Burnley Town Hall and Cells
Burnley Town Hall
Cell writing
Crown Court Steps
Victorian Police Holding Cells
Victorian Police Cell
Burnley Town Hall
Burnley Town Hall
Victorian Police cell toilet
Old cell
body store
The following report was kindly provided by Matt Ravenscroft from Burnley Borough Council
Recently, the Town Hall played hosts to a night visit from Clitheroe Paranormal Investigations, who were kind enough to allow me to tag along as they staked out the building for signs of otherwordly activity.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the group, but was pleasantly surprised to discover a group with very mixed views – some were sceptic, some open-minded and some ‘sensitive’ - seemingly able to see and interact with the realm of spirits.
Add into this mix of people some sophisticated equipment, night vision cameras, emf detectors and a raft of video equipment, and you have a balanced and serious investigative team. No sign of the theatrical histrionics of the t.v. shows here – the level headed and challenging approach was most refreshing.
With the equipment set up and head torches on, the team descended to the cells under the Town Hall, ably guided by Major’s Assistant, David Farrar.
As we proceeded, Dave filled in historic, and at times, grisly details around the use of the cells and the mortuary that used to be in regular use under the Town Hall. The group held sessions in some of the cells and during one of these, Anne, who is psychically sensitive, felt the presence of two little girls, aged 10 and 11. They were very sad and this was clearly upsetting for Anne. Dave confirmed that it is recorded that children were held in the cells.
Along a dark gated off section, myself and some others heard unusual soft clicks. I can’t say what they were, but they seemed to correspond with requests for contact from any presences. Dave unlocked the gate and the area was thoroughly investigated without showing any cause for this. Of course, this didn’t amount to proof of anything, but was intriguing none the less.
In this same section, an number of people, on separate occasions and apparently without discussion between themselves, heard noises coming from a locked cell. As the cell belonged to Legal Services, we couldn’t unlock it, but perhaps someone from Legal can go and check what it is that’s in there? Do let us know!
Another unusual thing happened, where two small gold baubles ‘fell from the air’ down another darkened passage. It was certainly surprising and unusual and I wondered if the Christmas Fairy was playing a joke on us! Seriously though, such ‘apports’, as they are called, are not an uncommon paranormal phenomena, but I cannot say on this occasion if this was a prank or not as there were a number of people in the vicinity.
I had to leave just after 11pm as the group were starting the next section of their investigations. I hope to be able to update you on the rest of their visit and the technical results the group obtained in the next Council People.
In the meantime, for a small fee, the group will take guests on some of their visits – there is one to Turf Moor in the near future. You can get details from their website www.clitheroeparanormal.com which has lots of info on it.