The First Wycombe Paranormal Convention - A Day to Remember
General News
Tuesday 22nd, October 2024
Nestled in the heart of Buckinghamshire, High Wycombe has always been a town with a whisper of mystery. Centuries of ghostly tales, strange folklore, and things that go bump in the night have swirled around this area for generations. So, where better to host the first-ever Wycombe Paranormal Convention than here, in this historic town, at Bucks New University?
On Saturday, 5th October 2024, paranormal enthusiasts, investigators, and the curious gathered together for a day packed with fascinating talks and spirited conversations. Hosted by paranormal investigator and researcher Ashley Darkwood, the convention promised a deep dive into the weird, the wonderful, and the unexplained.
A Day Full of the Strange and Unexplained
From the moment the doors opened, you could feel the anticipation in the air. We were greeted by the excellent folk at Out There Paranormal, Nigel and Juliette, who were working the front desk signing attendees in. People milled around, exploring the exhibitor stands that offered everything from books on the paranormal to psychic readings to face painting. There was a real sense of community and a shared passion for the unknown.
The day’s talks began with a fascinating discussion by Stevyn Colgan. Stevyn’s journey from a policeman to a pagan was an unexpected one, but he captivated the audience with tales of his transition from the hard-nosed world of law enforcement to embracing a spiritual path rooted in ancient traditions and folklore. It set the tone for a day that was all about exploring the unexpected.
Anthony Kerrigan from GhostÉire followed, taking the convention into the future with his thought-provoking talk on AI’s possible future role in creating a digital afterlife, the ethics around this and how it could affect paranormal investigation. His question: “Could AI one day lead to paranormal investigations being outlawed?” stirred up some serious food for thought. It was the kind of unsettling but fascinating topic that left many of us wondering what the future holds for this field with the introduction of AI tools and assistance.
Out There Paranormal stepped in at the last minute to fill in for another speaker who had had to drop out and took us to East Somerton with their investigation of a ruined church famously linked to a folkloric witch. Their detailed exploration of the site, combined with eerie evidence, made you want to grab your own ghost-hunting gear and head out there.
Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe, known for his role as an expert on “Uncanny” and “Most Haunted”, lightened the proceedings with amusing anecdotes from his time on TV, but he didn’t shy away from diving deep into parapsychology, balancing a healthy scientific scepticism with his clear passion for understanding the unexplained.
The convention then turned to the strange world of poltergeists with John Fraser, followed by Patti Keane. John’s talk on poltergeists, ahead of the release of his upcoming book, had us on the edge of our seats, especially when combined with Patti’s personal recounting of living with one at Tanfield House. Hearing someone talk about their first-hand experience of a poltergeist in their own home? It doesn’t get more spine-tingling than that.
Dave Hodrien’s session on UFOs was another highlight. As chair of the Birmingham UFO Group, Dave has seen his fair share of unexplained phenomena in the sky. His presentation of cases was fascinating, taking us beyond the realm of folklore and ghosts into the vast unknown of outer space.
Ashley Darkwood himself closed talks with his discussion on the West Wycombe Caves, also known as the infamous Hellfire Caves. This is a location steeped in history and local legends. His recounting of the mysterious, and not so mysterious, happenings in those subterranean tunnels had everyone enthralled, and it felt like the perfect conclusion to a day spent exploring the unknown.
A Fitting End
The event wrapped up with a panel discussion where several of the speakers returned to the stage to answer questions from the audience. It was a lively and engaging session, with plenty of opinions, ideas, and stories flying back and forth. Everyone seemed reluctant for the day to end, but thankfully, the conversations didn’t stop there.
Afterwards, many of us headed to the nearby O’Neill’s pub for dinner and drinks, where we could continue chatting about the day’s events. There’s something about a dark, cosy pub in an old town like High Wycombe that makes conversations about ghosts and UFOs even more gripping. Over pints and hearty meals, new friendships were forged, old friendships strengthened, and the mysteries of the paranormal dissected.
Reflecting on the Day
As I sat there, listening to the chatter and laughter around me, it struck me that the Wycombe Paranormal Convention wasn’t just about learning more about ghosts, folklore, and UFOs. It was about coming together with like-minded people to share a sense of wonder about the world.
In an age where so much is explained by science and technology, events like this remind us that there are still things out there that are yet to be explained. Whether you believe in the supernatural or are a hard-core sceptic, there’s something undeniably thrilling about embracing the unknown and keeping the door open to possibilities.
Looking back, the first Wycombe Paranormal Convention wasn’t just an event—it was the beginning of something special. It left us all looking forward to next year, when we can once again gather in this historic town to explore the weird, the strange, and the things that can’t quite be explained.
On Saturday, 5th October 2024, paranormal enthusiasts, investigators, and the curious gathered together for a day packed with fascinating talks and spirited conversations. Hosted by paranormal investigator and researcher Ashley Darkwood, the convention promised a deep dive into the weird, the wonderful, and the unexplained.
A Day Full of the Strange and Unexplained
From the moment the doors opened, you could feel the anticipation in the air. We were greeted by the excellent folk at Out There Paranormal, Nigel and Juliette, who were working the front desk signing attendees in. People milled around, exploring the exhibitor stands that offered everything from books on the paranormal to psychic readings to face painting. There was a real sense of community and a shared passion for the unknown.
The day’s talks began with a fascinating discussion by Stevyn Colgan. Stevyn’s journey from a policeman to a pagan was an unexpected one, but he captivated the audience with tales of his transition from the hard-nosed world of law enforcement to embracing a spiritual path rooted in ancient traditions and folklore. It set the tone for a day that was all about exploring the unexpected.
Anthony Kerrigan from GhostÉire followed, taking the convention into the future with his thought-provoking talk on AI’s possible future role in creating a digital afterlife, the ethics around this and how it could affect paranormal investigation. His question: “Could AI one day lead to paranormal investigations being outlawed?” stirred up some serious food for thought. It was the kind of unsettling but fascinating topic that left many of us wondering what the future holds for this field with the introduction of AI tools and assistance.
Out There Paranormal stepped in at the last minute to fill in for another speaker who had had to drop out and took us to East Somerton with their investigation of a ruined church famously linked to a folkloric witch. Their detailed exploration of the site, combined with eerie evidence, made you want to grab your own ghost-hunting gear and head out there.
Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe, known for his role as an expert on “Uncanny” and “Most Haunted”, lightened the proceedings with amusing anecdotes from his time on TV, but he didn’t shy away from diving deep into parapsychology, balancing a healthy scientific scepticism with his clear passion for understanding the unexplained.
The convention then turned to the strange world of poltergeists with John Fraser, followed by Patti Keane. John’s talk on poltergeists, ahead of the release of his upcoming book, had us on the edge of our seats, especially when combined with Patti’s personal recounting of living with one at Tanfield House. Hearing someone talk about their first-hand experience of a poltergeist in their own home? It doesn’t get more spine-tingling than that.
Dave Hodrien’s session on UFOs was another highlight. As chair of the Birmingham UFO Group, Dave has seen his fair share of unexplained phenomena in the sky. His presentation of cases was fascinating, taking us beyond the realm of folklore and ghosts into the vast unknown of outer space.
Ashley Darkwood himself closed talks with his discussion on the West Wycombe Caves, also known as the infamous Hellfire Caves. This is a location steeped in history and local legends. His recounting of the mysterious, and not so mysterious, happenings in those subterranean tunnels had everyone enthralled, and it felt like the perfect conclusion to a day spent exploring the unknown.
A Fitting End
The event wrapped up with a panel discussion where several of the speakers returned to the stage to answer questions from the audience. It was a lively and engaging session, with plenty of opinions, ideas, and stories flying back and forth. Everyone seemed reluctant for the day to end, but thankfully, the conversations didn’t stop there.
Afterwards, many of us headed to the nearby O’Neill’s pub for dinner and drinks, where we could continue chatting about the day’s events. There’s something about a dark, cosy pub in an old town like High Wycombe that makes conversations about ghosts and UFOs even more gripping. Over pints and hearty meals, new friendships were forged, old friendships strengthened, and the mysteries of the paranormal dissected.
Reflecting on the Day
As I sat there, listening to the chatter and laughter around me, it struck me that the Wycombe Paranormal Convention wasn’t just about learning more about ghosts, folklore, and UFOs. It was about coming together with like-minded people to share a sense of wonder about the world.
In an age where so much is explained by science and technology, events like this remind us that there are still things out there that are yet to be explained. Whether you believe in the supernatural or are a hard-core sceptic, there’s something undeniably thrilling about embracing the unknown and keeping the door open to possibilities.
Looking back, the first Wycombe Paranormal Convention wasn’t just an event—it was the beginning of something special. It left us all looking forward to next year, when we can once again gather in this historic town to explore the weird, the strange, and the things that can’t quite be explained.
