Post by Vampirologist on Nov 10, 2003 11:59:38 GMT -5
The Vampire Research Society originated in 1967 as a specialist unit within the much older British Occult Society ~ an organisation for paranormal and occult investigation that was eventually dissolved on 8 August 1988. +Seán Manchester was responsible for the vampire research unit becoming a self-governing body on 2 February 1970 by which time he had initiated, as president of the BOS, a full-time investigation into the Highgate Vampire case in 1969. It would last thirteen years. The first published account of the case (including the initial discovery of the suspect tomb and a spoken exorcism) was given in The Vampire’s Bedside Companion* (Leslie Frewin, 1975; Coronet Books, 1976). The first complete account was published in the best-selling The Highgate Vampire (British Occult Society, 1985; Gothic Press, 1991). The current Gothic Press edition is completely revised and updated with new illustrations. Final comment on the Highgate case in print appeared in The Vampire Hunter’s Handbook (Gothic Press, 1997) while Carmel ~ A Vampire Tale (Gothic Press, 2000) draws on real experience that is based on the mysterious happenings in and around Highgate Cemetery. These works contain photographs and graphics from the VRS case files. Extracts from +Seán Manchester's memoir Stray Ghosts also refers to some of the same history in the context of his life.
The purpose of the Vampire Research Society is implicit in its name. Sadly, it is found necessary today to distinguish the dictionary and folkloric definition of the word "vampire" from curious individuals who seek to emulate what they construe vampires to be, but who are clearly human beings merely pretending to be vampires. The vampire, in truth, is a supernatural entity, which traditional understanding of the accepted meaning of the word "vampire" the Society studies, researches and occasionally investigates. People who consider themselves part of a "vampire subculture" we generally refer to as vampiroids.
More about the bizarre (but non-vampiric in the true meaning of the word) cult of vampiroidism can be found at the following link:
www.gothicpress.freeserve.co.uk/Vampiroidism%20Defined.htm
* The Vampire’s Bedside Companion is out of print. All the remaining titles are in print and available from Gothic Press which can be reached at the following e-mail address: helpline@gothicpress.freeserve.co.uk
The purpose of the Vampire Research Society is implicit in its name. Sadly, it is found necessary today to distinguish the dictionary and folkloric definition of the word "vampire" from curious individuals who seek to emulate what they construe vampires to be, but who are clearly human beings merely pretending to be vampires. The vampire, in truth, is a supernatural entity, which traditional understanding of the accepted meaning of the word "vampire" the Society studies, researches and occasionally investigates. People who consider themselves part of a "vampire subculture" we generally refer to as vampiroids.
More about the bizarre (but non-vampiric in the true meaning of the word) cult of vampiroidism can be found at the following link:
www.gothicpress.freeserve.co.uk/Vampiroidism%20Defined.htm
* The Vampire’s Bedside Companion is out of print. All the remaining titles are in print and available from Gothic Press which can be reached at the following e-mail address: helpline@gothicpress.freeserve.co.uk
