Location: Nothe Fort

Place: Weymouth, Dorset

Date: 11 September 2010

Time: 19:00 - 02:30

Started in 1860, Nothe Fort is built on a promontory which separates Portland Harbour and Weymouth Harbour. Advances in technology resulted in iron warships being built and England's fortifications needed updating. From a Royal Commission appointed by the Secretary of War it stated that new fortifications were needed at Nothe, the Inner Pier of the Portland breakwater, Disdale Point and Verne Hill.

Work began on an open emplacement battery with 64-pounder-guns being the main defence artillery. As the project advanced funds began to dwindle and the labour passed into the hands of No. 26 Company of Royal Engineers. As the works continued, plans and further ideas changed things. They decided to abandon the open earth batteries and instead a casemated battery would be designed for 10 heavy guns and 2 lighter guns overlooking Weymouth Harbour itself.

When complete in 1872 (at a cost of £120,000) the Fort was declared a masterful piece of Victorian military fortification, with it's 'D' shape, 26 casemates of which every other one would accomodate a large cannon. For additional defence a caponier was added and observation posts placed on an upper level. The Fort was originally garrisoned by the No. 2 Battery Royal Artillery.

Through time, the fort was manned during WWI and WW2, however the guns were only 'fired in anger' once when in 1940 two unidentified vessels were sailing towards Weymouth. The firing stopped when it was realised that it was a false alarm and the boats contained refugees from the Channel Islands. However, should a coastal attack of occurred there were stron sea defences and artillery at the fort to combat this and the men were well drilled in their use.

After WWII the coastal defences started to be decommissioned, the guns being removed in 1956 and the fort was then purchased by Weymouth & Melcombe Council in 1961. It was left to the elements and exposed to the locals who ventured inside the forbidden walls until 1979 when volunteers from the Weymouth Civic Society moved in to restore the fort to the amazing location that it is today. The Society still run the fort from charitable donations and the annual 50,000 visitors walking through the tunnels.
 
A survey carried out in 2007 by The National Lottery discovered that the Fort was voted one of the spookiest locations in the UK, in fact staff members sometimes refuse to visit certain areas by themself.

The most talked about ghost at Nothe Fort is that of the 'Whistling Gunner'. Tales of this phantom have been talked about for decades aroung Weymouth and the Fort affectionately has a passageway dedicated to him. Who this 'shade' actually is, is at this time, unknown.

Other eye witness reports are that of a white figure seen walking the parapets of the building when it is locked and there should be nobody there.

This event includes:  

• Exclusive overnight access to Nothe Fort

• Tea & Coffee throughout the night

• Demonstration & full use of "Ghost Hunting" equipment

• Ghost Walk with our Medium

• Mediums & experienced Paranormal Investigators to guide you on your investigation

• Late night vigils

• Paranormal Experiments

• Post Investigation Discussion Session

  NB: There is no food or psychic workshop on this event.  You are more than welcome to bring your own snacks.