Folklore Frontiers - No 019

Magazine Overview

Title: Folklore Frontiers
Issue: No. 19
Date: June, 1993
Publisher: Paul Screeton
Description: Folklore Frontiers is an independent, non-profit making magazine devoted to folklore, in particular contemporary legends or urban belief tales. It is published and edited by Paul Screeton and is generally published on a quarterly basis.

The Diary

Paul Screeton, the editor, notes that the issue is being put together in early July, despite the cover date of June. He introduces new sub-sections and mentions that urban legends are the magazine's mainstay, but anything vaguely folkloric is welcome. He also states that he has been a 'Fortean' for too long to change his ways.

A humorous anecdote from The Guardian (11/6/93) is shared about Jack Dormand, former Labour MP, who had his ballot slips weighed rather than counted. A list of '10 Things You Might Be Sent to Fetch' for a first job is also included, featuring classic practical jokes like 'elbow grease' and 'invisible nails'.

Truth About That Mars Bar

This section debunks the persistent myth that Marianne Faithfull was involved in a sexual threesome with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, involving a Mars bar, during a police raid. Tony Sanchez, author of 'Up and Down With The Rolling Stones', reveals that the police found no Mars bar and that the story was likely an invention of a 'dirty-minded police officer'. The article details the events of the raid on Keith Richards' home, Redlands, in 1967, and how the myth grew, fueled by media sensationalism and gossip columnists.

Futures: The Rolling Stones, 2010

This piece, by Mark Hodkinson, discusses the enduring legacy of The Rolling Stones and Marianne Faithfull. It touches on how Faithfull maintains her image and how certain references, like the 'Mars bar' and 'fur rug' incident, remain associated with her. The article also mentions other instances where the 'Mars bar' reference has cropped up in popular culture and media.

The Killing of Doc Shiels

Tony Shiels, a painter, expresses his disdain for 'Doc Shiels', a character he finds problematic. He discusses his own work and the nature of 'anomalous phenomena', suggesting that involvement with such topics can lead to psychological issues, with humour being the primary defence. He also shares a joke about a man from Rockville.

Hands off Our Monkey!

This short piece highlights a dispute between Hartlepool and Greenock, Scotland, over the legend of a hanged monkey. Scottish Memories magazine claims Greenock hanged a monkey in 1760, predating Hartlepool's similar legend. The Mayor of Hartlepool dismisses the claim, asserting Hartlepool's monkey tale is internationally known.

Bosom Serpent Thoughts

Peter Christie explores the urban legend of a person swallowing an animal, usually a reptile, which then lives inside them. He cites examples from 'Notes & Queries' in the 19th century and a more recent case from Malaysia. The article discusses the difficulty in tracing the origins of such legends and the role of media in their propagation.

Articles Elsewhere

This section provides a roundup of articles from other publications. Topics include modern legends in 'Frankenstein stalks the urban jungle', the sociological insights of 'No boudoir? try a mud hut on wheels', and a cautionary tale about disastrous sales promotions from The Daily Telegraph. It also mentions articles on Elvis Presley's memorabilia, the Queen, and the Kray twins.

Letters

Nigel Pennick writes about 'Dumbtown legends', discussing how certain towns or regions are often the butt of jokes, citing examples from England, Denmark, and Switzerland. He mentions the 'Wise Men of Gotham' tales and jokes about people from Aarhus and Ost-Friesland.

Captain John F Peffley shares a personal experience from 1946 involving a strange voice from a loudspeaker during a US Navy course, which he believes was a 'dubious transmission'.

Newslines

• This section presents a collection of short, often bizarre, news items:
• 'Cuff Luck': Two prisoners escaped while handcuffed and broke their arms trying to break the cuffs on a lamp-post.
• 'Head Cases': The Liawep people of Papua New Guinea worship a rock shaped like a human head.
• 'Stitched Up': A hoax led to the knitting of woolly jumpers for seagulls.
• 'Baa!': A flock of sheep was reportedly blown half a mile by a 100mph whirlwind.
• 'Bodily Functions': Several anecdotes involving urine and bodily waste, including a story about a Royal Marine leaving a turd in a taxi and Edward Lordan spraying women with urine.

Folklore Sport

• This section features humorous anecdotes related to sports:
• Graham Taylor being asked to change his shirt during a BBC interview due to a company logo.
• A radio producer asking Frank Warren about a boxer, with the newspaper withholding his reply.
• A BBC presenter's gaffe about a golfer's 'balls'.

Spanish is the Loving Tongue (Liquorice in Pontefract)

Paul Screeton recounts the history and cultural significance of liquorice in Pontefract. He details the creation of the world's largest Pontefract cake, the town's connection to liquorice, and the origins of the Pontefract cake recipe. The article also touches on the etymology of 'liquorice' and its medicinal properties.

Contributors

Brief biographies of the issue's contributors, including Paul Screeton, Peter Christie, Martyn Harris, Tony Shiels, Phillip Hickey, and John Hind.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores urban legends, folklore, and contemporary belief systems. There is a strong emphasis on debunking myths and critically examining sensationalized stories, particularly those involving celebrities and paranormal phenomena. The editor, Paul Screeton, displays a Fortean perspective, open to unusual phenomena but grounded in factual investigation and often employing humour. The magazine also touches on social commentary, historical anecdotes, and the cultural significance of everyday items and traditions.

Title: Fortean Times
Issue: Vol. 23, No. 3
Date: 1993
Publisher: Fortean Times
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
ISSN: 0957-9092
Price: £1.75

This issue of Fortean Times, dated 1993, presents a diverse collection of unusual phenomena, paranormal reports, and quirky anecdotes under the overarching theme of 'It's grim up North'. The cover features a humorous cartoon related to a 'Guinness Book of Records' entry.

Update

The 'Update' section expands on previous stories, including reports of radio transmissions interfering with electronic devices and even receiving messages from dogs. It details instances of accidental cross-contamination in media, such as a rock concert speaker system picking up local radio and a children's book containing adult material due to printing errors. There are also accounts of electronic interference affecting aircraft navigation and a passenger's portable CD player causing a near-crash.

Employee's Revenge

This section compiles various incidents where individuals have enacted revenge, often in petty or unusual ways. Examples include a pony show angering a rider by misprinting his name, a dismissed factory worker allegedly sabotaging a sweet product, and claims of booby-trapped toilets in Saddam Hussein's palace. A TV joker's car phone was stolen, with the hope that it was booby-trapped. A disturbing incident involved a child finding a sex advert in a doll's packaging.

Devil Cars

This segment focuses on cars associated with unusual or sinister occurrences. Peter Cavanagh claims his Rover P6, with the registration '666', had its petrol evaporate overnight and mysteriously moved. Chris Page gave away his Vauxhall Cavalier due to its 'XUG 666X' plate, after family members died. Willie Quinn experienced a series of misfortunes with a 16-year-old Allegro, including a £10,000 raid, his wife's death, and his garage burning down, all seemingly linked to the car.

Jinx Loco

This section reports on an errant diesel locomotive, number 47299, which has experienced several incidents, including being painted black, catching fire, and being modified. Its history is detailed for railway modellers.

Chastity Belts

An article discusses the history of chastity belts, known as Florentine girdles, in the 14th century, designed to prevent unwanted advances. It mentions a case of a Peruvian woman dying from a fatal infection related to one and a claim about security metal detectors at Beirut airport reacting to concubines' chastity belts.

Country Purr Suits

This section features reports of large cat sightings and encounters. Farmer John Fitzgerald claimed his dog was ripped apart by the 'Beast of Exmoor'. A black cat was reported to have charged a car in Somerset. Stuart Gray-Thompson reported on a black, panther-like beast in Kintyre. Police in County Durham believe there may be up to ten wild pumas loose in the North-East. Dr. Karl Shuker is mentioned in relation to puma sightings.

Girl Chat

This is a short comic strip.

It's grim up North

This section highlights local news and anecdotes from the North of England. It introduces Barney Walls, the mock mayor of Middleton, Hartlepool. It also includes a story about a correspondent asking about a survivor of the Munich air crash who still played football, leading to a humorous calculation about gestation periods. A personal anecdote from the editor about a filming incident is also included.

Proto-legends

This section details unusual incidents that could be considered 'proto-legends'. One story recounts a fatal accident where a man was killed and others injured when their pickup truck overturned after hitting a giant tortoise in South Africa. Another report describes Tom Cruise paying the bill for a group of students singing 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling' at a restaurant in Memphis.

Stop Press

This section contains various short news items and anecdotes:

• Monkey-Hangers: Mentions a review of a 'Hartlepool V Greenock trumped-up rumpus' and a forthcoming overview.
• Yours Faithfully: Discusses 'Bite' magazine listing novel sex aids, including Fisherman's Friend as an aphrodisiac and a 'Mars bar where lover boy can nibble it'. It also mentions an article about Mars bars helping mountaineers survive Arctic conditions in Russia.
• Licked: Describes a dress made of liquorice from Pontefract cakes and allsorts created for a display.
• General: A security alert at Humberside's Hesslewood Hall was caused by squirrels raiding sweet shops.

Books

Reviews of several books are featured:

• Urban Myths by Phil Healey & Rick Glanvill: Described as a cheap British book with many new tales, but criticized for trivializing, being intellectually shallow, and lacking subtlety. The authors are noted for not responding to a request to contribute to the magazine.
• Discover Your Psychic Powers by Rodney Davies: Examines extra-sensory perception and its applications, described as easy to read and valuable for those seeking to develop inner powers.
• Office Humour II by Pete Fagan and Mark Schaffer: A collection of subversive photocopied notices found in offices, featuring mutinous memos and cries for help, with some incorporating cartoons.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the unexplained, paranormal, fortean phenomena, and unusual occurrences. There is a focus on anecdotal evidence, local legends, and fringe topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into these subjects, often presenting them with a blend of seriousness and a touch of wry humor, as evidenced by the cartoon on the cover and the selection of stories. The magazine also highlights the work of other publications and researchers in related fields, acting as a compendium of strange news and a resource for enthusiasts.