Nick Thurston

(Founder & Chairman / Lead Investigator / Webmaster / UKBPA Press & Media Reporter)

Just over 7 years ago if I was asked "do I believe in ghosts" my answer would have been a resounding "no", however it took a first hand experience to completely change my opinion on the paranormal and the afterlife. I have witnessed many unexplicable occurences since then over the past 7 years at various locations throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and Ireland to bolster my opinion that "yes" spirits do indeed exist after we pass. I do not really mind if people believe me or not - all that matters is that what I witness I know I will never fabricate and realise that as a Paranormal Investigator can rely on various pieces of equiment to testify my first hand accounts. Although I am not a Medium, I believe I possess a "sixth sense" like we all do if this is tapped in to and often pick up on whether a property is haunted or not. I will use the aid of our first class Mediums to assist me on each and every investigation as I stick to what I do best and that is not Mediumship unfortunately. I have been on approximately 75 Ghost Investigations in the 7 years I have been interested in the paranormal and co-founded a group called "Grave Investigations" in 2003. This group comprised of 3 others and investigations were solely in Somerset and Wiltshire only, hence the difficult decision I eventually opted to leave and join "SPRG" (Sussex Paranormal Research Group) for a short while before forming "C.A.S.P.E.R. U.K." in March 2009. I am also the "U.K.B.P.A." (UK British Paranormal Research Association) Press & Media Reporter having performed many live National and Regional interviews. This has placed me in good stead for C.A.S.P.E.R. U.K. as have performed several interviews and covered several column inches for our group that I hope will see us recognised as a unique "Friendly Ghost Group" whereby we involve the local community and other paranormal groups as well on some of our investigations at dramatically subsidised prices (i.e.: cost price to break even). As we are non-profit making group, we aim to distance ourselves from overcharging the public and other paranormal groups when we invite them to become mini-fundraisers each and every year for various worthy Charities such as "Children In Need" and "Comic Relief". It is my vision to make huge strives forwards in 2010 and already have some amazing venues lined up for the team and further to this hope that a TV series may fall our way with the expertise we possess within. Also a near miss with an ITV Series with "Grave Investigations" following an investigation at The Shires Shopping Centre, Trowbridge resulted in the other paranormal group signing the deal, which was unfortunate, but happened for a reason - that reason is I would not be here right now with such a great group of friendly people that are C.A.S.P.E.R. U.K. We are fully insured up to £1,000,000 for Public Liability and always respect each and every venue we have the privilige of performing an investigation within. I am always keen to listen to any potential venue for investigation, so please contact me if you would like your property be be professionally investigated at no cost. Also from a Media perspective I am always available and willing to listen to any proposals you may have! Yours in Ghost Hunting, Nick Thurston. 

Mark Rablin

(Chief Medium)

A very wise man once said to me "in order to expand you have to not get too comfortable" - at the time I just let the words wash over me, but experience and wisdom does not come from sitting still, unless you are a "Tibetan Monk".

So here I am, I was very happy to be invited to take part in the creation of C.A.S.P.E.R. U.K. with Nick and Briege.  I have a background in Druidism and Celtic Mythology - this interest led to my interest in Earth Energies.  I had a chance encounter in 2005 with the NRG Association of Cornwall when I undertook a paranormal night at Bodmin Gaol - this led to my studying under them and eventually ending up as The Resident Medium at Bodmin Gaol.  This is a very comfortable position and I have met many wonderful people during my time there, Nick and Briege being amongst them.  My training was very scientific touching on Metaphysics and the Vibro energetic Universe that we all inhabit.  The same wise man also once said “you never stop learning” and that is very true.  After a while I found that I had a hole in my training and that this hole was Spirituality, “How can that be I hear you say?”  Well I could say that at a Cellular Level we are energetic beings encased in a hard molecular shell that makes up our bodies and that everything that we perceive as solid is an elusion, as in reality it is also constructed of the same energy as us, but resonating at a different frequency.  Or I could say, “We are beings of light with a universal purpose to spread love, light and knowledge wherever we walk”, which one sounds nicer?  In reality they are both the same, it's all a matter of perspective.  So my mission is to get out from the Gaol more and spread my Light and Energy around, “you lucky people”.  As I said "you never stop learning", so currently I am studying traditional Usui Reiki, Japanese and Kenjutsu, “Kenjutsu is great for stress relief”.  In the words of the Great Master “HUUUUMM The Force with you go”!!!  I look forward to meeting you in the future, or past depending on your perspective.  Mark Rablin

Lynda Fountain
(Artist / Sensitive / Investigator)

As a child I know I used to see or sense spirits, but as I was always told to "be quiet" or "not to be silly".  I soon stopped talking about it.  Then as I got older I realised, I was sensing or seeing things others couldn't and I was afraid to be different and so closed my mind to it all.  In the last 5 years I realised I couldn't ignore things any longer.  I had several premonition dreams and moments of "knowing" things would happen or who was on the phone, etc.  I think I was slowly opening up to my psychic side again!  I began to sense spirits and feel energies.  During a visit to Bodmin Gaol two years ago I had a few paranormal experiences that I couldn't explain and caught some EVP on my video.  I decided it was time to stop being afraid.  On my next visit I met Mark Rablin and talked things over with him.  I have since been investigating at Bodmin and developing my psychic abilities with Mark as my Jedi Master (Psychic Development Teacher).  My main interest has been in EVP.  I am an artist and have found a change in my painting.  I have produced some EVP paintings and hope to develop this in the future.  Lynda Fountain 

Briege Goodman (Sensitive / Investigator)

I was introduced to the Paranormal World by Nick in early 2007 when I attended some of the investigations that he arranged whilst he was a member of Grave Investigations.  At these early investigations I experienced a lot of strange, unexplainable happenings, which in turn made me extremely interested in learning more about the Paranormal World.  My belief's in this field have been strengthened and will continue to do so as with each investigation we attend we get fascinating results.  When I was a child, my home in Northern Ireland (where my Mum still lives) had a spirit that stayed with us for quite sometime.  My Brother’s bedroom door that would have been closed when he was sleeping, used to get opened wide and we could hear footsteps on the landing throughout the night.  As a family, this was never really discussed until one night when there was quite violent movement on the landing - doors were being opened and closed and the toilet was flushed over and over again.  My Mum who was in bed looked out on to the Landing and said what she saw was a Black figure that was darker than the dark of night.  After this night we got the house blessed by a Priest and we didn’t experience any problems for sometime.  Recently though, unexplainable noises have been heard and when I was home earlier this year (Jan 09) - I was sitting in the Kitchen with my hands on the table when suddenly I felt pain in my hand.  I had in fact been scratched by something! After showing my Mum she told me that the same thing had happened to her a few weeks previously.  Nothing happened the last time I went home, so maybe whatever was there has moved on.  I believe that as a group we will strive towards finding answers and proof to the unexplained and the Paranormal.  We will also help those of us who are skeptics see that the Paranormal World does exist, we just need to open our minds to all possibilities and believe in it.  Briege Goodman

Ben Day (Investigator)

This is the start of a new adventure for me being somewhat of a Virgin in the world of paranormal research however, it is one that has always fascinated me.  For me this is a journey of both self discovery and discovery of the past, both of which I am glad to be embarking on.

Having met Nick through work, he very kindly invited me to Woodchester Mansion in March 2009, which for me was my first experience, but proved my interest went beyond reading about other people's stories and experiences.  I want to experience it for myself.

I have a vast interest in both Ancient and Modern History along with Mythology and am fascinated by folklore.  For me visiting a location is about connecting with the surroundings and embracing those feelings the people from our past once had.  Through connecting in this way I believe it allows you to connect on a much deeper level thus experiencing more.  Something which I believe happened in Woodchester and hope to continue going forward.

I am glad to be apart of C.A.S.P.E.R. U.K and expanding on my experience's.  I look forward to updating this profile as the months go by and as I learn more about myself and those around us.  Ben Day

Marian Payne (Medium)

I have been a Medium for a long time.  It started as a Child, often getting me in to trouble.  I was born in Frome, Somerset, and have lived here most of my life.  I trained at Bath First Spiritualist Church, where I did my first service, then I went on to become a Healer.  I have also taught at Bath Church, this started over 22 years ago.  I have met many wonderful people and Mediums over the years, as I also went to Stanstead College every year.  Mediumship has been in my Family for many years and I always work with truth, light and love.  I look forward to working with Nick and his team and this is another avenue for myself.  Marian Payne

Since I can remember I have been fascinated with all aspects of the Paranormal, but I like to think of myself as a “sceptical believer”.  Without doubt I believe in life after death, however I also like to think I‘m level headed and do not like to jump into the “Paranormal” conclusion without considering all potential possibilities first.  Throughout my life I have had “experiences” which haven’t happened on a regular basis, but have periodically woken up my Sixth Sense.  I was brought up in an old house in North Wales where things happened from early on to me and my Mother.  Whilst we never saw an Apparition in the house, taps occasionally came on, cupboard doors opened, things went missing and re-appeared and I regularly felt the intense feeling of being watched in my room.  Then as I grew up and moved on, every time I moved house, “unexplained incidents” occurred!  I have experienced "Sleep Paralysis", seeing shadows, smelling what I am convinced was the spirit of my Grandmother, when she passed away.  I have also felt breathing in my ear, heard voices and taken countless pictures of orbs.  I have drawn the conclusion now that when I move house or go away and disturb the environment around me, spirits come back to see what I am doing!  I strongly believe that our Ancestors look out for us, keep us safe and occasionally visit - I would now like to help prove that!  I am passionate about proving in an honest and level headed way that the Paranormal does exist and am excited to be part of a professional group who share the same enthusiasm.  I was chosen to appear on Most Haunted Live for an investigation in Bristol and was an Events Manager for  Aston Villa Football Club for 7 years.  Clare Williams

Chris Holloway

(Medium)

(Awaiting profile)

(Investigator)

(Awaiting image and profile)

Josh Day

(Investigator)

(Awaiting image and profile)

Laura Allcorn

(Investigator)

Spirits have always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child I was always aware of things that perhaps my friends weren’t and decided that being quiet about it really wasn’t my style! After a little while I think it started to spook my best friend a little and like you do at that age I just let that part of me go a bit. I was still aware of things moving around me that I couldn’t see but as I got older just thought my mind must have been making it up for attention or just to be a bit different. By the time I was in my teens I’d almost blocked it out completely and went about a fairly mundane teenage sensation! It was when I turned 18 it all started to kick off again when I went to work in our local pub, which was reputedly haunted. Very quickly things started to happen to and around me and a few others that couldn’t be explained in any other way in our view, than to be the result of ghostly activity. What sort of sealed it in my mind was when I awoke one evening at home, where several little things had happened to me, to find I couldn’t go back to sleep. After laying there for about half an hour I turned to see a lady stood next to my bed just as she turned and walked out of my bedroom and went down the stairs. That was definitely NOT my imagination! Although a little spooked I went off to sleep surprisingly easily once she had left and I haven’t seen her since.

At 20 I moved to Salisbury to be with my partner Andrew and decided to go and see a Medium to see what this "spiritual thing’"was actually all about. This was when I met a truly wonderful Medium who opened my eyes to many things that are a part of my everyday life now and started me off on the right path to learning about my own spirituality. Within months I was utterly convinced that there was something going on and turned to another friend, who I’d met through my Medium, to work out what the next step for me might be. Who then proceeded to invite me along to my very first investigation. Logically this must be the next step to finding out if there really was anything going on out there and what happens when you go looking for it! That fateful evening was when I met Nick and the team from Grave Investigations. Sometimes things just click and I thoroughly enjoyed working with these boys and pursued it further. I know now that I went there that night not to witness anything or see a ghost, but to meet the boys and some others I now call friends. Now thanks to Nick I have become part of the CASPER UK team and am looking forward to many more investigations. I took my next step, will you take yours? Laura Allcorn

Dee Beer

(Non-Core Investigator / Sensitive)

(Awaiting image and profile)

TBC (Medium)

(Awaiting image and profile)

To apply email: nickthurston01@hotmail.co.uk

TBC (Medium)

(Awaiting image and profile)

To apply email: nickthurston01@hotmail.co.uk

TBC (Web Designer)

(Awaiting image and profile)

To apply email: nickthurston01@hotmail.co.uk

TBC (Cameraman)

(Awaiting image and profile)

To apply email: nickthurston01@hotmail.co.uk

TBC (Patron)

(Awaiting image and profile)