NGI

The Slaters Arms

We had an invite from a local pub in Darlington - The Slaters Arms - to conduct an overnight investigation on the premises. This is something that came about due to the pub being (one of!) the locals of resident NGIer Dell, who had himself experienced activity within the pub on some of his previous visits.

One episode inparticular prompted Dell to make enquiries as to whether NGI would be allowed to investigate the pub. Just a few weeks prior to the investigaton, Dell visited the toilets and upon leaving - spotted the dark-shadowed figure of a lady sat in the back-room of the pub. It was one of those moments that just make a person stop, make a double-take and ask yourself  : "WTF was that!!?!!?". The figure faded away almost immediately after Dell witnessed it.

Location: The Slaters Arms, Darlington

Date: 29 / 7 / 09 (morning 30 / 7 / 09) - 11.30pm - 5am

NGI - Claire, Jay, Mark, Dell, Bekki
Guests - Bren (Landlord), John

The Building

Approximate age: It has been a pub for 250 years but the building is older

Building material: Red brick walls, carpeted flooring.

External noise: Situated close to a main road. Minimal traffic at this time of night but still the occasional car.

External weather: Humid but still

In the doorway to the male toilet, Claire felt as though her throat was constricting slightly and she was having to take deep breaths. Bekki was standing next to her at the time and she said her heart was racing.

In the 'living room' upstairs Claire picked up (in her minds eye) on the image of an older woman with grey hair wearing a small hat with a black gauze type veil/net over the top half of her face stood in the doorway. Claire smelt and felt a 'warmth like ironing/laundry' from her.

In the front small bedroom with the bunkbed next to the PC room, Claire again felt her throat constrict and took deep breaths. There was a PC in the room next to it which was running the CCTV setup.

Jay, Claire and John explored the 2 lofts after the landlord (Bren) and some members of the team had been looking for a 'lost' floor after looking at the outside of the building.

Dell showed Claire where he had experienced the 'Shadow' who he felt was a 'lady', however Claire never experienced/felt anything in that room (back bar) throughout the investigation.