I have always been interested in the paranormal since childhood. I read ghost stories Living in Essex and close to Borley I am familiar with its history. When I was 13, I read "The End of Borley Rectory" by Harry Price. I remember my grandmother saying "Can't he read something normal?" I was unable to obtain Harry Price's earlier book "The most haunted house in England". I am looking forward to receiving it.
From 1982 I was a member of a group that investigated haunted houses. The group was called the "Essex Society for Psychical Research". Run by Reg Pembroke and Claire Allaway. We went to numerous sites around Essex. Haunted restaurants, churches etc. I am still friendly with Claire who now reads Tarot cards professionally. She still goes to the odd haunted site. I found the more psychic/sensitive one is, the more chance of them of picking up paranormal activity.
Reg was a real enthusiast. In the 1980s one was allowed to stay in Borley church overnight, provided you were locked in. He did this on several occasions with his blind brother. He heard sounds from within the church.
I spent some nights at Borley Church , wiring it up etc. The more spiritual among us heard monastic chanting. In those days the church was open more often. Inside the church there was a register entitled "The haunted church" for visitors to sign. Opposite the church there were some old stables. There was evidence of "black magic"; inscriptions on the wall and blood markings. We were advised not to remove any stones from the site. These stables were demolished in 1985.
I remember going down to Borley one sunny afternoon and talking to the locals who were totally dismissive of any ghost.
On my first night there we were disturbed by "Hells Angels". We went to Sudbury and called the police and said we were a neighbour. We later returned. We heard noises from the church. The graveyard had been damaged by vandalism and by the mid 1980's. The neighbours were fed up with people investigating the church. A spotlight was put up and the neighbour opposite had a loud speaker installed. Due to vandalism the church is now locked. The police patrol the area constantly.
In 1988 I formed a company called "Psychic Tours". We did day trips to Glastonbury, Haunted Kent, and did a "Essex ghost and witchcraft tour", which of course stopped at Borley. Psychic Tours unfortunately has now disbanded although we still run the odd "private trip." The "Essex ghost and witchcraft tour" was a later addition.
Now I live in Colchester which is about 15 miles from Borley. I am an accountant (not the most spiritual job) and have become involved in the Buddhist movement.
I was delighted to find your fascinating website and renew my enthusiasm with Borley.