People can be incredibly inventive when supporting a favourite charity. Pauline Day from Holmfirth holds ghost hunt nights.

A spiritual medium for more than 40 years, Pauline has experienced some very peculiar moments on her excursions into the spirit world. On one occasion she claims to have communicated with the ghost of Oliver Cromwell.

And while sceptics may scoff at her tales, she has nonetheless raised thousands of pounds for Kirkwood Hospice by guiding guests around some of the most haunted buildings in Yorkshire.

Her next event takes place at Springfield Mills in Denby Dale on Friday, September 30 starting at 6pm. And she is certain that it will present lots of activity.

Springfield Mills, Denby Dale

“Every building stores energy from times gone by,” said Pauline. “Spirits are absorbed into the fabric of buildings. Some are grounded and are there all the time; some are passing through.

“The energy in the buildings that we go to is fantastic. On our last visit to Springfield Mills we met ‘Peter’, who had lived and died there. Oakwell Hall is also very active but the ‘ghost room’ at Bolling Hall in Bradford is one of the best.”

Bolling Hall produced some curious images said to show ghostly activity. One is apparently of Commander Charles Wood and his wife who lived at the hall in the 18th century. Commander Wood died of his injuries after a sea battle in the war with the French.

Another picture is said to show the ghostly figure of a man with a flintlock pistol intent going through a side door.

A ghostly image said to be of Commander Charles Wood and his wife who lived in Bolling Hall in Bradford in the 18th century. Commander Wood died of his injuries after a sea battle in the war with the French. The image was taken by Robert Crabtree during a ghost hunt event organised by Pauline Day.

Pauline and her team of mediums use a variety of methods to reach out to the spirit world. One of their devices is an Electromagnetic Field (or EMF) Meter, which can pick up spirits’ energy levels. “It shows activity beyond you.”

She adds: “I don’t touch ouija boards. I don’t need them. I try to keep it to a level where people have a good time. We don’t laugh at it. We’re not entertainment. We are for real.”

Pauline welcomes between 25 and 30 people on her hunts. She takes each group on a tour of the building with the lights on, and then with them off. She participates in glass moving and table tilting and can generally expect the majority of her guests to re-book afterwards.

“We get the odd ones that are a bit bolshy and don’t believe, and that’s their choice. Some will always be sceptical. But I always say people should do it before they judge it.”

Has she ever had a genuinely frightening moment?

“I have had experiences with incubuses, which are part man and part dog. It’s the dark side – a demon – and we don’t deal with that. We protect ourselves with prayers. You have to. You are open to everything.”

Places are still available for Friday night. To book or find out more e-mail paulinedayghostevents@gmail.com