Truth may be impossible to prove, but in seeking it, we must regard it as precious, priceless and sacred beyond measure.
James Webster was born in 1935 in Tonbridge, Kent, England, and passed over in 2024.
His experiences with the paranormal began at a very early age while living in a “haunted” house. As a child and teenager, he saw doorknobs turn, doors open by themselves, and lights switch on and off. He recalled that his mother, his brothers and he would be awakened at night by the sound of someone sawing logs in the kitchen. Footsteps and other strange sounds were often heard.
Apparitions were seen, and even materialisation took place. These experiences were witnessed on several occasions by family members and visitors to the house.
James qualified in 1960 and spent nearly forty years in professional practice as a surgical chiropodist and podiatrist.
In his youth, James was always practising conjuring, and he went on to become a professional stage magician and entertainer. He became a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and was later accepted into the prestigious Magic Circle in London. He was subsequently honoured with membership of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star.
There followed several exciting years in show business, performing his magic act in concerts, cabaret and television throughout the United Kingdom and abroad. His experience as a stage magician and entertainer proved invaluable to his serious research into the paranormal.
James felt that too many people were either debunkers, dismissing everything, or gullible enough to accept almost anything without enquiry. He admitted to having little patience with either approach, believing it far better to be a healthy sceptic with an open and enquiring mind.
For James, the million-dollar question had always been: “What happens to us when we die?” What evidence do we have to answer this profound question, which involves every person on Earth? The survival of individual consciousness and personality after the physical death of the body was at the centre of his enquiry.
He studied science, philosophy, psychology, parapsychology and many paranormal subjects for over sixty years. He also wrote numerous articles and papers, as well as two books that he hoped would offer enlightenment to readers. The two books are sold on behalf of the Webster family.
James and Shirley Webster were the original co-founders of The Abu Trust, whose rare collection of spiritual teachings was first made available to the public in 1990.
The Scole Experimental Group
James and his wife, Shirley, were invited to attend the Scole Experimental Group in England on several occasions. By that time, James had been investigating spiritual and paranormal subjects for over forty years, and his knowledge was invaluable.
James considered it essential that the group’s important work be protected. He described it as a privilege to have been invited to sit with the group during those early days, and looked forward with great anticipation to further developments in the link with spirit and its potential to change the physical world.
A séance at Scole — 17 November 1995
The following report was written by James Webster about a séance that he and Shirley attended.
It was with eager anticipation that Shirley and I awaited 17 November, following an invitation from Robin and Sandra Foy to experience another séance sitting with the Spiritual Science Foundation. We arrived and were warmly welcomed by everyone, then made our way down to the cellar to take our seats. Wristbands with fluorescent buttons were attached to the two mediums and the regular group members so that any arm movements could be observed in the darkness. Then it was lights out, followed by the opening prayer, protection and greetings. Taped music was played, and we joined in with the singing.
Shortly afterwards, the guide Manu communicated with a brief introductory welcome. He was followed by Mrs Bradshaw, communicating through the female medium, Diana. She said, “We are going to have a zingy evening.” Next came the Irishman Patrick, through the male medium, Alan, and some amusing banter took place between him, Mrs Bradshaw and the circle. Another communicator, giving his name as Joseph, then came through and spoke quite clearly. A spirit rap was heard by everyone on the door, and knocks sounded in various parts of the room. An energy light suddenly appeared and moved across and above the table, disappearing and then reappearing.
Then followed something quite different: an independent voice was heard faintly from what seemed to be just above the centre of the table.
He gave his name as Benjamin and, with encouragement, came through more strongly. He greeted me by my name, “Jim”, and I felt my left arm and then my wrist gripped quite firmly. By now, there were frequent “firefly effects”, with energy lights darting around the room and making fantastic patterns. They would then suddenly be felt touching the hands and other parts of the sitters’ bodies.
Shirley had her hands cupped in her lap and felt a sudden, heavy thrust in the centre of her palms, which startled her with its force.
The fluorescent tabs on the table would go out in turn and then reappear as “Spirit” acted on them in some way. A large crystal on the table could be heard moving, and a ping-pong ball rolled rapidly around a bowl in the centre of the table.
A string of bells hanging above and to our left was heard to ring. Things had really warmed up! The heavy wooden table began to vibrate, took on a life of its own and started to rock violently, with a sound like a motor coming from it. We could hear voices speaking to one another in whispers and even giving instructions to each other on “the other side”. Evidently, several channels were being opened together rather than just a single communicating channel. This was something new for Shirley and me to experience.
As the power began to lessen and the phenomena ceased, Joseph returned to answer some questions. Patrick then entered again with some good humour. Finally, Mrs Bradshaw remarked that there would be a surprise, which she thought would bring a smile, but she would say no more. The séance came to an end, and closing prayers and thanks were given.
When the lights were switched on, we saw that an apport had been left on the table in the form of a comic seaside postcard. It showed a man writing a note, with the inscription: “If alive please write. If dead don’t bother.”
The reverse was blank!
Written by James Webster
An Approach to Research
When examining anything of a paranormal nature—physical, psychic or spiritual—be a healthy sceptic with an open and enquiring mind. Research with care and caution, leaving no stone unturned, in the hope of discovering what is nearest to the truth by separating the false from the genuine. It is like panning for gold.
Allow your research to be guided by intelligence, intellect and optimism, held in balance.
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