Steve Dinsdale is one of the Scunthorpe and Grimbsy Paranormal Investigators – a local research team that runs not-for-profit investigations into possible supernatural sightings.

In October of 2011, In Pure Spirit noticed coverage of a local paranormal group called the Night Owls in the Scunthorpe press which featured Steve and so this blogger blogged about it. Now, over the new year, Steve has been kind enough to take part in a brief email interview in a Q&A style.

Q: Can you tell us about Night Owls and the Scunthorpe and Grimsby Paranormal Investigators? Are you one in the same? What are your goals?

A: Yes the Night Owls and Scunthorpe and Grimsby Paranormal are the same team, we changed our name as we are based in Grimsby and Scunthorpe and it makes us a local group when people are looking for us.

Q: What sort of techniques and methods do you use?

A: We use calling, trigger objects, dowsing rods, night vision cameras, sound recorders, emf meters, Ouija Boards, table tipping, yes / no boards, laser nets and a medium in the group. From next year we shall be using the Medium less as we want to focus on what we see and hear not rely on a medium to help us along.

Q: Are you different from other paranormal investigator groups? Which other groups would you recommend – or are you all rivals?

A: I cannot comment about how other paranormal groups work as it would be unfair, you always hear good and bad reports about certain groups, I don`t class any group as a rival because after all we are all after the same thing.

Q: The Night Owls have been featured on In Pure Spirit before – back when a local TV station expressed an interest in you and your team. Can you give us the background to that?

A: We were in contact with Channel 7 last year (2010) but the time was not right, we have gained a lot more experience since then.

Q: I noticed on your Facebook Page that there was some ill feeling about speculation you could be the next paranormal hit on TV. Did the press coverage back then cause you all sorts of problems?

A: The article by the Telegraph was too premature, we thought the telegraph were coming along with us on an investigation again and covering it in the paper, so far the investigation write up hasn`t been in the paper, but the story about Channel 7 was in a few weeks later.

Regarding the negative comments, I don`t give a monkeys about them, they are written by people who don`t know me and the group, and the people who say “we would never watch these lot on TV” are some of the first ones to tune in.

As far as I’m concerned any publicity is great publicity, and while they are having a go at us they are leaving other people alone. It’s always easy to slag people off from behind a computer.

The majority of people have been really, really positive towards a new show whereas some people have said we are just in this to make money which makes me laugh as we have never made a penny from any investigations as we don`t charge for any investigation we ask people to come along.

Q: Do you think local paranormal groups are treated well by the press? Are local groups equipped to deal with pushy newspapers and internet coverage?

A: I though local paranormal groups were treated well up until a few months ago, now i think we are just novelty value to sell a few papers. We are just used to fill in the blank spaces in a paper.

Q: If you captured really clear video evidence of a paranormal activity – would you seek to publish it online?

A: We have captured something which we have had sent away and copyrighted, but we always try and publish as much evidence as possible to find out what people think.

Q: Where do you think the most likely local areas are for managing to film or otherwise capture evidence of the paranormal?

A: Spirits are everywhere, There are loads of hot spots in the area, RAF Metheringham, RAF East Kirkby, Gainsthorpe, Hibaldstow Airfield and Bridge, RAF Wigsley and Moortown, to name a few.

How easy it would be to film? I`m not sure until we try it.

Q: What do you think the top three haunted locations in the UK are? Are they always well known areas or do you know of less famous hauntings?

A: Top 3 haunted places in Britain? That’s a good one.

I would have to say York is the most haunted. The other two… I`m not sure as all people from counties around England will say there county is the most haunted. Lincolnshire has more than its fair share of hot spots.

Q: Are some times of year more prone to paranormal activity? Do you predict a surge in Christmas ghost sightings?

A: There’s always the concept that Halloween is the most haunted period, which to be fair leads to a lot of people seeing what they want to see around that period, spirits are with us all the time, just take the time to try and make contact at any time of year.

Regarding the Christmas period I would say again that people see what they want but I think Christmas seems to be the time when there is the least activity due to people being so busy doing what they have to do and groups like us taking a few weeks off.

Q: Lastly, what would your top three tips be for anyone wanting to join or set up a paranormal investigation group?

A: My tips would be always be honest and upfront, do not make anything up, what’s the point in spending hundreds of Pounds on equipment to fake some evidence?

And get a good reliable team behind you, a team that will turn out in all weathers, and back you up when needed, every member should have a voice and an opinion, always be true to yourselves and don`t buy into all the hype and negativity that some people have towards what we do.

In Pure Spirit

A big thanks to Steve for his time over the holiday period and good luck to his crew.

What do you make of the interview? Do you know of any haunted locations in or around Grimbsy and Scunthorpe?