The
Ghost Detective, also known as Gary Goldthorpe, is dedicated to
investigating paranormal activity in and around York. He took time
out of his ghost-bustingly tight schedule to answer some questions.
How
did you get into investigating ghosts?
"I
started doing ghost walks and then realised I actually wanted to
find out whether the stories were true, so I went and asked the
people who lived in the places where ghosts had been sighted.
"I
wanted to find out the facts. I then joined an organisation called
the Ghost Club (formed 1862) to investigate ghosts and have taken
part and organised overnight vigils in haunted places.
"The
equipment you need is a good quality recording device (a tape or
minidisc recorder), temperature sensor probes and an electromagnetic
frequency detector."
When
did you see your first ghost?
"The
first time I ever saw something that I couldn't explain was in the
summer of 1997 at Barley Hall in York. I saw a shaft of blueish-white
light that shouldn't have been there in a gloomy corridor. It appeared
for a few moments and then disappeared.
"I
like to take a scientific approach to ghost hunting and am naturally
very sceptical. But I have seen unexpected activity on the instruments."
What's
your favourite scary film?
"The
original 1960s version of The Haunting."
Do
you have a favourite York ghost story?
"The
story in the virtual tour above about the Bedern area of York and
the evil Mr Pimm."
The
scariest place in York is...
"The
Tax Office."
What's
your top tip for wannabee ghost detectives?
"The
easiest way to get into ghost investigation is to get a good quality
recording device (a tape recorder or md recorder). Leave it in a
quiet place which you think may be haunted and record for an hour
or so. Then listen to it with the volume turned up as high as it
will go.
"People
have done this and discovered voices or sounds in the recording
that should not be there.
"Obviously,
make sure you are safe and not going round these deserted places
alone - also make sure your recording equipment is not at risk."
What
would you say to sceptics?
"It
is healthy to be sceptical, but not a good idea to poo-poo everything
out of hand.
"You
have to have an open mind, it is not a good idea to dismiss everything
- you don't always know what's out there!"
The Ghost Detective will also answer to the name Gary Goldthorpe
