Lantern - No 24

Magazine Overview

This issue of LANTERN, identified as issue number 24, announces a price increase for the magazine from 15p to 18p per issue, with the annual subscription rising from 85p to £1.00. The editor, Ivan Bunn, assures readers that the magazine will continue to provide a minimum of 10 pages plus a litho page and 'SPELLTHORN' newsletter, and that the price will not increase for at least another 12 months. The magazine expresses gratitude to its subscribers, noting a significant increase in sales and a doubling of regular subscribers over the past year. Readers are encouraged to spread the word and persuade friends to subscribe. The magazine welcomes letters, articles, comments, suggestions, and press-cuttings, particularly those with an 'East Anglian flavour'. The issue concludes with holiday wishes from the editor.

Extracts from the Journal of Dr. Edward Browne

This section presents selected entries from the journal of Dr. Edward Browne, son of the famous philosopher Sir Thomas Browne. Entries from January 30, February 5, and February 13, 1663, are included. The January entry describes a 'magical cure for the jaundise' involving boiled ashes and urine. The February 5th entry recounts a visit to see a 'serpente' that a woman had vomited up. The February 13th entry mentions attending a dance at Mr. Howard's.

Later entries from February 26th and March 3rd, 1663, detail observations in St. Martins, Norwich, including a cellar with a slimy substance resembling grapes and the discovery of a dead man's body. Another entry describes a 'white horse' carving and a signpost with an old woman and a gardener. A 'country remedy' for jaundice involving goose dung steeped in beer is also mentioned.

The Phantom House of Bradfield

This article, reprinted from the 'Bury Free Press' of September 22nd, 1978, under the title 'CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF A CHILLING KIND', details the mystery of a phantom house reportedly seen at Bradfield St. George, Suffolk, in the 1920s. The account begins with a young school teacher, Miss Ruth Wynne, and her pupil, Miss Allington, walking through the countryside in October 1926. They encountered a high wall and wrought iron gates leading to what appeared to be a large, Georgian-style house hidden by trees. Upon returning to Rougham, they found that Miss Wynne's parents had never heard of such a house.

The following spring, Miss Wynne and Miss Allington revisited the spot and found no trace of the wall, gates, or house; only a ditch and wilderness. Miss Wynne wrote to a wireless programme in 1934 about the spectral mansion, stating her conviction that the house had once stood there or she would encounter it again. She added that she was not psychic and this was her only such experience.

Miss Allington later confirmed the story to Sir Ernest Bennett. The tale has been retold by several authors of ghost-hunting books. Mr. Leonard Aves, a local historian, has privately published a history of Bradfield St. George and devotes a chapter to ghostly tales. He confirmed that Miss Wynne died some years ago but that other former pupils remembered her highly.

Mr. Aves also recounts a story from James Cobbold, who, in his youth, witnessed a spectral red brick house with gardens and ornamental gates disappear near Kingshall Street. His grandfather had also reported seeing a similar house in 1860. Mr. Aves finds it difficult to explain these occurrences, noting the absence of any trace on old maps. The article questions whether these might be sightings of the same house or if others have seen similar phenomena.

Crossroad & Roadside Burials

Written by M.W. Burgess, this article explores the tradition of burying individuals at crossroads and roadsides, a practice rooted in local legends and folklore. The author notes that while the idea is common, little has been written about it, with most examples originating from Suffolk. Crossroads were historically significant places for gatherings and were often associated with pagan beliefs, including the 'Hag' or 'deathly' aspect of the Mother Goddess.

With the rise of Christianity, burial at crossroads became associated with suicides, heretics, and murderers – those who had forfeited the right to Christian burial. A common practice was to drive a stake through the heart of suicides to prevent them from rising again. The article cites examples from Walberswick ('Deadman's Cross'), Tollesbury ('Jordan's Green'), Stanton ('Alcock's Grave'), and Spexhall ('Deadman's Grave').

It also discusses the 'Boys' or 'Gipsy's Grave' near Moulton, a grassy mound on the Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds road, said to be kept tidy by gypsies. The article mentions the legend of a gypsy shepherd-boy who hanged himself. Another account details a willow tree called 'Lush's Bush' near Redenhall and Harleston, Norfolk, said to have sprouted from the stake driven through the body of a woman who committed suicide after killing her child.

The article provides further examples, including the burial of a man named Hurwood in a crossway in Ballingdon in 1783, with a stake driven through his body. 'Bond's Corner' in Grundisburgh and 'Dobb's Grave' in Kesgrave are also mentioned as sites associated with 'self-murderers'. The confusion surrounding 'Deadman's Grave' near Yoxford is highlighted, with possible explanations including the graves of suicides, hanged gypsies, or ghosts from Darsham Rectory.

Finally, the article touches upon the burial of individuals slain through violence, such as the maidservant Kate at 'Kate's Parlour' near Sotterley Hall, and 'Chunk Harvey's Grave' in Thetford, believed to be that of a pirate. 'Marmansgrave' is also mentioned, associated with a gamekeeper named Mar who was shot by poachers.

U.F.O. NEWS

This section reports on several UFO sightings in the East Anglian area. On November 20th, Mr. Owen Bean of Felixstowe reported seeing a silver-coloured object with a red tail hovering for about ten minutes. On the same day, Mrs. Eileen Holland of Westerfield saw a 'UFO' shaped like a 'squashed saucepan lid', red or orange in colour, which moved off slowly and then gathered speed.

The local police stated they had no reports of UFOs that night, and EADT weatherman Ken Blowers suggested the cigar-shaped object seen was an aircraft condensation trail illuminated by the rising sun. The article notes that the 'contrail' was in the precise area of Red One airway off the East Anglian coast.

During October, the area around Lowestoft experienced sightings of a 'mystery airplane'. On October 4th, witnesses saw a bright light approaching from the sea, which resolved into three lights attached to a slow-moving aircraft with an engine noise like a WWII bomber. Similar sightings occurred on October 11th and October 23rd. Despite inquiries, no airfields have claimed the aircraft. Interestingly, two independent witnesses described the object as resembling a Lancaster bomber, similar to a craft seen in April.

The editor, Ivan Bunn, shares his personal involvement in investigating these reports. He recounts an incident where a witness became suspicious of government involvement after a delay in responding to a report form, fearing he was being 'got at'. The witness then embellished his original report, claiming to have heard that the US Airforce was also being 'got at'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of LANTERN are the investigation of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and ghostly apparitions, and the exploration of local history and folklore. The magazine maintains a stance of open inquiry, presenting witness accounts and historical records for readers to consider. The editorial notes emphasize the importance of careful investigation and the challenges of dealing with witnesses, while also highlighting the mundane nature of the editor's own UFO research over 15 years. The publication appears to be dedicated to documenting and sharing unusual events and local mysteries within East Anglia.

'Exchange Magazines' is a publication that serves as a directory and information hub for various niche magazines and publications, particularly those focused on folklore, earth mysteries, UFOs, and related phenomena. This particular issue, identified as 'Spellthorn NO.2' and associated with 'East Suffolk and Norfolk Antiquarians', provides listings for numerous periodicals, details on their content, subscription information, and contact addresses. The issue also includes original content, such as local legends, historical accounts, and reader queries.

Listed Publications

The 'Exchange Magazines' section details a wide array of publications:

• SANGREAL: A quarterly journal on British mysteries, crafts, and folk-traditions.
• THE CAULDRON: A quarterly newsletter on witchcraft, folklore, and the Old Religion.
• SKYWATCH: A bi-monthly publication on UFOs and related phenomena, from the Manchester Aerial Phenomena Investigation Team (MAPIT).
• MUFOB: A quarterly publication devoted to UFOlogy and associated subjects.
• FORTEAN TIMES: A quarterly magazine covering curiosities, mysteries, and fortean phenomena.
• THE LEY HUNTER: A quarterly magazine focused on 'earth mysteries'.
• PICWINNARD: A bi-monthly magazine on Wessex leys and folklore.
• JOURNAL OF GEOMANCY: A quarterly journal from the Institute of Geomantic Research (IGR).
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS: A monthly newsletter from the Northern UFO Network (NUFON).
• AWARENESS: A quarterly journal from Contact (UK) covering UFO research, with articles and reports.
• ANCIENT SKILLS AND WISDOM REVUE: A quarterly publication reviewing books and magazines on leys, folklore, and earth mysteries.
• EARTHLINK: A quarterly journal from the Essex UFO Study Group, focusing on UFOs and associated phenomena.
• UFO RESEARCH REVIEW: A quarterly journal from the Nottingham UFO Investigation Society, emphasizing a scientific approach to UFO research.
• WARK: A publication reviewing fanzines, comiczines, and fortean publications.

E.S.N.A. Publications

This section highlights publications by E.S.N.A. (East Suffolk and Norfolk Antiquarians):

• 'HOLY WELLS & ANCIENT CROSSES OF NORFOLK & SUFFOLK': A 20-page illustrated guide detailing wells, springs, ponds, and crosses in Norfolk and Suffolk, with their folklore and history. It is a companion to 'STANDING STONES OF NORFOLK & SUFFOLK'. Price: 50p inc. postage.
• 'STANDING STONES OF NORFOLK & SUFFOLK': A widely-acclaimed publication for researchers, detailing standing stones in Norfolk and Suffolk. Price: 60p inc. postage.
• 'LOCAL CURIOSITIES': An illustrated guide to legends, ghost stories, and folklore of East Suffolk. Price: 40p inc. postage.

These publications are available from M.W.Burgess at 21 Kirkley Gardens, Lowestoft, Suffolk. Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to M.W.Burgess.

Spellthorn No. 2 Content

Apologies and Postponements: The editor apologizes for the non-appearance of 'Anglian Research Paper' No.1 ('Bury Zodiac'), which has been postponed to the end of January due to unforeseen work.

Publication Updates: Supplies of ESNA Occasional Paper No.1, 'The Standing Stones of Norfolk and Suffolk', are dwindling but still available at 60p each. ESNA Occasional Paper No.2, 'HOLY WELLS AND ANCIENT CROSSES', has just been published. It is a gazetteer of wells, springs, ponds, and crosses in Norfolk and Suffolk, with folklore and history, featuring two pages of litho'd illustrations. It costs 50p each.

Local Legends and Folklore:

• Parham Thorn Tree: A diary entry from the 18th century describes a white thorn bush near Parham Hall that blossoms by Christmas Day and attracts large gatherings from the neighbourhood.
• Tunnel Legends: Several tunnel legends are mentioned:
• One said to run from St. Mary's church in Bungay to the ruined Castle.
• A 'large subterranean passage' discovered in 1801 at Abbey Farm, Langley, Norfolk, when it was destroyed by fire.
• A tunnel said to run from Wiveton Hall in Norfolk to the Carmelite friary at Blakeney, with traces found in the early 1900s, possibly a drain.
• Another alleged tunnel from the same friary to the Blakeney Guildhall, with a 'blind fiddler' story associated with it.

Ghost Stories and Queries:

• Gunton Hall Ghost: Alan Murdie reports a 'banshee-type ghost', the 'White Lady', at Gunton Hall in Norfolk. Lord Suffield and a physician, Dr. Woodward, had heard its cry. The ghost was seen gliding across the lawn the night Lady Suffield died.
• Barton Hill Ghost: A story from Fornham St. Martin concerns the ghost of a white dog appearing at the bottom of Barton Hill, said to be connected to an accident where a woman was killed.
• Brundon Mill Ghost: Alan Murdie queries information about a child's ghost said to haunt the bridge near Brundon Mill, Sudbury.
• 'Pirate's Grave' Object: A query about an object at Carlton Colville known as the 'Pirate's Grave', where running around it a certain number of times is said to make the Devil appear.

Megaliths and Ley Lines:

• Henstead Stone: A query for more information on a stone near Henstead church, previously mentioned, with a photograph and details sent by Jill Bruce.
• Suffolk Megaliths: Brief notes on three previously unknown 'megaliths' in Suffolk are mentioned: one at Hall Farm, Wattisham; one at a track crossing on Plains Farm, Hitcham; and a vague reference to a boulder on the edge of Peddar's Way.
• Copdock Stones: Peter Coupland of Witham has sent photographs of a rough semi-circle of large, jagged stones found at Copdock, Suffolk, during ley-hunting. These stones are located just inside the gateway to a house.

Geomancy and Historical Accounts:

• Prior's Grave Markings: From A.J.Forrest's book 'Under Three Crowns', a story about markings on the Prior's Grave in Blythburgh Church, shaped like an arrow, with lines pointing to Arthur's Seat at Tintagel and Norway.
• Fortean Section - Southwold Storms:
• July 21st, 1666: A severe storm of hail, thunder, and rain in Southwold damaged windows and corn, with hailstones measuring six to seven inches round.
• August 15th, 1931: A remarkable hailstorm occurred in Southwold with unusually large hailstones (two ounces and over, some like cricket balls), breaking windows and shop blinds.
• 1760 Aerial Phenomenon: A letter from Diss dated July 26th, 1760, describes a loud noise, like a cannon explosion, heard in the air on June 11th, which seemed to burst westward and roll eastward. It was also heard in Norwich, Beccles, Bury, and Thetford.

Editor's Contact: Further notes, queries, or information can be sent to Michael W.Burgess at 21 Kirkley Gardens, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are local folklore, earth mysteries, historical accounts of unusual phenomena (including weather and alleged paranormal events), and the promotion of niche publications related to these subjects. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging reader participation through queries and contributions, fostering a community of researchers and enthusiasts interested in the unexplained and the esoteric aspects of local history and tradition. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and sharing information on a wide range of topics, from ancient sites and folklore to UFO sightings and ghost stories.