New museum in Wisbech is just the place for a spirit filled birthday bash

Fans of the supernatural can now enjoy ghost hunting parties or a visit to an intriguing new museum in Wisbech.

The Paranormal Parlour opened at the end of last year at the town's Institute and is already looking to expand from its two rooms on the first floor by adding two more on the ground-floor.

Set up by Becky D'aloia-Titmarsh and her business partner Lynda Street the venture is already proving a hit with those interested in spirits and the spirit world. It is also believed to be only the third of its kind in the country.

Becky is also part of Forgotten Souls Paranormal which holds ghost hunting events at Wisbech Castle and now at the Institute.

The museum itself is decorated appropriately for the Institute's era and is filled with items from the historic building as well as 'haunted' items collected by Becky and Lynda as well as others donated.

Among the donated items is a hand-carved mirror depicting Heaven and Hell, which was created by Herbert Wickes, great grandfather of Ray Wickes, who is one of the Institute's directors. It has pride of place over a fireplace in one of the museum's two rooms.

Many of the other donated items are dolls and Becky said those sensitive to the spirit world can feel the presence of someone once associated with them.

"I'm not very sensitive myself, so I can't always get that feeling. There are stories to each of the items. For instance the doll called Grace communicates through a Ouija board. She has given us the date 1848 as well as other information.

"We don't know the age of the dolls or where they have all originated from, but using our specialist equipment we can learn about the spirits attached to them. Another doll called Sarah for instance is known as 'the fire starter'. "

The museum is open to the public 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday - simply ring the bell on the front door for access, but visitors should be warned they may not be the only ones enjoying the museum and its surroundings.

"We often get spirits turning up, we have apparitions, we hear voices and the other day the drawers in our filing cabinet kept opening and closing really slowly," said Becky, who admits to being a little nervous of the unusual happenings.

"I always try to work out what lights I can safely leave on when I go to leave in the evening and its dark. The other day I looked up from the desk and there was a man standing over in the doorway. One arm on his white shirt was really clear the rest of him was barely there. I looked up, saw him and then tried to pretend I hadn't.

"We are now holding ghost hunting events here and we hire the ballroom for that as an extra area to use. It can get quite lively. We are still holding events at the Castle, but were planning to leave as it had been quite quiet spiritually. Then at the recent event one of our volunteers was knocked out cold by a spirit punching him in the face in the Castle's Fendick Room - so it appears to have picked up again.

"Here at the Institute over Christmas I was setting up the grotto and I could hear footsteps walking across the ballroom floor. Then in a really strong Fen accent someone asked 'what's all this about' and when I turned to explain - there was no-one there.

"We are looking to expand and would like to hear from mediums, clairvoyants, tea leaf readers and others like that who would be interested in joining us. We will be holding a crystal workshop, and we can organise ghost hunting parties if people are interested in doing something different to celebrate their birthday or other events."