Folklore Frontiers - No 053

Magazine Overview

Title: Folklore Frontiers
Issue: No. 53
Date: August 2006
Publisher: Paul Screeton
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

Folklore Frontiers is presented as an independent magazine dedicated to exploring various facets of folklore, with a particular focus on contemporary legends, ancient and modern traditions, and aspects of modern culture. The magazine is edited and published by Paul Screeton, with its address provided as 5 Egton Drive, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, TS25 2AT. Subscriptions for three issues are priced at £6, payable to Paul Screeton directly.

Cover Features

The cover of this issue prominently displays the title "FOLKLORE FRONTIERS" in large, bold lettering. It includes a portrait of a man with a beard and microphone at the top left, and a photograph of a man in a suit alongside a woman in a bikini below. The issue number "No. 53" and the month "August 2006" are also clearly visible.

Articles and Features

The Diary... The Diary...

This section features personal reflections and anecdotes from the editor, Paul Screeton. He recounts an interview with Mike Amos, drawing parallels between a description of the Black Hole of Calcutta and a statue in Gateshead. He also mentions Mike Amos's MBE for services to journalism. The editor notes that Mike Amos is pictured on the front cover with Bob Dylan and Stacey Keibler.

A section titled "A PUTATIVE AUTHOR" discusses John Hanson's upcoming book "Haunted Skies," which aims to track down individuals interviewed about UFO sightings decades ago. The editor also mentions Sylvia Frost's 1968 sighting of a pyramidal object over High Throston, Hartlepool.

Screeton announces a new feature, "Crossing the Line – Plus," which will update and expand material from his "Heart of Albion" book. He introduces Chris Hughes as a celebrity trainspotter, recounting an encounter where Hughes claimed not to be a trainspotter, despite evidence to the contrary.

One Aspect of Forteana

This piece discusses the difficulty in obtaining clear photographic evidence of paranormal phenomena, such as UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, and ghosts. It highlights equipment malfunctions and shares an anecdote from John Preston about a recorded telephone interview with Bob Dylan in 2004, where the recording failed, leaving only indistinct whispering, which Preston interprets as an example of Dylan's elusiveness.

It Hurts Me to Agree

This short section references an article by Mark Henderson, Science Editor of The Times, who points out that despite numerous warnings about mobile phones igniting petrol station explosions, no such incidents have ever occurred. Henderson suggests that the risk from hot car engines and static electricity is immeasurably higher.

Ian Gibson, MP

This brief note mentions that MP Ian Gibson displeased his Norwich constituents with a remark linking diabetes prevalence in the county to people being "quite in-bred."

Readers' Letters

Mick Goss, Fakenham, Norfolk: Goss writes about the legend of a horse and cart falling into a viaduct, comparing it to the legend of Arsenal's Highbury stadium where a greengrocer's cart allegedly fell in, and its spectral neighing is heard when Arsenal scores. He notes the legend's potential decline with Arsenal's move to a new stadium.

John Michell, London: Michell thanks the magazine for a review and discusses the "Icknield Way," questioning its width and stating it is a straight line passing over key sites, aligning with relics of a trackway from the Norfolk-Suffolk border.

Mythology Solved: Website Rules on the Famous Tall Tales

This section, attributed to Caroline Iggulden, investigates urban myths using the website www.snopes.com. It examines several tales:

• Santa: The image of Santa Claus as a jolly figure in a red-and-white suit created by Coca-Cola is debunked as a myth. Santa Claus is described as an evolutionary creation derived from St. Nicholas, with the red suit becoming common by the late 19th century, exemplified by Thomas Nast's drawings in 1863.
• Lion King: The claim that the letters "S-E-X" are formed by a swirling cloud of dust in "The Lion King" is deemed "TRUE (MAYBE)." It suggests that while the word can be seen with persistence in slow motion, it might have been an attempt to slip in "SFX" (special effects).
• Titanic Musicians: The story that the Titanic orchestra played "Nearer My God to Thee" as the ship sank is marked as "NOT SURE." The truth remains a mystery as none of the band survived.
• Sirloin: The etymology of "sirloin" as being knighted by a king is labeled "FALSE." The term is traced back to the eighteenth century and the Middle French word "surlonge."
• Naked Woman Trophy: The story of a Las Vegas business conducting "Bambi hunts" of naked women for customers armed with paintball guns is labeled "FALSE." It was a spoof by businessman Michael Burdick to promote a video.
• Bonobo Chimps: Bonobo chimpanzees and dolphins are identified as the only animals, besides humans, who engage in sex purely for pleasure, marked as "TRUE."
• Chop Suey: The claim that the traditional Chinese dish chop suey is actually American is marked "TRUE." It originated in New York in the 1860s.
• John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath: The title "The Angry Raisins" for a Japanese translation is labeled "FALSE." The correct Japanese title is "Ikari No Budou."
• Lemmings: The myth that lemmings commit suicide by marching over cliffs is labeled "FALSE." Population explosions can cause migration, leading to accidental deaths.
• Polite Japanese Thieves: The story of thieves leaving a thank you note after a bank heist is marked "TRUE."
• London Underground Filth: The claim that the London Underground is unspeakably filthy with traces of bodily fluids is labeled "FALSE."

Caesar Salad

The invention of Caesar salad is attributed to restaurateur Caesar Cardini in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1924, debunking the myth that it was named after Emperor Julius Caesar.

Kind Dregs of Humanity

This article by Paul Screeton details a folk remedy where a dying cow named Lottie was given the dregs of beer and brewers' yeast. The story, initially reported in the Daily Mirror, was clarified by Lavender Baskett, who stated the cow received three litres a day for a week, not six pints. The cow recovered and produced a bull calf named Adnam, after the brewers Adnams.

Hay on Why? (C.S. Hay 1908-2005)

This piece by Paul Screeton commemorates the death of C.S. Hay, an earth mysteries researcher known for his obscure theories on prehistoric sites and earth currents. Hay's work, including his pamphlet "Ancient Sites in Britain as a Key to Prehistoric Measurements," is described as baffling, with his measurements of site distances and earth current readings being particularly obscure. The article notes that Hay was a founding member of the Northern Earth Mysteries Group.

Ostensions (continued)

This section continues a discussion on "Ostensions," defined as real events patterned on contemporary legends. It includes sub-categories like "pseudo-ostension" (hoaxes), "faux rituals," and "legend trips." The article mentions a "dubious transmission" where dental amalgam or a church organ supposedly picks up signals, and a "quasi-ostension" where a natural event is misinterpreted. A "freak" signal from a faulty digital TV box reportedly sent the RAF on a non-existent rescue mission.

Custer's Last Stand

A brief mention of the Battle of Little Bighorn and General George Armstrong Custer, referencing an account of his body being found naked except for socks, with unpublished letters describing his thighs being slashed and his groin shot.

Newslines

This section presents a collection of short news items and anecdotes:

• Fever: Rumours of refugees on Tenerife being infected with yellow fever led to attacks on immigration holding centres.
• Well-Built: A survey of British men revealed their preferred breast size to be 32F, with a comparison to the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. Another survey suggested 34C.
• Vantastic: A poll of van graffiti revealed the top quip to be "If only my wife was this dirty."
• Did You Miss: This section covers various short anecdotes:
• Chirac Rumour: A story about President Chirac attempting to influence the casting of "The Da Vinci Code" film, which was denied by Audrey Tautou.
• Parrot Fashion: An article on animal intelligence discusses a parrot learning concepts like 'no,' 'apology,' and 'zero,' and references John Michell's work on birds' counting abilities.
• Earl-y Days: The tradition of "Hunting the Earl of Rone" in North Devon is described.
• It's Sport Jim, But Not As We Know It: A mention of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and its storylines, with a humorous personal note about wanting to meet Stacey Keibler.
• Simons Says (Again): A brief note on meteorological columnist Paul Simons' fortean themes.
• Badgers Innocent: An argument that badgers are unfairly blamed for spreading bovine TB, suggesting cattle are the primary carriers.
• Yanks Mistaken: A discussion of the Mythbusters episode on the effects of urinating on an electrified railway third rail, referencing a case where a man died from such an incident.
• Tongue Twist: Brain scan results of Pentecostal Christians speaking in tongues are discussed, with potential explanations ranging from mindless babbling to spiritual possession.
• Bridget Homer's Diary: A suggestion that the poet Homer may have been a woman, reinterpreting the "Iliad" and "Odyssey" as early "chick-lit."
• No Backbone: The appearance of Amazonian jellyfish in a British canal is noted, with experts believing they descended from a pair accidentally introduced by Victorian explorers.

Proto-legends

This section presents various short, often humorous, anecdotes that may have originated as urban legends:

• Reviewing David McKie's Great British Bus Journeys: A quote attributed to Margaret Thatcher about men over 26 who still take buses having failed in life is discussed.
• Fox Me!: An anecdote about a taxidermist allegedly using a garage air-line to inflate a fox, causing it to explode.
• Beer on Tap: A story about a plumber in Oslo hooking up beer hoses to water pipes, causing beer to flow from a kitchen tap.
• Rude Awakening: A man in Norway fell asleep on a commuter flight and awoke when it landed in Trondheim, where he had originally boarded.
• Ky-Lie: A discussion on how book blurbs can be edited to sound more positive, using a review of a book about Kylie Minogue as an example.
• Streetwise Owl: A screech owl found in a Christmas tree in Sarasota, California, was noted to have feathers smelling of marijuana.
• Invisible Man: A case in China where a man could not be photographed for an ID card.
• Mobile Nudes: Six nude paintings of large-breasted women in Milan attracted large crowds, necessitating regular moving to even out wear.
• 'Bitty': A story about a social worker visiting a woman breastfeeding her five-year-old son.
• Nun Too Bright: A story about Paris Hilton's request to meet Mother Teresa's children for a film role.
• Culture Clash: A Sikh man was escorted off a flight for listening to The Clash's "London Calling."
• Naked Flame: A nudist suffered severe burns after pouring petrol into a funnel-web spider's nest and igniting it.
• Unrecognisable: A farmer in Ireland did not recognise the court when asked to plead, stating it had been painted since his last visit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of folklore, urban legends, and contemporary culture. It exhibits a skeptical yet open-minded approach, often debunking myths while also presenting intriguing anecdotes and unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to favor detailed investigation and a critical examination of reported events, often referencing media reports and academic studies. There is a recurring interest in historical anecdotes, unusual animal behavior, and the psychology behind belief in folklore and paranormal claims. The magazine also highlights reader contributions and ongoing research in these fields.

This issue of 'Fortean Times' (implied by content and reviewers) features a "Book reviews" section, with the cover highlighting "Hoping to make railways sexy" and featuring a photograph of Paul Screeton. The issue date is listed as Thursday, June 29, 2006, with the publication date of the review section being August 2006, and the specific issue number for 'Fortean Times' being 212.

Book Reviews

Crossing the Line: Trespassing on Railway Weirdness by Paul Screeton

Reviewed by Mick Goss, this book is described as a "lively, wide-ranging, well-delivered and idiosyncratic" exploration of railway folklore. Screeton, a journalist and train enthusiast, draws on a vast amount of material, including newspaper clippings and personal research, to examine how railways have become a focus of folklore. The book covers contemporary legends, rumours, and 'Forteana' related to trains and stations, drawing parallels with older folk traditions. It discusses trainspotter culture, its language, and its customs, as well as historical inaccuracies and popular fallacies surrounding railways, such as the true speed of the Flying Scotsman or George Stephenson's role in designing the Rocket. While the book acknowledges ghost stories, Screeton wisely limits their focus, finding the subject "underwhelmed and under-represented." The review highlights the book's eclectic nature, touching on prophecies, jinxed locomotives, and even the bizarre death of Graham Bond. Mick Goss praises Screeton's ability to collect and write about the "wonderful web of weirdness and ever-evolving lore surrounding the railways," noting that the book is "well worth the price of the ticket."

Reviewed also by William Darrag for "Facts & Fiction No. 58", this review emphasizes that while the book contains a wealth of anecdotes, they are best suited for oral storytellers rather than being compelling narratives on their own. Darrag notes that many of the "stories" are "medialore" derived from newspapers and magazines. He highlights the more complex items with supernatural elements, such as the sighting of a harp-like bird before the Battle of Culloden Moor and its connection to a later train disaster in 1915. Darrag suggests that storytellers will find ample material in Screeton's work, even if some of the reported incidents are flat on the page. He also mentions the book's exploration of urban legends and contemporary events that have the potential to become folklore.

Mike Amos, writing for the Northern Echo, positions Screeton's book as an attempt to "make railways sexy," akin to Nick Hornby's impact on football. Amos highlights the book's exploration of urban legends and surreal aspects of railway lore, including the "Strategic Steam Reserve" myth, the North Road station ghost, and the legend of the Thorpe Thewles viaduct. Screeton, a lifelong railway enthusiast and former sub-editor, changed his focus after a vision in 1996. He now dedicates his time to writing and researching railway folklore, unashamedly identifying as a "loco spotter." Amos notes Screeton's preference for diesels and his epiphany moment in 1957 with locomotive 10203. The review concludes by calling Screeton "a surprisingly good book, weird but rather wonderful."

Four Elements: Water, Air, Fire, Earth by Rebecca Rupp

Reviewed by Mick Goss, this book explores the four classical elements and their relationship with humanity. Rupp examines our connection to water, air, fire, and earth, drawing on mythology, science, and cultural history. The review mentions topics such as rainmaking rituals, rivers in mythology, aquatic ape ancestry, and the scientific eccentricities of water. It also touches on the indecipherability of the Navajo code, the aerodynamics of bumblebees, spontaneous human combustion, the Gaia hypothesis, and plate tectonics. The book is praised for its light yet scholarly approach, making complex scientific and alchemical concepts accessible and enjoyable.

Mystery Big Cats by Merrily Harpur

Reviewed by Mick Goss, this book investigates the phenomenon of "Anomalous Big Cats" (ABCs) in Britain. Harpur acknowledges that decades of data have made previous theories untenable, suggesting a daimonic reality. The book explores the mysteries surrounding ABCs, including their absence of dead bodies, the lack of normal leopards, and the preponderance of melanistic leopards. Harpur examines various explanations, including releases from captivity and urban legends, but finds them weak. The review notes the physical evidence of ABC kills, such as sheep and deer, and mentions roadkill incidents that are allegedly removed by authorities. It also discusses pawprints, skulls, and photographic evidence. Harpur's research leads her to consider Patrick's "marvellous book Daimonic Reality," which suggests entities in an intermediate zone that are contradictory and can be malevolent or benign. The review concludes that the book leaves the reader in no doubt that ABCs are real, offering a learned, exhaustive, and easily digestible inquiry.

The Cult of Alien Gods: H.P. Lovecraft and Extraterrestrial Pop Culture by Jason Colvalito

This book is critically reviewed by an unnamed reviewer who dismisses its premise that H.P. Lovecraft was the seminal figure in alternative archaeology and the source of extraterrestrial theories. The reviewer finds the book's claims to be "gross nonsense" and criticizes Colvalito's interpretations of authors like Erich von Däniken, Colin Wilson, and Jacques Bergier. The review expresses particular dismay at Colvalito's dismissal of Pauwles and Bergier's "Dawn of Magic" as "largely (and deservedly) forgotten." The reviewer also criticizes Colvalito's understanding of Charles Fort and his attempts to link Lovecraft's work to ancient astronaut theories and the Gaia hypothesis. The review concludes that the book, like other Prometheus Books, aims to combat irrational beliefs but fails to do so effectively, ultimately succumbing to "dystopia."

Explore Dragons by Richard Freeman

This book is reviewed by Mick Goss, who notes that the last two chapters provide the "real meat" of the cryptozoological feast. Freeman explores a wide range of explanations for dragons, from materializing tulpas and morphogenic fields to unknown species and meteorological phenomena. The book covers British dragonlore, including legends of slayers, relics, and weaponry, as well as a gazetteer of UK dragon legends. Freeman also includes a section on international dragon sightings, particularly from Asia, and discusses lake monsters like Mokele-mbembe and Ogopogo. The review points out minor errors in the book, such as the mislocation of the Lambton Worm tale. Goss, as a dragonlorist himself, learned a lot from the book and endorses Freeman's wish for the discovery of dragon scales or hide.

Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom by Andy Letcher

Reviewed by Mick Goss, this book is described as a timely review of the cultural history of magic mushrooms. Letcher begins with a prologue detailing his own involuntary experiences with misidentified mushrooms. He discusses the subjective effects of magic mushroom "trips," the influence of environment, and the folklore surrounding fly-agaric and Siberian shamanism. The book also touches on the Rig Veda's soma, the role of psychoactives in mental health, Timothy Leary's influence, and Carlos Castaneda's controversial work. Letcher critiques the "machine elves" concept and questions the idea of an unbroken tradition of shamanism. He expresses strong criticism of R. Gordon Wasson, viewing him as a "deceitful, hypocritical post-colonialist." Goss praises the book for its illuminating and erudite exploration of psychedelia, stating that it "takes a lot to impress me - Letcher does just that."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around folklore, urban legends, mysteries, and the paranormal, explored through book reviews. The editorial stance, as suggested by the choice of books and the reviewers' perspectives, appears to be one of critical engagement with these subjects. While acknowledging the fascination and cultural significance of these phenomena, the reviewers often maintain a degree of skepticism, particularly when dealing with unsubstantiated claims or pseudoscientific theories. There is an emphasis on the importance of rigorous research, distinguishing between genuine folklore and sensationalism, and understanding the cultural context of these narratives. The reviews collectively demonstrate an interest in the intersection of popular culture, history, and the unexplained, encouraging readers to explore these topics with an open yet discerning mind.