Gnome News - No 08 -1980

Magazine Overview

Title: Gnome News
Issue: Newsletter No. 8
Edition: St. Valentines Day Edition
Publisher: THE GNOME CLUB
Location: West Putford, Devon, England

This issue of "Gnome News" is a special St. Valentine's Day edition, filled with whimsical content centered around gnomes and fairies. It features a blend of personal accounts, folklore, artwork, and humorous stories, all contributing to the enchanting world of these mythical beings.

Letters and Personal Accounts

The "Letters" section includes contributions from various members. Patricia M. Rice shares a photograph of a gnome found in Queluz, Portugal, describing it as an indoor variety and noting its location in an 18th-century Royal Palace. Sue, Richard, Sally, and Toby Hall send a drawing by their daughter Sally, depicting Mrs. Ann Atkin at work making gnomes. Joan Martin May (Mrs. Sparrow) shares a "Valentine Gnome" and a "progress report," emphasizing the divine power of gnomes and their assistance in doing good. She recounts how incorporating a gnome into her signature for paintings led to a commission to illustrate books about Santa Claus, with each illustration featuring numerous gnome helpers. She expresses gratitude to Mrs. Ann Atkin for bringing joy and innocence into their lives and for fostering a sense of community.

Margaret Hopkins contributes an article titled "MY ENCOUNTER WITH FAIRIES," detailing her experiences in Wales. She recounts being intrigued by an account of meeting fairies and, after reading about beliefs in fairies and elementals by figures like Yeats and Conan Doyle, decided to seek them out in Singleton Park, Swansea. Although initially unsuccessful, she later had a more profound encounter in Powys, Wales, while walking in the mountains. She describes hearing fairy pipes and flutes, seeing figures dressed in green, and being led by them in a jigging tune. She declined their invitation to enter their kingdom, which led to their mood changing to vexation. A fairy child then offered understanding before rejoining the troop. Hopkins also mentions receiving telepathic answers in Welsh during her walks, which required consultation with a dictionary to understand, often relating to her thoughts and foretelling future happenings.

Gnome Chronicles and Folklore

"CHRONICLES FROM THE GNOME WORLD" by Gnofi the Gnome describes four great occasions on the Gnome Calendar. Scene One details a winter gathering at the foot of the Himalayan Mountains, where gnomes empty their favorite yogurt cartons onto the mountaintop, contributing to its size and creating a yogurt-covered landscape. Scene Two celebrates the anniversary of the gnomes' favorite drink, Earl Grey tea, which originated from a giant copper tea-pot from another cosmos. Gnomes gather in the Welsh mountains, kiss daffodils, and place them in a stream to sail to the sea, symbolizing the life of each being and the flow of Earl Grey tea. The ritual concludes with gnomes drinking Earl Grey tea and sharing tales.

Another section features "CAVEMEN" with photos by Bernard Vaegs of West Germany, accompanied by local folklore explanations. It describes small caves where dwarfs/gnomes were said to live and assist a miller. An abandoned dwarf cave at Mergenthay, Germany, is also shown.

"Fairy Drawings" by Mrs. Marian Parry showcases charming illustrations of fairies.

Humorous Anecdotes and Observations

A humorous news report from "THE WESTERN MORNING NEWS" titled "Gnoming in the gloaming" details a police arrest of a gnome named Fred from the North Devon Gnome Reserve. The gnome had disappeared and was later found by Constable Fitzehenry, who arrested him for vagrancy after suspecting he was sleeping it off after a heavy night. The gnome was returned to the reserve. The report includes a poem about Fred's disappearance and the subsequent police investigation, questioning what gnomes like to drink.

Several comic strips and single-panel cartoons add humor, including a gnome at a wishing well, a gnome gardening in 1980 with concerns about developing webbed feet due to weather, and a series of "SMILE ... SMILE" jokes and observations about gnomes' tools and activities.

Book Reviews and Supernatural Themes

The issue includes reviews of books related to the supernatural. "SUPERNATURE" by Lyall Watson is described as a "book of considerable importance" and "very exciting" by Colin Wilson. "THE ROMEO ERROR" by Lyall Watson is called "brave, provocative and utterly fascinating." "GIFTS OF UNKNOWN THINGS" is also reviewed, with Colin Wilson calling it "one of the most fascinating books of its kind I have ever read."

An excerpt from "Gifts of Unknown Things" discusses the concept of the objective world not existing in space and time, and how modern physics deals with possibilities rather than facts. It touches upon quantum mechanics, statistical mysticism, and the difficulty of distinguishing physics from metaphysics. The text also delves into a local custom involving rice and the belief that every action affects the universe, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of consciousness.

Another article discusses the nature of consciousness and its potential role in the universe, referencing theoretical physicists like John Wheeler and Jack Sarfatti. It suggests that consciousness may be an interconnected entity responsible for the universe's workings and that it might distort space-time. The article also touches upon the idea that children have an easier access to a magical quality of life and can draw conclusions without all the facts, leading to what might seem like delusional thinking to adults.

Competition and Club Information

A "Competition" is announced with the theme "Gnomes in their homes," inviting entries for paintings, drawings, cartoons, stories, or poems, with prizes of concrete garden gnomes. Information about club membership renewal is also provided, with incentives for members who renew, such as a small pottery gnome.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Gnome News" are the whimsical and often magical world of gnomes and fairies, their folklore, rituals, and supposed interactions with the human world. There's a strong emphasis on personal experiences and beliefs, particularly concerning the supernatural and the idea of hidden realms or energies. The editorial stance appears to be one of embracing wonder, encouraging imagination, and fostering a sense of community among gnome enthusiasts. The publication promotes a belief in the extraordinary and the possibility of magic existing in everyday life, often through the lens of these mythical creatures. Humor is also a significant element, used to lighten the more mystical or serious topics.

Title: GNOME NEWS
Issue: 3
Volume: 1
Date: March 11, 1981

This issue of GNOME NEWS is a whimsical exploration of the world of gnomes, presented with a lighthearted and charming tone. It features a mix of poetry, humorous illustrations, and practical information for gnome enthusiasts and members of The Gnome Club of G.B. & Gnome International.

Poetry and Gnome Life

The issue opens with a poem for St. Valentine's Day, imagining it as the birds' wedding day and extending this to a celebration of music filling the woods, played by a pixie band. The poem suggests this music is heard "o'er all the land."

Another poem expresses affection for gnomes, noting their different colored attire and wishing them well on St. Valentine's Day. It humorously acknowledges the risk of being called sentimental but asserts the sincerity of their love.

A short, rhyming piece encourages readers to embrace life, suggesting that those who read the news and share the view that "its great to be alive!" are smart, generous, and "young at heart."

Humorous Cartoons and Comics

Two comic strips add to the lighthearted content. The first, titled "WHAT HAPPENS TO GNOMES WHO GET COLD AND WET," humorously depicts gnomes developing "Gnomonia." The second comic shows a gnome in a garden, with a thought bubble suggesting they "looked much better in the garden" compared to their current setting.

A notable section highlights that "DID YOU KNOW GNOMES LIKE TO DANCE TO RECORDS BY ELFIS PRESLEY?" accompanied by an illustration of a gnome dancing.

Another humorous question is posed: "DO YOU SUPPOSE BUTTERFLIES EVER GET PEOPLE IN THEIR TUMMIES?"

Philosophical Musings

A quote from Rudolph Steiner is featured: "It would be absolutely impossible for us to have a brain, if the world were not so ordered that gnomes and undines can exist." This quote is attributed to the publication's context, suggesting a connection between the natural world and mythical beings.

The Gnome Club of G.B. & Gnome International

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to promoting The Gnome Club of G.B. & Gnome International, located at West Putford, Devon. The club offers membership which includes an enamelled Club Badge and the Gnome News publication three times a year. The cost is £2.50 for UK members and £3.50 for those abroad (Gnome News is sent by surface mail).

The club boasts members ranging in age from three to eighty, all described as "young at heart." Gnome News is presented as containing a "wide range of articles" on various subjects, including ecology and metaphysics, alongside humorous content, photographs, drawings, cartoons, jokes, stories, competitions, and letters.

The magazine mentions the "Gnome Reserve," an acre of beechwood with a stream, where about 1,500 garden gnomes reside. This reserve is open to visitors, attracting approximately 25,000 people annually during the summer months. Gnome News is described as the publication "linking Gnomes around the world via their human friends."

Small advertisements of up to 30 words are free for club members.

Editorial Stance and Production

The editor explicitly states that they "does not necessarily agree with every point of view expressed in Gnome News." The layout and print of the magazine are handled by Nottingham Sport.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the whimsical and often humorous portrayal of gnomes, their connection to nature and music, and the promotion of a community for gnome enthusiasts through The Gnome Club. The editorial stance appears to be one of lighthearted engagement with folklore and a desire to foster a sense of community among like-minded individuals, while also acknowledging the publication's diverse content and viewpoints.