2018 Kicks off with a bang

So here we are again and the year is going so fast; what a 2018 it has been for us so far and we are only 6 weeks in!

Firstly January what a busy month; it saw us continue 2 of our confidential investigations both equally interesting and we are now reviewing and collating all our findings to report back. Thankfully we have a good team of experienced investigators as both were on one occasion at the same time, so one team headed West the other East.

Having years of experience, coupled with Ghostology and ASSAP the team really are outstanding and evolving and growing constantly and handled this well.

At the end of January, we held our Annual General Meeting at the mysterious Insole Court and what a building it is.  Insole Court is based in Llandaff built in 1856, by James Harvey Insole, who were mine owners, coal shippers, dock and railway men.  The families’ fortune dwindled in the early 1900s and the gardens were sold off for housing and the house bought for an orbital road, which is now Western Avenue.  After the house fell into disrepair a group was formed and after nearly 20 years the building was transferred as a community asset transfer to the group; who have worked painstakingly to restore the Court.  If you haven’t been it really is worth popping along to see the work that has been carried out; the house isn’t fully restored as they have years ahead of them.

During our AGM, our Chair Sarah spoke passionately about 2017 and her continued desire and plans for Cymru Paranormal.  The members present all equally passionate about this small unknown group, who seems to be going from strength to strength.  Without everyone’s input and commitment we wouldn’t be the success we are now and we all look forward to the year ahead of us.

Joining us at our AGM was journalist and renowned author Mark Rees, author of ‘GhostsOfWales’ Mark delighted the members with a talk on Victorian Ghost Hunting; and gave real accounts of ghost hunting and hunters in the Victorian era; what is so nice to hear is that the same ethos applies today; be ethical, question and be honest.

During the AGM we were also treated to a fine delicacy of special Cymru Paranormal Cup Cakes, made by our ever talented Chair (we have to say that) they really were as delicious as they looked (honest)

It was pleasing to hear positive reports from our Treasurer Audrey and Secretary Leanne; and wonderful to hear from our many members; after the formalities were out of the way; we relaxed in the main house and in true ‘Ghost Hunter’ style headed for the tea rooms.

If you would like more information on Insole Court please follow this link to their website Insole Courtand   Mark Rees Ghosts of Wales

Watch this space for more news shortly from the Team that is Cymru Paranormal Investigations and Research.

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to us

As I sit and ponder what to write in this yearly roundup I realise just how much we’ve achieved in just a year.

This post won’t be as detailed as it would normally be as we have our AGM (Annual General Meeting) in 4 weeks; so we’ll bore everyone with more details following that.

So how far have we really come in 12 months?

Well from making the decision to branch out and form a new group; leaving one that has been around for many years; people may of felt it was foolish.

Starting from scratch, but what better way to do it? So it was me Sarah, and a few close trusted friends/colleagues and off we went.

Having a clear vision of the group we wanted was easy, what took the longest was figuring out our group name; after purchasing a few domains Cymru Paranormal seemed to have a nice ring to it.

Even if people couldn’t pronounce the name they would know we were Welsh.

Very quickly friends wanted to join us, many with some outstanding talents that could really help strengthen and develop our group.

We weren’t officially started and we already had one confidential investigation to carry out; how wonderful that they believed in us to entrust us to carry out an investigation; we carried out a number and are due to return a year on to continue investigating.

Over the year we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have 3 buildings to investigate on a long term basis. Each one very different and covering different times of the year.

During the year we held the Ghostology course with Steve Parsons, which was a great hit; for many this was a different way of investigating and more inline with how we investigate.

We’ve also held a number of member investigations, these we pay to hire a location. Our group embraces diversity and during these we have clear divides so that everyone’s belief system can be utlilised and no-one feels they aren’t valued.

We’ve found this has worked incredibly well and has benefited many members in finding the correct path for themselves as well as allowing us to analyse full all findings.

We were also invited to share a location with BSPRI based over in Bristol; managed by Mark Davey and a trusted team; it was very good sharing and we are returning the favour in 2018.

BSPRI are aligned to our way of investigating and are an established group who I believe are entering into their 16th year.

From the very beginning we wished to become affiliated with ASSAP and were granted this a few months back. With 4 investigators having already carried out their training another 4 attended their first training session earlier in the year.

Our membership base grew very quickly and as we want to remain a small group we closed membership around 6 months ago. We have received requests to join since and the committee will consider applications in February.

So as we close our first year, we have purchased a number of pieces of equipment none of your expected pieces of kit, but some good camera’s and pens.

We have ongoing investigations and research, an outstanding group of members and a bit of money for a rainy day.

So all in all it’s been an incredible year and we look forward to our continual growth/development in 2018.