The Circular - 1990 Vol 1 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: THE CIRCULAR
Issue: Volume 1, Number 1
Date: August 1990
Publisher: CIRCLE NETWORK
Type: A Newsletter Concerning The Swirled Crops Phenomenon And Related Subjects.

Introduction by Bob Kingsley

Bob Kingsley introduces 'The Circular' as a new privately distributed newsletter aimed at those interested in the crop circle phenomenon. He highlights the lack of up-to-date and in-depth information available in the media and the confusion among individuals regarding different groups and their explanations. Kingsley emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and receiving input from other investigators in a collaborative atmosphere. He notes the increasing complexity and urgency of the phenomenon in 1990, suggesting it may be of fundamental importance. The newsletter aims to ask questions and seek answers, acting as a platform for dialogue and information exchange. Kingsley mentions the existence of a 'Crop Circle Information Line' set up by the Circles Phenomenon Research group but hopes 'The Circular' can contribute to a more detailed hotline in the future. He encourages readers to contribute their own experiences and thoughts, stating that the newsletter's success depends on the amount of written contributions received.

Crop Circle Observation: A Code Of Conduct

This section presents advice from the National Farmer's Union (South East Region), received via TORRO. It outlines an introduction to the crop circle phenomenon, noting its recent media attention and the lack of proven theories, which fuels public interest. The circles typically appear in wheat and barley crops, and their numbers are increasing. The section emphasizes the formation of independent bodies for research, such as the Centre for Crop Circle Studies and Crop Watch. The National Farmer's Union urges adherence to a three-point code of conduct: 1. Never enter private land without permission. 2. If the farmer/landowner cannot be found, entry is prohibited. 3. Entering or remaining in a field without lawful authority constitutes trespass. It also poses two questions for self-reflection for those interested in crop circles on private land. The code of conduct, if permission is granted, includes leaving a calling card, using gates/stiles, closing gates, not taking vehicles into fields, minimizing damage by using tramlines, avoiding making tracks, not taking dogs, not leaving litter, not smoking in fields, and discouraging onlookers.

Ever-increasing circles of bewilderment by Terence Meaden

Terence Meaden discusses the history and characteristics of crop circles, noting reports dating back to 1678. He has surveyed hundreds of circles since 1980, observing their increasing complexity and size. Meaden argues that the intricate patterns and interwoven straws demonstrate that many circles cannot be hoaxes, and the bending of stalks is consistent with wind-blown lodging. He dismisses explanations involving aircraft or animals, and criticizes pseudo-scientific theories. Meaden proposes an aerodynamical origin related to vortex formation, caused by windflow past natural obstacles like hills. He describes the phenomenon of electrified vortices, which can produce humming noises and luminous effects. Meaden notes that the circles often appear in central-southern England due to the chalk hills influencing the electrical process. He also mentions recently reported shapes like rectangles and 'claws' at Alton Barnes, attributing them to the internal structure of vortices resulting from irregular impact with the ground. Meaden concludes that nothing discovered is incompatible with the concept of electrified vortices and that this phenomenon offers a new research tool in understanding the atmosphere.

Marks that are left by a non-human intelligence by George Wingfield

George Wingfield addresses the skepticism surrounding crop circles, acknowledging that while hoaxes exist, they are usually detectable. He discusses eyewitness accounts of circles forming rapidly with a humming sound, and the occasional association with luminous aerial phenomena (UFOs), cautioning against assuming these are extraterrestrial. Wingfield rules out absurd explanations and challenges the 'plasma vortex' theory, stating that circles do not straddle field boundaries and often 'sprout' new ones, suggesting an intelligently directed energy field rather than a random atmospheric event. He highlights the dramatic increase in circle numbers and complexity, particularly the emergence of 'pictograms' in 1990, which he believes are undeniably intelligently produced. Wingfield proposes that the intelligence behind the circles is non-physical and not hostile. He recounts an experience in June 1989 where a high-pitched trilling noise was heard in a crop circle, which was later scientifically analyzed without a conventional explanation. This sound has been heard multiple times since and is associated with the intelligence behind the crop circles, suggesting it is gradually making itself known.

Other Contributions and Notes

Angela Lambert contributes a piece suggesting that the circles might be a message from an alien intelligence, encouraging relaxation and enjoyment. The issue also includes a list of 'CREDITS' for network contributors and thanks to individuals for assistance with printing and proof-reading. It mentions The Independent, Today Newspaper, The Independent On Sunday, and The Daily Mirror as sources of information. The issue concludes with contact details for 'Cropwatch' and the Centre for Crop Circle Studies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining goodwill with farmers and landowners for responsible crop circle research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation and understanding of the crop circle phenomenon, the debate between natural versus intelligent origins, and the importance of responsible research practices. The editorial stance, as expressed by Bob Kingsley, is one of open-minded inquiry, collaboration, and a desire to seek answers through shared information and questioning. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between hoaxes and genuine phenomena, and on respecting the rights and concerns of farmers and landowners.

This issue of "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS" features a collection of articles and contributions from network contributors, focusing primarily on the phenomenon of crop circles and their potential meanings. The cover headline, "PREPARE TO MEET THY DROUGHT," highlights a central theme: the interpretation of crop circles as a message, possibly from ancient Sumerian civilization, warning of water scarcity. The issue includes detailed eyewitness accounts, expert opinions, and speculative theories.

Crop Circle Interpretations and Theories

The lead article, "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS With Network Contributors," begins with a letter from Phil Corker of Bristol, who collaborated on diagramming the Alton Barnes pictogram. The author, while acknowledging the intelligence apparent in the formations, questions whether it is conscious or a result of complex mathematical processes, drawing parallels to sound waves creating patterns on a vibrating plate. Phil suggests that the designs are evolving, becoming more complex over time, like a "cookbook of recipes."

Page 2 features the headline "PREPARE TO MEET THY DROUGHT" and discusses how language experts believe the corn circles might reveal a message from the Sumerians, who lived 5,000 years ago. Charles d'Orban from London University's School of Oriental and African Studies notes that the shapes resemble Sumerian writing, where concentric circles signify a well or cistern and parallel lines mean "double" or "multiply." Thus, the message could be interpreted as "Multiply your wells." Weathermen also find the symbols similar to meteorological charts, suggesting a link to climate and dry spells.

Phil Colvin, a languages expert from London University, suggests the shapes could also resemble Mongolian writing. While some believe the phenomenon is caused by natural factors like fungus, soil disorders, or wind, others speculate about alien involvement or hoaxes. The circles have appeared during a period of hot and dry weather.

Eyewitness Accounts and Observations

"CREDITABLE OBSERVATIONS: An Eye-Witness Account Of Unusual Anomalies" details the experiences of Ray Barnes from Westbury. He recounts witnessing a circle forming in a field about 8 or 9 years prior to the article's publication (likely early 1980s). Barnes has observed the field since and noted peculiar phenomena, including shadows cast at odd angles by trees, and a distinct 'pane of glass' effect when smoke from stubble burning drifted over the field, with one section appearing clear while the rest was obscured. He also observed the farmer harvesting the field, and within about 20 minutes, the entire field was cleared, a process he had estimated would take longer.

Ray Barnes' own detailed observations, extracted from a letter dated January 10th, 1989, describe an event from July of "a few years ago" (likely 1981 or 1982). He saw a 'line' appear in a crop at position 1, travel across the field in an arc, and then radially describe a circle in a clockwise direction in approximately 4 seconds. He notes the line was invisible, there was no wind, and it behaved like a solid object without fluid tendencies. The speed of the line was estimated at 50 m.p.h., and the peripheral speed of the circle was about twice that of the line. The crop in the circle was flattened neatly, unlike tractor flattening.

Barnes also recounts two sequels: shortly after the sighting, he experienced rapid blindness from an uncommon form of cataract. Additionally, he recalls a cycling holiday in 1987 where a Dutch couple was caught in an intensely cold band on the plain from Marlborough to Salisbury, frightening them severely.

Further notes from Ray Barnes, dated July 24th to August 6th, 1990, document his attempts to photograph converging shadows and his observation of a corn circle forming. He notes a 6-degree divergence between compass readings and sun lines on certain days, finding it difficult to believe his compass was that inaccurate. He also observed that shadows were parallel on cooler, breezier days.

Other Snippets and Locations

"SMALL TALK: Useful Snippets Of Information From The Circle Network" provides brief updates. A circle at Bratton was reported not to be a "real" circle or a hoax, but a created formation for which permission was sought and payment offered. News from Dave Probert mentions circles appearing on the Isle of Wight in early August, accompanied by reports of lights and noises. Les Reed reported a "dumbell" formation at Cheesefoot Head, Hampshire, and another variation, a "windmill"-like formation, in Wiltshire.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the mystery and evolving nature of crop circles, the search for their meaning and origin, and the importance of careful observation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various theories from scientific and linguistic experts to eyewitness accounts, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes or natural explanations. There is a strong emphasis on the potential for crop circles to carry messages, particularly concerning environmental issues like drought, and on the need for systematic data gathering and analysis. The publication encourages readers to contribute their own observations and thoughts.

This issue of the Independent on Sunday, dated July 29, 1990, features a prominent cover story titled "None of these corny tales has the ring of truth," accompanied by a drawing of a crop circle formation. The magazine includes reader letters and a detailed investigative report on a specific crop circle event.

Reader Correspondence

Two letters from readers offer differing perspectives on crop circles.

Letter from Len Clarke (Usbridge, Middlesex):
Clarke asserts that the crop circles illustrated on page 25 (July 22) are hoaxes. He claims the top two formations are identical to standard weather-map symbols, with projecting rods indicating wind direction and bars representing wind speed (15 knots for the lower circle, 30 knots for the upper). The circles themselves, he states, normally indicate cloud cover, though he notes an extraneous annular crop ring. He concludes that these formations are man-made. For the bottom two circles, he humorously suggests they are either intelligent wind vortices or extraterrestrials who can read weather maps, quoting a local astrologer who interpreted them as ET language for "My God - what a filthy planet".

Letter from Peter E Burden (Kings Lynn, Norfolk):
Burden notes the continued popular interest in crop circles and mentions that farmers are charging people to view them. He suggests that experts have begun high-technology investigations. Burden proposes that the circles might be caused by British remote-controlled helicopters, given their proximity to helicopter factories and the availability of flat cornfields for night landings.

Investigative Report: THE EAST FIELD CROP-CIRCLE FORMATION

This extensive report, compiled by Bob Kingsley, details an investigation into a crop circle formation in East Field, near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, which was first sighted on the night of July 11th/12th, 1990. The report includes detailed measurements, observations, and discussions with other investigators.

Location and Context:
East Field is described as a large cereal-growing area north-east of Alton Barnes. The location is situated near hills, including Walker's Hill, and features historical sites like Adam's Grave (a tumulus), a neolithic camp, and a white horse carving on a hillside. The field itself contained ripening bread wheat at the time of the event.

Formation Description:
The formation, observed from south-east to north-west, comprised at least two small single circles, two 'dumbell' configurations with additional protrusions, and two more small circles with twin orbital rings. The total length of the main formation is estimated at approximately 370' 4" (135m). Specific features include:

• 'Dumbell' configurations: These had peculiar extrusions. The first circle of the first 'dumbell' had an extrusion resembling a hand with three fingers pointing east. The second circle of the first 'dumbell' had a ring. The first circle of the second 'dumbell' had an 'appendage' with two elongated fingers pointing west. The second circle of the second 'dumbell' was the largest, featuring a ring and two protuberances resembling a 'key' lying across it, pointing roughly west-north-west to east-south-east.

Investigation and Observations:
Kingsley visited the formation on July 16th, 1990, with a friend, taking photographs, video recordings, and measurements. They spoke with others who shared their interest. The general consensus among them was that the smaller 'pathways' connecting the 'dumbells' were not part of the original pattern but were created by people walking through the field. They also deliberated on the very small circles to the south-east, concluding they might have been hoaxed due to signs of damage inconsistent with a natural formation process.

On a second visit on July 18th, Kingsley aimed to ascertain the formation's bearing and the angle of the 'key' protrusion. He met Richard Andrews, an investigator involved in the publication "Circular Evidence." They discussed potential correlations between the 'key' formation and lines drawn between local chalk horse-etchings. Richard Andrews, a dowser, suggested the 'key' lines might follow the area's energy lines (ley-lines).

Kingsley notes that an aerial photograph from the 'Today' newspaper revealed the 'key' was not straight but kinked and slightly off-centre. He speculates that the smaller protuberance might point to one horse-etching, while the larger one points to another. He also considers the possibility of a line extending from these Wiltshire formations to Cheesefoot Head in Hampshire.

Further Details and Measurements:
Kingsley describes trying dowsing rods, which yielded no reaction, though on a previous visit, a plumb-bob had remained still despite a stiff breeze. He observed a group attempting to 'soak up' energies from the large circle. Sky Television requested the site be cleared for filming.

Discussions with Richard Andrews revealed annoyance over journalistic inaccuracies, particularly 'Today' newspaper's claim that the East Field pattern was the Cheesefoot Head formation. Experts cited in 'Today' suggested the patterns resembled ancient Sumerian or Mongolian writing, possibly indicating a drought. The conversation also touched upon the Cabbala and its mystical interpretations.

Colin Andrews later informed Kingsley of another single circle in an adjacent field. Kingsley located this second formation, which also featured a 'three-fingered' protrusion similar to the one at East Field.

Diagram and Structural Measurements:
Kingsley attempted to draw the formation to scale, converting measurements from feet and inches to metric. He notes the difficulty due to the formation's size and the need for hand-drawing over compass lines to capture the 'roughness'. He provides detailed measurements for:

• Circles: Radii of circles 'A' through 'F', including inner circles and rings.
• Rectangles: Dimensions of two rectangles associated with the formation.
• Protrusions: Detailed lengths and angles of 'fingers' on circle 'C', the 'appendage' on circle 'E', and the 'key' on circle 'F'.
• Distances: Measurements between the centres of various circles, showing a progression ('A' to 'B' 9.68m, 'B' to 'C' 18.44m, 'C' to 'D' 27.58m).

He highlights numerical correlations, such as circle 'A's radius being approximately one-third of circle 'B's, and 'B's radius being about half of 'C's. The radii of the four larger circles ('C', 'D', 'E', and 'F1') are noted as being very similar.

Future Considerations:
Kingsley concludes by stating that while his measurements are approximate, the numerical correlations are interesting. He thanks John Brocks for accompanying him.

Looking to the Future

Bob Kingsley, based in Woking, Surrey, appeals for reader contributions to "The Circular" magazine. He encourages speculation on theology, mythology, ufology, meteorology, and psychology, seeking thoughts on the crop circle phenomenon. He also mentions upcoming topics for future editions, including reviews of books by Whitley Strieber ('Communion', 'Transformation') and Paul Devereux ('Earthlights: Towards an Understanding of the UFO Enigma'), exploring potential connections to the circle phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong interest in the crop circle phenomenon, presenting it as a subject worthy of serious investigation, albeit with a degree of skepticism towards sensationalism, as indicated by the cover headline. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting, measurement, and the exploration of various theories, from mundane explanations like hoaxes and weather map symbols to more speculative ideas involving extraterrestrial intelligence and energy fields. The inclusion of reader letters and detailed scientific measurements suggests an effort to balance anecdotal evidence with empirical data, while also acknowledging the mysterious and potentially unexplainable aspects of the phenomenon.

Title: The Circular
Issue Date: August 1990 (CN/01 08/90:30)
Nature: A privately funded publication compiled by Bob Kingsley, distributed free of charge, with a focus on topics related to crop circles and potentially UFO phenomena.

Content Summary

This issue of The Circular features a report on a recent international conference held by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) concerning the 'circles effect' (crop circles). The proceedings of this conference reportedly put forward numerous complex theories attempting to explain the mechanism behind the formation of these circles, with the publication inviting readers to engage with the jargon and offer their views.

A 'Stop Press' section highlights an investigation by Dave Probert into news from Les Reed regarding a 'dumbell' phenomenon observed at Cheesefoot Head. Probert's findings were described as 'altogether more intriguing,' with the promise of further elaboration in the next edition.

The compilation of The Circular is detailed, noting that it is put together by Bob Kingsley using a Commodore PC 20 and MicroPro "Easy" software. The publication's format and page count vary from edition to edition. It is currently supplied free of charge as a private venture, with no external financial support. However, the editor notes that depending on its success, a small cover charge might be introduced in the future to cover printing costs.

The copyright for the name, format, and original material of The Circular is held by Bob Kingsley, dating back to 1990.

Editorial Stance and Reader Engagement

The publication actively encourages reader participation, stating that 'The value of The Circular will be greatly enhanced by your share of the contributions.' It invites opinions on the theories presented from the TORRO conference and other related subjects, suggesting an open and collaborative approach to exploring these topics.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around crop circles, scientific research into their origins (as evidenced by the TORRO conference), and intriguing phenomena reported from specific locations like Cheesefoot Head. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging discussion and the sharing of information among interested individuals. The publication positions itself as a platform for exploring complex theories and unexplained events within the UFO and crop circle communities.