heard anything and she said she didn’t. The area was checked for people and the only other person around was Darren who was behind the tree who would have been to the front right of us. We regrouped at the front of the church where we shared our experiences. As we were talking I turned round (Sam and Elaine were behind me) I saw a dark figure behind Sam. It moved from left to right and had a hat on. I told Sam what I had just seen and she said she had just heard something behind her.

We then made our way back to The Plough where we warmed up before setting off to the last location of the night. Mardleybury Pond is where a woman, who lived at the Manor next to the pond in the 18th century, is said to have drowned after her coach came round the corner too fast and overturned throwing her into the pond where she drowned. Her ghost is said to appear along the road. No unusual recordings were taken around the pond but Bill did explain how he thought the coach drove its fateful path that night back in the 18th century and looking at the road corner and the pond you can see how this tragic event would have easily occurred.

It was a great turn out by LPS members and it was great to see some new faces on this investigation. Datchworth has many haunted sites and is well worth visiting. There seemed to be a lot of activity in All Saints Church graveyard that night and we were fortunate enough to have some great experiences.

The Investigation Team in Datchworth

To view more images see: Datchworth Album and Mardleybury Album

For other reports about Datchworth see: 17-11-2006 and 01-06-2007

For other reports about Mardleybury see: 17-11-2006 and 01-06-2007