Ghostly Goings-On At The Old Vicarage Hotel: Discover The Diverse History and Paranormal Activity with Candida Leaver

Speaker A: Hi everyone, and welcome back to Haunted History Chronicles. Before we introduce today's podcast or guest, if you like this podcast, please consider leaving a review. It costs nothing, but it helps share news, the podcast, and guests I feature with others interested within the paranormal. It's a simple and easy way to help the podcast continue to grow and be a space for people to chat and come together. If you haven't already found us on the Haunted History Chronicles website, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, you can find links to all social media pages in any of the notes for an episode. Come and join us to get involved and gain access to additional blogs, news and updates. And now let's get started introducing today's episode. The Old Vicarage Hotel is a 15th century, grade two listed building in the heart of Bridgewater. Bridgewater experienced many years as an industrial boomtown, making it architecturally rich, including areas designed and built by Isambard Kingdom Brunell, considered one of the most ingenious and prolific figures in engineering history, and he's reported to have stayed at The Old Vicarage whilst in Bridgewater, overlooking St. Mary's Church. The hotel is a hidden gem full of history. With 16 unique, comfortable, ensuite bedrooms, many with beams, it's a location for history and paranormal enthusiasts to enjoy. Featured on Season Four episode three of Help, My House is Haunted. Titled Unfinished Business, the hotel proved an amazing location to explore. According to reports, the hotel is said to be haunted by a phantom woman who sits on the end of the bed in room five. Footsteps have also been heard in this room, and the covers have even been pulled off the bed by unseen hands. In room seven, guests have been troubled by lights turning on and off, resulting in one man spending the night in his car instead. Room three is also said to have a negative atmosphere, and poltergeist activity has been reported in the form of items moving around the room. During the episode, a local historian, Hannah West, dug deep into the hotel's history. Originally five dwellings, the owner of this tenement was said to have been feuding with his brother over an inheritance, but ultimately vanished along with his family. According to the historian, local legend has it that they were buried in the backyard. During the investigation, the team had some of the clearest EVPs I've ever heard, with one particular recording of a raspy voice unmistakably saying, what do you want? It was something that visibly shocked the team at the time. Joining me today is Candida, one of the owners of the Old Vicarage Hotel to share some more of the history and its hauntings. So get comfortable and let's introduce our guest. Hi, Candy.

Speaker B: Thank you so much for joining me today, Michelle.

Speaker C: It's a pleasure, and thank you for inviting me. As you know, I'm from the old Vicarage Hotel in Bridgewater, and I'm really.

Speaker B: Fascinated to not only chat about the hotel, but Bridgewater itself, because I think it's got some pretty unique and unusual history, one of which is this connection with shipping trade. And what I believe is this quite unique stance and taking a stance against something that was happening that it isn't something that maybe people are aware of or know about. Do you want to just tell us some more about the history of Bridgewater itself and what you think are some of those important historical moments?

Speaker C: Right, well, let me tell you first about the Monmouth Rebellion, which happened, I believe, in the 15th century. My dates might be a bit dodgy. It's not my strong point. At that point, Bridgewater was a very successful port. Now, after the Monmouth Rebellion, the rebels lost and they were mainly made up of local farmers and those sort of people. Sadly, most of them were hung, drawn and quartered, but a few of them were sent on the slave ships. Now, a couple of them came back and when the slave ships wanted to land in Bridgewater, bearing in mind Bridgewater was the most successful port, bridgewater refused them. And Bridgewater, in fact, became one of, in fact, the first town in the country, I believe, to campaign for the abolition of slavery. Of course, Bristol did accept the slave ships and a lot of Bristol's wealth is built on revenue from the slave trade. But Bridgewater stood firm and said, no, we've heard the stories and we know what happens and it's not right. We're not prepared to accept the ships. So that's really quite interesting. All those years back, Bridgewater stood firm then. Recently, Bridgewater has had the resurgence. It's becoming much more popular, huge amount of businesses moving in, partially because of its access to the Empire corridor. It's easy access. I'm sorry about the clicking. That's my dog wandering around. Anyway, so that gives you a bit of the history of Bridgewater. It was also very, very wealthy because the ships would come up on the River Parrot. As you know, the River Parrot is a subsidiary of the Bristol estuary, so it has a very strong boar, a tidal boar, which means they would come in on the tide and they go out on the tide. And it has a huge history of smuggling and just very interesting. It was a very wealthy town and used to export bricks, oddly enough.

Speaker B: I just think it's a fascinating bit of unknown history, and the abolition of slavery is something that I think people have some understanding of, but maybe don't necessarily know some of this local history in the local context of what was happening in their own areas. Like so much of history. We have our understanding of it from textbooks, but maybe not so much that local level kind of contextual stuff that is really fascinating and interesting to kind of be aware of and to not lose because it's such an important part of that community and how it's evolved and how it's changed. Because these were things that would have had a significant impact on trade, on business and so on and so forth.

Speaker C: I think what's important to say it is the fabric of the community. It it yeah, ultimately, Bridgewater residents are still very proud and very stand firm on their beliefs. And it's a lot of the properties. Here we have the finest street of Georgian houses outside Mayfair, built by Lord Chandos, and they are beautiful. And that comes from the wealth of those times, of all of the imports and the exports. So, yes, you're absolutely right, you don't know about the history. And the other thing is, when you're looking at buildings, a lot of people never look up, they only ever look at eye level and there's a whole different world going on above.

Speaker B: Oh, gosh, I completely agree with you. And I think it's part of what we I think we all do, we're very unobservant about what is on our step, whether it's looking up, looking sideways and seeing what's right there in front of us. Sometimes we can miss some beautiful architecture, some beautiful buildings, some wonderful history, because we're looking a bit further beyond something that isn't as familiar. And because it's familiar, because we see it all the time, we don't necessarily notice the details and understand some of that background that we maybe spend a little bit more time learning about or finding out about and discussing, because it has that uniqueness and difference, because it's somewhere else. And I think that's a shame that we sometimes miss something very beautiful and something very rare right on our doorsteps.

Speaker C: I think, sadly, we take things for granted. It's just part of the human condition.

Speaker B: Absolutely. And I think you have an incredible property. I believe it's the second oldest property in Bridgewater, isn't it?

Speaker C: It is. In fact, it's the church opposite us that is in fact older. And the Duke of Monmouth did stand on the tower opposite and look down onto the old vicarage. It was not a hotel then, it was the vicarage, which a little bit of history, I'm sure you'll ask me more later, but which is why Isambard Kingdom Brunel stayed in the old vicarage whilst he designed the Bridge in Bridgewater. And the reason for that is because there were very few buildings of standing left in the town.

Speaker B: Fascinating. And again, I think this is very much the history of the hotel, the evolutions that it's gone through. And like you mentioned, some of the key people that, again, were part of Bridgewater, who have been part of that journey, who have stayed there, who have maybe sat in a seat, stayed in a bedroom. I mean, that's just so interesting to kind of understand that context, the richness that comes from those understanding, those experiences and the part that it's played in the history of the area. I mean, it's incredible, really.

Speaker C: And I think people don't realize that it is what makes up it, what makes up the town. And colorful, I think, is the word. It is, as you say, you use the word tapestry. And that's a perfect example of all the we of woven colors and events that make up the image we see now.

Speaker B: So do you want to just tell us a little bit about some of that evolution of the hotel, how it started, its origins and how it's kind of evolved to where it is today?

Speaker C: Well, there have been buildings on the site since the 12th century. Initially it was five houses, one of which was the vicarage, and it then evolved and gradually has grown as all buildings do, they evolve, which is the way of the world. And as it's evolved, different events have been incorporated into its fabric. One of the things that you'll come back to, the paranormal side of it, but bearing in mind one of the things that are seen a lot are soldiers from the Monmouth Rebellion. They've been sighted a lot. The part of the bar is 15th century. We have a room called the Oak Room that's lined in oak and has pillars by the side of the door. The part of the floors are original slate that we had to have specially restored. And you can just feel the history oozing from the walls, if you like, in a good way, I might add.

Speaker B: I love these types of properties, like you mentioned, where history just is in every single nook and corner. It's the flagstones that you're walking on. It's the paneling on the wall. It's the windows. It's the architecture. It's the uneven flooring. It's all these little details that when you look at them and you kind of observe them and really see them, you see the craftsmanship. You see the love. You see how it's worn over time. And it does. It just oozes, that sense of history. And you're part of that kind of moment in time, really, because it's a building that's going to continue to ooze and to grow and to change, and you're just part of that very long chain of events. And in the case of the hotel, it's an incredibly old building. And these are something very special, I think, because they mark so many different moments and have seen so much. And one of the things that fascinated me to kind of learn was that during the Civil War, you had cannons literally flying over the top of the building, didn't you? It seemed quite a lot of differences.

Speaker C: It was absolutely in the center of the battle. Absolutely.

Speaker B: Which is staggering, isn't it? I mean, it's not something that you can necessarily picture and imagine as you're walking through our picturesque villages and market towns and places, that sometimes there was real clashes and real danger and these were things that were happening and playing out on people's doorsteps. And as we were walking down the road, we can't imagine that. But when you realize that a location like the vicarage was, like you mentioned, right in the thick of it, right in the center of it, you can close your eyes and picture it. I think when you understand that and.

Speaker C: It'S incredible, you can and you can get the feel of it too. One of the things we have, we have the largest private garden in Bridgewater, actually. We have an amazing walled garden, which is really beautiful, which I know played quite a big part because a lot of the soldiers were billeted in the garden because I don't think there was enough room for them everywhere else. But again, it makes up the whole, doesn't it? All these little stories of back stories and you forget we're here for such a short space of time, relatively, and yet these buildings are here for so.

Speaker B: Much longer and you've really put so much love and care into the property. I mean, when you took it over, it wasn't in the greatest of conditions, was it? And it's a difficult thing to do, it's a large undertaking because you have to be mindful of the history. But you really have poured your love into the vicarage in every aspect from the garden that you mentioned. I mean, I love watching all of the things that you put out on YouTube from you working and beavering away in the kitchen with your incredible recipes, but also the love and care that you put into your garden. And you can just see how much time and effort you've really put into all aspects of really making this place somewhere special. Again, I think that's incredible because it all adds to that atmosphere of what is an incredible building in itself.

Speaker C: I think I can explain a bit of what it was like when we took it over. I could use other words, but I would say that the previous owners rented the rooms by the hour, which gives you an idea. It was very run down and required a huge amount of money apart from time to get it up into the condition it is now, which is superb. We renovated every bathroom, every bedroom, and also we had the help of the conservation officer, whom he was very understanding and very helpful. Whilst it was important we retained a Wattle and DORB and all of that sort of thing in certain rooms. He was realistic as well, is that it had to be warm and comfortable. So with that in mind, we were able to walk the line into turning it into somewhere that's really wonderful to stay, has a warm and friendly atmosphere and is very welcoming.

Speaker B: Again, it's kind of that hard work and that dedication and that love and that passion that I think really comes through because as I mentioned, I follow you on Instagram and on Facebook and you can tell it's a project that's been one of love as well as everything else. And I think when you have that combination, it makes for something special, I think, with the property, because somewhere like the vicarage really does need these properties, need people who are going to give it that time. Because often, sadly.

Speaker A: When they have the.

Speaker B: Wrong owner, like you mentioned, then they can really fall into disrepair. And because of the history, because of the significance that they often have within a location, a village, a town, whatever, it's sad to see that when that happens. And unfortunately, what we can then end up with is a lot of properties that become so worn down, so unused that they sit vacant and sit empty and sadly then can end up being completely lost, which is a terrible historical loss, I think, for a location, for a city, for a town, for a village.

Speaker C: Well, what I can say is that the old vicarage is a very demanding mistress, but returns the love a thousand times. I couldn't agree more about having to having to look at properties and make the effort and the time and money, let's not forget that, to bring them back into current standards and the way people expect nowadays.

Speaker B: And a location like yours is one like so many historical places that I think keeps giving. There are things that can constantly come to the surface through historical research, through renovation, things that get discovered and unlocked over time, these hidden little gems that become known. And am I right in thinking that recently you had a discovery where someone who worked there or used to work there found part of an entrance to a tunnel?

Speaker C: Yes, to be honest, I have left well alone inasmuch as there was a tunnel that went from the Oak Room, which is our really old, really old building. I mean, it has a carved panel, 1735, but we actually think the panel is older. And there was a tunnel that went underneath the floors to the church opposite. And when we were relaying the floors, we had to redo all the floors. We found the beginnings of the tunnel. But to be honest, I left well alone. I said to the guys, look, that's as it is now, let's just leave it and just let sleeping dogs lie, if you like. I didn't want to discover anything other than just that's it that's history, let's move on.

Speaker B: Yeah, and I think that's absolutely right. It's marking what you've discovered. It's recognizing that it's there. But obviously to kind of get into that would have been a whole other kind of realm of difficulty, I think, because there is so much you have to then do once you start really kind of delving into that. But just the discovery alone is fascinating. To know that there is that connection with the church that you had, that running across the two is so interesting. And to know where it is, to be able to say, we think it's here and this is where we've got the beginnings of it, is just an incredible kind of marker, I think, for that moment of the historical path that it's got and the nod to its connection with the church.

Speaker C: Well, there was quite an important monastery just about three doors down that obviously disappeared in the dissolution henry the eight dissolution of the monasteries. But it was quite important and obviously the church was there and important. So it would have figured that there was a lot of coming and goings clandestine, some that should have happened and some that shouldn't, and also smuggling as well. There was a lot of smuggling went on. The ships would come in and things would disappear and not make it to the bonded warehouses.

Speaker B: So you kind of alluded to some of these key important people that you know have stayed at the vicarage over its kind of history. Do you want to just tell us about some of these notable people that have been there at various different points through its history?

Speaker C: Well, I know that many people say Judge Jeffries has stayed, but bearing in mind, I think probably just Jeff Breeze was a very unpleasant man and he seemed to stay in an awful lot of places. He must have been extremely busy. So I prefer not to think of him as having stayed because he sounds horrible, frankly. However, as I said before, isn't Bard Kingdom is reputed to have stayed and other people, lots of the soldiers for the Monmouth rebellion and many other people through history. I believe at one point Annie Lennox stayed. Rather bizarrely. When you think how long it's been here at the hotel, there's bound to be a lot of people having gone through.

Speaker B: Do you know what I always find really interesting to sit and think about is just imagine how many conversations have happened inside the doors, at tables, over a drink or something to eat, all of these kind of battles being planned out. And you mentioned smuggling, but you can imagine these kind of people sat around talking about their secret dealings. It's an incredible thing to think about when you kind of look at it like that, that who knows what has happened, what's been discussed and plotted within the four walls of the building. And it's incredible, really, when we kind of look at it in that context, that it's probably seen so many different types of things happening and going in the comings and goings because of centuries of history. Centuries of history.

Speaker C: Well, if these wars could talk, in probably most cases, it's probably better. They're just as well they can't, I suspect.

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Speaker B: But again, I think this is why it's so interesting when you have a property with this very long history and unique and special history and significance with it within an area, when you then look at that alongside aspects of the paranormal. Because I think that's when buildings can start to talk, because you have these different experiences, different types of phenomena that can really give a sense of its history, a nod back to particular individuals or periods of time. Like you were mentioning with Monmouth soldiers, the fighting. And that's something that is experienced as part of that paranormal reporting that often comes through. You have these nods to these moments in history and that's where it starts to speak, it speaks of its past, and it can reveal so much, I think, as to what's happened, the types of experiences that have happened. And I think it's a way for us to connect with history, to connect with what's happened within the local area, but within the particular property itself. Do you want to just share some of the typical type experiences that you have at the vicarage in terms of the paranormal?

Speaker C: We have a lot of activity from various people come in. I've got a couple of people who actually can't one particular woman is unable to come back in because she just said it's too overwhelming. We have glasses move, we have a bedroom where bedroom number three, where one particular cleaner and it only happened to her odly enough, but she would go upstairs. The doors are very heavy, they're very old. She prop the door open with a pillow, do the cleaning, go downstairs, get the hoover, and when she would come back upstairs, the pillow was back on the bed. And she wasn't given to wild flights of imagination. She was just very down to earth. And it happened every time. We later had somebody come in and said, yes, in that room, a woman fell down the stairs to her desk. Now, the chap who pushed her down the stairs maintains that he never pushed a butt. The chap said, in fact, the cleaner reminded the man and I think this happened in 17, something reminded the man of his wife, the woman that fell down the stairs, and he did not want her in the room. And it was really extraordinary as he explained it. And I said to the cleaner. She said, that's exactly how I feel. She said, I'm not comfortable in that room. I don't like going in there. And we have another room seven that has a very old cupboard in it. And I have a couple of members of staff who just won't go in the room. They said, no, it's too creepy. And in that room, a couple of people have seen balls of light floating around rather interestingly. So there's lots of things and lots of people have seen not lots of people, but certainly six people have seen mama soldiers. And another thing we have we have a woman in black, probably early Victorian, who stands at the bottom of the stairs. And this is all in the oldest part of the building. The newer part, not so much, but the older part. And children, they often hear children laughing. And we do know that it was a school, and I'm not sure how kind some of the teachers were there, but we hear children laughing, and in one there's a child crying, which is rather sad. So lots of things go on. But I must say that I have only felt, as soon as I walked in that building the first time, even though it was in a really dilapidated state, it was warm, it was friendly, it was welcoming, even though on my own there in the dark at night, I've never felt anything but warm feelings there. So it just depends on you, I think.

Speaker B: And I think, as well, I think a lot of people can fear the unknown. But actually, I think when we actually look at it from the point of view of, well, if this is a haunting, a residual energy from something of the past, then they're only going about things as they would have done, and they're only keeping an eye on a location that maybe they were connected to. And there isn't anything to actually be fearful of. It's just recognizing that you're in a really old property that maybe has people still there who don't want to leave because it's a place that was important to them. And I think if you can kind of be comfortable with that, it kind of takes some of that fear out of it. Because like you mentioned, when you have a place that has that beautiful atmosphere, that wonderful, warm, cozy feeling, there's nothing to suggest that what you're experiencing is anything but part of that. Really, they're just part of the atmosphere of the place, too, if that makes sense. Part of the bones and the fabric in the building.

Speaker C: I would agree. And when we had a film crew from Help My House Is Haunted on the Discovery Channel that came and filmed and they discovered and it was fascinating, all sorts of things. And interestingly, it tied in with a lot of things that other people who'd stayed previously had told us and that they weren't aware of these things and there are all sorts of things and voices and it was really quite surprising. Even I, who really have never I haven't heard, seen or heard much I'm about a psychic as a wet exchange of mart. Even I felt these things and heard and saw things. So it just goes to show there was no malice there, they said, but there was a huge amount of activity.

Speaker B: Yes. And I think once you start noticing it, and I think that's the key thing again, we can be so oblivious sometimes. We can be so bombarded with noise and busyness kind of traffic, television, screens, radio, all of these things that kind of interfere with it, that actually, I think we often overlook and miss a lot of things that might be subtly going on all over the place. But once we do start to notice it, I think we become more aware and more attuned to it. And I can imagine that again because of the history, because of the evolution, because of the just sheer volume of people that have been through the doors at various times for different reasons that you have this real range. Just because it reflects the experiences and the changes that the property has been through and the people that have been through there. And it's like you said, when you start to break it down, the fact that you do have these particular types of experiences, whether it's auditory, whether it's visual, linked to the Victorian period or the Battle of Monmouth or other residents that have been there, other experiences, things that are reported to have happened, whether it's something in a particular room or just in general, you start to again understand the history of the property and what's happened in the area. And again, I think making those connections, to me is the bit that really resonates and is interesting, because when you can make those connections and then you have something happening that is paranormal, I think it adds huge validity. As you mentioned, with Help My House Is Haunted, it adds validity to experiences that people are having. And when you have multiple people having those experiences and you have that historical connection, that's where I think we can really start to understand maybe more about the paranormal as well as the history, because of the real connection we're able to make with it through the paranormal.

Speaker C: Yeah, I would completely agree with you. And it makes life so much more interesting as well, that you recognize these buildings have got a history and that loads, loads of other people have lived there and their lives have evolved there, events have happened there. Not always good, but that's the building, that's what's happened there. And the fact it comes through in the fabric. I love that feeling of knowing that so many people have been there and have been happy and have been married there and lived their lives there. It's wonderful.

Speaker B: And I'm very much. A purporter of buildings that tend to have paranormal experiences, hauntings, whether it's intellectual hauntings or residual hauntings, when you have a location that has experienced this huge array of emotions across that spectrum from really happy experiences like you were mentioning with weddings, with things that you can celebrate as well as obviously the end of that. I think that's why we often then have these types of properties that really do see things come through, because the amount of energy and the amount of kind of range of experiences and emotions that have happened and taken place I think stays. And I think that's often what we then tap into when it comes to the paranormal, these experiences, these moments, these feelings that have happened within the walls and within the building itself.

Speaker C: I completely agree because it's a given, we're all going to die, but for heaven's sake, let's celebrate lives well lived and the happiness and the fun and the joy. And that's what I feel when I'm in the building. Other people perhaps feel other things, but I've never heard anybody say they've had a negative visitation or seen anything negative. Always positive or just something there. I had one woman came in and she said, look, somebody sat on the end of the bed. She said, I felt the bed go down. I saw it. And I said to her, were you frightened? She said no. Odly enough. Not at all. She was on her own in the room. It was during the day, she said, but they were there. And I just, oh okay, they're there and they're gone now. And that's what it seems to have been like. And somebody else said they heard footsteps outside their door during the one evening. And I said, Were you frightened? Again? She said, no, but she said there was nobody there because I knew the hotel in that part of the building was just her. So it just goes to show it's how you feel really, and it's what you make of it.

Speaker B: Absolutely. And I would say that anybody who loves history, anybody who loves the paranormal are going to love the Vicarage. And Beverly Turney, who has been on the podcast before, she's been on and spoken about locations, she recently visited the Vicarage. And for her to come away and say she thinks it's one of the most incredible properties and she thinks it's one of the most haunted properties with the most different types of paranormal experiences. And to come away feeling so energized and excited and enthusiastic about the Vicarage, I think speaks volumes because she deals with a lot of properties, she works in lots of different places, she helps out in a lot of different locations and does so much work within the paranormal. And for her to come away saying that about the Vicarage, I think is just a huge endorsement, actually, kind of.

Speaker C: I'm really glad that she, because obviously I didn't know that she stayed and she didn't make herself known. But I'm really pleased that she enjoyed her stay, I suppose, because many people stay and nothing. They just have a lovely time, a really good food, good evening, and that's it. So obviously, for her it was special, and for that I'm really pleased.

Speaker B: And I think it's fantastic that you are offering this full range of different experiences, whatever people want to enjoy, about just coming and staying with you. Whether it's the paranormal, whether it's to have their wedding with you, whether it's to just enjoy a stay, whether it's to enjoy a meal, whether it's to enjoy the gardens, whether it's to enjoy the history. You're really able to offer all of this to people at whatever level and passion or love or experience that they want to enjoy. And for people to be, like we've mentioned, just a small moment. And part of its history too, is just incredible. It just kind of, again, just adds to that tapestry that we've been speaking about so much.

Speaker C: Precisely. My feeling at the moment is life is short. As long as you're not hurting anybody else, just grab the moment and make the most of it.

Speaker B: Absolutely. And I think your location is just one that I think will continue to sing and continue to kind of speak in terms of the paranormal. It's going to keep offering up these exciting new things, experiences, people noticing things again, just because of the fact that it's got this real wealth and depth of history. And I hope, really, that people who have an interest take a look at what you're offering and I'll make sure that all of the details go up on the podcast, description notes and on the website and things. So that people can look at what you're offering and see what you're offering. Whether it's coming and staying to experience something as a paranormal event or just coming and seeing the history, having a wonderful meal. Because, like I mentioned, you are offering all of this up. And I think if people haven't heard of you or seen what you're about, then I encourage them to do so, really, because it is a beautiful, unique property. Gorgeous.

Speaker C: Michelle, thank you so much for that. It's lovely to hear somebody else telling me that, because sometimes when you're in the middle of it, you forget to put your head above the parrot pit and look around and think, yes, we have built something beautiful here, but thank you. Hearing you say that is wonderful.

Speaker B: And I don't think people realize how much hard work is involved in hospitality. And if someone is running a hotel or a bed and breakfast, or if they are landlords and landladys of a pub, it can be unsociable hours. You don't necessarily get those times off that other people get. It's a long day, you're having to have many different hats. And it is so much hard work. And the fact that you do it and you really I really can't stress this enough, the love that you put into every aspect, whether it's the gardens, whether it's the kitchen with the amazing food, which some of which I have tried, by the way.

Speaker C: Thank you.

Speaker B: It's that, and you can just tell and I think that speaks to when someone loves a place, I think it makes it more special and I think that's what you've captured, really?

Speaker C: That's so sweet. My apologies. I've got a very old rescue dog shaking his collar. He's a bit out to lunch, so my apologies for the noise and thank you for that. Yes, I always think of ourselves a bit like the swan. They glide smoothly on the water, but underneath our feet are going like the clappers. So hopefully our customers and guests get a wonderful relaxed atmosphere and we work hard to make sure they get those feelings.

Speaker B: And if anybody is interested in kind of exploring maybe the location before visiting, if they are interested in the paranormal you mentioned Help, My House is haunted. It's one that I recommend people watch because I think of all of the episodes that they've put out, I think it's one of the most interesting and fascinating investigations and explorations that I've seen them do, actually, across all the series. And some of the evidence that they captured is pretty phenomenal. I mean, in terms of EVP, I can't say I've ever heard anything as good, as clear, as fantastic as they did as part of their work, really for that episode on the season. So it's one I recommend people to take a look at because it is so interesting what they uncovered.

Speaker C: Well, thank you for that. It gave us all a shock. I was particularly surprised. It was like, oh croike. When they replayed it to us and we heard it, there was deadly silence. We were all in state of shock. We couldn't believe it. So it is fantastic and I'm glad for them as well that it was such productive episode because it really was and it was all completely genuine. I would have to say they was all completely genuine. There was no fakery or trickery. It was as you see it.

Speaker B: But I think they were genuinely really shocked and surprised too. I think it really kind of caught them by surprise just how clear and how good it was because we get EVP things through all the time when it comes to investigations and you're usually there trying to work out what's being said. It's very difficult. It's hard, you're hearing something, someone else is hearing something else. But in this case, there was no kind of quibbling about it. It was so clear and yeah, I think they were very shocked as well, to be honest, from kind of having that come through so clearly.

Speaker C: They said they'd never heard anything as clear before. They were really surprised. It was quite surprised, everybody, but I think particularly them, as you say. So it's on a discovery plus and well worth watch and just see it and see what you think, make your own mind up.

Speaker B: And again, I'll try and make sure to include that link in the podcast description notes and on the website and things because I do think it's a really fascinating one to look at. And like I said, if anyone's interested in coming and experiencing the vicarage, it might be something that they want to check out beforehand or afterwards as part of kind of diving deeper into what the vicarage has to offer, really, because it's got a lot to offer.

Speaker C: Well, it puts more meat on the bones and it just makes it more interesting for whoever's visiting. I think it just gives you more of a background.

Speaker B: It's been so incredible to talk to you. I mean, just such an amazing location with this wonderful story and wonderful history that surrounds it and has been part of it and some incredible experiences that are quite unique in terms of the paranormal, I think. So thank you for coming and giving us a little bit of an insight into what might happen if people come in and see you and stay with you.

Speaker C: Really, Michelle, it has been my greatest pleasure and thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about the old Vicarage Hotel. Thank you so much.

Speaker A: Oh, no, it's been a pleasure.

Speaker B: And thank you for the little doggies in the background.