23rd November 2007
General:
For our last investigation of 2007 we ventured once more into Hertfordshire to visit two haunted churches. The area around St Andrew and St Mary's church at Watton is said to be haunted by a grey lady. The ghost is believed to be that of a young woman who threw herself from the church tower when she was spurned in love. At Walkern the area around the church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Jane Wenham. In the early 1700s Jane was driven from Walkern by an angry mob that believed her to be a witch. She was later tried as such in Hertford. It is said that after her death Jane returned to Walkern to haunt the area around the church.
At Watton-at-Stone we split into two teams, one team consisted of Leana and Bill whilst the other was made up of Andy, Steph and Elaine.
At Walkern Leana decided to sit out the investigation as she was unwell, so the teams were divided into two with Bill and Steph in one team and Andy and Elaine in the other.
Vigil 1:
Opposite the far left corner of the church.
I found nothing paranormal on this visit although I felt drawn to one corner of the cemetery and did feel someone was standing near the large tree behind us.
Vigil 2:
Just under the trees opposite the church (between the tower and side door entrance).
Nothing to report from this location.
Vigil 1:
Opposite the far left corner of the church.
20:25 Heard 'psst' from left of me and the name Caroline.
20:46 When meditating I could see a vicar in full Sunday dress.
While taking a break at the front of the church I could see someone by the trees just behind Bill.
Vigil 2:
Just under the trees opposite the church (between the tower and side door entrance).
21:30 Got the name Elizabeth to do with royalty, gold plates and jugs.
Vigil 1:
Opposite the far left corner of the church.
20:25 Saw a dark small shape, about the size of an adult cat move left to right along the ground to Andy's right.
20:37 A brief but strong fragrant soap smell (as if smelling a bar of soap).
A few times when meditating I get the impression of one of the church windows being smashed/broken. Felt this was at the back of the church but do not know which one. I also thought I saw a shadow move past one of the turrets on the blacony area, felt there was someone walking about up there.
Vigil 2:
Just under the trees opposite the church (between the tower and side door entrance).
21:15 Pick up the name Julianne (or Julie Anne?) when looking at the tower.
On Sunday 25th November, Bill and I visited St Andrew & St Mary’s Church in Watton during the day. The first vigil of the night (as above) was between two trees at one corner of the churchyard. During this vigil I noticed a dark shape move to my right (the other side of Andy, who was sitting on my right). On inspecting the area in daylight I discovered two huge bunny holes; one in the base of the tree and one in the foreground. This is the area where I saw a dark shape move briefly along the ground so it is more than likely I actually saw a bunny darting back in to the hole. There was a light on the right side of that tree (lighting up the church) so I would only have seen its silhouette without realising what it was. Due to it being so dark I did not notice the holes at the time, even with a torch!
Vigil 1:
South Side of Tower - 20:20 to 21:45
Video camera recording south side of tower from the southwest for one hour.
Sound recorder left by road to south of church.
20:30 Temperature recorded at -1.5°C.
20:31 From where we were positioned we could see a gravestone to the east of the church and to the south of the public footpath. The gravestone stood out as it was illuminated by an orange lamp. As I turned to look down the path I saw a large, presumably circular, object move behind the grave. It was white in colour and about half the height of the gravestone. When I saw it there was only a semi-circle visible to the left of the gravestone and this soon disappeared behind the same stone.
20:34 We both heard a double click come from the direction of the south door.
20:35 We both heard a click like a stone hitting a stone coming from the gravel path directly in front of us (2 metres away to the north, between us and the tower).
20:39 I saw a bright dot of light behind Leana’s head which was framed by a gravestone to the west.
20:40 I saw a bright light at the top of the entrance drive to our left (west).
Vigil 2:
30 metres East of Church on Third Terrace Path - 21:07 to 21:35
20:40 temperature recorded as -2 to -3°C.
Nothing else to report from this location. The only thing of note was that the area is very noisy due to traffic entering or leaving Watton-at-Stone.
Very cold but much better location than previous site on the night. Felt relaxed and at peace and cold
Recorded temperatures of -2 to -4 in second vigil
EVP to be checked
Vigil 1:
Did not pick up on anything.
Vigil 1:
Front right of the church.
Get the impression of a mini Eiffel Tower souvenir statue. Possibly influenced by a grave nearby.
Picked up the impression of people working the land in the area beyond the back of the church. Only men, using what looked like scythe's and hoe's.
Vigil 2:
By the trees to the north.
Impression of white blossom falling in the grounds of the church.
Time unknown for these experiences.
Vigil 1:
20 metres Southeast of Church - 22:33 to 23:02.
As Leana has been unwell she decided not to join in with this investigation so I was accompanied by Steph who has written her own report.
22:49 Temperature recorded as -5.5°C.
Nothing else to report except at one point the sound of voices coming from the northeast.
23:18 Temperature recorded as -4.5°C.
Nothing else to report.
Andy's Report, Watton-at-Stone
The Bunny Holes
Vigil 2:
Did not pick up on anything.
Vigil 1:
30 metres North of the Tower - 23:06 to 23:35.