Lantern - No 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of Lantern, dated January 1976, marks the 5th anniversary of the Borderline Science Investigation Group (BSIG) with a special 'birthday supplement' compiled by Denis Fletcher. The magazine announces an increase in subscription rates to 75p per year (four issues) due to new postal rates, apologizing for any inconvenience.

New Initiatives and Publications

Two BSIG members, Nigel Pennick and Michael Behrend, have collaborated with Zodiac House publishers to form the Institute of Geomantic Research, intended as a national coordinating body for geomantic researchers. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Nigel Pennick. Fenris Wolf publishers, in conjunction with Zodiac House and Fenris Wolf, have released a joint catalogue of their publications. This includes several titles in the 'MEGALITHIC VISIONS ANTIQUARIAN PAPERS' series, such as 'Nr.6 LOST TOWNS', 'Nr.7 EAST ANGLIAN GEOMANCY', 'Nr.8 MADAGASCAR DIVINATION', and 'Nr.9 DENEHOLES & SUBTERRANEA', all priced at 20p-30p plus postage. BSIG's own publication, 'HAUNTED LOWESTOFT', is also available for 40p. 'MYSTIC FORUM', a quarterly journal with a balanced approach to occultism, offers membership for £2.50 per annum, with the journal subscription at £1.40 post-free. Meetings are held on alternate Wednesdays at St. Margarets Hotel, East Twickenham.

Fortean and Paranormal News

Ivan Bunn, the editor of Lantern, is seeking 'phantom dog' stories from Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. The WATSUP JOURNAL, a quarterly publication of the Wessex Association for the study of Unexplained Phenomena, is available for £1 per year. THE LEY HUNTER magazine, devoted to Ley lines, is published bi-monthly with an annual subscription of £1.50. THE NEWS, a bi-monthly miscellany of Fortean news, includes articles on 'Fortrait of a Fault Area', meteorological curiosities, geophysical curiosities, and ghosts, with an annual subscription of £3.

A somber note is struck with the announcement that THE WESSEX UFO RECORD has ceased publication due to difficulties in maintaining a regular issue focused solely on UFO phenomena.

All articles are copyright of the authors or BSIG, and views expressed are not necessarily those of BSIG or the Editor. Lantern is published quarterly by BSIG, a non-profit organization investigating unexplained phenomena in East Anglia. Annual subscriptions are 75p inc. p&p, with single copies at 19p inc. p&p. Inquiries should be addressed to The Editor, Ivan Bunn, 3 Dunwich Way, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 4RZ.

Puddingstones at Coton

Nigel Pennick contributes an article detailing the discovery of puddingstones in the village of Coton, near Cambridge. Building on the work of Dr. E.A. Rudge, who identified a unique 'Conglomerate Track' marked by puddingstones running from Berkshire to Norfolk, Pennick and Ken Clarke found five puddingstones and a large sarsen stone in Coton. These stones, located at grid references TL 403586, TL 412588, TL 413588, and TL 416587, form four points on a potential trackway. A large flat sarsen stone on the churchyard boundary is also noted, possibly marking an ancient pre-Christian enclosure. The article discusses the potential Romanized ancient British origin of this trackway, noting a puddingstone found in the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre at Verulamium. The potential eastward extension of this trackway into Cambridge is also considered, though central Cambridge is noted for its lack of ancient stones due to demolition and alteration.

Biorhythms & Psi

Ron Hill explores the potential connection between biorhythms and psychic phenomena (Psi). He posits that during 'critical days' when physical and emotional conditions are low, the subconscious mind might increase its sensitivity, potentially enhancing extrasensory powers. Hill notes that a major challenge in studying Psi is the lack of repeatability, a problem that affected Dr. Joseph Rhine's experiments. He suggests that a re-examination of Rhine's results, considering the subjects' biorhythmic phases, could be revealing. The article proposes that if a link between biorhythms and Psi exists, it could explain phenomena like ghost sightings and UFO encounters experienced by some but not others. Hill appeals for reports of any witnessed phenomena, including dates of occurrence and birth dates of observers, to aid further investigation into this 'borderline science'. He welcomes reports of telepathy and precognition, such as unusually good card hands or receiving unexpected letters.

MYSTERY AIRPLANES

W. J. Chambers writes about a mysterious, noisy aeroplane that startled Ipswich residents on August 1st. The aircraft's sound was described as frightening, and its type was considered unusual, with only about six registered in the country. Despite local MP Mr. Ken Weetch's inquiries, aviation authorities could not identify the craft. Chambers suggests that the object might have been a UFO simulating a conventional aeroplane, referencing John A. Keel's 'Operation Trojan Horse'. He recounts a similar experience over Saffron Walden, describing a low, noisy object with red wing-tip lights and a stern light, appearing large and moving slowly.

Ghosts and Investigations at Westwood Lodge

This section details the history and alleged hauntings of Westwood Lodge, a 40-room mansion in Suffolk. The property has a long history, dating back to the 14th century, with various families owning it, including the Lords of the Manor of Westwood and the Hopton and Brooke families. The 'black sheep' of the family, John Brooke, known as 'The Great Troubler', died suddenly in 1652. Tales of haunting include an apparition of a man riding a horse, possibly linked to John Brooke. Another story involves riding equipment found in an old cupboard in 1865, possibly an attempt to 'lay' the ghost. A local inhabitant reported a horse stopping inexplicably near the lodge, suggesting a psychical manifestation. More recent accounts from the East Anglian Magazine in 1961 mention ghostly footsteps and the apparition of a woman in a silk dress, heard by Mrs. Browne, the farmer's wife. The article recounts an all-night vigil conducted by three policemen in 1972, who reported a sudden drop in temperature, an 'electric' atmosphere, and several 'thuds'.

An investigation by eight BSIG investigators took place on September 7-8, 1974. Despite a gale-force wind and poor weather, the team set up electronic sensors and controls. They noted that the building was structurally sound but had broken windows and no services. The investigation team found that the wind caused significant noise from banging doors and windows, which they attempted to mitigate by wedging them shut. The vibration detector activated shortly after setup, and loud crashes were heard, accompanied by temperature and vibration detector activations, later attributed to a door slamming in the wind. A broken thread seal on the cellar door was the only incident deemed 'unexplained', with a possible explanation being the contraction of damp air. The investigators concluded that no unusual phenomena occurred during their stay that could not be explained by natural causes, though they acknowledged that the strong wind might have distorted their evaluation compared to the police visit, which occurred under a 'sinister marsh mist'.

Book Review

A review of Antony Hippesley-Cox's 'Haunted Britain' is included, describing it as a comprehensive gazetteer of ghostland, witchcraft sites, mysterious stones, and legends, with useful maps and an index.

U.F.O. REPORT

This section presents two UFO reports. The first, from December 3, 1962, by Mrs. A. Blanchflower of Lowestoft, describes a luminous, whale-head-shaped object seen over the sea. It had a band of generating light, three bright rods, and a pulsating beam. Mrs. Blanchflower watched it for over an hour.

The second report, from the spring/summer of 1972, by Mrs. Lillian Nettleship of Bradwell, describes a large, dark-grey, 'U'-shaped object moving across the sky. She compared its appearance to three unprinted Coca-Cola cans stuck together, made of matt metal, and noted it made no audible noise.

Psychic Photography Comment

J. Self replies to Mr. Hill's comments on psychic photography, categorizing it into three types: manifestation of entities, phenomena not dependent on light rays, and 'Thoughtography' (mental images projected onto film, as practiced by Ted Serios). Self notes that the photographs from his article in Lantern 9 had no particular significance and tended to rule out Thoughtography. He emphasizes that while the phenomena themselves may be trivial, the important questions concern the mechanism involved and its implications.

Mummified Cats!

A fascinating story from The Sunday People (November 9, 1975) details a mysterious mummified cat buried alive 300 years ago at a mill in Sudbury, Suffolk. After the cat was discovered during hotel conversion, several inexplicable events occurred, including the financing partnership running out of funds, a mysterious fire destroying a studio where the cat had been taken, and another fire at a farmhouse. When the cat was returned to Sudbury, a beam at the mill shifted, causing the roof to collapse and £60,000 worth of damage. The new owners decided to rebury the cat with an apology, after which the mill project proceeded smoothly. The article also mentions two mummified cats found in the attic of an old house in Fakenham Magna, Norfolk, whose owner wisely chose not to disturb them, avoiding potential disasters.

LOCAL CURIOSITIES

This section presents several local legends and beliefs:

• Castle Hill at Thetford: Said to be formed by the Devil catching his heel, creating a ditch (Fen Dyke) and the hill itself. A hollow known as the 'devil's Hole' is present.
• Lush's Bush at Redenhall, Norfolk: A willow tree said to have grown from a stake driven through the heart of a suicide named Lush, to prevent their ghost from walking.
• Elderberries in Suffolk: A common belief was that Elderberries gathered on St. John's Eve would protect the gatherer from witchcraft. Elder pith was also given to those thought to be bewitched. It was believed lightning never struck Elder, and a cross made of Elder wood would protect a house from lightning.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue demonstrates a strong focus on unexplained phenomena, including UFO sightings, hauntings, and psychic experiences. The Borderline Science Investigation Group (BSIG) actively investigates these areas, as evidenced by the Westwood Lodge report and the call for personal experiences. There's a clear interest in historical accounts and local folklore, linking past beliefs and events to potential paranormal occurrences. The magazine adopts an objective stance in its investigations, attempting to find rational explanations while acknowledging the possibility of the unknown. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into subjects often dismissed by mainstream science, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of experiences.

This issue of 'Lantern' (issue number 141) features an article titled "B.S.I.G.: the first five years...." by D. Fletcher. The magazine celebrates the 5th anniversary of the Borderline Science Investigation Group (B.S.I.G.), founded in January 1971, highlighting its activities in investigating unexplained phenomena in East Anglia.

B.S.I.G. Activities and Investigations

The B.S.I.G. was established by a group interested in the 'unexplained,' including ghosts, UFOs, ESP, and the occult. Their stated aims were to discover and scientifically investigate and document such phenomena in East Anglia.

Since its inception, the B.S.I.G. has conducted over 50 investigations, with approximately 30 being 'ghost watches.' The article focuses on investigations from the first three years of the group's existence.

Early Ghost Investigations

Initially, the group faced a lack of information on local hauntings, relying on local press and books which often provided only snippets. They found it difficult to distinguish between 'current ghosts' (seen recently) and 'legendary ghosts' (seen centuries ago), leading to many fruitless nights searching for the latter.

Their first investigation was into the 'haunting' of Lowestoft Town Hall, which involved reports of footsteps and closing doors. Investigations revealed the footsteps were caused by a peculiarity of the clock mechanism, and the closing doors by a delayed effect of piston-type devices.

A second investigation on June 11, 1971, took place at Great Yarmouth concerning the Dunsford family. Their sons reported being molested by an invisible prodding entity in their caravan, experiencing cold and difficulty breathing. Despite publicity and visits from other researchers, the entity was not encountered during the B.S.I.G.'s watch. The caravan was later sold, and no further information is known.

During the summer of 1971, the group focused on 'legendary' or 'cyclical' ghosts, which were supposed to appear annually. These investigations, including watches at Belaugh Church, Horning Ferry Inn, Great Melton, Oulton Broad Dyke, Crazy Marys Hole, Pakefield cliffs, and Barton Broad, generally yielded no results. The group discovered that some 'annual' ghosts appeared only once every 20 years, making their timing incorrect, or that the stories themselves were not historically verifiable.

Development of Investigation Techniques

The remainder of 1971 saw improvements in equipment, and the first issue of 'Lantern' was published in December.

In 1972, investigations continued, including a watch at a disused cinema in Beccles, which was deemed not haunted. Legendary and 'annual' ghostwatches were resumed with more precise timing, but still without results. Research indicated that many of these ghost stories lacked historical evidence, with some characters never having existed.

1972 marked the beginning of the B.S.I.G.'s longest investigation at the Oxfam shop in Magdalen Street, Norwich. This location exhibited phenomena such as footsteps, doors opening and closing on their own, 'smokey' figures, and paranormal movement of objects. These were witnessed by staff and previous tenants. During a watch, a tape recorder captured a female voice. A seance contacted a spirit named 'Sara,' and a spiritualist was called to exorcise the building, after which activity reportedly ceased.

The Oxfam shop watches saw the introduction of B.S.I.G.'s monitoring equipment, designed to objectively detect physical changes like temperature drops, draughts, and vibrations. This equipment was detailed in 'Lantern 4'.

In 1973, the group investigated an old Inn near Diss, where a 'white lady' ghost was reported. The 'haunting' affected one room, where a woman in white was seen. A previous witness in the 1920s reported seeing a glowing ball of orange light in the same room.

UFO Research Section

The U.F.O. Research Section of the B.S.I.G. deals with reports of Unidentified Flying Objects. They utilize a Sighting Report Form, a questionnaire sent to witnesses, to gather information. This helps determine if the object can be identified as a star, aircraft, or if further investigation is needed. The section receives assistance from local bodies, such as airports, for identification. If an object cannot be identified, further steps include interviewing the witness and visiting the sighting location.

• Reports are classified into five categories:
• A: All attempts at identification have failed. Two or more INDEPENDENT witnesses.
• B: Only one witness.
• C: Currently unidentified, though may have a normal explanation.
• D: Scant report - not enough information to classify either way, or object seen for only a matter of seconds.
• E: Object definately identified.

A table shows the B.S.I.G.'s UFO reports from 1971-1975. Out of 41 total reports, 11 were identified (Category E), 10 were under investigation, and 3 were classified as A (unidentified with multiple witnesses). Approximately 50% of reports were identified as man-made or celestial, with only 7% falling into Category A.

Other Investigations

• Beyond ghosts and UFOs, the B.S.I.G. has explored other aspects of the supernatural:
• Ley-lines: A study in 1971-1972 aimed to map ley-lines in East Anglia, but the project was abandoned due to its complexity and the need for stricter criteria.
• Astral Projection: The defunct Occult subgroup studied the idea that dreams are recollections of astral journeys. Recording dreams over six months, they found no evidence connecting dreams to astral travel but learned more about dreams themselves.
• Telepathy: Investigated by the defunct E.S.P. subgroup and later the P.R.S., involving transmitting symbols and receiving impressions. A large test in January-February 1974 involved nine members across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Surrey, with mixed results.
• Stones and Legends: The group has focused on stones found in East Anglia, examining the legends associated with them and their historical uses.
• Dowsing: Recent investigations have focused on dowsing, including using a 'tuned pendulum' to locate hidden objects and traditional rods. Future plans include map dowsing experiments.

Growth and Future of B.S.I.G.

The B.S.I.G. has grown from an initial 6 members in the Lowestoft, Yarmouth, Norwich area to 32 members, covering Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, with a branch in Cambridge. The group is currently concentrating on making its collected information more accessible through publications like 'Lantern' and illustrated lectures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine issue emphasizes the B.S.I.G.'s commitment to scientific and unbiased investigation of unexplained phenomena. It highlights the challenges faced, such as lack of information and the difficulty in verifying historical accounts of hauntings. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious exploration, acknowledging the controversial nature of UFO identification and seeking a middle ground between purely natural explanations and extraterrestrial theories. The group aims to provide a valuable resource for others interested in the unexplained, avoiding the pitfalls of earlier, less organized groups.