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The most fascinating place I have visited for a while. It is a very dark place (as in dark and light) during the daytime.
Upon entering the Galleries of Justice, you are issued with a ticket that has a number appended. This number correlates to various information sites around the Galleries of Justice, relating to specific people incarcerated there in past times. The information relating to this number does alter at various points of the Galleries.
Apparently, the exercise yard has bodies buried underneath it - although I am not sure how many.
I managed to capture numerous possible orbs during my daytime visit, one particularly bright one you can see on this page.
"orb"
The Criminal Court daytime
(note the orbs)
"the night cell"
(during the day!)
You will read more about the gaoler's area later on, but here are a couple of random pictures taken during my daytime visit, that I will be referring to...
"The Gaoler's area"
"stocks to the side of the gaoler's area"
Night vigil - 31.10.2005:
This vigil was organised by the Galleries of Justice.
We began the evening in what I believe to be known as the Civil Court, with stories of the meaning of Halloween and a bit about the Galleries generally, courtesy of one of the guides called Margaret.
Usually on the overnight vigils, the Police Station and Narrow Marsh are not open for investigations. However, as a local radio station was present at the time, whereupon we had to wait until they were done, this option was duly extended to us this very night.
The Police Station:
I began my Dictaphone recording in the Police Station. Early on I did seem to pick up on a voice seeming to say “I need you to come…”. What this was I do not know, as I cannot remember anyone in the group saying these words at the time of the vigil walk around. I had to listen to the recording several times, otherwise it would have been missed, as the apparent “voice” on the tape was very low, almost whisper like. Whether this can be pinned down to being EVP I do not know. It would be interesting to hear from anyone having vast experience in this particular area. Any feedback welcome…
The Medium seemed to link in with a man behind the desk, coming through as PC Williams.
On asking about the history to the Police Station, Hazel, one of the guides, advised that in 1905 it was the original police station headquarters for the County Police. She then went onto say that prior to this there was another police station on this particular site and just before this it used to be a garden area where the judges would walk around while they were staying across the road. Margaret, the other guide with us, also advised that before use of the gardens there had been a public house on site, known as “The Castle”.
Moving around the Police Station, we stopped in an area referred to as the Victorian cell where 2-3 people would have been held in past-times. We then moved into the museum side (long corridor and display cabinets) of the Police Station. It was here that the Medium linked in with a man apparently pacing up and down, feeling that it was some kind of officer and our Medium felt as if he just wanted to pace with him. The Medium said that it felt really uncomfortable, he was experiencing a sick feeling and felt this link was with a man of authority. The name “Hutchinson” became apparent. The Medium was also picking up on handcuffs and the fact that the link with this apparent spirit felt evil - when looking at his boots all he was seeing was blood, he said that it did not feel right.
Down the far end of the museum as we were proceeding along that area, there were what I can only describe as a row of spikes (see picture).
note the orb just above the girl's hair
"the spikes"
orb
lots of orbs...
When asking Hazel if they were original, she said that they would actually have been here or that they had been moved from another part, but they were in that specific vicinity. The Medium then went onto say he was picking up on a body hanging from the spikes previously mentioned – it was as though someone had attempted to escape. The date of 1946 was coming through as a link and when asking Hazel if it has been operational at this time, she confirmed that it would have been a Police Station at that time. The Medium then linked in with another name of Martin (surname only – no Christian name was provided). The Medium then asked Hazel if there had been a structure in the parole yard area that we were presently in, as he was sensing a building but did not know what the building was, describing it only as some type of toilet block outside or something along those lines. He just could not make sense of it. The Medium then went onto say that “Martin” felt like the one that might have tried to escape (see comment above) and that the “spirit” was talking about 1977. This was interpreted by the Medium as a key point, perhaps the station was in the process of closing down at that time, it was as if it was the beginning of the relocation of people to other areas. However, it is unsure whether this information ties in with records held by the Galleries of Justice. (Something to research…) Nothing else was picked up on the Dictaphone or experienced by me.
Next Area:
This is a relatively new area to the Galleries of Justice. The name of the room escapes me at this present moment in time, but to identify it, if visiting, it is the one with the outline of a body on the floor. I believe it is still part of the Police Station.
Here, the Medium links in with a lady, whom he feels is not a police woman but more like that of a prisoner, the name being given here is Elizabeth – “but they called me Betsy”. She was apparently linking in with the Medium and talking about stealing groceries. He got the impression that she was quite a present lady, getting the year 1960. The Medium also senses a piece of machinery whirring around in the background and the need to process photographs and went onto say that he had never been in this particular area before.
He was also linking in with a group of people talking about “no he didn’t do it” and felt this group would have tried to set others up, frame them for the wrong reasons and our Medium thought this would actually have been the case based on what he was picking up on. One member of our group asked the Medium what this group of people would have been wearing and in response was told that he was being taken back into the 1800’s and the dress was very dark, drab, it’s very prim and proper – uniform wise, it’s not like today’s uniform, it’s not modern. He went onto say that “it’s like I want to set people up for things”.
Bathroom/Cell Area:
Here our Medium picks up on a rapist who feels really proud of what he’s done and says that it is the only thing that is coming across to him. Our Medium does not know who this man is, but was sensing the name of Anthony or Tony and went onto say that “I know money must have crossed my palm because I’ve got money coming into my hand all the time”. Other things being picked up on here were the sense of "stripping people of all their stuff" and when looking at the sink, the feeling of spitting teeth out there. Our Medium went onto say that there appeared to be no rules, there was nothing, it was literally “if you got beat up you would get beat up” and no one cared in here, also the feeling of being really tearful and whatever was done, no-body battered an eyelid.
The Medium was sensing that whatever was being picked up on in this area was not recent and was going back to around the 1940’s. When he looked at the shower type unit, all he was seeing was blood in there. He was also getting a sense of hustle and bustle going off and the feeling of never being alone in this area.
Narrow Marsh:
Not having been in Narrow Marsh in the daytime, I do not know its actual size. In the dark, it seems vast. It has various rooms set up, leading off of the main entrance area.
I did not personally pick up on much in this area. That said, a lot of "orbs" were detectable on camera.
steps leading down to the exercise yard and Narrow Marsh... note the 2 "orbs"...
one of our Mediums picking up on a small child in the area she is pictured standing in...
note "orbs" to the top left of the lamp; above cupboard area; above "money" sign and to the right of the man's head (approximately in the 2 'o'clock position using the area around his head as guidance)...
Criminal Court:
The name of John Armstrong apparently originating from Pleasley Vale and facing an alleged case of arson was picked up on in here by the Medium. Apparently, in past times, the Judge had bodies laid on the table where the barristers etc would have sat. It is known that there is an apparent tendency to pick up on temperature changes around this area.
This is a dark room in the daytime and even darker at night and gives an impression of being watched from the balcony areas. The possibility of “corner of the eye” situations could arise under these circumstances. That said, when picking up on the “being watched” feeling and immediately aiming the camera in that direction, most of the pictures did detect “orb” shapes.
When replaying my dictaphone a breath type sound was detected, together with a noise sounding like something being dropped, a “chink” like sound. Nothing was apparent to this effect in the room at the time of the recording. Whether this can be deemed paranormal, I do not know. I am keeping my interpretations open due to the fact there are windows in this room, although they are higher up from where the sounds were detected and there are stairs leading down to the cell area – again, this is an open space where possible drafts etc can emanate to and from. The “chink” like sound – I have no idea…
I leave this with the reader to interpret how they will…
orb
orb
orb
orb
"Orbs" above the clock and in the lighter panel - the Medium picked up on a lady and gentleman during this stage of the vigil...
large "orb" above the door archway near the pillars...
"orb" on middle pillars, right side nearest clock and just above clock...
This picture was taken when the feeling of being watched was sensed. As you can see and hopefully are able to identify, there about 5 "orbs" on this picture, looking from left to right: inbetween the pillars there are 3; there is one quite bright one on the balcony central pillar and one just above the multiple light fitting...
orb
orbs
orb
Again, some obvious "orbs" - I make there to be approximately 4 on this picture (taking the one at the top of the screen to be a double/overlapping orb)...
orbs
note the quite bright orb on the pillar... this is similar to the one I captured on camera during my daytime visit (see above).
orbs present inbetween the 2 rows of people at the left side of the picture; one at the top of the girl's head sitting at the front and one straight up from the barrister's dummy...
more obvious orbs...
Gaoler's Area:
Moving to where the gaoler would have met the “inmates” we attempted moving a bottle through the process similar to glass divination, but nothing really happened here from my personal experience.
On a separate note, but in the same area, I was standing near to the right of where the gaoler would have met inmates, in the gate area before you go down the steps (where the stocks are) to the laundry and other areas. I experienced what only could be described as a breath sound, very light, in my right ear. (see pictures near top of the page)
No-one was stood on that side of me, or was near enough to have made such a sound. I do not know and cannot explain what this was. There was nothing logical or apparent that could have caused it that I could see anywhere i.e. no windows open etc. I do not know what this noise is/was…
Night Cell vigil:
There were approximately 10 of us standing in the cell with the medium calling out, the cell door being closed behind us. We were all holding hands to avoid any accusations of other people in the group touching, prodding etc of anyone near to them. However, as this was in the dark, it is impossible to say, other than trusting those in the group, that all hand were held at all times. I know where I was that both people to my left and right were holding my hands respectively.
The Medium began calling out to any supposed spirit being(s) which may be present, asking them to touch one of us, make a noise, tap on the walls etc. Some group members said they were picking up on things, one felt like they had a false right leg, others it was cold spots. I personally did not pick up on anything.
The Medium picked up on the name of Daniel Blyth(e). The lady next to me said she felt as if someone was playing with her shawl. On her right and my left arm we did feel a cold spot. However, this said, we were sat near the door, so I think a logical explanation to this would be to say it was a breeze emanating from this area via a gap or something.
stocks in the vicinity of the "breath" sound - this was almost opposite to where I was stood...
area where I heard the "breath" sound
night cell (night time)
Women's Prison and Laundry Room vigil:
There did not appear to be much happening in the laundry room, so we proceeded to enter the room where female prisoners would have been held. At any one time, there would have been 15-20 women in this room, as it was apparently the only area made available to women at that time. In here table tipping was attempted and whilst this was underway, the Medium picked up on a female called Elizabeth, no surname was given and a lady to the back of the room in a “bunched up” position i.e. knees pulled in, sat there sobbing. Another person picked up on a female called Dawn who, apparently, was very determined to come forward. Apart from these incidents, nothing was apparent to me personally.
orb
"The Women's Prison" - (daytime)
passage from the medical area leading to the laundry room (at night) - note the orb in the archway...
"The Laundry Room" - (daytime)
The Chapel and Cave:
The Chapel:
When visiting the Galleries in August no guide took us around this particular area.
It is alleged that a lot of activity happens in this area, including trigger objects in the form of crosses that apparently have been known to move – although this did not happen on this vigil. Underneath the chapel area are some secret passages that go downwards, connecting up with St. Mary’s church and the castle. They are sealed up part way, but it is believed, from the records that found showing the tunnels underneath Nottingham, that they do all connect up somewhere.
orb
orb
orb
orbs:
the girl with the hair tied up has an orb in her hair near to the bottom left of the screen; there is also one diaganol to her within the arch/crack and also one further up the screen in about the 11 o'clock position to the signage "prison chaplain".
orb - centre of the arch and straight down
The Caves:
This is the cave leading down from the chapel area. Not a place I visited during my daytime visit in August.
In this cave a body of a boy called Thomas was apparently found buried. Again the group I was with formed a circle, but we did not hold hands on this particular occasion. Someone sensed a urine smell towards the rear of the cave, but I personally did not witness this smell. Another smell detected by a group member was that of ammonia. Apparently the cave is supposed to have a constant temperature come Summer, Winter etc.
The Medium et al apparently picked up on some lights in the centre of the circle, as did some other people, describing them as “blue light but it’s got like an aura”, “white lights with twinkly bits in the middle”, “blue light going almost purple”, “energy in the middle of the circle with a white violet haze”. I did not pick or sense these “colours” but was not alone with this. Someone in our group sensed green light – but this was apparently down to corner of the eye syndrome. However, the Medium said that sometimes you will see this with the third eye rather than the natural eye.
Someone else picked up on the name of Damian Price who, apparently, was wanting to be introduced. He was being described as very proud of the side-line in his work and what he has been doing is knocking barrels down and stashing them here they had been using the ammonia as a bleach and selling it on. Another name detected was that of Henry Price.
The Medium sensed a chain like mechanism moving. Someone else picked up on a smuggler, the description being that of a large waist and short cut trousers, long chin, guns and storage sensed.
Lynne (another Medium) was picking up on a little girl standing behind her.
Some members of the group were experiencing a sick feeling. The Medium said that the spirit’s aura is what was making people feel sick. Someone else saying the spirit has a lot of negative energy, suppressed aura.
Another name being detected was thought to be Simpson, but this changed to be the name of Sampson.
Other group members were sensing people behind them. Perhaps this could be put down to being in an enclosed space, namely the cave, in pitch black… I did not personally experience anything particular in this area. Someone thought they had been prodded. But again, not one to doubt the person in question, but there were no lights on and other people’s hands etc cannot be accounted for at this time.
Walking back up to the chapel area, on gathering back in the chapel area I did pick up on a smell of something I can only describe as of a chemical origin, not ammonia, but definitely a chemical smell. What, I do not know. There was nothing apparent in that area to be of a chemical nature.
orb
orb
orb
columns sited within the cave, note "orb" towards the bottom left hand side.
this is apparently where "Thomas" was found, note the orb above the stones...
another orb in the archway, near the bottom left hand side and to the right of the wiring...
The Pitts:
Nothing apparent. We were not allowed to go down another pit as the cave system had moved and it has forced the whole part of that building to move as well, lots of bricks falling down. They’re awaiting English Heritage to do something about it.
Overall:
An interesting night and I am considering another visit. Watch this space...
Other General Pictures:
Exercise Yard - daytime
The "Hangman's Noose"
Exercise Yard - night
orb
The notorious William Saville - said to "haunt" the Galleries of Justice and supposedly a malevolent spirit and his headstone (found in the exercise yard), amongst others.
