Lantern - No 05

Magazine Overview

Title: LANTERN
Issue: 5
Volume: SPRING 1974
Publisher: BORDERLINE SCIENCE INVESTIGATION GROUP
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Lantern magazine, published by the Borderline Science Investigation Group, focuses on personal experiences and local legends of the unexplained in East Anglia. The Spring 1974 edition, issue number 5, aims to correct a previous error, expand on the theme of personal experiences, and solicit further contributions from readers.

Introduction

The introduction begins by correcting an error in the previous issue concerning the timeline of witch hunter Mathew Hopkins, stating he was active 20 years prior to the Lowestoft trials (1645-1646). The editors explain the reduction in page count from 12 to 10 pages in this issue, citing the increased cost of printing a 12-page magazine which strained their limited funds. They state that future issues will remain at 10 pages until sales increase sufficiently.

The issue features three articles based on personal experiences: an account of a UFO sighting by a member, an article on the legend of 'Old Shuck' at Great Yarmouth, and a story about a local family experiencing a haunting. A new feature, a book review, is also introduced. The editors thank Mr. Grant of the Gorleston Coastguard for his assistance with the 'Old Shuck' article. They extend an invitation for comments and submissions of interesting phenomena to their address: 3 Dunwich Way, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Finally, the editors apologize for a slight delay in publication, attributing it to their old typewriter breaking down, and express gratitude for a member loaning an electric typewriter.

Articles and Features

Old Shuck at Gt. Yarmouth

This article delves into the legend of 'Old Shuck', an enigmatic black dog that features in East Anglian folklore. The creature is known by various names across the region, including 'Black Shuck' and 'Owd Snarley-how'. The origins of the name are debated, with 'Shuck' possibly deriving from the Anglo-Saxon word for Satan or the local word for 'shaggy'. Its origins are also unclear, with theories ranging from Odin's war dog to a smuggling tactic to keep people indoors. Descriptions of 'Old Shuck' vary, but legends consistently agree that seeing the creature signifies impending death or misfortune. The article then recounts a personal experience from Mr. Graham Grant, a Coastguard officer, who, while on duty at Gorleston in April 1972, observed a large black hound-type animal on Yarmouth beach. Mr. Grant, who was new to the area and unaware of the 'Old Shuck' legends, described the animal as about three feet tall and noted it seemed to fade away. He later learned that Mr. Harold Cox, a colleague who had told him about the 'Old Shuck' legends, died of heart failure shortly after Mr. Grant shared his experience. Mr. Grant's father also died of heart failure a few weeks after Mr. Grant told him the story. The article notes that Southtown Road, near where Mr. Grant had his experience, is also associated with a Shuck legend involving a spectacular black animal with glowing yellow eyes and a chain. The article concludes by posing questions about the reality of these legends versus imagination and coincidence.

Local Curiosities

This section presents several local legends and historical oddities from East Anglia:

• Pagan Fertility Rite: The article mentions a Pagan Fertility Rite recorded in Bury St. Edmunds in the 18th century, involving a white bull led through the town by a procession of monks, with women stroking the bull and paying vows at the altar of St. Edmunds.
• Pakefield Sarsen Stone: Near Pakefield church, a large sarsen stone is believed to be the remains of a heathen temple predating Christianity. Human bones were discovered at its base during construction of a heating chamber, suggesting possible human sacrifices.
• Hoxne Bridge Legend: A bridge near Hoxne is associated with a legend that King Edmund hid under it after being defeated by the Danes in 870 AD. A bridal couple who saw the glint of his gold spurs on the bridge betrayed him, leading to Edmund cursing all bridal couples who crossed it. The gleam of his spurs is said to be visible on moonlit nights.

Brush with a UFO?

This is a personal account from a young schoolboy in Lowestoft in late 1967. While cycling home, he saw a bright light that resolved into a distinct, sharply defined outline. He described it as a rugby ball-shaped object, about 20 feet long and 7 feet wide, shining like silvery steel. He estimated its speed at 40-50 mph. The object swooped towards him and disappeared between two houses. He was left unsure if it was fact or fantasy.

A Ghost Named "George"

This article details a haunting experienced by a family in a flat on Bevan Street, Lowestoft, starting in March 1971. The family, including a mother (Mrs. E.C.O.), her daughter, and two sons, reported strange occurrences. Their miniature Dachshund would react fearfully, and the dog refused to enter the kitchen. Mrs. E.C.O. heard footsteps upstairs and later saw a dim, six-foot-tall figure in a long black cloak at the end of the hall, which had no visible face and seemed to float. The family named the apparition 'George'. The presence was felt several times, and the figure was seen by other family members, always described as a dark shape without distinct features. The haunting reportedly ceased by October 1971, a few months after alterations were made to the flat, including the removal of the staircase. The article also mentions a suicide and murder incident that occurred about 40-50 years prior in Junction passage, near the flat, and speculates on a possible connection.

U.F.O. Report

This section compiles recent UFO reports, noting an increase in sightings from the Beccles area. A report from January 3rd mentions a cigar-shaped object passing over Beccles common, accompanied by a noise that caused a headache. The 'Lowestoft Journal' reported two couples seeing what they believed to be Kohoutek's comet on January 13th, describing a brilliant golden star that disappeared and reappeared. Another report from January 6th describes a metallic gold, oddly-shaped object seen near Ashby church, followed ten minutes later by a larger, cigar-shaped object moving south-east. The article notes that local aircraft movements will be checked. Readers are encouraged to submit further reports from the area.

Book Review: Borley Revisited

This is a review of 'THE GHOSTS OF BORLEY' by Paul Tabori and Peter Underwood. The book examines the famous Borley Rectory hauntings, which involved various psychical phenomena. It discusses the work of Harry Price, who investigated the house from 1937-1938 and wrote two books on the subject. The review also addresses allegations that the hauntings were a fraud engineered by Price, possibly with help from the wife of the former rector, Mrs. Marianne Foyster. The book investigates these claims, concluding that while trickery might have been possible, there is no definitive proof. The review highlights a chapter on events occurring after Price's time, including footsteps, noises, and spectral cats. It praises the book for rehabilitating faith in the phenomena and calls it a 'must' for students of psychic matters.

The Day the Devil Came

This piece recounts a legend from August 4th, 1577, when a severe storm struck churches in Bungay and Blythburgh, East Anglia. According to legend, the Devil appeared as a large black dog, causing deaths and damage. Scorch marks on the North door of Blythburgh church are said to be from his talons. A poem commemorating the event is partially reproduced, describing the storm, the appearance of a black monster, and the resulting terror and casualties.

News Round-Up

• Possible Investigation into 'Guey Lady' of Norwich: The Psychical Research Section of BSIG is investigating an alleged haunting of a 'Grey Lady' in Tombland Alley, Norwich, but it appears the apparition was seen in nearby buildings over the East Anglian Tourist Information Centre.
• Ghost-Watch?: BSIG has been granted permission to set up equipment in the building for the 'Grey Lady' investigation.
• Long Range Telepathy Experiment Results: An experiment involving five Zener card symbols transmitted over 10 days by nine participants showed that only two participants obtained results above chance, which are still being analyzed. The analysis will also look for correlations between participants' results.

Comment

The 'Comment' section expresses a frustration with the lack of reader submissions regarding local unexplained phenomena. The author notes that while people readily share stories in conversation, they are reluctant to write them down for publication in newspapers or the magazine. The editors emphasize that they welcome all contributions, regardless of subject matter, and assure confidentiality. They encourage readers to share their legends and observations, urging them not to keep their experiences to themselves.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, ghost stories, and local folklore, particularly from the East Anglia region. The editorial stance is one of open-minded investigation into the unexplained, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of personal experiences. The magazine aims to document and explore these phenomena, treating them with seriousness while acknowledging the potential for misinterpretation or hoaxes, as seen in the Borley Rectory review. The BSIG positions itself as a 'public service' for sharing such accounts in confidence.