The Royal Oak Investigations

      

By Ashley Knibb

Chapter Nine The Singapore Theory Victorian Seance   On Saturday, 13 September, 2014, we were back at the Royal Oak to investigate, catch-up on and most importantly attempt to put the Singapore Theory Victorian Seance to the test. So, whilst you can always, with the best intentions, create the most detailed designs possible, often when dealing with multiple variables which include the subjects and environment of an experiment such as this, we have to make some changes as we set up. After all we are still in the infancy of developing it.      However, if the experiment was conducted in a laboratory, we may have been able to lock down these variables without having to change the design slightly to compensate. That said, this may not really be an experiment that could be conducted in a laboratory, as I believe the location itself, such as the Royal Oak on this occasion, is as important to its success. This helps with the atmosphere and suspension of belief of the sitters, allowing them to potentially accept the phenomena. This in turn allows them to possibly help to increase activity, if that is what occurs.      In this case there were some significant elements of the experiment which did not go according to plan. However, these elements have highlighted the requirement for future specifics when we try the experiment again.      We were lucky enough to have Matt and Randy from Serious Paranormal Investigations help us out with the experiment set up and monitoring at the last minute. These guys have some excellent technology that we made use of for the experiment.      The first significant change was the use of two pan and tilt cameras to help monitor the room and sitters. With these cameras, we could move the direction of the shot and even zoom in as the experiment was live. The cameras’ quality was also higher than my own, which made the footage from the experiment better. This would be especially useful when a sitter went into trance because the camera could zoom in to check for any facial changes that are often associated with this activity.      Although the cameras were a significant bonus, we soon encountered our first major issue when trying to set up the devices to monitor the environment. It was my initial plan to get them as close to the round table as possible, but neither table nor environment would allow this, which meant they had to be situated on one of the side tables. The problem with this was that they were possibly too far from the epicentre of the room’s activity (the round table) and thus may not be in the right place to record significant data.      In order to reduce impact on the Victorian setup, we also shielded the devices (MEL Meter [EMF & Temp], Humidity Gauge and Light Meter) so they were out of sight and also covered by another camera. However, it was there that we encountered another problem: the Light Meter we had was fitted with an auto-off function to conserve battery life. This meant it switched off minutes into the experiment. The decision was made to leave this data out of this attempt, but when we repeat it, I believe monitoring the light is significantly important.      There were a few other aspects of the experiment that I believe require addressing for next attempts too such as giving a better explanation to the sitters and guests; more active involvement and encouragement to ensure that the sitters and guests are sharing significant memories as I believe that to be vital to the success; more coverage of the socialising phase of the experiment to understand some of the psychology there prior to the seance phase.      A significant element of this experiment was control of the sitters/guests too. As understanding their location and status was imperative to the function of the experiment. However, at one point Pete (one of the sitters) left the round table and the room as he was feeling slightly odd. Although I can understand his need to leave, perhaps greater control measures should have been added for such an eventuality. Shortly after this, the pub’s dog burst in and this disrupted the experiment even more. At this point, Nick (guest) took the dog out and elected not to return to the seance room. Given this situation, I joined the table until Pete returned.      This situation also left me with the thoughts that perhaps better control may have been maintained if I had led the seance element myself. Terri did an excellent job but knowing exactly what I wanted, it may have been better for me to lead. It would have also taken some pressure off Terri by allowing her to participate as a member of the group which may have improved her mediumship.      A detailed, full account of the experiment that we conducted that night can be found on my website  https://www.ashleyknibb.com . The report on my website details everything from the theory behind this approach to what we set up and monitored, including some captured data.      As the seance began, so did the spiritual communication. Terri completed the protection for the circle and the invitation of the four spirits with a local connection and then asked if Jack Stevens was in the room. In response Mo tips his hat, it was clear that he had already slipped into trance. Terri asked for more evidence that Jack Stevens was in the room with us by mentioning the usual requests: taps, raps or knocks. Almost simultaneously, Mo slammed his fist down on the table which he followed with “encumbrance”. Often, I’ve realised that these single words or very brief statements have greater meaning or at least that is the perception they have given in the past.      In the case of “encumbrance”, it is my opinion that the sitters and guests continued with the seance without drawing attention to this word or over highlighting the fact it had been mentioned. However, nearly five minutes later Mo left his seat and walked half way around the round table stopping behind Terri to add, “Did I mention encumbrance.”      Since the experiment I have researched the meaning of the word encumbrance a little. Oddly enough, its meaning could relate to the history of the Royal Oak and the individuals we were attempting to contact. It means an impediment or burden, which could describe one of the family members who we believe may have been bed bound at the Royal Oak. Alternatively, its more legal meaning could refer to a claim against a property by another party which impacts transferability of the property. This legal meaning could also be very relevant to the Royal Oak.      Whilst still standing and overlooking the round table, Mo whispered “logical extreme”. The logical extreme position is both relevant and unattainable; it has succeeded in calling the proposition into question, at least in its stated form. The question is that at this point was Mo channelling Jack Stevens still or was this statement from another? It’s these smaller snippets of information that in my opinion hold more wealth as they often turn out to help link greater pieces of information. I like to think that this was a satisfactory nod to the experiment itself, but that would be a very personal perception.      At one point Terri identifies that Mo is in communication with his spirit guide, whom she identifies as a Native American. Mo also appears to channel his guide directly, at points speaking in an apparent foreign language. As they continue Mo and Terri appear to work together trying to make the communication more understandable. This includes a few actions by Mo, rubbing is hand through his hair and moving his hand in front of his face in a circular motion. After a short while, Mo looks up and tells Terri that he’s okay now, but both Terri and Pete state that he is not fully out of his trance like state.      It’s also at this point that Mo makes a few statements that seem to indicate that he is unaware of the events of the last few minutes. This lack of knowledge of the events that have occurred or indeed that time itself has passed has been commonplace in many of Mo’s trance sessions that I have observed.      Shortly after this, both Clare and Terri identify another presence in the room. This is quickly followed by Clare acknowledging she has a spirit with her, but that she does not currently have a voice. However, she identifies the spirit as a woman and then goes on to name her as Mary Ball.      Mo rubs his face and then glances quite oddly at Clare as she states that she is Mary Ball.      Terri begins to ask Clare some questions, but communication is difficult at this time.      As this occurs, Selwyn removes his hat and places it on the table almost signifying the beginning of communication. His first statement is that he is cold. He doesn’t know the spirit, but it’s a male and not a member of the Stevens family.          However, he does give the spirit’s age at death to be twenty-two, and that the year was 1835.      It’s at this point that Pete leaves the room to deal with the whimpering dog in the bar area. Although this doesn’t appear to deter the current communication, it is, in my opinion, a break in the circle and in a way may not have helped.      Selwyn continues to answer Terri’s questions whilst he is in what seems like a semi-trance state or at least a state of trance that isn’t as in-depth as Mo’s. However, the line of questioning later identifies the spirit channelled by Selwyn to be that of Davey, a stable boy at the Royal Oak. Then Selwyn speaks of how he did not like Jack Stevens, but preferred Tom Stevens. It’s at this point the dog bursts into the room disrupting the sitting. Selwyn loses his connection because of this, and Nick leaves the room with Pete.      As things settle again Clare picks up on communication from Mary Ball relaying “gates” and “house gates”, which appears to add an aspect of confusion. She then adds a statement which again seems a little significant: “They are a common denominator.” She also states that she passed in 1860. I have to admit, as odd as it may seem, there often appears to be communication of this kind. What begins as something quite normal is then thrown into confusion by a statement that is almost out of place.      Clare continues to answer questions from both Terri and Rachael as the spirit of Mary Ball, but the answers seem to resonate with both that perhaps the spirit they are speaking with is not quite what it seems to be! A more sceptical person may simply pass this off as incorrect communication and that the information is not from a spirit at all but from the imagination of the sitter. However, the sitters present believe that this incorrect or even slightly misleading information is from a different spirit, although this spirit is not currently identified.      After about 1 a.m., communication with the spirit of Thomas Stevens is attempted and this is believed to be channelled through Peter. However, this communication lacks words and is more of an emotional transfer. Rachael focusses the questions to Pete on the garden, which begin rather basically asking what he thinks of the garden. This line of questioning soon changes though to focussing on where a body is buried, something which Pete (the spirit of Thomas) doesn’t seem keen on. However, Pete does confirm a buried body and its location! Then he begins to cry about this information as it seems to have a connection to the spirit of Thomas. As Pete is crying, Rachael also reacts to this and cries too. The crying appears to cut the connection that Pete has with the spirit and thus ends communication with the probable spirit of Thomas Stevens.      Focus returns to Clare and the spirit with her, as there is definite disbelief in whether the spirit is actually Mary Ball. Rachael begins to question Clare again and soon after, Clare advises that she doesn’t like the energy now and disconnects from it.   https://www.ashleyknibb.com   Title: Paranormal Perspectives - The Royal Oak Investigations: The Eternal Last Call ·  Author: Ashley Knibb ·  Available now, purchase here -> https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/6th-books/our-books/paranormal-perspectives-royal-oak-investigations