The Fountain Inn
Forest of Dean
Sunday 17th February 2008
Equipment used: Wireless CCTV, Sony Camcorder, Digital Camera, Mp3 Recorder.
History
In the 18th century the iron ore industry in the Forest of
Dean diminished and the area saw an increase in coal mining which continued into the 20th Century. However, in the mid 1820’s ironworks were re-opened in Parkend (Currie, Herbert, Baggs & Jurica, 1996).
In the late 1780s the Forest
had in excess of 120 coal mines, the bulk of which were in Parkend and Ruardean Walks. However, the village itself developed later, with most of the housing being built after the reopening of the ironworks (Currie, et al., 1996).
In 1725, a dwelling was recorded at Parkend which may be the single property, shown in the 1770s, standing west of a bridge which carried the road linking Coleford with Purton and Gatcombe via Yorkley, across the brook (Currie et al., 1996). This site was then occupied by the Fountain Inn from 1841, a location used by several friendly societies during the mid 1850’s (Currie et al., 1996).
A very large area of land, which included the house that later became the Fountain Inn, was owned in 1776, by Thomas Barrow.
I contacted Michelle, the Landlady, about carrying out an investigation and she kindly agreed for it to take place. I left for the investigation on the date agreed.
It was a bitterly cold night with tempatures down to minus 3 and a crystal clear sky. I eventually found the inn after getting lost for a good 30 mins, and it was worth it just to see this beautiful inn backing on to the forest.
I met up with Michelle and she explained to me the rooms in which the activity took place. She had kindly only told me where the activity had been encountered and not what type of activity until after I had finished investigating each room. I concentrated on bedrooms 5,6 and 7 and the corridor which leads to these rooms. I set up the cctv system in all 3 rooms and locked off the camcorder in the corridor.
I watched the cctv for almost a hour and half with no joy. The cameras were not working as they usually do. Signal fluctuation was occurring with missing pictures. Whether it was paranormal or not I wasn't sure. I had been told by Michelle that the stairs where I was set up was a hotspot for battery failure with camcorders etc. Or could the reason simply be that the thick walls were making the signal poor. I did wire up a couple and had the same response which is strange as when the cameras are wired up you usually get a crystal clear picture.
I decided to pack the cctv away and do timed vigils in each area. The inn had now closed and Michelle was sat in the bar area downstairs.
I first spent a 30 minute period in room 7. Of all the rooms, this was supposed to be the most active. Apart from the central heating tapping in the corner it was quiet although there was a very strange atmosphere in the room.
I can't explain this feeling but if you carry out a number of investigations you seem to develop this sensitivity. Its like being a human transmitter for paranormal activity.
Next came room 6. This was quiet and I actually could have fallen asleep! The same had to be said for room 5. It was now about 0100.
I decided to sit in the dining area for 30 minutes and all was quiet once again. Next, I tried the kitchen and this was also quiet.
I then made my way back to the corridor upstairs. I had been told by Michelle that al ot of activity had been reported in the corridor and the bedrooms around 02.00. I sat in the corridor, switched the lights out and waited. I waited for about 45 minutes and experienced nothing, apart from hearing Michelle moving around downstairs, or so I thought!
I packed up my equipment and relayed to Michelle the results of the night. In passing, I laughed saying I just heard her moving around. She explained that she had not moved from the fireplace. This I found very odd as I had definately heard footsteps within the bar area.
I said goodbye and left. It was cold and I was tired.
Although there was no great activity I may bring the group back to see if more areas can be explored, hopefully capturing one of the many spirits that are supposed to haunt The Fountain Inn.
Email address=thefountaininn@aol.com
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