As intimated in our last post regarding the group make-up and history, the membership of an active, research association is a frequently ‘fluid’ affair. Even with a comparatively small concern, membership will fluctuate with time; ‘movement’, which can be affected by a myriad different concerns and considerations. A small number of people have, albeit briefly, graced the W.M.G.C. with their presence before moving on for a variety of differing reasons. At the time of writing, such a list includes Claire Stevens, the long suffering partner of Steve Chew - Laugh!!! – Julia Whiston of Birmingham University, Sir Simon and Robert Ellett, as well as others……
2007 once again saw the W.M.G.C. 'expanding our ranks' somewhat and adding 2 new, permanent associates to the mix. This fresh blood came in the form of John Conway and Julie Badger.
John ‘the Golden Touch’ Conway has, by far, proven to our most 'active' group member to date and admits to having had an interest in the paranormal for as long as he can remember..... From a young age his fascination was invariably ‘looking into the night sky’ and, primarily, having an interest in the UFO phenomenon. (A keen passion for the cosmos and all its mysteries is still ‘strong in this one’ - said in a Yoda-esque voice, of course - to this day!! Laugh!!)
From a relatively early age, John says he can remember ‘peculiar happenings’ going on around him, due to the fact that his family home appeared to have a resident ghost! He says of the experiences: “At the time, I guess I was too young to link it to anything psychic or paranormal…… so I grew up with ‘weird stuff’ happening and, as a result, just got used to it. As I grew older I realised that this weird stuff doesn't seem to happen to most people. I grew up in a rather ‘active’ house and was always a little unnerved…. But still dealt with it”.
Then one day, around 20 years ago, John actually ‘saw’ a ghost with his girlfriend. The experience was so remarkably vivid… and - a rather rare occurrence – both of them witnessed the presumed ‘apparition’ at the same time…. The encounter came as a considerable shock and certainly left a lasting impression on his mind.
John is an engineer by trade but he currently works as a Costs Draftsperson for a large firm of solicitors. In his spare time, he is a keen match fisherman - competing at National levels for various teams – and is now a dedicated metal-detectorist!!!
Our most recent additions to the W.M.G.C. were added in early 2009 and came in the form of Deborah Green and Marianne Barker….. certainly something of a ‘double-act’!! laugh!!
Deborah tells us that she has always been interested in "ghosties" from an early age and used to pester her Mother to take her to the local library so she could get books on ghouls, ghosts, vampires, etc...... Laugh!! (We’ve all been there at some point Debs!!) In slightly later years, she took to purposefully visiting ‘spooky related places’ in the hopes of a sighting something preternatural….. Sadly, she never did see anything of interest! Laugh!
In time such interests led to a desire to join an ‘honest’ investigation group and she says that subsequent interaction with the W.M.G.C. has fuelled her curious nature, giving rise to a need to put herself in alleged ‘paranormal’ situations…..
Debs is a Teaching Assistant at a primary school, but is also currently embarking on a new career to be a Deep Tissue and Remedial Massage Therapist, helping people suffering musco-skeletal pain. Oooooohhhh!!!!
Marianne has also been interested in the subject of ghosts and the unknown for as long as she can remember. As a child, her family were National Trust members, giving rise to a general passion for the exploration of big, old houses and the general ‘history and mystery’ attached to such sites. A keen reader of ghost related literature in childhood, she, during her teens, found herself pondering our ‘spiritual’ roles in life. While she admits that she doesn’t have time to philosophise over such mysteries as much as she used to, her desire to experience something of this realm, or potentially have some of her questions answered, still remain. She admits that she has experienced a couple of odd incidents - dreams and coincidences - over the years….; events that have served to fuel her interests all the more.
Marianne has been teaching for ten years - mainly in the early years sector - and she is Year Group Leader for ninety, 4 to 5 year olds.
Of her brief time serve with the group so far, she says: “Being in the W.M.G.C. is great for me as I get a chance to spend time in the company of open minded, level headed people exploring interesting places. I can also be me again (not just a mother, wife or teacher) and reignite the same excitement and thirst for knowledge I had as a little girl”.
So – that pretty much brings us up to the time of writing as far as details concerning group membership goes. It has, so far, been a most rewarding and fascinating 20 years of activity for the Club……..
Here’s looking towards to next two decades!!!
All the best,
Nick
The W.M.G.C.
2007 once again saw the W.M.G.C. 'expanding our ranks' somewhat and adding 2 new, permanent associates to the mix. This fresh blood came in the form of John Conway and Julie Badger.
John ‘the Golden Touch’ Conway has, by far, proven to our most 'active' group member to date and admits to having had an interest in the paranormal for as long as he can remember..... From a young age his fascination was invariably ‘looking into the night sky’ and, primarily, having an interest in the UFO phenomenon. (A keen passion for the cosmos and all its mysteries is still ‘strong in this one’ - said in a Yoda-esque voice, of course - to this day!! Laugh!!)
From a relatively early age, John says he can remember ‘peculiar happenings’ going on around him, due to the fact that his family home appeared to have a resident ghost! He says of the experiences: “At the time, I guess I was too young to link it to anything psychic or paranormal…… so I grew up with ‘weird stuff’ happening and, as a result, just got used to it. As I grew older I realised that this weird stuff doesn't seem to happen to most people. I grew up in a rather ‘active’ house and was always a little unnerved…. But still dealt with it”.
Then one day, around 20 years ago, John actually ‘saw’ a ghost with his girlfriend. The experience was so remarkably vivid… and - a rather rare occurrence – both of them witnessed the presumed ‘apparition’ at the same time…. The encounter came as a considerable shock and certainly left a lasting impression on his mind.
John is an engineer by trade but he currently works as a Costs Draftsperson for a large firm of solicitors. In his spare time, he is a keen match fisherman - competing at National levels for various teams – and is now a dedicated metal-detectorist!!!
Our most recent additions to the W.M.G.C. were added in early 2009 and came in the form of Deborah Green and Marianne Barker….. certainly something of a ‘double-act’!! laugh!!
Deborah tells us that she has always been interested in "ghosties" from an early age and used to pester her Mother to take her to the local library so she could get books on ghouls, ghosts, vampires, etc...... Laugh!! (We’ve all been there at some point Debs!!) In slightly later years, she took to purposefully visiting ‘spooky related places’ in the hopes of a sighting something preternatural….. Sadly, she never did see anything of interest! Laugh!
In time such interests led to a desire to join an ‘honest’ investigation group and she says that subsequent interaction with the W.M.G.C. has fuelled her curious nature, giving rise to a need to put herself in alleged ‘paranormal’ situations…..
Debs is a Teaching Assistant at a primary school, but is also currently embarking on a new career to be a Deep Tissue and Remedial Massage Therapist, helping people suffering musco-skeletal pain. Oooooohhhh!!!!
Marianne has also been interested in the subject of ghosts and the unknown for as long as she can remember. As a child, her family were National Trust members, giving rise to a general passion for the exploration of big, old houses and the general ‘history and mystery’ attached to such sites. A keen reader of ghost related literature in childhood, she, during her teens, found herself pondering our ‘spiritual’ roles in life. While she admits that she doesn’t have time to philosophise over such mysteries as much as she used to, her desire to experience something of this realm, or potentially have some of her questions answered, still remain. She admits that she has experienced a couple of odd incidents - dreams and coincidences - over the years….; events that have served to fuel her interests all the more.
Marianne has been teaching for ten years - mainly in the early years sector - and she is Year Group Leader for ninety, 4 to 5 year olds.
Of her brief time serve with the group so far, she says: “Being in the W.M.G.C. is great for me as I get a chance to spend time in the company of open minded, level headed people exploring interesting places. I can also be me again (not just a mother, wife or teacher) and reignite the same excitement and thirst for knowledge I had as a little girl”.
So – that pretty much brings us up to the time of writing as far as details concerning group membership goes. It has, so far, been a most rewarding and fascinating 20 years of activity for the Club……..
Here’s looking towards to next two decades!!!
All the best,
Nick
The W.M.G.C.
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