Stone Chapel is an enigma – one of few early chapels still exhibiting the incorporation by Augustine of pre-Christian building into those being created under Christianity. It is history is given in previous Ghost Connections reports and has been a favourite location of the team since our inception. As can be seen by the previous visits each one has given different information and different phenomena. Encompassing as it does over a thousand years of history we decided on a revisit for our first investigation of 2007. Our other reports can be read at Reports Main Page

Aim:

To investigate of paranormal activity at this venue and evidence for other activities in the neighbourhood.

Background:
There are no previous reports of paranormal activity at Stone Chapel although Ghost Connections and other groups have found the Chapel and interesting location so further research was undertaken.

Apparatus:

Video camera-
Sony DCR HC-24E with night vision
Sony DCR-HC19 with night vision and IR light

Digital Camera-
Fuji 4900 Finepix
Fuji Fine Pix S5500
Fuji Fine Pix S5000

Voice recorder -
Olympus VN-2100PC
Olympus DM20

Team:

Kim
Ian
Paddy
Dave

Method:
Using visual and scientific methods combined with spiritual information investigate any occurrences at this venue.

Investigation:

The team arrived at the site and found the temperature to be colder than suspected due to a piercing wind from the west. We chose to set up camp at the west end of the Nave within the ruins as this would provide best protection from the wind along with the large umbrellas we took with us. This location would also enable us to have an uninterrupted view of the whole chapel and the area of the trees to the North of the chapel where previous occurrences have been reported by the team.

The team found the place to be very peaceful in appearance and no indication was given that any particular area should be investigated.

There was very little cloud and the earlier rain had dispersed leaving the sky star lit with a prominent moon shining down on us. The area then became very atmospheric illuminated by the moonlight and we decided to conduct some experiments into video filming and photographing strong light sources using a variety of exposures and shutter speeds and altering the ISO rating on our digital cameras. This was a viable experiment as these functions have rarely been explored and may yield some results on further investigations. Some of the results can be seen here.

Following this experiment the team settled down to again take in the atmosphere from our vantage point at the west end of the ruins having conducted a 'walk around' to photograph and video the ruins. This rest of the evening would be recorded on voice recorder.

For some time the team sat quietly or talking amongst ourselves noting and endeavoring to explain various noises. There were several loud bangs heard and some distance to the South there were lights on the horizon at the same time and these are believed to be fireworks. The source was some distance away and not visible. The team did not leave the Chapel to investigate as the source was clearly outside the area being investigated and warranted no further investigation.

During this time the team would also make mental note of the noises from the nearby main road to the south and the railway line to the north. Both were visible from the site and likely sources for any noises or lights would be obvious.

It was noted that at this time there was no sound of anything falling from the trees and even in the wind the trees were striking no other objects or causing a noise themselves.

After an hour and a half the team had a break and decided to conduct a séance within the area of the Roman Mausoleum being the oldest part of the site and what may now be called the chapel itself being between the Nave in the West and the Sanctuary in the East. This was not video recorded however would be recorded on voice recorder. During the course of this séance Ian felt a slight blow to the right cheek / temple area and likened it to being hit by a large flying insect. There were none about and early January is not the likely time of year for these. Further inspection ruled out any overhanging branches as these were not within reach of the team. Slightly later Dave felt a brush past his face likened to walking through a heavy cobweb. There were none found in the area and there was nothing nearby that could have had one hanging from it to cause this. Dave then found himself rocking back and forth and felt as a force of energy was pulling him backwards.

During this séance a noise similar to footsteps walking on sodden ground was heard nearby. No other persons were present anywhere near the site.

The team following certain information chose to conduct a further séance beneath the trees to the North East of the chapel. This area, being slightly higher than the ruins was found to be more exposed to the bracing wind and the team were feeling quite cold in general at this location.

A séance was then conducted during which Paddy felt his throat tighten inside for no apparent reason. Dave then called for any spirits present to perhaps speak or show themselves to someone other than Paddy if they were trying to communicate through him but with no success.

(There is a belief that this sensation is experienced by mediums allowing spirit to communicate using their own voices.)

Ian, Paddy and Kim hear a distinct 'thud' from their West which is still between the trees.

After some time this session is concluded.

The team then resume their positions at the west end and remain for some time in the hope that something else may occur.

Their attention later will be drawn to a natural phenomena in the sky. The moon is now slightly obscured by mist yet the area around it is clear and stars can be seen clearly. Some distance from the moon (which can be seen not to have been a full moon) is a perfect circle of light appearing to be formed on clouds. Some photographs of part of this were obtained. The source of this is being researched.

Sightings of movement cannot be easily explained as purely paranormal as attention is easily deflected in outdoor situations yet at Stone there is little in the way of other structures to confuse the mind or the eye.

The teams walkabout produced no recordable anomalies and no circumstances worthy of comment although account was taken during this time of the prevailing weather conditions.

Of the noises heard the loud bangs were dismissed and can be accounted for as being outside the area being investigated, the sound of a 'thud' under the trees is not consistent with the physical condition of the trees or the grass below and cannot be explained, and the sound of footsteps is unexplained as was similar to that that was produced by us walking to the site and as no persons were in the area and we were not moving we can say that these are not naturally produced.

Ian's sensation of being struck on the side of the face defies explanation as does Dave's sensation of being wiped across the face. It is known nothing of the permanent features around the site could have been responsible as nothing was in reach of the team. An insect cannot be ruled out completely although would be rare at this time of year.

During the séances there was an amount of information forthcoming of a clairvoyant/psychic kind, but this cannot be validated. As Ghost Connections conducts scientifically based investigations we do not publish such observations, however, this information is held on a separate database and may prove interesting when compared to other peoples experiences. Should you wish to discuss this information please email us enquiries@ghostconnections.com

The phenomena seen around the moon has been researched and is caused by reflection of sunlight from the moon onto ice crystals within high altitude clouds.

Reference our experiment with shutter speeds and our viewing a halo moon, please see a picture captured by a third party.