the being and are experts on the subject of the Highgate entity. Neither agrees with the other’s methodology or analysis of the incidents that took place at Highgate. I conducted an interview for this column with David Farrant, from his flat in London. Farrant is in the unique position of having experienced an encounter with the “Highgate Vampire,” as well as having served as one of the primary investigators for an event that is now recorded in the annals of paranormal history. During the interview I delved into his personal experience with the entity. As Farrant gained an international reputation as a paranormal researcher through his experience on the “Highgate Vampire” case, I also asked him several questions that might benefit those interested in this type of research. The Loafer: David, how would you describe the “Highgate Vampire” affair in three or four sentences? David Farrant: There was definitely a “ghost” or some unexplained phenomenon seen at Highgate Cemetery in the
September 14, 2010 • The Loafer, Page 15 late 1960’s through to the early 1970’s. I saw this entity myself one night in late December, 1969, as I was passing the top gate of Highgate Cemetery. I wrote about this to the local paper, and several other people wrote in with their own experiences, but then rumour went around that it was a really a blood-sucking vampire, and serious vandalism and desecration increased in the cemetery, apparently from would-be Van Helsings. The Loafer: When you saw the immense being, having described it as “six or seven feet tall, with hypnotic red eyes,” what reaction did you have? David Farrant: My first reaction was that it was somebody “messing about,” who had heard local vampire stories and was trying to frighten the odd person as they passed the top gate. It appeared to have red eyes, and I couldn’t see any light reflections that could otherwise have been the cause of this. The spectre, or whatever it was, appeared to be draining me of energy; rather like being in a vivid dream with no control over it. The Loafer: David, unlike
others who experienced an encounter with the entity, you are very adamant in your belief that the Highgate being was not a vampire in the traditional sense. How is it that you developed this belief? What makes you so sure? David Farrant: What makes me so sure? I just cannot accept the way early horror films have depicted vampires as “undead human beings,” supposedly living between reality and some twilight zone, that roam the earth after they are supposedly dead, ravish young ladies with sexual cinematographic Hollywood precision, and which crumble to dust after being staked through the heart. Some movie enthusiasts might well accept this, or even emulate such a notion in their vampire stories (Anne Rice, for example, to name but one). But I have to say personally, I think that this is just nonsense! However, that does not mean that I do not accept the existence of some supernatural entities, call them “ghosts” if you will, but that is an entirely different thing. The Loafer: David, you have described yourself as a psychic investigator. Does your meth-
odology follow that of modern investigators such as The Ghost Hunters (lots of equipment), or researchers such as Dr. Hans Holzer, who believed that all one needed was a good trance medium, camera, and audio recorder to conduct a productive investigation? Or, do you use other methodology in your investigations and if so, what? David Farrant: I have never been in favor of some of the “new fangled” gadgets some ghost hunting groups employ. Basically all we ever use, on occasion, are night vision cameras, sensitive tape recording equipment so that any unexplained noise can be analyzed later, thermometers and barometers to measure air temperature and pressure drops or rises, and little else. For the rest, we tend to just rely on our very human five senses of observation! The Loafer: There are massive numbers of amateur paranormal researchers/investigators in the field now. Do you have any advice for them? David Farrant: It is true that ghost hunting has now become an almost “in fashion” vogue,
both in America and the U.K. (indeed, it has attracted much interest in other parts of the world). Often you can visit allegedly haunted sites, and spend nightly vigils at them, and nothing happens. But this does not disprove the existence of ghostly entities, only that these things might only occur in given cycles and under certain conditions. In any event, the first step should surely be to investigate those things that appear as “non-material.” It is only then that any clues about spiritual existence beyond the material world can be forthcoming. For the people who encountered the dark entity known as the “Highgate Vampire” in the years it was active, the experience was clue enough. It certainly made believers of them in the existence of things beyond their realm of understanding. Do you own or work at a haunted business? Contact Pat at Constantine@theghost-writers. com and your business could be the focus of an upcoming column.