NGI

Name: Mark Smith (doktor_phibes)

Age: 38

NGI job title: Paranormal Investigator, General Dogsbody

Skeptic or Believer: I've a skeptical way of looking at everything, but believe that paranormal events occasionally happen.

Favourite location: Bran Castle - Transylvania (oo get me, I've been to Transylvania). If we're talking this county then I suppose I'd go for Chillingham Caslte.

Favourite paranormal evidence: The Famous 'Brown Lady of Raynham Hall' Photo and The Enfield Poltergeist. As for personal 'evidence' it would have to be the three instances of Poltergiest activity that I experienced in my home as a teenager. These invoved a 'teleporting' book, closing curtains and a disappearing pen.

Since joining NGI I always seem to be in the next room when it all kicks off. I was next door during the Schooner 'Dancing' Wardrobe incident so I only heard it, I was next door when Jay saw his 'Ghost' and only caught the aftermath and I was on the floor below in the Golden Fleece when Carol was 'attacked' by another wordrobe smashing her in the face. I couldn't fail to hear the screams from all who witnessed it though. 

Why investigate the paranormal? Was fed up of reading about other peoples paranormal encounters over the years, and wanted some of my own. Oh and it great fun to get out with a crazy group of likeminded people such as NGI.

Name: Jay

Age: 40

NGI job title: Part Time Slacker

Skeptic or Believer: Impossible to say. I'm as giddy as a Schoolgirl with a crush on Sir when faced with some things I've experienced before the "Hold On There Tiger" mentality kicks in and I blame dust. Its always dust. Remember that. Even if your head's being bit off by a transvestite demonic entity - its only dust - so don't worry about it.

Favourite location: Castle Keep. I just like castles, forget about any ghosts. Castles are cool.

Favourite paranormal Experience: Number one would have to be the infamous "dancing wardrobe" up at the Schooner. Heralded initially by the Schooner Growl within room 29, the wardrobe then tipped forward by itself before slamming back into the wall before rocking and tipping about on its 4 short legs. Shortly after, it repeated its trick and then finished off with "bangs" on the top as though somebody was slapping the palms of their hands on the wood.

Second up would be the Ghost of Doktor Phibes at the Tontine. I bumped into a dark figure in the Bistro area which in the dark room had the same shape and dimensions as fellow NGIer Mark (Dok). Being polite, I stopped and waved my hand ahead of me to let him go first which "Mark" did and I walked behind him, talking to his back. Then, the door to the room opened, shedding in light and into the room walked .... Mark. WTF??? The dark figure continued to walk ahead before slowly disapating.

Why investigate the paranormal? Gives me something to do. I'd be robbing old ladies if I didn't do this. The paranormal saved me from the streets, I owe it a lot. Oh, and I'm an Indianna Jones wannabee wanting to boldly go where no man has gone before. Even though that was Jim Kirk. I'm him too.

Name: Angela (AprilButterfly)

Age: 35

NGI job title: Fledgling Medium, Spiritual Healer & Paranormal Investigator

Skeptic or Believer: Believer in the paranormal/spirit world

Favourite location: anywhere which is believed to be haunted

Favourite paranormal evidence: The table tipping incident at 'The Golden Fleece, York.' Where the table actually went onto two legs and walked over to the window with 8 people around it and all squashing together as the table made its way past a four poster bed and wardrobe to get to the window.

Why investigate the paranormal? As a child I had seen the ghost of Anne Bronte, and have always had that same interest in meeting up face to face with other paranormal figures, and to prove that paranormal activities do occur.

Name: Anth (Anth)

Age: 35

NGI job title: Paranormal Investigator, part time techie.

Skeptic or Believer: Bit of both to be honest. I think the paranormal is a certainty. Whether its great aunt Mable is doubtfull.

Favourite location: Busby Stoop Inn

Favourite paranormal evidence: Evidence? what evidence?

Why investigate the paranormal? Someones got to keep these guys in check.

Name: MarkN

Age: 42

NGI job title: Paranormal Investigator

Skeptic or Believer: I straddle the fence, so to speak. Sceptical about any evidence, but open to the possibilities..
Favourite location: Anywhere with a bit of atmosphere, even if it’s only the historical type, and not paranormal. Sunderland Air Museum has both, allegedly. I like castles too, because if any places are likely to have gone through the full range of emotions through the centuries, it’s them. And if there’s any chance that these feelings become imprinted in the building, to manifest as paranormal incidents, I want to be there.

Favourite paranormal evidence: A disappearing bulb from a lamp in my bedroom. It was there in the morning, working. It was gone in the evening, as in disappeared, vanished. No-one (living) had touched it. No explanation ever found.

I also feel a bit sensitive sometimes, so might become aware of a change in atmosphere, whatever the cause may be (which is debatable..) and have had a few incidents that whilst strange and sometimes a bit unnerving, like most things paranormal, can be explained rationally the next day.

Why investigate the paranormal? Because it exists, just outside of our grasp, only reaching out to us rarely to tease and beckon us to investigate further…and because it means I get to spend time with like-minded people, do some research, and learn about history along the way. And I also get to learn how we humans react when in these unusual situations, which has always interested me.

Name: Mad Carol, or just plain Carol will do.

Age: Over 21 & under 55

NGI job title: Paranormal Investigator and part time screamer.

Skeptic or Believer: I swing both ways (ooh Matron). I've experienced too many eerie and odd things over the years, which at the time couldn't be explained scientifically, even though my Mrs. Spock logical head was telling me otherwise. So I'm on a mission to find some answers, but have to admit, I'm desperate to see a fully fledged ghostie !!!

Favourite Location: Bolton Castle and Chillingham Castle, both VERY atmospheric location's. They were your typical Hammer House of Horror stuff, came with Bats, full Moon and a real life Earl. All that was needed to top it off was old Christopher Lee lurking in the shadows.

Favourite paranormal evidence: A wardrobe door smacking me in the face (literally) at the Golden Fleece in York, and my legs been taken from under me (no NOT drunk) at Springwell Railway Museum. But my favourite evidence involves a lamp and its bulb, which is in my kitchen. The light bulb seemed to spring, or you could say "jumped" out of its socket (with some force and witnessed by my Mum) followed by the smell of Gangrene and disinfectant. The reason it's odd is that my Father-in-Law had died a week beforehand and my Husband had been down to Rotherham to clear the house out. From his Dad's house he brought back a box of spare light bulbs. Prior to the incident with the "jumping" light bulb we had no spare bulbs in our house at all, so the only replacement bulb we could use was his Dad's. As for the smell of Gangrene and disinfectant that followed ...... my Father-in-Law had Gangrene in his left leg and it was bathed in disinfectant.

Why investigate the paranormal: Simple **** to see if there IS a life after death !!!

Name: Mark Wegg (Abaddon)

Age: 40

NGI job title: Empathic Sensitive, Investigator

Skeptic or Believer: Believer however remains open minded to the rational

Favourite location: Edinburgh Vaults/Covenanters Prison

Favourite paranormal evidence: Personal one- exploding lightbulbs and thrown items when "conversing" with an unpleasant spirit..location secret

Why investigate the paranormal? As a sensitive am interested in sorting the wheat from the chaff.