The Greenall family prospered through their brewing business and subsequently by purchase of the Walton Hall Estate became country landowners.  From this base they became prominent in politics and subsequently entered into the peerage.  In the late 18^th century and early 19^th century they would have been known to the Cheshire gentry and professional people through their brewing interests.

The family traces its descent from Thomas Greenhalgh who died in 1584 but the name evolved to Greenall.  The first brewery was built in St Helens in 1762 by Thomas Greenall.  (Wife’s name unknown at present).

Thomas had a son called Edward Greenall who purchased the Walton Hall estate in 1812 , Edward had five sons.  Out of these 5 sons Thomas, Peter and Gilbert entered the family business.  It was Edwards’s youngest son Gilbert who was the first who lived at Walton Hall.

Gilbert Greenall was born in 1867 and he married Frances Eliza Griffith in 1900.  They had one son also named Gilbert Greenall (Hon) who was born in 1901.  The family were admitted into the peerage in 1927 and Gilbert became the first Lord and Lady Daresbury.  Lord Daresbury died in 1938 aged 71 and unfortunately left the family owing £500,000 worth of death duties, which sadly lead to the sale of Walton Hall Estate in 1941.

Hon. Gilbert Greenall married Betty Isobel Crawford in 1924.  Gilbert sadly died on the 27^th July 1928 at the tender age of 26 in a car crash at Windsor Park.

(We are currently researching more history on the hall and will display any additional findings on our website)

There has been many paranormal investigations conducted at Walton Hall, below is a table showing all previous sightings which other paranormal groups have picked up, note how some information can be linked to our experiences.

Cellar and Grounds

Staircase and Entrance Hall

Bar Area

Lady Daresbury’s Bedroom

Gibson/Banqueting Room

Paranormal Kingdom Results

As you know on the evening we split into 3 groups lead by Tricia, Keith and Andy.  The following information is what each group experienced on the evening.

Group 1 lead by Andy

Team members: Simon, Clare, Cathy, Diane and Karen

Group 2 lead by Keith

Team members: Vicky, Jane, Jane’s Friend, John and Keith

Group 3 lead by Tricia

Team members: Jan, Ste, Sally, Collette and Mattie

Stairs and Entrance Hall

Baseline Test Results:

Hallway/Entrance: 23.5°C

Middle Stairs: 21.5°C

Top Stairs: 21.5°C

We had no significant reports of anything in the entrance hall and stair area but this was probably because we did not take time to fully investigate the area.  We have noted that for future visits that this area including the landing with the Piano would be worth covering.

Bar Area

Baseline Test Results: 20.3°C

Group 1 no significant reports.

Group 2 reported that they heard ‘tapping’ noises in the bar area and the clock situated behind the bar area seemed to have periods of being quiet and then became noisy again.  One member complained of feeling sick. 

Upon reviewing our video footage we can confirm that we have discovered a light anomaly which emanates up from the floor and shoots up past the stacked tables and chairs, we have no explanation for this but footage will be shown on the website.  We have also caught ‘blue mist’ in the bar area and again we have no explanation for this but we will post on the website.

Group 3 reported that one member felt ‘uneasy’ when they approached the right hand side of the fire place, the area did have ‘cold spots’ but this could be attributed to the fireplace being open.  After asking out with no success the group decided to hold a séance with 4 female members of the group with great success a little boy called ‘Harry’ came through who told the group he was only 3 years old, he also informed the group that his older brother was present who was called Charlie and he was 10 years old.  This information can be linked back to previous paranormal investigations who have confirmed the same names although they have reported that Harry was 10 where we where informed Harry was 3 and Charlie was 10, it was noted however that previous paranormal groups have not reported Harry’s age.  Harry seemed to prefer to respond to women’s voices especially Jan’s and confirmed that he would stay with Jan.  This again collaborates with other paranormal groups who have stated that Harry tends to stay with one woman and Charlie gets jealous. 

The group reported cold blasts of air around there legs and across there hands but this could be again attributed to the fireplace or the fact there was a door situated to the right hand side of the table.  Harry reported that him and Charlie where born in Lancashire and their parents where not with them.  The group reported later on that they did not remember hearing the clock ticking whilst in the room but later on when on a break in the hallway commented on how loud the ticking seemed to be compared to when they where holding the séance.

On reviewing footage some small light anomalies have been caught on camera and these will be posted on the website.

Group 3 decided to return to the bar area in the ‘free time’ and held another séance to try and communicate with the children, however a young lady came through who told the group her name was Teresa Gilbert and that she had married into the Greenall family.  Teresa told the group she was born in Ireland and that she was in the picture which was situated on the wall by the window.  Teresa identified herself and her grandmother on the picture (see below the girl peaking round the back is Teresa and her grandmother is second row up with the large hat on)

She informed the group that it was her who had caused Tricia to cry upstairs as she wanted to grab her attention.  Teresa stated that the reason why she cries is because she misses her grandmother, after many questions the group identified that her grandmother only comes in visitation to see Teresa but Teresa remains within the house and has not gone to the other side. 

It was identified that her mother and father died young and she was brought up by her grandmother and that they where very close.  Teresa informed the group that there was 7 spirits within the house, this can be collaborated with previous paranormal groups who have also been given this information.

Conclusion: Group 3 seemed to have the most success with the séance in the room, firstly with the children and then Teresa.  If we can find records of Teresa and can match the picture of her with others we can deem this as good evidence. However the team leaders held a separate séance later on and spoke to Teresa again, the outcome of which is posted at the end of the report.

‘Lady Daresbury’s’ Bedroom

Baseline Test Results: 20.0°C

Group 1 reported that the room belonged to ‘Lady Margaret’, further research into this area shows that the 3^rd Baron of Daresbury Edward Greenall had a wife called ‘Margaret Ada’ who was born before 1937 and died in 1952, she would have been the 3^rd Lady Daresbury. 

Some members of the group reported seeing ‘black lights’.  Musty smells were also reported but this can be attributed to the age of the property and so can be subsequently being ruled out as anything ‘paranormal’.  The group also reported noises emanating from the ‘roof’ area and that a draw had been opened which was shut when they had entered the room.

Afterwards the team leader reported that the group had heard ‘furniture dragging’ but believed that this was emanating from the room below, afterwards it was clarified that the team in the lower room (which was the bar area) did not move any furniture. 

The group reported that a ‘jovial’ man was present in the room, a big character and his name was Thomas they also reported that his grandson had lost them the house. 

We have checked on this information and it does weigh up with past records, Thomas was the founder of the Greenall Brewery Business and his grandson was indeed Gilbert who died owning death duties, which subsequently lead to the sale of Walton Hall Estate.

Group 2 reported that they also heard furniture being dragged and also presumed that it was emanating from the room below, the bar area.  No further results where found.

Group 3 reported that they felt quite comfortable in the room when they first entered, a few pictures showed up ‘light anomalies’ and these where taken whilst all members where seated in the room and took at least 10 minutes into the vigil so dust particles could be ruled out in this instance.  The atmosphere in the room was quite ‘jovial’ and caused all group members to start ‘laughing’ for no apparent reason as if they where ‘tipsy’, one member picked up on the fact that someone would have been drinking when they where in this room. 

4 female members decided to hold a séance with the response that they where talking to a child but all members felt that this was someone ‘messing’ with them and upon further clarification found they where talking to ‘Lady Daresbury’ the atmosphere in the room changed quite dramatically and all members felt uneasy, they where told that the ‘lady’ was not a nice person.  The torch suddenly turned off and would not work again and one member who tried to film the séance had their camera turned off.  All group members quickly exited the room following this encounter.  The torch came back on when the group returned downstairs.

Conclusion: The same information and experiences seem to be picked up on by all members, no team leaders discussed their experiences with each other until each one had taken a group in and everyone had the same story to tell.  Group 3 seem to be the one who where the most spooked by Lady Daresbury’s response and Group 1 findings do collaborate with past history records which can be classified as good evidence.  The dragging of furniture was heard by all teams and can be connected to past paranormal investigations by other groups.  Upon the earlier walk around both Keith and Andy witnessed the bedroom door close it stopped and upon asking to close it further it responded this has also been witnessed by other paranormal groups who have visited the hall.

Gibson/Banqueting Room

Baseline Test Results: 19.0°C

Group 1 reported that a girl tried to communicate with them and was distressed, she was dressed in a white dress and felt that she was not as ‘strong’ as other people in the house.  She was said to sit up in the far left hand side of the room crouching in the corner and crying.  We can link this to staff reports who have heard a woman crying uncontrollably and a previous paranormal group have witnessed a woman dressed in white in the hall area looking into the bar area.

Group 2 reported that they had spoken to a woman who died between 1910-1920 and was approximately 80 years of age, the lady told them she was born in the 1830’s and was called ‘Polly Anna’ or ‘Pol’ and that her face was used by her husband to carve into the wardrobe which is situated at the right hand end of the room.  She also reported that she had 6 children and 2 grandchildren and was from Southern Ireland.  She gave the group her second name as being ‘Francis’ and that she had brown hair and green eyes. 

Following reviews of our cameras we can confirm that we have caught strange ‘flashing’ orbs emanating from one end of the room, we have ruled out the fact that this could be a fly/moth and deem this as very interesting evidence, this will be posted on the website in due course.

Group 3 reported that they heard ‘knocking’ emanating from the wardrobe in response to questions, the group members where positioned in the middle of the room sat round a table under the lintel of the room (this room would have been 2 separate rooms at one stage) with one member sat right next to the wardrobe asking questions.  At one point this group member decided to check out the inside of the wardrobe and caused quite a commotion as they believe they had heard a voice, after further investigation it was found that it was merely the wardrobe door creaking as it was being opened which rules

out anything paranormal.  We can however clarify that the knocking noises where heard by other groups and so we deem this as good evidence, however Group 3 did not have a camcorder present in the room and so we unfortunately did not catch these knocking noises on camera.

A second incident reported by the group was when a team member got ‘poked’ in her bum twice and ended up on a fellow team member’s knee which again caused quite a commotion! The group then decided to move the table into one or the other rooms and not remain positioned under the lintel of the room, the table was moved down the left end of the room, the group became quite ‘jovial’ again and where laughing over the incidents that had so far occurred in the room when Tricia suddenly stood up and her laughter went to tears and she started crying uncontrollably and had to leave the room, group members report she could not tell them what was wrong and had to leave the area and go downstairs.

When speaking to a member of Group 1 they confirmed that Tricia’s experience could be connected to the girl who was seen in that room crying uncontrollably, the two stories seemed to match insofar as Tricia could not explain what she was crying over and could not ‘get her words out’.  This evidence is questionable but we can rule out any subconscious actions as Tricia was unaware of what Group 1 had discovered in that room and only afterwards did the stories match up.  After Tricia’s experience she refused to go back up to the room, however after about 10 minutes she requested to go back upstairs as she felt she needed too, after entering the room again she informed other team members she felt okay.

A séance was held in the room in ‘Free Time’ but not much happened.  The séance was brought downstairs into the bar area and the group seemed to get a better response.

Conclusion: The banqueting room seemed to hold much activity, knocking noises from the wardrobe, good contact made through séances and the great footage we have of flashing orbs which we discovered afterwards.  Tricia’s experience did coincide with reports of another group who had been in there and no information had been given to Tricia and her group before they entered into the room and so this seems good evidence.  Jan believes that it was one of the children that poked her in the bum! If we can find information on ‘Polly Anna’ and again on ‘Teresa’ this would again be very good evidence.

Cellar and Grounds

Grounds

The only time the grounds where visited was when the organisers arrived at the location.  Armed with a torch we set off to explore, nothing much to report apart from a wood pigeon which flew up from the under growth and caused Tricia to have a screaming session (but hey what’s new there then!).  Apart from that there was the odd rustling of leaves and hedges but this was put down to the fact that it was very windy.

Cellar

When the organisers first arrived 2 members went to explore the Cellar and placed 2 trigger objects, these where reviewed twice throughout the night and had not moved. 

In break periods voluntary members took it in turns to go down into the cellar the first time group members went down Keith saw a face of a man on the wall and another group member witnessed a shadow.  We cannot collaborate if this person was called Tom (as previous paranormal groups have picked up on) as the cellar was small and we did not spend enough time in there to make a connection with anyone, although a male presence has been reported in the past.

At the end of the night the trigger objects where reviewed but they had not been moved all night.

Team Leader Séance

At the end of the evening the 3 team leaders, Tricia, Keith and Andy decided to hold a séance in the Bar Area as this seemed to be the most responsive area.  Whilst beginning the séance Tricia felt the back of her chair being tugged.  Again the group spoke to Teresa who brought forward some more information she also confirmed that it was Charlie who had pulled the back of Tricia’s chair.  She informed the group that the spirits that reside upstairs do not venture down into the lower rooms and that when she is up in the Gibson/ Banqueting Room she is often prevented from speaking which is why she responds better downstairs.  Teresa informed the group that she does not wish to go to the other side as she wants to stay in the house due to her ‘true love’, Andy asked if this person was a lower class than herself and Teresa responded by saying yes, she informed us that her love for this man was frowned upon and that her grandmother visits but goes back again and this is what makes her sad.

The most intriguing evidence is connected to information that Tricia has been given before our visit to Walton Hall over a ‘past life’, Teresa confirmed that the reason why she affected Tricia was to get her attention and to let her know she was with her in her past life and that she was with her when she died.  At this point the glass started to slow down and we recognised that Teresa was obviously upset by the conversation.  Previous people have informed Tricia that she was stabbed in her back and Teresa confirmed this also. 

Conclusion: This séance held personal experiences which may be looked upon as being inconclusive evidence, but Teresa did confirm why she stayed in the house and whilst we have no concrete evidence of what she says is true it was reassuring to know after the evening we had that the spirits we encountered upstairs would not be venturing downstairs! Tricia felt very emotional about the information Teresa was giving her but a lot of people view glass séances as a form of subconscious thoughts so some might rule this evidence out.

Walton Hall was a fantastic place to investigate and we got some good solid evidence which we can link back to past history records, some names we now have to research further.  Some team members went on a emotional rollercoaster in the house but still came out saying that would go back tomorrow, Walton Hall didn’t disappoint anyone and in the words of Arnie….we will be back!

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