Lantern - No 31

Magazine Overview

Title: LANTERN
Issue: Number 31
Date: Autumn 1980

Introduction

The editorial by Ivan Bunn, Editor, reflects on the magazine's nine-year history and the aims of its parent organization, The Borderline Science Investigation Group (BSIG). Formed in 1971, BSIG's objectives are to discover and scientifically investigate unexplained phenomena in East Anglia, and to document findings. Initially, LANTERN served as an internal journal for BSIG, but by Autumn 1973, under the joint editorship of Denis Fletcher and Ivan Bunn, it transitioned to a more commercial basis to reach a wider audience. The magazine now aims to cover various aspects of the unexplained, presenting researched articles or simply reporting events in the hope that readers will explore them further. The core purpose remains to inform and entertain.

News and Reports

Ghosts Claim as Bones Found on Leper Hospital Site!

A report from The Eastern Evening News (August 28th, 1980) details the discovery of human bones during digging for bungalows at St. Mary's Flats, Ballygate, on the site of an Elizabethan leper colony. This discovery reminded resident Mrs. Joyce Leon of ghostly sightings she had experienced. Human bones and pottery had previously been found on the site when gas pipes were laid thirty years prior. The current construction is by Oulton Construction Company, with archaeological work previously conducted by the Beccles Society. Mrs. Leon claims to have seen two cloaked figures, and a skull was among the unearthed remains.

Comment on Bury St. Edmunds Terrestrial Zodiac

Michael W. Burgess responds to a previous comment, expressing his belief in the significance of the Bury St. Edmunds Zodiac area, despite skepticism. He suggests that the area may hold a special 'mood and ambience' that draws people to it. He also mentions practical matters regarding the Thomas a Becket Well at Wymondham, noting it is in private ground and sealed up, but the natural spring still flows.

Local Ley Lines

NO.3: ST. JAMES SOUTH ELMHAM TO SHIPMEADOW, SUFFOLK

This article by Michael W. Burgess details a ley line alignment of approximately 6.25 miles, running south-east to north-west with a bearing of 41° 18'. The alignment connects five points: St. James Church, South Elmham; St. Michaels Church, South Elmham; St. Margarets Church, Ilketshall; The Mount, Ilketshall St. John; and St. Bartholomews Church, Shipmeadow. The article provides historical anecdotes and descriptions of each location, including local legends associated with St. James Church and the origin of the name 'Ilketshall' from the Scandinavian earl Ulfcytel.

UFO News

Ghosts at Bentwaters

A report from The East Anglian Daily Times (July 15th, 1980) describes 'ghostly goings-on' at the US Airforce Base at Bentwaters, Suffolk, experienced by members of the Air Rescue Squadron. Incidents include seeing an airman's apparition and smelling an unusual odor. The article notes the evidence is thin and suggests the building's former use might be a factor.

Kim Sergeant's Sighting

An account by Andy Russell in the Yarmouth Mercury (September 5th, 1980) details an incident involving Kim Sergeant and Carole Grunday, who reported seeing a glowing red ball hovering and tracking their car near Blofield, Norfolk. The object descended to roof level before vanishing. The article questions the reliability of the report, noting Kim Sergeant's prickly reaction to suggestions of alcohol influence.

Media Coverage of BSIG

The article critiques media coverage of BSIG, noting that while articles in the Yarmouth Mercury and Lowestoft Journal reported on UFOs and BSIG activities, they often misrepresented the group's purpose. BSIG decided years ago that organized skywatches were pointless for finding UFOs, and current skywatches are for familiarizing members with the night sky, not for UFO hunting.

Hopton UFO Report

Another UFO report mentioned is from Hopton, Suffolk, which occurred on August 20th, 1980. Witnesses Mr. Leslie Frost, his wife Margaret, and their son Anthony described seeing a mass of brilliant lights from their garden, which they likened to Yarmouth Pleasure Beach.

Diary of a Haunting

This section presents a detailed diary spanning from Sunday, October 10th, to Sunday, October 24th, chronicling a series of paranormal events experienced by a family who had recently moved to Norfolk. The diary entries describe unexplained noises, movements, cold spots, strange smells, and visual phenomena. The family experiences a sense of unease and conviction that the house is haunted. A medium was called in to exorcise the house, which reportedly had some effect, though the phenomena continued for some time.

Notes and Queries

This section contains various short notes and requests for information:

• No.65: GIANT HICKATHRIFT: A request for photos or information about 'Hickathrift's Castle' in the Norfolk Fens.
• No.66: GHOSTS: A reference to a ghostly coach and horses, and the apparition of a rector driving his ghostly trap.
• No.67: BURIED TREASURE: A local legend about a buried ship and Danish king at Burrow Hill, Suffolk.
• No.68: PROPHECY: A query about a Norwich Bridge and a 'stone dragon' related to a prophecy.
• No.69: FORTEANA: A description of a surge of water from a moat at Broome near Bungay, possibly related to an earth tremor.
• No.70: GHOST: The legend of 'White Hannah' at Friston, Suffolk.
• No.71: LOCAL ODDITY: The removal of a tree that grew from the interior of St. Benedict's church tower in Norwich.
• No.72: PROPHECY: A prophecy concerning a miller with three thumbs and a battle.
• No.73: SUICIDE BURIAL: A description of a suicide burial at the crossroads at Hangman's Lane in Norwich.
• No.74: CURES: An account of superstitious practices in Norwich involving cutting children's ears for a supposed ailment.

Exchange Magazines

This section lists other publications with similar interests that LANTERN exchanges with. These include:

• FORTEAN TIMES
• EARTHLINK (UFOs and related phenomena)
• MAGONIA (UFO research and investigation)
• SKYWATCH (UFOs and related subjects)
• THE LEY HUNTER (Earth mysteries)
• ANCIENT MYSTERIES (Geomancy, lost knowledge)
• THE HEATHEN (Wilderness religion)
• SANGREAL (Mysteries in Britain)
• WOOD AND WATER (Pagan newsletter)
• THE CAULDRON (Pagan journal)
• ZETETIC SCHOLAR (Anomalies and paranormal)
• NORTHERN UFOLOGY (UFO Network report)

Review

LINCOLNSHIRE DRAGON: A review of this magazine, described as a companion to LANTERN, covering Earth Mysteries, dragon-lore, and UFO reports. It is published by LINCOLNSHIRE EARTH MYSTERIES RESEARCH.

From: Hydriotaphia

A quote from Sir Thomas Browne's 'Urne Buriall' describing the discovery of sepulchral urns in Norfolk, containing bones and various artifacts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of LANTERN are UFO sightings, hauntings, and local folklore, with a particular focus on the East Anglia region. The magazine maintains a stance of investigating and documenting unexplained phenomena, encouraging reader participation and theorizing. The editorial emphasizes a scientific and unbiased approach, while also acknowledging the entertainment value of such subjects. There is a clear effort to distinguish factual reporting from sensationalism, as seen in the critique of media coverage of BSIG.

This issue of LANTERN, identified as 'II', features content related to UFO sightings, historical witchcraft cases, and a book review on poltergeist activity. The cover highlights a book review for 'This House is Haunted' by Guy Lyon Playfair.

UFO Sighting Report

The issue details an experience reported by a Mr. Frost, who described seeing two large, square structures with red and white lights in a stubble field on a clear, moonlit night at 1:45 AM. He characterized their movement as 'formation flying but too slow for planes.' His son and wife also witnessed parts of the event. Mr. Frost, an engineer, expressed disbelief that such structures could be man-made, stating, 'It was absolutely fantastic and there's no possible explanation.' He described one of the objects as a 'big manta' casting a shadow, followed by a 'terrific flash' and the emergence of a small triangular craft. This craft circled for about ten minutes before flying off with the other two.

'Peggotty,' a columnist for the 'Porthole' column, investigated the sighting. His attempts to verify the event with the Ministry of Defence and air traffic control were hindered by a Bank Holiday weekend. The sighting is being investigated by Dot Street of the BSIG. The report concludes by noting the strangeness and inexplicable nature of the event, which frightened Mr. Frost.

Tales of Witchcraft in Old Suffolk

This section recounts a historical case from 1665 involving Thomas Spatchet, the Bailiff of Dunwich in Suffolk, who suffered from headaches and fits, believing himself to be bewitched. He accused a poor beggar named Abre Grinsett, claiming to have seen her 'shade' in his bedroom and that she had bitten him. Grinsett confessed to seeing the Devil in the form of a cat but denied causing Spatchet harm.

A magistrate, described as 'enlightened,' refused to convict Grinsett, stating she was welcome to continue bewitching men like Spatchet as far as he was concerned. Despite this, Spatchet remained convinced she was the cause of his suffering. The account notes that Abre Grinsett died on February 13th, 1667, about two months before Spatchet's death, with the skin of her arms and hands scratched or torn off, suggesting she was unable to 'keep the Devil at bay.' The circumstances of her death are not fully known, but it implies mob justice prevailed despite the judiciary's earlier decision.

The article also mentions that Spatchet had dealings with witchcraft twenty years earlier, in August 1645, when he was appointed as an official 'watcher' by the witchhunter Matthew Hopkins.

The source for this account is cited as 'A Faithful Narrative of the Wonderful and Extraordinary Fits which Mr. Thos. Spatchet...was under by Witchcraft...wherein are several Remarkable Instances of the Gracious Effects of Fervent Prayer,' by Samuel Petto, Minister of the Gospel at Sudbury in Suffolk, published in London in 1693. The contribution is signed R.A. HAXELL.

Book Review: This House is Haunted

The issue includes a review of the book 'This House is Haunted' by Guy Lyon Playfair, published by Souvenir Press in 1980, with 288 pages and photos, priced at £6.95. The reviewer, J.R., considers it the best book written on poltergeist phenomena.

The review focuses on the Enfield, London case, which began in August 1977 and received significant press coverage. The family involved consisted of a divorced mother and her two sons and daughters. The phenomena centered on the two girls, aged 13 and 11. Guy Playfair and SPR investigator Michael Grosse stayed with the family for months, witnessing a wide spectrum of poltergeist activity, including apparitions, bangings, spoon bending, doors opening and closing, moving objects, falls of coins, and apports. A notable aspect was an abnormally loud, gruff voice emanating from the 11-year-old girl.

Playfair and Grosse recorded these events and family comments on tape. The book is based on these recordings, with the reviewer commending Playfair for not 'dressing-up' the stories and for using dialogue directly from the recordings. Although not a literary masterpiece, the reviewer deems it one of the best books on the subject available.

The review encourages readers interested in contemporary poltergeist cases to purchase the book, highlighting the fascinating photographs taken by automatic cameras that show 'incredible shots of 'poltergeist in action.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are unexplained phenomena, specifically UFO sightings and poltergeist activity, alongside historical accounts of witchcraft. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation into these subjects, presenting witness accounts and historical records for consideration. The review of Playfair's book suggests an interest in paranormal and spiritualist explanations, even if the reviewer notes Playfair's 'Spiritism' leanings.

The publication also promotes its next edition, stating it will be available in January 1981 and urging readers not to miss it or to subscribe.