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VIDEO: Help solve 'spaceship' noise mystery
9:51am Wednesday 24th September 2008
A DESPERATE couple are looking for clues to track down the source of a vibration which is making their lives a misery.
The pulsating noise has kept Irene and Edward Funnell from a good night's sleep for 286 days and, despite attempts by a variety of authorities to find the cause, no-one knows where it is coming from.
Mrs Funnell, 62, of Lovel Avenue, Welling, said: "Some people think we are mad, but we are just normal people."
The couple, who have lived in their home for 34 years, thought at first the low throbbing noise was the bass from someone's music.
Then they thought it might be a lorry parked in the street with its engine running.
But just before Christmas last year, 63-year-old Mr Funnell was woken up in the early hours by "an awful noise" coming from somewhere in the house.
The couple got up and heard a hissing noise as they searched for the source.
They opened the back door and went outside.
Mrs Funnell said: "It was like a vibration in the head, but you could feel it in the air.
"My husband said he would not have been surprised to look up and see a spaceship.
"It was very frightening."
Almost the same spaceship comparison was used by Lord Philips of Sudbury last month to describe a mysterious hum which began in the Suffolk town in July and which has also not yet been traced.
Mrs Funnell said: "We dread going to bed. We nod off but it is always broken sleep and we are awake by 3.30am. We get no peace and quiet any more."
The couple's landlord, housing association London and Quadrant, has been working to find the source of the vibration, taking apart the central heating system and checking the electrics and the drains.
Mrs Funnell said all the workmen have heard it but none have been able to trace it.
Recently, the outside of the house was being painted.
Mrs Funnell said the foreman was standing on their garden path when he wrenched off his earphones and said he had experienced a horrible noise in his head.
She invited him into the house but he left saying the noise was even worse inside.
Mrs Funnell said: "He told me I feel like I have just been zapped'."
Since then, both she and her husband have begun to experience a "horrible giddiness" on occasions.
Bexley Council's environmental health officers have not been able to find the source of the noise, despite switching off a nearby relay mast which they thought might be causing the problem.
They have also carried out underground tests, but did not find the source.
Mrs Funnell said: "We have even been checked for tinnitus.
"As a last resort, I suppose we may have to consider moving."
She added: "Other people all over the world have experienced similar vibrations."
The couple's four children, who have all experienced the noise, have scoured websites looking for clues.
Their daughter Melanie Ryan said: "I am not sure how much more my parents can take.
"I am very worried for their wellbeing."
What do you think? Add your comments below.
Your Say YourShopper
?, reading this says...
10:42am Wed 24 Sep 08
Mark wrote:how can you film vibrations???
Film it then, for all of us to hear! I expect there will be some excuse for you not to!
Local, Sidcup says...
11:10am Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
11:55am Wed 24 Sep 08
local, Sidcup says...
11:57am Wed 24 Sep 08
Also a Drinker, a bender..hic! says...
12:13pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
12:31pm Wed 24 Sep 08
local wrote:I agree Bexley is the pits as well; its fate was sealed the day the nimby locals protested against the by-pass. Luckily I never need to go there just drive by it on the A2.
Says the man living in Bexley....do you have any windows left in your glass house?
Chris, Woolwich says...
12:46pm Wed 24 Sep 08
jacquie lynch, bromley says...
1:03pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
1:06pm Wed 24 Sep 08
jacquie lynch wrote:There is no need to shout, they can probaly hear you in Welling and Sidcup!
DEAR MR AND MRS FUNNEL I READ YOUR STORY AND IT REMINDED ME OF A CASE IN AMERICA A FEW YEARS AGO THE DIFFERENCE WAS THE WHOLE TOWN SUFFERED FROM THIS ALFULL BUZZING VIBRATION THEIR MESSTURY WAS NEVER SOLVED THE GOVERMENT COULD NOT LOCATE WERE THE NOISE WAS COMMING FROM. I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE TOWN WAS I THINK IT WAS NEAR NAVARDER.THE PEOPLE INT THE TOWN STARTED TO BELIEVE IT SOME KIND OF GOVERMENT EXSEPRIMENT I.E (SOUND WEPON DEVICE) I DONT KOW IF THE NOISE IS STILL GOING ON BUT I'M SURE YOU COULD LOOK IT UP ON GOOGLE.ANY WAY GOOD LUCK FINDING OUT WHAT IT IS AND I HOPE IT DOESEN'T CAUSE YOU TO MUCH DISSTRESS
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
1:11pm Wed 24 Sep 08
jacquie lynch wrote:It took some time to decipher this. I reckon their producing weapons of mass destruction. I think we should bomb them!
DEAR MR AND MRS FUNNEL I READ YOUR STORY AND IT REMINDED ME OF A CASE IN AMERICA A FEW YEARS AGO THE DIFFERENCE WAS THE WHOLE TOWN SUFFERED FROM THIS ALFULL BUZZING VIBRATION THEIR MESSTURY WAS NEVER SOLVED THE GOVERMENT COULD NOT LOCATE WERE THE NOISE WAS COMMING FROM. I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE TOWN WAS I THINK IT WAS NEAR NAVARDER.THE PEOPLE INT THE TOWN STARTED TO BELIEVE IT SOME KIND OF GOVERMENT EXSEPRIMENT I.E (SOUND WEPON DEVICE) I DONT KOW IF THE NOISE IS STILL GOING ON BUT I'M SURE YOU COULD LOOK IT UP ON GOOGLE.ANY WAY GOOD LUCK FINDING OUT WHAT IT IS AND I HOPE IT DOESEN'T CAUSE YOU TO MUCH DISSTRESS
I now know where they've gone, Bromley says...
1:14pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
1:25pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Chris wrote:If it happens at 3:30am it is more likely to be engineering work or a diesel train on the local railway running parallel with Lovell Avenue. The noise from the painting foremans earphones (earphones to what?) was probably interference from a mobile phone. And the giddiness? I would get that paint checked out!
Has anybody looked into local mobile phone masts, or microwave CCTV repeaters etc.. Could be worth widening the search into this sort of field.
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
1:27pm Wed 24 Sep 08
I now know where they've gone wrote:They don't need to escape now, they let them out!
I read a very interesting article by Charlotte McDonald in the Newsshopper recently about escapees and absconders from the local mental hospitals - judging by this article & the responses, there's no prize for guessing where they've all ended up!
Alan Booker, Dartford says...
1:55pm Wed 24 Sep 08
American UFO fans will buy you a new house.
Local, Sidcup says...
2:01pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
2:08pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells wrote:Also there has been some major excavation work going on in Central Avenue, near the station not far from Lovel Avenue, which closed the road for some time. Dont know what this is for but the vibration could be from this if they have been using an underground boring machine or to install new pipe work of some sort. It would depend on distance and type of ground.
Chris wrote: Has anybody looked into local mobile phone masts, or microwave CCTV repeaters etc.. Could be worth widening the search into this sort of field.If it happens at 3:30am it is more likely to be engineering work or a diesel train on the local railway running parallel with Lovell Avenue. The noise from the painting foremans earphones (earphones to what?) was probably interference from a mobile phone. And the giddiness? I would get that paint checked out!
max, dartford says...
2:17pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Does your neighbour often hold Ann Summers parties?
Are your neighbours windows blacked out? is it the humming of electricity, if so you have a cannabis factory next door to you. Let us know
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
2:17pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells wrote:In fact reading the article again it says "The couple got up and heard a hissing noise as they searched for the source". This and the vibration indicates that they may have been using a pnuematic (compressed air) driven mole.
Graham Pennells wrote:Also there has been some major excavation work going on in Central Avenue, near the station not far from Lovel Avenue, which closed the road for some time. Dont know what this is for but the vibration could be from this if they have been using an underground boring machine or to install new pipe work of some sort. It would depend on distance and type of ground.Chris wrote: Has anybody looked into local mobile phone masts, or microwave CCTV repeaters etc.. Could be worth widening the search into this sort of field.If it happens at 3:30am it is more likely to be engineering work or a diesel train on the local railway running parallel with Lovell Avenue. The noise from the painting foremans earphones (earphones to what?) was probably interference from a mobile phone. And the giddiness? I would get that paint checked out!
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
2:28pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Local wrote:Not a lot to do when I am locked in my padded cell!
Busy today Graham??
Carparkattendant, On my PC next to the window says...
3:10pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells wrote:He definitely should be in a padded cell if he thinks it is road works. Everyone knows it is a spaceship.
Local wrote: Busy today Graham??Not a lot to do when I am locked in my padded cell!
Cell 99, Lord Knows says...
4:42pm Wed 24 Sep 08
knowlsey, sidcup says...
5:16pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Erol, Lewisham says...
6:54pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Erol, Lewisham says...
6:55pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Liza, Blackheath says...
7:31pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Did you take this interview?
Could you here this strange sound or feel the vibrations mentioned?
sam, welling says...
8:04pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Friend of, Kent says...
8:18pm Wed 24 Sep 08
I hope that your comments are not enough to push these poor people to the brink.
Get Real, London Borough of Bexley says...
8:21pm Wed 24 Sep 08
This is free for anyone to comment on and since it doesn't regard anyones wellfare then people are fine to comment in a tongue in cheek manner.
Maybe with a bit of luck the little green men will take you away.
Friend of, Kent says...
8:22pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells wrote:Well maybe you can google yourself a brain or personality from your padded cell??
Local wrote: Busy today Graham??Not a lot to do when I am locked in my padded cell!
Andy, Welling says...
8:25pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Thank you for taking the time to reply, Sam above is my nephew and Mr and Mrs Funnell are my parents, I'm sure the Newsshopper are delighted you take the time to comment in such a brainless way viewing this to be funny, and the rest of the sarcastic comments on here you really all need to take a look at your own lives and maybe questions will follow? at least you'll be able to answer them. My parents have suffered for close on a year with this noise, in my opinion it is almost killing them, I dont find that a anything to laugh about! there have been some welcome constructive comments, and thank you for those, we have found sites in the USA and indeed all over the world that claim similar, we have for your information recorded a pulsing sound that will at some point be available, but to you all that think its funny, we're not selling it we dont think its UFO's we just want answers! and I want my parents to be well and live a lot longer, if you have any thing to say to say make it constructive or speak to me directly! thank you!
Friend of, kent says...
8:28pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Get Real wrote:Dear Get Real, I have a great sense of humour and your message had me in hysterics, especially the little green men bit, ha ha, really, you should book your own stage show!!
Take a chill pill and get a sense of bloody humour! This is free for anyone to comment on and since it doesn't regard anyones wellfare then people are fine to comment in a tongue in cheek manner. Maybe with a bit of luck the little green men will take you away.
The comments that people have written are indeed very humourous, but when it is personal, these comments are not so funny. - Lets hope the little green men are only in contact with the intelligent people and you will be left behind along with all the other not so lucky ones!
Sam, welling says...
8:29pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Andy, Welling says...
8:30pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Learn to read buddy.
My parents welfare is at stake so it does!!!
by all means make comment, but I can promise you, if you think this is funny, I will also come laugh at you in your time of need. It is not funny at all, my parents health has rapidly gone down hill in less than a year, This is NOT FUNNY you are not funny, carry on taking the pills you must be on!
Andy, Welling says...
8:33pm Wed 24 Sep 08
or swap your parents house for my parents house, the decide if you think its funny!!
Colly, welling says...
8:37pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Maybe someone out there can volunteer their services - free - could be good advertising!!!
Sam, welling says...
8:43pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Andy, Welling says...
8:57pm Wed 24 Sep 08
thank you for your comments, you are right there has been work like that all over the surrounding area, but we are informed that no work was carried out at unsociable hours, and the sound/vibration has been evident for a lot longer than the works. we have even looked into the possibility of re-radiated noise from things like the Jubilee line extension etc, but the type of soils is not consistent in this area. we feel the noise is airbourne and the vibration may be caused by copper piping, we are currently trying to re-locate the copper if this makes a difference then we know its in the air, and maybe we can narrow the field of search.
thanks for taking time to constructively comment.
All the best Andy
Andy, Welling says...
9:02pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Chris wrote:Hi Chris
Has anybody looked into local mobile phone masts, or microwave CCTV repeaters etc.. Could be worth widening the search into this sort of field.
We have looked into it, we have a number of mobile telephone masts and some masts that we are being told many differing reasons for their existance, (worries me a bit- seem to be a little mislead on this) but we are also told by EHO that they are not the cause.
I cant accept that answer as they have never told me what the masts are actually for, the question is always side stepped, but thay also say its switched off. but we cannot rule it out!
thanks for your note
Andy
ah, here says...
9:07pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Sam, welling says...
9:10pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Graham Pennells, Bexley says...
9:24pm Wed 24 Sep 08
sean, london says...
10:05pm Wed 24 Sep 08
anon, Bexley says...
10:42pm Wed 24 Sep 08
sean, london says...
10:54pm Wed 24 Sep 08
.com/question/index?
qid=20080524183149AA
3ca7z
copy and paste this link, this person has a similar problem
Get Real, Alpha Draconis says...
11:10pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Still, as somebody mentioned the simple answer if it was genuinely effecting these peoples health would be TO MOVE!
If it's that bad and somebodies life is at stake then it's not such a silly idea is it?
How about get a flippin' grip and think realistically with somebodies health in mind. Otherwise if it's not bad enough to move for then how can you tell people what to and what not to write on here?
I will say it again, it's a free comment page not a page solely to help anyone involved.
PS The little green men are on their way... *vvvvrrrrrrrrrr*
Sam, welling says...
11:26pm Wed 24 Sep 08
anon, Bexley says...
11:46pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Rob, Gravesend says...
12:37am Thu 25 Sep 08
? wrote:Duh, on film you have vision and SOUND!
Mark wrote: Film it then, for all of us to hear! I expect there will be some excuse for you not to!how can you film vibrations???
Chris, Woolwich says...
2:51am Thu 25 Sep 08
Seems strange to go to all the expense to install these masts if they are going to leave them switched off. Seems very strange that they won't tell you what there for. Try and find a radio ham chappie with an RF meter & see if you can get any readings.
Roman, says...
6:05am Thu 25 Sep 08
adam, Bexley says...
4:30pm Thu 25 Sep 08
Can Crusher, London says...
10:00am Fri 26 Sep 08
Andy, welling says...
11:04am Fri 26 Sep 08
If you could email Linda Piper at newshopper I will make sure either myself or my parents contact you, maybe we could compare what we have found?
a short note for can crusher and get real.... What time do you finish school? just grow up, why shoud my parents move from a home they DO NOT want to move from? stop judging others by your own low moral standards. You try living with it in place you are emotionally attached to, see how it effects you? maybe it wont because you are devoid or any personality or emotion, thats just based on your very low level of .... actually i wont finish that, try and work out what I was going to say! ? go on give it a try, use the web to search if you like, its the suppliment to your brain!!
But seriously Adam, please contact us, maybe we can work out a solution??
thanks Andy
ad, says...
11:07am Fri 26 Sep 08
Can Crusher wrote:I think proving if the sound is really there or not may be a good start. Questions - Can the sound be heard everyday in the house and outside? What time can it be heard most? Is there a pattern to the sound? Are you near to a power sub station or have overhead power lines?
Its all a Scam......I just want to know what they expect to get out of this. A new house?
Andy, welling says...
11:17am Fri 26 Sep 08
The sound is not possible to record as such, as it seems to be a vibration and a feeling 9almost static like) however, we have recorded a pulsing noise that fits with the pattern of vibration, its not the sound we are hearing as the sound is a vibration but the pulsing is everytime a fit for the pattern!
We ahve masts of many kinds, one unexplained by the council and very much a grey area in this appeal, but no overhead power lines, we are still looking at EMF ULF VLF etc but as yet no results!
thanks for the comments everyone, well the helpful ones at least. keep them coming.
Andy, welling says...
11:29am Fri 26 Sep 08
Roman wrote:Couldnt agree more!
With the amount of radio and other waves being bounced back to earth via satalites it would not be surprisring to find one or two off target occasionally. Good luck with your quest identifying this problem With hydrogen colliders and the likes being made by mad scientists for fun, is it any wonder the planet isnt falling apart ?
It's aomething we are also looking into from a sat TV basis, they have LNB on the dish, Low noise Blocker, but it's funny how the manufacturers of these money spinning products in virtually every home now days are not keen on offering advice or explaining! but thank you.
adam, says...
11:02pm Fri 26 Sep 08
Andy wrote:I sent an email to the editor. Had some thoughts what it could be, underground water or gas pipes, pumps, infrasound I think getting a full sound analysis in and out the house is a good idea. Anybody here know anything about underground services (not trains!) nearby?
Hi Adam
If you could email Linda Piper at newshopper I will make sure either myself or my parents contact you, maybe we could compare what we have found?
a short note for can crusher and get real.... What time do you finish school? just grow up, why shoud my parents move from a home they DO NOT want to move from? stop judging others by your own low moral standards. You try living with it in place you are emotionally attached to, see how it effects you? maybe it wont because you are devoid or any personality or emotion, thats just based on your very low level of .... actually i wont finish that, try and work out what I was going to say! ? go on give it a try, use the web to search if you like, its the suppliment to your brain!!
But seriously Adam, please contact us, maybe we can work out a solution??
thanks Andy
Andy, welling says...
11:10am Sun 5 Oct 08
Thank you.
I did try and mail you directly from the email address the editor supplied me.
It would be great if we could find anything.
We are also looking into re-radiated noise, though the soils in Welling are not consistent to that, however microwaves do also re-radiate so cant rule that out.
The EHO are also looking at the resevoir (check spelling) locally, I guess thats for turbines??
I also hear there is another house in Welling complaining of something that sounds similar.... The EHO are visiting them next week. so I will keep you posted.
Thanks
Andy
adam, bexley says...
11:44am Sun 5 Oct 08
ff5198, hawley says...
9:31pm Sat 29 Nov 08
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The noise has been compared to what a spaceship might sound like
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Mark, Dartford says...
10:37am Wed 24 Sep 08
I expect there will be some excuse for you not to!