Lantern - No 32

Magazine Overview

This issue, Number 32 of LANTERN, published in Winter 1980, serves as the 10th Birthday edition for the Borderline Science Investigation Group (BSIG). The issue opens with an introduction by Mike Burgess, a founder member, detailing the history of the BSIG and LANTERN. The BSIG was established on January 13th, 1971, in Lovestoft, with the aim of scientifically and unbiasedly investigating unexplained phenomena in East Anglia. The magazine LANTERN, initially a small, duplicated publication, evolved over the years, becoming commercially printed and later reverting to a duplicated format with a photo-litho cover, and eventually a fully duplicated format.

History of the Borderline Science Investigation Group and LANTERN

The founding of the BSIG is described, including the process of choosing a name and formalizing its aims. Early investigations were characterized by youthful exuberance, such as an all-night vigil for a non-existent ghost and misidentifying meteors and satellites as UFOs during early skywatches. The first issue of LANTERN, published in December 1971, was a 20-page foolscap magazine edited by Nigel Colman, with a speculative and esoteric content, differing significantly from its later regional focus. Subsequent issues saw the group develop distinct sub-sections for psychical research, UFOs, the occult, and a 'Thought Group' for data analysis. The magazine's production faced challenges with costs and contributions, leading to delays and changes in format and editorship over its nine-year history.

Research on Straight Tracks and Ley Lines by Arthur Cross

A substantial portion of the magazine is dedicated to the extensive research of Arthur Cross on 'Straight Tracks' (STs) and ley lines, primarily in East Anglia, spanning from 1927 to 1929. The issue details numerous papers contributed by Cross to the Straight Track Club Portfolios, which are held at Hereford Library. These papers explore alignments of churches, mounds, and ancient sites, often with accompanying maps and diagrams.

Key areas of Cross's research include:

• Gately, Norfolk (March 1927): Analysis of church alignments and a diagram of an ST through Gately, noted by Major Tyler as potentially inaccurate.
• Religion of Primitive Races and ST Theory (1927): Cross questioned if primitive beliefs influenced STs, suggesting a connection to Korean beliefs about spirits traveling in straight lines.
• Potton Church, Beds. (June 1927): Description of a church cluster around Potton and a nearby ST, with remarks from Major Tyler and Alfred Watkins.
• Straight Track Through Amesbury (June 1927): Description of an ST and a diagram of an isosceles triangle linking Avebury, Stonehenge, and Silchester, with comments on geometric figures by Douglas Wintle.
• Shefford Ley (June 1927): A map and notes on a ley involving nine churches.
• Seven Barrows (A & B) (June 1927): Further analysis of the Avebury, Stonehenge, Silchester triangle, expanded to include other sites, stimulating controversy regarding geometric patterns and survey methods.
• Norfolk Noted sites (March 1928): A map of 'important sites' in East Anglia with two primary alignments, discussing the potential basis of ancient land surveys and the significance of markstones.
• Silchester - Position of Church (April 1928): Comments on polygonal walls and radiating patterns of sites centered on Silchester church.
• Orientation of Leys (January 1929): Cross questioned the absence of north-south or east-west leys and commented on the use of towns as confirmation points.
• Caistor Camp, Norfolk (July 1928): Analysis of 'phantom lines' in corn and diagrams of alignments and circles, with Major Tyler querying the placement of pre-Roman sites.
• Fenland Tracks (September 1928): Discussion of potential STs used in ancient times before the draining of the Fens.
• East Dereham, Norfolk (October 1928): Description of a 'curiosity' in the siting of churches around Dereham.
• Hemel Hempstead (March 1929): Attempt to show church alignments centered on Hemel Hempstead.
• Hatfield, Herts. (March 1929): Map and notes on church alignments centered on Hatfield and Welwyn.
• Biddenham, Beds. (March 1929): Map and notes on church alignments centered on Biddenham and Goldington.
• Summary of Observations (March 1929): Cross's conclusions regarding ST sites belonging to a special historical era, the discovery of clusters when marking churches on a map, and the general direction and patterns of leys (SE-NW or NE-SW, parallel lines, isosceles triangles, circles, but not squares).
• Devonshire alignments (June 1929): Three diagrams of circular alignments and a map with a grid of parallel alignments, with remarks on practical difficulties in surveying circular alignments.
• Norfolk Earthwork Alignments (August 1929): A series of cuttings from the Eastern Daily Press on Norfolk earthworks and alignments.
• Beeston, Norfolk (August 1929): Map and notes on church alignments around Beeston, with remarks comparing them to clusters around Banbury.

Throughout the research, Alfred Watkins and Major Tyler provided commentary, with Watkins often offering cautious observations and Tyler focusing on geometric patterns and survey methods. The research highlights the meticulous, albeit sometimes controversial, work in mapping and interpreting ancient landscape features.

Unexplained Phenomena and Book Review

The issue also touches upon contemporary reports of the unexplained. A brief report details unidentified falling objects in Oulton Broad on August 1st, 1980, described as small balls of sand, which puzzled weather experts. Another section, 'A GAGGLE OF GHOSTS', notes a surge in ghost stories in late 1980, including an account from Bentwaters USAF base and an investigation request for Ormesby Hall, Norfolk. The BSIG's procedure of requiring eye-witness interviews before undertaking investigations is mentioned.

A book review by Michael W. Burgess critically assesses 'Folktales and Legends of Norfolk' by G.M. Dixon. Burgess finds the book expensive and lacking in originality, with poorly told stories and numerous factual errors, deeming it not worth the price.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the unexplained, with a strong emphasis on local phenomena in East Anglia, particularly concerning Straight Tracks, ley lines, and historical alignments. The BSIG's approach is presented as scientific and unbiased, though early investigations show a more amateurish enthusiasm. The editorial stance, as reflected in the Arthur Cross research, values meticulous documentation and analysis of historical and geographical data related to paranormal and unexplained occurrences. The magazine aims to document and investigate these phenomena, encouraging contributions and discussions among its readership.

This issue of "UFO News", dated November 29th, 1980, is presented as a supplement from the Eastern Evening News, focusing on paranormal events and mysteries primarily in the Norfolk and East Anglia regions of the United Kingdom. The publication covers a range of topics including a significant power outage, ghost sightings, and UFO reports, alongside book reviews and updates on paranormal research organizations.

The Big Norfolk Dim Out Mystery

The lead story details the "Big Norfolk Dim Out," a mysterious power failure that plunged Norwich and most of East Anglia into chaos on the evening of November 29th, 1980. The event caused widespread disruption, including burglar alarms activating, a pensioner being rescued from a lift, cinema customers queuing outside, and disruptions to theatre performances. All three TV stations went off the air, and police radios failed. A police spokesman described the situation as "sheer chaos." Norwich power distribution engineer Len Bacon noted the event's strangeness and eerie nature, affecting a wide area. Some reports suggested UFOs were sighted over Thorpe during the dim-out. Electricity experts cited faults on the national grid as the cause, with two unconnected faults on 400,000 volt overhead lines occurring within minutes of each other. Despite intensive investigations, the exact cause remained a mystery, and the sub-station at Cringleford automatically disconnected. The event was described as a "darned nuisance."

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The issue includes several reports of UFO sightings. Two inmates of Norwich Prison reported seeing a "pulsating orange star" that executed complex maneuvers. John Copsey of NUFOIN submitted two reports: one from Wymondham, Norfolk, about a star-like object that rapidly approached and receded, and another from a 15-year-old Norwich boy who saw an object traverse the sky in both directions. A report from Radio Norfolk on October 8th, 1980, mentioned a "UFO" that was likely an aircraft burning excess fuel. Another report described a "long stream of fire" followed by a "boom" and engine roar, and a bright orange glow seen near Wymondham, also attributed to an aircraft.

Ghost Stories and Hauntings

The magazine features several accounts of hauntings and ghost sightings. One story details a house where unexplained noises, including sounds of someone running and a rolling noise, were heard. Investigations by the BSIG (British Society of Investigators) found no physical cause. Another account describes a ghost at Burys Hall in Ashill, Norfolk, a Roman Catholic priest murdered 300 years prior. The present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Stangeland, reported that in a locked room, objects had been turned upside down, leading to an investigation by the Society for Psychic Phenomena.

Witness Accounts of Apparitions

Two specific witness accounts are detailed. PC Frank Colby, a British Transport police officer, reported seeing a stocky figure, approximately 5'6" tall, wearing a shapeless garment and large boots, crossing the A12 road near Lowestoft. His wife, however, could not see the figure. The figure disappeared as it crossed the center line. Another account by Anne Clarke of Lowestoft describes seeing two hooded figures in long cloaks by the roadside near Blythburgh, who also disappeared.

Book Review: Ghosts of Today

A book review highlights "Ghosts of Today" by Andrew Green, a gazetteer of hauntings experienced in the last 20 years in England, Scotland, and Wales. The reviewer finds the book interesting and a worthwhile addition for ghost hunters, considering its extensive research despite its price.

Editor's Notes and Publication Information

An editor's note announces that Mrs. Dot Street of Lowestoft is unable to continue as an active UFO investigator for NUFOIN/BSIG and directs future reports to Mr. J. Copsey or Mr. P. Johnson. The editor apologizes for the lack of advertisements in this edition due to space constraints, promising a full page of 'Exchange Magazines' in the next issue. The Spring Edition of LANTERN is expected in April 1981. The publication appeals for continued support, particularly financial, and encourages subscriptions to LANTERN. Subscription renewal information is provided, with UK subscriptions costing £1.20 for 4 issues.

Other Fields of Research

Besides investigating ghosts, the BSIG also conducts research into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP), Ley Lines, Witchcraft, Spiritualism and Mediums, Fortean phenomena (curiosities of the natural world), and Folklore and Legends.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained phenomena of UFO sightings and ghostly encounters, particularly within the East Anglian region. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and reporting of these events, presenting witness accounts, expert opinions, and research findings. The publication aims to inform its readers about ongoing paranormal investigations and mysteries, encouraging engagement and support for their research efforts.