Ghost Tours : Poldark Mine : Paranormal

Worked during the eighteenth century Poldark Mine was formally called Wheal Roots. The name was changed to Poldark Mine following transmission of the BBC television series. The site has been the scene of activity since prehistoric times and has documented records of occupation dating from 1493. Poldark is steeped in history and mystery as we discovered when the Mostghosts team carried out an investigation of the mine and older buildings.

The investigation commenced at 8.15pm as the light began to fail on another grey and damp day in this beautiful part of the Country. We were met by Richard Williams, the site's Managing Director and his partner Pam. We then went into the mine entrance where we were shown the obligatory safety film and were all fitted out with hard hats which were the best pieces of kit we had all night (well apart from the hot tea at the end) and saved us from some nasty bumps especially when you are 7'12" tall like our Steve. Two members of Cornwall Mine Rescue Group (CMRG), Dave Penhalligan (also one of Poldark's guides) and Sarah Penhalligan volunteered to accompany the team on their underground investigation.

For the investigation we split into two teams each accompanied by one of the CMRG Sarah who came with our team and David took Amanda's team. Jeanette and I went into the mine with Dave and set up a video on a tripod, locked it off and rejoined the others in the entrance. Amanda's team consisted of Davis (Ian's son), Jeanette, Steve and Dave. My team consisted of Andrea, Ian, Laura and Sarah. Amanda's team went into the mine first. To leave space between the teams my team waited ten minutes before entering. We have all been in dark places before on our hunts but this was total darkness and we had to be careful of our footing as some of the mine was very steep and most of it wet as you would expect and those without night vision camera's had to move by the lamps on our hard hats without burning out the infrared camera's. Andrea took some digital camera shots and started getting Orbs as did Laura, I also picked some up on video. Unfortunately Ian could only see the rear end of the team and could not pick up much unless he walked backwards which, within the mine, was not a good idea. We also picked up on some mists, which surprised me, as I did not think that we would. The mists were captured on two or three shots. Many places were found to be "Active" and a feeling of being watched was always there but no one wanted to talk to us. This feeling is also reported by the Mine's Guides when in the workings alone.

The Mine seems to have a "Voice" of its own and strange noises can be heard throughout the evening. Jeanette and Amanda also picked up Orbs on stills cameras and Steve on video. At one point when passing some marionettes used to show how children were used in the mines, Jeanette started to feel very uneasy which we all know with her is a sign that a spirit is close. Amanda picked up the names … Mark Fleming which later research showed to be a Tin and Copper mining company in Cornwall, a Toby and Jacob Martyn who we can find no information about and a John Tonkin who we found born on 11th July 1867 in Wales and in later life worked repairing mines. He lived at 21 Oxford Street, Maerdy, and Wales before moving to Cornwall and marrying Margaret Elizabeth George (born 23rd July 1868) and had 10 children together (everyone needs a hobby). John then worked in the St. Just area (Geevor and Levant Mines) and lived in Boscean until he dies of injuries received in the Levant disaster in 1919. At the area where marriages are performed Jeanette, Amanda observed by Dave placed two trigger objects on the table, a 20 pence piece and a redundant video camera both of which had lines drawn round them. On their return, both objects had been moved right off their lines. The fact that no one could have moved the objects was confirmed by Dave who accompanied the group throughout. When my group arrived at the same spot we found it to be very active with Orb activity and flashing light anomalies. Andrea at one point spotted a figure dressed in brown clothing along one of the tunnels but he didn't linger long enough for his picture to be taken. Then feeling like walking upright for a while we made our way back to the surface where we met the others.

We decided to try other parts of the mine complex. Amanda led her team back into the mine and I led my team into the museum, which had a strange feel to it from the start. As Andrea walked into a small display area with glass cabinets she felt a distinct "Hotspot" just inside the entrance, and as Ian walked into the same area he started to feel quite sick. Despite this he carried on with the walk round (tough lot my team) and kept the video running for a while before putting it down on a step. Examination of the tape a day or so later a clear E.V.P can be heard saying "F**K off you W***ER". Some ghosts have NO manners. After this my team went into Richard and Pam's Flat, which is on the mine site. The flat is within part of the old mill building dating from the 1880's. A number of paranormal experiences have been reported within this area both by the present and previous occupiers. We were asked to see if we could sense a presence in one of the bedrooms. We sat there for a while without much happening so we asked Pam if she would join us, which she did. On a few occasions Pam reported that she has been woken up by a spirit putting his arm around her and saying "Don't worry you can go back to sleep now". All was quiet for a minute or two and then again we had quite a bit of Orb activity on both stills and video cameras. Laura had her batteries drained again for the sixth time that night.

After ten minutes or so I caught an orb sailing across the bed where Pam was sitting and a second later a flashing light on her pillow. This was followed by my video camera going out of focus and back in again. The camera's focus was set on manual at the time. Noting this occurrence I paid it some attention when replaying the tape at home the next day and at the moment the camera went out of focus another clear E.V.P called out the name Arthur, so I think we can at last put a name to Pam's amorous night time caller. The times was now ten minutes to midnight and cups of tea flowed in abundance and as it was Amanda's birthday the next day we all broke into the birthday song which brought the evenings activities to an end. So next time you are in this neck of the woods the mines are a MUST, the people are so friendly and knowledgeable they will make you feel right at home as they did with us, so a big thank you to Richard and Pam and a special thank you to Sarah and Dave for giving up their time to guide us all safely around the mine and extending their vast knowledge of its working history to us. Thank you Poldark from all at Mostghosts.

Explore a candle lit 18th century tin mine - a unique Christmas present