HAUNTED DERBYWith over 1,000 paranormal sightings and spooky
goings on, Derby certainly deserves its title 'ghost capital of
the UK'.
A terrace house complete
with spirit lodger, floating trousers and the notorious Derby Jail, which
has housed much more than your average prisoner, it’s no wonder Derby has
been named the ghost capital of England.
With over 1,000 paranormal sightings, is this simply just
a case of over active imaginations, or do things really go bump in the
night in the city of Derby? Inside Out sends Astrologer turned ghost buster,
Russell Grant to investigate. Bump in the night
 | | Russell Grant
turns ghost buster to investigate paranormal activity |
Stories of ghostly activities span generations. In fact
it’s difficult to turn a corner in the city without hearing a nerve jangling
tale of things going bump in the night. And you don’t have to go too far
to find one such tale. Built over 500 years ago, the Dolphin pub, claims to
have more spirits than the ones found behind the bar. This Tudor building
from 1532 is home to Landlord Terry, and boasts no less than four resident
ghosts as its regulars. Possessed trousersTerry’s wife has felt an unnerving presence in the bedroom
which appeared to be pressing down on her. On a separate occasion she
claims her trousers were levitated off the bathroom floor.  | | The Dolphin pub
boasts no less than four spirit regulars at its bar |
Inside Out called in a psychic investigator to find out
more. The investigator felt the spirits in the Dolphin pub were particularly
drawn to the lady of the house. "She’s a very spiritual person...a very kind lady and
that’s what the spirits are attracted to." So Terry’s wife can rest easy knowing that her floating
trousers are simply acts of affection from her ghostly fans. Shame they
can’t manage to levitate them down the stairs and into the washing machine!
Not all of Derby’s hauntings however are confined to historical
residences. Jenny Richard’s terrace house on the outskirts of Derby may
by lacking the typical attributes of your average haunted dwelling, no
gnarled tree in the garden and not a creepy butler in sight, but don’t
let this fool you. Psychic energy | | Jenny and her
son share their home with a ghostly apparition |
On the night Jenny moved in, she was prodded in the back
by what she later believed to be the ghost of an old man. Jenny’s son
has seen him too down the alley at the back of the house. On closer inspection
the figure vanished. Over two thirds of Derby's sightings are in buildings situated
alongside the old A6. Some believe that this is due to lay lines, which
are thought to convey psychic energy. Leading ghost researcher Richard
Felix has his own theory for Derby’s high spirit population. "So many things have happened, so many people have passed though,
so much energy has been expelled here… We have the last hanging, drawing
and quartering in England and the only Peer to be hanged for murder,"
explains Richard. Haunted hot spotDerby has been quick to respond to the flocking tourists
and would be ghost busters, providing spooky city walks galore. Inside
Out’s Russell Grant though was yet to be convinced. That was until he
visited the remains of Derby Jail.  | | The Condemned
cell - the most haunted hot spot in Derby jail |
Derby jail is said to be one of the most haunted in the
country, with the condemned cell, the most haunted hot spot there. It
is here that Russell had an excruciating headache although he claims not
to be a headache sufferer. According to the Derwent Paranormal Society, who hold
regular vigils in the jail, this is a common complaint. The society also
claims to have the culprit of the supernatural ailments captured on camera. Whether your a supernatural sceptic or a supernatural
seeker, it can’t be denied that there is definitely something out of the
ordinary about Derby. Although Russell failed to commune with the other side,
his unnerving visit to jail found him reaching for the painkillers and
heading swiftly home. It seems the spirit’s in this instance have done Derby
proud. "Derby people are very proud to be the ghost capital of the UK.
They can see that Derby is special. We are quite proud of our ghosts."
Richard Felix. | 
ÌýÌýInside Out - East Midlands: Monday 6th January, 2003
ÌýÌýREALPLAYER REQUIRED