THE LOCATION

Ryecroft Hall, once a grand home, is located in the Greater Manchester area of Audenshaw. This was to be Haunted Escapes home for the night as we attempt to discover well documented ghostly activity.

The hall dates back to the mid 1800s and was a simple home. By the time of the first world war, the hall was converted into a temporary hospital with enough bed capacity for around 100 beds to tend to the injured. Sadly, there were many casualties, and with no place to lay those people to rest until burial, the cellars became a temporary morgue until funeral arrangements could be made.

As the decades went by, the hall would eventually be donated to the people of Audenshaw. Jumping forward to present times and the hall is host to community events both inside and outside in the surrounding parklands.

PRE EVENT WALKAROUND

Walking through the double door entrance, you enter the reception lobby. Immediately to your left and right are smaller (although still large) reception rooms. Continuing along the lobby, you cannot miss the view up to the landing area and the staircase leading up to the first floor. At the very end of the ground floor lobby is a large room which has likely held many formal events.

Taking the main stairs up to the first floor, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful landing area. Standing at the wooden railings and looking down you have the sight of the crested seal. As you continue to walk along the first floor, there are multiple doors leading off to what were once bedrooms and private studies.

The real surprise on the first floor is a large ballroom hidden behind an unsuspecting door. Next to the ballroom entrance is the servant’s staircase which leads you back down to the ground floor.

With the session underway, the same icy air began to circle the guests around the wooden table. It is worth mentioning that certain experiments, often being table tipping and ouija boards, can take time to get going. We often alike it to stoking a fire with bellows.

After what felt like an eternity, and with plenty of group calling out over and over. The table slowly rocked into life. There were no big shifts in movement, and it was impossible to gain an understanding of who was with us. The main thing to take comfort from was the fact things had started to happen.

Attempting to get good solid activity, and to really keep everyone focused on the task at hand. We all worked in sync to get a grand moment, which did pay off. In an almost chanting style, repeatedly saying tip this table onto two legs, tip this table onto two legs, the table did succumb and end up being positioned on two legs.

No sooner had it tipped to our determination, the table soon tilted back to its four-legged stance. It was at this moment that everything felt flat despite the group feeling amazed and accomplished. For this to happen at this time, at the end of the vigil goes to show that paranormal activity is not constant.

CLOSING VIGILS

After a refuel of teas and coffees, it would be back to business. With that, a change of area, a small side room close to the now kitchen area.

Two tables, with a group around each one, would be attempting to have glass movement. As the guests began leading the way, it was to be the entrance door to the room, that would first grab everyone’s attention. Twice this door opened by itself, despite being firmly and correctly closed.

With guests continuing to call out, equipment that was placed on a table positioned no more than 3ft away from the door was reacting to their voices. However, what really had everyone questioning was the opening of the door. Was this a spirit entering the room to join us? Or was this a spirit opening the door requesting us to leave?