Folklore Frontiers - No 008

Magazine Overview

Title: FOLKLORE FRONTIERS
Issue: No. 8
Editor: Paul Screeton

This issue of Folklore Frontiers, a magazine dedicated to urban belief tales and modern legends, presents a diverse range of articles exploring historical and contemporary folklore, societal anxieties, and unusual phenomena.

Witches, Buggers and Grey Meanies

This lead article draws parallels between historical witch hunts (1450-1750), where an estimated 100,000 people were executed, and modern accusations of child abuse, incest, and buggery. It highlights how in both contexts, accusers and experts identified 'secret signs' on the body. The article contrasts the historical persecution of women as perpetrators of witchcraft with the modern victimisation of children, and draws a parallel between the Cleveland child abuse crisis and historical witch hunts. It also discusses the modern phenomenon of extraterrestrial abductions, presenting two contrasting images of evil: uncontrolled animal passion versus intellectual obsession. The piece concludes by noting that historical witch hunts often ended when accusations turned towards the affluent and powerful, leading rulers to declare it a delusion.

The Cleveland Affair

An accompanying piece discusses the Cleveland child abuse case, noting that 98 out of 121 children involved had been returned home. Doctors suggested up to 90% may have been sent back for more abuse, raising concerns about their continued safety. The article criticises the role of Dr. Marietta Higgs and Dr. Geoffrey Wyatt, comparing Higgs to Matthew Hopkins, the 'Witchfinder General' of the 17th century. It mentions a playground rhyme and a song sung on terraces that reflect the hysteria surrounding the crisis. The author acknowledges that child abuse is a fact in Cleveland, though not necessarily worse than elsewhere, and notes that Higgs has awakened societal undercurrents.

German Noxious Noodles Hysteria

This section discusses the controversy surrounding Edwina Currie's condemnation of eggs for salmonella, which caused public panic. It notes that while she was essentially right, her unministerial language led to overreaction. The article compares this to other contamination rumours, such as cat food in Chinese restaurants or bubblegum with spiders' eggs. It then shifts to the 1985 'noxious noodles' scare in West Germany, where sales of noodles plummeted after a vet discovered that millions of eggs used by pasta makers were over a week old. This led to widespread panic and drastic production cuts. The piece suggests that such scandals cross national frontiers and travel through time, with the UK's salmonella scare replacing the German egg scare.

Mesmerized by Clark Gable

This short piece references a saying that great events cast their shadows before them, linking it to comments in 'New Scientist' about credulity and wildlife. It mentions an old assertion about mesmerizing chickens by drawing a line in front of them. The article recounts experiments by a reader who tested this and found it worked. It also notes that this trick was demonstrated in the film 'Adventure' starring Clark Gable. A variation of the story involves hypnotizing chickens by drawing a line on the ground, used by villagers in Burma to ward off the 'evil eye'. The piece concludes by mentioning a letter to the 'News of the World' linking a tale to credulity and a story about a farmer's wife plucking a chicken that revived.

Extremely Fowl Stories

Rob Skinner, a researcher into strange phenomena, has compiled accounts of unusual items found within the eggs of domestic fowl. These include live toads and snakes, coins, gold nuggets, lost wedding rings, and a pistol cartridge. Odd images, such as Halley's comet or writing, have also been reported on eggshells. The article mentions the legend of a basilisk or cockatrice hatched from an egg laid by an old cock and incubated by a toad.

1978 Year of the Cat Story

This anecdote recounts a food poisoning scare in 1978. A woman opened a tin of salmon for her husband's sandwiches, and after finding some left, gave it to the cat. The cat became ill, leading the husband to believe he had botulism. However, it was discovered that the cat had been accidentally dropped on its head by the milkman, and the salmon was not to blame.

Stamp of Disapproval for Male Delivery

This news report details an incident where a 17-year-old youth was injured after attempting to impress a female guest at a party by displaying part of his anatomy through a letterbox. The girl slammed the flap, causing injury. The incident was confirmed by the Mail newspaper and the local hospital.

Magic Circles

This article discusses the mystery of crop circles, with scientists in Hampshire attempting to solve the riddle. The circles are described as precise rings of flattened crops, usually about 30 feet in diameter, with smaller satellites. Professor Archie Roy states that this is the most serious research being carried out to determine the cause of the rings. The article explores various theories, including stationary transient whirlwinds (S.T.W.T.), hoaxes, hovering helicopters, and even extraterrestrial landings. It notes that the S.T.W.T. theory, while attractive, has been endorsed by both scientific and ufological establishments. The piece also mentions the possibility of ancient burial rites or geological and meteorological energies interacting with human psychology.

The Sewer Men Are Coming

This article, by Michael Goss, explores the folklore surrounding sewers as a habitat for humans, moving beyond the more common idea of rats inheriting the Earth. It recounts the tale of Father Fairing, a priest who descended into the sewers of New York in the 1930s to convert rats to Catholicism, and who eventually vanished. The article references Benny Profane, the hero of Thomas Pynchon's novel 'V', and John Hollingshead's observations on Victorian beliefs about sewer dwellers as 'banditti'. It discusses the idea of people living in sewers for various reasons, including those who didn't want to be known. The piece also touches upon the San Francisco hippies who dropped out into the sewers in the late Sixties, evolving into a 'race apart' and engaging in 'foul troglodyte' behaviour. It mentions the discovery of a crocodile in the Paris sewers in 1984 and the phenomenon of 'punk' teenagers holding parties in the sewers. The article concludes by suggesting that these sewer dwellers, like the 'Sewer Men' or 'Homo cloacus', are a 'human waste' seeking revenge on society.

Mock Mayors

This article by Paul Screeton explores the tradition of 'mock mayors', particularly in Hartlepool and Middleton. It describes how these figures, often chosen from the 'detritus of society' like drunks and tramps, were honoured through eccentric traditions. The article details the history of mock mayors in Middleton, including Owen Richmond, who served multiple terms, and Sandra Steel, the first female mock mayor. It mentions the special coat of arms featuring a heron emblem. The piece contrasts this tradition with modern figures like Derek Hatton, who sold the Liverpool town hall Daimler, and the practice of Beastle Boys fans creating alternative mayoral chains from stolen VW badges. The author notes that the mock mayor tradition is often fugitive and discovered through serendipity.

Silly Season Licked!

This article discusses the origin and nature of the 'silly season' in journalism, defined as a period, typically August and September, when Parliament and law courts are not sitting, leading to the publication of trivial news items. It traces the concept back to James Bone of the Manchester Guardian and a story about a cat licking a novelty stamp at a post office. The article also touches upon the combination of sex and anxiety in tabloid journalism, citing an example of a story linking Chernobyl fallout to the sex lives of Persian cats.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of urban legends, folklore, and the uncanny. There is a focus on debunking sensationalism while also acknowledging the power of belief and the human fascination with the unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without necessarily endorsing them, but encouraging readers to consider the underlying societal anxieties and cultural narratives that give rise to these stories. The magazine also demonstrates an interest in the sociological and psychological aspects of folklore and belief.

This issue of Bizarre magazine, identified as issue number 20, presents a diverse collection of articles, letters, and news items focusing on paranormal phenomena, folklore, media criticism, and unusual occurrences. The magazine appears to be UK-based, with a strong emphasis on British news and cultural references.

Editorial Content and Debates

The issue opens with a letter from Paul Screeton, who defends the magazine's approach to folklore, arguing that it should reflect contemporary media, even if that means adopting a 'Sunspeak' style. He criticizes some folklorists for being too narrow-minded and suggests that modern folklore is best found in tabloids. Screeton engages in a debate with Ms Bennett and Steve Roud regarding the merits of their reviews and responses.

Newslines

The 'Newslines' section offers a collection of brief, often sensational, news items that mirror media concerns. These include stories about seals potentially saving drowning boys, a doctor claiming the birth of a hairy ape/human child, the discovery of a 'face of Christ' on a plank of wood, a bizarre creature sighting in Turin, a man claiming to be Jesus Christ, and reported apparitions of Jesus in Nairobi. Other items touch on unusual animal revivals and media stunts.

Update Section

The 'Update' section continues the theme of unusual news with various short reports. These include a 'hi-tech robbery' involving a credit card device, a cartoon character 'Mighty Mouse' depicted sniffing cocaine, and several pet-related ordeals, such as a budgie being sold by mistake and a hedgehog hitchhiking a long distance. There are also notes on hoax letters, the AIDS debate, and a climber blaming a yeti for stolen toilet paper.

Book and Magazine Reviews

The magazine includes reviews of other publications in the paranormal and folklore field. 'Northern UFO News' is reviewed, highlighting its coverage of UFOs, Rendlesham Forest, and media portrayals. 'UFO Brigantia' is also summarized, detailing its articles on vortex theory, abduction mysteries, and communications. 'Amskaya' and 'Touchstone' are mentioned as journals from the 'STAR Fellowship' and 'Surrey Earth Mysteries Group', respectively, covering topics like 'Gaia law', 'allotechnology', and local earth mysteries.

'Bunkers Under London' by Nigel Pennick is reviewed as an expanded investigation into London's underground network, touching on conspiracy theories, urban legends, and historical context. The review notes its relevance to transport buffs and those interested in civil defence and survival.

Other Features

A 'Brookside Drama Becomes Reality' piece recounts a coincidence where a fictional death scene in the soap opera mirrored a real-life discovery of a body in the same location shortly after the episode aired. The magazine also features a 'Secret source to a helping of success on a plate?' article, discussing a potentially sinister Heinz advert that was quickly withdrawn.

Endlines and Publications

The 'Endlines' section offers editorial remarks, apologizing for the delay in publication and announcing a price increase for subscriptions. The editor reflects on the magazine's content and its base in Hartlepool. The section also promotes an upcoming publication titled 'Yorkshire Holy Wells and Sacred Springs' by Edna Whelan and Ian Taylor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the intersection of folklore with modern media, the reporting of unusual and often dubious news stories ('Newslines', 'Update'), and the critical examination of media portrayals of paranormal and mysterious events. The editorial stance, particularly from Paul Screeton, advocates for a more contemporary and media-aware approach to folklore, suggesting that the magazine aims to reflect and comment on the sensationalist and often unverified nature of popular news and paranormal reporting.