Lantern - No 19

Magazine Overview

LANTERN, Issue 19, published in Autumn 1977, is a magazine focused on folklore, mysterious phenomena, and ufology, with a particular emphasis on East Anglia. The issue is edited by Ivan Bunn and published by the Borderline Science Investigation Group (BSIG).

Introduction

The editorial by Ivan Bunn notes that the magazine might have seemed 'dull and straight-laced' but promises a revitalized content, starting with an article by Mike Burgess on 'mysterious stones'. Bunn acknowledges Burgess's contribution to recording East Anglian folklore and hints that this might be the last time Burgess writes about such stones. The issue also features the second part of a 'Black Shuck' survey and other 'tit bits' from East Anglia. Bunn encourages readers to submit information for future issues.

Book Review: 'A Little History of Astro Archaeology'

This section reviews John Michell's book, subtitled 'Stages in the Transformation of a Heresy'. The reviewer finds it to be a condensed version of Michell's previous works on alignments, geomancy, and astronomical orientation. Despite its slender volume, the book is praised for its wealth of photographs and old prints. The reviewer notes that the book is more comprehensible than Michell's earlier works and covers topics from 'Stukely and Stonehenge' to figures like Lockyer, Watkins, Hawkins, and Thom, with a section on 'astro-archaeology in Nazi Germany'. A humorous anecdote is shared about the translation of 'Abdeckereien' in the Nazi section. The reviewer concludes that Michell is confident in the acceptance of prehistoric astronomy theories, and the book illustrates how new ideas gain status. The reviewer also notes Michell's quote about a new idea promoting itself from 'Lunacy to heresy to interesting notion and finally to the gates of orthodoxy', with the reviewer observing that these gates seem firmly barred.

Stones and Things

This article by M. W. Burgess continues the exploration of mysterious stones in East Anglia, mixing them with other local oddities like tunnels and wells.

New Stones and Local Legends:

• Letheringham, Suffolk: A stone at the foot of a gibbet on Draggore Hill, said to shriek when kicked. The hill's name is explained by a legend of a man being hanged who kicked the stone, causing it to shriek and leading to his death from fright.
• Ingatestone, Essex: A stone traditionally provided by the Romans to mark a mile along a road.
• Erratic boulders: Mentioned as being found in the footings or fabric of churches in Bramford, Withersdale, Monk Soham, Sproughton, Mettingham, Washbrook, and St. Peters at Ipswich.

Updates on Previously Mentioned Stones:

• Rush Green, Harleston: The stone previously thought to be gone might still be present, hidden by bushes, and is traditionally said to be immovable. It is also associated with the martyrs of Bloody Mary's reign.
• Harleston, Norfolk: The stone known as 'Herolf's Stone' is also called the 'Harold Stone', supposedly from which King Harold mounted his horse.

Parham Pillars:

The stone balls on top of the Parham Pillars are said to turn round when Framlingham church clock strikes midnight.

Other Local Oddities:

• Jacob's Well: A spring of water at Malting Road, formerly Caldwell St., which has an inscription: 'Empty me, empty the sea.'
• 'Fool's Watering': A stream near Blythburgh, Suffolk, with a brown scum that an old woman mistook for yeast.
• 'The Braddocks', Wimbish, Essex: An old mansion house with 'priests holes' and a supposed tunnel to Horham Hall.
• Tunnels: Mentioned are tunnels from a moat near Hoxne Abbey to Eye, and from the same place to beneath the altar at Denham Church.
• Oliver Cromwell: Blamed for digging subterranean passages and burial mounds. He is said to have used cannons on Pepper Hill and Peterborough Cathedral.
• 'Witches Stones' in Belle Vue Park, Lowestoft: A heap of pebbles, possibly the remains of a beacon, thought by some to be a fake from 1874, but an old photograph suggests their earlier existence.

Conclusion of Stones Section:

Burgess concludes this section, promising to say no more about petrifications but noting that there are enough tales of tunnels, wells, mounds, and historical miscarriages to keep him occupied.

The Invisible College by Dr. Jaques Vallee (Book Review)

This review discusses Dr. Jaques Vallee's book, which is described as a scientific approach to ufology. The book is the result of 25 years of study by scientists observing UFO phenomena and its effects. It highlights personal contacts with UFO phenomena that have led to witnesses gaining paranormal abilities, attributed to extraterrestrial visitors. Vallee's theory suggests that the UFO phenomenon might be a form of human control system, either natural or implemented by higher intelligence. The review posits that this theory offers a stronger argument than the generally accepted extraterrestrial hypothesis.

Black Shuck - Part Two

This article by Ivan Bunn continues the survey of the 'Black Shuck' legend, focusing on more encounters and discussing its origins.

Deviant Encounters:

• Invisible Phantom Dog: An encounter near Hilgay, Norfolk, in May 1945, involving a faint baying and the noise of a chain.
• 'Thing' with two saucer eyes: A creature seen on the road to Woolpit, Suffolk, which spoke and grew larger.
• 'Black Poodle': A creature from Germanic folklore that grows larger and kills unsuspecting wayfarers.
• Guardian of Treasure: A creature with the body of a monk and the head of a dog, guarding treasure at Clopton Hall, Suffolk.
• Ranworth Hall, Norfolk: A large black dog associated with treasure buried by monks.
• Melton, Suffolk: A creature with the head of a donkey and the body of a dog, which bit a man named Kemp.
• Slough Hill, Cambridgeshire: A creature described as a cross between a dog and a monkey, seen shuffling on hind legs or whizzing on all fours, named the 'Shug Monkey'.
• White Dogs: Encounters with white dogs are mentioned, including a headless white dog at Mistley, Essex, and a pack of white hounds at Harwich, Essex, both considered portents of death.

Origins of Shuck:

• Sea Origin: A common theme where a dog is associated with a shipwreck and its drowned master, often seen running between graves.
• Viking Connection: The article explores the theory that 'Black Shuck' legends are linked to 'Odinn's Dog of War' brought by Vikings. However, Bunn finds contradictions and ambiguities, noting the lack of extensive reports in areas with strong Scandinavian place-names.
• Norse Mythology: Bunn references E.O.G. Turville-Petre, stating that wolves and dogs are seen as demons of Death and Destruction in Norse tradition. He suggests that 'Odinn's dog' might refer to the wolf that devours corpses, thus linking it to death.
• Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian Parallels: Bunn proposes that both cultures developed similar myths around the dog/wolf, personified by 'Woden' (Anglo-Saxon) and 'Odinn' (Scandinavian), suggesting 'Shuck' predates the Vikings.

Association with Death and Evil:

The article emphasizes the age-old tradition associating Black Shuck with death, evil, and the devil. It notes that the image of the black dog was used by clergy to frighten parishioners and by smugglers to keep people indoors. Bunn questions whether these legends are simply myths, given that people still claim to see the creature.

East Anglian Fortean Miscellany

This section presents various unusual occurrences reported in East Anglia:

• Fungoid Growth: A report from The Globe (September 2nd, 1902) about a large mushroom found at Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex.
• Wooden Effigy: A figure-head from an old sailing vessel that mysteriously appeared on a balcony at Broke Hall, Nacton, Suffolk.
• Elastic Bands: Thousands of elastic bands found in a wood near Stowmarket, Suffolk, with nesting starlings suggested as a possible cause.
• Norfolk Places (Jane Hales):
• Remarkable Events in Stody Parish: A blackbird crowing like a cock and a large pit appearing suddenly in ploughland on June 15th, 1788, with no apparent cause.

A Tale of a Crossroads

This piece by Nigel Pennick recounts an event near Cambridge. A figure was seen at a former crossroads on the road to Huntingdon. Subsequently, roadworks at the site uncovered six skeletons and a Saxon beaker. The site was identified as a former crossroads with a gallows, and the skeletons were attributed to executed miscreants. The author notes the interesting connection between the apparition sighting and the discovery of the skeletons.

U.F.O. NEWS

This section reports on UFO-related activities:

• NUFON Conference: A conference held in Nottingham on September 10th, attended by BSIG members. It featured lectures by various personalities in the UFO field, including Charles Bowen, Bernard Delair, John Hind, and Robert Morrell. The conference also included displays of UFO research instrumentation.
• Skywatches: Three BSIG members participated in a national skywatch organized by NUFON. A new, more suitable site was found, though nothing of importance was observed during the watch.
• Reports: An investigation into an old case from Oulton, Norfolk, in 1965, involving a witness seeing a light the size of a cricket ball. A recent sighting from Cambridge Branch member Nigel Pennick observed a strange red/pink light. Another sighting involved a multi-coloured unidentified object seen by youngsters playing football in Earlham Park, Norwich. News of another unidentified object sighting was also received.

UFO Hotline:

To facilitate reporting of UFO sightings in Norfolk, a 24-hour hotline number (0263 Sheringham 823389) and alternative numbers are provided. The initiative is by the Norfolk UFO Investigation Network (NUFOIN).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of folklore, local legends, and unexplained phenomena, particularly within East Anglia. The 'Black Shuck' series highlights the enduring nature of local myths and their potential origins, linking them to historical events, mythology, and even potential extraterrestrial influences. The UFO reports and conference coverage indicate an active interest in contemporary unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging reader participation and presenting various theories and eyewitness accounts, while maintaining a critical yet engaged perspective. The magazine seems to position itself as a platform for documenting and discussing the unusual and the unexplained, particularly within a regional context.

This document is a scan of page 217 and 218 of a publication titled "NEWS ROUND-UP", dated July 17th, 1977. It focuses on paranormal investigations, UFO sightings, and related phenomena, with a particular emphasis on UK-based groups and events. The content includes reports on investigations, personal accounts of strange encounters, and a comprehensive directory of "Exchange Magazines" in the field.

Investigations and Sightings

Borley Church Investigation

On the night of July 30, five members of BSIG's Psychical Research Section conducted their third investigation at Borley Church. Unfortunately, the investigation was significantly hampered by the presence of numerous visitors, including drunks, rabble-rousers, and campers who pitched tents outside the church. Despite obtaining permission for three team members to spend the night locked inside the church, the noise and disturbances made it doubtful that anything out of the ordinary would have been heard or noticed. While some historical information about the place was obtained, nothing was found that could be remotely connected with the haunting. Further research at the Norfolk Records Office also yielded no relevant information.

Sea Palling Haunting Research

During August, two BSIG members returned to the Hall Inn in Sea Palling, the site of previous investigations. Their aim was to conduct further research into the history of the building to corroborate information obtained at seances. Mrs. A. Skipper, the proprietor, granted the investigators permission to inspect the deeds of the building.

'Spook All in Black at Dereham'

On Wednesday night, July 17th, Mr. Len Smith and his wife Kay of Colkirk reported a startling encounter while driving home from a bingo session in Dereham. As they passed the golf club house, a "sinister black cloaked figure" darted in front of their car. Mr. Smith slammed on the brakes, but there was no one to be seen. His wife confirmed that they both saw the figure, which was described as being "all in black, a black hat and a black coat." Mr. Smith emphasized that they had not been drinking. The report notes that there have been no previous ghost stories in Dereham, though there were reports of a ghost in Sandy Lane a few years prior. Mr. Don Slack, steward of Dereham Golf Club, suggested that a black labrador dog that roams the course might be a possible explanation.

BSIG Growth and Equipment

The "NEWS ROUND-UP" section also mentions that BSIG is experiencing growth, with its membership being greater than at any time since its formation in 1971. Despite some financial setbacks, the group is now financially solvent. The magazine 'Lantern' is reported to sell out at every issue and is sent worldwide, with subscriptions growing. The Psychical Research Section also had a chance to try out some new and improved equipment during the Borley Church investigation, which worked very well.

Exchange Magazines Directory

Page 218 features a comprehensive list of "EXCHANGE MAGAZINES", providing details for various publications catering to interests in psychic phenomena, UFOs, ghosts, and Fortean topics. Each listing includes the magazine's title, format (duplicated, litho'd), frequency, a brief description, subscription details, and contact information. Some of the listed publications include:

• The Christian Parapsychologist: Quarterly, religious viewpoint.
• Ancient Skills & Wisdom Review: Quarterly, book and magazine reviews.
• Skywatch: Bi-monthly, UFOs and related phenomena.
• FOG: "Friends of Ghosts": Quarterly newsletter for the International Society for the Investigation of Ghosts.
• Northern UFO News: Monthly newsletter of the Northern UFO Network.
• Anomaly Research Bulletin: Bi-monthly, Fortean phenomena.
• MUFOB: Quarterly, ufology and allied subjects.
• Journal of Geomancy: Quarterly, published by the Institute of Geomantic Research.
• RES BUREAUX BULLETIN: Tri-weekly, Fortean and allied phenomena.
• UFO Research Review: Quarterly, scientific approach to UFO research.
• The Journal of the Essex UFO Study Group: Bi-monthly, UFO investigations and reports.
• Awareness: Quarterly Journal of Contact International (UK), UFO reports and investigation reports.
• Fortean Times: Bi-monthly, journal of strange phenomena, curiosities, mysteries etc.
• The Ley Hunter: Bi-monthly, sister magazine to Fortean Times, focusing on leys and allied phenomena.
• Stonehenge Viewpoint: Quarterly newspaper, professionally produced in the USA, covering astro-archaeology, geomancy etc.

The editor notes that due to economic reasons, they can only send 'Lantern' to magazines that exchange on a regular basis. They also mention that 'Lantern' is becoming more expensive to produce.

Late News

A late news item mentions that "Invisible College" reviewed on page 4 has been issued in paperback with the title 'UFOs: The Psychic Solution' by Panther Books, priced at 85p.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are paranormal investigation, UFO sightings, and the documentation of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these events and groups, providing information to a community interested in these subjects. The inclusion of the "Exchange Magazines" section suggests a collaborative and informational approach, aiming to connect readers with other resources in the field. The emphasis on factual reporting, even when discussing potentially unverified events, is evident. The mention of BSIG's growth and financial stability indicates a commitment to ongoing research and publication.