Lantern - No 17

Magazine Overview

Title: LANTERN
Issue: 17
Date: Spring 1977

This issue of Lantern magazine, dated Spring 1977, presents a collection of personal experiences and Fortean oddities. It introduces a new regular column titled 'East Anglian Fortean Miscellany' by Mike Burgess, which will feature obscure Fortean information. The magazine also includes a section for 'Notes and Queries' that highlights various publications and organizations related to UFO research, geomancy, and other unexplained phenomena.

Notes and Queries

The 'Notes and Queries' section provides details on several publications and groups:

• Skywatch: A publication for UFO news, sightings, letters, advertisements, and articles, available for 20p per issue or a 1.20 subscription for 6 issues.
• Megalithic Visions Antiquarian Papers: Two recent publications are mentioned: No.13 'Regent's Park: Town Planning or Geomancy' and No.14 'Sacred Geometry. An Introduction.'
• Institute of Geomantic Research (IGR): Three occasional papers are noted: No.5 'Stanton Drew', No.6 'The Round Church of Orphir, Orkney', and No.7 'A Forgotten Researcher: Ludovic McLellan Mann'. The latest 'Journal of Geomancy' is also mentioned, featuring articles on artificial mounds, mark stones, Antoni Gaudi, and leys traced by dowsing.
• Fortean Times (No.19): Contains articles on 'The Mystery Booms of SW England', 'Cornish Monsters', and 'Bleeding Statues'. It is published bi-monthly with a UK subscription of £3.
• Anomaly Research Bulletin: Published bi-monthly by Michigan Anomaly Research, Issue No.4 includes articles on New Jersey Spooklights, Mystery Animals, and letters. Single copies are 25p, with an annual subscription of £1.50.
• Fountain Journal: A monthly magazine dedicated to recording UFO reports. The latest edition (No.8) features a photo of an alleged UFO over Norwich Cathedral. The annual subscription is £4.
• Essex UFO Study Group (EUFOSG): Publishes a quarterly magazine with an annual subscription of £2.
• Watsup Journal: Published quarterly by the Wessex Association for the Study of Unexplained Phenomena, covering UFOs, ghosts, and the Bermuda Triangle. The annual subscription is £1.50.

The editor notes that due to space limitations, not all received publications could be reviewed, but future editions will feature a comprehensive list with subscription details.

The Bury Zodiac

This section, written by Ivan Bunn, expands on the idea of a terrestrial zodiac around Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, similar to one at Glastonbury. The author discusses how attempts to adjust figures to 'accepted patterns' were largely unsuccessful, suggesting a possible physical basis for the Bury zodiac. A discovery of another rudimentary zodiac to the east, which partially merges with the Bury one, raises questions about the proximity of two such formations. Examination of the 1832 Ordnance Survey map shows that much of the Bury pattern is still traceable, implying the landscape is not entirely modern. The author also mentions finding a unicorn etched into the landscape west of the Taurus figure, which is also present on the 1832 map. The article concludes by noting the proliferation of 'possible' zodiacs in Britain and mentions a new book, 'Terrestrial Zodiacs in Britain: Nuthampstead & Pendle Zodiacs', published by the Institute of Geomantic Research.

Curious Coincidence

This piece by W.J. Chambers recounts a curious coincidence from the East Anglian Daily Times. An August 23, 1876, note described a brilliant meteor seen over Ipswich. On an August 23, 1976, page, an account detailed a 'meteor' seen by Mrs. Jennifer Rogers and her daughter Kim in Halesworth, Suffolk. The description of the object was similar to a meteor, but no official reports were received. The author also includes a brief note on meteorites, mentioning a pamphlet by A.A. Moss.

Air Mystery

This section details a report from the Ipswich Evening Star dated December 5, 1913, about a 'strange airship' seen over Ipswich. The craft, of unknown origin, was observed at Scarborough and believed to have passed over Yorkshire and Derbyshire. In Ipswich, lights were noticed around 9:30 PM on a Monday night. Mr. Edgar Moore described the airship as maneuvering with a large searchlight, executing skillful maneuvers before dashing off at lightning speed to the south-west. The vessel was described as high in the air, with a powerful light, but its body was indistinguishable due to darkness. News received by telegram suggested the airship was heading towards Portsmouth, causing sensation there. The description matched Mr. Moore's account. The article notes that suggestions of airships making night voyages over East Anglia date back to 1909, but stories were often discredited. Evidence of an airship cruise over Sheerness in October was more definite, with a government response stating it was not a British ship. The article concludes by mentioning that such sightings have been reported numerous times since, often near ports or naval bases.

True or False?

This section presents a letter from a witness describing a haunting experience in a flat. The witness woke to see a figure of a woman standing by her bed. She experienced a sense of evil and difficulty breathing. The following day, her husband mentioned the flat was haunted, and her description matched what his colleague had seen. The witness and her mother later experienced more phenomena, including a man walking from the window, a crucifix twisting, and hairgrips uncrossing themselves. They fled the flat, believing the evil spirit was after them. The witness's mother gave the crucifix to a psychic woman who claimed the evil spirit was after her. The witness believes the evil spirit has come from this person and is now avoiding her. The witness's mother is terrified, and the priest has advised her to stay away from the psychic woman. The witness mentions that the flat is built on a consecrated ground. BSIG attempted to contact witnesses and Anglia TV but received no replies. Upon visiting the flats, they were found to be empty, with the witnesses rehoused.

East Anglian Fortean Miscellany

This section, by M.W. Burgess of East Suffolk & Norfolk Antiquarians, presents several historical Fortean accounts:

• Framsden, Suffolk: In the mid-19th century, 'sun-shadows' on a steeple church created a shape known as 'Long-tailed Jerry', a local name for the Devil. A verse commemorates this phenomenon.
• Historical Accounts from John Stow's 'A Summarie of Englysh Chronicles' (1561):
• AD 1080: Great wind, earthquake, and roarings from the earth.
• AD 1115: Lightning in March, thunder and hail in December, with the moon appearing clouded.
• AD 1165: Great earthquake in Ely, Norfolk, and Suffolk, causing buildings to overturn and bells to ring.
• AD 1361: Men and beasts perished due to thunder and lightning, with fiends seen and speaking to people.
• AD 1568: Seventeen monstrous fishes, some 27 feet long, were taken at Downham bridge, Suffolk.
• Danbury Parish Church, Essex (1402): The Devil appeared as a Grey Fryer, causing chaos and demolishing part of the steeple. He passed between a parishioner's legs, causing mortal disease and blackening his legs.
• Three Ash Farm, Bungay, Suffolk: Two large elm trees joined by a branch were known as 'The Siamese Twins'.
• Mousehold Heath, Norwich: An oak tree was said to have withstood lightning nine times in four years before being felled, and was over 600 years old.

Luminous Owl at Hellesdon

This article reports on the capture of a luminous owl by Mr. Edward Cannell at Lower Hellesdon. The owl, described as a bright and luminous barn owl, died shortly after being caught. Mr. Cannell, an engineer at Norwich City Asylum, found the owl on a grass bank. He noted its diffused light, which he believed to be phosphorescent. He mentioned that owls are common in the area, but he had never seen a luminous one before.

A Voice in the Night

This story, related by Mrs. B. Cox of Lowestoft, describes an experience in August 1967. Mrs. Cox was awakened by a woman's voice calling 'CAROL' outside her house. The voice recurred at intervals over several nights. Her husband and a neighbour investigated but found nothing. The voice seemed to come from an alleyway path. On the third night, the same thing happened, and a neighbour mentioned a supposedly haunted house in the alleyway. About three months later, for one night, a boy's name was also called. The voice eventually stopped, and the witness believes it to be an unexplained mystery. The editor notes that Carlton Colville is a parish south of Lowestoft.

Local Curiosities

This section presents several local legends and accounts:

• Cole's Oak House, Essex: Near this building, a stream is said to contain a huge footprint made by the giant King Cole.
• St. Edmund's Martyrdom: The site is thought to be either Hoxne in Suffolk or Hellesdune in Norfolk. Local Suffolk tradition places it at 'Hail', a knoll on the seabed north of Southwold Harbour.
• South Elmham St. James, Suffolk: The Devil is said to have been cornered in the church porch and kept at bay with pitchforks until the priest arrived. He then vanished through the wall, leaving a repaired patch.
• Fiddler's Hill, Tannington, Suffolk: This mound is said to be haunted by the ghost of someone murdered or accidentally drowned in the surrounding moat. Ghostly fiddle music was frequently heard emanating from it.

U.F.O. NEWS

This section reports on the formation of the NORFOLK UFO INVESTIGATION NETWORK. Following the failure of a previous UFO investigation network involving BSIG, Cambridge University UFO Study Group, and BUFORA, plans were made for a new network to cover Norfolk. A meeting held on February 20, 1977, included representatives from BUFORA, Dereham UFO Study Group (DUFOSG), SIRIUS, BSIG, and individual investigators. The network aims to bring together local independent groups and investigators for a more organized program, allocating specific areas to prevent multiple contacts with witnesses. Reports will be recorded on standard BUFORA forms, with copies retained by investigators and sent to BUFORA and Flying Saucer Review. An East Anglian Catalogue of UFO reports is also being compiled by John Copsey of DUFOSG. A 'Local UFO Reports' supplement will appear quarterly in Lantern. The network will seek cooperation from local police forces, newspapers, and coastguards. Posters will be displayed in libraries and CABs to inform UFO witnesses. The article concludes by stating that the network will not change the operation of local groups but will enhance UFO research through cooperation. Contact details for Keith Williamson in Hainford, Norwich, are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Lantern are UFO sightings, terrestrial zodiacs, local legends, hauntings, and historical Fortean phenomena. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded but investigative stance, presenting accounts from various sources and encouraging reader participation. The editorial stance emphasizes the collection and dissemination of information on unexplained phenomena, with a commitment to reviewing a wide range of relevant publications and fostering cooperative research efforts, particularly in the field of UFO investigation.