Folklore Frontiers - No 030

Magazine Overview

Title: Folklore Frontiers
Issue: 30
Date: September 1997
Publisher: Paul Screeton

Lead-in: Editor's Notes and Media Access

Paul Screeton, the editor of Folklore Frontiers, begins by explaining the magazine's current technological limitations, citing the use of an outdated Amstrad 8256 computer. He also notes a significant setback: his reduced access to national newspapers, which were previously a vital resource for his work as a sub-editor. He appeals to readers to clip and send any relevant articles that fall within the magazine's remit, providing source and date. This reliance on reader contributions highlights the magazine's grassroots approach to collecting folklore.

City of Rumour: Princess Diana Conspiracy Theories

This section, written by Paul Screeton, delves into the conspiracy theories that emerged following the death of Princess Diana. Screeton draws a parallel between the public's reaction to Diana and the cult worship surrounding Eva Peron. He points to the perceived 'extreme tardiness' of the French judicial procedure as a catalyst for these theories. The article references a 'Diana Conspiracy Site' on the internet and lists potential beneficiaries of her death, including American arms manufacturers and establishments seeking to introduce stricter privacy legislation. The piece also touches upon 'chaotic disinformation' such as a frozen speedometer, traces of cocaine, a missing necklace, and a rumour of pregnancy, citing various tabloid and magazine reports.

Boobs Out for the Folklorists: A Thematic Exploration of Titillation and Folklore

This extensive article by Paul Screeton explores the use of titillation and female anatomy in folklore and popular culture, particularly in pubs and advertising. It begins with anecdotes of pubs using topless barmaids to attract customers, citing examples from West Yorkshire and Norway where such practices led to varied outcomes, including bans and industrial disputes. The article then broadens its scope to include instances of women being featured in advertising for their physical attributes, such as Page 3 girls in whisky commercials or models whose breasts were deemed too large for advertising campaigns. It also touches upon the naming of beers and ciders after women's physical characteristics. The piece highlights the cultural significance of 'big tits' in advertising and popular media, referencing specific examples and newspaper reports from various tabloids.

Further sections of this article discuss 'shotgunning' (drinking super-strength lager rapidly), 'nippleprinting' (painting nipples for art), and 'strip-'r'-oke' (a karaoke variant involving stripping). It also mentions a pub toilet papered with 'Sport' pin-ups and a story about a woman growing chest hair due to a specific lager. The article concludes by noting Johnny Depp's attribution of his liking for alcohol and tobacco to 'breast deprivation'.

Pub woman in dick fury: An Unusual Pub Incident

This short piece reports on a woman in a pub in Pitsen, Essex, who caused a commotion by complaining that the menu was 'rude and offensive' because it included 'spotted dick'. The landlord, Chris La Rocque, expressed surprise at the complaint.

'Ju-ju' gang terrorise Sierra Leone: A Report on Occult Fear and Violence

This article, sourced from The Guardian, details the terror allegedly inflicted by a secret society known as 'Jombobla' in Sierra Leone. The society is accused of a spate of rapes and other violence, with claims of supernatural powers and the removal of pubic hair for fetishes. The article explores theories linking the group to ethnic politics, hysteria, or genuine occult practices. It mentions arrests and the authorities' attempts to downplay the situation, with police stating they are officers of the law, not 'ju-ju men'.

Flat Earth: Mother's Ruin and the Jinx of Mother Teresa

This short piece discusses the fear that journalists at the Italian newspaper La Repubblica have of writing about Mother Teresa, attributing it to a 'jinx' where those who predict her demise face misfortune. It notes that even mentioning her name is considered bad luck.

Don't panic, I'm a genius: Charles Darwin's Panic Attacks

This brief item suggests that Charles Darwin may have suffered from panic attacks and agoraphobia, possibly triggered by the controversy surrounding his Theory of Evolution.

Spot the link: Sunderland Echo's Creative Journalism

This short piece highlights a peculiar claim made by the Sunderland Echo newspaper, stating that actress Tyne Daly has a 'North-East river for a Christian name'.

Diary: Caroline's Psychologist Friend and Pheromones

This diary entry recounts a conversation with the author's sister about a psychologist friend who claimed to have a foolproof method for seducing women using pheromones from a handkerchief.

Mucky goings-on cause outrage in refined: Country Diary - Badger's Bottom

This piece describes a conflict between a farmer named Davy and his new 'executive housing' neighbours in Badger's Bottom. The neighbours complain about the mud, cows, and general rural activities, leading to Davy moving his sheep to appease them, only to face further complaints.

Oldie can spot bloke a mile off!: Folklore of Vision and Carrots

This section presents two folklore items. The first is about an elderly spinster who called the police to report her neighbour masturbating at his window, requiring the use of binoculars to confirm. The second item debunks the wartime myth that eating carrots improves night vision, explaining that while carrots contain beta-carotene (converted to Vitamin A), the myth was a British propaganda effort to conceal the development of radar systems.

'Eat your crusts, they make your hair curl': Folklore of Food and Health

This piece debunks the old wives' tale that eating bread crusts makes hair curl, explaining it was a wartime ploy to prevent food wastage. It also notes that charred food can be a risk factor for cancer.

Dog love: Bestiality and Animal Affection

This article discusses the topic of bestiality, noting that dog wardens encounter accusations more often than proven cases. It explains that the crime is difficult to prove but is an offense under the Sexual Offences Act 1956.

Veggie Satanists: Sacrifice Cucumbers for Devil

This article reports on a group of vegetarian Satanists who perform rituals using cucumbers instead of live animals as sacrifices. The cult, which has a significant membership in California, believes that sacrificing a 'living being' is required, and they interpret vegetables as fulfilling this requirement. A clergyman warns against joining such cults.

Photocopy lore: A Lesson in Life - The Versatility of the F-word

This piece explores the versatility of the F-word in the English language, demonstrating its use as a noun, adjective, and verb, and providing numerous examples of its application in everyday expressions and quotes from famous figures.

Books: Reviews of Paranormal and Folklore Literature

This section reviews several books:

• Lost at Sea by Michael Goss and George Bene: A serious examination of maritime mysteries and folklore, focusing on ship-related psychic phenomena.
• Encyclopedia of the Unexplained by Jenny Randies & Peter Hough: A comprehensive assessment of paranormal topics, divided into sections on earth mysteries, UFOs, psychism, cryptozoology, and strange beings.
• A Wiccan Herbal by Marie Rodway: A book on natural healing from a Wiccan perspective.
• Plants of Mystery and Magic by Michael Jordan: An illustrated guide to magical mushrooms and plants, detailing their traditions and associations.

Cassell Dictionary of Witchcraft: A Review

This review discusses David Pickering's dictionary, which explores the history of witchcraft, particularly in the Cleveland area. It covers entries on famous witches, covens, familiars, and folklore related to witchcraft.

Saints Preserve Us: A Guide to Patron Saints

This review of Sean Kelly and Rosemary Rogers' book highlights its comprehensive coverage of patron saints for various ailments and themes, arranged alphabetically and thematically.

The Porcelain God: A History of the Toilet

This review of Julie L Horan's book covers the history of the toilet, customs, and manners associated with it, including bizarre stories and worldwide hygiene habits.

Naked Graffiti: Short Stories and Soft-Focus Porn

This review of Richard Glyn Jones' compilation of short stories notes its focus on realism and 'soft-focus porn', including themes of incest and teenage lust.

The Paranormal Sourcebook: A Guide to Paranormal Developments

This review describes Jenny Randles' book as an excellent starting point for learning about paranormal developments, including crop circles, earth mysteries, poltergeists, and UFOs.

The LeyHunter Journal: Geomancy and Earth Mysteries

This entry promotes The LeyHunter Journal, described as the world's longest-running journal of geomancy and earth mysteries.

Paganism Today: Essays on Contemporary Paganism

This review discusses a collection of essays on contemporary paganism, noting the diversity of perspectives and the earthy shamanism of Gordon MacLellan.

The Enigma of Borley Rectory: A Detailed Account

This review praises Ivan Banks' book for its thoroughness in detailing the Borley Rectory story, acknowledging its magic despite admitted contradictions.

Briefs: Various Books and Articles

This section provides brief mentions of several other books and articles, including:

• A claim that the poem Beowulf depicts Scandinavian events, questioned by Dr Andy Orchard.
• 'The Sun Goddess' by Sheena McGrath, which reconstructs myths of a sun cult.
• 'The Witch's Dream' by Florinda Donner-Grau, an autobiographical account of spiritual healing.
• John Matthews' 'Secret Camelot' and 'Arthurian Myth & Legend: An A-Z'.
• Moyra Caledcott's 'Mythical Journeys, Legendary Quests'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Folklore Frontiers include the exploration of urban legends and belief tales, the analysis of media representation and its role in shaping folklore, and the examination of societal anxieties and moral panics. There is a consistent focus on the unusual, the sensational, and the often-taboo aspects of human experience, presented through a lens that is both critical and appreciative of folklore's power. The editorial stance, as evidenced by Paul Screeton's writing, appears to be one of open inquiry into these phenomena, often with a skeptical yet engaged approach, and a willingness to draw from a wide range of sources, including tabloid journalism. The magazine also demonstrates an interest in the intersection of folklore with sexuality, popular culture, and historical narratives.

This document is a collection of reviews and summaries of various niche magazines, primarily focusing on folklore, mysteries, ufology, and paranormal phenomena. The main cover story from the 'Sunday Sport' (January 12, 1997) highlights a cruel hoax memo circulating in British hospitals that makes light of terminally ill patients, alongside a report on farmers exploiting tax loopholes with whisky. The issue also includes a section on 'things not to say to the terminally ill' and a report on a gig ban for a band called 'Dead Dianas'.

Magazine Reviews

• Magonia:
• No. 56: Discusses rumour concerning organ theft and criticizes Witness Support Group. Includes book reviews.
• No. 57: Mick Goss speculates on whether hypno-heist accounts and narratives are more than rumour legends, revisiting ancient astronaut genre.
• No. 53: Examines UFO crash retrievals as a developing modern myth, focusing on implants and poltergeist phenomena.
• No. 59: Peter Rogerson writes about 'Pixie' Syndrome people and recent ritual abuse developments, critiquing US researchers.

• Northern Earth:
• No. 66: Covers supernatural mowers on the Isle of Man, parallels to the 'mowing devil', Japanese alignment research, and preservation of heritage. Includes book reviews and letters.
• No. 67: Gordon Harris discusses alignments nodes theory, sacred groves of the Celts, and the witch Sybil of Todmorden.

• N-MAG RAG:
• Vol. 1, No. 2: Reprints an article by Paul Screeton on a personal black panther sighting and a reported ABC corpse. Discusses Daimonic theory and sightings of Hebridean mystery carcasses.

• Northern UFO News:
• No. 175: Jenny Randles covers the 1974 Llandrillo mystery; Nick Pope discusses his former MoD role; and explores activities at BAe Warton.

• Deville's Advocate:
• No. 2: Cryptozoological analysis of the Deerhurst dragon legend, Cheltenham UFOSS, Internet implications, bodily incorruptibility, and a critique of a spiritualist medium.
• No. 3: Explores Arthurian themes and ufolore connections, Glos alien big cats, skepticism about Cydonia, and hoax replies from the Smithsonian.

• Touchstone:
• No. 45: Reports on Earth energies claims from Nigeria and field trips in Surrey and Herts, along with crop circles and book reviews.
• No. 46: Features a profile of the Travel and Earth Mysteries Society, Vermont's underground power centre, folk healing, and 'E-line around the world' theories, including Alfred Watkins' Bee light meter.

• Amskaya:
• No. 39: Discusses belief in space beings and reviews books favouring an Adamski-oriented perspective.

• The Dragon Chronicle:
• No. 9: Locates Beowulf in North-East England, discusses dragon effigies, and features fiction, heraldry, and astronomy.
• No. 10: Covers dragons from Huddersfield, Durham City, Newcastle upon Tyne, Medea, St Samson, meteors, comets, and includes fiction and poetry.

• The Ley Hunter Journal:
• No. 125: Discusses changes in format and paranoia from Albert Budden, Terenca Meaden's theories, and Ronald Hutton's CV. Covers Indian sacred geomancy and Ley lines in South Wales.
• No. 126: Features Paul Devereux on geomancy, a forum on spirit ways, primitive surveys, and Stan Gooch on civilization's origins. Includes a piece on hill figures by Paul Screeton.
• No. 127: Jo-Anne Wilder on personal power, spirit ways, death roads, Stonehenge's placement, megalithic art, a Pictish symbol stone, and understanding sacred places.

• Letters to Ambrose Merton:
• No. 6: Sandy Hobbs examines urban belief tales, including a letter from MP Norman Buchan regarding a food ration book incident. Also covers courtroom howlers and other anecdotes.
• No. 7: Discusses an early Victorian ballroom, marching jazzband hysteria, Romany lore, mobile phone myths, and 'fool town' Bognor.
• No. 8: Focuses on computer network jokes, cinema rat bite stories, and the 'red-hot cannonballs' anecdote.
• No. 9: Covers Euromyths, hospital cleaner incidents, virus definitions, and the national fairground archive.
• No. 10: Details an old male ritual of non-women riders, fashion designers' racist rumours, Australian nicknames, and press updates.

• Wearwolf:
• No. 12: A small-format issue discussing UFOs as seen by a scientist in 1951, giant bees as astronauts, and includes short poems.

• Promises & Disappointments:
• No. 3/4: A double issue that critiques Quest International and New Ufologist magazine. Discusses the Protocols of Zion, the Third Secret of Fatima, a 1950 German CE III case, and questions Nick Pope's status.

• Fortean Times:
• No. 88: Andy Roberts examines pop musicians' interest in ufology. Discusses 'flying saucers' related to morning glory seeds, supernatural fertility chairs, 1995 alien cat reports, and apocalyptic imagination.
• No. 89: Covers a Lancashire poltergeist case and a Hungarian religious vision.
• No. 90: Discusses super-centenarians, 'daman alien kangaroo', Roswell alien autopsy film analysis, and yeti. Includes articles on elemental locations and Robert Irving's profile of Henry Azadehedel.
• No. 91: Covers curses, ghost stories, 1996 corn circles, new species in Indochina, Bigfoot, and cold fusion alchemy.
• No. 92: Discusses electromagnetic effects, paranormal phenomena, Argentinian lake monsters, and Mexican superstition.
• No. 93: Examines faulty scholarship, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Bigfoot sightings. Discusses folklore scholars and bird song observation.
• No. 94: Questions man walking on the Moon, horse-ripping incidents, and a WWI Turkish 'timeslip' mystery. Includes critiques of ley-line tales and daimonic inertia.
• No. 95: Reports on extraordinary lizards, fiery crosses, thought control experiments, Necronomicom scam, and Cornish sea serpent mystery.
• No. 96: Not received.
• No. 97: Discusses the lunar landings hoax, Hollow Earth theories, and horned water monsters.
• No. 98: Covers creating one's own country, bogus social workers, Satanic hysteria, Nostrodamus, and ufology landmarks.
• No. 99: Discusses the Japanese Aum cult, Heaven's Gate ufo cult, Amazonian giant anacondas, and visual misperceptions.
• No. 100: Celebrates an anniversary and mentions the Heaven's Gate incident and Kenneth Arnold.
• No. 101: Reviews alien big cat reports, Rennes-le-Chateau interest, and 'evil eye' staring. Criticizes a piece on giants.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes across these magazine reviews are folklore, paranormal phenomena, ufology, cryptozoology, and unexplained mysteries. There is a consistent interest in historical accounts, anecdotal evidence, and speculative theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of cataloging and reporting on these niche publications, providing summaries and critiques of their content without necessarily endorsing the more outlandish claims. The 'Sunday Sport' article, however, takes a more investigative and critical approach to a specific incident of insensitivity within the healthcare system.