Acorah telling porkies ... again!

In a Celebs on Sunday article, Derek Acorah claims "Everything was genuine when I was on it" (Most Haunted). Really? You have a very selective memory, Derek!

Don't you remember when you were told - not shown, not overheard, but told by Karl - about Kreed Kafer during the first walk-about at Bodmin Gaol?

And how about when you were told about Rik Eedles at Prideaux Place?

Then there was when you were told about Ged Harken, at the Golden Fleece in York - and once again you fell hook, line and sinker.

Surely you can't possibly have forgotten the episode that never was? You know, the one that was supposed to be your swan-song on Most Haunted? Don't you remember turning up at Sinai House, expecting to be somewhere completely different? The one where you "couldn't feel anything" so didn't appear in the programme?

And it's no use claiming "no one ever approached me and said: 'Can you do this or that?'" in your own shows, either. Remember the first Ghost Towns Live - again at York? Remember this off-camera conversarion?



Please don't make us laugh! We know the truth, remember!

Emma Gee

Oh, how far are the mighty fallen!

It was with great glee that I read two items of news regarding Derek Acorah this afternoon. The first was a notification that he would be performing at The Beck Theatre, Ealing. Now, I have nothing against Ealing, but I took a look at the capacity of the theatre.

600 - yes, SIX HUNDRED!

I then visited his website to see what he had to say about it, only to discover a notice saying,

"It is with deep regret that we announce the cancellation of the March 22nd show at Bournemouth Opera House. Anyone holding tickets should contact the venue directly for a refund."

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Please pardon my mirth ...

"A despicable plot"

Yes, folks, we're part of 'a despicable plot'! A despicable plot to do what, you may well ask. Well, according to Acorah's latest whinge published today in a newspaper, it was " to dishevel me with my new show ". It's taken him three years, but at last he's come up with an explanation for the Kreed Kafer episode, but his new story does more to further discredit him than to exonerate him. He now claims he was "merely sensing the negative energy of O’Keeffe’s earlier plotting."

“I’m sensitive. I pick these things up. I was picking up people talking and back-biting in the ether. “I heard these despicable discussions between people and it was sickening me to my guts. When we were doing the investigation I was walking around the area and the words hit me – ‘Kreed Kafer, Kreed Kafer!’ And I said it out loud. “They set out to dishevel me with my new show.”

Now, we know that Acorah was told all about the fictitious Kreed Kafer during the first walkabout, and we also know he was told that the character would not be used in the programme as there were no prison records to verify his existence. How do we know? Because Dr Ciarán O'Keeffe, Most Haunted's resident parapsychologist, told the then administrators of Bad Psychics forum all about it, and the information was made available to all moderators long before the programme aired.

But even if we didn't know the truth, how much sense does Acorah's explanation make? None. Well, none if Acorah really is psychic, or Sam really is his spirit guide, because if either of those were true, or even one of them, then Acorah would have known the "people talking and back-biting" was a set-up.

The fact is he did not know it was a set-up, because he is not psychic, and Sam is not his spirit guide, and he thought he was being clever to channel the South African whose existence was, so far as he was aware, unable to be disputed. As so often happens with Acorah, he was wrong, and he ended up possessed by an anagram, and with egg on his face.

Acorah has never tried to explain 'Rik Eeedles' [anagram of 'Derek lies'] at Prideaux Place the following week, or 'Ged Harken' ['hang Derek'] at York a few shows later, or 'the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' at Craigievar Castle. Why not? Quite simply, he can't. He was caught out on all of them, and the Kreed Kafer 'egg on face' became a veritable omelette.

Nor has Acorah ever tried to explain how he became possessed by a fictional character created by William Harrison Ainsworth in 1841. She was Viviana Radclyffe who appeared in a book entitled "Guy Fawkes or The gunpowder Treason, An Historical Romance, The Modern Man Pursues Drama and Bravery". So where could Acorah have got his information about Viviana if not from 'spirit'? A Google search for the ghost of Ordsall Hall throws up this Salford Museum website which says

"Then again, she could be the legendary Viviana Radclyffe, with whom the infamous Guy Fawkes fell in love with when he supposedly came to Ordsall Hall to plot the Gunpowder Plot!"

The clue, of course, is in the word 'legendary', meaning she only exists in a story, and if Acorah or his researcher had bothered to look at the Ordsall Hall history a little more closely they would have discovered:

"There was never any female of the house named Viviana and only the surviving sister of Sir John was Jane, then thirty years of age, and married to Sir Ralph Constable."

Let's move on to Acorah's claim that “They set out to dishevel me with my new show.”

If anyone can lay claim to 'dishevelling' Derek Acorah's [then] new programme it's the mole, or rather moles, who contacted me about the programme. They subsequently supplied me with raw footage of all three nights of behind-the-scenes video tape.

The resulting Double Exposure exposé of Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns Live at York proved just how far he was prepared to go in order to con viewers into believing he has a gift. It went far beyond just getting historical facts hopelessly wrong, and descended into farce with a spirit granny rubbing Syrup of Figs on a baby's chest!



DW: "Personally if it was me I'd say that one there that's got the picture in the window of you..... That 'd be really helpful"
Both laugh
Acorah: Wouldn't the people be able to see it?
DW: No, no, no... Alright?
Acorah: Yeah



Acorah: "Do we know this guy's name?"

No Derek, nobody's supposed to know who is on the other side of the door, remember? You just blew it ... again!

Acorah's currently touting for his 'new' television show on Sky Real Lives which starts in February, and promises ...

"... Derek in a studio with a small and intimate audience, giving readings from the world of Spirit."

Now where have we heard that before? Ah yes! On another little-known, little-watched, Sky channel of last century, Granada Breeze, where Acorah appeared on Psychic Livetime! His alleged faking on the show earned him a ban by ITV executives for many years. So Acorah's career has come full circle and he now finds himself back where he started - on a minor television channel, with only his fans for company.

The wrong way to get rich and famous

Alan Shaw has written to me, having read the Double Exposure website, to say:

As a Spiritualist Medium myself it was clear to me from the beginning, without any proof, Derek Acorah was a fake. I wrote letters to one of the people on the show without ever having a reply. I stopped working as a medium, due to failing health sometime before the show started so I certainly wasnt looking for a place on it.

Having worked for 17 years in Spiritualist Churches and halls all over the country I think I know genuine mediumship from the playacting of Acorah. I had to stop watching the show because it made me feel quite ill seeing the crew taken in by this nasty fake. Unfortunately Spiritualism has also had its fakes over the years. Inexperianced people do not know what to look for and get taken in very easily by the likes of Derek (Johnson) Acorah.

As a young man I had a very good memory and knew the details of hundreds of haunted sites. Had I been taken to any one of them I could have supplied names and details that would have fooled almost anyone.

TV had a showman in Acorah and it sold the show to the gullible public.

When they used Gordon Smith, a genuine medium, who I shared a weekend on stage with in London back in the 80s, there just wasnt the entertainment factor they had with Acorah.

I used working in the halls as an opportunity to promote the Churches and the Spiritualist movement. I never liked the idear of people seeing it as an entertainment but for some it was,unfortunately.

I could have made big money had I wanted to, I was offered many opportunities that I turned down. The limelight is not for me, and its the wrong way to get rich and famous.

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

On the 1st November last year I posted this blog entry, saying how I could hardly wait to see Acorah's latest DVD.

The DVD arrived today and at last I've seen the mysterious footage showing the glasses being thrown into the audience by a spirit man at Blackpool. Well, when I say I've seen it ... I suppose I'd better start at the beginning, so first I'll give Acorah's claim,followed by what is on the DVD.

To set the scene, at the back left corner of the stage [as seen from the camera] up against the curtains, is a small table with what appears to be a red Formica top. On it is a jug of water and two glasses.

The clip begins when Acorah pours a glass of water from the jug and, instead of taking a drink and putting it down as he usually does, he keeps hold of it.

CLAIM: I've got footage of a spirit person developing and manifesting onstage in front of 2000 people. I've got it all on camera. It was at a theatre in Blackpool. On a table on the stage I always have a jug of water and ice and a glass or two.

Suddenly this man developed, and you can hear the audience shouting "Derek! Derek! Derek!".

FACT: He mutters, "I will, who are you? I'm with the lady. Do you belong with the lady? Sam, step him back. Just for the moment. I won't announce you, not at the moment because I'm going to talk about the lady. What's your name then? Mr Booker? OK, so you don't belong with the lady. I will announce you if you just ... OK."

To audience: "Before we go any further, someone, his son ... your son's here? His son's here. Erm... I've got a gentleman here who won't step back 'til I sound him out and he'll come back later. Is a Mr Booker here, please? Booker? "

Shot of a section of the audience - nobody is responding, or craning to see someone answering.

Acorah seems to have heard a response though, and he continues, "OK, we'll come to you in a moment please."

To 'spirit' "Is that alright? Thank you!"

Acorah walks away from the table with the glass, says "Sorry" to the audience, and returns to the table to put his glass on it. "It's ... they're just so you know eager ..."

CLAIM: I look, and I see him, and suddenly this light appears, like an arm from him, and one of the glasses lifts off the table, and all the people went silent, and the glass crashed down to the auditorium in front of the audience. There was a big gasp and scream.

FACT: He walks away from the table, and looks back at it four times as he says, " I can understand them, it's just that they jump out on me, and I'm ..."

There is the sound of something falling to the floor...

... OFF CAMERA!

"Thank you!!" says Acorah in mock indignation.

There are some titters in the audience. Acorah turns to them and shouts, "He's just knocked it off! Your man's just knocked it off! You saw it with your own eyes" he says triumphantly, and adds, "I told you it wasn't going to be like Most Haunted, didn't I? "

Laughter and applause.

CLAIM: Now, the same spirit man - the glass that had water and ice in it - that was shifted off the table and that also was thrown down into the audience. I've got that footage. I have it in my possession.

Acorah returns to the table then walks away again.

"He's laughing at me now! Sorry for the staff - it's 'im!" pointing to the table. "Look, the glass is cracked now," he says with a giggle.

He pours another glass of water and sings "Oh, what a night..." and takes a big swig, placing the glass back on the table almost in the same place as the first one.

"Thank you, bless you" he mutters and as he turns and walks away from the table we hear the sound of something else falling to the floor ...

OFF CAMERA!

This is accompanied by a scream and some laughter from the audience.

"Stop! Now!" he commands, pointing in the direction of the table. [This is followed by a replay of him placing the glass on the table.] "Stop, otherwise I won't announce you. They've all seen [unintelligible] ... if you do it to the jug I will not announce you. "

"I'm sorry. It's not funny. Someone ... could we have a fresh glass please as that's all cracked and the other one's broken, and I won't drink out of a jug even for him."

So... no "footage of a spirit person developing and manifesting onstage in front of 2000 people" - LIE

No audience can be heard shouting "Derek! Derek! Derek!" - LIE

No glass "being thrown into the auditorium". as Acorah picks it up just in front of the table - LIE

No glass "being thrown into the audience" as again it is lying just in front of the table - LIE

And above all, nothing at all "caught on camera" - LIE

So what do we have on the DVD? Nothing more than a very inept attempt by Acorah to fake a 'manifestation' , which is just what I expected.

It's just like the other 'ghost' Acorah claimed was 'caught on camera' - that of the highwayman. Of course that never materialised, either...

Real or fake?

So here we have Yvette making an impromptu, impassioned speech to camera, declaiming the team's innocence, but body language tells quite a different tale.

This is followed by a tiny clip from Ordsall Hall, where Yvette fakes a 'ghostly aaarrrh' in front of Ian Lawman.

The clip concludes with Yvette's true feelings on Acorah, based on her own knowledge of his faking.



So, is the programme real? Is it heck-as-like, as the Pendle witches would have said!

Emma Gee

Fingering Felix!

The Antix team have been aware of a mole's existence for a very long time. This snippet occurred at Elstree as the team were relocating to another part of the studio.



Richard Felix can be heard to say: "They've got me... they've actually go me on... er... er... on film, saying that if I er... that if I find that any of this is rigged, I'll walk."

Of course he knew very well that it was rigged - after all, he wasn't called 'Fingers' by the team for nothing. Look here for a few more little gems from Felix.

Just when they thought it was safe ...

I'd almost forgotten about Most Haunted and the Antix antics (I do have a life, you know!), and although a few snippets and outtakes have crossed my desk they have been ... well, not to put too fine a point on it, as interesting as watching paint dry. They have just been the same old tired team with the same old tired tricks, trying desperately to make gullible viewers believe in them.

When a disk arrived in yesterday's post I didn't rush to play it. However, when I eventually got round to doing so today, among the dross I found this little nugget.



So yes, Karl, the mole is alive and kicking, and still burrowing in ...

... ah, but that would be telling, wouldn't it? *wink*

Emma Gee

An experiment in mediumship

On 27 May 2008 I received an interesting proposition from someone named James. He had recently met up with a medium, and was planning on becoming his manager, with the aim of getting him in front of larger audiences.

James asked if I knew people who would be prepared to critique a written reading by his medium. He said he regarded it as a bit of a test, and that the only information the medium would require would be the full name, including middle names, of the people he would be reading. Subsequently James discovered that the medium did not require this information, and I believe him when he assures me that the names were not passed to the medium.

It was very important to me that I make the experiment as objective as I possibly could, so approached three people as diverse as I could manage:

#1 An American lady who crossed the Atlantic to see Derek Acorah perform, and who I met once for three hours.
#2 A retired lady from Wales, who has no interest whatsoever in the paranormal.
#3 A retired gentleman living in England, who I have met on several occasions, and is a non-believer.

The three people do not know each other, have never encountered each other on any forum, and the only connection between them is me. All three agreed to take part in the experiment.

The medium produced three tapes - numbered 1 to 3 - and James transcribed them, and sent the texts to me.

At this point I put my own test in place. I sent all three readings to all three people, and asked them to identify their own reading. These are their initial reactions:

#1 "Before I write the critique, can you please confirm that mine is number 2?" On being told that hers was actually number 1, she wrote, "Oh, crap! I really wanted 2 to be mine!!! I didn't identify with 1 at all! Are you SURE 2 isn't mine?"

#2 "NONE of them fit me or anything to do with me as far as I can see"

#3 "Sorry, did my best, but couldnt remotely connect with any of
them"

The following entries give the details provided by the medium, together with the comments of the people receiving the readings once they had been identified.

Reading # 1

I have a lady with me 5 foot 4 to 5-5 in height quite stout in a brown tweed coat like woolen from 50s 60 hair very dark naturally wavy with curls too.

My mother was 5’3’’, but not stout. She often wore tweed. Her hair was dark naturally, wavy, and curly.

Has a wedding ring on and a mark where another ring has been – I assume the other ring could be here on the earth plane

She did wear her wedding ring, but I don’t remember there being any marks where another one had been.

Gentleman who says he is 5 foot 8 thin on top - hair combed over from side very nice gentleman guess he was bald

My grandfather was about 5’8’’, but he was not bald. Thinner hair, of course, as he got older, but he never went bald.

Uncle Bert short for Albert and an aunty Mary connected to this person (person 1) month of may month of November as special anniversaries

My grandfather’s brother was Charles Albert. But as far as I know, he was called “Charlie.” His sister was Mary. But, I never knew these people. They died decades before I was born. The anniversaries do not ring a bell.

– April as birthday January as birthday and June as a birthday

I was born in April. My niece was born in January. My sister was born in June.

All connected to nr 1

Promotion coming shortly to this person or someone close i.e. in this own house – feels good about this changes are coming

I am not being promoted. In fact, my job is being terminated at the end of the month. I do not live with anyone else.

Something happening on Wednesday of next week

I am sure lots of things happened on Wednesday. I don’t remember what.

Something happening today - change in circumstances – change in plans on wed or thur next week

Nothing out of the ordinary occurred. No change of circumstances and Wednesday/Thursday not here yet.

Seeing old mill with water wheel – not a flower mill

No relevance to me.

Seem to be engineering or metal works/mill
I know there are engineering or metal work connections – prob grandfather who was in it all his life in engineering or metal work

My other grandfather was a mechanical engineer - not the one who was 5' 8".

Got blacksmith nearby making horse shoes shire and pit ponies shoes

No relevance.

Wheel going round at mill – means things starting to move – I feel brakes are being taken off in your life things moving forward – you are moving to a higher position – I feel promotion is well overdue

I am not being promoted, but my job life is going to change very soon.

See a Removal van – most be close to you ie family

I will be moving soon, but I will only need to fill up my car in order to complete the move. I made sure that I packed lightly on my last trip away from home, so that I would not need a moving van, however small.

See young child a baby – also see little children around

I have never had children. I was close to my niece and nephews while they were growing up. However, they are all young adults now.

Watch today (though may have gone by time this gets to you )


?

Watch Friday to Sunday this week – feels good

?

Idea of making finances stretch further – making purse strings less tight

I am always thinking about finances.

The idea spoken about a month ago is coming into place shortly within weeks


?

Something going on 3 weeks ago either a situation or a person something had to be sorted – I feel it has been sorted out


?

Good news for a family member to do with health

?

Being told to say prosperity is on the way and a move is the best thing in the world because a change is better than a rest

Prosperity is always nice – I wouldn’t mind it.

Reading # 2

Old fragile petite lady
5 1 to 5 3 slim build knitted cardigan to waist long sleeves
floral dress – blue o white shoes
loving & kind lady you look similar too


The description means nothing to me.

she is showing me a photograph of someone here – lady is stout about late 20s middle 30s
short hair – brown colour has been dyed few times different colours


The description means nothing to me. Only know one person who dyed hair frequently - she is in her mid-50's

its like there’s been a web woven over last 3-5 years concerning your or someone close to you
being told web is starting to disintegrate things are going to start to get better - this is springtime of your life


Far too general, and means nothing to me

she is talking about a male – don’t know why maybe you r male not sure


No

I want to go to September – to the back end of September and middle of September – one is an anniversary one a birthday


Don't know of any anniversaries/ birthdays middle or end of September

September anniversary connects to one in April as well – passing in February time I know u have anniversaries of a passing in March as well

No anniversary in April, don't know of any deaths in March or February

Like a whole new world is opening for you shortly – I would say in the next 6 weeks changes come – they r good changes believe me – there is someone pregnant around you either friend or family

No friends or family could be pregnant

Name of Ted and William (must be very close ie family or people u would class as family etc)

No Ted in or close to family. William was my father's name, but he was always called either Bill or Will. It's also my brother's middle name although he is not called by it.

Being shown a white coffin (not a childs) this must ring bells in your family

No white coffins

Name of howard or howarth as a surname

Means nothing to me.

Its like you feel as if your falling but you don’t know where u are going to land in one are of your life im - being told keep your chin up as your going to land nice & softly and its going to be good


Rather meaningless as it's not specific

Also got going overseas somewhere not a holiday (longer than a holiday)– I want to connect to italy I want to connect to spain – within the family or close relationship


Means nothing to me or in my family

Also want to go to France – particularly wit you (ie person this reading is for)
Im in Bordeaux – I have an old gentleman 5foot8 to 5 foot9 served in both world wars – won medals in both wars & won the Victoria cross as well


I have holidayed in France many years ago, but none of the rest means anything to me.

I feel grandfather time – not sure if its grandfather or great uncle – I know there is a lot of love for you and I know there is an anniversary within the next 10 days (they are saying within 5days)

No great-uncle and no anniversary within the next ten days

You have some lovely surprise coming up over next few weeks
Something either you or a partner has been hoping for is about too transpire – that is good believe me it is good – stop looking over your shoulder get rid of those fears and doubts you have got (I have been told to tel you) because things are moving forward and things are looking up for you.

Too general to mean anything, and not hoping for anything in particular.

There has to be a connection with the BBC within the family or close friendship – something to do with media work as well

No - nothing to do with the BBC, or media of any sort in the family or friends

I see 3 different things going on


What three things?

There was an aunty of yours who used to have glass of tout every night as medicinal purposes (she said – she is in spirit now ) and she always stuck a red hot pocker in it before drinking – she shows me a lovely pie – old styles with leaves etc on top – and a flower/rose


No aunt who drank stout or made pies with leaves on the top.

Country life and country living is you not town living or work – watch for these changes – you wont find them they will find you I assure you – by September of this year - your life is about to turn for the better


Yes, but I've lived in the country for many years.

You have a sadness somewhere – a loss of something, a very deep loss – I have a child that has come back – I cant tell sex at mo – I feel it’s a boy child


Never had a child, and not been pregnant or had a miscarriage.

Lovely yellow flowers – and one blood red rose and one pink rose these have got to be a memory somewhere – this child loves you – this child is always around you for some reason – I don’t if you have missed something, lost something

Not had anything to do with any children at all. Often mislay things, but nothing special.

They said you are going to say no to this last bit – but will you please really thing about it and ask – on the 14th of October , 18th of October 29th & December just after boxing days of September (or within 2 days of these date -– these are all anniversaries or memories of good or bad times –

No - none of them fit

no more bad times its springtime for a long time in your life and whatever you have lost is coming home its not been lost for ever

Haven't lost anything that might come home, although I did lose a cat in 1986, which was returned after six weeks.

I will let you know if I find any of these things do happen.

Reading #3

I see seas calming from a rough storm – somewhere around you there has been a rough time – maybe you or someone close – not sure yet
I know calm is coming

Totally discounted….could apply to everyone if they think hard enough

I have a gentleman back in merchant sea-mans uniform I think – I feel also he must have served in royal navy or your family has connections in royal navy royal air force and the army

Nice try….but no

Thought I saw 3 brothers – now I am seeing 2 – one served in the army one served in another force

No

There is a squadron photos of RAF – as im looking at it I want to go to front row 7 people in from right hand side (someone connected to family ) want to go to left hand side come back one row to 3rd or 3rd person (member of family too)

No

Feel like im spinning – like im going round in circles about something in my life – its like I needed to make a decision –

No ( Again could apply to everyone if they think hard enough )

Something to do with may or middle of may – when this all happened or started – I am being told to tell you do not make a decision until the 17th-19th of June 9, 2008 its to do with personnel and career side of life – they are both connected in some way I am being told

No

I feel like im gong for a ramble – it look like Scotland – not sure there are hills water barren land its like hill climbing – not sure you or someone close

No…and never actually been to Scotland although if I think hard and long enough I’m sure I could find someone who has !

Its difficult as no-one is coming through properly - I could take that symbolically and say at the moment you cant see too far into your own future – and are concerned about or indecisive about things in your life – prob that’s what they r trying to put over to you but im not sure

Nice try…fumbling for something to say

3-5 weeks from today things seems to come clearer – there is a very big emotion in you from long ago – I have just pulled that out – ti was making you feel very heavy, very tired, very drained at times
watch the difference about 3 to 5 days after you get this tape

Clever trick , it makes the recipient “want “ to accept the message

within 5-8hrs of getting this tape you will get some news - good news not bad news – let me know please

No…..I’m still waiting !

Conclusion

By 'cherry-picking' through all the readings, the three participants were able to find perhaps half a dozen statements that they could make fit their own circumstances - as could I. Individually, however, it was a different story.

Just a reminder:
#1 is the American lady who wants to believe.
#2 the retired lady in Wales who neither believes nor disbelieves
#3 the retired male who does not believe.

Correct
1. Moving (#1)
2. Three birth months (#1) - but I can also identify with those three birth months.
3. Country life and country living (#2)

Generalisations
The average height for a female in both the UK and UK is between 5' 4" and 5' 5" (#1 & #2)
Most mothers of that generation would wear a wedding ring, even if they weren't actually married. (#1)
The average height for a male in the UK and US is between 5' 8" and 5' 9". (#1 & #2)

Can be made to fit
1. One grandfather was a mechanical engineer, but rest incorrect . (#1)
2. Other grandfather was 5' 8"
3. Uncle Bert - Albert and Mary, but remote and died long before subject's birth (#1)
4. The name William, although neither person was actually called by it (#2)

Total misses
1. Promotion, when her job was actually terminated. (#1)
2. Blacksmith, pit ponies or mills (#1)
3. Children - never had any / never had connections with children. (#1 & #2)
4. Lady described (#2)
5. Lady in photograph (#2)
6. Male (#2)
7. Anniversaries/birthdays in September (#2)
8. Anniversary in April (#2)
9. All anniversaries October to December (#2)
10. Deaths in February and March (#2)
11. Pregnancy (#2)
12. Name of Ted (#2)
13. A white coffin (#2)
14. Surname of Howard or Howarth (#2)
15. Overseas; Italy, Spain (#2)
16. Bordaux (#2)
17. Old gentleman who fought in two world wars (#2)
18. Victoria Cross (#2)
19. Anniversary within next ten days (#2)
20. Connection with BBC / media (#2)
21. Aunt who drank stout, etc. (#2)
22. Merchant sea-man (#3)
23. Royal Navy (#3)
24. Royal Air Force (#3)
25/ Army (#3)
26. Three brothers (#3)
27. R.A.F. squadron photo (#3)
28. Personnel and career (#3)
29. Rambling (#3)
30. Scotland (#3)

Meaningless padding
1. Watch today (#1)
2. Watch Friday to Sunday this week – feels good(#1)
3. The idea spoken about a month ago coming into place shortly (#1)
4. Something going on 3 weeks ago that's sorted (#1)
5. Good news for a family member to do with health (#1)
6. A web woven over last 3-5 years (#2)
7. A whole new world is opening for you shortly (#2)
8. Its like you feel as if your falling etc. (#2)
9. A lovely surprise coming up over next few weeks, etc. (#2)
10. Three different things going on (#2)
11. No more bad times its springtime for a long time in your life (#2)
12. Seas calming from a rough storm (#3)
13. Spinning around (#3)
14. Concerned about or indecisive about things (#3)
15. Three to five weeks from today things seems to come clearer (#3)
16. Watch the difference about 3 to 5 days after you get this tape (#3)
17. Within 5-8hrs of getting this tape you will get some good news not bad news (#3)

The best of the three readings was #1, but

The worst part of the three readings has to be where the medium goes for broke and tries for a connection to the Merchant Navy, the Royal Navy, the R.A.F. and the Army!! It is usually a good bet that there's somebody in the family who served in one of the armed forces, but unfortunately for this medium, #3's family was the exception!

Frankly, I'm not at all sure why this person believes he is a medium, or that he could provide meaningful readings for anyone. Unfortunately, the individual is about to be launched onto the big stage in a matter of weeks. We shall see what transpires then.

Are you sitting comfortably?

For the last couple of evenings I’ve been curled up with a cup of cocoa and a good read. OK, so it wasn’t cocoa, and the read not so much good as interesting, because it was The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008!

I must point out at this stage that I have had no formal legal training, but this document is reasonably easy to read, and I wanted to be crystal clear about the ways in which mediums, psychics, etc., can now be prosecuted for cheating the public.

I would be grateful for any legal advice regarding my interpretations.
Part 2 – Prohibitions sets out what is considered unfair commercial practice, and what a trader cannot do without falling foul of the law.

A trader may not:

Mislead the consumer:

• by using false information,
• being untruthful, or
• by making a presentation which is likely to deceive the average consumer,

which would cause that consumer to pay for something they would not have paid for had they known it to be false, untrue or deceptive.
(4)(a); (5)(2)(a)(b)
It is also misleading if the trader “provides material information in a manner which is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely.”
(4)(b) 6.—(1) (b)
The final group of misleading actions is covered by Schedule 1. These include:

• Falsely claiming to be a signatory to a code of conduct;
• Falsely claiming that a code of conduct is endorsed by a public or other body;
• Falsely claiming to be approved, endorsed, or authorised by a public or private body;
• Falsely claiming to be able to cure illnesses;
• Promoting goods or services in the media using editorial content paid for by the trader, if this is not made clear.

Most of the above are likely to leave 'mediums' such as Acorah in real difficulties. After all, he regularly “provides material information in a manner which is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous"; he has already been exposed as untruthful, providing false information, falsely claiming to have been trained by a Spiritualist Church, and claiming to cure illnesses when he 'heals' people at his shows.

Proceedings can be taken against a trader up to three years from the date of the offence, and anyone found guilty of an offence under the regulations could be fined up to £ 5,000.00 on conviction in the Magistrates' Court, but in addition there could be a prison sentence of up to two years if convicted in the Crown Court.

So what defence is there for a trader accused under the regulations? Well, they would have to prove that they committed the offence because of:

• a mistake
• information supplied by another person
• something beyond their control

However, any medium attempting to prove to the court that their incorrect information was supplied by the spirit of a dead person, and therefore beyond their control, is likely to get very short shrift indeed!

Those who advertise products and services on behalf of traders have a defence if they can prove they “did not know and had no reason to suspect that its publication would amount to an offence” under the regulations.

Obviously, such a defence will not be available when there is evidence that warnings had been given to the effect that its publication would amount to an offence.

In my next blog entry I will be looking more closely at the Spiritual Workers' Association’s plans for a code of conduct, and whether they will be able to use it to beat the legislation.

D-Day -1 and they're taking out insurance!

Tomorrow European law will put mediums, healers, tarot readers, et al, under the same microscope as dodgy roofers and vacuum cleaner salesmen who refuse to leave until you buy.

However, unlike the dodgy roofers and vacuum cleaner salesmen, the Spiritaul Workers Association is offering its members insurance cover on all complementary therapies, including healing, mediumship and church ministry.

And it costs just £20.50 for a year for £1,000,000 of cover.

The premium is about the price of a single ticket for one of Derek Acorah's stage shows, so I'm sure he will already be clutching his policy document in his hot little hand!

The co-founders of the Spiritual Workers Association, Carole and David McEntee-Taylor, appeared on the BBC News programme this morning, together with a Trading Standards representative. Not the most eloquent of people interviewed on the programme, they did make some very important statements, nevertheless.

Carole McEntee-Taylor, who describes herself as "a healer, healer trainer, Reiki Master and massage therapist.":

"A medium will normally just give you a message from somebody who's passed over;they will just give you proof that the person is there."

No mention was made of the fact that a medium's definition of 'proof' does not accord with that of the law, or the courts. No matter what people may believe, there is, as yet, no actual proof that mediums receive messages from dead people.

Howevever, Mrs McEntee-Taylor had already made a major faux pas in a previous statement:

"When you give a message to somebody, when you speak to someone, I can talk to ou, and I can talk to fifteen different people, and I can say exactly the same thing, and they're all going to interpret it differently."

Exactly! Mediumship is not based on fact, but on the interpretation put on a reading by the client, something I know from personal experience! And why is "a healer, healer trainer, Reiki Master and massage therapist" giving readings anyway?

David McEntee-Taylor, medium and minister

"We (mediums) will try not to give you advance warning about anything because people have their own choise."

So where does that leave Derek Acorah? When things get sticky at his shows he seems to resort to "calling out a pregnancy" in an attempt to get the audience back onside. Even worse, he has warned of a forthcoming death!

According to their website:

The Spiritual Workers Association has started a new campaign to ask the government to create legislation that recognises genuine mediumship and healing and gives statutory protection to genuine Spiritualist, spiritualistic and spiritual practitioners.

However, no indication is given that they intend providing actual proof that anything they do is genuine, so it seems that we - and presumably the Government - are supposed to simply believe them.

Sorry folks, but it doesn't work like that!

D-Day approaches for fraudulent mediums

The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) was adopted three years ago today, on 11 May 2005. Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations implementing the Directive in the UK will come in to force on 26 May 2008.

The Directive:

. harmonises unfair trading laws in all EU Member States;

. introduces a general prohibition on traders not to treat consumers unfairly. This prohibition is intended to act as safety-net consumer protection legislation.

In particular, the Directive will oblige businesses not to mislead consumers through acts or omissions; or subject them to aggressive commercial practices such as high pressure selling techniques. The Directive also provides additional protections for vulnerable consumers who are often the target of unscrupulous traders.

The Directive's wide scope - it applies to all business sectors - and flexible provisions means that it will plug gaps in existing EU and UK consumer protection legislation; and set standards against which new practices will automatically be judged.

Implementation of this Directive should help ensure the UK has a consumer regime amongst the level of the best in the world.

The Directive's broad scope means that it overlaps with with many existing laws. In addition, because the UCPD is a maximum harmonisation Directive (ie setting out the maximum level of restriction permissible in respect of unfair commercial practices which harm consumers' economic interests) a supplementary objective in transposing the Directive is to achieve, where possible, some regulatory simplification. The Consumer Protection from Unfair trading Regulations repeal provisions in a number of overlapping laws, including most of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and Part 3 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (misleading price indications).

So what has that to do with fraudulent mediums? Everything. Mediums are among those who managed to escape prosecution under the convoluted Fraudulent Mediums Act, and are now well and truly in the firing line.

Mediums already shown to be faking are frantically trying to play the religion card. Derek Acorah, publicly exposed by Dr Ciaran O'Keeffe and Yvette Fielding of Most Haunted as having faked several 'possessions', has adopted the mantle of righteousness in a recent interview.

Entitled 'How I would beat phonies' he makes ridiculous claims.

“If this government bill is passed then could have a serious effect on religion.

“What we do is a religion like any other and the government should not be getting involved."

The Government has not "got involved in religion". Nothing in the Act interferes with an individual's right to his or her beliefs. Nothing in the Act prevents them from attending a religious service in a spiritualist church. Nothing in the Act stops anyone from giving what they might call 'a reading' to those present at such a service.

What the Act does do is protect anyone who pays money to visit a theatre, club, pub, hotel suite, or indeed any other venue including their own home, to see a medium perform.

It's interesting that those who are protesting the loudest about the new Act are those who have made the most money out of the public. The only interests they are protecting are their own!

How many religions require you to buy a ticket for, say, £20, to see their 'religious leader' perform? I'm not aware of any in the United Kingdom. Yet Acorah is trying to persuade people that he is on a par with someone like the Archbishop of Canterbury. He isn't!

Acorah also falsely claims:

“Every spiritual medium is tried and tested under the Spiritualist Church. I’m not perturbed at all, I’ve been working as a spiritual medium for 30 odd years.”

What's false about his claims?

Firstly, there are several Spiritualist Churches, and "every spiritual medium" is not tried or tested by them.

Secondly, Acorah has never been a member of any Spiritualist Church, nor was he trained by one, according to those Spiritualist Churches. Yes, he's performed in one or two on a few occasions, but he has never been accredited by any of them. He used to describe himself as a Spiritualist Medium until I first pointed out this awkward fact; now he calls himself a Spiritual Medium...

... except, of course, for his stage shows where he's suddenly not a Spiritual Medium, but reinvents himself as a Psychic Clairvoyant, the modern-day Merlin! The fact that his act is precisely that of a 'spiritual medium' is obviously not important to him. But then, he's so often shown himself to be less than truthful.

However, Acorah's claims that this Act will damage 'his religion' are blown out of the water by those who do hold regular religious services in Spiritualist churches across the country. They are quoted recently:

SNU spokesman Minister Steven Upton said, "We are quite happy with the Act being repealed. We have no problems with the new legislation and think it will be good news for spiritualists."

The same article throws light on how these con men and women might try to evade the new law:

Lawyers have advised that mediums can avoid the problem of having to prove their psychic abilities in court by describing their services as entertainment or even scientific experiments.

So will Acorah at last be forced to admit that what he does is for entertainment purposes only if it means he can protect his cash cow? I'm watching with bated breath!

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin ...?" UPDATE

Further information has come to light regarding my article "Can the Ethiopian change his skin ...?". Apologies for the missing graphics on that article - I am about to go in search of them!

Proof that Acorah stole 500 copies of "The Psychic World of Derek Acorah" is shown in the following scan of a fax sent on 23 September 2003 by Piatkus Publishing to the author's literary agent. Unfortunately the quality is poor so a transcription is provided below. A better quality scan is available on the Double Exposure website




RE: The Magic World of Derek Acorah - John Sutton and Derek A.

(to) Rosemary Bromley (literary agent)
From: [JB@piatkus.co.uk]
Sent: 23 September 2002 08:03
To: juvenilia@clara.co.uk
Subject: RE: The Magic World of Derek Acorah - John Sutton and Derek A.

Dear Rosemary

Further to our telephone conversation regarding Derek Acorah I have spoken to Judy who feels that as our contract is with you we cannot take further responsibility at this time for payment of royalties to John Sutton.

As you know, Derek Acorah took 500 copies of his book at a 50% discount in August 1999 (the total amount of the invoice being £2497.50). We continually asked for payment which was never forthcoming. (we sent letters as well as making numerous phonecalls). We then asked him to return the books to us which he didn't do and he refused to answer any of the letters we sent him. As the books began earning royalties we felt that the only way to recoup this money was to set the amount earned against the outstanding invoice. We did this as follows:

£ [illegible] against July to December 2000 royalties.

£ [illegible] against January to June 2001 royalties and

£ [illegible] against the £663.72 that was to be paid for the July to December 2001 royalties.

This totals £2497.50 which clears the outstanding invoice.

As you have been aware of this situation for two years we would suggest that John Sutton claim against Derek for his 50% share of the £2497.50. We did however pay you the balance on [illegible] to December 2001 royalty statement of £248.41. This is another amount due to you for the January to June 2002 royaltiy statement of £384.80. You may wish to discuss with your author yourself as to how you apportion the payments.

It is interesting to note that, at that time, in their correspondence, Piatkus gives John Sutton as the primary author of the book.

Echolima

An Irish perspective

COMMENT - received from Sean, Dublin.

I went to see Derek acorah's show in the Helix Theatre Dublin Ireland on Saturday last October 27. I went with a friend of mine as it was a birthday gift from me to him, as he has a kee interest in the paranormal. After leaving the show I was in two minds about the whole thing. I entered the Theatre a sceptic, but some things were said on the night that sort of amazed me.

But after reading the review of the Southport show on your site, I am now no further convinced of his 'powers' than I ever was. What went on at the southport show was a carbon copy of what went on in Dublin. The Young child, the DIY Scenario, The Solicitors letter all surfaced during the Dublin show. Coincidence? Somehow I think not.

Also on Saturday night I found it disheartening to say the least, that, when you take out the interval, that the show was so short. It started about 20.05, and with a fairly long interval, we were out of the auditorium by 21:40. My first question to my friend was - If there were so many spirits still waiting to talk to loved ones, why didn't he talk to them too? Between the both sides of the interval, he only did 6 'disertations' in total, some he spent an overly long time with, others were quite abrupt, when I clearly felt there should have been more time spent on them etc.

In a room of over a 1000* people, you are most definitely going to find
(A) someone who has lost a young relative
(B) someone with legal troules and
(C) plenty of people who need to do fairly urgent DIY in their houes.

My friend also remarked to me after the show that he once saw a Welsh Female medium do a show in a much smaller theatre near us, and she never once left the stage during the show, and her show also went on far longer than Mr. Acorah's.

All of this reminds me of a few weeks back when Derek was on a Saturday Night chat show on Irish TV. Derek was asked some rather pointed questions by the presenter, Ryan Tubridy, and the more that I think of that interview, the more I realised that he was merely trying to skirt around the questions asked of him than directly answering them.

I paid the equivilant of £21 to see him last Saturday, and I wont be back anytime soon after visiting your site. - Tho Sadly judging by the huge queue of people to get their book signed by him after the show had finished, the bank account will be getting fatter and fatter for Derek.


*Emma's comment

Acorah appeared on two nights at the Mahony Hall of the Helix, which seats 1260. Both nights were a sell-out, and at £21 per head that would gross almost £60,000, but around half of that would be eaten up by agent's fees, expenses, etc. He would usually only give six or seven readings per show, so if he gave thirteen readings over the two nights, each 'reading' would net him ... wait for it ... £2,300.

What a pity his conscience doesn't match his income.

Derek Acorah's latest DVD

For the first time ever I can hardly wait for Derek Acorah's latest DVD to arrive on the shelves. According to the interview he did with Shadow Talk Radio for this year's Hallowe'en, it's virtually ready.

So why am I so eager for this DVD to arrive? Again according to Acorah, in the same interview, the mysterious footage from the Blackpool show will be on it.

For those of you who don't know, this is what reportedly happened. Reported, that is, by audience members, at the time.

While Acorah was on the stage at one of his 'psychic clairvoyant' evenings, a glass of water slid off the rather rickerty table towards the back of the stage. In the opinion of those who witnessed the 'phenomenon', it was thought the glass virtually aquaplaned on a small patch of water that had been spilt onto the table.

As time has progressed, so has the story grown. In his interview with Shadow Talk Radio, this is what Acorah had to say about it.

"I've got footage of a spirit person developing and manifesting onstage in front of 2000 people. I've got it all on camera. It was at a theatre in Blackpool. On a table on the stage I always have a jug of water and ice and a glass or two.

Suddenly this man developed, and you can hear the audience shouting "Derek! Derek! Derek!". I look, and I see him, and suddenly this light appears, like an arm from him, and one of the glasses lifts off the table, and all the people went silent, and the glass crashed down to the auditorium in front of the audience. There was a big gasp and scream.

Now, the same spirit man - the glass that had water and ice in it - that was shifted off the table and that also was thrown down into the audience. I've got that footage. I have it in my possession.

LivingTV have asked for the footage to be handed to them, but I don't want to do that. My agent has suggested, and Sam agrees with him, I will show it to the world once it has gone into the DVD. It takes so long to make it, but it's virtually ready. "

All we have to do now is to sit back and wait for this earth-shattering footage to appear on news channels all across the world. It's sure to be aired before the Fraudulent Mediums Act is superseded in April 2008 ...

... isn't it?

Emma

Tony Stockwell - review

An Evening with Tony Stockwell – By Marcucas

Saturday October 13th 2007 – Peterborough Broadway Theatre

Well what do you do when your Mum wants to go out on a Saturday night? Not on the town though, as I for one couldn't keep up with the younger people, so I decided maybe a trip to the theatre was in mind. Now the tough choice was to choose an acceptable act for us both to enjoy, so when a few weeks before she excitedly informed me that there was a new programme she liked on the T.V I thought I'd watch as well.

The programme in question was Physic Private Eyes and as i watched these three mediums proceed to supposedly help solve some grizzly crimes I thought 'why not'. And the rest is how you say history; well, it was once I saw one of its stars was due at the local theatre in three weeks.

As I sat in the theatre awaiting the arrival of Tony Stockwell - and struggling with the lack of space for my legs - I was eagerly hoping it wouldn't disappoint my Mum who usually has a good winge if she's unimpressed. Ten minutes late, and with a few empty seats behind us to stick the early boot in, lo and behold, Tony finally arrives on stage to rapturous applause from the audience.

Tony strolls out onto the stage and, once he has acknowledged the greeting from the audience, begins by advertising his three books which were being sold by the main entrance. Personally I found this to be a little crude especially as it was the first thing he said, but when he ended by saying 'Please buy my book' (which was met with moderate laughter) I found it to be a mild form of begging.

He then went into explaining how the spirits work within the building and that sometimes. if the building itself has a previous history, it might not be easy to pick up the spirits. Especially if it was, say, an abattoir before, which was met with mild laughter.

He also explained that the audience itself helps to pick up spirits through their energy, and that if we were hostile it could prevent some coming through at all. He then asked that we create a good atmosphere by introducing ourselves to the people in front, behind and next to us.

This introduction went on for ten minutes and I found myself wondering whether he ever would get going. He was polite and very charming, which to be honest I expected. He went from saying 'the camera added ten pounds' to him, to all of a sudden, in mid-sentence, he began his readings, which shocked me into attention.

The first reading was someone coming through for his son or grandson in the audience. He was called 'Albert' and had served in the Infantry during the war. He was so vague that he didn't even mention which war. He then said the person in the audience had received his medals after his passing and that he had died from a heart attack at the age of 78. Several people put their hands up and when all but one was eliminated we were left with Mark. Tony then proceeded to rattle off with accuracy the names of Marks mother and wife with relative ease and his message was that his dad sent his love and thanks for his support during the latter years. Now this was either a plant or I was beginning to have faith in our host for the night.

The second reading was a 23 year old boy trying to get hold of his mum called 'Raynor' or 'Raine' who was in the audience. Then he asked if there were any takers. This was followed by an awkward silence as no one was claiming this person. Tony then decided to state this person had died through a tragic accident, still no takers. Just before he moved on, a woman who had just arrived shot her hand up. Her name was Gaynor and she revealed her son had passed when 23. Again apart from the name I was impressed. Tony then said her son was found dead on the landing, which she confirmed. He then replied that he wishes he had listened to her and stopped hanging around with the wrong crowd.

Two down and although they had been vague, they had been good. But like all good fairy tales it had to come to an end. The next person to come through was 'Julie' who Tony said had passed as a teenager. She was claimed by a neighbour, and Tony proceeded to tell her she had passed near call girls. Her neighbour denied this and to cover himself he said that the ambulance must have driven by that area then. But again the neighbour was adamant that this was not the case. In order to divert himself away he then decided to go back to being vague and proceeded to rattle off what is usually said by someone younger than the person in the reading by saying she was a mother figure and that she looks out for her.

The next three readings all followed the same pattern. State a thing, then when this is denied he moves on. Once he even did a 'Derek Acorah/Colin Fry' on them, by saying they must ask others when they leave. That led to the interval, and I for one was glad due to the cramp that was developing in my legs.

I then asked my mum for her opinion on the first half. She shocked me by saying she was seriously unimpressed and that he was too vague with his suggestions, and hadn't been terribly accurate. This was exactly what I had been thinking but coming from someone who was deeply into this it came as a shock.

The second half got under way and Tony had the spirit of a 19 year old called 'Aaron' who had been stabbed to death as he left a pub. As he looked about he saw there were no takers and then decided to reveal that sometimes someone with no one close to them in the audience often come to sit and watch...

I sadly brought attention to myself by sarcastically laughing out loud at this comment which made it apparent I thought there may be people here taken in by this vague idiot.

The next reading blew me away. A guy who was 'a bit of a loner' as Tony said, came through. He has committed suicide in a wooded area and was 32 at the time. As the hands were whittled down to one he then proceeded to explain his mental condition and feelings around the time which were confirmed with stunning detail, and confirmed his whole life history with the woman in question. (He was a friend of her son) Then before he went he stated that her dad 'Tony' had barged in and wanted to speak to her. Then again with stunning accuracy he rattled off her family tree in the spirit world and passed messages to people with her in accurate detail. I was astonished, and after the reading those around me decided to turn to me and give me the 'Hah! Told you he was good' look followed by a dirty look for doubting.

Unfortunately for Tony and his Stockwellettes around me, the last five readings were all mundane and inaccurate and sensing he had lost the audience when the last person (a 6 year old girl) wasn't claimed he decided to end it there. But revenge was sweet as I bellowed out a massive sarcastic laugh, this time for even the man himself to hear (and I was at the top tier!)

So when asking for a review from my mum, she replied that he was too vague and too self-obsessed, referring to the constant ear-pulling in awkward situations. I for one found it funny when her highlights of the evening was a two-finger salute on the camera from an old age pensioner before the show and the loud sarcastic laugh from yours truly.

I myself found his inaccuracies out-weighed the good, but unlike Colin Fry and Derek Acorah, his readings revealed more people coming through. Which sadly leads to us being showed his ineptness and incompetence more often than the other mediums. What got me was his five-minute discussion on why he sometimes gets misleading information due to the energy being disrupted by the building and our unwillingness to accept them. This lead to me thinking he was prepared with his excuses in advance therefore misleading us into thinking it wasn't his fault.

He was charming, and funny to some extent. but as a warning to others – hold on to that money! You can definitely spend it more wisely somewhere else!.

Emma's comment

I'd like to thank Marcucas for his review of Tony Stockwell's performance, which I found very interesting, as I have only seen him on television. As so often happens with these 'mediums' I am amazed that they can give information to some people in, to quote Marcucas, "stunning detail", yet get almost everything else wrong for other readings. Such inconsistency in any other 'profession' would raise eyebrows, and prompt serious scepticism - even suspicion. Yet too many fans are taken in by the multitude of excuses that trip so lightly off the tongue, which is precisely how con men succeed!