Folklore Frontiers - No 014

Magazine Overview

Title: Folklore Frontiers
Issue: No. 14
Publisher: Paul Screeton
Date: Published roughly on a quarterly basis.
Price: Single issue £1.25, Subscription for four issues £5.

The Diary

The editor, Paul Screeton, begins "The Diary" by reflecting on the eccentricities within the journalism game, including a colleague's unusual attire and a landlord's extreme customer care. He then touches upon the price rise of the magazine, stating it was necessary. Screeton also notes the potential connection of some newspaper items to himself and Dave Boreland, landlord of the Station Hotel. He discusses the hobby of trainspotting, drawing parallels with Asperger's Syndrome and referencing the film "Rain Man." A brief mention is made of a falling out and subsequent reconciliation with the editor of another magazine.

Newslines

This section covers a variety of intriguing and often bizarre news items. "Off The Rails" discusses unusual rail enthusiasm and trainspotting habits. "A Likely Tail" reports on the removal of racehorse Voltigeur's tail from a museum. "Tattoo You" mentions CID concerns about pamphlets. "Gulf Famine" touches on rumours and astrological predictions related to the Gulf War. Other items include Iraqi troops burning underpants, "knit your hero a willy warmer" campaigns, and rumours of unrest in Paris. An RAF missile incident and the use of thermal-imaging equipment for surveillance are also mentioned. "It's a Gas!" recounts a tale of a train theft using a knock-out spray. "Tamworth Triangle" highlights a stretch of railway track with a high number of deaths. "The Wildflower Phenomenon" discusses an unusual profusion of wildflowers in the British Isles and potential explanations. "Mock Mayors" and "What's Brewing" cover local news and brewery details.

Oldies but Goldies

This section revisits peculiar stories. One concerns an urban legend about contracting VD from a warm toilet seat, as recounted by Mrs Sutcliffe. Another tale is about the supposed survival of the racehorse Shergar. A supermarket shoplifter fainting from cold after stuffing a frozen chicken down her bra is also mentioned. Several anecdotes detail people being killed in unusual circumstances, often involving animals or toddlers.

Letters

Several letters offer diverse perspectives. John Michell discusses the St Michael line across southern England, detailing its cartographical and spiritual significance. Eddie Tooke clarifies a misunderstanding regarding "Deidre" and "Deirdre." Mike White shares a story about a kidney removal during a holiday in Boston, questioning its veracity. Dr Gail-Nina Anderson humorously suggests balancing nude ladies with more nude animals. Lucy Fisher shares a story about a girl stealing an opal ring and subsequent misfortune, and another about a man losing a leg and drinking beer from it. Pete Rogerson lists potential threats like feral pit bulls, healings at Eric Heffer's tomb, and rabid rats in the Chunnel.

Update

This section provides updates on various topics. "Bestiality" discusses interactions between humans and dolphins, referencing Peter Bloom and Horace Dobbs, and mentions an ongoing court case involving Alan Cooper. A feature on Freddie the dolphin highlights conflicting reports about its condition. "Who Hung The Monkey?" by Paul Screeton is introduced as a book exploring the Hartlepool monkey-hanging legend. Bernice Saltzer's article discusses the legend's origins and its connection to Hartlepool's identity. Derek Froome's review of Screeton's book analyzes the legend's survival and variations, noting the lack of historical corroboration for the Hartlepool version. Another article, "It'll be all right on the night, Debbie," discusses the filming of a television segment about the monkey-hanging legend. "Avenging monkeys in lightning raid" by Margaret O'Rourke offers a speculative narrative on how the Hartlepool legend might have ended. "Update" also includes a brief note on "Back Masking" in music and a report on Alex Maloney's claims about Satanic messages in heavy metal music.

Reviews

Michael Goss reviews Paul Screeton's book "Who Hung The Monkey?" He describes the book as a well-produced exploration of the Hartlepool legend, tracing its origins and variants. Goss notes the legend's possible connection to Napoleonic invasion fears and inter-town rivalry, and its role in Hartlepool's identity. He also mentions comparable stories from other locations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of folklore, urban legends, local history, and the paranormal. There is a strong focus on the Hartlepool monkey-hanging legend, with multiple articles and a book review dedicated to it. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unusual phenomena, encouraging readers to consider various interpretations and to engage with the material critically, while also celebrating local identity and the enduring power of stories. The magazine also demonstrates an interest in unusual news items and personal accounts, often with a humorous or speculative undertone.

This issue of Folklore Frontiers, dated October 1991, features a prominent "Books" section on the cover, suggesting a focus on literary reviews and discussions within the paranormal and esoteric fields. The magazine delves into a variety of topics, including crop circles, ufology, earth mysteries, and historical accounts of strange phenomena.

Update: Crop Circles and Related Phenomena

The "Update" section continues a discussion from a previous page, detailing various claims and incidents related to crop circles. It mentions a case where two individuals claimed to have created 200 corn circles since 1978, with one of them allegedly being hit by a meteorite. The article also touches upon the ritualistic 'corn spiral dance' and introduces figures like Jini Lavelle and Dr. Serena Roney-Dougal, author of 'Where Science and Magic meet'. The Centre for Crop Circle Studies is mentioned, with field officer Busty Taylor and Dr. Terence Meaden, a proponent of the vortex theory, being quoted. A significant event described is the Wessex Skeptics creating a hoax pictogram, which fooled experts like Busty Taylor and Dr. Meaden, leading to a dramatic reaction from Meaden upon discovering the deception.

Books Section

The main "Books" section provides extensive reviews of recent publications:

• Portraits of Alien Encounters by Nigel Watson is reviewed as a book that prefers psychological explanations for UFO experiences over extraterrestrial ones. Watson's work compiles case studies from the late Seventies, examining individuals whose experiences are linked to psychological states like isolation, anxiety, and fanaticism. The review notes the book's quality production and its questioning of whether 'real' objective UFOs exist.
• Crop Circles: A Mystery Solved by Jenny Randles and Paul Fuller is presented as an attempt to solve the crop circle mystery, leaning towards the plasma-vortex theory. The review, however, critiques the book for missing the historical context of similar phenomena and for its 'spiteful tone' and criticism of other researchers and journalism.
• Earth Memory by Paul Devereux is described as a holistic approach to decoding sacred sites, bridging scientific and intuitive methods. It encourages readers to tune into earth energies and discusses various earth mystery topics.
• Choirs of the God by John Matthews is met with strong criticism for factual inaccuracies, though a specific essay by Peter Lambourn Wilson on 'runaway child' and freedom of spirit is praised.
• Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M Pirsig is highlighted as a philosophical inquiry into values, challenging societal hierarchies.
• The Bleeding Mind by Ian Wilson dispels myths surrounding stigmatics, suggesting their phenomena are stress-induced or a flight from reality, possibly influenced by hypnosis. The review notes that stigmata challenge medical and scientific thinking and could potentially be harnessed to cure diseases.
• Guide to Ancient Britain by Bill Anderton is dismissed as a shallow, unashamedly bandwagon-jumping travel guide, recommending other books by Janet and Colin Bord instead.
• The Great Ghost Hunter by Elliott O'Donnell presents true ghost stories, compiled with additional material, featuring tales from various locations in the UK.
• Dylan: Behind the Shades by Clinton Heylin and The Dylan Companion edited by Elizabeth Thomson and David Gutman are reviewed as essential reading for Bob Dylan enthusiasts, covering his career, personal life, and philosophical aspects.
• Unsung Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll by Nick Tosches is a critique of early rock 'n' roll artists, emphasizing their raw sensuality and commercial motivations. The review notes Tosches' provocative prose and his assertion that rock 'n' roll is dead.
• Cleopatra by Lucy Hughes-Hellett is described as a scholarly and entertaining study of the queen, exploring her various historical and legendary guises.
• The Rise and Fall of the Third Chimpanzee by Jared Diamond is reviewed critically for its assertion that human genes are nearly identical to chimpanzees', with the reviewer questioning the book's evolutionary framework and its animalistic view of humanity.

Articles Elsewhere and Magazine Listings

The "Articles Elsewhere" section briefly notes other articles of interest in different publications, including a piece on photocopy joke sheets, a satire on crop circle investigations, shark attacks, and a cartoon about Hollywood stars and rodent bestiality.

The "Magazines" section provides a directory of various niche publications, including:

• Strange Magazine (US-based, covering ufology, cryptozoology, etc.)
• Fortean Times (UK-based, covering strange phenomena, satanic child abuse, etc.)
• The Ley Hunter (UK-based, earth mysteries, dowsing, ley lines, etc.)
• Northern Earth Mysteries (UK-based, local mysteries, stones, etc.)
• Touchstone (UK-based, leys, crop circles, etc.)
• The Wild Places (UK-based, strange beliefs, etc.)
• Northern UFO News (UK-based, UFO reports, etc.)
• UFO Brigantia (UK-based, UFO network)
• Magonia (UK-based, UFOs, alien abductions, etc.)
• Amskaya (UK-based, STAR Fellowship newsletter)

Stop Press

The "Stop Press" section provides a brief update on a story concerning Northumbria Police and a dolphin named Freddie, denying claims that a police launch caused injuries. It also mentions a charity event involving rockstar Simon Le Bon and Sam Fox for the Dolphins Do Dance Trust, and a report about swimming with dolphins potentially curing infertility.

Photocopylore: The Word "Fuck"

This section humorously explores the versatility of the word "fuck" in English, providing examples of its use as a noun, adjective, and verb, along with a list of famous quotes attributed to various personalities using the word. It also invites readers to submit their own quotes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the paranormal, unexplained phenomena, and alternative explanations for events, often with a critical or skeptical eye towards sensationalism or unsubstantiated claims. There's a clear interest in earth mysteries, ufology, and folklore. The editorial stance appears to be one of investigation and critical analysis, encouraging readers to engage with complex topics while maintaining a sense of intellectual rigor. The inclusion of book reviews suggests an aim to inform readers about current research and discourse in these fields. The magazine also exhibits a penchant for humor, particularly in the "Photocopylore" section and in its critical commentary on certain books and media coverage.