Folklore Frontiers - No 045

Magazine Overview

Title: UPDATE
Issue: FF18: FF22:6-7, passim
Date: October 29, 2003 (raw date)
Publisher: Emjat Reprographics
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of 'UPDATE' is a collection of short, often sensationalist, news snippets and reviews covering a wide array of topics, from celebrity gossip and unusual events to book reviews and niche publication roundups. The tone is generally light and sometimes provocative, aiming to capture the reader's attention with intriguing or shocking details.

Content Summary

Celebrity Gossip and Personalities

The issue opens with a report on Britney Spears (FF39:3), detailing her breakup with Limpbizkit frontman Fred Durst. Durst's crude remarks about Spears on the Howard Stern show are highlighted. Spears herself discusses how a significant sexual experience influenced her music, particularly her album 'In The Zone'. A bizarre publicity stunt is also mentioned: Spears's 55-hour marriage to Jason Alexander in Las Vegas, which was later annulled. A handwriting expert suggested the marriage was not consummated.

Social and Cultural Observations

TAKING THE PISS-TACHIOS (FF43:4-5) reports on a change in tradition at Wiltons restaurant in Mayfair, where measured amounts of Stilton are now served instead of an enormous bowl, a move that upset some patrons, including Julian Seymour, a former director of Lady Thatcher's private office. Mrs. Levin, who presides over the restaurant, stated it was not a matter of gravest importance.

LUNCHTIME viewers were exposed to a shocking event on the Terry & Gaby Show on Channel Five, where Jim Crawford drank his own urine live on air. Host Gaby Roslin and guest Jamelia reacted with horror. Crawford claims drinking urine is beneficial for health, aiding in cleaning and regulating the body, and even uses it to wash his hair and moisturize his skin. An editorial in the publication criticizes the show for displaying such an act.

Unusual Phenomena and Mysteries

DUBIOUS TRANSMISSIONS (FF18: FF22:6-7) describes a peculiar situation in Shalford, Surrey, where seven families living in close proximity experience interference with their baby monitors, picking up each other's infants due to identical monitors being used by parents of babies born around the same time.

CHASTITY BELTS (FF6:1) delves into the history of chastity belts, noting their appearance in 15th-century Europe as a means to control female sexuality, particularly in France.

NEGATIVE EQUITY (FF44:11) mentions a cluster of cancer cases in Kildale Grove, with one resident blaming irradiated rods from nuclear power stations. The author notes they regularly photograph these trains.

MORAL PANIC reports on anti-drugs groups campaigning to ban syringe-shaped sweets called 'Freekee Drops', which they believe associate drugs with pleasure and attract youngsters.

WEIRD WORKSOP (FF32:3-5) discusses William John Cavendish-Bentinck-Scott, 5th Duke of Portland, and a new exhibition about his life. It also features Paul Wong, who was banned from kite-flying after his high-flying object posed a hazard to aircraft, despite his ambition to break a world record.

ROSSLYN CHAPEL provides an update on research into decoding 213 cube symbols, with a Japanese electronics manufacturer funding efforts to develop muscle-relaxing products using sound vibrations.

AVOCADO MANDELSON features a rambling piece by Giles Coren reflecting on the end of summer, repetitive glumness, and the oppressive nature of the internet.

TATTOO COCK-UPS (FF33:1/5) recounts the story of a football fan who mistakenly got a Yorkshire rose tattoo instead of a Lancashire rose, leading to much ribbing. Pop singer Dido is quoted saying, "fame is like a bad tattoo."

Health and Lifestyle

PUB CRAZES (FF43:6-9) mentions an auction of 124 bras collected from a pub chain to benefit a breast cancer charity.

ALCOPOPS MORAL PANIC discusses the launch of 'Roxxoff', an alcopop containing 'herbal Viagra' and Chinese aphrodisiacs like horny goat weed, designed to boost sex drive. The product has faced criticism for potentially encouraging drunken sex.

BOOZE ORGY MORAL PANIC references a cancelled 'booze orgy' event in Hartlepool following a similar event in Sheffield where a 25-year-old died from head injuries after a binge.

LIQUORICE (FF19:12-13) reports on a 56-year-old woman who suffered muscle paralysis and nearly died after consuming large amounts of liquorice, leading to dangerously low potassium levels. Manufacturers Haribo stated their products fall within safe levels.

UPLIFT (FF27:10-11; FF44:1/4) describes how ski officials in Vail, Colorado, chopped down a tree known as the 'Panty Bush' because it was covered in knickers and bras left by visitors.

Book Reviews

BOOKS features a review of Pete Brown's book, 'MAN WALKS INTO A PUB: A SOCIABLE HISTORY OF BEER'. The review highlights Brown's exploration of why people drink beer, its social significance, and historical aspects, including the belief that brewing was key to the formation of stable communities. It also touches on statistics about drinking habits, colloquialisms for drunkenness, and the changing nature of drinking venues. The reviewer notes the book's cheery style but finds the footnotes irritating and puerile.

Magazine Reviews and Listings

MAGAZINES provides brief descriptions and subscription details for various publications:

• FORTEAN TIMES: Covers issues 174-180, discussing topics like ghost debunking, UFO myths, conspiracy theories, earth mysteries, cryptozoology, and historical accounts of paranormal phenomena.
• NORTHERN EARTH: Features articles on supernatural authors, earth mysteries, and folklore, including tales of the Sockburn Worm and the Tower of London ravens.
• AMSKAYA: A newsletter from the STAR Fellowship, with an issue focusing on extraterrestrial technology and a shared anti-Devereux, anti-Randles stance.
• MAGONIA: Reviews articles on US Stealth aircraft crashes, virtual worlds, lighthouse spotting, folklore, and abduction delusions.
• TOUCHSTONE: A magazine from Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, discussing ley systems, ley hunting, and ufology. It also features critiques of other publications and authors.
• HOBNAIL REVIEW: A publication focusing on independent presses, DIY publishing, and mail art.

This Issue

The editor notes that the nature of this issue was influenced by the sudden death of their regular printer, Mike Costello. The current issue is a compromise due to the circumstances, with less artwork and variety in content, but still featuring salaciousness on the cover. The editor expresses hope that someone will take over the printing business to ensure the continuity of small press publications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include celebrity gossip, unusual and often shocking events, historical oddities, and niche interests such as ufology and earth mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of sensationalism and curiosity, presenting intriguing or controversial snippets to engage the reader. There's a clear interest in the bizarre, the unexplained, and the often provocative aspects of culture and society. The reviews of other magazines and books suggest a readership interested in forteana, paranormal phenomena, and alternative perspectives.