Fairies photographed in Cheltenham
If you go down to the woods with Maxine Mustoe, you should prepare for a big surprise.
At first glance, there appears to be nothing unusual about the mum-of-two from Charlton Kings – but the 46-year-old claims to photograph fairies.
Her home in Beaufort Road is covered in glossy photos, spattered with inexplicable white orbs and mysterious shapes, which she believes to be spirits.
"I know people might find this strange. But the people I have told about this have responded positively," she said.
"I'm not an airy fairy type. I'm totally grounded. I go to the pub and do normal everyday things. My grandfather was an engineer at Dowty. I'm a healthy sceptic.
"I've loved fairies since I was a girl and they're definitely fairies. There's a spirit world out there and that's the only possible explanation."
Over the past year, Maxine has been out at all times of the day and night, armed with a digital camera and accompanied by her dog Enya, a Japanese Akita.
The orb photos are piled up in a corner of her modest living room, along with hundreds of CDs holding the fruits of her photography.
Some reveal ghostly shapes in swirls of mist – a woman, a bird, a Roman soldier and a Greek god rising from the undergrowth, according to Maxine. Others show huge circles of white paint.
The pictures were taken in her garden, her front room – full of fairy ornaments, and in the woods near her home.
She doesn't see the fairies with her naked eye, but when she looks at the camera viewfinder and produces prints, there are dozens of white orbs and mysterious misty shapes.
"I recognise that it might be a trick of the camera. But I do experiments. I've been back to the same places at all times of the day and night. And whatever I do, it's the same," she said.
Maxine was brought up in Cheltenham, left school at 16, trained as a sign writer, has worked as a florist and a school cleaner and once worked in her mum's wedding shop in town.
She trained as a clairvoyant when she was a single parent in her 20s, runs workshops on spiritual development and is a minister in the spiritualist church.
The orbs, she says, are spheres of light which are manifestations of beings from another dimension, or nature spirits. The particles coalesce and separate, forming mists. And it's in the mists that the fairies show themselves in many different forms.
She is now writing a book about her mysterious photos, though she still needs a publisher.
"Whacky as it sounds, this has changed my life," she said.
"For years I felt there was something empty inside. But I feel I've tapped into something unique. I've lost that sense of emptiness. Every morning I wake up and I can face the world with a smile."
Maxine is also giving a talk on Friday, January 29, at 7pm, at the Isbourne Centre, Cheltenham, called The Science and Spirituality of Orbs, Mists and Plasma Energy, with orb expert Paul Muir from Wales. For tickets, contact the Isbourne Centre on 01242 254321 or book online at www.isb ourne.org.
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by Maureen Ryan, Cheltenham
Thursday, January 07 2010, 12:52PM
“We all have different beliefs thank God we live in a free country that lets us speak or print our beliefs. Whether you beleive in "fairies" or not I do think some of the negative coments were totally unecessary. I want to show my support to Maxine and her beliefs.
Fortune Teller”
by Me, Cheltenham
Wednesday, January 06 2010, 6:19PM
“ali, glos - "After reading all of the negative comments,it amazes me how people can be so naive & narrow minded.I know everyone has there own beliefs and i respect that 100%" - so which is it?”
by ali, glos
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 8:03PM
“After reading all of the negative comments,it amazes me how people can be so naive & narrow minded.I know everyone has there own beliefs and i respect that 100%,but after experiencing similar things to maxine i can tell you first hand that orbs and manifistations of whatever kind do exist-(if you believe!).I have experienced & photographed things that noone can explain but i am so glad Maxine is opening our eyes to all of this and is standing up for what she believes....well done Maxine keep up the good work xx”
by Douglas Adams, nowhere - I'm dead
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 5:10PM
“Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
by Richard, Bishop's Cleeve
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 4:37PM
“I think Maxie has to be applauded for being brave enough to talk about this subject, which no-one knows much about. Yes, some orbs can be explained in some cases but please listen to what she is trying to say: that there are more things around us than people can ever imagine. And why should they not at time use the elements to show us their existence?
Fairies are not just beautiful little people with wings. It's a term which can also mean an energy form, or unexplained entity.
It takes courage to make a stand and try and tell the world to open their minds, that there are things on the Earth other than what you can see and touch. I have seen Maxie work in churches and she is a fine and respected medium. So don't have a go at her. Just admit the possibility, go to places and see and feel for yourselves. That is all she is trying to say.”
by Me, Cheltenham
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 4:36PM
“Isnt it weird that the only fairies that are photographed are ones in human forms. There are far more animals in this world than people. Also, why are fairies claimed only to be seen in the Western World are not the far East as there are far more people. Why are fairies always Caucasians? Sounds like we have too much time on our hands! ;)
Why have most (all) fairies photographed proved to be fakes or other objects ie cobwebs etc....
Also if it is only the "believers" that see them, is it because the fairies are biased?”
by Claire, cheltenham
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 3:52PM
“Vicki and others I am allowed to have an opinion on this just because some of the people on here dont agree doesnt mean I am being spiteful. I think it is a load of rubbish. I dont believe in religion havent been christened havent had my son christened and got married in a civil ceremony. Simples!”
by dave@aol.co.uk, gloucester
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 3:02PM
“the great thing about this country is freedom of speech even though a lot of reponses to articles on here are censered its puzzling to know why someone wold respond so many times to their own story like their justifying themselves but i think the main response from this story is that all parties involved have to much time on their hands including me so if a story is forced upon the nation the nation has its right to answer wether or not eveyone concerned in that aticle agrees.”
by Pat, cheltenham
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 12:24PM
“those of you who know Maxine, know it is not for the money why this article was printed, Maxine is a very caring and spiritual person and i am honoured to have her as a friend We dont critize other religions it is a way of life with us treat people with respect and treat them as you would expect to be treated your self we believe in life after death and some people believe that once your dead your dead which is a shame. We are a registered religion it was past through the houses of parliment. it helps people who has lost there loved ones and are griefing so Maxine keep up the good work girl. Ignore the horrible remarks and just send love and healing to them walk in the Light with your head held high and contiue your good work in the name of The Spiritual Movement”
by marie, tewkesbury
Tuesday, January 05 2010, 9:51AM
“well done maxine i think its fantastic and so does my daughter she is now telling evry one she saw a real fairy and why start commenting on what school she went to she is a beliver and so are many other people including myself.”