Ley Hunter - 1965 vol 1 no 1

Magazine Overview

'The Ley Hunter' is the inaugural issue of a magazine published by the Ley Hunter's Club, with the first edition appearing in April 1965. The magazine is edited by Philip Heselton and the Secretary is Jimmy Goddard. The club itself was formed in 1962, but this publication marks a new effort to serve as an information centre for members engaged in researching ley lines and ancient alignments.

Editorial

The editorial, penned by Editor Philip Heselton, announces the launch of 'The Ley Hunter' magazine. He explains that the club, formed in 1962, has been relatively inactive due to its members being scattered. The re-organisation aims to create an information hub, highlighting research through articles and reports. The magazine will be published quarterly (April, July, October, January) at a cost of 4/6 per year or 1/3 per issue. Heselton encourages members to submit articles detailing their research interests in alignments or specific lines of inquiry, with the intention of publishing one such article per issue. Letters commenting on the magazine and suggesting improvements are also welcomed. For those seeking information on specific straight tracks, the magazine offers to publish enquiries, hoping another reader might provide assistance. Heselton, currently studying geography at Hull University, provides his temporary address in Cottingham, Yorkshire, until the end of June, for articles, letters, and enquiries, while subscriptions should be sent to Secretary Jimmy Goddard in Shepperton, Middlesex.

Herefordhire Ley Investigation

Philip Heselton announces his intention to spend a fortnight in August in the Hereford area, specifically between Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, around Woolhope and Wormelow Tump. His goal is to investigate local leys on foot, take photographs of significant points, and potentially publish a research report in September. He appeals to members for any information they might have about leys in this region, stating that such details would be very helpful. He also suggests that if members on holiday discover anything interesting related to leys, they should share it for publication in the magazine.

Salisbury Plain Alignments

This section, authored by Philip Heselton, delves into the significant alignments found on Salisbury Plain, an area noted for its dense population during the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Researchers have identified unique patterns and alignments there. Early observations by Allcroft in 1900 noted alignments between Stonehenge, Old Sarum, Salisbury Cathedral, and Clearbury Ring. Alfred Watkins, in his book 'The Ley Hunter's Manual', presented diagrams of camp alignments on Salisbury Plain. K.H. Koop's 1946 paper, 'The Earliest Survey', described an equilateral triangle arrangement formed by Stonehenge, Old Sarum, and Grovely Castle, with sides of six miles. Koop further detailed how extensions of these lines intersect other ancient sites and how parallel leys align with specific churches and camps. The article also references a 1938 paper by Dr. Heinsch at a Geographical Conference in Amsterdam, which highlighted similar alignment angles in England, France, and Poland, with examples from Salisbury Plain. Heselton shares his own findings of parallel alignments in the Salisbury area at angles of 51°, 81°, and 141°, which are 30° apart and align with the equilateral triangle pattern. He concludes that Salisbury Plain warrants careful study for leys and requests information from anyone who has conducted research in the area. He is currently indexing all leys on the Salisbury 1" map, sheet 167, and welcomes any details on leys or geometrical patterns found.

A map illustrating the geometrical arrangement of alignments on Salisbury Plain is included, showing the equilateral triangle pattern with solid lines and parallel alignments at 30° angles with dashed lines. The scale is 3 miles to 1 inch, and it is noted as a rough sketch with approximate angles and distances.

Odd Notes

This section contains several brief items:

• Roman Roads and Ancient Tracks: An article from 'The Observer' (February 21st, 1965) by C.P.H. Wilson of Thetford is mentioned. Wilson discovered that many accepted Roman roads in Britain run parallel or at right angles to each other. He speculates about a Roman Army grid system based on ground markers rather than maps. The article suggests this might be evidence of Roman roads following older, ancient straight tracks laid out millennia before.
• 'A Lost Roman Road' by Bernard Berry: The magazine recommends Bernard Berry's book, which details his discovery of a missing section of the Bath-Poole Roman Road by following the line on the ground. Berry found evidence of embankments and terracing. The article notes that Berry is aware of leys and mentions the 'Dod Pool' at Longleat House, which lies on a line between Hamworthy and Bath, suggesting the Roman Road's alignment might have been based on an older straight track. The editor expresses interest in contacting Berry and potentially having him join the Club.
• Inquiry for Article Origin: The editor is seeking information about the origin of an article in his possession titled 'Monoliths and Stone Circles' by R.H.A. Merlin, and wishes to contact the author.
• Translation Request: The editor also requests anyone who has a translation of Dr. Heinsch's paper, mentioned earlier in the magazine, to come forward.

Subscription and Contact Information

Detailed contact information is provided for subscriptions and editorial matters. Subscriptions are 4/6 for four issues per year, sent to Secretary Jimmy Goddard. Single copies cost 1/3. All other correspondence, including letters and articles, should be sent to Editor Philip Heselton at his Sunbury-on-Thames address, with a note about his temporary address at Needler Hall, Cottingham, Yorkshire, from April to the end of June.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this inaugural issue of 'The Ley Hunter' are the investigation and documentation of ley lines and ancient alignments, particularly in the British landscape. The editorial stance is one of promoting research, information sharing, and community building among enthusiasts. There is a clear interest in connecting ancient trackways, prehistoric sites, and even Roman roads to these ley line concepts. The magazine positions itself as a platform for members to share their findings, discuss theories, and seek assistance from fellow researchers, fostering a collaborative approach to understanding these historical and geographical patterns.