Half of us believe in the Hereafter... and 1 in 5 want to talk to Diana

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 9:00 AM on 28th January 2011

More than half of Britons believe in life after death and two in five believe in angels. Some 53 per cent believe in psychic powers and the possibility of life after death, a survey reveals. One in five say they have seen a ghost or felt the presence of a spirit while two in five believe in ‘guardian angels’.

Many people believe they have seen the ghost or felt the spirit of a close friend or relative who has passed away. Two in five say they want to speak to dead relatives and one in five has visited a medium or psychic to help them do so – spending an average of £31 per visit.

Almost two in five adults believe someone in their family is gifted with psychic ability. A third of the nation describe themselves as ‘spiritual’ but only a quarter claim to be ‘religious’, according to the study carried out for the Clint Eastwood film Hereafter.

However, a third of the nation still believes in heaven and a fifth believes they will be reincarnated when they pass away. One in five British adults would also love to have a conversation with the former Princess of Wales. Albert Einstein came second in the online poll of 3,000 adults, followed by Marilyn Monroe and Freddie Mercury. Seven per cent of us want to chat to Adolf Hitler.

Penny Sartori, an expert on near-death experiences and author of the study, said people are now less worried about being ridiculed for believing in spirits. But one in five of us would still be too embarrassed to admit we had seen or felt the presence of a ghost.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1351249/Half-believe-Hereafter--1-5-want-talk-Diana.html#ixzz1CKURBl5A

Watford Observer »

Theatre News

Ghostly goings-on at Chorleywood Memorial Hall

2:14pm Thursday 16th December 2010 

By Melanie Dakin »

Ghosts are writ large in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but when Talkwood Productions started rehearsals for their production at The Chorleywood Memorial Hall, they found they had one spook too many.

When Dickens penned the tale in 1843 he made Ebenezer Scrooge endure four ghostly visitations – Marley’s Ghost, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. However, the hall may possibly house a real spirit. Apparently, several people, including caretaker Mike Arnold have experienced some ghostly goings-on there. The voice of a young girl has been heard on several occasions over the years. The voice, which seems to be just in the next room, greets them with a simple ‘Hello’.

We are really trying hard to capture the ethos of a Christmas show that is a whole village event

Tom Barton

Rest assured, all who have reported the presence have maintained it is not frightening.

“It only happens when someone is working there alone at night,” explains producer Tom Barton. “I haven’t heard her but at least half a dozen others have. I hope she enjoys the show.”

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/leisure/theatre/cfutheatrenews/8742921.Ghostly_goings_on_at_Chorleywood_Memorial_Hall/