THE SALAMANDER – January 2009
Investigation Site
The Salamander Public House
John Street
Bath
History of the Site
The Salamander was historically a part of the Steak and Chop pub chain and is now used as a split restaurant/bar.
There is not a great deal known about the history of the building or what it started out as, but the current owners strive to provide a very welcoming atmosphere to all guests and always insist on using the finest produce from the local suppliers. The Salamander is also renowned for its colourful menu.
Investigating Team
The members of the team present for this investigation:
Marlene
Sandra
Gill
With Guests:
Mary
Landlord Russell
Landlady Rachel
Paranormal Activity Eyewitness Reports
Although nobody really knows how long the building has been used as a public house, it is clear to see that the structure has stood for a great deal of time and is also located in a very historical area of the United Kingdom so it would not be considered a surprise that there would be "unexplained" happenings within the structure.
Amongst the activity that has been reported, many people have said they had heard unexplained footsteps coming from the upper floors even thought there was no one there. Another common report is the number of unexplained "cold spots" throughout the structure.
The most interesting and unusual reports are that people and staff have heard what can only be described as the sound of singing or people talking when the structure is empty. There have also been reports of the upstairs fire door opening by itself even when the door has been shut by the landlord!!!
Investigation Report
The team arrived at the location around 10.30pm, and as this was a new site to all members on the investigation, they had a tour of the structure by the Landlord Russell. The team used the guide to work out the areas that they were going to concentrate on as part of the evening as it ensured they concentrated on the more "active" areas.
The investigation started as soon as the pub closed the doors. Sandra and Gill then went around the various locations with a thermometer as well as using the EMFS. The results are listed below:
Bar Area
TEMP: 19 degrees
EMFS: 8 to 9 (Due to the electrical equipment)
Gents toilet
TEMP: 19 degrees
EMFS: 1
Ladies toilet
TEMP: 12.25 degrees
EMFS: 1
Dining Room
TEMP: 15.6 degrees
EMFS: 5
Ladies toilet
TEMP: 12.25 degrees
EMFS: 1
Top of the Stairs
TEMP: 16.3 degrees
EMFS: 0
Top Kitchen
TEMP: 15.2 degrees
EMFS: 9
With all the readings gathered, it was then down to placing the equipment. A "lock off" camera was positioned at one end of the bar downstairs, a Motion camera was placed in the old kitchen looking at the fire door that is known to open. The team also used the baby monitors and located 1 in the dining room. Another "lock off" camera was placed on the stairs facing the entrance to both of the toilets (the reason for this is because sadly a gentleman passed away in this area a little while ago).
Once all the equipment was installed and ready to go the team headed off together and made their way to the bar area for the first vigil of the evening. They all sat around the table and Sandra started to ask out for anything to come forward. Instantly, she noticed a small bright light coming from the corner of the room. Gill took a photo which did show an orb in the location.
The monitor that had been located up stairs started to pick up some noises which sounded very much like someone singing and also whistling. Knowing how sensitive the monitors are, they checked around the area for passers by but could not see anyone around. The team then heard what could only be described as 3 heavy footsteps coming from the same area, but again the team could not find anything to explain what was causing the noise.
They then made their way up to the dining room for the next part of the investigation. Rachel then attempted to use the Dowsing rods. She asked out into the room for any spirits that may be around to come forward. She noticed that almost instantly the rods started to move towards each other as if there was something causing them to move. This amazed Rachel. Marlene also tried using the Crystal in the same room. She found that it continued to go around in a circle, so with these two activities the team strongly believed there was energies as if something within the room that wanted to come forward.
Marlene was sat on the top of the stairs when she started to hear noises coming from down in the bar area. She called out, but received no reply from the area. She called out again and heard a noise like something was being dragged across the floor. Unsure of what could have been causing this, Marlene called out to the Landlord Russell and explained what she had just heard. Armed with a piece of wood, the investigation team went to have a look but there was nothing or no-one in the bar which really freaked Marlene as she was convinced of what she had heard.
They brought there investigation to a close at about 3am, all feeling very excited with how the investigation went.
Conclusion
The team all agreed that the investigation at Salamander public house was a really good evening with lots of interesting activities to review and analyse.
They felt really pleased and excited with the various paranormal occurrences like the singing coming from the monitor as well as the happenings in the bar area. They want to investigate the pictures that were taken by Gill when Sandra saw the light.
The team still need to review all the pictures and footage that was captured on the "Lock off" cameras in both areas, especially in the bar area as this may be able to shine a light on the noises that Marlene had heard.
***We would like to thank Russell and Rachel for allowing the team to complete an investigation at the Salamander and do hope to see them again.***
On a more lighter note.....it seems that although the team are becoming more experienced at ghost hunting, they do not seem to be doing so well with their directions on the road.....Whilst travelling back from the pub, Marlene actually went the wrong way down a "one-way" street, only to be met by the police. The officer explained the offence and Marlene happily admitted her mistake but explained that they were not from the area and had become lost. The kind officers then gave her an escort out of the city (probably to ensure that they didnt end up going around the same streets all night!!!). Marlene really wanted them to ask what they were doing in the middle of Bath at such an early hour, but doesn't think that they would have believed them if they had told the police anyway......