by emad » Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:31 pm
Vampire active again, claims occult expert<br><br>02 September 2005 <br>Marc Mullen<br><br>THE Highgate Vampire Society has been revamped and come back out of its coffin with a new website.<br><br>David Farrant, president of the British Psychic and Occult Society, founded the Highgate Vampire Society in 1997.<br><br>By 2000, the society had 374 members but pressure of work forced Mr Farrant to disband the group.<br><br>Last month he returned to Highgate Cemetery, after a reported sighting of a 'vampire-like' figure in April.<br><br>Following the visit he decided to relaunch the society.<br><br>Mr Farrant said: "We will easily surpass the previous membership total. <br><br>"One of the main reasons we have relaunched it is because we have been inundated with interest, and not just from this country, from USA, Croatia, France and Germany.<br><br>"The story has spread by word of mouth. It has been copied around the internet and taken on its own momentum.<br><br>"The Highgate vampire has had the effect of completely overshadowing all my other investigations.<br><br>"If the current interest is anything to go by, I can see it really taking off."<br><br>Mr Farrant, from Muswell Hill, first became known for his exploits in search of the 'Highgate vampire' in the 1970s.<br><br>He was charged with 'vampire hunting', but acquitted at Clerkenwell Magistrates' Court.<br><br>The publicity the case attracted led to an increase in vandalism at Highgate Cemetery.<br><br>Last month's tour to the cemetery was Mr Farrant's first in more than 30 years. <br><br>He said: "None of the people I have ever been involved with have ever caused damage at Highgate Cemetery.<br><br>"I was surprised at how much good has been done. In 1973 it was like a tip, but the trees have been trimmed and graves resealed.<br><br>"Some areas are still out of bounds, but they show you the most important historical and architectural sites."<br><br>Members will get an updated magazine called the Highgate Vampire Casebook Files, with up-to-date photos of the cemetery.<br><br>Many members have offered to help edit the magazine.<br><br>Mr Farrant aims to break even, and needs members' help so that the society does not collapse under the weight of work.<br><br>Mr Farrant said: "The sighting of a tall, black figure in April on Swains Lane makes me think the vampire is active again.<br><br>"On my visit, I saw the bricked-up vault, which some occultists say is inhabited by the vampire.<br><br>"I am not really welcomed at the cemetery, but I am not barred as such. I am sure many members will be going on tours of the cemetery." <br><br>p Membership is £12-a-year and the new website is at highgatevampiresoc.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk.<br><br>marc.mullen@hamhigh.co.uk<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/content/camden/hamhigh/news/story.aspx?brand=northlondon24&category=newshamhigh&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newshamhigh&itemid=WeED01%20Sep%202005%2018%3A00%3A42%3A280">www.hamhigh.co.uk/content...3A42%3A280</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p216.ezboard.com/brigorousintuition.showUserPublicProfile?gid=emad@rigorousintuition>emad</A> at: 9/5/05 10:41 am<br></i>
