Hellens Manor, Murch Marcle, nr Ledbury

Report written by Trudy

Date; 30th September 2006

Moon phase;

Group members Present; Dave, Diane, G, Jane, Michelle, Russ and Trudy

History;

In 1096 the Manor was granted to the de Balun family, who were to witness the signing of the Magna Carta. Thereafter by marriage deed or gift, it passed eventually to the Mortimers, and by 1301 to the Lords Audley, created Earls of Gloucester in 1337. A nephew, James - companion to the Black Prince - rented the Manor for a pair of silver spurs. He then leased it to Walter Helyon, who gave his name to the house: his descendants have lived here almost without interruption ever since.

Hellens is a living monument to much of England's history. It contains a wealth of period furnishings, paintings and decorations. There are heirlooms of Ann Boleyn, Mary Tudor, the Earl of Essex ( Elizabeth 1's favourite), Charles 1, the Duke of Wharton and of the house's inhabitants over the centuries. The gardens are being redeveloped along Tudor and Jacobean lines, reflecting the house's history. They incorporate a rare 17th century octagonal dovecote, a walled knot garden, a yew labyrinth, and a short woodland and pond walk. There are also the Derby Coach and family carriages to be seen, as well as the Old Cider Mill house.

Hellens Manor was an impressive place, with many interesting rooms and features.

www.hellensmanor.com/pages/newpages/history.html

Investigation;

The group joined up with Gateshead Paranormal and NPEG to do this particular investigation. Base line was done as the group went from room to room but nothing unusual was noted as this was being carried out.

Area 1- the stone room and outer corridor;

Stone Room; Group members report feeling very uneasy in this room. Two group members heard a sound of heavy breathing and thought someone else in the room had done it but when questioned, he reported it having come from behind him. It was interesting to note a noticeable drop in temperature as this occurred. One group member’s camcorder kept going out of focus. Strange light anomalies were also seen up the gallery around this time and commented on by a few group members, one group member had a feeling of being ‘watched’ from up in this area.

Corridor; There were many moving light anomalies caught on video camera in this area but it should be noted we were near the main entrance and one of the group members had previously noticed ‘bugs’. A group member had a feeling of tightness in her chest, which she was too experience again later on in the evening.