Thames Valley (Berkshire & Oxfordshire) Paranormal Group

Did TVPG uncover a little bit of witchcraft in the Reading area tonight? We visited the Red Lyon pub in Hurley, built around 1737, and did pick up on witchcraft and witches.

A smaller team of myself, John, Andy, Tammy, and Sam, went to the Red Lyon on our second night of investigations this week. Sally, Simon, Scotty, and Marisa, were unable to come to a second night and were missed.



On arrival, Tammy and I were both drawn to "the snug" - a building which is added on to the main building and now connected by a short corridoor. We could both feel the presence of possible witchcraft, or other energy workings. I had been drawn to this part of the building prior to our visit, as I knew where we were going, but there is nothing about witchcraft on their website or on any other research I have come across. Also, Tammy had no idea of where we were going until we arrived in the carpark.

We arrived shortly after 8pm and began setting up our cameras, locked off cameras, trigger orbjects, and audio recording devices. Then some of us had a lovely meal from the menu (our host, Simon, the chef, has worked in a Michelin star restaurant before buying into the Red Lyon). While we ate, the rest of the team began a vigil in the attic.

Andy and I joined the vigil where Sam was reporting a tingling on her leg. We had a pendulum in a cradle as part of an experiment, and at one point it did move slightly when none of us were moving around causing floorboard movements.

The 2 chefs then joined us, and we moved to Simon's bedroom (the chef) where Tammy did pick up on something briefly. I look forward to her report on this. It then felt flat, and we moved downstairs to try and debunk why the kitchen doors might slam or bang when nobody was present. We could find no real reason for it, and did several experiments to see how the doors moved and sounded back upstairs. This remains unexplained.

We then went outside to examine a window - which has been seen to present a face, and which has no back to it. On the inside of the building, where we believe the outside glass to be, there is no window. The entire length of the wall in this area is plastered off in a modern style for the public toilets. This remains a mystery to us and to the locals and staff.

We then moved our equipment to the bar area and waited for the last couple of customers to leave. During this time, Sam felt a stronger energy in the restaurant area, whilst Tammy and myself were keen to investigate the "snug". We had a short wait while we waited for the last customers to leave the snug, and meanwhile did some calling out and photo taking in the rest of the bar and restaurant areas.

Once the last customers had left, we set up some candles in the snug, and turned off the lights, positioning the candles in a way witches might recognise and saying some wiccan phrases to cast a circle that they might recognise.

At the same time, Sam and John went back to the restaurant area, and in the snug we asked for things to happen to them. I will wait for their report on this.

At one point in the snug, Tammy had to leave and get some water. I will wait for her report on this.

I then joined John and Sam in the restaurant area, with Tammy running the snug experiments. I continued to feel that any witches present were watching us and seeing what we could do, I kept getting the phrase in my mind's eye "party tricks" and "for sure".

At about 12.30 we wrapped up, thanked our wonderful hosts, and arranged to come back to find out more. We will be back soon, I think tonight they were watching us, seeing what we were upto, and a little surprised that we brought along some modern day wiccans and pagans to try and meet them.

On route to the location I could see a lady that was dressed in her nightclothes and was knelt down on her knees. She had her head in her hands and was sobbing. I informed Neale and John but did not get anymore once we reached the location. I believe this was a warning to what was awaiting me a little after arriving home. I will explain at the end of the report.

Myself, Sam, Neale and John arrived at the Red Lyon pub a little after 8pm where we were greeted by Andy in the car park. I did not see the location on arrival as I had my eyes closed. As we made our way to the pub, we turned a corner and I could see witches outside in the garden, in front of the snug. I walked into the grounds and could see that there had been sacrifices made as I could see people hanging and a baby. I also saw a group of people in the grounds, to me this was a meeting up of witches from different locations. I stood for a while and knew I had to investigate the snug further.

Myself John and Sam began our first vigil in the attic bedroom, and were joined a little after by Neale and Andy. John done some calling out, and we did get 2 taps in response to Johns request, however I believe this was echoed from the ground floor. After 20 minutes I became aware of a women that came to the bottom of the stairs, watched us and would then disappear. This lady I believe to be one of the witches. She was dressed in ordinary looking clothes and looked to be in her late 40's early 50's. I strongly feel that this woman would have been nice on first meeting, but I could see she had a different side to her. I also informed John that I felt that the floor would not of been there back in its early days.

We moved our vigil to the first floor bedroom. On the walk around I did sense the spirit of a male who did make me feel uneasy, but unfortunately by the time we done a vigil in this room, it was flat.

We went outside where I was shown a window. In my minds eye the upstairs window right at the end of the building to the left, I could see a hole (an entrance). I cant really explain it but it is similar to what you would get in the top half of a barn. Something that would have been used to enter the top floor of a building / barn. I could see a female stood in this window but because of the angle that I was stood, I was not sure if it was caused by a reflection. I went back inside to see where this window led to but it was blocked up. I strongly felt that this window could be found behind a false wall in the men's toilets near the urinals.

After a short while we moved our vigil to the ground floor, bar / restaurant area. As myself and John entered the restuarant area I could see the witches stood in a circle. The team recreated this circle but myself and Neale felt that we needed to go into the snug.

After the last customers had left we all relocated to the snug. I sat in a chair near the fireplace and could see dolls that were made of a type of cloth, like little small rag dolls but with out the clothes, hair and features. I could clearly see these dolls nailed to the fireplace. Neale lit candles and placed them in areas that represented the elements, earth, water, fire, spirit etc. I sat near the candle that represented water. I felt like I was struggling to breath, my breathing became shallow and I was gasping for air. I left the room briefly to have some water and compose myself. I then returned to the snug area to continue with the vigil.

At this point Neale, Sam, and John moved back into the restaurant area. I continued to call out in the snug and asked for things to happen to the other team but nothing happened. However I did pick up on the names Rose and Beth. On our next visit I would love to spend more time in the grounds to investigate it further.

Overall another interesting investigation. We thanked our host and made our way home.

Now the girl on route to the location. I was unable to locate this vision but once I was home I received a phone call from my sister in law to inform that my brother had suffered a fit / seizure whilst they were in bed. He was rushed into hospital for further test. Needless to say my sister in law was distraught and had phoned me sobbing uncontrollably. Thankfully he is back home now but needs to see a neurologist. Was my vision a coincidence? im not sure, but it is interesting.

Sally, Scotty, Si and Marisa we missed you xx

Another great one for you guys you will definately have to go back as it seems you were onto something in the snug, party games indeed!! it would be great if you could learn more about how they practiced their craft back then, we don't have much to go on as practically nothing survived.

The doors were interesting, something worth looking into further.

As to what happened to you on the way Tammy that one is certainly a mystery, can't think of a logical explanation to give you, sorry.

Wow!!!! Two invessies in two days and this morning I felt like I had a huge hang over (without the alcohol!!)

I arrived just before 8:00 and had a walk round. Despite the interior being a mix of modern and original, the place was clearly old, with exposed beams and slightly 'crooked' feel to it - espescially upstairs. I'm not the tallest, but my head hit the ceiling at times.

After some much needed food (I can strongly recommend the amazing lamb burgers!!) I joined John, Sam and Tammy in the upper bedroom. Whilst I experienced nothing, John and I chose to remain whilst the others went downstairs as we both felt something would happen. Apart from a fluctuation on the EMF meter at one stage, nothing else happened. John joined the others who were now downstairs, but i remained as I still felt there was more to happen. Unfortunately, this wasnt the case.

Soon, the bar cleared and we began investigating downstairs. Not much happened, but it was good for the staff to join us.

Whilst the experiences were limited, I can honestly say there was a feeling that something would happen. I would love to back there, as I think there is far more to discover!!!!

I missed an investigation in a good location and worse still I missed food bah!!!!!

You missed the bill for the food too, £11 for a burger and chips. It was nice though, the chef is Michelin star trained.

I felt pretty much the same way as Andy, after two investigation's woke up with that feeling I had been out drinking all night taken in a club and rolled in back in about 5 in the morning, but no hang over.

Neale Sam Tammy and my self arrived about 8.
Tammy, Sam and I did the first vigil in the roof space bed room
We tried some calling out but felt pretty quiet. After a while Andy and Neale joined us but nothing very much happened.


My last investigation was down in the bar area a nice atmosphere, but I didn’t experience anything.

The two investigation seem to take there toll on me, I don't think I gave this one my or, that’s why I would love to go back sometime, I am sure there is more to unearth.

We missed Marisa, Sally, Simon and Scotty.

Another great night at the Red Lyon for John, Neale, Andy, Tammy and myself....Si, Sally Marisa & Scotty were very much missed xx

It was an honour to investigate the Red Lyon and very interesting....We started in the top room what seemed to be an attic conversion i felt a tingle to my left leg i would have liked longer in this room but also i wanted to cover the rest of the building with enough time. I was aware of an energy in the upper left of the building and the ground floor below it. While down on the ground floor i had the word 'curse' come to me.I think there is a lot of hidden stories to be found.

The snug area we did a vigil and i didn't really feel anything as such so decided that John and I would go back to the other end 'the restaurant' i felt it was a good idea to cover it whilst everyone was at the other end.

We did well being our second investigation in a row, well done everyone!

It would be great to go back again with the rest of the team

Link for pics http://s668.photobucket.com/albums/vv41 ... 40x480.jpg

Nothing out of the ordinary caught on pics or voice recorder x