Get a chance to get to know our friendly
Team GGO before you go on an event.
Simon Blake
What got you into the Paranormal?
Probably like a lot of people I started by watching Most Haunted, this got me interested in experiencing the paranormal. After this I booked onto paranormal events and started to visit places with experienced paranormal teams.
Of all the teams I went with I enjoyed the “part of the family” like feeling I got with GGO and to cut a long story short I now run GGO with my wife Sarah, with the same 'family' ethos of when GGO began in 2012.
Favourite location:
My favourite location would have to be The Judges Lodges in Presteigne, as this was our first event as new caretakers of GGO. But a location that I had my most intense experience would have to be the Ancient Ram Inn in Wotton-under-Edge.
Sarah Blake
What got you into the Paranormal?
I've always felt ghostly presences/residual energy and had an interest in the paranormal from a young age. I don't like ghost films oddly enough, they are just made to scare, I want to see real tangible evidence that cannot be scientifically explained. For example, after visiting a spiritualist group to be told my guardian angel was a man from my maternal side in a military uniform. A subsequent conversation with my atheist Grandad and his mum (my great-grandmother) revealed that they shared this idea that my great-Grandad who had died in Arnham in 1944 was always looking out for his family. My Grandad then said that he should have died twice in his childhood (in water related incidents) but was saved by a presence he could not explain. He also said “my dad always wanted a daughter (he had 3 sons) so it makes sense he's looking after you”.
This interest was then piqued with the arrival of Most Haunted and I then looked to go on Paranormal events with experienced paranormal teams. There is a fear of fakery I suppose, but Ghostly Goings On felt to me the most authentic and friendly team that I went with.
My husband and I then volunteered on events and then became GGO caretakers in 2023, we are passionate about remaining true to the 'family' ethos of GGO whilst also investigating the paranormal and not charging the earth for people to join us!
Favourite location:
Gloucester Prison – you can literally feel the eyes on you walking around this place!
Oliver Kinsley
What got you into the Paranormal?
My maternal great-grandmother, of Irish descent, apparently had “the gift.” She had premonitions of disaster. I always found this fascinating.
My local library frequently sold off old stock of vinyl and cassette tapes. When I was around eleven years old I bought a stack of these. One of the tapes was a dramatised audio re-enactment of The Haunting of Borley Rectory. It terrified and intrigued me in equal measure and started off my interest in the paranormal.
The idea of the strange and unusual, of “something beyond,” captivated me and lead me to books such as The Mysteries of Easter Island, Arthur C Clarke's World of Strange Powers, Von Daniken’s Chariots of the Gods, Harry Price’s Poltergeist and David Paulides’ Bigfoot Encounters.
I still love the thrill of a good ghost story and enjoy spending time seeking out and exploring haunted locations in the hope of having an inexplicable encounter.
Favourite location:
Anywhere ruined, bleak and desolate. But in terms of paranormal experience and atmosphere, The Skirrid Inn. Having my hair pulled in an empty room was exhilarating.
Elaine Cook
What got you into the Paranormal?
I've always been a night owl, historically this has meant watching movies or reading until the wee hours of the morning.
I often found myself drawn to horror and paranormal genres - you always know if the story is good if you turn the light off and then have to jump under the duvet quick before whatever is waiting for you, gets you when you turn the light off!! So you could say I was easy to convince to come along to a ghost hunt (thanks, Lee!).
We still don't know the answers to so much in the universe? Are there ghosts? Do things actually go bump in the night? The only way to find out is to go and visit a few locations for yourself and find out! Which is what I have had the opportunity to do with GGO. A few jump scares, tea and giggles has always ensured a good experience.
Favourite location:
So far Shrewsbury Prison has been my favourite location. I've visited other locations that have been intriguing, but Shrewsbury actually gave me the shivers. I could swear there was someone behind me on numerous occasions; shivers down my spine and an oppressive air. I have admit though, a haunted castle is on my bucket list!!
Lee Clarke-Butler
What got you into the Paranormal?
Books pulled me into the paranormal world, Arthur C Clarke and that unforgettable ghost going up the stairs with the candle or the cleaning lady at the altar, the Osbourne book of ghosts and legends of local hauntings.
As a child we visited every castle in the UK and was told tales by the guides of sightings of the famous ghosts that reside within. It got my imagination to go wild.
For all my childhood I lived next door to a cemetery and my parents said I used to chat to unseen people through the fence.
Favourite location:
I like so many locations for different activity. Woodchester mansion holds a big space of my paranormal heart, I have witnessed so many unexplained phenomena there that it will always be intriguing and make me question so much. I do like the excitement of a new less investigated venue, not knowing what to expect and experiencing new happenings.
Laura Padley
What got you into the Paranormal?
For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by everything paranormal from ghosts and aliens to fairies.
I've always loved reading growing up on point horror and goosebumps books, and as I got older I developed a love for James Herbert and Stephen King for a scare and Barbara Erskine who writes ghost stories from a totally different perspective.
I had never been on a paranormal investigation so I was thrilled when Sarah & Si took on GGO and invited me to be a part of the family.
Favourite location:
Do I have to pick… 😁 I think there's something special about all the locations I've been to.
Sam Arblaster
What got you into the Paranormal?
Most haunted! Used to watch it for hours with my best friends when younger. When watching the lives we would run upstairs to the computer during the breaks to keep an eye on the webcam they had ongoing.
As I got older had a few unexplained moments, one such time was when I was at a friend’s house and I woke up to see a soldier in the corner of the room. Blinked and he had vanished. The next morning I explained what I had saw and my friend told me she had seen the exact same man previously.
Favourite location:
Gloucester prison! Always a good investigation with loads of activity. Been there 4 times.
Dylan Davies
What got you into the Paranormal?
Started watching paranormal shows (Most Haunted) when I was around 8/9 years old with my dad. Always found it fascinating.
Always believed there is something after life and began to do urban explorations.
What really cemented it for me was back in 2017 while working away in Sudbury. We stayed in a Mill that had been converted to a hotel. I experienced residual energy from there. That made me want to know more and try and communicate with the afterlife. Wanted to know their story and see if I could get the information to piece it together.
Favourite location:
My favourite location to date is Shepton Mallet Prison followed closely by Judges Lodgings in Presteigne
Collette Winter
What got you into the Paranormal?
I’ve always had an interest from an early age, my Grandad used to tell me ghost stories.
I started joining onto public investigations approx. 7 years ago when a local venue held a Halloween event and my friend worked in the building and got us booked on. One investigation led to the next!
In April 2023 I joined a team and enjoyed looking after guests. I’ve been investigating with GGO as a guest since 2020 and love the family feel so approached Sarah and Simon to join as part of GGO team earlier this year!
Favourite location:
Woodchester Mansion. I’ve investigated twice so far and it never disappoints! Even by day it has an eerie feel about the place.
David West
What got you into the Paranormal?
I have a huge interest in the paranormal and dedicate as much time and effort as i can to this field. I have been investigating since 2007.
I began seeing and hearing unexplained things since I was very little and the interest has grown from there. I love history and science as subjects and feel these go hand in hand with the passion I have.
I love investigating with all the latest technical equipment in which I use to try and prove or back up any evidence captured. I am dedicated to trying to find the answer we are all after as to what the paranormal world actually is.
Favourite location:
For me there are so many that could apply for different reasons but think if I had to choose one that stood out due to it's intelligent responses it would be Bishton Hall.