Ley Hunter - 1965 vol 1 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: Vol. 1 No. 2
Date: July 1965
Publisher: The Ley Hunter's Club
Editor: Philip Heselton
Secretary: Jimmy Goddard

This issue of The Ley Hunter, the second to be published, is larger than the first and aims to explore various aspects of ley lines and ancient mysteries. The editor apologizes for the delay and appeals to subscribers for articles and letters to help fill future issues. The magazine plans to feature articles on alignments in specific regions of the country. A controversial article by Jimmy Goddard, connecting leys with flying saucers and proposing a new concept for the origin of leys, is deferred to the October issue to allow for more space.

Articles and Features

WHO WERE THE LEYMEN? By Christine Crosland Symms.

This article delves into the possibility that the ancient civilization of Atlantis, as described by Plato, was real and possessed advanced astronomical knowledge. The author suggests that inhabitants of Atlantis, or emigrants from the 'lost continent', may have influenced the construction of the pyramids in Egypt and Yucatan. The 'Leymen' themselves might have been Atlanteans who brought their knowledge to Britain. The article also mentions ancient serpent mounds in Ohio and Avebury, Wiltshire, and speculates if they are connected to leys. It draws parallels between the 'Straight Track' and ancient religious symbolism, referencing the Old Testament and sacred stones, proposing that the priesthood may have used these tracks for symbolic teaching. The author also considers the possibility that certain Biblical events occurred when Atlantis was still in existence, linking it to the precession of the sun through Taurus and the significance of bull worship.

NOTES ON COLDHARBOUR NAMES By Miss Joan Hatton

This section explores the historical usage of the name 'Coldharbour'. It cites a 1488 letter from Lady Margaret Beaufort using 'Cold Harborowe'. The author then details an ancient track discovered in Wrotham, Kent, which passes through a church tower, continues through the churchyard to a long stone ('maen hir'), crosses the Pilgrims Way, and ascends a ridge, passing Cold Harbour Farm. This path is described as characteristic of a Welsh 'rhiw'. The author expresses interest in tracing this track further and investigating if the church fabric reveals ancient stones, suggesting a pagan sacred site. The intersection of alignments at Maidstone cross-roads is mentioned, with a theory that 'Maiden' place-names derive from the Sanskrit 'maidan' (public meeting place). Finally, two sun alignments from a Herefordshire Coldharbour are noted: one at Lower Wintercott (Ivington Camp) for Samhain Sunrise, and another at Upper Wintercott (Gattertop) for Mid Winter Sunrise.

LEY HUNTS

This section presents extracts from ley hunt reports by members Jimmy Goddard and Peter Furness, and Jimmy Goddard and Helen Rodwell.

Sussex and Essex Report:
The investigation began at Bramber Castle in Sussex, noting its ruined state but intact prehistoric mound. Chanctonbury Ring and Bramber Church are identified as points on the same ley. The report then moves to the church of St. Andrew in Steyning, noting its age and the significance of its dedication to St. Andrew, a common dedication for ley churches. The name 'Steyning' is interpreted as 'dwellers by some prominent stone'. Chanctonbury Ring is described as a prominent hill-top clump of trees within an artificial earthen ring, surrounded by tumuli.

In Essex, the hunt focused on Dodd's Farm near Ingatestone, identified by its significant 'dod' name. The farm is noted to be at least 450 years old. The next point on the ley was Margaretting Church, predominantly 15th Century. The trackway was obscured by a field of oats, preventing further progress towards Margaretting Tye.

Devon Report:
An account of a straight track investigated by Miss Sheela L. Hutchinson in Devon is also included. The track runs from North of Great Torrington to Loxdown Cross. It involved identifying stone paving, a possible ancient building, and following electric pylons as mark points. The track is noted to pass through a series of gates and overgrown areas, including a stream and woods. The probable effectiveness of a Beacon at Beaconside is highlighted for its visibility over steep terrain. A second section, Beaconside to High Park, describes a sunk track, a small earthwork, and a series of gates, with a distinct track down a steep field and a stone stile. The author expresses interest in studying the Straight Track Club's postal folios for further information.

MONOLITHS AND STONE CIRCLES By R.H.A. Merlin

This article, reprinted from a 1948 publication, proposes that monoliths and stone circles across Britain may have been sited in connection with an early survey of the island. The author criticizes the analytical approach to prehistoric remains, which has yielded limited results. Instead, a synthetic approach is suggested, viewing these sites collectively. Mr. Merlin theorizes that these structures were built in the second millennium BC and that Britain's shape has changed significantly since then. By connecting right-angled patterns formed by ancient sites like Stonehenge and the Rollright Stones, he develops a model suggesting a pattern of right-angled triangles across the country, possibly using coastal features from prehistoric times. The article questions whether it's possible to glean an idea of Britain's shape from thirty centuries ago.

An accompanying diagram by F.R. Watts illustrates 'An Arrangement of Sites in Oxfordshire', showing connections between various churches and Roman villas.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the concept of 'ley lines' and 'straight tracks' as ancient pathways or alignments across the landscape. There is a strong interest in connecting these with prehistoric sites, ancient civilizations (particularly Atlantis), and possible astronomical or symbolic purposes. The editorial stance encourages reader participation and the sharing of research and findings, indicating a collaborative approach to uncovering historical mysteries. The publication also demonstrates an openness to unconventional theories, such as the connection between leys and flying saucers, while maintaining a degree of philosophical skepticism as advised by contributors like Mr. Merlin.