The event was aimed as a gathering of people with an interest in the paranormal field, whether they are believers or sceptics all were welcome to attend this event.  On offer were not only the stall holders with various items to sell and skills to demonstrate but several guest speakers including Richard Felix and Mark Webb.  Swadlincote Paranormal Investigation’s very own medium Diane King was also joined by Patrick Hutchinson to conduct reading for members of the audience.

That audience began to arrive early and the team decided to open their doors earlier than the previously advertised 6:00pm time.  A massive apology to those who with had to turn away but we hope to see you at another event soon.  Although our start time was 6:45 the team delayed the start to allow those caught up in traffic a chance to reach the event and by 7:10pm we had 264 people.  Those audience members first saw Richard Felix on stage to give a talk on the paranormal.  From how he began, through many of his theories, his time on Most Haunted and even a sneaky advert for his DVD that he was selling at one stand.

Richard ended his talk at 7:45 and that was followed by a break giving everyone a chance to look around the stalls.  We had well over 20 stalls in all with a mixture of Tarot reader and healers offering sessions.  Others included a variety of items for sale, anything from Emu Oil to unique hand made bears, and Magic wands to magical pictures where each person can see something different within.

The break ended around 8:45pm and the room was divided into two.  One half remained in the main hall with Medium Patrick Hutchinson while the other half that I joined went to a specially set out room upstairs with Diane King.

Diane spoke to nine people in total.  Of those I spoke to 4 afterwards who allowed me to post information regards their readings.

The first lady that Diane spoke to was a lady, Diane advised that this lady had health problems that needed to be dealt with and that there was a young man in spirit possibly involved in an accident.  The lady said that apart from the young man whom she couldn’t place everything else that Diane had told her was spot on.

The second was a lady where Diane spoke of a family divided.

The third again a lady was told her younger sister needing some guidance regarding university.

To the forth Diane spoke of a boy taken before his time.  The message the boy wished to get across was that it wasn’t his fault.  The Lady said that it could have been a couple of people and there was possible truth in what Diane said.

A gentleman was the fifth and was told that he just ‘Do as you’re told’

Diane said she was told to pick on the sixth, a young gentleman with a stubborn streak, had the option of the army as a possible path and possessed knowledge at yet worked as a labourer. The lady that accompanied this gentleman said that the information was spot on. The gentleman himself on the other hand said that maybe there was some truth but it was very broad and could relate to anything.  A very valid comment and a critic echoed by many others for various forms of reading, in defence of Diane she could not give a detailed reading in front of a crowd of strangers and does explain so at the start of any sessions.

The seventh lady had a spiritual family and never did things by halves, as a result she had bad knees.

The eighth was simply told the spirits are with him.

The ninth was described as a party animal who likes her own space. She was told there was a gentleman possibly involved in a road accident and she was seeking a change in direction. People are happy around her and a man will come to her from out of the blue.  When I spoke to this lady she told me that unfortunately Diane was wrong and the she hoped she was also wrong about a man from out of the blue as she did like her own space and was happy with her life the way it was.

Afterwards Diane received a round of applause and another break began during which the Mediums would swap rooms.

Patrick began at 8:55 and had a very different approach to medium ship than Diane. Patrick dug deep and due to this I do not wish to post information regarding the readings.  There was however a recurring theme throughout the night of Rolf Harris and his song ‘Two little boys’. Towards the end of the session Patrick asked that a member of the audience, a lady with a strong will be picked at random for a final dramatic demonstration. The lady picked was described as very strong by her friends. She was brought into the centre so everyone could see her.  Patrick took one hand and asked the spirits to push her back, she did begin to backwards and Patrick caught her before she did so.  He then asked the spirits to push her forwards, again Patrick had to catch the lady. Still holding one of the ladies hands he then asked for her to be brought to her knees, there was an audible gasp as the ladies legs seemed to give way and she obediently dropped to her knees, the look of shock evident in her eyes. Patrick had let go of her hand at this stage and now standing before her he held one hand out and after instructing the lady to resist the best she could called on the spirits to get her to kiss his hand. She swayed forwards and backwards trying to resist but it was Patrick that pulled his hand any at the last moment. 

I spoke to the lady afterwards firstly to apologise as I was the one who picked her out of the audience and to find out her thoughts.  She was speechless and her friends informed me that she would not have kissed any guys hand. After recovering the lady said that there were things throughout the evening that seemed to relate to her such as the name ‘Harris’ in her family and the ‘Two Little Boys’ song being sung to her as a child along with other facts that Patrick had spoken about 

Speaking to people in general there was mixed reactions.  Some told me the session was excellent while others were unsure.  Some were also suspicious of Patrick holding onto the ladies hand while asking for the spirits to do something.

Another break followed to allow people time to gather in the main hall and a final look around the stalls before our final speaker Mark Webb at 11:20.  It was also reported that at its peak a massive 1.3 million were listening to us via the internet radio Spiritual Connextions, a record for the site.

Immediately following Mark’s talk begun a question and answers session with all of our guests.  A chance for the audience to voice their thoughts.  I have tried to capture the conversations and questions the best I could in the following paragraphs;

Explain what orbs are.

Mark Webb – Dust.

Richard Felix – Yes but what about when there is only one?

Mark – Just to close to the flash, nothing more.

What about pictures inside of orbs?

Jacky Newcomb – I have a story about that.  Every time a mother heard her girl talking to someone they took a picture and there was an orb with a picture inside each time.

Richard – Orbs are the first manifestation but why don’t they all come together to form an image?  You don’t get that.

Patrick Hutchinson – Light Refraction.

Judith Cooney – In my experience they appear as a circle of light.  Many times I’ve taken a picture and saw a face in the orb that I recognised. But why only appear as a small light?

Richard – Sometimes you can see structures, sometimes you can see them respond to commands.

What does it mean by different plains?

Jacky – Imagine a spinning top spinning faster and faster until it can no longer be seen. You may not see it, but it’s still there.

Could orbs be the fading of a person?

Richard – Good question.  Maybe the grey lady was once red?

How do you experience, or pick up on animals?

Patrick – I don’t know but they are energy like us.  I once came across a hamster who had come back, and a dog.  I can’t explain it but maybe its love.

Richard – Can I go a stage further? You only see domesticated pets.  Why is it always cats, dogs, horses why is it never….

Patrick – I got a cow once.

Richard – Ah. Well imagine how they used to be killed.  It was traumatic.  But mostly its domestic animals, like cats.

Judith. – My granddad had a parrot that I’d never met. One night I’d heard a squawking and she my Granddad in spirit with a parrot.  It was his best friend in life and he wanted me to meet him.

How can an object like a watering can be moved?

Jacky – Most times it’s about someone trying to get your attention.  As for how, I haven’t got a clue.

Richard – How far are we from star wars moving things with energy?

(Continuation of previous question) I went to water my flowers. I kept a can behind the shed it had been raining a lot so decided to put the can back.  I mowed the lawn but then saw the can we back on front of the flowers.

Mark – I’m not saying that you are a liar but could you have put the can down by the flowers and forgot and just thought you’d it back?

Audience member – It happens with the kettle too.

Patrick – Can I just say that if you have been lucky enough to experience these things to treasure it and it doesn’t matter what we say

What’s your idea on precognitions?

Mark – Think of Minority Report. Same thing.  I know a guy that was travelling then had a sudden instinct to stop.  As he did so he saw a crash in front right where he would have been if he’d not listened to his gut.

Is the future set in stone?

Judith – We all have a purpose.  Our paths are set.

Diane – Life is planned out and set before you but at the end of the day you have control over it.

Mark – Life’s what you make of it.  I don’t believe it’s already decided.

Patrick – My view is that life is set out for you but there are a lot of paths. You need to believe in yourself.

Jacky – I believe we come from a previous life with goals we set for example. ‘This time I will be better with money’. But during our life time we have total free will.

As mediums do you switch off?

Patrick – Never switch off.  It can be a bit annoying.

Diane – I can stand back and you do need to switch off otherwise they’ll be at you all day.  I’ll let them through if they need to get through.

What about smells?

Jacky – It’s just another sense.  Another way they can communicate. Very commonly it’s a relative trying to let you know.

Judith – To add to that it’s another form of identification, a comfort thing.

Final Thoughts

Richard – Astronomers look at dead things.  A stars ghost.

Jacky – You shouldn’t believe anything based on what we currently know as that changes all the time.

Mark – To a believer no proof is necessary. To a sceptic no proof is possible.

Judith – Give out love and you will get love back.

Patrick – People in spirit are with you. As long as you believe they will come through

The night had finished earlier than expected so for a final demonstration Patrick led a glass divination in another room.  There was an amazing amount of movement with the glass being very obedient to Patrick’s commands who stood back away from the table.

One lady raised her suspicion saying that a lot of the movement seemed to come from one edge of the glass.  Patrick asked that the participant holding that edge let go and then proceeded to command the glass to move to rule out the possibility of someone consciously moving the glass.  The team would like to extend their respect to that lady, it takes a lot of courage to question what is happening rather than just accepting it, and we hope she is not put off always questioning as that is what a true investigation is all about.

After this demonstration the night drew to a close and the team begun packing which continued until beyond 1:30am.

Thank you to everyone who came along to this event. It was very difficult to organise and it wouldn’t have been half the event it was if it wasn’t for all the support we got from stallholders, the guests and the staff at the Bretby Conference Centre. If you were in the audience we really hope you can join us next year and would appreciate any productive feedback you can offer.