Most Haunted Series 12 on DVD

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen, Most Haunted DVD, Most Haunted News

Most Haunted is back with series 12, where Yvette and the Most Haunted team travel thousands of miles over to the USA to uncover more terrifying paranormal activity. From Colorado to New Jersey, watch as the team are pushed to their limits investigating some of the most unusual, scariest and spectacular locations ever seen on Most Haunted. Series 12 is sure to have you gripped to your seats as the team head to Sleepy Hollow cemetery in New York and West Virginia State Penitentiary where they are put into separate cells until one of them cracks from fear….. Can you handle more scary vigils, more unexplained noises, bangs and whispers and more disturbing events…. who will crack first?…..

Released 22nd March 2010

Most Haunted Edward Jenner Museum (The Chantry)

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

The Chantry, the house that Edward Jenner owned from 1785 until his death in 1823, was sold by his descendants in 1876. In 1885 it was sold again, to the Church of England. It then became the vicarage for Berkeley, to replace the old vicarage where Edward Jenner had been born in 1749. When the Diocese of Gloucester decided to sell The Chantry in the early 1980s it was realised that it would be the ideal home for a museum to honour Jenner.
An appeal was launched to raise the money necessary for its purchase. The encouragement and support of the British Society for Immunology and the World Health Organisation played a significant role in obtaining donations from companies in the pharmaceutical and other branches of industry. Success came largely because of a substantial donation from Mr Ryoichi Sasakawa of Japan.
The museum
The Edward Jenner Museum at The Chantry opened to the public in 1985. A separate building that had once been Jenner’s stables was converted to house a small conference centre.
In 1996 two rooms on the first floor of The Chantry, were converted into an exhibition of modern immunology. The museum had quietly but significantly changed its role. Originally it had been primarily retrospective, looking back at the achievements of Edward Jenner himself, and protecting the home in which he had worked. After 1996 the Jenner Museum became pro-active in promoting a public understanding of immunology, the science underlying Jenner’s work and developed from it.

First Broadcast: 27th December 2009

Most Haunted Castle Fraser

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

Castle Fraser is now a grand castle and stately home owned by the National Trust, developed and improved on from its beginnings as a fortified towerhouse by generations of the Fraser family. The castle was known as Muchall in Mar until 1695.

Thomas Fraser was a loyal supporter of James II and as reward for his fealty he was granted lands of Muchall and Stoneywood in exchange for his own lands near Stirling. The castle was originally a 3 storey rectangular Tower House. Reconstruction and additions to the tower were started around 1570 by the 5th Earl: Michael Fraser and completed in 1636 while under the control of Andrew Fraser who was also the first Lord Fraser.

The castle was reconstructed as a classic Z plan incorporating the existing 3 storey tower under master masons Thomas Leiper, and eventually John Bell (employed by Andrew Fraser). The second Lord Fraser (also named) Andrew Fraser, inherited the castle in the late 1630’s. Andrew was a Covenanter and active in the religious unrest of the 17th C, leading to the sacking of the castle by James Graham the Marquis of Montrose in 1644. However the Fraser’s were still allowed to stay at the castle although ownership passed to other people returning back to the Fraser family eventually over time.

The castle was modernised in the 1700’s: the 300 acre grounds were landscaped in accordance with contemporary fashion, and a large stable block was added. In 1820 Charles Fraser oversaw an interior overhaul of the castle, and a walled garden was also completed in the 19th Century. The Fraser family became the Mackenzie Fraser family through a nominated heirdom of the castle. This line was broken in 1897 when Fredrick Mackenzie Fraser died without an heir. In 1921 his widow sold the castle and lands to Weetman Pearson (Viscount Cowdray) who passed the castle to his son Clive Pearson, Clive’s daughter Lavinia gave the castle to the National Trust in 1976.

Traditions and Legends
The Green room of the castle was reputedly the scene of the violent murder of a young Princess who was dragged down the stairs leaving a trail of blood. This blood trail could not be removed no matter how hard it was scrubbed and cleaned and eventually wooden panelling was made to cover the stairs and hide the grim evidence of the bloody deed. Whether there is any truth in the story of the murdered Princess is unclear

First Broadcast: 15th December 2009

Most Haunted Cromer Pier

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

There has been a pier or jetty in Cromer since 1391. Letters granting the right to levy duties for repairs suggest that attempts at maintenance seem to have gone on until 1580. In 1582, Queen Elizabeth I granted the right to the inhabitants of Cromer to export wheat, barley and malt for the maintenance of their town and towards the rebuilding of the pier.

The last wooden jetty was built in 1846 and, described as a “plain wooden structure”, was just 70 yards long. By night, it was regulated by several bylaws: for instance, smoking was only allowed after the hour of nine o’clock when ladies would be expected to have retired for the evening. Gales later damaged the jetty again so much that it had to be dismantled and Cromer was left without a pier. This brief spell of emptiness spurred the ‘pier commissioners’ to consider a more fashionable structure, and it was in 1901 that the new pier opened.

At that time, Cromer was served by two railway companies: the ‘Great Eastern’ and the ‘Midland and Great Northern’. The great rivalry between the railway companies meant that any official occasion in the town gave them the excuse to bring dignitaries from near and far. And so it was with the official opening of the pier.

 The ‘Great Eastern’ brought dignitaries and members of the press from London while the ‘Midland and Great Northern’ ferried VIPs from as far afield as Birmingham and Bradford. The ‘Blue Viennese Band’ played in the bandstand and the brochure assured visitors that ‘here, while the season lasts, strains of charming music will be constantly heard.’ In 1905, the bandstand was covered to form an enclosed pavilion and the following season the first ‘concert parties’ performed. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the ‘Cromer Protection Commission’ was responsible for selecting the concert parties at the pavilion, and toured the south coast looking at potential shows.

 In 1936, one of the Pavilion’s most famous shows first appeared: Ronnie Brandon’s ‘Out The Blue’. At the outbreak of World War II, the Royal Engineers removed the middle section of the pier and shows ceased for the duration of hostilities. After the war, Cromer Council advertised in ‘The Stage’ for concert parties to provide shows to cover a fourteen-week season. In 1953, devastating gales demolished the pavilion and wrecked the pier. The government of the day granted compensation for the rebuilding of the pavilion and the new theatre was ready in time for the 1955 season.

First Broadcast: 8th December 2009

Most Haunted The Tolbooth, Aberdeen

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

The Tolbooth in Aberdeen, Scotland is a 17th century former jail which is now operated as a museum. It was built between 1616 and 1629 and is attached to Aberdeen Sheriff Court on the city centre’s Union Street.

The museum contains exhibits of prison cells and various police and law and order related items.

Its most famous prisoner was the 17th century ‘Fittie Witch’ Janet Walker. It also housed over 50 Jacobite prisoners after the Battle of Culloden

The building is claimed to be one of the most haunted buildings in Aberdeen and has been subject to many investigations

First Broadcast: 1st December 2009

Most Haunted Kelvedon Nuclear Bunker

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

The Bunker had three main lives. Initially as an RAF ROTOR Station and latterly a Regional Government Headquarters, with a brief period in the 1960’s as a civil defence centre. There were also spare bunk beds in the tunnel, to help accommodate some of the hundreds of civilian and military personnel that would be stationed here in time of nuclear attack. The bunker was built on land requisitioned from the local farmer J.A.Parrish.

Paradoxically as the heat of the Cold War died down, the bunker and it’s ancillary systems were no longer required by the Government, and were costing up to 3 million pounds a year to keep on standby. Upon decommissioning in 1992 the bunker was bought back from the government by the Parrish family, at a closed bid public auction, and hence is now privately owned.

First Broadcast: 24th November 2009

Most Haunted Inveraray Castle

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

History of Inverary Castle

The original Inverary Castle was built as a stronghold for the Campbell clan in the 15th century by Colin Campbell who was the 1st Earl of Argyll but it was burnt down by the Marquis of Montrose in 1644. The third Duke of Argyll build the Castle as we know it now in 1744. Early design drawings begin in 1720 and the first sketch was by Sir John Vanburgh who also designed Castle Howard and Blenheim Castle. He died in 1726 and his designs were developed further by Roger Morris. The original architect was William Adam, an esteemed Scottish architect at the time. It is an early example of the Scottish Baronial style of Castle with turrets and corner towers. The nearby town of Inverary was developed in the same era.

The architects John and Robert Adam remodelled the Castle in the 19th century for the 5th Duke of Argyll and then again after a fire in 1877 which had destroyed much of the upper floors. They were the sons of the original architect of Inverary Castle. An Armoury Hall was built and external conical caps added to the corner towers.

Another fire occurred in 1975 and a major restoration took place in the 1990s by the 12th Duke of Argyll.

Famous visitors to Inverary Castle include King James V in 1533 and Mary Queen of Scots in 1562.

In 1890 Inverary Castle was the first residence in Scotland to install electricity.

The Phantom Harpist

The first of the Inverary Castle ghosts is the phantom harpist ghost. The Duke of Argyll was driven from his Castle in the year 1644 by the Marquis of Montrose. But the Duke’s harpist was left behind. Some sources say the harpist was left behind as punishment for looking through the keyhole of the Lady of the castle. The Marquis of Montrose found the harpist and ordered him to be executed by hanging. Since his death the harpist has been seen roaming Inverary castle, playing his harp and dressed in the Campbell tartan.

Others say that the harpist was killed during the siege at Inverary Castle.

Whatever the true origins for the reasons for his haunting the castle he is known locally as the Harper of Inverary. He is a friendly ghost that appears more often to women and is rarely seen by men. His music can often be heard in various parts of Inverary Castle, especially the Library.

Ghost Battle

The second of the Inverary Castle ghosts involve a major haunting of the sight of a ghost battle. It was first seen by Sir William Bart, a Physician, on the 10 July 1758. He was walking the grounds of Inverary Castle with two other men (a friend and a servant) and all three witnessed the hauntings. It was also witnessed by two ladies at a later date. All narrate the story of looking to the sky to see a ghost battle taking place between Highland and French soldiers. The Highlanders were retreating after unsuccessfully attacking a French held fort and had to leave many dead comrades behind.

Weeks later the news came from abroad that a Highland Regiment from a British force of 15,000 men had lost 1994 men, of which 300 were Highland soldiers of the Black Watch Regiment, whilst attacking the French held fort of Ticonderoga in Canada.

Ghost Ship Loch Fyne

A ghost ship has been seen on nearby Loch Fyne. It is a ghostly galley with three men onboard and looks like the ship that is pictured on the Campbells’ coat of arms. Witnesses have seen it move up Loch Fyne and onto the shores and land and then disappearing into the land.

When the ghost ship of Loch Fyne is seen it is said to foretell the death of the clan Campbell Chief. It is thought that the ghost ship goes onto land to claim the life of the Chieftain. One Chieftain in the 18th century was said to have drunk poison after seeing the ghost ship come onto Loch Fynne.

Female Ghost

There have been sightings of a female ghost haunting Inverary Castle. This female ghost is thought to have been killed by a Jacobite soldier.

First Broadcast: 17th November 2009

Most Haunted Gaumont Cinema, Liverpool

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

The Gaumont Cinema by Toxteth – more commonly known as Dingle’s Gaumont Cinema – is situated in a very interested spot.  It has been observed that the haunted theatre’s position on a map of Liverpool forms a triangle if plotted alongside the nearby Turner Memorial Home and the impressive Ancient Chapel of Toxteth.

The odd shape of the cinema is simply due to the curve of the roads the building stands beside. It was built in 1937 to house Britain’s first Gaumont projectomatic system. This is a cinema system that automatically changed film reels and controlled the lights. The issue of light control is interesting as some of the reported hauntings in the old building have featured the lights.

The art deco building was built to replace the Dingle Picturedrome. After the Gaumont theatre was decommissioned it was turned into a bingo hall.

Hauntings at Toxteth Gaumont Cinema

There have been a number of ghost sightings at the cinema; ranging from strange lights to shadowy figures.

It is rumoured that a bingo player lost her life while playing the game – her heart giving out to the drama. One of the popular stories suggests that she still lingers on in the hall trying to claim her winners. Another local story speaks of a suicide; a man who killed himself behind the cinema screen.

 First Broadcast: 10th November 2009

Most Haunted Layer Marney Tower

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

Constructed in the first half of Henry VIII’s reign, Layer Marney Tower is in many ways the apotheosis of the Tudor Gatehouse. The building is principally the creation of Henry 1st Lord Marney, who died in 1523, and his son John, who continued the building work but died just two years later, leaving no male heirs to continue the family line or the construction. What was completed was the main range measuring some three hundred feet long, the principal gatehouse that is about eighty feet tall, an array of outbuildings, and a new church.

The buildings suffered considerable damage from the Great English Earthquake of 1884, and a subsequent report in The Builder magazine described the state of the house as such that ‘the outlay needed to restore the towers to anything like a sound and habitable condition would be so large that the chance of the work ever being done appears remote indeed’. Fortunately the repairs were begun, by brother and sister Alfred and Kezia Peache, who re-floored and re-roofed the gatehouse, as well as creating the garden to the south of the Tower.

The next owner was Walter de Zoete who carried on and expanded the work, with a team of 13 domestic and 16 outside staff. He enlarged the gardens, built a folly known as the Tea House (converted to a self catering holiday cottage in 1999), and converted the stables into a Long Gallery where he housed his collection of furniture, paintings and objets d’arts. As a consequence of all this work it would be fair to say that the interior owes more to the Edwardian aesthetic of Walter de Zoete than to the Marneys.

Walter de Zoete lost money in the Japanese stock market crash, and sold the house to a Dr and Mrs Campbell. The house came to the present owners, the Charringtons, in 1959. Gerald and Susan Charrington were married in Layer Marney church in 1957; two years later Mrs Campbell’s executors put the house up for sale and the Charringtons purchased it. It has been occupied by the Charrington family ever since.
One of the rooms in the tower is said to be haunted. Workmen have heard doors being slammed, but the only door is rusted shut. Not only that, but people have also seen a cloaked figure outside this very door.

First Broadcast: 3rd November 2009

Most Haunted Inveraray Gaol, Inveraray, Argyll and Bute

Posted by admin as 13: Season Thirteen

The Inveraray Gaol in Inveraray, Argyll and Bute, Scotland is known as a living 19th-century prison.

Designed by James Gillespie Graham (1776–1855) in 1813 after original plans by Robert Reid in 1807. The original plans had called for a courthouse and three prisons, one for males, one for females and one for debtors. The ground obtained was sufficient for such an ambitious plan, but the finance was not and the Prison Commissioners had to be content with only one prison.

Both the courthouse and prisons opened in 1820. The courtroom, on the first floor, has a semicircle of large windows giving a magnificent view overlooking the prison yard and, beyond, across Loch Fyne.

The two-storied prison has three-foot-thick walls of massive rough hewn red stone and originally contained cells on both floors, eight in total. A third of the ground floor was occupied by a day-room which was lit, like the cells, by narrow, unglazed windows. The Prisons (Scotland) Act 1839 brought about many changes, including the separation of prisoners. A second prison was finally built on the spare ground, opening in the closing days of 1848. Designed by Thomas Brown of Edinburgh, the new prison consisted of twelve cells on three floors with an exercising gallery at the top. A pair of outdoor exercise yards were also built, separated from each other by a wall. Prisoners were not allowed to fraternize. The Separate System was designed to give them time to reflect upon their sins.

The Prisons (Scotland) Act 1877 heralded another major change in the administration of prisons. Local authorities would no longer have the responsibility of running and financing prisons; the Government was taking control. Large prisons were built in the center of population. Barlinnie in Glasgow opened in 1882 and small local prisons in the West of Scotland began to close. Inveraray would be the last. On 20 July 1889 readers of the Argyllshire Herald were informed that “the prison of Inveraray will be closed on 31st August”.

Despite changes to the prison system, the court was still sitting, continuing until 1954, with a little activity since then. On several occasions the premises have come near to being abandoned, especially when it was necessary to spend money on repairs. In the 1980s extensive restoration was undertaken by the Scottish Office, but then all plans fell through and the building lay empty. Finally, private enterprise came to the rescue and Inveraray Jail opened in May 1989. The courtroom was once more filled with the sound of the judge, lawyers and witnesses re-creating trials of the 19th century; the corridors of the prisons echoed with the measured tread of a warder’s heavy boots and prisoners paced their cell or mournfully gazed through barred windows.

First Broadcast: 2oth October 2009