They’re here! Real case of video nasties.
by Richard Green.
We’ve all heard about video nasties… well here’s one video store with “nasties” of a different type… For now starring at Westend Video in Rugeley is… a real poltergeist! Never mind things going bump in the night, what about white mists on the landing and missing video cassettes in broad daylight! Strange things are happening at the store, as the staff are ready to testify to.
“We’re haunted, I’m sure of it,” said Pauline Roberts. “I’m open minded about spooks, but I have to admit there are things happening here which logic can not explain.”
Items mysteriously disappear when there is no one around who could possibly have taken them. Videos needed by one member of staff have the habit of protruding from shelves voluntarily. A white mist appears and lingers at the top of the stairs in the early evenings.
“We think the building was once a funeral parlour,” revealed store manager David Coxen. “There is an attic space that appears to have once been used as sleeping quarters and the walls are littered with newspapers dating back over a hundred years. Reports in these support the funeral parlour story.”
The happenings at the store are not new occurrences, the staff have lived with them for some time. Pauline’s daughter, Sharon, isn’t exactly the sort of person to frighten easily… but even so admits to being a bit nervous of going to the loo… “I won’t go upstairs on my own,” she explained. “I’ve decided to research the history of the building to see if I can establish who may have died there,” said David.
If any reader can help David unravel the mystery of the Westend poltergeist contact Chase Post on Lichfield 258523.
Lichfield Post, 8th February 1990.
Poltergeists – They’re here! And they’re out to eat you!
Report: Richard Green.
Psychic researchers believe the strange goings on at Rugeley’s Westend Video could be down to a strange energy source. following our exclusive report on poltergeist activities in the store, members of the Psychic Eye Midlands appeared on the scene offering a scientific investigation of the phenomenon. “It is a very interesting case,” declared team leader Ashley Jones. “Energy sources are a classic focus for poltergeist attention. And that could be what is happening here.”
Most of the incidents occur to the younger members of staff and in the area of the computers, both rich sources of energy, explained Mr Jones. Temperature readings taken on the stairs where the mysterious mist has been repeatedly seen were a good ten degrees lower than elsewhere on the premises. “This is an acknowledged sign of possible spectral activity,” he said.
Pauline Roberts, assistant manager at Westend Video said; “I don’t think I like the idea of being a source of food for whatever it is. The researchers told me it’s quite harmless though.”
Further investigation of the phenomenon was offered by the locally based psychic team but declined by the store’s management, for fear of disturbing the ‘presence.’ “We are still very interested in this and would like to be kept informed of developments and the results of the search of the building’s history that is being carried out,” said Mr Jones.
A lot has happened at Westend Video since the story broke. “It’s incredible,” declared Pauline. “We were besieged with people wanting to know more. Most of the town’s folk showed a genuine interest, obviously there were a few who said it was all a publicity stunt – I assured them it wasn’t.” Among those beating a path to Westend video’s door were three evangelists and a medium who offered their services in any attempt to either contact or exorcise the spirit. “We sent them on their way,” said Pauline.
Lichfield Post, 29th March 1990.