Interview with a Ghost Hunter

We've all seen the Ghostbusters movies and episodes of Most Haunted, but is staying up all night hunting ghosts in dark, dusty, damp buildings really as glamorous as it is on the tv? And just how common are conversations with the dead through seances and tapping noises?

We caught up with Steve and Susanne of The Official UK Shadow Seekers to find out what being a ghost hunter is really like...

How did you first get involved in Paranormal Investigations?

We like everyone, used to watch paranormal programs like Most Haunted etc. Then Steve (my husband) and I got a call one day from Steve's Mum saying she was getting "Them orb things you see on that program you watch" on her CCTV. So we called a local group in to try to capture them and whatever else on VCR. We then joined the group and became team members.

What is involved in conducting a Paranormal Investigation?

We set up 8, 0 lux cameras to see if we can capture paranormal activity as well as getting members involved with other experiments i.e. glass divination and automatic writing. We also gain information from our Mediums, all the time making sure everyone is safe and sound throughout the investigation.

How do you decide on venues to investigate?

Supposed paranormal activity and price, as we try to keep the prices as low as we can for our members. £25 - £30 if possible so you don't have to pay a fortune to go on an investigation.

What has been the most interesting venue you've investigated and why?

Our home venue the Roe Cross Inn in Mottram-In-Longendale, where we had glasses being thrown until a census was found and we discovered that there was a landlord missing from the list of tenants mentioned on a plaque in the pub. We had picked up on a name previously and this name matched. After that, no more poltergeist activity happened, but there are lots of things still happening there.

Is there one definitive piece of evidence that could convince you 100% that there is life after death?

Probably coming in contact with a family member telling us things that only we would know, as well as telling us about the other side.

Have any of your opinions or beliefs been changed by any experiences you've had during investigations?

Well yes, we've gone from sceptical believers to open minded believers. By that we mean we believe, but always willing to look at other possible causes for any phenomenon being experienced.

How does the reality of being a Paranormal Investigator differ from the glamorous portrayal on shows like Most Haunted?

They get activity every time, we don't. They finish about 2 am whereas we go on until 5 am, at which time you're dog tired and don't feel very glamorous. Many members have had theirs views changed once they have seen the difference.

What does the future hold for The Official UK Shadow Seekers?

Continued success hopefully. We are looking into haunted UK breaks to give people a chance to sleep in a haunted location. Also some of our team are moving abroad, so we are looking into haunted holidays too.

All this would be good but as long as the main aim of the group keeps going from strength to strength, and KEEPING THE PARANORMAL FRIENDLY, we will be happy.

Keller is EGL Magazine's editor. She has a degree in Writing which includes Journalism and has even hunted a few ghosts of her own!