The Ley Arms, Kenn, Nr Exeter

Place: Ley Arms - Kenn - Nr Exeter

Date: 24th February 2007

Time: 0001 - 0430 hrs

Weather

Damp and slight rain.

Moonstate:

Temperature readings

A data and humidity logger was set in the fireplace area and recorded readings at 1 minute intervals. A selection of readings and the outline graph appear below:

Time

2235 hrs: 23 degrees 45.5 %humidity.

2359 hrs: 23 degrees 44.5% humidity.

0036 hrs: 22.5 degrees 43.0% humidity.

0453 hrs: 23.5 degrees 51.5% humidity.

Introduction

Haunted Devon’s latest excursion into the unknown took them back to The Ley Arms near Exeter.  The Ley Arms is a large and spacious thatched pub standing near to The River Kenn which cuts through the village that it gives its name to.  The history of Kenn dates back almost two millennia to the time of the Romans' arrival (55BC - 400 AD) when they built a network of military roads throughout Britain including a section over Haldon Hill, to link Exeter with Totnes and on into Cornwall. The history of the Ley Arms can be traced back as far as 1200AD.
The report of the previous investigation by Haunted Devon can be found here.

Three members of the Haunted Devon Team, Brian, Byron and Caz arrived early at the pub (1930 hrs) to set up recording and monitoring equipment. They were met by the manageress who had arranged to have a room put aside for the Team where refreshments could be enjoyed without disturbing the regulars. The arrival of a paranormal investigation Team had generated much interest with the clientele of the establishment and Byron was asked if some of the local residents could stay and watch the night’s events after the bar had closed. This was readily agreed to as a thank you for our host’s hospitality.

The investigation could not start until after closing time so Caz, Haunted Devon’s Mediumship advisor, agreed to do a walk round of the pub while we waited to start. The investigation itself was to be confined to the ground floor bar area but Caz did a thorough sweep of all areas. Other members of the Team were beginning to arrive and while Byron and Dave set up monitoring and recording equipment, Brian and Laura carried out baseline measurements.
Brian found that large EMF’s were prevalent in most areas of the bar but Brian noted that there were large extraction fans in the kitchen area and also the bar and kitchen areas were still fully functional. This combined with the lighting all around the walls and the air conditioning were the probable cause of the readings. The temperature inside the bar area was averaging 20 degrees C.

The weather outside was changeable with drizzly showers interspersed with clear starlit skies.
During the baseline test the combined humidity/temperature meter did not function correctly with the temperature meter reading 22 C outside the pub when the true reading was closer to 12 C.  The humidity meter kept climbing towards 100% until Brian and Laura gave up trying to obtain an accurate reading.  Byron has since reported that the instrument was functioning properly the next day.  Most of the Team members had arrived by now and were taking the opportunity to get the feel of the place.  Upon Melissa’s arrival, she reports that she seemed drawn to the chair in the corner of the pub nearest the entrance doors to the hub room. Laura said that she too had been drawn to this area upon her earlier arrival and Caz and Jeanette said they both felt a male energy in that area. Jeanette took several photographs of this spot and orbs were captured on her camera. Brian had also taken a photo of Laura sat in the chair and on examining the photo an orb could be plainly seen beside her. Later on in the investigation, Caz identified this male energy as a Cavalier who was wearing a blue sash.

Jeanette, a new Team member, was met by Laura, The Team leader of Team 1, outside the front door to the pub.  Jeanette is a sensitive and as she walked through the door reports seeing the spirit of a hound. She described it as a hunting dog. The dog apparently belonged to a man in dressed in red. Jeanette felt that in life this man was rather stern. He gave his name as Jeremiah Bennett. She asked him why he was still at the pub and the answer he gave her was `ask Oliver Cromwell’. She reports that this spirit followed Team 1 for most of their vigils. She also reports that her camera failed to work when taking photos in the ladies toilets but worked fine as soon as she left them.  She also felt that something used to be behind the big fireplace at the back of the bar area. She felt there used to be an entrance there to a tunnel which ran between the pub and St Andrews church. The old church dates back to the thirteenth century.

Nicola also smelt what appeared to her to be pipe tobacco burning. She is very familiar with the smell as her uncle smokes a pipe. Nobody was smoking within the pub and there wasn’t an open fire burning in the grate.  By midnight all the Team and the locals who wanted to stay and observe had assembled in the meeting room (The Hub Room). We had to wait until after one o’clock to get started until the last of the remaining locals enjoyed their final game of pool and finished supping their drinks. Nobody minded waiting as it gave us a chance to talk about what we wanted to do on the investigation and gave some of the Team members who hadn’t seen each other in awhile the chance to catch up as well as getting to know new Team members who were on their first investigation with Haunted Devon.

After a health and safety brief from Byron, Caz asked everyone to join in as she put some psychic protection for the group into place. The group then split into their designated Teams with Team 2 staying within the meeting room where they were going to attempt glass divination while Team 1, ably led by Laura proceeding to the other end of the pub.  The time was now approaching half past one and Team 2 now started the glass divination experiment. Team members around the table for the first attempt at divination were Caz, Michael, Nicola, Liz and Lesley. Dave, Haunted Devon’s cameraman, filmed the experiment whilst Byron asked any spirits to try and communicate with the group by moving a tumbler glass placed in the centre of the table. The Team members around the table placed one of their fingers lightly on the glass and waited to see if the glass moved. Haunted Devon has tried this technique on many investigations often with spectacular results.  The divination carried on for approximately 15 minutes but sadly was not successful. The decision was made to swap Team members sitting around the table and Vanessa, Bridget, Brian and Melissa now sat down and placed their fingers on the glass. Caz stayed on to lead the questioning.

At the point of swapping over, Melissa mentioned that at one point during the initial experiment she had observed some glares and possible orb activity on the monitor that was attached to CCTV cameras placed strategically in the bar area to give the best coverage.. The locked off camera that captured this activity was pointing down the length of the bar room towards the main entrance. Byron confirmed that this particular phenomenon was noted on the last visit.
Now that the Team members had changed over, the experiment did elicit a responsive movement as the glass moved towards Caz. This movement was slow and sure and only happened once. However, the glass did continue to feel like it was gently vibrating or turning very slowly on the spot. Brian felt that the glass wanted to move and turn but whatever force was trying to move it wasn’t powerful enough while Bridget and Vanessa sensed that there was a male energy within the room that wasn’t going to perform tricks for the Team. The same members now present at the table were to get better results later on in the night. At 0200hrs and feeling that nothing more was going to happen with the glass divination the Team decided to stop.

They then moved out of the room into the main bar area to try the ancient art of Scrying. For this purposed a black mirror was set up on one of the tables and lighting was provided by strategically placed candles. The methods used in Scrying were then explained to those members and our guests who had not experienced this before. Michael was the first to try followed by Melissa and then Nicola. After staring into the mirror Michael declared that he thought that his left eye looked droopy or damaged in the mirror. He also felt that the face he saw had a beard.  Melissa experienced her face morphing into a swarthy-skinned male aged around late forties to mid fifties. She said that there was no facial hair but the skin on the face she saw in the mirror had deep creases leading down from the sides of the nose to the mouth and the cheeks were gaunt.  Nicola felt that the whole sensation was very strange but couldn’t be sure whether she was seeing herself or another face at times. She did see her face distorting in the mirror and that this face had a distorted left eye. Liz and Brian also tried Scrying during the evening but neither of them saw anything in the mirror.

At 0250 hrs everyone felt in need of a cuppa so a break was called

The investigation recommenced at 0325 hrs. Team 2 now made their way to the front sections of the pub by the main entrance and finally settled in the pool room to continue experimenting with glass divination. Initially, the group experienced nothing with Melissa, who was asking the questions, getting no reaction with the glass save for the glass vibrating occasionally. Melissa asked for Michael to take her place and Brian took the lead in trying to get any spirits to communicate. Things now started to happen and the glass started to move first towards Brian and then in wide circles until it moved towards Vanessa. Whatever was happening, Vanessa seemed to be the focal point. To test this theory Vanessa moved from the table and Ron, a member of Team 1, took her place. The glass stopped moving until Brian asked if the spirit thought to be responsible for the glass activity would like Vanessa to sit at the table once more. The glass then moved in wide circles for awhile and when it stopped Vanessa took up her original seat with Ron standing aside.

Through a series of questions from Brian which drew responses in movement of the glass it was established that the apparent spirit who was responsible for the glass movement was a male who had died when he was in his 40’s at some time during the 1800’s. He was apparently drawn to Vanessa because she was the reincarnated soul of his sister who had died in an accident when she was in her thirties. The spirit indicated that his sister was also called Vanessa and at times the glass vibrated and jumped so much in front of her that Brian felt the spirit was like an excited puppy dog that was overjoyed that Vanessa was at the table.

Team 1 started the night near to the main entrance but roamed the bar area freely while Team 2 were doing glass divination in the Hub Room. Outside of the Hub Room Laura and Jeanette reported feeling a pain in their side. Jeanette feels she was psychically speared in the side by a spirit who wore a black helmet. Laura felt that the area around the toilets may once have been a place where animals were milked and felt the presence of one of the milk maids. Jeanette also felt that a young boy called Thomas died in this area from a crushing injury to his chest. The spirit of the man in red (Jeremiah Bennett?) still seemed to follow them and this spirit would often observe them from outside the pub through the windows. Ron felt that this spirits name was really Jacob Armstrong and several of the Team sensitive's also felt that the name Jacob was attached to this spirit. Although the name differed all the sensitive's felt that this spirit was dressed in red.  Ron, at one point, went behind the bar and was discussing then name of this spirit with other Team members when he felt something poke him in the shoulder. When he turned round nothing was found that could have caused this. Laura, Dan and Jeanette had separately sensed a male presence behind the bar. They felt that when alive the man was a shy and good soul who apparently felt an affinity with Dan. This spirit was so shy that he wanted to stay in the shadows; apparently he was overwhelmed by all the investigators around the bar.

The Team made their way into the function room and Dan saw a light on the back wall by the fire exit which faded away rapidly. Laura was sitting at the spot where Dan saw the light but could not confirm the sighting. Laura reports hearing music that she said could have been played during wartime but felt this music was banned for some reason. Several of the Team began to feel the presence of a male energy in the room and it was felt that this man used to work at the pub before he died  The Team also heard faint footsteps but could not work out the source of the. Some felt the footsteps came from the floor above while others felt the came from the corridor leading to the toilets.

As Jeanette left the bar area the spirit of the man in red whispered the word ‘greed’ into her ear and showed her a wooden box of gold coins.  In the kitchen area members of Team 1 felt that the electrical appliances would operate of their own accord. Taps and clicking noises were also heard in this area. It was also noticed that the power light on the freezer would flicker when the Team were in conversation and burn steadily when the Team stopped talking. Pictures taken in this area produced light anomalies including mists and orbs.  To end the night Team 1 tried glass divination on a table just outside the Hub Room at the back of the main bar area. The glass moved readily in response to questions without providing any specific information except that the spirit moving the glass was an old woman who may have been trying to contact one of the local ladies who worked in the bar and was sitting in on the divination.  The Team felt that the spirit of the man in red was still present and that he had problems with the old woman and didn’t like her at all.  Jeanette felt that there was a strong civil war connection to the pub and that secret meetings would have taken place below the pub. Maybe this links to the tunnel that many of the Team felt used to be there. Jeanette was so intrigued by what she sensed in the pub that she is now going to research it to see if any evidence can be found to back up her findings.  As the time was approaching 04.30hrs it was decided to close down the investigation as our hosts had to get up and run a busy pub the next day.

Mediums Report

Byron, Sharkey and I arrived at the pub at approx 7.30pm. The pub was busy and we were shown into the board room in which we were using as our kit room for the night.

As we sat around the table, I was aware of a Cavalier, tall man with a ¾ tailored coat and wide brimmed hat with a very distinctive feather protruding from the top. The feather looked to be deep green in colour. Ladies toilets and indeed the whole area of the men and women’s toilets felt quite oppressive to me. Whilst washing my hands in the ladies toilets, and gazing into the mirror on the wall above me I could sense the energy of a woman looking back at me. A young woman simply dressed and looking rather anguished.

A couple of other members Laura, Dave and Lesley arrived around 9pm. As we all gathered around the table discussing HD in general. I was aware of dark shadows at the foot of the table, around three or four shapes just standing there looking perplexed, I felt all male. At this time I asked Laura if she had picked up on any spirits that were present so far, she had and that was of a cavalier gent, she proceeded to describe him, and mentioned a distinctive feather and hat.

Most of the team had arrived by 10pm, as the pub was still open we had to wait until closing time to start the investigation. Investigation started around 12pm

Mediumship Walkabout

I was joined by Helen the landlady, her partner, Lucy her friend and a good few others who were connected with Helen and the Ley arms.

Firstly I made my way to the front of the pub into the games room. Here I could still sense the cavalier gent, who was stood by the fireplace as if in deep thinking mode. I could now see him more clearly, he was wearing a blue sash across his front and I could see a cutlass on his left hand side. I sensed that he would have been joined by at least four others whom would have met drunk and discussed issues of the day etc. There were connections here with Charles 1st, Royalists and Parliamentarians. I felt this mans name was Charles, but not that of Charles 1st.

I felt here to connections to an abbey or church of some kind linked with and associated with the pub/inn. The energy of a monk in a long brown habit and hood, I could not see the face only a moustache. This was confirmed and seen/sensed by another male member of staff.
The name Jacob was given here.

I also sensed but not necessarily within this particular area, that there had been gentle prodding and poking of members of staff. Cold drafts in warm areas.

Standing by the main doorway to the pub and looking up towards the far end, I could see a cobbled courtyard /alleyway. Could see horses here and dogs wandering around. I asked if there was a cellar or an area underneath what would be the end function room, I felt I wanted to go lower; Helen was not sure on this and would need to check. I also felt that the whole place had been at least three dwellings in the past. The front end being much older than the back end. The area to the back is has been made to look much older with mock Tudor effects.
I proceeded to an area to the front of the pub, a function room. Walking along the passage way towards the function room, I picked up that staff would feel often as if they were being followed, picking up heavy footsteps, even though carpet now covers the floors.

Function Room

Strange lights seen by the naked eye, white and blue flashes. Movement of cutlery and or chairs. Much peripheral vision in the form of dark shadows.

Kitchen Area

The feeling here to of being watched. I proceeded to pick up a large knife and hold it. I felt that this has been sensed by staff, that they have had the feeling of someone in there holding a knife to their back. It which as I turned around one of the males looked rather white and nodded at me.  Odd and very strong smells not associated with the kitchen. I picked up on two energies present that of a male and female. Name of female was Mary.

Main Bar Area

As I looked down I could see blood stains on a cobbled surface. I picked up on a robbery (money) of a man and the running through of the sword into his side. I felt to here there was a tunnel of some description, now disused.

Although the upstairs was not part of the investigation, Helen asked if I could go upstairs just to check the area out. Through a door from the games room and up the stairs I came to the lounge. Here I felt there had been again the feeling of being watched by unseen eyes, lights and peripheral movement. I sensed that the two dogs Helen has have barked out loudly when no one is about, they don’t seem to be to bothered by this and go back to whatever they were doing, I feel they see moreover residual ghostly energies from the past. Helen confirmed the dogs do indeed do this.  I picked up at this point on a lady present and continued to describe her, this proceeded to be a private message for Helen from her dear gran, Helens friend Lucy was also present and confirmed some of the feelings she had also had. Her Gran’s name was Mary.

Whilst standing in the corridor I pointed to the far end door, I mentioned to Helen if this was her bedroom, she confirmed this. Although this was residual energy that I was picking up I told her I could sense the passing of someone who had died within the bedroom area from suffocation. I asked if she had recently moved her bed from one wall to another the opposite side, Helen said she had. I asked her if she feels the bed is now in a better position, she said yes.

I then went back and joined the others and then gathered into their teams. Team two stayed within the board room and carried out some glass divination. There was little response, the glass juddered a little and slightly moved but not much else.  We had a break then commenced the divination again. This time I felt the presence of a disgruntled male who was not taking to kindly to us being there, I all of a sudden felt very sick and had an acute pain on my left side of my head. I was aware of a female energy trying to get through. Unfortunately little response from the glass.  We did try various exercises such as just the women or men using the divination practice.

The team tried another divination exercise out in the main area, but again there were various sensations felt from those around the table but no activity from the glass.
Other members tried out some mirror scrying with various results.

Conclusion

Haunted Devon would like to express their grateful thanks to the management of The Ley arms for the hospitality we received and also to the local residents, who stayed with us, took part in experiments and who showed such great interest in the investigation. It was lovely to meet you.
The investigation was interesting at times without providing spectacular results. Those members who had been on the previous investigation felt that the pub was a lot less active this time round.

The most active time seems to have been from 0400 until 0430 when the glass divination produced some very interesting moments for both teams.  The taps and clicking in the kitchen area may have been switchgear or appliances such as fridges and freezers cutting in and out.
The reason for the temperature and humidity meter failing to work is unknown. The instrument has been used many times without problems.  Research will have to be carried out to see if the spirits picked up by the mediums and sensitive's as well as the tunnel thought to once run from behind the fireplace to the church can be identified from historical records.  The Ley Arms is a lovely pub and Haunted Devon feel there is much activity at times to be investigated. We hope to be allowed to investigate it further in the future.

Brian Pengelly
Editor - Haunted Devon

The Editor would like to thank the following Haunted Devon members for their thoughts and observations used to compile this report.

Melissa, Caz.Mike, Ron, Jeanette, Laura, Nicola and Liz

After Note

This was the first time that many of the investigation team had attended the Inn. It was interesting to note that nearly ALL of the team picked up on the area of the bar that is considered to be "most active" by members of staff.  Whilst the presence of a tunnel had been picked up by many of the team - the presence.