Ghost investigation at the Reproduction Centre, Hartlepool

I've always been quite interested and intrigued by the paranormal world. Ghost Adventures, Most Haunted, Ghost Hunters. You name it - I've seen it.  I've spent hours upon end watching episode after episode, being shocked at the slightest whisper or spirit voice and being amazed at the presence of orbs.

I would say I do believe in ghosts, but when you watch TV shows that are always edited for entertainment value, you wonder: is this actually real, or is it simply exaggerated? Do they really 'feel' all the things they claim like a breeze or being touched or is it all just in their head? Such questions have always plagued me whilst watching.

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The team for the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The Reproduction Centre, Hartlepool. (Image: CHRIS ARMSTRONG)

However, I had never joined a paranormal investigation myself to test my beliefs. That was until last weekend (October 15) when I joined investigator Jo Banks of North East Paranormal Investigators at The Furniture, Fire, and Granite Warehouse (also known as the Reproduction Centre) on Reed Street in Hartlepool for a four-hour investigation.

Just a few of the many spooky goings on that have been reported at the sprawling building include the apparition of a lady in a red polka dot dress, glasses flying off participants' heads and particularly emotional tales from the war when the cellar of the building was used as a shelter. 

Images from the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Images from the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Before we embarked on a long exploration of the warehouse we gathered in a circle and held selenite wands for an opening prayer, asking for protection from spirit guides for our safety throughout the evening. Then, the fun began.

Whilst most of the building has been used as a family-run home furnishing store for over 30 years, at least 50% of the building is used for either storage or is dormant which meant our exploration and introduction to the space took particularly long.

We walked from room to room, chatting about previously recorded experiences in that area whilst some of the more spiritually sensitive of our group spoke of any feelings they were experiencing in that particular spot.

For my walk around I was handed a trusty EMF detector to carry around with me which picks up on the electromagnetic field around you and can sense the presence of a spirit. Whilst the detector did spike a few times when I questioned a corner where a chair had been reportedly moved in the attic, nothing out of the ordinary struck me.

Images from the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Images from the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

But, this was all set to change when our whole group moved into another disused area that was noted for a flux of activity two nights prior to our investigation. We all stood back and leaned against the walls, whilst the lead investigators took out a REM pod - a small device that is triggered only if you get close enough to touch it. Another attendee also used a device said to bring forth words from the spirit world, allowing them to answer questions.

Many then chipped in with questions, asking any spirits to come forward. Are they male, or female, did they die here? Did they work here? The REM pod finally responded. Intelligently, it lit up when it was asked and appeared to answer questions put forth by the group. 

I was in awe, and simply stood back in disbelief as I didn't think this much activity would be recorded and I'd ever get the chance to see it with my own eyes. You could truly feel the atmosphere of the room change and the temperature dropped by 2C as I felt a cool breeze pass me by - it was truly a creepy room.

Images from the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Images from the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

This creepy feeling continued when we moved down to the cellar which harboured a very oppressive and sad atmosphere that initially made my chest tighten with anxiety. This was also where the REM pod lit up in a frantic manner, this time prompted by me playing 'We'll Meet Again' by Vera Lynn on my phone in an effort to stir up any wartime spirits who may still be hiding there.

Later on in the evening, we returned to the same cellar location where an Ouija board was brought out. Now, I will admit that Ouija boards have forever been an object of scepticism for me. I have always thought, there's no way these boards work, and those using it simply push it around for effect.

I was very quickly proven wrong.

Images from the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Images from the investigation at the Hartlepool Reproduction Centre. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Little pressure was placed on the planchet by fingers as it spun around the board, answering questions about its age, and name as well as how and where it passed over. A male spirit indicated he went by ESG, which we suspected could be initials. The spirit then indicated he was joined by 6 others, revealing he was in the Navy and passed away in Hartlepool in 1920 - it was a fascinating thing to watch. 

Following the evening, I spoke to Jo Banks, who is working on a book about the various haunted locations in Hartlepool which includes a hefty chapter on the Reproduction Centre.

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She said: "The REM pods were very impressive for me down in the cellar, you never usually get that much activity on them but they were almost electrically charged - that in itself was a pretty big deal for me.

"Every time you investigate a building it's completely different. It's absolutely a fantastic venue. There would have been a lot of traumatic experiences in that building over the years."

So, would you dare test your beliefs on an investigation like I did? From my positive experience, I'd definitely recommend anyone to have a go - you never know what you may find.