Folklore Frontiers - No 001

Magazine Overview

Title: FOLKLORE FRONTIERS
Subtitle: (The Magazine of Urban Belief Tales)
Issue: No. 1
Date: Published 1985
Publisher: Paul Soreeton
Address: 5 Egton Drive, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS25 2AT

This inaugural issue of Folklore Frontiers positions itself as a dedicated publication for urban belief tales, aiming to become a journal of record for modern legends. The magazine solicits contributions in the form of news clippings, oral tales, and anecdotes, particularly from local regional newspapers. It seeks to cover a broad spectrum of lore, inspired by works like Paul Smith's 'The Book of Nasty Legends'. The readership is envisioned as inquiring minds, folklore researchers, and enthusiasts interested in evolving topics.

Lead-in: Welcome to Folklore Frontiers

Paul Screeton, the publisher, welcomes readers and outlines the magazine's mission to collect and comment on modern legends and urban belief tales. He emphasizes the importance of reader contributions for completeness and suggests that local regional newspapers often contain the freshest and most detailed stories. Examples of lore include a spoof letter about toilet flushing penalties and topical concerns like 'crying boy' conflagrations and Halley's Comet. The magazine aims to cover the range of lore detailed in Paul Smith's book, including oral tales.

Screeton notes that the public is now more prepared for such a magazine due to the recent increase in books on urban legends. He anticipates a readership comprising open-minded individuals, folklore researchers, and those seeking new topics. He suggests that the magazine will appeal to 'armchair philosophers' and those who engage in 'field research' within their interest groups, such as ferroequinologists (train-spotters).

The ubiquity of UFOs in urban belief tales is highlighted as a particularly rewarding area of study, with a caution against imposing opinions that might create new beliefs. Screeton expresses hope that reader response will allow the magazine to expand and potentially emulate the 'Fortean Times'. He concludes by stating, "Frontiersmen and women, we've arrived."

Smith's Myths and Beyond: Review of 'The Book of Nasty Legends'

This section reviews Paul Smith's book, 'The Book of Nasty Legends' (Routledge & Kegan Paul, £3.95). The review posits that modern folklore stories, like their historical counterparts, are cautionary tales designed to teach and amuse, with a 'timebomb mechanism' weaving in societal taboos and anxieties. A key difference noted is the competition from modern media (films, TV, radio, press, tabloids) which disseminate new legends.

Yorkshiremen are identified as collectors of these 'urban belief tales', also known as modern myths or bar-room tales. The review notes that real-life incidents often trigger the circulation of these tales, citing the Yorkshire Ripper hunt leading to a revival of an old story about a hairy-handed man. The press often reports these oral tales as 'true', increasing their currency. The presence of an authority figure (doctor, policeman, vicar) in narratives adds credibility. Current events like concerns about microwaves or AIDS are used to refuel old stories.

The review highlights that Smith's selection offers a cross-section of major themes, with explanatory notes and cartoons. It suggests that the transition from oral storytelling to print can diminish the potency of tales. Two examples of tales from Smith's book are presented:

1. The Jaguar Car Revenge: A story about a woman selling her Jaguar for £10 as revenge on her husband who left her.
2. The Sunday Express Story (18/11/84): A similar tale where a wife sells their home cheaply to get revenge on her husband who left her for his secretary.

Further examples include:

• The Motorcycle Test Mishap: A young lad on a motorcycle test accidentally hits the examiner.
• The Peter Tory Diary Incident (25/10/85): A father's prank involving a scarlet Escort goes wrong when the driver is not who he expected.
• The Mini Courting Embarrassment: A young couple in a Mini experience an embarrassing situation when the man slips a disc, requiring the car to be cut open.
• The Sun (12/11/85) Incident: A teenager gets her finger stuck in a steering wheel after a night out.

The review concludes by stating that these are innocent versions and that real life can mimic invention.

Folklore Frontiers' Scope and Themes

Screeton reiterates his desire for Folklore Frontiers to chronicle a wider spectrum of folktales beyond urban belief tales. He prefers not to set specific limits, suggesting the current issue provides a rough idea of the scope. Special areas of investigation include:

• Forteana: Happenings on the fringe of human understanding, named after Charles Fort, including frog falls, avian abductions, and mystery hums. The distinction between Forteana and urban belief tales is noted.
• Paranormal Lore: Tales involving religious relics, curses (e.g., 'crying boy' paintings), and comparative events from the past.
• Media Obsessions: Old beliefs reproduced with minor changes, often amplified by the media (e.g., the 'baby-making artifact' story).
• Conspiracy Theories: Ranging from ancient occult groups manipulating movements to government cover-ups on UFOs, and how these rumors can cause social panics.
• Hoaxes: Examples of gullibility, such as collections for non-existent charities.
• Jokes: Media and orally transmitted jokes presented as truth.

Tripping Yarns: Folklore, Foaflore & Legend in the Drug Sub-Culture

Andy Roberts explores the folklore that has emerged from the continuous drug sub-culture since the 1960s. This specialized area allows for tracking the rise and development of new folklore genres. Due to the transient nature of the drug world, 'friend of a friend' stories are common.

The article divides tales into seven major themes:

1. Nostalgia: The Acid in the Fridge: Tales of old LSD saved for the future, implying older LSD is superior.
2. Alternate Highs: Banana Skins: The belief that smoking dried banana pith can produce a legal high.
3. Cautionary Tales: The Witches' Coven: Stories about individuals disappearing after taking LSD and attending occult gatherings.
4. Bad Trips: Sun Staring: Tales of people being blinded by staring at the sun after taking LSD, often presented as true but originating from hoaxes.
5. Chosen Generation: The Bomb and E.T.: Beliefs that LSD users are resistant to radiation or that LSD was given by extraterrestrials.
6. Establishment on Our Side: Acapulco Gold: Tales suggesting tobacco companies are preparing for marijuana legalization.
7. Robin Hood: Drug Takers Have Scruples Too: Stories about drug dealers being tricked or having their drugs redistributed.

Roberts notes that these tales are a small selection and variations are numerous. He mentions references to 'The Shaman', 'Playpower', and 'The Vanishing Hitchhiker'.

More Low Down on Highs

Paul Screeton adds observations amplifying Andy Roberts' article. He recalls Sharon Cole's claim about judging mushroom quality by the growing site, linking this to price. He also mentions disc-jockey Brian Matthew's experience with smoking dried banana skins, noting the potential for a mild buzz from the chemical bufotenine.

Folklore and the Pit Strike

Paul Screeton discusses the folklore surrounding the 1984-85 miners' strike. He notes that the strike was framed by some as a spiritual conflict between good and evil, with Arthur Scargill portrayed as a figure of authority or even a tool of the Devil. Police Inspector Malcolm Biggin blamed Satan for violence on picket lines and described pickets as 'demons possessed'.

Screeton views Scargill as a folkloric figure whose strike generated a rich vein of folktales. He contrasts this period with the study of folklore surrounding Peter Sutcliffe. He also recounts his own involvement in a union/management dispute at his workplace, where he worked as a non-union journalist.

The article touches upon the media's role, citing an instance where 'The Mail' newspaper was targeted by striking journalists. It also mentions stories of spy mania during World War II, including an anecdote about a Latin master at a preparatory school being suspected of being a German spy.

Rumours and Misinformation

Screeton discusses how rumours and misinformation spread during industrial disputes. He mentions claims of armed forces members masquerading as police officers during the pit strike, and how these were investigated and often debunked as mistaken identity. The article notes the tendency for the press to sometimes publish unverified claims, citing an example of a forged letter from the N.C.B. headquarters that was published as genuine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Folklore Frontiers establishes a clear focus on contemporary folklore, particularly urban belief tales, and their connection to societal anxieties, media influence, and sub-cultures. The magazine adopts an archival and analytical approach, encouraging reader participation to document and understand these evolving narratives. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into phenomena that lie on the fringes of conventional understanding, with a particular interest in the folklore generated by social phenomena like the pit strike and the drug sub-culture. The magazine aims to be a comprehensive resource, drawing from various sources and perspectives to capture the essence of modern myth-making.

Title: Web of Suspicion
Issue: 1985
Date: 1985
Publisher: Folklore Frontiers
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of 'Web of Suspicion' from 1985, titled 'Why folklorists will remember 1985 as 'Year of The Spider'', delves into a variety of folklore, urban legends, and fortean phenomena. It features articles on the prevalence of spider-related stories, the controversies surrounding Stonehenge, and reviews of several books on related subjects.

The 'Year of The Spider'

The lead article, "Why folklorists will remember 1985 as 'Year of The Spider'" by Paul Screeton, explores the surge in spider-related folklore during that year. It begins with an anecdote about a yucca plant containing a tarantula nest, a story that had circulated widely. The article notes that while Marks and Spencer stores were often cited as vendors of such plants, investigations by the company found no evidence of these incidents. The story is presented as a modern urban legend, with variations circulating throughout Britain. The piece also touches upon the 'angel hair' phenomenon, often linked to UFOs, suggesting it is more likely a deposit from spiders' webs. Earlier myths, such as insects or spiders making homes in lacquered hairstyles from the Sixties, are also mentioned, along with cautionary tales about hygiene and vanity.

Further into the issue, the 'angel hair' phenomenon is described as a mysterious, wispy substance falling from UFOs, with theories suggesting it could be a waste product, microscopic particles, or a deliberate misdirection. However, the article posits that it is more probably fibrous deposit from spiders' webs.

Lindsey Jarrett's experience with a large spider named Maurice in her home is recounted, highlighting how the encounter helped her overcome her phobia. The issue also references the tale of Robert the Bruce being inspired by a spider's perseverance.

Phantom Hitch-hikers

An article titled "THE EVIDENCE FOR PHANTOM HITCH-HIKERS" by Michael Goss, and "THE EVIDENCE FOR THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE" by David Group, are reviewed. Goss's work is discussed in relation to the folk-ghost phenomenon of phantom hitch-hikers, where drivers pick up passengers who later disappear or are revealed to be deceased. One account details a bus driver picking up a young girl who had died years earlier in a road accident. Goss concludes that the main difficulty in discussing such evidence lies in the ease with which fact and fiction commute. He suggests that these encounters might be a 'semi-archetype of mankind's collective imagination,' possibly explained by spontaneous dissociation, 'highway hypnosis,' or a merging of outer and inner experiences. The article notes that while some accounts are vague, others are more specific, and that the 'crash victim passenger' role might stem from unconscious knowledge of past accidents or even super-ESP. The credibility of these stories is enhanced when they involve disappearances and are not easily explained.

Sacred Waters and Dragonlore

"SACRED WATERS" by Janet and Colin Bord is reviewed, focusing on the origins and history of water cults. The book explores the significance of wells and springs, their connection to healing, and their historical and cultural importance, including links to Celtic head cults, Roman offerings, and even dragonlore. The review highlights the book's gazetteer of 200 ancient and holy wells in the British Isles and its numerous photographs.

Another book, "THE HUGHENDEN DRAGON" by Clive Harper, is mentioned as a slim volume drawing attention to a 16th-century tale of dragonlore, featuring motifs such as a terrorizing beast, an aquatic domain, and a maiden. It also notes an association with Knights Templar.

Stonehenge: Custodians, Festivals, and Future

John Michell's essay, "STONEHENGE: ITS DRUIDS, CUSTODIANS, FESTIVAL AND FUTURE," is critically examined. Michell is presented as an authority on Stonehenge, offering a perspective on its current challenges. The essay centers on the Free Festival, a solstice gathering reinstituted in the Seventies, which led to Stonehenge being fenced off in 1978 and the public excluded. The issue of 1985 saw the Druids banned, resulting in a confrontation. The article quotes Michell stating that Stonehenge is a 'cosmic temple' dedicated to the 12 gods of the zodiac, representing an 'ideal cosmology.' The essay also explores the potential for negative ideas to find a response at Stonehenge, drawing a parallel to the happenings at the Golden Temple of Amritsar and the eclipse of Indira Gandhi. The review questions whether barring people from Stonehenge might lead to chaotic consequences, but suggests that Michell's approach offers a practical solution by viewing Stonehenge as an 'image of the all-embracing universe' capable of reconciling diverse claims.

Other Reviews and Letters

The issue also includes reviews of other publications and letters. The 'Fortean Times' is described as an indispensable journal of strange phenomena, covering topics like the York Minster conflagration, Cottingley fairies, and UFOs. 'Northern Earth Mysteries' is also highlighted for its articles on maiden castles, 'goddess of leys,' and the linking of UFOs and leys.

A letter from Jimmy Goddard discusses a book he co-authored, "Skyways and Landmarks Revisited," clarifying that its purpose was not merely historical but to illustrate that the re-emergence of leys and the earth mysteries movement were directly caused by communications from space people. He suggests that extraterrestrials deliberately educated people about Earth's energy system and physical markers.

Another letter from Ralph Whitlock identifies a 'white animal' as likely a stoat, explaining that animals turn white in winter due to sudden temperature changes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around folklore, urban legends, unexplained phenomena (fortean), and historical mysteries. There is a clear interest in debunking sensationalized stories while also exploring the underlying psychological and cultural factors that contribute to their persistence. The magazine seems to adopt a critical yet open-minded stance towards these subjects, encouraging investigation and rational explanation while acknowledging the possibility of genuine paranormal events. The editorial stance appears to favor well-researched accounts and the exploration of historical and cultural contexts for these phenomena.