Chase Search for Weird and Wonderful
A team of investigators from an organisation called Beastwatch could be setting up camp on Cannock Chase to search for creatures 'real or surreal'.
Following a catalogue of reports in recent months about all kinds of bizarre sightings on the Chase, the Leicestershire-based team has offered to investigate the area.
They hope to establish once and for all if anything unusual - mammal or mystical - is stalking the area.
Recent reports have included a panther, caveman, werewolf, UFOs and even a floating ghost in the cemetery.
But in order to carry out the research they need your help.
Beastwatch, a voluntary organisation, relies on public donations to pay expenses. And as the investigators hope to set up camp for several days and nights they will need travel and subsistence expenses. The rangers have also informed the team they will be charged for staying on the Chase.
Beastwatch co-ordinator Chris Mullins told The Post: "We would be looking for footprints and laying sand traps. We put bait in the middle of the sand to see what comes. We will also look for underground entrances at various parts of the Chase.
"If it looks as if we are onto something we may be there longer."
Chris, aged 55, described himself as 'a person with an open mind who walks with his feet firmly on the ground'. He will be bringing infra red cameras and sound equipment.
Chris's team has already visited Sherwood Forest looking for 'a bigfoot-type, eight foot hairy man-beast with glowing eyes' said to live in the many underground caverns.
They didn't find him. Beastwatch has already visited our patch to investigate claims a crocodile is living in waters in Bridgtown.
That investigation did not find the croc' - but did not dismiss its presence either.
Chris has been involved with looking for everything from wild boar to tarantulas and the more mystical beings for six years.
If you would like to sponsor the vigil, or help in any way, contact Chris on 01509 551621 or 07769 693 459.
But any volunteers will be interviewed first.
"The last thing I want is someone who runs screaming out of the wood," Chris added.
For more information check out www.beastwatch.co.uk
ic-Stafford: 13th June 2007
