Folklore Frontiers - No 017

Magazine Overview

Title: Folklore Frontiers
Issue: No. 17
Date: October, 1992
Publisher: Independent, non-profitmaking magazine
Editor: Paul Screeton
Address: 5 Egton Drive, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS25 2AT
Subscription: £5 for four issues; $12 for four issues; £1.25 for a single issue.

Editorial Content

This issue of Folklore Frontiers delves into contemporary legends and urban belief tales, offering a diverse range of articles and reports.

The Diary

The 'Diary' section presents a collection of recent anecdotes and news items related to folklore and unusual occurrences:

• An article on locomotive 47299 (Ariadne Lives) references two pieces by W.B. Herbert: "The Clairvoyant's Warning" in 'Railway Ghosts' (1985) and 'Railway Ghosts & Phantoms' (1989).
• Geoff Nicholson's novel 'Hunters and Gatherers' (1991) is mentioned for its protagonist's musings on collector's items and urban myths.
• A story about a Yemeni-born resident in Sheffield, Ahmed, who has lived on a street chair for eight years, surviving on food from passers-by, is recounted.
• John O'Brien's dispute with builders Barratt over mortgage payments is detailed.
• An anecdote about a man seeking fabled living dinosaurs, the mokele-mbembe, is shared, involving an optician who was to join the expedition for screening work.
• A clipping criticizes the traditional Lewis practice of tying young couples to street furniture before weddings and pelting them with flour, soot, rotten eggs, and tomatoes.
• An item notes that disturbing a blackbird's nest is considered 'bad luck', leading to a halt in work on a sports centre in Cheltenham.
• Three new 'lore crazes' are highlighted: 'vice girls' sex-for-sale cards being collected by schoolkids, children giving 'love bites' at a playground, and a teenager fighting for life after a 'roof-riding' craze.

Newslines

This section reports on various contemporary phenomena and belief tales:

• The rise of 'mall walking' as a pastime in the USA, with clubs and social sessions, is described.
• A tale about covering a car's numberplate with clear nail varnish to reflect police anti-speeding cameras is mentioned, with clingfilm also cited as having a similar effect.
• Rumours about the Body Shop paying for hair clippings for cosmetic testing are discussed, with the company denying the claims.
• The 'Wife Left Behind' legend is presented, where a man drives a long distance and only then realizes his wife is missing from the car.
• A story about an absent-minded husband, Tom Brown, abandoning his wife Catherine in a broken-down car is shared.
• An anecdote about a soccer player who accidentally killed his family pets and then missed a penalty in a match is recounted.
• Concerns about mobile phones potentially 'cooking brains' or causing cancer are noted, with a study being conducted.
• A story about two constables finding a mobile phone on a wall in Brixton and a subsequent call from the owner is shared.
• The 'toe fetish' phenomenon is explored, with references to public figures and a sex attacker targeting victims' feet.

Conference Report: International Society for Contemporary Legend Research Seminar

This section provides a detailed report on the ISCLR's tenth-anniversary seminar held at Sheffield University on July 16-17, 1992.

• Overview: The seminar, attended by just over three dozen people, aimed to discuss 'Perspectives on Contemporary Legend'. The event was noted for the quality and variety of its papers, despite lower-than-expected attendance, possibly due to a concurrent conference in Innsbruck.

• Day 1 Speakers:
• Bill Ellis presented on "Christian Magic and the Satanic Cult Mythology," discussing the evolution of anti-occult propaganda and the 'internecine warfare' among pentecostal extremists.
• Jacqueline Simpson spoke on "Hecate in the Primrose Wood: the Demonization of the Landscape," analyzing rumour cycles and 'fakelore' related to alleged paranormal occurrences in Sussex.
• Donna Wyckoff presented "Close Encounters of the Legendary Kind: Belief Legends and Liminality," examining in-group legends within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and applying concepts of liminality and interstitiality.

• Day 2 Speakers:
• Michael Goss discussed "Rock-Lore: Legends & Rumours of the Rock Music Industry," exploring how contemporary music legends often rework traditional folklore motifs and the morbid romanticism within rock culture.
• Robert MacGregor presented "The Mystery of the Quebec Beer-Drinkers' Cardiomyopathy: A Legend Type," detailing a rumour-cycle involving 'Killer Beer' and the unresolved medical inquiry into associated deaths.
• Sandy Hobbs & David Cornwell presented on "The Clowns," discussing the suspicion surrounding clowns and exploring a rumour cycle among West Scotland schoolchildren concerning approaches made by clown-garbed adults.
• Gillian Bennett gave a preview of her ongoing project "The Bosom Serpent: Work in Progress," focusing on the timeless theme of snakes and reptiles in the human body and the interpretations placed on such incidents.
• Paul Smith addressed "Defining the 'Canon' - Subdividing the 'Canon'," examining classification schemes for contemporary and urban legends and questioning the distinctiveness of the genre.
• W.F.H. Nicolaisen presented "Is There a 'Sheffield School' of Contemporary Legend Study?" examining criticisms of the ISCLR as exclusive and discussing its international reach and the possibility of diversifying conference venues.

• Informal Proceedings: The seminar also included informal events such as a folk-song session, discussions on rumours, party games by Newfoundland students, and a demonstration of hypnosis.

Proto-legends

This section introduces 'proto-legends', which are stories that have not yet fully developed into established legends:

• Cheating Spouses: Two stories are presented about individuals visiting brothels and discovering their wives working there.
• Volvo Accidents: A statistic suggesting Volvos have a higher proportion of accidents with motorbikes is mentioned.
• Doctor's Instructions: An anecdote from Sean Smith about a doctor instructing a receptionist to reposition a deceased patient to make it appear he was entering the clinic.
• Bingo Prize: A story about a young girl winning £10,000 at bingo but being unable to claim the prize because she was underage.
• Luxembourg Family: A tale of a Luxembourg family who locked themselves in their cellar for two weeks to avoid shame over not affording a holiday.
• Telephone Stories: Three stories involving telephones: a teenager running up a large bill on a sex line, a tax department playing the 'Godfather' theme tune, and a man shooting an intruder found hiding with a portable phone.

The Experts

This section examines 'experts' and reversals of conventional wisdom:

• Cholesterol Terror: Swedish research published in the British Medical Journal suggests that cholesterol-lowering trials showed no change in heart disease deaths, with findings that contradict conventional wisdom being largely ignored.
• Violent Deaths: Men who cut cholesterol levels are reported to be more prone to violent deaths, particularly suicide.
• Fatty Food Warning: British health experts warned against ignoring Finnish claims that cutting down on fatty food can significantly increase the risk of a fatal heart attack, challenging the belief that high cholesterol is a prime cause of coronary problems.

Back in a Jiffi...

This section focuses on condom-related anecdotes and news:

• Trademarks: A furniture company used a condom packet to create a kite mark for its advertising, and McDonald's is attempting to ban a contraceptive called 'McCondom' due to trademark infringement.
• Large Condoms: A mention of "large" condoms exported to Russia, marketed as "medium" in the US and UK, and a donation of extra-large condoms to Ukraine.
• Glow-in-the-Dark Condoms: Novelty glow-in-the-dark condoms are discussed, with experts warning they offer no protection against pregnancy or diseases like Aids.
• Female Condoms: The introduction of female condoms ('Femidom') in Switzerland and their upcoming sale in Britain is noted.
• Allergy Link: A bizarre link between bananas and condoms is suggested, with warnings that people allergic to fruit could have a fatal reaction to latex.
• Lambskin Condoms: Experts in America advise men to wear lambskin condoms under rubber sheaths to avoid allergic itching and burning.
• Condom Usage: Tight-fisted couples in Chile wash and dry their condoms, while white is the most popular condom color in Kenya and black in Sweden.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of folklore, contemporary legends, and urban belief tales. It highlights how modern phenomena, technology, and societal concerns are reflected in evolving narratives. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting and analyzing these stories, often with a critical eye towards sensationalism or unsubstantiated claims, while also acknowledging the cultural significance and fascination these legends hold. The inclusion of "Proto-legends" and "The Experts" sections suggests an interest in the development of new folklore and the challenging of established beliefs or expert opinions.

Title: Folklore
Issue: 28
Volume: 17
Date: September 1992
Publisher: Folklore
Country: UK
Language: English
ISSN: 0958-3107
Price: £5

This issue of Folklore magazine, dated September 1992, presents a diverse range of articles, reviews, and reader contributions. The cover story, "Folklore Sport," hints at a focus on sports-related folklore and potentially the portrayal of athletes. The magazine maintains its characteristic exploration of paranormal phenomena, fringe science, and unusual topics, interspersed with book and magazine reviews, and reader letters.

Health and Diet Debates

The issue opens with a discussion on dietary advice, specifically concerning low-fat diets and coffee consumption. A study suggesting a link between low-cholesterol diets and increased deaths is presented, but experts like Prof Philip James of Aberdeen's Rowett Research Institute caution against discouraging healthy eating based on a single study. Another piece dismisses the "coffee scare," with Dr Tom MacDonald of Dundee University suggesting that regular coffee drinkers develop a tolerance to caffeine, rendering conventional advice potentially outdated. The article also touches upon the controversial link between sex, drugs, and sport, citing differing expert opinions on its impact on athletic performance.

Alcohol's Perceived Benefits

Further health-related discussions explore the potential benefits of alcohol. Researchers at Newcastle University's department of medicine suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may help prevent strokes and heart attacks by making blood less likely to clot and improving blood fat profiles. Conversely, a piece mentions "Magnetic Vodka" being promoted in Russia as a cure-all, though dismissed by scientists. Studies from Ohio are cited, suggesting alcohol might enhance memory in mice, though the methodology is questioned.

Crop Circle Phenomenon

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the crop circle phenomenon. Andrew Collins' book "The Circlemakers" is reviewed, highlighting its exploration of crop circles through the lens of Wilhelm Reich and orgone radiation. Collins' theory suggests crop circles are "ultrasonic orgone hieroglyphs" and can be either curative or harmful. The review notes the book's integration of various paranormal elements like leys, earthlights, and UFOs.

"Crop Circles for Fun and Profit" by John Reid is also reviewed. Reid's witty overview includes anecdotes about circle makers and poses questions about where such phenomena might manifest if not in cornfields. The review mentions theories involving UFO anchors, cats, hypnotised field mice, and even gypsies.

"Crop Circle Secrets," edited by Donald L. Cyr, is discussed, presenting Cyr's theory that lightning strikes on two South Indian Ocean islands produce "whistlers" that create the crop circles in Wiltshire. The theory suggests grain stalks act as antennae, with concentric circles formed by audible tone vibrations or radio energy. The book also includes other perspectives, such as James Brett's antenna-loading theory and Michael Mideke's guide to whistlers.

Book Reviews

Beyond crop circles, several other books are reviewed:

• "Isiah on Gular: A Guide to John Wesley Harding" by Robin Witting: This book is analyzed for its interpretation of Bob Dylan's lyrics, particularly "All Along the Watchtower" as a paraphrase of the Book of Isaiah. The reviewer notes the author's commitment but points out perceived selectivity in analysis and a lack of alternative speculations.
• "Life As Sutch" by Lord David Sutch: These political memoirs are included due to the reviewer's past connection with Sutch. The book is described as packed with anecdotes about prominent politicians and the rock 'n' roll scene, offering a humorous and revealing look at various figures.
• "Secrets of the Soil" by Peter Tomkins & Christopher Bird: This book is presented as an argument for organic farming and radionics, discussing Irish round towers as paramagnetic antennae and Mayan pyramids as controlling weeds. The authors advocate for biodynamic farming as a solution to soil pollution.

Magazine Reviews

The issue also reviews other publications:

• "Dear My Thoms": A folklore miscellany featuring articles on photocopying body parts, stolen human kidneys, Craig Shergold's relocation, and other unusual topics.
• "Strange Magazine": A US glossy professional magazine covering paranormal and anomalous phenomena. This issue features an essay by Michael Grosso on the motives of anomalists and addresses claims about the authenticity of Nessie and Morgawr photographs.

Folklore Sport and Stop Press

The "Folklore Sport" section includes a note on the pin-up phenomenon in women's soccer magazines and a humorous anecdote from Darlington about a request for "bog roll." The "Stop Press" section highlights a spoof satirizing press stories, specifically a revised theory on pachyderm ears and a claim by former footballer Frank Worthington that Indian elephants have bigger ears than African elephants.

Problem Area

The "Problem Area" section addresses the magazine's delayed publication due to the editor's health issues and technical difficulties. The editor expresses hope for improvement and outlines plans for future issues, including an article by Jan Harold Brunvand.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Folklore magazine continues its established pattern of exploring the unusual, the unexplained, and the fringe. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various theories and perspectives on topics ranging from health and diet to crop circles and paranormal phenomena. While critical analysis is present in the book reviews, there's an underlying encouragement for readers to consider alternative viewpoints and engage with subjects that challenge conventional understanding. The magazine actively solicits reader contributions, fostering a sense of community among those interested in folklore and the unexplained. The recurring themes include ufology, crop circles, alternative health, and the intersection of folklore with everyday life, often presented with a touch of humor and a critical, yet curious, eye.