Lantern - No 22

Magazine Overview

LANTERN, Number 22, Summer 1978, is a magazine focused on unexplained phenomena, folklore, and local history, with a particular emphasis on the East Anglia region of the UK. The issue opens with an editorial by Ivan Bunn, expressing satisfaction with the repair of the BSIG's duplicator and announcing the publication of a new work on East Anglian standing stones.

Editorial and Announcements

Ivan Bunn, the editor, shares two pieces of good news. Firstly, the BSIG's old duplicator, a Gestetner, which was thought to be beyond repair, was successfully fixed by Mike Graves of Lowestoft, at no cost to the group. Secondly, Mike Burgess has published a comprehensive paper titled 'THE STANDING STONES OF NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK'. This paper is described as the definitive work on the subject, listing all known stones in Norfolk and Suffolk, their locations, materials, legends, and folklore, and includes 24 photographs. It is available for 60p from M.W. Burgess in Lowestoft.

Bunn also corrects an error from the previous issue, providing the correct telephone number for the Sheringham number of the Norfolk UFO Investigation Network as 823389.

The magazine is published by the 'BORDERLINE SCIENCE INVESTIGATION GROUP' (BSIG), a non-profit organization investigating unexplained phenomena. Annual subscriptions are 85p in the UK and available overseas. Full membership to BSIG is £1.50 per year (£1.00 for OAPs and students), which includes the magazine, newsletters, and 'The Proceedings' journal, offering opportunities to participate in group activities. For more details, contact Ivan Bunn at the provided Lowestoft address.

All articles are copyright of their authors or BSIG, and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or BSIG.

E. ANGLIAN FIELD NAMES

This section, authored by Nigel Pennick, explores the fascinating origins and meanings of field names in East Anglia. Pennick explains that these names often reflect the historical uses and physical characteristics of the land. He provides numerous examples, including:

• 'Bell Acre Land', 'Bell Meadow', 'Bell Pightle', 'Bell Rope Land': These names refer to lands historically given to the church for the maintenance of church bells and fittings.
• 'Borzell Meadow': Found in Redenhall and Woodton, 'Borzell' refers to countryfolk, suggesting these meadows were owned by outsiders.
• 'Breck': Refers to an exposed barren slope or newly broken-up land.
• 'Breure': Means heath or moorland.
• 'Camp' or 'Camping': Refers to the ancient, dangerous game of Camping, not to Roman forts.
• 'Cancer Field' / 'Parsons Cancer': Refers to a raised footpath, not a disease or zodiac sign.
• 'Chevenhall Green' / 'Chepenhall Green': The site of a market ('chepe').
• 'Carr': Indicates swampy ground.
• 'Clamps' or 'Hale': Fields where stacks of roots or bricks were once kept for burning.
• 'Clapper Pightle': Refers to a burrow or enclosure, not a gate.
• 'Clink': Refers to a fir plantation on a sandy slope or gravelly bluff.
• 'Cloyts': Refers to clay lands.

Pennick also discusses East Anglian dialect words used in field names, such as 'Deerboughts' or 'Boughts' (enclosures), 'Delf' (marsh drain), 'Doles' (allotments), 'Grovett' (small groves), 'Hern' or 'Horn' (sharply angular field), 'Tun' (protective ditch), 'Toft' (enclosed yard or homestead), 'Gull' (gully), 'Grupp' or 'Cripp' (small shallow water channel), and 'Holt' (wood-crowned hill or wood).

He further explains obsolete measurement systems like 'Rigg' (tracts with 9-10 plough furrows) and 'Snor', 'Snotch', or 'Snorce' (land measured by an ancient Danish system involving cords and knots). East Anglian usage dictated 13 snorce equaled 3 roods. The obsolete measure 'Ware' and 'Went' (referring to a specific area or crossroads) are also mentioned.

Pennick notes that while many names are etymologically established, their meanings are specific to East Anglia and may differ elsewhere in England.

Book Reviews

• 'THE COSMIC QUESTION' by John A. Keel: Reviewed by K.W., this Pan book (1978, 75p) is the UK paperback of 'The Eighth Tower'. Keel presents his 'super-spectrum' theory, an hypothetical energy range beyond the electromagnetic spectrum. K.W. finds Keel's reasoning flawed due to technical inaccuracies, such as confusing pulse length with frequency, but acknowledges that the ideas presented regarding paranormal phenomena, including UFOs and BHMs, are interesting and worth reading.
• 'THE KINGSTON ZODIAC' by Mary Caine: This privately published 32-page booklet (87p) is described as a well-produced, illustrated, and written exposition on terrestrial zodiacs. It explores a pattern found in the western suburbs of London, providing fascinating territory for research. The reviewer, Michael W. Burgess, notes that while the speculative use of the data might seem tenuous, the booklet is a valuable addition for anyone interested in the subject, weaving together legend, history, mythology, and topography.

Gleanings from the 'Lowestoft Journal'

• 'WITCHERY IN SUFFOLK. EXTRAORDINARY SUPERSTITION AT MENDLESHAM': This report from the 'Lowestoft Journal' details an inquest into the death of a child, Maggie Alberta Wade, who scalded herself. The mother called an old woman named Brundish, reputed to have supernatural powers, to cure the burns. Despite the woman's incantations, the child died. Medical evidence confirmed the death was accidental, but the mother maintained her belief in Brundish's powers as a witch.
• 'A VALUABLE SINGING MOUSE': An account from Cove (North Cove) about a mouse in the 'Horse Shoes' inn that sang melodiously, entertaining its landlady. The mouse was eventually sold to a commercial traveller for £3.10s. A footnote clarifies that the mouse was not sold, and it remained in the inn.

The Secret Tunnels of Norfolk and Suffolk

Authored by Michael W. Burgess, this extensive section compiles numerous legends and reported tunnels across Norfolk and Suffolk. Burgess acknowledges some repetition from previous articles but aims to provide a semi-complete gazetteer. He notes a greater concentration on Suffolk tales due to his research focus.

Examples of reported tunnels include:

• BACTON (Norfolk): A secret tunnel from Bromholme priory to Gimingham Hall.
• BILDESTON (Suffolk): A tunnel entrance behind the bar of the 'Crown Inn' leading to the market-place.
• BINHAM (Norfolk): A persistent tradition of a passage between Binham Priory and Walsingham Abbey, linked to the legend of a fiddler and his dog.
• BUNGAY (Suffolk): A passage attributed to Oliver Cromwell, from Bungay Castle to Mettingham Castle, though no evidence was found during excavations.
• BURY ST EDMUNDS (Suffolk): The area is believed to be riddled with tunnels, with a bricked-up doorway in the 'Angel Hotel' cellars mentioned. Also, the legend of a vanishing fiddler without his dog.
• DEBENHAM (Suffolk): A tunnel from the church pulpit to a site called 'Weie Farm', sealed off due to 'foul air'.
• DUNWICH (Suffolk): A tunnel from the 'Ship Inn' cellar to the ruins of Greyfriars Monastery.
• FRECKENHAM (Suffolk): An underground passage from 'The Castle' (a chalk mound) to the Hall.
• GRESHAM (Norfolk): A passage from the market cross to the Abbey ruins at Beeston Regis, allegedly hiding a 'golden calf'.
• HICKLING (Norfolk): A tunnel from Hickling Priory leading to a marsh drain, haunted by a monk.
• HOXNE (Suffolk): Underground passages from a moat near Hoxne Abbey to Eye, and from beneath the altar of Denham Church.
• ILKETSHALL ST JOHN (Suffolk): A tunnel from the 'High House' to St. Margarets Church, and another from the 'Roman Stone Street' to Bungay.
• ILKETSHALL ST LAWRENCE (Suffolk): A tunnel leading to the Moat Minster.
• IPSWICH (Suffolk): Several traditions, including one from Alnesbourne Priory to the Ancient House, and another from the 'Coach and Horses' Inn cellars. Stoke Hall legends include a tunnel to 'Freeston Tower' and one to Greyfriars Monastery.
• KINGS LYNN (Norfolk): A connection between 'Red Mount Chapel' and Greyfriars Monastery.
• LAVENHAM (Suffolk): A blocked doorway in 'The Priory' leading to an underground water-course and a tunnel. Evidence of a secret tunnel found near 'The Grove' building.
• LAWSHALL (Suffolk): A tunnel from Lawshall Hall (a former monastery) to Coldham Hall.
• LEISTON (Suffolk): Alleged secret tunnels from the ruined abbey to Framlingham Castle and Greyfriars at Dunwich.
• LOWESTOFT (Suffolk): The town is described as honeycombed with passages, with alleged tunnels from the Town Hall area, High Street to cliffs, Sparrows Nest gardens to the parish church, and linking various old houses.
• LUDHAM (Norfolk): A tunnel legend involving a dragon, running from the 'Carpenters Arms' Inn to the churchyard.
• NEWMARKET (Suffolk): Evidence of a passage from the 'Bushel Inn' cellars, and a tunnel connecting the Palace to Nell Gwynn's house.
• OULTON (Suffolk): A tradition of a tunnel from St. Michaels Church to Oulton Hall.
• PAKEFIELD (Suffolk): A passage linked to smugglers, between the parish church and the 'White House'.
• SOUTHWOLD (Suffolk): A tunnel from the old town jail, running under the market place to the Town Hall.
• SPEXHALL (Suffolk): Legends of a passage from 'Ilksall bower' used by monks for travel to the Moat Minster.
• WENHASTON (Suffolk): A subterranean passage possibly connected to the chapel of St. Bartholomew.
• WIGGENHALL (Norfolk): A legend of a tunnel from St. Mary Magdalen church to the Old Priory.
• YOXFORD (Suffolk): A tunnel built between 'Satis House' and another property to facilitate visits by Sir Charles Blois.

The section concludes with a list of 29 references, primarily local historical publications, folklore collections, and oral accounts.

UFO Report

This section details a marked increase in UFO reports from the east Suffolk area, particularly around Lowestoft.

• Mrs. Norma Clarke (Lowestoft): On April 17th, she observed a bright light that stopped, turned sideways, and moved slowly towards her house. She described it as a "huge ball of light with two great big wing structures out of the back." The object was silent and moved at a walking pace. She noted TV interference during the sighting. Her daughter was frightened, while the boys with her were unaffected but noted the object's silence and slow speed.
• Independent Witnesses (near Mrs. Clarke's house): A similar object was seen the same evening by two boys, who are considered independent witnesses.
• School-girls (Barnard's Meadow, Lowestoft): On May 4th, four teenage girls saw two large, vivid-bright orange objects hovering and descending slowly. One girl reported feeling frightened and obsessed with the idea of being observed.
• Tracey Segasby and Michaela Field (Oulton marshes): On May 13th, these two school-girls witnessed a dome-shaped object with bright orange lights that changed color. Four figures emerged from the object, described as two large creatures and two smaller ones, moving in a jerky manner. The creatures then disappeared, and the UFO rose and faded away. The horses and dogs nearby reacted fearfully. Investigators found no unusual traces.
• Ian Scutton and Thelma Scutton (Lawford, Suffolk): On the same evening as the Oulton sighting, this couple observed an object with orange lights shining downwards, which lit up the ground. It stopped, then vanished.
• Mrs. Molly Chaplin (Kirton, Suffolk): Approximately three months prior to the article (around February 1978), this nurse saw a large object with bright orange lights that stopped and followed her car for about five minutes before going out over the sea.

All these cases are noted as still under investigation.

Gleanings from the Lowestoft Journal (No. 3)

• 'SINGULAR PHENOMENON': On Wednesday evening (January 7, 1893), Yarmouth was bathed in a beautiful, peculiar green light that seemed to suffuse the sky. Residents reported never seeing anything like it.

Exchange Magazines

This section provides information on other publications and organizations:

• EARTHLINK: Replacing 'THE JOURNAL', this new magazine from the ESSEX UFO STUDY GROUP will feature UFO news, sighting reports, and articles. It is published quarterly, with subscription rates provided.
• 'PICWINNARD': A magazine from Wessex Leys and Folklore, published bi-monthly. It covers topics like 'the Old Stones of Mendip', Cornish language, legends, and local celebrations. It is described as first-rate reading, especially for those interested in folklore, and is available via subscription.
• FRIENDS OF GHOSTS (FOG): A quarterly newsletter from the International Society for the Investigation of ghosts.
• THE CHRISTIAN PARAPSYCHOLOGIST: A magazine dealing with psychic phenomena from a religious viewpoint.
• ANOMALY RESEARCH BULLETIN: A bi-monthly journal focusing on Fortean phenomena.
• UFO RESEARCH REVIEW: A quarterly journal with a scientific approach to UFO research, published by the Nottingham UFO Investigation Society.
• THE LEY HUNTER: A quarterly magazine on Earth Mysteries.
• FORTEAN TIMES: A magazine covering strange phenomena, curiosities, and mysteries.
• MUFOB: An informal quarterly journal devoted to UFOlogy and associated subjects.
• PULSAR: A quarterly journal of the Preston Ufological & Leyographical Society & Expedition (PULSE).
• JOURNAL OF GEOMANCY: A quarterly publication from the Institute of Geomantic Research (IGR).
• SKYWATCH: A bi-monthly journal on UFOs and related phenomena from the Manchester Aerial Phenomena Team (MAPIT).
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS: A monthly newsletter from the Northern UFO Network.
• RES BUREAUX BULLETIN: A tri-weekly publication on Fortean and allied phenomena.
• STONEHENGE VIEWPOINT: A US-based professional newspaper format publication on astro-archeology and geomancy.
• AWARENESS: A quarterly journal from Contact International (UK) covering UFO research.
• ANCIENT SKILLS AND WISHOM REVUE: A quarterly publication reviewing books and magazines on leys, folklore, geomancy, and earth mysteries.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the unexplained, particularly UFO sightings and related phenomena in East Anglia. There is a strong interest in local folklore, history, and ancient sites, as evidenced by the articles on field names and secret tunnels. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation, encouraging readers to report sightings and share information, while also maintaining a critical approach, as seen in the book reviews. The BSIG positions itself as a research group dedicated to exploring these subjects.

This document appears to be a page from a publication, likely a magazine or newsletter, focusing on UFOs and related phenomena. The content includes a report from a helicopter pilot, a historical sighting from 1890, and recent UFO news from the UK, specifically East Anglia.

Historical Sighting: 'The Lowestoft Journal', April 5th, 1890 The issue reprints a report from 'The Lowestoft Journal' dated April 5th, 1890. A correspondent walking on the beach near 'The Clyffe' (the marine residence of Mr. Colman MP.) at Corton, observed what appeared to be a "huge flagstaff with a large flag floating in the breeze" just on the edge of a bank of fog. The object remained stationary for about ten minutes before it seemed to rise in the atmosphere and gradually fade away. During the observation, several steamers sounded their fog horns and struck their bells, which increased as the fog thickened, eventually blotting out the view.

Witness Report: Helicopter Pilot Another section details information supplied by a witness, identified as a "Professional helicopter pilot of North Denes Heliport, Great Yarmouth." The pilot initially thought the object was a "low flying aircraft, and the lighting arrangements suggested it was a civil aircraft." Upon contacting Preston control, the pilot was informed that there were no reports of any aircraft in that area, especially at such a low altitude. The pilot also noted the significant detail that they were "30 nautical miles from the nearest land."

Late UFO News This section provides updates on UFO investigations in East Anglia. It mentions an article in the 'Eastern Daily Press' about Keith Williamson, the BSIGS UFO Research Officer, and the Norfolk UFO Investigation Network (NUFOIN). A report of an interesting sighting from Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, has been passed on to investigators. Another case under investigation by BSIG involves an "orange flashing light" seen over Thorpe St. Andrew, Norwich, on Friday, February 24th, reported by two 15-year-old boys. NUFOIN is seeking cooperation from the Norfolk Constabulary and the Coastguard to enhance the network's efficiency.

The section concludes by stating that the Investigation Network is getting into its stride and working well, with small posters advertising NUFOIN being circulated to increase public visibility. It also provides contact numbers for reporting UFO sightings in several Norfolk towns: Lowestoft 69694, Norwich 898667, Dereham 2487, and Sheringham 8333II, with the last number being manned 24 hours a day.

Exchange Magazines The latter part of the document is a listing of various magazines and newsletters related to psychical research, Fortean phenomena, Earth Mysteries, and UFOlogy. Each entry includes the publication's title, frequency, a brief description, and subscription details, often with contact names and addresses.

• Notable publications listed include:
• FRIENDS OF GHOSTS (FOG)
• THE CHRISTIAN PARAPSYCHOLOGIST
• ANOMALY RESEARCH BULLETIN
• UFO RESEARCH REVIEW
• THE LEY HUNTER
• FORTEAN TIMES
• MUFOB
• THE JOURNAL of the Essex UFO Study Group
• PULSAR
• ANCIENT SKILLS & WISDOM REVIEW
• JOURNAL OF GEOMANCY
• SKYWATCH
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS
• RES BUREAUX BULLETIN
• STONEHENGE VIEWPOINT
• AWARENESS
• KENTISH MEGALITHS & ALIGNMENTS (a treatise)
• THE STANDING STONES OF THE LOTHIANS (a handbook)

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes are UFO sightings, Fortean phenomena, and Earth Mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of active investigation and information dissemination, as evidenced by the work of NUFOIN and the listing of various research publications. The inclusion of a historical sighting from 1890 suggests an interest in the long-term study of unexplained phenomena.