'Ghost can pay some council tax'
Written by Editorial on 16th June 2006

INVESTIGATORS will be setting up shop in a Maidenhead pub on Saturday in
search of spirits – but it is not vodka or gin they are hunting.

The Hobgoblin pub will be descended upon by the In Search Of Proof team
from Hampshire, who work their way around the country investigating
so-called haunted venues.

Landlord Tom Murphy was intrigued when the team contacted him and asked
to inspect the High Street pub. Since he came to the pub a year and a
half ago he has heard stories about 'Bob the ghost', but has yet to come
across him for himself. Although not a believer himself, Mr Murphy says
there are tales of ghosts at every pub he has worked in. He said: "If
you believe you believe, but you know what they say about doubting
Thomas. "It would take a lot to convince me, but I can't say these
things don't exist." But there was a part of him that questioned his
belief on occasions when he has put his keys down, only to find they
have moved – but he added: "I always blame myself."

The visiting team of paranormal investigators weill be made up of
sceptics, science buffs, historians and psychics, whose aim is to prove
or disprove the existence of the paranormal by setting up scientific
experiments and spiritualist mediums. Founder member Jim Bridgeman said:
"We found the Hobgoblin after hours trawling the internet in search of
ghost sightings. "We came across a report from a former landlord and
lady 15 years ago saying they had experienced poltergeist activity and
been locked in rooms where the doors did not have locks." Punters in the
pub on Saturday night should look out for the team who will be sporting
investigation gear including thermometers, night vision cameras,
dictaphones, and EMF meters.

A vigil is not out of the question either and this involves them
spending an allocated period of time in one spot while carrying out
experiments. Glass divination is one where each member lightly touches a
glass in the centre of a table and aim to move it around the table to
connect with spirits.

But even if they do find a ghost in his living quarters upstairs, Mr
Murphy would not be too fazed. "If the ghost is here he could at least
share the council tax with me," he joked.