March 17th 2008 UPDATE!!

Sandwell Investigation:

On January the 18th, the W.M.G.C. conducted and investigation at the Sandwell Council Training Centre in Oldbury.  The event was organised by group member John Conway.

Over the years this former school has allegedly been the site of a number of ghostly encounters.  A piano has been heard playing in one particular room, but, upon investigation, it was discovered that the room was empty and the piano covered with a dust-sheet.

The figure of a little girl has been seen traversing a corridor outside the canteen area and - within the canteen itself - staff have seen the figure of a woman dressed in grey. 

Elsewhere in the property, the feeling of being followed has spooked cleaning staff and the figures of two 'caretaker-style' men - dressed in brown cowgowns - have been reported....

W.M.G.C. interest in the Training Centre generated a degree of media interest and articles concerning our visit appeared in a number of local newspapers.  Our investigation of the site was conducted (in part) in the presence of an Express and Star reporter.

Group members would like to extend a massive 'THANK YOU' to Lorraine Binsley for allowing us to visit the Centre.  Also, to the ever patient Mr Singh for looking after us on the night in question.

Warwickshire Investigation:  

On February the 16th, W.M. Ghost Club members paid an overnight visit to the historic Town Hall in Alcester, Warwks.  The investigation was arranged by John Conway.

The lower storey of the Town Hall was built in 1618 for the then Lord of the Manor, Lord Brooke-Fulke Greville.  The site was originally used as an open market place for traders, replacing the original market cross.  A basement prison known as 'The Hole' - used for jailing local offenders - is still extant in the building, it's original door hanging on the wall of the Town Hall entrance area.

In 1641, the timbered, upper room - with impressive hammerbeam roof - was added to the property.  The ground floor was enclosed during the Victorian period and rented out, being used as a fire station and local court........

With regards to resident 'ghosts', local legend has it that Sir Fulke Greville himself allegedly haunts the site.  (Seemingly sharing his time between a handful of properties, including Warwick Castle).  Less auspicious ghosts associated with the building are those of a small girl - heard crying in an empty, upstairs room - and that of an unidentified 'grey lady'.

One witness to peculiar activity at the Town Hall was working in the upstairs kitchen whilst expecting the arrival of a friend.  Having heard footsteps in the main hall, he opened the door and was surprised to find no one in the room.  Despite this, the footsteps appeared to continue across the floor, while the witness reported that it was noticeably cold and a sort of mist or fog hovered near the roof......

Despite being regarded as a no-nonsense, sensible man, the witness was sufficiently scared as to never go in the hall again on his own!

While having remained an - until now - 'undiscovered' haunted site, the Town Hall shares the same section of the village with some more, reasonably well known, sites.  Directly across the road stands the former 'Angel Inn' - a building of considerable 'haunted' repute.  Nearby St Nicholas' Church has also been the site of ghostly activity in the past, with - again - the apparition of the ubiquitous Sir Fulke Greville having put in an appearance during the early 20th Century!!

The W.M.G.C. would very much like to thank the people of Alcester - and in particular Vernon Munton and John Ross - for allowing us to visit their magnificent Town Hall.

Repeat Investigation:   

February the 22nd saw group members paying a re-visit to one of the regions most famous haunted hostelries:  the 3 Tuns in Sutton Coldfield.  The visit was arranged by Stevie Chew.

The W.M.G.C. first visited this site on Halloween night, 2000, with members of the 'Black Country Paranormal Society'.  (*A brief mention of the visit - plus brief update - can be viewed by clicking HERE).

The site is reputed to be haunted by the ghost of a Civil War period drummer boy, who is said to have been murdered in the cellar by Parliamentarian troops....  The current landlord has only been in the property for a matter of a few months, though he is already aware of his staffs dislike for for the cellar area.  His partner has also reported a feeling of being followed in an upstairs bedroom...

Steve Chew has recently been told by an ex-staff member that no one wanted to venture into the cellar because of a feeling of being followed or watched.  Other employees had reported the sensation of being touched on odd occasions and Steve's confidante had personally seen a pint glass slide along the bar of it's own accord.  Strangely, upon hitting the floor, the glass shattered about 4 seconds after impact....

Our visit of the 22nd was made with the help of Sutton Coldfield media students - Craig, Megan and Emily.

W.M.G.C. thanks go out to Rick and Rich of the 3 Tuns for allowing us to visit their historic hostelry.

Unnamed Investigation:

On Friday the 7th March, group members conducted an overnight investigation at a magnificent Midlands house - the name and location of which will remain undisclosed.  The visit was organised by John Conway.

People involved with the historic property concerned have frequently reported numerous, potential ghostly happenings - mainly comprising of poltergeist-like activity.

A number of years ago, a gentleman and his wife were locking the house up for the night when they heard two women 'whispering' in an empty room.  Around the same time, footsteps were heard traversing a corridor one morning when the building was completely empty save for the witness.

More recently, a plaque has been seen moving across a desk by two people before falling to the floor.  Other people have also reported seeing objects seemingly moving of their own volition and falling off shelves.

A monk-like figure has been seen on the main staircase - the general area around the stairs having been reported as having an adverse effect on security guard dogs at times.  Strange noises have been heard in the property, along with eerie feelings in certain parts of the building and a smell like rotting cabbage.  Quite recently, one person has reported being touched on the shoulder in an empty toilet......

Immeasurable W.M.G.C. thanks goes out to the management of the site concerned for allowing us to visit the property.  Also, a massive 'Thanks' to Barry and Gavin for being so accommodating during our visit.

Shropshire Encounter - Can You Help?

In late February, the Shropshire Star informed the W.M.G.C. of a recent, peculiar encounter just outside Telford.  Subsequently, the group was contacted by Tina Smart - wife of witness to the aforementioned incident, Garry Smart - who supplied us with a copy of their original e-mail to to the press.  The details are repeated below, in full:

"My name is Garry Smart I live in Trench and have done so for the past 37 years, which also gives away my age.  I have been married now nearly 18 years and have three children.  I work as a lorry driver. 

I have been on walks by the sugarbeet factory for around 30 plus years now, starting as young as I can remember with an uncle of mine and progressing into me rabbiting there when I was about 15 years old, then walks with my wife and children and dogs and continue to walk with my dogs to this present day, there has never been a set day or time that I walk there so was amazed to what I believe I saw on Sunday 24th February at 17.30pm.

I was walking by the sugarbeet factory, taking my two dogs for a walk, the pup who is aged 9 months began barking, the other dog didn't and I looked to see what he was barking at, therefore looking into the direction the pup was looking, which was towards my vehicle parked at approximately 20 feet from me.  I saw an elderly man that was wearing what looked to be a long gown used by farmers for milking the cows which was a sandy brown colour and a flat cap.  He appeared old but the face wasn't clear.  I said "alright" to him he looked towards me and continued to walk without acknowledging me, I thought how ignorant he had been.

I picked the pup up as he was still barking but couldn't see this man, I walked about 10 paces and looked in the direction the man had walked but he was nowhere to be seen. The man had been walking on a pathway used by farmers to get onto fields, there was a 6ft chain linked fence on one side and a small brook / stream on the other with a scattering of trees either side of the brook / stream. I believe if the man had gone in the direction of the trees you would have heard twigs break underneath his feet or the sound of the trees being moved whilst walking through them, there was no leaves on the trees. The path was straight - so to me it was a mystery as to where he may have gone without being seen.

Me and my wife are intrigued to know if anyone else has had this experience by the sugar beet factory? Does anyone know who this man maybe? Are there any photographs out there that we could see of this man, Is it an anniversary, i.e. birth, death or a place that this man loved or lived, any information would be greatly received. There were people ploughing in a nearby field over the other side of the railway would this have any bearings on this possible sighting".
 

Both Garry and Tina - and, indeed, the W.M.G.C. - are desperate to know whether anyone else is aware of such happenings within the region concerned?  Alternatively, do any of our visitors possibly have an idea of whether there is 'any' history of hauntings surrounding this general region?

Needless to say, any pertinent information on this matter can be sent in to the group via the contact details given on our index page.

Media Watch:

Once again, over the past few months, W.M.G.C. affairs and activities have featured in the local media a number of times.

*On December the 14th, group member Steve Chew appeared on the Danny Kelly Show (Radio W.M.) speaking on the subject of (so called) E.V.P. recordings.  Further Club appearances on the same show took place on January the 22nd and 23rd.

*On November the 29th, the Black Country Bugle printed an article (written by the W.M.G.C.) concerning the (now demolished) Blue Ball public house in Oldbury.

*News of our investigation at the Sandwell Council Training Centre appeared in the Express and Star, the Walsall Advertiser, the Halesowen News and on the Sandwell Council web site.             

*Details surrounding the group investigation of Alcester Town Hall appeared in the Alcester Chronicle and Redditch Advertiser in Mid-February.

*Our 3 Tuns investigation was featured in the Sutton Observer on February the 29th.

*And - finally - the Telford 'Spooky Farmer' incident resulted in a W.M.G.C. mention in the Shropshire Star in early March.

Our Thanks To:

*David Bourne (of Darlo.) - for his continued interest in the group, recent hospitality and for information received!

*Pauline Poole - for help and information received.

*'Robbo' - for pointing out the recent, glaring error on the forum!!!!  Many, many thanks!!!

*'Pete' and family - for allowing us to invade their home recently and for sharing their fascinating experiences with us!

 

December 15th 2007 UPDATE!!

A Haunted House 'Diary' - New Section: 

With this most recent update of our web site, the group has now launched a new 'diary' section, which will focus on the ongoing events occurring in the home of two of our group members - Steve and Claire Chew.  As of each subsequent update, the diary will be amended.... giving a unique and up-to-date insight into the intriguing events and occurrences experienced by the Chew family.

For full details of this fascinating case, please click 'HERE', or use the new header on our main, index page.

Staffordshire Investigation:

On October the 12th, W.M.G.C. members conducted an investigation at the Royal Air Force Association Flarepath Club in Tamworth.  The event was organised by Steve Chew.

Reported activity at this three storey, Georgian property include sightings of a woman in a long white night dress and experiences with the figure of a former employee.  While there is a strict ‘no smoking’ policy in the club, tobacco smoke has been frequently detected, along with the smell of perfume and – most strangely – ‘custard’!  

Bottles have seemingly smashed of their own accord and firmly closed doors opened by themselves, setting off burglar alarms.  The sound of change being mixed around in a till has been heard coming from an empty room, along with the noise of a man ‘coughing’ in the downstairs toilet.

A big W.M.G.C. thank you goes out to Roy and Kath Clay and also Emma Fletcher for allowing us to investigate their club.  A brief report of our investigation of the RAFA Club can be found on our ‘Blog’, attached to the group ‘MySpace’ site.

Warwickshire Investigation:

October the 19th saw lucky W.M.G.C. members carrying out an overnight investigation at Warwick Castle.  The event was organised by Steve Chew, with the kind help of B.B.C. Radio W.M. D.J., Danny Kelly.

Over recent years, the impressive fortress of Warwick Castle has become the focus of numerous investigations organised by commercial ‘ghost hunting’ businesses.  However, as far as the W.M.G.C. have recently been informed, we are the only ‘independent’ research society to have been granted free access to this site.   

On our investigation, we were accompanied by D.J. Danny Kelly - and the resulting sound / interview footage was aired on Radio W.M. on October the 28th.

Needless to say, the group is indebted to Warwick Castle for allowing us this unique opportunity and extend a considerable nod of gratitude to our guide for the night, Paul!!  Also, a big ‘CHEERS MATE’ goes to Danny Kelly for his invaluable input on this venture!

Once again – a brief version of our investigation report can be accessed via our ‘MySpace Blog’.

Leicestershire Investigation:

On October the 26th, group members paid a night-time visit to the site of ‘Bosworth Battle Field’ in Sutton Cheney.  The visit was organised by John Conway.

Despite being a most attractive and serene spot, a great many believe that the affairs conducted at this site in 1485 have left more than a few ‘echoes’ in their wake…..  According to author John Brookes, the battlefield is haunted by a phantom horseman and the figure of a headless foot soldier.  The area concerned has played host to a number of paranormal investigations.    

Walsall Investigation: 

On Halloween, group members paid a long overdue visit to Rushall - on the outskirts of Walsall - in search of the (somewhat elusive) ghost of the ‘Grey Lady’……

As regulars to this site may know, the group took considerable interest in this particular area in May of this year, after being introduced to the subject by  local historian, Diane Wilkes.  A subsequent press appeal resulted in an impressive response from the general public and a considerable amount of information was duly reported to the Club.

During our Halloween visit, we were gratified to find that recent press coverage of this event had stirred the interest of other, (Willenhall based) ‘Ghost Hunters’, who had also visited the area for the evening……!!!

Wolverhampton Investigation:

November the 3rd found W.M. Ghost Club members carrying out an investigation of Madam Clarke’s Coffee House in King Street, Wolverhampton.  The investigation was organised by John Conway.

Reported activity at this most charming building includes the movement of objects – tins falling off shelves, etc – and an impressive amount of inexplicable noises.  The sound of children ‘giggling’ has been heard, along with the sound of objects seemingly smashing, loud bangs, muffled speech and names of staff members being called out. 

A ‘Grey Lady’ – as well as other shadowy figures – have been seen on the stairs of the property and footsteps frequently heard.  Along with regular  feelings of being watched, one staff member also reports having had her ‘bottom pinched’ – leaving a noticeable bruise!    

The W.M.G.C. would like to extend their gratitude to Michael and Alexandra Perkins for allowing us to investigate their lovely Coffee House.  Thanks also to Alex again, along with Tracey, Anne-Marie, Charlotte, Kelly and Sarah, for their warm company during our investigation.

'Unnamed' Investigation:

On November the 8th, W.M.G.C. members paid a return visit to an unnamed site which has previously played host to three group visits.  (22nd of December (2006), January the 19th and February the 2nd 2007).

The site concerned has a fascinating (potential) ghostly history, spanning back at least four decades.  Reported incidents include sightings of figures in 'ancient' period costume; physical assaults by invisible assailants and a wide range of poltergeist-like activity.  During our previous visit to the site, W.M.G.C. members experienced some peculiar 'noise' related activity in one of the buildings attached to the property.......

While the bulk of our recent visit passed without event, investigators Simon and Claire were sitting in the site car park when the reversing sensor of their vehicle suddenly indicated that there was 'something' behind the car.....  Only moments later, a definite, solitary 'tap' noise was heard on the rear window of the vehicle........?

Staffordshire Investigation #2

On November the 16th, W.M.G.C. members visited an ecclesiastical site in Staffordshire - and it's immediate, surrounding environs - which will remain unnamed for the present.  Group members first learned of alleged happenings at the site concerned via our friend, the Rugeley based author, Carol Arnall.

Sightings of a monk-like figure have been associated with the area outside the property concerned, having been (most recently) seen by a passing motorist.  The gentleman described the figure he saw as being bare headed and decidedly 'miserable looking'......  Certainly not the stereotypical image that people tend to associate with such characters.  Group members were also recently contacted by a witness who saw a similar figure - though this one was wearing a hood over his head - standing in a patch of marshy ground near to the site concerned.....  

As a footnote to this story, copies of Carol Arnalls books 'Eerie Happenings' and 'Mystical Happenings' can be obtained via the www.lulu.com online publishing site.  Just visit the site and type the names of the books into the search engine........

News Watch:

West Midlands Ghost Club activities have recently featured in a number of media related sources, including:

*Walsall Advertiser – Oct. 4th and Oct. 25th.

*Chase Post – Oct. 11th and Oct. 18th (x2).

*Solihull Times – Oct. 31st.

*Solihull News – Nov. 1st.

*Staffordshire County Magazine – October Edtn.

*Birmingham Post (Weekend Suppl. Magazine) – Oct. 20th

*A two page article concerning W.M.G.C. members Steve and Claire Chew (see launch of our new Haunted House 'Diary’ section mentioned below) appeared in the Sunday Mirror Magazine on Oct. 28th.

*Over recent weeks, the Club has received considerable air-time on local B.B.C. W.M. Radio, including:  the Danny Kelly Show on Oct. 17th, 21st and 28th and the Phil Upton Show on Oct. 10th.  A feature involving our recent investigation of Warwick Castle was also broadcast on Oct. 28th.

*The W.M.G.C. also featured in an interview on (National) B.B.C. 'Radio 5 Live' on Oct. 29th.  

News In Brief:

Whose Space?:  While still very much in it’s infancy as yet, the W.M.G.C. have just set up a MySpace site, which can be found at:  www.myspace.com/westmidlandsghostclub

Please do feel free to visit us, add us to your friends or just leave a comment.  The ‘Blog’ section of the MySpace page will also stand to serve as a host for our 'Investigation Reports' from now on.

Can You Help?: While slightly 'off-topic' for this site, the W.M.G.C. would like to take time to draw our visitors attention to the plight of the historic, St. Johns Church in Kates Hill, Dudley, which is currently under threat of demolition.

Please take time to visit the 'Save St Johns' appeal web site and see if you might lend your support in some way(?):

http://www.savestjohnschurch.zoomshare.com/

Obituary: W.M.G.C. members were recently saddened to hear of the death of local paranormal researcher and author, Barrie Roberts, who passed away this Summer.

Thanks To:

*All of the many correspondents who have sent us details of their encounters / stories over recent months.

*Craig Winyard (As Always!!!) - for showing unerring, continual interest in the affairs of the W.M.G.C. 

*Tracey Sharman - for recently drawing our attention to the Factory Ghost, and for being a dedicated site 'regular' for so long!

 

 

September 15th 2007 UPDATE!!

South Staffordshire Investigation:

On Saturday the 14th of July, W.M.G.C. members conducted an investigation at the Glynne Arms public house in Himley.  The visit was organised by Dean Steadman.

While the general Himley area would seem to play host to a considerable amount of ghostly activity - phantom cavaliers, grey ladies and so on - the famous 'Crooked House' hostelry has, until quite recently, never been widely 'known' as a site of paranormal interest....  However, current staff members tell us that the property would  actually seem to be the home of a number of ghosts - including those of a soldier, a mysterious male figure accompanied by a dog, a murdered servant and a young orphan girl.....

On the night in question, 2 WMGC members experienced an inexplicable 'bang' on a nearby door, while video recordings made in the Ladies Toilet area appeared to contain the voice of a young girl saying: "Mommy"......

Repeat Investigation:

Saturday the 30th of June saw group members pay a return visit to one of our favourite investigation sites - the Manor House in Stone Cross, West Bromwich.   The visit was arranged by Frazer Smith.

As regulars to this web site will know, this property has become something of a 'pet project' to WMGC members.  Over the past 2 - 3 years, the club has conducted in excess of 15 overnight investigations here.....

During this recent visit, researchers witnessed a peculiar change in light levels in the Function Room area of the building, as well as one group member seemingly 'feeling someone brush past him' as he climbed the solar staircase.  Video recordings made in the kitchen area of the property contained some inexplicable sounds of 'movement' seemingly coming from a nearby corridor.......

South Staffordshire Investigation #2:

On September the 1st, members from the 'West Midlands Ghost Club' and Forum, the 'Black Country Paranormal Society' and the 'South Staffordshire Ghost Club' converged on Cannock Chase for an informal 'ramble' into the unknown......

Over the years, this area has allegedly played host to a plethora of peculiar happenings, ranging from UFO activity, sightings of Alien Big Cats, various 'Hairy Hominid' type creatures - as well as a considerable amount of more standard, 'ghost-like' encounters.

During our recent 'invasion' of the Chase, attendee's visited two particular sites which have been associated with potentially paranormal activity.  The area around the German Cemetery has recently featured in the local press a number of times, having been linked to both 'werewolf-type' sightings, as well as alleged encounters with a floating, female apparition....  Similarly, a section of road - situated a short distance away at Spring Slade Lodge - has also supposedly been the site of an experience with a 'female ghost'.

To round off our visit to the Chase, attendees later took a walk around the nearby ancient monument of Castle Ring.  This area has previously been linked to occult activity, UFO sightings and numerous experiences with a monk-like ghost.

With regards to future research events on the Chase, the W.M.G.C. have recently received a phone call from a representative of the cryptozoological society Beastwatch UK, who are apparently planning investigations for the near future.  Interested parties should watch their site www.beastwatch.co.uk for further news.

Finally - a big 'Thank You' to all who chose to 'throw caution to the wind' and attend our get-together.  'Adventurers all......', as Dr. Richard Markway would have said......

Mini Investigations / Visits:

On August the 31st, group member - the intrepid Steve Chew - paid a night-time visit to the beautiful Pentre Ifan dolmen in Dyfed.  Regarded as the most popular megalithic site in Wales, the 3,500 yr old site was once known as 'Arthurs Quoit' and, most unusually, is oriented North / South.  While no ghosts have actually been reported at Pentre Ifan, it is a notorious place for fairy sightings.  According to local legend, they are described as looking like 'little children with red caps, dressed in soldiers clothes.....'

As always, our roving investigator Len Jackson has been travelling the length and breadth of the country in his spare time over the past few months.  Recent ports of call for this much travelled investigator include York (said to be the most haunted City in England?), Matlock and Hartington. 

August the 26th saw Club members Frazer Smith and Dean Steadman spending a few hours patrolling the grounds of Rufford Abbey in Nottinghamshire.  While the Abbey itself is apparently the private domain of one, particular local based group, the allegedly haunted parklands surrounding the building is open to the general public.  Rufford has developed a considerable ghostlore over recent decades, with - unsurprisingly - reports of phantom monks being seen in the area.  During the early 20th Century, one witness is said to have supposedly died of fright after such an encounter.......  

Our continuing research into the 'Grey Lady of Rushall' in Walsall has inspired many visits to the region throughout the late Spring and Summer months, with an investigation of the area planned for mid-Autumn.  After our (May) press appeals for information on this subject, an excellent response was received by the group - including a number of eye-witness accounts.  Our appeal also drew the attention of BBC Radio WM, resulting in an outside broadcast interview with group member Nick Duffy, which was subsequently aired throughout May 30th.  More on this intriguing matter to follow shortly....... 

New Publication:

Rugeley author Carol Arnall has recently finished her new booklet entitled 'Eerie Happenings'.  A good friend to the W.M.G.C. for a number of years now, Carol is easily the most prolific, independent author on the subject of Midlands ghosts and hauntings, with the above mentioned title being her 7th such publication. 

Previous titles include:  Mystical Staffordshire / Ghostly Staffordshire / Staffordshire Hauntings / Haunted Staffordshire / Mystical Occurrences and the omnibus edition of these previous titles (with news stories added) Mystical Happenings.   

Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of Eerie Happenings - or perhaps sending in a story and helping to contribute to Carols next project - can contact her by writing to: cas.arnall@ntlworld.com  

In The Media:

Over recent months, W.M. Ghost Club activities have featured in a number of media related sources.

The group has recently been mentioned in:

May 30th saw Radio W.M. conduct an interview with group member Nick Duffy, concerning our research into a particular apparition known as 'The Grey Lady Of Rushall' in Walsall.  (*Mentioned above).

On July the 24th, Steve Chew appeared on the Danny Kelly Show (also Radio W.M.) during a 'live ghost hunt' at Dudley Castle.  Steve also appeared on the Danny Kelly show again on September the 13th.  (Busy beggar!!)

Group member Nick Duffy has also recently supplied information for inclusion in a forthcoming book on UFO activity in the Midlands area.

 South Staffordshire Investigation #3:

On September the 14th, W.M.G.C. members conducted a brief investigation of the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield.  The visit was organised by Steve Chew.

While the current building is of comparatively recent construction, it stands on the site of a previous theatre.  Staff reported a number of inexplicable happenings to W.M.G.C. members, including the inexplicable movement of objects in certain parts of the property, sightings of shadowy figures, the sound of womens footsteps in the stage area and feelings of being physically pushed and touched.  Radio WM D.J. Malcolm Boyden was sitting alone,  inside the theatre mixing room one night when the door to the booth flew open and a pile of papers on his desk were thrown into the air.......

W.M.G.C. thanks goes out to the Garrick staff members who kindly gave their time and accompanied us on our visit.  further investigations of the site are pending....

As Always.......:

A mighty big 'THANK YOU' to all of the people - too numerous to mention individually - who have helped the WMGC over recent months.... be it through advice, information / cases received and so on.  

An equally big 'NO THANKS' to the few snipers, prank-callers and general time wasters, who chose to try and make to running of the W.M.G.C. feel just that little less rewarding.

One 'gentleman' in particular - who conveniently chooses to hide behind pseudonyms (and strange looking puppets!?) - certainly deserves a mention.  Despite never having had any dealings whatsoever with the W.M.G.C., he is seemingly happy to criticise both the general group, our web page and verbally abuse specific members by name on his own site.  Quite typically for this type of person, he subsequently appears wholly unable to reply to e-mails which have been sent to him regarding the above mentioned matter.

The ultimate irony in this situation however is the simple fact that - despite his evident, unwarranted problems with our group - he has, over a number of years been happily making a 'considerable amount of money' from ghost stories that the W.M.G.C. donated to the commercial venture he is now in control of........

Hmm - a more perfect case of back stabbing, 'double standards' would be hard to find, we imagine.... ??