Bid to uncover truth behind haunted pub

Ray Braiden took over the Seven Stars in Robertsbridge on June 3 and moved in to the High Street property with wife Michelle, daughters Hannah and Emily and Emily’s partner Ben.

Days after the family moved in, strange incidents were reported in the top room, occupied by Emily and Ben.

Items were moved around and a small dish sitting on a speaker was seen to be ‘skimmed’ through the air across the room.

And one night the couple woke to find the mattress they had been sleeping on had been moved. Emily and Ben have since moved out of the pub.

The Seven Stars has a reputation for spooky goings-on and was previously named one of the top ten most haunted pubs in the country.

Ray, a retired detective sergeant with Sussex Police, said: “You hear all these stories from people who have lived here.

“Some of my regulars have had sightings of shadowy figures, people have heard footsteps and doors rattling in the night and televisions coming on after the switch has been thrown off.

“And of course there is the presence of the Red Monk who is alleged to have haunted this building.”

Ray contacted old friend and paranormal investigator Rob Foster.

Ray said: “This spirit was here long before I moved in and I’m happy to coexist with it, but I do not want my family scared.”

Rob and daughter Tanya run Hidden Worlds Paranormal Support Group, a confidential group for people who have been affected by paranormal activity.

They visited the Seven Stars and saw first hand the work of the pesky poltergeist.

The pair had their equipment pushed over and Tanya was ‘poked’ a number of times.

Audio equipment recorded strange footsteps and doors rattling.