Questions for David Thompson

We Have changed the title of this topic so that it reflects the main issues contained in the thread and have condensed it to the major elements removing all the repetition and associated conversations. This topic is locked and the site will no longer carry any other articles concerning DT, VZ or COSC unless entirely newsworthy and vetted by Admin

Hi All
First Posted by Admin on Thu 17 Jul 2008 - 22:04
Here is a link to the Psychic Times 1,000 pound challenge regarding Allan Crossley. http://www.thepsychictimes.com/zammit.htm

It is now here https://web.archive.org/web/20080610111232/http://www.thepsychictimes.com/zammit.htm
and his response to Zammit's reply here https://web.archive.org/web/20080722233134/http://www.thepsychictimes.com./zammitevades.htm

In reality this issue is closely related to the many questions that had been raised, over several months, upon a long running forum, the Spiritualist Chatroom (SCR). From these discussions a member presented a range of 30 serious questions to Victor Zammit. It was commonly felt upon the SCR that these questions about the mediumship of David Thompson needed answering.

Just one area of these questions related to the celebrity visitors, such as Allan Crossley.

The approach which was made created a significant response from VZ in his weekly report and also in a “Materialisation Corner” he created upon his main site. Suffice to say that his response was very similar in nature to the attack on Simon Forsyth, an approach he has used on many others before including Marcel Cairo and Michael Prescott.

Now this original SCR has been disabled, by an unknown cause, after two hacking attacks directly related to the threads concerning DT /VZ, as well as all of the personal messages of the major contributors to these subjects. Once the forum went off line Victor Zammit dropped any pretence of answering the serious questions that had been presented to him. Additionally, very soon after the old SCR died, the web sites of both Victor and the Circle of the Silver Cord were progressively revised to remove a number of items and some material which referred in an unflattering manner to some people who had asked questions.

It is interesting to look at the original versions of both of these web sites pre this event, I am sure they are available as I would surmise there are many copies around. As part of these changes a number of séance reports, pertaining to specific questions raised about events by SCR members, were taken down off both sites. Again I would surmise that there are many copies of these also widely spread around the globe.

Before I go too far let me say that VZ believes I am biased, in the past wrongly accusing me of posting on the old SCR while not disclosing the fact I was banned from attending DT’s séances in Adelaide in January 2008. He also appeared to take considerable offence to a post where I suggested that, in the face of the issues which had come to light a professional empiricist who had been a committed circle member for two years should hand over the investigation to an independent professional scientist. In his own unique style, whilst also expressing strong views about all and sundry on the SCR (describing the SCR as "a cesspool of negativity"), he managed to create a paragraph likening my efforts to a Klu Klux Klan Wizard. In fact my ban came one month after DT had welcomed me, by invitation, to the séances and indicated he was looking forward to meeting my wife and I again. They never justified the reasons for the ban but did refer to it arising as a result of postings on that old SCR.

These related to 4 issues.
The Circle had introduced a Form which was a necessity for all would be attendees, I challenged both the intrusive nature of personal information and also the excessive disclaimers required.
Then the fact that, having enjoyed a visit David made to the mission, we wished to find a copy death certificate for his main guide William Charles Cadwell so were seeking additional data of his existence.
It moves to Psychic Surgery and an issue that cures had not, as promised, been achieved during his demonstration at the Mission but only as a part of a discussion on how to enhance the efficacy of this work.
I also caused some ire by querying the claim that passive infra red photography destroyed ectoplasm and was an endangerment to the medium.
Finally that I did not see the type of trumpet and general phenomena being produced as conclusive evidence of Spirits involvement because much could be driven by telekinesis in the heightened atmosphere of a seance.

Such is life and I am grateful for being saved nearly $130 (aus) for a séance that was stopped very early, by a curious and relatively inexplicable event. The trumpet was moving slowly round the room but actually struck a woman attendee with such force that she cried out in pain (indeed she stated that it was like her worst enemy had hit her). Although in a small room no other attendee heard her and the séance was stopped with the medium reported by the circle organisers as apparently hurt.

I do feel it must be emphasised that no one on the SCR, or to my knowledge outside it, suggested fraud, although it is equally clear that every one who hears of these matters would like some genuine explanation. The issue really stepped up and became very bitter when several USA groups appeared to withdraw from a planned tour, where DT was to visit various centres over an extended period. If the facts given from the United States were correct it is not surprising the issue became very acrimonious. It would appear the charge per head was US $ 280 for a minimum 40 people per event, with full air fares and expenses for 6 people. With DT set to earn US $ 11,200 per séance and numerous events organised it would have been a major income earner for the Circle and it would appear that they also hoped to arrange an interview with someone like Oprah Winfrey.

It is equally unfortunate that just prior to this VZ, in his web site’s “materialisation corner” answered a “question from the SCR”, which had not been asked, stating they made no money doing these séances. I wonder then what Thompson was paid on the UK visit and on each of his other tours, knowing how much he earned on his visit to South Australia. At that time his fees were lower and the more expensive physical séance was excluded. However, I also add that the SCR had not involved itself in the pricing of séances and never raised either DT’s personal financial motivation, or his right to charge as he wished.

Part 2 Follows.

Last edited by Admin on Wed 3 Sep 2008 - 14:28; edited 1 time

Part 2  by Admin on Thu 17 Jul 2008 - 22:06
Now we come to the real content, of the issues which had been raised with VZ and which he promised to answer. There are a few extra ones that arose because the few answers he gave never resolved issues but added more questions. This was particularly relevant with several “leading” questions which he posed for himself and then answered (they had not been raised on the SCR).

The whole subject built up as a result of a discovery in relation to DT’s spirit controls. Anyone who has attended an event involving DT will know that he promotes that his two main guides had an earthly existence, giving full names and birth and death dates. Indeed the chief "spirit control," William Charles Cadwell (WCC), said he was a man of science, born in London in 1830 and died there in 1897. Another "control," Timothy Booth, also gave the dates of his birth 1899 and death in 1908.

Indeed Timothy, during a Cober Hill Séance reported by the Psychic Times Timothy, said he knew William in the physical life http://www.thepsychictimes.com/articles/seance.htm. (now here https://web.archive.org/web/20080621095128/http://www.thepsychictimes.com/articles/seance.htm)  Both claim to have known Honest Jack the Gardener another of the guides involved. Even before I go any further, note that Timothy and William have given dates showing that they were not alive at the same time, so could not have known each other in the physical as claimed in the Cober Hill Seance.

To support his claims of reality for his guides DT clearly states on his web site (although now somewhat diluted), to his audiences and to the organizers of events that Montague Keen researched the existence of WCC as part of his scientific research on DT’s mediumship. He also claimed the same about the Society for Psychical Research who had checked WCC while researching DT’s mediumship. The concept of research is one I will return to later but I draw attention to DT’s 2002 email to Michael Roll categorically refusing to be scientifically researched by anyone http://www.cfpf.org.uk/letters/2002/2002-10-12_mr2dt.html . Again bear this in mind when we revert to the claims of scientific research by Montague Keen, the SPR and latterly Prof Garry Schwarz (a claim promoted by VZ strongly).

We will now stick to his chief spirit control. A rigorous check was made of all genealogical records. Of the birth records, the census records for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1890 & 1901, together with a search of the death registration (by 1890 this was mandatory and preceded burial, the records were meticulously kept and preserved through both wars). There is no William Charles Cadwell, let alone one described as a man of science living anywhere in the UK let alone in or around London, fitting any of these records. This check was made by several people including experienced genealogists and they reached the same conclusions. DT’s circle appealed to the SPR and it became clear that they had not researched this at all, however Guy Lyon Playfair did a check for them once and said there was a death of a William Caldwell in 1899. Unfortunately this Caldwell has the wrong dates, wrong name, is a born, bred and died Lancastrian. Not a man of science and not a realistic answer given any recordings of William. Guy Lyon Playfair has subsequently confirmed he identified the wrong person and conceded his findings were, therefore incorrect.

It is now very clear that the life claimed by WCC never existed and was never researched. Montague Keen’s widow has confirmed that there was no research done by him. Sadly the same situation exists for Timothy Booth. All of DT’s other guides gain their reality from WCC who has told an untruth which is compounded by DT’s claims about research.

VZ has effectively conceded the non existence by the words he uses in his report and web site, although DT refuses to acknowledge a problem leaving the Circle’s web site unchanged. VZ did try to answer this by saying that it did not matter. In one amazing paragraph he placed both Jesus Christ and Silver Birch in a discussion concerning WCC, indicating the words of the man were the most important in proving his worth, the fact he gave the wrong information about his life was unimportant. He was extremely disparaging about the people who had raised the query. In honesty if a Spirit gives such absolute detail there is an expectation that, to be trusted, they should not be misleading.

Even if we accept VZ’s contention then we have to look at the words of William. Unfortunately not only has William apparently misled us on his life but some of William’s pronouncements, recommending for example the use of Aspirin for pregnant women to avoid Downs Syndrome babies, are not only unintelligent but downright dangerous. Though COSC and VZ have removed from their website the relevant audio tapes and transcripts others have saved these and I quote.

From a séance apparently on the 28th April 2007

“WCC talks of Aspirin many years ago was thought to be the future wonder drug. He said that in America there was research taking place that it could help cure AIDS and downs syndrome. He said there seems to be a connection between HIV and downs syndrome.
The lady sitter claims she heard a report on a radio station about aspirin and cancer. She says there was no mention of HIV or Downs syndrome.
William states that the information was given to him to relay that evening and that a connection had been established between HIV and downs sydrome.

The last words were that they would put it on the website for people around the world to listen too.”

Then in a séance soon after in 13th May 2007

"William: You know I must say this. Please may I say that this must only be done upon your physician's instructions. If older people who have children, was to take an aspirin every other day from the time of being aware of being pregnant, it would alleviate any problems with Down's Syndrome."

According to this transcript William also said:-

"If we eradicate Down's Syndrome upon people who have children in a older age bracket, if they were to take an aspirin every other day from the moment of being aware of the pregnancy, to of course, maybe one week or thereabouts before having the child."
It was reported William also said:-

"Quite often in older age bracket people who become pregnant, the circulation of the blood is not as free due to the type of foods that they've eaten over the years, and also, if they have smoked. Well of course the lack of circulation of blood than that in a younger person, does effect the growth of the child at certain gestation periods. This is when, that certain periods of time, which of course, Down's Syndrome and such as this can occur. If the blood circulation was more free, then of course within certain gestation periods, this would not occur, hence the use of aspirin."

The person providing this transcript then said

“I think that William made his thoughts on the use of aspirin quite clear. When people emailed Victor, David and the COSC regarding this matter, the recording and transcript were withdrawn and the reason they gave was due to the negative attention the issue was attracting. Is it any wonder?”

A brief perusal of medical literature will show the dangers of Aspirin, except as a possible treatment for pre-eclampsia. Indeed the US FDA issued a warning for pregnant women not to use Aspirin in the last 3 months of pregnancy. There is no link between HIV (a virus) and Downs Syndrome a genetic disorder arising from excess Chromosomes. Equally there is no prevention or cure available for Downs Syndrome and it is unthinkably cruel that a wise guide would suggest there is a way of preventing it.

Given this information I really believe that WCC must be rather dismissed as a guide of substance. In this respect it is of real concern that VZ had reported on his site that he accepted the arrival of the visitor Mahatma Ghandi because William confirmed who it was.

It is also concerning that this leads us to his other guides who are all conducted by William. We obviously note that Timothy has said he knew WCC in the physical and yet the dates make this impossible. In his defence Timothy did not exist in the years he claimed either, so he is obviously not who he claims to be as well.

Unfortunately this also leads to DT’s Surgeon Guide who is a part of the team, under convenor WCC. At an event in South Australia, DT, WCC and the Surgeon, Dr Slavinsky, claimed they would cure people. Provably there were no cures and one person was deeply affected when an apparent improvement failed 24 hours later, in view of the promise made earlier (in honesty, as DT was exhausted after the session, it may be indicative of some intense powers of magnetic healing, as everybody experienced a short term effect).

Unfortunately the circle leader of DT’s long running Haymist Circle had worse to report. At a Cober Hill event, where psychic surgery occurred, DT did psychic surgery and “Dr S” told a person that he had no cancer, but they did die of it two weeks later. He allegedly also told a Lady who had a Mastectomy that she had not needed this operation. It is possible to view such incidents as not greatly suggestive of wisdom that the guides should share with others in public.

Now let us look at the claims of research into DT’s mediumship, claims at odds with his own words to Michael Roll. The first concerns Montague Keen, his widow has confirmed that no such research was done by him and he only met DT once, not twice, for the séance written up in the ISS site. Montague also told the Haymist Circle leader that he subsequently felt he overplayed the report, mentioning a cut on the hand that he subsequently realized was a self injury, gardening the previous day. We have also established that no research was undertaken by the SPR and that DT refused to participate in any such work. Indeed the references to SPR research have been amended and it is likely this has arisen by contact to VZ and DT from the SPR themselves, who repudiated the claim. In fact DT even turned down an opportunity to collaborate with Prof Garry Schwarz, indeed we were told he showed a surprising reticence to be involved although he knew he would be significantly reimbursed. Victor has now acknowledged that his claims of research by Garry Schwarz were wrong. From the statements made by DT when in South Australia it is easy to understand why people may have misinterpreted the actual research claims.

So we now have problems with the Spirit Control and the claims of research. What follows on from this in the SCR discussions? Well the most obvious issue is that of the celebrities. The Allan Crossley issue is well in hand with Simon and the Psychic Times but it is only one of many problems. The cream of the crop is Harry Houdini who we will treat separately after looking at a general summary.

Part 3 follows

Part 3  by Admin on Thu 17 Jul 2008 - 22:08

Firstly let us note what Victor has said about the special visitors. That they come when there is someone who is connected to them in the circle. As a reserve position he indicates he does not really care if they are not who they say. Clearly the need for a personal link is not always the case because the star attractions at DT's 'public seances' have often been Mahatma Ghandi, Harry Houdini, Louis Armstrong, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle etc.

VZ has indicated that he has used Audacity voice analysis software to prove they are not DT. Sadly Audacity software is unsuited to this and Michael Prestcott has proved very simply how easy it is to fool. In making the comment about the software VZ mentions sophisticated voice comparison software of the type that the FBI use. Please note that he does not say it has been used, this is quite correct because it has not been. It is a wonder that, when even now a very rare voice recording of Ghandi speaking in English has been discovered that no effort has been made to try comparative voice identification. I also note a new recording of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has been discovered.

Instead we have to rely on the ear, with people hearing the two voices side by side where either comparative recordings are available or if they knew the person. It is very clear that the majority, both on the SCR and commenting generally, find little similarity between the voices, use of vocabulary or the relative levels of intelligence. I notice that in VZ’s weekly report of the 27th June he begins to attack the veracity of all direct voice, implying real voices cannot be expected.

Additionally, to compound matters, the spirits have brought no specific unique evidence to prove themselves as who they claim, except once and on this one occasion with HH it added to the debate.

Indeed the Spirits are rarely tested by the circle in any way, on a couple of occasions, when this was attempted, the spirit has refused to answer, notably on one when a member asked Houdini about his wife (given the lengths HH went to to set up a code with his wife, to prove it was he, if a medium linked to him, this seems odd). Quite frequently one hears the apparent spirit shout out the name 'Zammit' which is another odd thing. Indeed remember Mahatma Ghandi was accepted by VZ because WCC said so.

So what specifics apart from Allan Crossley and Houdini do we find?
Maurice Barbanell and Silver Birch? Well one SCR member sat in this circle on a couple of occasions and has a rare 78 recording. He assured us there is no similarity, either vocally, or in the level of “wisdom” pronounced, he also confirms that the newly retired editor of Psychic News, who also sat in the circle, agrees with this view.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with no Scottish Accent or evidential proof
Mahatma Ghandi - again no match with the recorded voice.
Quentin Crisp. I heard this recording playing two rooms away and was sure it was the “William” I heard speaking with David in Trance August 2006. I shouted to Lis, is it William? She said no, it’s supposed to be Quentin Crisp. As an artist she went to life drawing classes in London and QC was a model, so she regularly chatted to him. Also QC was not his real name. Others concur that it is not his voice, having known him.
Louis Armstrong, well really, why has he never played his trumpet in the séance but he does appear as a harmonica player. Any long term Jazz lover would know he never left his horn behind for a jam session.
Coral Polge who many will have heard and the voice recording seems very unlike her voice.
Then to use another quote “It is an insult to Gordon's (Higginson) memory particularly when he (the “materialized celebrity GH”) tells the sitters’ that Arthur Conan Doyle wrote "On the Edge of the Etheric" and had to be corrected by a sitter who pointed out that it was Arthur Findlay's work.
Indeed the lack of voice recognition has been compounded with comments arising about the formation and use of language.

Compare this to the way that the leader of DT’s Haymist Circle says things were conducted then, “I cannot find stories of babies disappearing back to the spirit world or aspirins being the cure for genetic disorders, New Yorkers having southern drawls because it fits, claims of being tested when not. None of these happened when DT was in the UK. The experience of those around him then, excluding myself, would not have allowed it to take off.”

This comment about a Southern Drawl brings me back to Harry Houdini the shining jewel in their “celebrity materializations”, of course they claim this is the first time he has come back. Well even that is wrong. Arthur Ford brought him through for HH’s wife, now it may be contentious but a record shows that the secret phrase was given to her at that time. Then again he came through via Anna Wickland, wife of the eminent psychiatrist Dr Carl Wickland. Of course HH was a Hungarian Jew, emigrating to New York with his Rabbi Father. Yet the first recordings DT put up were with a Southern American drawl (explained as a blending of energy in the transition from Louis Armstrong, a gentleman with a distinct accent as a result of his African heritage) and now this recording has been taken off their sites.

Just before the UK trip there was a transcription of a Circle of the Silver Cords séance where HH said he would apport something that personally belonged to him, which the magic circle in New York would recognize. Now the fact is the Magic Circle was known by HH to be in London. Then at the first Séance in the UK an apport appears, with apparently the hand of HH illuminated on a luminous planchette. This was recorded and pictures of the coin, a HH commemorative coin are on the COSC site. Problem is the coin was minted 30 odd years after HH’s death. COSC have promised an answer but this has not been forthcoming. Now the picture of the coin is on the COSC website but that séance record has been removed. Why, oh why, would HH apport such appalling “evidence”?
I think it is clear that many have problems with the material being brought from the celebrities and the provability of the actual entities involved.

Finally I guess we must get to the personal messages that are brought through. It is important to understand that DT is not a materialization medium, in the sense that he brings through recognizable forms in light (and DT personally agreed to this on the old SCR). His materializations are in the dark, so they are neither recognizable or provable in the way of some past mediums. We therefore have to look at the actual messages. Having seen DT demonstrate Mental Mediumship I realize that he is an excellent psychic but an average mental medium. Just on the basis of this one would expect him to provide decent messages in a séance. However, the feedback seems mixed, even about this.

In terms of good personal evidence it is hard to track down an unequivocal statement. It would appear, from the accounts I have seen, that the evidence is not as strong as you may expect from a loved one who has taken the effort to materialise into the room with you. For all the material which seems genuine there appears to be some disparities in the same messages. An example is the "materialised" man who stepped forward so the lady could hold his hand and feel the ring he wore, except afterwards she said he never wore a ring. Indeed it received much comment on the SCR that the actual evidence is less good than a good mental medium would produce and there is no effective visual evidence to support it.

His ex circle leader and another developing physical medium acknowledge that when people go into a seance room some lose a sense of reality. Remember in many seances they are going into a darkened room where they must not move or speak without permission, loud music is played, they have to sing songs to raise the energy and strange events occur. Some are desperate to contact one who has passed. Others now seem to come and just enjoy the carnival, which too many seances have become.

These same experienced people go on to comment that many seem overwhelmed by pressure to not cause a fuss and will go along with anything that is said. Other sitters simply accept any information given to them in the seance room, because they fear to never be welcomed by the medium again if they don't. In reality even if we train the mediums properly we also need to train the sitters better, to be fair to the mediums (mental or physical) but not to accept that which does not ring true. We also need now to go back to that “dreaded form”, a necessity for any would be attendee. This is used to create the list of attendees and on arrival DT meets them and places them in the room himself to ensure an energy balance. Although on the surface this is quite reasonable it does give the Medium a huge advantage, with a vetted select group, carefully seated.

Having got to this point we have really covered the main issue, the rest are less relevant to the circle. However, I know some others have expressed more concerns about the method of securing DT with non luminous cable ties. They worry given the constant references to escape artists freeing themselves and retying themselves with relative ease. Also because many people can familiarize themselves quickly in strange places, so being able to comfortably move around a dark room, that they have seen and in which they have positioned the people. In reality my concerns are more related to the evidential and guide aspects which, if they were unequivocal, would render securing the medium somewhat obsolete to me.

Other matters of concern, well before running a Mental Mediumship workshop, DT said words to us and then again to the attendees which left little doubt that he was a Tutor of the Arthur Findlay College. Apparently the same was said in West Australia but an attendee there had strong links to the AFC and checked this to find that it was quite incorrect.

Well also the fact DT kept denying he used false names on the old SCR, yet in one discussion he involved himself over time with four aliases. VZ also denied any SCR involvement even whilst his wife was a member.

Some on this forum may remember more of this whole event but I believe the above is a full synopsis of the problems and questions which have been asked.

DT was very quick to disown a fellow Medium Warren Caylor when it appeared that there were major issues about the veracity of that persons Mediumship. Now that Warren has agreed to a Séance under the full control of PN, to prove himself, maybe DT will agree to the same to deal with the questions openly, publically and without aggression.

It may be a start if VZ dropped out of all of this. Up to now his responses, to any comment in relation to DT the séances and his personal involvement have just inflamed matters. I doubt he could exclude himself and would personally expect to be targeted again in his newsletter and web site when he hears of this synopsis. I hope that this time he and DT put their heads together and decide to respond in an appropriate manner

Clearly without reasonable answers the facts and observations given above will be looked at by each individual, who will add them to what they know of DT, COSC and VZ. Everyone will form an opinion and draw a personal conclusion. Do I have a view, yes, the issues are so many and varied I wish DT would agree to a proper scientific study of his mediumship to remove any possible doubt. I also believe that, as Spiritualism is a religion of Truth, then we have a need for answers to respect our Philosophy and ensure the integrity of Proof of Survival.


Cheers

Jim.

Last edited by Admin on Fri 18 Jul 2008 - 7:04; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : spelling

Hi All, by Admin on Tue 22 Jul 2008 - 16:09

We are not the only ones debating DT a group of magicians in "The Magic Cafe' have been debating the seances. Someone is trying to replicate and improve on DT's performance by Magic and maybe we'll get a video

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=226134&forum=18&start=0

Cheers

Jim

Hi All,  by Admin on Wed 23 Jul 2008 - 10:41

I would like to thank TMMW for drawing my attention to the following recent web article.
http://felixcircle.blogspot.com/2008/07/david-thompsons-circle-of-silver-cord.html (now here http://felixcircle.blogspot.com/2008/07/david-thompsons-circle-of-silver-cord.html )

to show what is written
"Freitag, 18. Juli 2008
DAVID THOMPSONS CIRCLE OF THE SILVER CORD PROVIDES US WITH THE FIRST NON-INFRARED REST-LIGHT- PHOTO OF MATERIALIZED GUIDE

Because of their refusal to use infrared during their sittings they were long long blamed. Their Spirit-communicators had strictly forbidden the use of that kind of rays protuding the room allegedly because of great dangers for the externalised ectoplasm and so for the medium himself.
The fascinating ongoings while his seances, the mediumistic productions of David Thompson, were completely dismissed by many, because the need for darkness isn't accepted by all.
The reasoning on the Circles' side is not new. Many mediums claimed from the beginning on that light, the human glance and infrared rays disturb certain mediumistic productions. Already 1860 the Mesmerists and Fluidists clearly stated that "the magnetic radiation of the human eye hinder the possibilities of influence of the spirit world."
Besides we know many other biological processes that does not work in light. And since the "Observer-Effect" is known in quantum-physics, one can easily imagine, that it is a real need and not only a cover for fraud.
However. The circle kept their word and substantiated their refusal in so far, that they proved they really only wanted to avoid infrared and not per se filming. With a modern very high sensitive rest-light camera they now have filmed the first materialised figure in pitch dark, and the first still-photo can be seen on their website (one has to register). Chris Hood, the Circle Leader announces to publish the complete filmclip in the upcoming weeks. Be prepared."

Fascinating does anyone know what "Sensitive Rest Light photography" is I have never heard of it and a websearch gives nothing. My understanding is that the very best digital still and digital video cameras all use some infra red actively, so I would love to know more of this technique.

This issue of photography I raised a long time ago. Just before the UK tour VZ cut off the questions about using infra red photography during the tour saying they had been informed infra red was harmful to ectoplasm. He also said they awaited a report from Ron Pearson and that a "special film" would be produced in the UK under controlled conditions and with special security precautions. With nothing forthcoming a friend of mine sought an answer from Ron Pearson for me because he knew him. Ron confirmed his report concluded passive infra red was not harmful but active could be. He also said that the Special Film was not scientifically verifiable. I was, of course, fascinated given the past use of infra red, red light, blue light and even magnesium flares.

I guess we must all wait and see, even if there is a picture it will need scientific verification especially from a new technique and not just from a source such as Ron Pearson who appears quite close to the Circle.

by mac on Wed 23 Jul 2008 - 17:38

."Fascinating does anyone know what "Sensitive Rest Light photography" is I have never heard of it and a websearch gives nothing. My understanding is that the very best digital still and digital video cameras all use some infra red actively, so I would love to know more of this technique."

As this appears to be a translation from German perhaps 'rest light' is 'residual light'? I'm guessing that even the best darkened rooms will have a small amount of light which is not visible to the human eye and I would guess that military-style image intensifiers could amplify that to allow recording. Is that what is being suggested do you think?

It's something I've long suggested should work in a darkened seance room without risk..
_________________
....you don't need eyes to see, you need vision

Hi Mac, by Admin on Wed 23 Jul 2008 - 20:54

Interesting thought, however I can tell you that the rules DT imposes for black out are extreme. Remember before it fell over, as a result of their financial demands, we were chosen by the guide William to run one at the Mission, we were to use the Healing and Circle room. Total Black out curtains I mean as heavy as we can and with no possibility of light in with the existing blinds behind. All internal light bulbs removed and down lights taped over and internal doors with black out curtain, fuses pulled so no light could come in.

In honesty so little residual light that any image would be so indistinct as to be meaningless. thats the standard rules Mac. You would have to have infra red, passive, to get any chance.

Hi All, by Admin on Thu 24 Jul 2008 - 10:09

Touching on celebrities Lis drew my attention to this rare utube video from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle prior to hiis death.



A cursory hearing indicates little correlation to the DT model especially as the lovely gentle Scottish accent went missing here it is. Although in fairness you may wish to listen to this at.

http://victorzammit.com/audio/doyle15.10.06.mp3

Cheers

Jim

If the embedded work it is here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eq18U5btcg&feature=related.

Last edited by Admin on Fri 1 May 2009 - 10:27; edited 6 times in total

by Admin on Thu 24 Jul 2008 - 11:56

.I have another voice comparison for you.

Here is a wonderful archice recording of Harry Houdini
http://www.archive.org/details/HarryHoudini
Here is David Thompsons seance recording no 3 http://victorzammit.com/afterlifevoices/houdini-mp3.mp3

I would not bet on that one remaining visible too much longer the recording which promised the personal artifact has gone now.

Again
here is a rare Ghandi talk given in English http://www.gandhiserve.org/streams/player.php?mediafile=db/gallery/Audio/Gandhis_Voice/English/augven_IARC.wma



Dt's is at http://victorzammit.com/audio/ghandithroughtrumpet15.10.06.mp3

Good luck all.

Jim

It seems the video embedding is not working so the link is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSWzFz-tGrM&feature=PlayList&p=63976B2114667397&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2


Last edited by Admin on Fri 1 May 2009 - 10:22; edited 4 times in total (Reason for editing : spelling - finger failure)

Hi all, by Admin on Tue 19 Aug 2008 - 20:59

It seems some discussion about this may have moved on to
http://michaelprescott.typepad.com/michael_prescotts_blog/2008/08/rethinking-david-thompson.html?cid=126956044#comments
In honesty I had no great wish to perpetuate discussion on here so it may be for the best although
I may yet respond to Victor's last attack on me.

Cheers all
Jim.
Admin

by Admin on Wed 20 Aug 2008 - 12:20

.Hi All,

I wonder how many of you saw Victor Zammits response to this thread in his weekly report on 1st August. I normally won't directly copy from he or David but as he writes of me in this then I think I have a right to post it

"MATERIALIZATION CORNER: the hot under the collar anti-materialization Spiritualists from South Australia who disseminated so much venom against the successful materializations of D.T. have not learnt their lesson yet . When these 'cowards' also attack Victor Zammit - or David Thompson or the Circle of the Silver Cord or materializations generally, they should have the moral courage, the fortitude and the effrontery - to write their REAL names. Otherwise, anyone reading their rants will automatically accept they have something to hide - may even call them a bunch of spineless Spiritual cowards. They show they do not have honesty, decency and integrity. When these anti-materialization skeptics try to cause injury, to try do damage to reputation, to character - the author of the attack has the inexorable duty to write his/her full name. Inevitably, no one on earth will accept their rants having any credibility at all. I will not respond to anyone who shows he does not have the courage of his convictions."

A few points firstly there is only one of me writing from South Australia, Lis has as yet not made a comment. Secondly he claims the posts to be anti materialisation yet David has admitted he is not a materialisation medium, in its full definition, on the old Spiritualist Chat Room in a post that still survives. Neither I, nor this forum is anti materialisation, as the wonderful posts here will clearly show. The link to the Tom Harrison Video, the videos on Allan Crossley and many of the excellent articles. Indeed anyone wishing to know about materialisation medium Keith Milton Rhinehart will find much more about him here than on Victor's site.

I note the words he uses, to quote "so much venom", "they do not have honesty, decency and integrity", "their rants" among others.

It is not my intention to hide here and it is clear Victor knows exactly who I am. I do not believe what has been written on here is either venomous or ranting but would accept comments on this. What has been written is a factual summary of major questions which were presented by a wide group of people on the old Spiritualist Chat Room. Neither I nor others made a judgement or said anything that supports Victors words above "When these anti-materialization skeptics try to cause injury, to try do damage to reputation, to character". We made it clear that our interest was in getting answers to significant issues. These caused doubt to be cast on the actual nature of what was occuring, raised substantial issues about who the guides really were and the rather dangerous knowledge they seemed willing to share such as the aspirin issue. No one has questioned the integrity or honesty of either Victor or David by seeking answers to issues such as this.

There is no vested interest in knocking down any medium, I am sure that everyone who contributed the information, that created the list of questions, would be delighted to get either satisfactory answers or alternatively see genuinely substantiated, conclusive, proof from the seances. At this moment neither is forthcoming so we ask questions. To question, based on factual evidence is not trying to "cause injury" or create "damage to reputation" it is endeavouring to establish a proper basis whereby we can all fully accept the reality of David's Mediumship with the inconsistencies dealt with. I also believe that the level of proof we would accept is well below that of a sceptic. I am sure we would accept reasonable photographic evidence, in disagreement with Victors remark in last week (14th August) weekly report. I note that in this he refers to a 2003 report from Colin Fry where by implication the Rhinehart film failed to convince anyone. To my knowledge the Rhinehart film was not seen by many people and lies somewhere in a Japanese research centre. I wish it was available and I could put the video on here. It is however somewhat strange Victor brought this up now, just after the Circle of the Silver Cord published a photograph. The problem with that photograph is that the lack of clarity and detail involved makes it hard to reach any positive conclusion.

by obiwan on Thu 21 Aug 2008 - 2:04

.What a well-rounded and thoughful response Jim. I can't understand why Victor thinks that the frankly vile language and rhetoric in his responses are of any benefit. Whether David is able to demonstrate genuine mediumship or not, Victor's hysterical (and I don't mean funny) interventions undermine both his own and David's credibility in my opinion. As an outsider to spiritualism the rationality of the calm, reasonable questions from those who already have a belief in the existence of an afterlife and the verbal bodyswerving, distraction and insults from Victor stand in quite stark contrast. I have stopped subscribing to Victor's website because to be honest it is starting to read like a cross between the News of the World and a propaganda broadcast to me.

I do think it is vital to keep probing calmly and politely and not being provoked as it keeps the matter in the public eye and also helps outsiders such as myself to see that spiritualists are at least as interested in verifiable evidence as I am. Carry on with the good work you cowardly dog .

Last edited by obiwan on Thu 21 Aug 2008 - 3:20; edited 1 time in total.

by Admin on Thu 4 Sep 2008 - 15:35

.Hi All,

Here is Mr Zammit's article in Psychic World.



“WORLD SHATTERING MATERIALISATIONS IN SYDNEY!
Victor Zammit

During a recent sitting (30th March 2008) with physical medium David Thompson in Sydney Australia five figures well known to Spiritualism came through.
The night was made special by the fact that two visitors had travelled three and a half thousand miles from Perth to attend. One of them, was David Duncan, grandson of the famous medium Helen. The other was Christine Morgan, President/founder of the Spiritualist Sanctuary in Perth Western Australia. Helen Duncan mainly addressed her remarks to her grandson.I also had a very brief conversation with an entity claiming to be Alan Crossley. When materialised among other things he asked, "Are you all Spiritualists?". I replied, "NO, not really.' He then asked, “Who said that?" I replied, "Over here, it's me Victor.''Victor!” He said. Then he said words to the effect to keep on doing what Iwas doing with my afterlife research.

Christine Morgan's testimony about the events read as follows: The communicators whom manifested wereof great standing in the history of spirit work and research, which to my personal delight meant a lot to me. Gordon Higginson spoke directly to me firstly addressing a conversation I had had about him the previous evening! An amazing experience as I have had an affinity and deep respect for his work though never knew him. However my father did, and Gordon spoke of this, he also spoke of the sanctuary I am involved in, with direct knowledge.

Alan Crossley a great physical mediumship researcher and a friend of my father's also came through that evening, he greeted me personally, spoke about my dad several times, and shook my hand, felt my face and stroked my hair, this causing me to bevery moved. Two people in the spirit of whose work I revere, of whom I have only heard about, and here they were speaking and touching me like they knew me personally.

Lesley Flint, also addressed someone in the room he knew giving him great support for his own work as a medium. To have these great pioneers for the spirit manifest to speak to us, give us encouragement for the work we do for the spirit, cannot be compared.
A questioning mind, I always look for the empirical reality over the illusion, and this was an empirical reality! Helen Duncan and her spirit control also addressed my friend, but that is his story, being very important andof a personal nature it was not only moving but very evidential.'
David Duncan writes:
Needless to say I have no doubt whatsoever that this was indeed my Grandmother - known throughout the world as one of the greatest and best known physical mediums, that gave her life, so that we might practice these natural gifts given to us without fear or malice. And Albert Stewart almost as well known as Helen and as much apart of her family as anyone could be - I look forward to many more conversations with both of them. Talking to both of them and the advice given tome has been a life changing experience.
Because the seances are mostly held in total darkness people always ask how we can be sure that there is no trickery going on. For the record in the Circle there are professional investigators who were with intelligence agencies. There is also a former police officer with professional investigation experience. There's a psychologist with expertise in Scientific Method, professional journalist and a retired attorney - an expert in the admissibility of evidence. These are all highly qualified, highly skilled professionals.
I can assure you that after some70 weekly sittings with David in several different countries we would certainly know if there was anything not 100 per cent.
And for the record, hereinafter very succinctly is a list of some of the phenomena we have all witnessed on many occasions:
* repeated levitations sometimes with David speaking from up near the ceiling
* matter through matter demonstrations
* the sound of materialisation and de-materialisation
* extended trumpet phenomena
* musical instruments played high up near the ceiling
* the mediums gag being de-materialised and re-materialised
* curtains opened and closed by materialised hands
* large hands and small fingers visible in the light of a luminous plaque
* apport phenomena
* verified signatures of spirit guests written on paper
* ectoplasm seen and photographed in red light
* materialised guests shaking hands with sitters who were able to feel the size of their hands
* the sound of materialised feet walking across the floor and in some cases the feel of them treading on toes
* lots of touch of materialised adults,children and at least two dogs.
* several spirit voices - and David Thompson's voice - being heard ATTHE SAME TIME conversing to each other.
* William (David's control) and David counting simultaneously
And most telling of all, the Circle has had more than 90 people reunited with loved ones whom they identified as giving them evidence of their identity and up to date involvement in their lives.

In addition in the COSC there are those who are mental mediums themselves and have received cross-validation before during and after sittings.
It has to be noted that the Circle only puts a small proportion of the taped evidence on the internet.
It was interesting that someone - let's call him "S - whom I am informed probably never attended a materialisation session, tried to discredit David's mediumship and the credibility of the Circle members and disputed that Alan Crossley would materialise;he made a silly offer of one thousand pounds if I would call Alan Crossley back and cross examine him.
Clearly this uninformed 'S' did not understand that the group had only come through on that occasion because of the presence of David Duncan and Christine Morgan.
The offer fizzled out to nothing within a few days. But this complainant 'S', who is NOT a professional, NOT an empiricist, NOT an investigator, NOT a journalist, tried to attack the professionalism of the sitters of David Thompson's Circle of the SilverCord (COSC). He fooled just a couple of website holders but dumped him very soon after they discovered his motivation for his attack being a gauche attempt to whip up some excitement for his miserably failing website. And judging by objective conduct, he also managed to fool the Susan, the editor of Psychic News, who swallowed his nonsense hook line and sinker and published his challenge but refused to publish my full reply.
It was sad that the Psychic News fell for the complainant's lies and deliberate misrepresentations. Perhaps it was an attempt to subtly attack the credibility of myself as a professional, as an empiricist with a website which has a wide readership - but more likely because I also write for the PSYCHIC WORLD. Read my fullresponse to the complainant I called 'Simon Dick.' http://www.victorzammit.com/articles/dick.htm
Access Dr Victor Zammit's site and videos on Youtube: www.victorzammit. Com”



Cheers

Jim.

by Admin Today at 9:36

.by Admin on Sat 6 Sep 2008 - 18:50

.Hi everyone,



Victor Zammit’s article does seem to present an inaccurate picture of events.


In the May 31st issue of Psychic News an article headed ‘Journalist offers 1,000 pound challenge’ reported that Simon Forsyth, editor of Internet publication www.thepsychictimes.com This website has become inactive but Simon Forsythe did a good job you can find a taste of it here http://thepsychictimes.com/articles/evidence.htm ) had offered to donate to charity in exchange for some answers. It noted that his challenge was directed to Victor Zammit, an ardent supporter of physical mediumship and a powerful advocate for the work of British medium David Thompson who currently resides in Australia. The article reported that Victor Zammit had claimed that the late Alan Crossley, a much respected Spiritualist pioneer and author had communicated through the mediumship of Mr Thompson. To substantiate this claim, a recording of the alleged communication had been placed on Mr Zammit’s website.


The article continued with a report on the fact that Simon Forsyth was “convinced that the communicator in question was not Alan Crossley”, a close friend of Forsyth for many years. Therefore, PN observed, he had challenged Mr Zammit to provide evidence of the authenticity of Alan Crossley’s communication and in his publication had requested Victor Zammit to ask the personality claiming to be Crossley five questions which Forsyth would provide. He then offered a procedure for revealing the answers and the results from the claimed Crossley.


PN’s article goes on to note that Mr Zammit has in the past not reacted favourably when challenged about the veracity of his claims of David Thompson’s mediumship and observed that Mr Zammit’s initial response to Forsyth’s challenge on his website was in a “characteristically forthright vein.” Quoting from Mr Zammit’s site the PN article noted that under the heading “A coward attacks Victor”, Mr Zammit wrote he promised to “rebut that guy who thinks he is a smartass,” and described the challenge as typical of “an uninformed defeatist” who “does not have the testes, the courage, the honesty and integrity to send me the ‘dirty’ article. Coward!”


PN asked Forsyth for his reaction to Mr Zammit’s claim he had not received the “dirty’ article.” He insisted that he had, and prior to publishing his challenge. Forsysth also acknowledge that while one could not guarantee that any spirit would come to communicate, he thought the closeness of his friendship with Crossley would enhance the possibility he would try to communicate and provide answers to his five questions or that another spirit communicator might provide them on Crossley’s behalf.


It is clear that the Psychic News article is not biased in any way. It is merely a news item on a matter that might be of interest to its readers. It does not either support Forsyth or unfairly report Mr Zammit’s position.


As is usual, when someone wishes to respond to an article in Psychic News (or any other Newspaper for that matter) PN printed a response to Forsyth’s article from Mr Zammit on June 14. This was in the PN Readers Forum where letters to the Editor concerning news, views and opinions is presented. As a standard part of that section of PN is the quite normal statement “The editor reserves the right to edit or shorten letters.”


Mr Zammit’s letter to the editor claimed that Forsyth was “misleading everyone with his challenge” to “get Alan Crossley back and cross-examine him.” Zammit suggested that the Thompson circle had no power to invoke any spirit and observed that ”spirit visitors usually come through only when there is a close tie of affection and a particularly urgent reason to do so.” Mr Zammit then stated that Crossley had come through on that particular occasion because the daughter of a close friend was present. As a disclaimer to his previous position that the entity recorded was actually Crossley Mr Zammit reported “I have always stated that no one in the circle can prove the identity of those who materialise – even if they correctly produce all the answers to questions put to them. We never ever guaranteed that those who materialise are who they claim to be – never.” Mr Zammit added that “using empirical methodology, we present the evidence, the taped voices from materialisations, and leave those who listen to them the discretion to accept or reject the identities.” After suggesting that they did not rely on the taped voices as evidence but on statements from “credible witnesses” he argued that it was “irrelevant when Simon sent his email” to Zammit claiming that he had “published and disseminated his silly challenge before he sent the e-mail” to Zammit.


It is quite clear that the editor of PN gave Mr Zammit a fair opportunity to express his opposing views and Mr Zammit made his view quite clearly in his letter.


PN then printed, again in the Readers Forum, Forsyth’s reply to Victor Zammit’s letter. Once again, if one reads PN on a regular basis, a quite normal practice by the paper. Forsyth’s reply was published in Psychic News on June 28. Note that this letter was also subject to the same editorial disclaimer and it too may have been edited or shortened at the editors discretion. In it Forsyth addressed several points in Zammit’s reply to his challenge. First, that he had never requested Mr Zammit “cross-examine” the alleged Alan Crossley nor that he could be “invoked.” In regard to Zammit’s claim that the alleged Crossley had come through because the daughter of a close friend was present, Forsyth drew attention to the fact that Zammit had failed to mention this ‘witness’ who claimed it was Crossley. Had never known Alan Crossley personally and argued that therefore there could not possibly be a “close tie of affection” since they had never known each other.


Forsyth suggested that if anybody was being “misleading” it was Mr Zammit. Further he asked if Zammit could not guarantee the spirit communicators are who they say they are why does he “explicitly make the claim that specific communicators spoke”” Forsyth then pointed out that at first Mr Zammit claimed Forsyth had not sent him an e-mail, then that it was “irelevent” when he sent it. It was Forsyth’s view that Mr Zammit could not “get basic facts correct. As a consequence his sensationalist claims regarding David Thompson’s mediumship should be treated with caution, particularly since most of his so-called evidence is merely anecdotal, rather than originating from systematic scientific evaluation by independent investigators.”


Mr Zammit subsequently wrote the article printed in Psychic World.


In my opinion, from examining the evidence that his attack on Simon “Dick” Forsyth, and on Sue Farrow, the editor of Psychic News, is entirely unjustified, misrepresentative of the facts, and extremely unpleasant.

Of course Simon Forsyth responded as well https://web.archive.org/web/20100322213741/http://thepsychictimes.com/hello-world-2.htm Best now to be found http://thepsychictimes.com/category/physical-mediumship
and this on Stewart Alexanders retirement https://web.archive.org/web/20081216154822/http://thepsychictimes.com/

Lis.

Last edited by Admin on Sun 7 Sep 2008 - 12:50; edited 1 time in total.

by Admin on Sun 14 Sep 2008 - 10:30

.Hi All,

I really suggest you go and read Michael Prescott's Blog at.
http://michaelprescott.typepad.com/michael_prescotts_blog/2008/08/rethinking-david-thompson.html?cid=130579636#comments

The one piece of information that COSC, VZ and DT relied upon was the tenuous claim of Guy Lyon Playfair having found a Cadwell, they even claimed he died one year out. Well Guy's full research is in the blog, indicating that he never claimed or found such a death date and a detailed response is given by Lis showing that the William he found has no relevance to the one claimed as he lived only between 1842 and 1865 well out of those claimed by David Thompson (1830 to 1897) and from a very different background.

So final proof, no one fully investigated William Charles Cadwell as David has said and this person as described never had the physical existence claimed.

Cheers

Jim

on Mon 15 Sep 2008
Here is the an interesting article from Friday 12th Sept Afterlife report:

HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL - ‘PRINCESS DIANA’ - update: I received an email from a 'Madame A' who stated that I unqualifiedly accepted that Diana is who she claims to be. I never stated that. For the purpose of the record, I have been stating for the last ten weeks that since there is no physical evidence, no one on earth is in a position to unqualifiedly accept Diana is who she claims to be. I stated that a judge - given the circumstances (the voluminous audios and written transmissions where no one on earth has shown there was anything wrong with them), could claim that Diana has made out a prima facie case that she is who she claims to be. But that does NOT mean acceptance that she is Princess Diana. The definitive distinction in law is most critical. Investigations are still going on. Further, last Tuesday world famous materialization medium David Thompson telephoned Diana for more validation testing. So, keep tuned to the Friday Report..

by Lis on Tue 16 Sep 2008 - 9:36

.I post here what I have also posted on the SCR as I believe it is of relevance to both sites.

When Michael Prescott began this thread on the Spiritualist Chat Room on August 16, 2008, he wrote:

"I've been very skeptical of David Thompson (DT), but lately I've had some correspondence from someone who sat with DT in a séance in the USA. He has passed on some interesting info..." Michael then added:

"First, he tells he that he knows Guy Playfair, and that Playfair looked up the name William C. Cadwell after attending a DT séance. Reportedly, Playfair found the name in the "Mormon family history" file. The William C. Cadwell in question died within a year of the "William" who allegedly comes through at DT's séances. In other words, the date of death was off by only one year. I'm told Playfair felt it was possible that William had simply misremembered the exact date. This was the only William C. Cadwell that Playfair could find in England in the late 19th century."

In a subsequent posting on August 17, 2008 Michael stated:

"In regard to the Cadwell/Caldwell distinction, I asked my correspondent about that, and he wrote:
Guy emailed me a couple of days ago, this is what he told me….

'Yes I did find a W C Cadwell in the Mormon Family History Centre file, and the date of death was a year or two away from the date he gave me - sorry I don't recall the exact date but it was only a year or two. I didn't look for Timothy Booth as I didn't know his surname.'

So at this point, at least, Guy Playfair seems to be saying that he found a Cadwell, not a Caldwell. However, perhaps he is remembering incorrectly, if he said something different on prior occasions."

In the original post Prescott also recorded:

"My correspondent looked up the name William Cadwell in the 2008 UK census and found that there are only 7 of them in the UK at present, and none with the middle name Charles. In other words, it's an uncommon name now, and apparently was uncommon in the 19th century as well. This would suggest that if the name was simply invented, then it's quite a coincidence that the only William C. Cadwell in England during the latter part of the 1800s should have died so close to the date given by DT's William."

There are significant errors in these statements.

1. "Playfair found the name in the "Mormon family history" file. The William C. Cadwell in question died within a year of the "William" who allegedly comes through at DT's séances.In other words, the date of death was off by only one year. I'm told Playfair felt it was possible that William had simply misremembered the exact date. This was the only William C. Cadwell that Playfair could find in England in the late 19th century."

A large part of this statement is incorrect.

Discussion on this aspect of David Thompson's mediumship took place on Prescott's blog, Mr Playfair initially stated:

"The name I found in the Mormon Family History Centre in London was CADWELL, W C. If anyone doesn't believe me, go and look for yourself."
Posted by: Guy Lyon Playfair | September 12, 2008 at 11:49 AM

I responded to Mr Playfair with a request.

"With respect, I feel it necessary to ask Mr Playfair in what record did he find CADWELL, W.C. in the Morman Family History Centre in London?
It has been suggested that no record of a death of any William Cadwell, or W.C. Cadwell has been found in the official Government Death Index records in 1897 or in the two years prior or after that year. This fact too can be easily checked in any Morman Family History Centre anywhere in the world.
I do not wish to suggest that Mr Playfair is not telling us the truth I do feel that rather more information about what he found and in what record is really necessary, especially if he maintains that he has found evidence for the existence of Mr Thompson's main guide and friend that no one else seem able to find in any death or census records. I would therefore appreciate Mr Playfair enlightening us on this matter.
Lis
Posted by: Lis | September 12, 2008 at 04:10 PM

I followed this up with a complete list of CADWELL deaths registered and recorded in the Government Record office Deaths Index between 1895 - 1900. The information included the Quarter of the year in which the person died, their name, age at death, District in which death occurred and Volume and Page Reference. I again asked Mr Playfair if he would be so kind as to provide us with the details of the record that he found.

I also posted, in order that there be no uncertainty (some might think that William Charles CADWELL just might have been incorrectly recorded under the CALDWELL surname), a list of all William CALDWELL'S whose death were registered between 1895 - 1900. I also pointed out that none of these CALDWELL William's were William Charles. None lived in London and none died in London area in 1897. I have also tracked all these William CALDWELL through the census records and established that they did not live in London area, and were not "a man of science" nor involved in publishing of scientific material. None were incorrectly recorded as CALDWELL on the Death Registration Index but previously recorded in census data as CADWELL. I also noted that the same applied to all the William CADWELL'S that are recorded. They can all be tracked through the various census records between 1841 and 1901. No William Charles, or W.C. or William CADWELL fitting the information provided by "William Charles CADWELL" - Mr Thompson's guide - can be found in the census records.

Mr Playfair responded:

"When I get a spare afternoon I'll go round to the FHC and check whether I was hallucinating last time."
Posted by: guy Lyon Playfair | September 13, 2008 at 04:03 AM

Mr Playfair then posted again:

"In view of the passions Mr Cadwell still seems to arouse, I went through my 2003 notebook and found this for December:
'Mormon FHC: William Charles Cadwell, b. 1843 London. Only one'. [meaning no other Cadwells on file] I didn't note date of death which I should have, and next time I'm down that way I'll pop in and check."
Posted by: Guy Lyon Playfair | September 13, 2008 at 11:40 AM

In thanlking Mr Playfair for clarifying what information he had found I pointed out that the William Charles Cadwell he had mentioned

"was in fact born on Aug 4 1842 in St Martins in the Fields, the son of William Andrew Cadwell and Ann Adam. His father was a Waterman and W.C. was not actually christened until a year after his birth, on 2 Aug 1843 at St Martins. In 1861 (at Census time) this William Charles Cadwell was residing at 3 Brewer St Chelsea with his parents. He was recorded as being 18 and a Gilder by occupation. Sadly, this William Charles Cadwell died at the age of 23 in the December Quarter of 1865 (GRO Deaths Dec Q 1865 Chelsea 1a 141). His father William Andrew Cadwell died aged 59 in 1870 (Dec Q 1870 Chelsea 1a 172).
It is obvious that this William Charles Cadwell is not the "etherean" who claims to be William Charles CADWELL born 1830 died 1897."

Comment:
It is clear that Mr Playfair found a William Charles Cadwell who was born in 1843. He did not find a death record for this person within a year of the alleged death of the alleged Thompson guide 'William'. Mr Playfair's email to Prescott's correspondent is factually incorrect. He was clearly in error and one can only presume that his memory was faulty when he claimed he had found a death "a year or two away from the date he ('William/David Thompson)gave me."

The W. C. Cadwell Mr Playfair found was not the 'William Charles Cadwell' control of David Thompson. He was not born in 1830 as Thompson's control alleges he was. He did not die in 1897 as Thompson's 'William' claims he did. This young man, a Gilder, son of a Waterman, died in 1865 when only 23. He was not a "man of science". He certainly would not have had a 'home counties' accent. He simply cannot be considered a likely candidate and there is no other W.C. Cadwell either.

Back on Sep 27 2007 David Thompson wrote on the SCR, when referring to his various guides:
"my main friend and contact is: William Charles Cadwell, who passed in 1897. (William was check up by the SPR when Monty Keen did his report into my mediumship and was found)."

Subsequently, when the statement which appeared to suggest Montegue Keen had found 'Cadwell', was challenged, and Keen's wife confirmed he had not searched for this information, David Thompson then claimed that it was Playfair who had done the research and had confirmed that his 'guide' William Charles Cadwell had been born 1830 and died 1897.

Clearly, the brief piece of information on the existence of a W. C. Cadwell noted by Playfair who does not fit the information claimed by the alleged Thompson control does not do that. In other words Mr Thompson has made claims that are not true.

Lis

by Lis on Tue 16 Sep 2008 - 9:37

.Further on this subject:

2. With regard to Mr Prescott's remark:

"My correspondent looked up the name William Cadwell in the 2008 UK census and found that there are only 7 of them in the UK at present, and none with the middle name Charles. In other words, it's an uncommon name now, and apparently was uncommon in the 19th century as well. This would suggest that if the name was simply invented, then it's quite a coincidence that the only William C. Cadwell in England during the latter part of the 1800s should have died so close to the date given by DT's William."

This is a very curious statement indeed. Perhaps Prescott's correspondent did "look up the name William Cadwell" but it most certainly was not in the "2008 UK census. Why? Because there is no such record!!!!!

Perhaps he examined some electoral role, or maybe the telephone records? Perhaps Mr Prescott would like to once again contact his correspondent to establish where he really looked?

As for the rest of the statement - the name Cadwell is indeed uncommon. It is now and it was in the 19th century. However, there is no "coincidence" as Prescott suggests since "the only William C Cadwell" he mentions was not in fact still alive "during the latter part of the 1800s" having died in 1865, which is clearly a death date not at all close "to the date given by DTs William." 32 years out from the alleged 1897 year of death is so not close!

There can be no doubt that the claims by David Thompson about his alleged control are not correct. There is no evidence for the existence of 'William Charles Cadwell'. None at all. None from Mr Playfair. None from anyone else. The SPR did not research William and find him. Montague Keen did not do any research. Mr Playfair took a look and did not find any evidence that supports the claims of DTs 'control'.

The issue of David Thompson's guide is an important one. It seems there is a very strong prima facie case for saying that this alleged 'control' did not have the physical life that they claim. Accordingly, all that they say and allegedly do must be weighed against that lack of factual truthfulness, and people are entitled to consider whether what WCC says can be relied upon.

Lis

by Admin on Sat 25 Oct 2008 - 18:00

.Hi All,
Here is Victor Zammits post on 24th October in his weekly report

"WHAT’S KILLING ‘SPIRITUALISM’? It is not the closed-minded skeptics, nor the materialists. It is not the reductionist-scientists or the nihilists or the atheists. What’s been like a deadly disease inside Spiritualism are the mischievous few calling themselves ‘Spiritualists’ in the UK and Australia whose negative ‘talent’ is to divide and destroy. Green with envy and petty jealousy they undermine other mediums and circles and create an atmosphere of negativity. Of course, they will not escape the devastating effects of the law of cause and effect."

Though no names are given his comments suggest an entirely erroneous view of those who have sought answers to questions.

Cheers

Jim

by Admin on Fri 27 Feb 2009 - 9:31

I understand that COSC have their own thread in the new Robin Foy forum and on their DT has been commenting about the lies about him on the internet.

Sadly for DT the questions above are not lies they are based upon hard cold facts. WCC did not exist in any of the claimed forms, neither did his other guides. This from facts based upon genealogical records. The incidents about Aspirin come directly from seance recordings the truth goes on in all the questions.

Maybe instead of suggesting he is being lied about DT should finally try and resolve these issues. I understand that other ex members from the original SCR have tried to post the questions on this forum but been ejected.
Cheers
Jim.

by Guest (Cheryl) on Mon 2 Mar 2009 - 23:34

.Hi everyone

The 37 questions have now been put on facebook, on a group called 'spiritual ? sceptic ? evidence and proof for existance of the afterlife of which VZ is an administrator. Someone brought this to the COSC's attention, and here is Rosheen's reply


Rosheen here David's manager and circle member here. We are unaware nor care to be aware of any negatively based questions in any forum. Our purpose is not to convince anyone but to put forward the undiluted messages from our friends in the Spirit World and let those in attendance take from it what they will. If anyone has issue with this or how we go about presenting the message from the Spirit World then that is up to them. We have countless positive testimonies from those that David's mediumship has touched and we are VERY clear on the intention of our circle. What I am getting at Natalie is that NO ONE will deter us and the best way we find to deal with negativity is to completely ignore it. Many thanks for your interest.

by Admin on Tue 3 Mar 2009 - 11:49

Thanks for that Cheryl I have now been to the face book site and it is fascinating that, given VZ's involvement and the fact that COSC know they are there the post with the questions remains untouched.

by Guest on Tue 3 Mar 2009 - 19:27

.Hi Jim

I posted on the COSC Group and was promptly banned

Comment by cheryl

Hi Nina

Those questions are from people who have a great deal of knowledge about Physical Mediumship, and yes they do believe in Physical Mediumship. Some of them have had absolutely amazing experiences of the 'yesteryear' seances.

Hi Rosheen

They are simply questions regarding Davids mediumship. They are not negative, and there is absolutely no cry of fraud about them. The reluctance to answer the questions is more worrying.

Why are people who ask questions regarded as negative ? Should we not be able to question ? Everyone is accountable for their actions even mediums.


No cause for a ban really, but they will not tolerate anything but nicey nicey to the mediums.

The full account can be seen > http://spiritualistchatroom.forumotion.com/physical-mediumship-f2/physical-mediumship-4u-t796.htm

by Admin on Sun 15 Mar 2009 - 9:11

I hear that after the posting of the questions on Robin Foy's new forum there may have been some reaction from people who read them. Indeed, although the post has been removed, I understand that DT is writing justifications of his position which may contain factual errors and be entirely misleading. With luck I will be able to post those on here soon to keep this thread updated.

I did notice one lovely piece that came out of VZ's latest report on Photoplasm. On the site describing this interesting phenomena http://ghostcircle.com/_photoplasm.html there is the following comment

"As quoted by David Thompsons guide “William” when he was asked about “photoplasm” by Victor Zammit on the 28th January 2007, some old techniques work best and “newfangled ways that they try and introduce do not always have sustainability of communication, as was seen during The Scole Experiments.”"

by Admin on Tue 17 Mar 2009 - 12:22

.I have received a copy of DTs words and they are shown below. I apologise for the spelling errors in this work but it is as Dt wrote.

"In the past a certain few individual have stated publicly the I expressed I was not a materialisation medium, which of course untrue."

DT entered a debate on the old SCR in which he agreed that if the true definition of a materialisation medium was full materialisation of a person, recognised by a seance attendee, speaking with a similiar style to that person, the same phraseology, showing memories of events and in sufficient light to be seen by all, then he, DT was not a materialisation medium.

Thompson continued:

"My thoughts are it matters not to me and I think to anyone else what type of materialisation is taking place, the truth is as our seances are held in the dark ,only spirit for sure can know what is taking place, and how anyone else can have an informed opinion I cant understand."

"Personally I feel the distinction between what is and what is not materialisation is unimportant, the fact that there is communication is a wondeful thing.When people become two focused upon aspects that in the great scheme of things do no matter, they miss the true meaning of what they should be doing, and that is giving of themselves 100% to do spirits work.”

"As a medium who is always developing my ability of Physical Mediumship, I work only under the guidance of the circle guides and dont listen to the uniformed persons who often have an opinion without really knowing themselves what is happening. My task as a developing medium is to try and prove that life continues after death, not to pander to the people who are quick to criticise and often have no ability of Physical Mediumship themselves."

"People will always have their opinion on my mediumship because I do demonstrate in public, well that is one of the aspects of working in the public eye, I understand that and except it.
The one thing I learnt from spirit in the early years of my development, is never listen to the living worlds thoughts on my mediumship but only listen to the spirit world, this advise has served me well over the years and advise I will always follow."

"I will not answer questions from people who have their own agenda, and one that is of an unspiritual nature."

By the way DT it is not unspiritual to ask questions.

"I could enter into this debate, but I feel it is a debate that all persons will have an opinion upon, but will not be able to prove either way,"

"There are many people on this site (nb he is talking of Foy’s forum), who have years of experience of Physical Mediumship, many at the sharp end shall we say like Robin Foy, it is these people who in my mind are worth listening to, not the people who want to force their thoughts and opinions on other."

"What has made me the medium that I am? having the approach that I have, one that does not mean to offend but to do spirits work.".