ASSAP Officers

Since ASSAP tends to run as a series of semi-autonomous departments, ideas and suggestions come from all sides. This means a Chairman can most often be heard shouting 'I'm leading ASSAP - which way did it go?' I tend to feel that my role is to ensure that everyone is aware of what everyone else is doing and to make sure that we are all pulling in the same direction. In my case, since I also edit ASSAP News, this really ought to be easy, but events seem to move with almost paranormal haste sometimes... How did I get involved with ASSAP? Well, I joined a goodly number of years ago, but for my presence on the Exec I blame Val Hope. As a fairly inactive ASSAP member but frequent UnConvention attendee, I made the mistake of dropping in on the ASSAP stand and offering to help. Val asked me to mind the Psychokinesis stand while she went to lunch. I never saw her again that day, but after 6 hours of staring at a balance waiting for it to move I was trapped forever... I am currently interested in the way ghost stories develop from different seeds (genuine experiences; FOAF tales and folklore; hoaxes; misperceptions, etc.) and also the process of ostention, whereby these stories feed back into actual experience. I work in IT and am currently a seed guardian for the HDRA, an environmental organisation which aims to preserve the genetic diversity of various plant varieties. When you combine this with a general interest in science, you can appreciate why I always go for the green cheese in Trivial Pursuit. I have recently become librarian.

Officers names
Mark Cave	Bill Eyre	Greg Hill	Lee Norton	Cherill Penton
Hugh Pincott	Terry Porter	Carrie Searley	Nicky Sewell	Mike White
Dave Wood


Research Department		Hugh Pincott: National Research Coordinator: Email address
		Hugh Pincott was a founder member of the Association and has held various executive posts including Public Relations Officer, General Secretary, Chairman and latterly Research Officer. His interests span the entire range of the paranormal, and he is a one-time Honorary Secretary of the SPR.
Investigations Department		Bill Eyre: National Investigations Coordinator: Email address
		Longstanding involvement in Spiritualism, including spending five years regularly attending physical seances. Joined Chesterfield Psychic Study Group (CPSG) to widen my interest to other types of psychic phenomena – gave me the opportunity to become involved in experimental research into such areas as dowsing, Christos and the ouija. Since 1990, have held various committee positions within CPSG – currently Treasurer / Investigations Officer. Joined ASSAP in 1992, became an AI in 1996, PK & Physical Mediumship Coordinator from 1998 – 2004, member of Executive since 2003, NIC since 2004. Married with two grown-up daughters. Enjoy cycling when not working for a living in IT or trying to fathom the mysteries of the human psyche.
		Cherill Penton: Deputy NIC: Email address
		I am a typical housewife and mother with an avid interest in the paranormal, having witnessed and experienced quite a few strange occurrences throughout my lifetime. In my role as DNIC I am responsible for accrediting new AIs, issuing the ASSAP ID cards and producing the AI Bulletin every four months. I hope to be able to give my support to all AIs whenever it is needed.
Secretary		Nicky Sewell : Secretary: Email address
		Nicky Sewell is a recent psychology graduate and has a firm commitment to the scientific method. At 21 she was a charity trustee and university governor and hopes to use her understanding of charity law and constitutional matters to the benefit of ASSAP. As a qualified trainer, she is able to use these skills to help develop the organisation and its members. Research areas of interest include human factors in the experiencing of anomalous phenomena and the role of the subconscious in creating or eliciting phenomena.
Chairman		Dave Wood: Chairman: Email address
		Dave is 25 and is ASSAP's Chair. Dave is a graduate of the University of Plymouth and is co-founder of Paranormal Site Investigators (www.p-s-i.org.uk) and is co-editor of its Journal of Investigative Psychical Research. Dave's research interests are hauntings, paranormal belief, experiencer psychology and photographic anomalies. Apart from research, Dave perceives his main role in the Chair as modernising the Association.
Groups Officer		Lee Norton : Groups Officer : Email address
		I have been an enthusiastic member of ASSAP for over ten years. My main interest lies in psychic phenomena but I am fascinated by the whole spectrum of the anomalous. As chairman of my local Plymouth group, I have organised various research, investigation and social activities. I am a firm believer in encouraging co-operation and idea sharing between groups.
Members' Events		Mark Cave: Members' Events Officer: Email address
(no pic)		I have a very keen interest in the study of anomalous phenomena, especially the investigation and research of ghosts, hauntings and poltergeists. I always take a scientific approach when carrying out investigations and research for ASSAP or when conducting investigations or research with Midland Paranormal Investigations. I am also secretary of my local residents association and have regular contact with the general public and the local authorities, such as the police.
Media		Carrie Searley: Media Officer: Email address
		I have always held a great interest in the perplexing world of the paranormal for over 20 years now, and even more so after having several unbelievable experiences with a local medium. I soon became an active ASSAP member 5 years ago after reading an article about our organisation in a well known woman’s magazine. It was then that I found 2 other members in the Dorset area whom I have become very fond of and have forged strong relationships with. Not only does every investigation present us with many frustrations and unexplained frivolities, we also get to meet new faces, make new friends and take a light hearted approach when the going gets tough at 3am in the morning. As well as being the new Media Officer, I have been the Equipment Officer on and off now for 3 years. In that role I keep track of ASSAP’s equipment pool and to ensure that members get what they need for their vigils. As well as being a mother of a demanding 2 year old, I work as a Private Investigator and portrait photographer. Other hobbies include song writing, boating and hold a great interest in mediumship and Ouija.
Publications		Mike White: ASSAP News editor & Archives: Email address
		Since ASSAP tends to run as a series of semi-autonomous departments, ideas and suggestions come from all sides. This means a Chairman can most often be heard shouting 'I'm leading ASSAP - which way did it go?' I tend to feel that my role is to ensure that everyone is aware of what everyone else is doing and to make sure that we are all pulling in the same direction. In my case, since I also edit ASSAP News, this really ought to be easy, but events seem to move with almost paranormal haste sometimes... How did I get involved with ASSAP? Well, I joined a goodly number of years ago, but for my presence on the Exec I blame Val Hope. As a fairly inactive ASSAP member but frequent UnConvention attendee, I made the mistake of dropping in on the ASSAP stand and offering to help. Val asked me to mind the Psychokinesis stand while she went to lunch. I never saw her again that day, but after 6 hours of staring at a balance waiting for it to move I was trapped forever... I am currently interested in the way ghost stories develop from different seeds (genuine experiences; FOAF tales and folklore; hoaxes; misperceptions, etc.) and also the process of ostention, whereby these stories feed back into actual experience. I work in IT and am currently a seed guardian for the HDRA, an environmental organisation which aims to preserve the genetic diversity of various plant varieties. When you combine this with a general interest in science, you can appreciate why I always go for the green cheese in Trivial Pursuit. I have recently become librarian.
Without portfolio		Greg Hill: Email address (put Greg Hill in subject)
		I first joined ASSAP about six years ago. Before then I was petrified of anything paranormal, then I stumbled across a series of books on paranormal topics by so called "sceptical" authors. Being young and foolish, I joined ASSAP to show the whole world how all my sceptical theories were indisputable! Let's just say that it didn't take me long to grow up and realise that ASSAP was full of smarter, more experienced and more practical people than I was! These days I still take a very sceptical approach but I am a little wiser. A few years ago I was invited to take a high profile position in ASSAP but sadly I moved overseas for work reasons and I am now mainly restricted to writing articles in ASSAP News and taking up any investigations or contacts in South East Asia. I think it's only fair for me to note that I put in less time than most of the other execs. I am proud to be a member of ASSAP. It is a great organisation full of friendly and hard working people.
Library		Terry Porter: Archives: Email address
		A life long interest in things weird and wonderful has led me to this position as ASSAP librarian. I live in a supposedly haunted 200 year old mill worker's cottage in the deepest, wildest part of Derbyshire. I also have a love of books and one of the strangest senses of humour known to mankind. I have just been appointed town crier for Belper and am now looking forward to being able to shout my head off in the middle of the street and not get into trouble for it.