Strutts Edwardian School Ghost Hunts
Strutts Edwardian School
Belper, Derbyshire
OVERVIEW
The Strutts Edwardian School is a Grade II listed building located in the heart of Belper in Derbyshire. Built in 1909, its creepy corridors and sinister rooms sends chills down people's spines, as they slowly walk into a spiritual atmosphere of mystery. Many ghostly characters are reported to haunt this old school, including the former headmaster, which some believe is Mr W. W. Tunnicliffe the first headmaster, and a spirit girl called Black Alice, whose screams bounce off the walls and appearance will have you running.
HISTORY
George Herbert Strutt was a cotton mill owner and a philanthropist who lived in Belper, Derbyshire. Him and his ancestral family had a wealthy cotton business in Derbyshire, and their business brought so much money to the local villages and towns, that he later in life became High Sheriff of Derbyshire.
In 1907, George planned to build a brand new elementary school in Belper, for the children of the town and the surrounding villages who were in poverty, but wanted an education. Later that same year, he was given planning permission to build it. The school was designed in the style of the Workhouse building located on the opposite side of the main road. The total cost of the school's construction was £20,000, and in 1909, the Herbert Strutt School officially opened. It was such an auspicious occasion, that he had Duke of Devonshire himself visit Belper and officially open the school. The first Headmaster of this school was Mr W. W. Tunnicliffe, who remained at his post here until 1936 when he retired.
In 1914, Alderman Strutt funded an extension to the school which costed a further £10,000. Later it became a Higher Education School, before becoming a Grammar School in 1936.
During the Second World War in 1940, evacuees who arrived in Belper by train attended the school to continue getting their education. They attended classes at the school in the morning, while the Belper pupils attended classes in the afternoon. In 1973, the Herbert Strutt School became the Herbert Strutt Middle School, and in 1986 it became the Herbert Strutt Primary School.
The school remained active and in use until 2008/9, when the Herbert Strutt Primary School moved to a new premises, leaving this building empty and uncertain of its future. The local council discussed different options of what to do with the place, but ultimately the authorities agreed to change the ownership and put it in the hands of the community, who now use it as a venue for social activities. The Strutts Centre as it's now called is run by a charitable enterprise who volunteer to provide the community and local businesses with the building's facilities, under similar terms of the deed of covenant set out by George Herbert Strutt when he gifted the premises for the people of Belper.
An interesting fact, actors Alan Bates and Timothy Dalton both attended the Herbert Strutt School. Plus, British supercentenarian Reginald Dean (Mr Dean) was a teacher for 10 years at this school too.
GHOSTS & HAUNTINGS
The hauntings here at the Strutts Edwardian School are plentiful, from poltergeist activity to chilling apparitions.
The ghost of a little girl has been seen in various parts of the school, with her ghastly screams being heard many a time in the North quadrant of the building. In addition, a more sinister spirit is that of 'Black Alice' who is said to have died in the nearby Belper Workhouse. Her apparition has been seen by staff a few times in the South quadrant corridor. The first time she was seen, she was described as a young girl covered in dirt and dressed in all black, and she walked along the walkway with her feet through the floor, as this corridor is on a higher platform and was built much later to the time of the Workhouse. Are the little girl and Black Alice the same spirit, or does this school have more than one young energy?
The ghost of a two gentlemen dressed in fine 1920s clothing has been sensed and seen within this building, more strongly in the Library and the old Headmaster's Office. It's believed one these men is Mr Strutt who comes back to visit his proud work. The other male spirit is believed to be the ghost of Mr Tunnicliffe, the school's first Headmaster.
Poltergeist activity has been reported inside the building too, with doors mysteriously opening and closing on their own, and staff having actually witnessed the handles on doors rattle and turn by unseen hands.
Dare you face your fears and investigate this haunted school after dark?
YOUR GHOST HUNT EXPERIENCE
Your night of ghost hunting with Brookes Paranormal is guaranteed a fun, safe and spooky one. Experience this historic location with exclusive access after dark, as you explore the eerie rooms and areas in search for the ghostly spirits that haunt here. Here at the Strutts Edwardian School, you will get to investigate the Library, the Gymnasium, the Headmaster's Office, the Art Classrooms, the Science Classrooms, the English Classrooms, and the Creepy Corridors, Hallways and many other rooms that were once bustling with students and teachers.
Our team are friendly, professional, approachable and knowledgeable with paranormal investigating, and we will guide and support you to make sure you get the most out of your investigation. We welcome everyone from all walks of life, as our events are a safe space for all who love and enjoy the thrill of ghost hunting. Whether you're a paranormal novice or an experienced investigator, you'll be well-looked after and treated like family.
This is an honest ghost hunting experience, so there won't be any fakery or trickery during the night. We believe that if activity happens, it happens for real.
On your ghost hunt, you will be split into smaller groups to give you the best, personal experience possible. You will also get hands on with various pieces of ghost hunting equipment and participate in interesting paranormal experiments. While we encourage everyone
to get involved in the night's vigils, you don't have to partake in experiments like Ouija Boards and the Estes Method if you don't
want to, we have plenty of other equipment for you to use.
You will also have a couple of breaks throughout the night, where we provide you with unlimited refreshments and snacks.
YOUR EVENT INCLUDES
-
Group photo of all guests which gets published to our page
-
Small group extended vigils
-
Refreshments and snacks like teas, coffees, hot chocolates,
bottles of water, biscuits, crisps and chocolate bars -
Full use of ghost hunting equipment like K2s, EMF Meters,
REM Pods, Mel Meters, Spirit Boxes, Motion Detectors,
Dowsing Rods, Laser Grid Pens, ITC Apps and SLS Cameras -
Paranormal experiments like Ouija Boards, Glass Divination,
Table Tipping, Séances, Estes Method and Human Pendulum -
An introduction to ghost hunting equipment and techniques
for guests new to the paranormal
PLEASE NOTE BEFORE BOOKING
-
All attendees MUST be 18 years or older
-
Heavily pregnant women are NOT allowed on these events
-
This location is NOT wheelchair accessible
-
This location has NO sleepover facilities
-
We operate a STRICT No Alcohol/Drugs Policy on our events, and if caught or believed to be under the influence of any alcohol or drugs, you will be removed from the event immediately and banned from all future events - No refunds
-
All attendees MUST bring a torch to the event, as we will be investigating in dark areas and low light conditions
-
Sensible footwear is required for the location's environmental conditions
-
In the colder months we advise to wear warm layered clothing, and bring a warm coat with you as the night will get cooler as the event progresses
-
History tours are NOT provided at this location, but we will talk briefly on the location's past
-
Ouija Boards are brought to events at this location, however we don't force you to take part in them
-
Please ensure you are able to attend this event; deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and full payments and remaining balances are non-refundable and non-transferable
four weeks prior to the event date
ADDRESS, EVENT TIMES & PARKING
ADDRESS: Strutts Centre Belper, Derby Road (A6), Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1UU
EVENT TIMES: 8:00pm - 2:00am (arrive at 7:45pm. Please wait patiently outside the rear of the building until a member of our team greets you there, where they will register you and other team members will guide you on-site to our base room.)
PARKING:
-
Car Parking Onsite at rear of building