Curdridge Reading Rooms, Reading Room Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire

11^th September 2026

Nine members present. Start time 7.30pm

The group went to the far end room and formed a sacred circle. They then carried out a human pendulum with one person standing in the middle of the circle. The spirit box said, ‘Your circle. Brave. Get off it.’ A spirit box is a device that rapidly scans through AM and FM frequencies to generate brief audio speech. Rabbit on the floor near the door lit up three times. Sue was sitting at a table writing. The spirit box said, ‘Get off the table.’ Sue said, ‘Are you talking to me? Do you want me to get off the table?’ The spirit box said, ‘Yes.’ Rabbit lit up twice more. A spirit called Billy came through who said he was not visiting the group but had once lived in Curdridge. The SLS camera picked up a figure standing next to the circle. The SLS camera stands for Structured Light Sensor camera. It projects human skeletal stick figures. The spirit box said, ‘Policeman.’ Billy said there was a fire and a policeman pulled Billy from the fire. The spirit box said, ‘Blood. Everyone. War. The Blitz. Bombing.’ Billy said he was aged thirteen years and a bomb had hit his house. The spirit box said, ‘Knocked. Straight not. Crystal.’ Billy said that two people died when the bomb hit – him and his sister. The spirit box said, ‘Warder. Look out.’ Note: A warder is a person who guards something. A Watchman or a Guardian. Billy said his sister was older than him. The group were trying to find out what Billy’s sister was called. The spirit box said, ‘Dead. Enough, Johnny.’ Billy said his mum is with him. Eventually it was revealed that Billy’s sister was called Joanne.

A German speaking voice came through on the spirit box. The spirit box said, ‘It’s here. Schmitz.’ Note: Schmitz is a surname meaning Blacksmith or Metalworker. It’s from Germany or Denmark. The group asked, ‘ Is this an elderly gentleman?’ The spirit box said, ‘Too young. Gerhart. Knackered.’ Note: Gerhart is a German name. The group asked, ‘Is Gerhart here speaking to us?’ The spirit box said, ‘Bombing. Flee. Shot down.’ Gerhart said he was not a fighter pilot. The SLS camera showed someone walking around the circle. The spirit box said (in a German accent), ‘This is good.’ A different spirit in the circle confirmed they were a German male. The spirit box said, ‘Fight to live. Gone.’ The spirit said he had been a prisoner of war in Southampton. He bailed out of an aircraft over the sea and was captured in 1942. He said he was part of the German Luftwaffe. The spirit box said, ‘Teasing. What we do.’ The group asked, ‘Can you tell us what your first name is.’ The spirit box said, ‘Nein (this is German for ‘no’). Breaking formation. Lost formation. One.’ The group asked, ‘Is that how you lost your plane?’ The spirit box said, ‘Shot down. Günther .’ Note: Günther is a traditional German name meaning warrior or battle army.

The group said, ‘Did you run out of petrol?’ Yes. The spirit box said, ‘Flipped down.’ The group asked, ‘Were you treated well by the British?’ The spirit box said, ‘Jawohl, (pronounced yer-vaul – this is German for ‘yes indeed’). Who’s that. I’m dead. I’m hot. The gunners dead.’ The group asked, ‘What was the gunner’s name?’ The spirit box said, ‘Horace. Followed him in.’ Several people said they felt really hot. An air raid siren noise was played and the spirit box said, ‘Here we go. She stood here.’

The person in the middle of the circle was changed and a new spirit came through. The group asked, ‘Are you a male?’ The spirit box said, ‘Yes. Behind you. From Blandford.’ The group asked, ‘Were you from Blandford?’ The spirit box said, ‘Yes. It’s not me.’ The group said, ‘Have you got a message?’ The spirit box said, ‘Dad.’ The group all called their names out, and the spirit said it was wanting to spek to Steve. As Steve said his name, the spirit box said, ‘Evening.’ Steve asked, ‘Are you a relative?’ The spirit box said, ‘Richard. Push it.’ Steve said, ‘Is it ten years since you passed?’ The spirit box said, ‘It is less. Y’all. Stand up. Daz. My coat.’ Steve asked, ‘Is your name Robert?’ The spirit box said, ‘Yes. Hurt. Andy. Son. See it. Spirits.’ The person in the centre of the circle said it felt as if there was a rope tied around their stomach and it was very tight. Someone else said their stomach hurt. A female spirit came through and said she was just here it say hello. The group asked, ‘Are there lots of spirits here?’ The spirit box said, ‘Lovely.’ The group asked, ‘Are they all nice spirits?’ The spirit box said, ‘Yes. Bless you. Sixty-two. Mind the gap.’ One member had the song ‘All things bright and beautiful’ in their head. The spirit box said, ‘Peggy. Find here.’ The spirit confirmed that Peggy is a child and an orphan who died in 1962. The spirit box said, ‘One other. Similar. Bless her.’

The circle was closed and the spirit box said, ‘Call out.’ The group did some calling out but absolutely nothing happened. The spirit box said, ‘Rocket man died.’ The group opened an Ouija board. Teddy lit up then rabbit lit up. Rabbit’s eye kept going off and wouldn’t stop. The spirit box said, ‘Good.’ Rabbit continued to light up. The spirit box said, ‘Six on board. Two on board. Half mature.’ Rabbit stopped flashing. The planchette spelt TANY and the spirit box said, ‘Woof.’ The spirit said their name was Tania and the spirit box said, ‘Not easy.’ A female on the board said she was not looking for Peggy. The spirit box said, ‘Now it is.’ The group asked, ‘Have you got a message?’ The spirit box said, ‘I did. Good lines.’ The group asked again,’ Have you got a message?’ The spirit box said, ‘Beast. I’ll tell you on the next one.’ The spirit confirmed they were playing games with the group. The spirit box said, ‘When. Growl.’ A new spirit came on the board and the spirit box said, ‘I’m sixty. Dorset area.’ The group asked, ‘Did you live in Dorset?’ The spirit box said, ‘Won’t let me answer.’ The group asked, ‘Who won’t let you answer?’ The spirit box said, ‘The devil. Poor bar****d.’ Another spirit came on the board and said they wanted to speak to someone on the board. The spirit box said, ‘Know him,’ and the planchette went to Mark. TONY was spelt on the board. The spirit box said, ‘I’m Frank. Pull through. Finish. Medical. I see.’ Mark asked which aftershave did Tony use and the planchette spelt OLD SPICE. Several people on the board said they could smell aftershave and the spirit box said, ‘Wild.’ A new male spirit came on the board. The spirit box said, ‘Sit down.’ The planchette on the board felt different and some of the group said they could smell an orangey, citrus smell. The spirit box said, ‘Geoffrey. You. Dead.’ The spirit said they had a message but wouldn’t spell anything. The spirit box said, ‘It’s someone else.’ A female spirit came on the board. The spirit box said, ‘Belinda. Raining. Ellie.’ A flash of light was seen in the room. The group asked, ‘Are you a child?’ The spirit box said, ‘Yes. Dead. The group asked the child spirit to touch a toy but nothing happened. One member became very cold. The spirit box said, ‘How thick.’ The planchette spelt MAK and the spirit box said, ‘Danger. Even. This life. Nothing.’ The spirit said they wanted to talk to Steve. It’s a relative. Steve asked, ‘Are you a brother?’ The spirit box said, ‘Family.’ The planchette said the relative had died in 1928. The spirit box said, ‘Finally.’ The group asked the planchette to spell the spirit’s name – ANDY SPENCE was written but the planchette. The spirit box said, ‘I’m dead.’ The group asked, ‘Were you adopted?’ The planchette went to ‘yes’ then to ‘goodbye’. A new spirit came on the board. The spirit box said, ‘Clean it up.’ The spirit said that Mark made them feel uncomfortable so Mark came off the board. The male spirit was connected to Hannah and spelt VI. The spirit box said, ‘Boom’. A small figure was seen on the SLS camera following Colin. The figure was walking as if it was mimicking Colin. The spirit box said, ‘Swing through hoops.’ Hannah asked some personal questions and received some personal answers. The group asked, ‘Are you proud of Hannah?’ and the spirit box said, ‘Prouder. Sue away. Yes Hannah. Behind you. Stand there. Walk on. Scotland watching.’ There were eight spirits in the room watching the group, but no bad spirits.

The board was closed and the group moved to the room directly behind the stage. A figure was seen through the SLS camera standing next to a chair, and orbs were seen through a camera on the stage. One member felt a cold breeze behind her and another member could smell sweets. One member had placed a cat ball near the camera but it had mysteriously disappeared. The spirit box said, ‘Ben.’ Nothing happened in the room so the group decided to go outside in the garden behind the hall. They did some calling out but absolutely nothing happened, apart from seeing several satellites travelling overhead. Everyone went for a tea break. During the break, someone heard someone running across the stage and a K2 meter went off. A K2 meter is a portable electromagnetic field (EMF) detector. Spirits are made of electrical energy and can manipulate these fields when they are near causing sudden light spikes. A cat ball sitting on top of a picture went off and the K2 meter went off again. Someone thought they saw a head peeping round the doorway leading off the stage. One member kept smelling something weird on the stage – urine or ammonia? A whistling noise was heard.

After the tea break, the group moved on to the stage and sat round in a circle. The spirit box said, ‘Weekend. Miss.’ Lots of people could smell the urine smell. Note: urine can signify a spirit trying to communicate, maybe an animal. The spirit box said, ‘Alan.’ Someone could hear voices and a strange sound like a machine starting up then turning off was heard. The spirit box said, ‘Stand up. What’s the matter. Can always hide. Look out. Beautiful. Who’s that. Miss ’em. Hurrah.’ The group were commenting on how quiet it was, then teddy lit up. The spirit box said, ‘We’re dead. Suicide. Just want peace.’ Teddy lit up twice. The group said, ‘Can you do that again for us?’ The spirit box said, ‘Just did.’ The group said. ‘Do it again.’ The spirit box said, ‘Easy. You’re loud.’ The group said, ‘Can you light up more balls.’ The spirit box said, ‘Shut up. Sally Ann. First name.’ The group asked, ‘Are you connected to this building?’ The spirit box said, ‘Mangled. Shadow.’ The group said, ‘Can you show yourself as an orb.’ The spirit box said, ‘Hiding. Committed suicide.’ The group asked, ‘How old were you when you committed suicide.’ The spirit box said, ‘Forty one. Male. Pompey. He’s honest. Died. Help. Buried.’ The group said, ‘Can you tell us which year you died.’ The spirit box said, ‘Find out.’ The group said, ‘Will you speak to us on a board?’ The spirit box said, ‘You use.’ The group said, ‘How many of us are sat here?’ The spirit box said, ‘All strangers.’ Someone could smell a steak pie. The group asked, ‘Can you touch the teddy?’ The spirit box said, ‘Nope.’ The group asked, ‘Can you make the K2 meter light up?’ The spirit box said, ‘Deep strop. Be scared.’ A knocking noise was heard. The group said, ‘Can you knock loudly.’ The spirit box said, ‘Probably not. Knock, knock.’ Teddy lit up. The spirit box said, ‘Danny. Give up. Cold. Choke. Any kids. Thirty years ago. Story.’ Everyone suddenly felt very tired and drained.

An Ouija board was opened on the stage. The spirit box said, ‘Pressure coming. I’m here. Ask for me.’ The planchette on the board was not moving. Something touched the top of Sue’s head and Colin felt a draft on his neck. The planchette suddenly started to move. Tania was back on the board. The planchette spelt F*** O**. Someone saw a flash of light in the room that leads off the stage. In the same room, a flash of red light was seen under the green ‘exit’ sign. The planchette spelt KNOB EDWARD. The spirit box said, ‘Seven. Smoker.’ Another flash of light was seen under the ‘exit’ sign. The spirit box said, ‘Funny. There.’ Teddy lit up. The group asked, ‘Where is Gil at the moment?’ The planchette spelt FRANCE. The spirit box said, ‘You behave,’ and the K2 meter in the doorway went off. The group asked, ‘Edward, did you used to beat boys?’ The spirit box said, ‘Enough of this shit.’ The planchette spelt GROUNDLINGS. The group asked, ‘Is the smell of urine you, Edward?’ The planchette went to ‘yes’. Ellie said, ‘When I was at Groundlings, did you pull my scarf?’ The spirit box said, ‘Yes I did. Scared.’

Mark started goading Edward by calling him names. The spirit box said, ‘Keep on.’ The planchette on the board kept trying to go the wrong way, then it started to go round and round the board. Mark continued to goad Edward and the spirit box said, ‘Idiot.’ A loud squeak was heard. Several members had a cold back, a cold hand and cold legs. The group asked Edward what he called women and the planchette spelt SLAG. Bev could hear someone walking about in the hall area. The spirit box said, ‘Dickhead. Wait. Pussy, Spirits.’ Mark was still winding Edward up and insulting him and the planchette started going round the board really fast. The spirit box said, ‘Bored.’ The group asked Edward, ‘Who do you like the most?’ The planchette spelt GIL. Mark asked, ‘Aren’t I your favourite then?’ The planchette shot to ‘no’ really strongly. The spirit box said, ‘Ground zero.’ Breathing was heard. A tapping noise was heard. A loud thud was heard. Voices were heard.

Someone called Victor came on the board and said he was aged sixty four years. Cat balls in the main hall went off. A bang was heard near the rear door in the corner. A loud bang was heard in the hall and a cat ball went off again. Hannah was asking questions on the board and a message was given to her – BE CAREFUL. Tina;s dad came on the board and Tina was asking a few questions. She was told to REST. Edward came back on the board. The planchette kept moving side to side. After a while, the planchette changed and started to move round slowly, but not stopping on any letters. A new spirit was on the board. The planchette eventually spelt ALLAH. Note: This is the Arabic name for One True God. Turkish was on the board. The group asked, ‘What do you call Mark?’ The planchette spelt W**KER. Mark asked, ‘Am I lovable?’ and the planchette went to ‘no’. Turkish said he had taken Mark’s pin badge a couple of weeks ago and had tried to hurt Mark with it. Turkish spelt a message for Mark – DNANA. Note: In Turkish, the word DANA translates to calf (a young cow or bull), or refers to veal/beef when used in food contexts. Turkish said he doesn’t speak English. He said he died on 9th September 1926 and it’s his 100 year anniversary. He died in Gosport and was aged twenty nine years. A new spirit came on the board. It was a male who committed suicide in the back room of the building. He had hung himself and it was a cry for help. The year was 1845 and he was aged nineteen years. The spirit spelt his name as DARREN YATES. He said he had lived in Curdridge and was buried in Curdridge. He worked as a farm hand.

The evening ended at 12 midnight.