Ley Hunter - 1970 no 9

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: NINE
Volume: 1
Date: JULY 1970
Publisher: Richard Wilson (Printed by)
Editor: Paul Screeton
Country: United Kingdom
Price: 1s. 4d. (single copies)

This issue of The Ley Hunter, a non-profit making magazine, explores the burgeoning interest in ley lines and ancient mysteries. The editor, Paul Screeton, notes that ley hunting is experiencing a boom, attracting a diverse audience from housewives to ufologists. This resurgence is attributed to factors like the publication of John Michell's "The View Over Atlantis" and the reappearance of The Ley Hunter itself.

Lead-In: The Ley Hunter's Boom

The "Lead-In" section, likely an editorial by Paul Screeton, discusses the current popularity of ley hunting. It highlights two main factors: the acceptance of John Michell's "The View Over Atlantis" and the magazine's own role in coordinating information. The editor posits that this interest reflects a revived spirit among free-thinking individuals who believe in a capable ancient civilization. Bram Stokes, a London shop owner, is mentioned for selling many copies of Michell's book and The Ley Hunter, and for his ambitious project to publish a larger magazine on British mysteries. Michael Balfour of Sago Press is also noted for intending to publish Alfred Watkins' "The Old Straight Track" and other related books.

The magazine boasts a wide range of subscribers, including Brinsley le Poer Trench (author on UFOs and past civilizations), Oliver L. Reiser (professor and author), John Wheaton (author of "Acupuncture"), Tony Wedd (who first proposed a connection between leys and flying saucers), Jimmy Goddard (author of a handbook on leys), John Michell, Ross Nicholls (chief druid), Martin Stone (of the progressive pop group Mighty Baby), and Egerton Sykes (a lifelong student of Atlantis.

Critiques of Professional Archaeology

The editor expresses frustration with professional archaeologists, likening them to "tramps hunting cigarette ends" for their perceived inability to see the wider implications of prehistoric society. Dr. Glyn Daniel's letter is cited as an example of this narrow-mindedness, where anything not understood is labeled "religious" or attributed to "belief in the supernatural." The article argues that prehistoric man was practical, not erecting monoliths for religious purposes, and that leys should be seen primarily as markers of energy passageways.

The piece draws a parallel to bicycle manufacturers W. and O. Wright, who disproved the notion that man could never fly, suggesting that ley hunters are similarly challenging established archaeological dogma.

A THOUSAND MILES APART by Circumlibra

This article by Circumlibra explores the similarities between manipulated stones in the Iberian Peninsula and those in Derbyshire, suggesting a common race or shared influences among ancient peoples. The author recounts observations of a solitary, grotesque stone near Vila Real and Mirandela in Portugal, which appeared to mark a ley line. This line, traced over hills and through a village, ended at a shrine. The markers along the ley were a mix of old and new, some in use and some forgotten, with the head-like stone at one end and the shrine at the other.

The author questions the purpose and use of these lines by prehistoric man, pondering if they were merely trackways or something more. The article suggests that a recognizable creative force passes along leys, and that focused thinking can manifest material substance or circumstances. It categorizes ley hunters into two types: the "woolly" thinkers who grasp intuitively, and the meticulous ones who require detailed evidence. The author advocates for patience and tolerance between these groups to achieve a balance of understanding.

6 N of NE by Tony Wedd

Tony Wedd's article merges his interests in local topography and flying saucers. He describes a personal connection to a curly sycamore tree with a vortex in its bark, which his friend Mary Long identified as a site of healing power and a ley line. This ley is linked to an alignment from Attalita, a communication that referred to the tree's healing properties and a pattern of healing centers.

Wedd details a ley extending from Chiddingstone Castle, passing through One Tree Hill, and connecting to various points including Forest Row and Oldbury Camp, eventually reaching the Thames. He discusses a message from Attalita about a geometrical layout of 12 alignments, each with a healing center, which he found almost too precise. He notes that a chalybeate spring at Tunbridge Wells and the Spa Hotel lie on one of these lines.

Further alignments are described, including a pine clump at Burrswood (a healing center established by Dorothy Kerin), Spring Hill in Whitley Forest (where the River Darent emerges), and a striking clump of Scots Pines near the Sevenoaks by-pass. The coincidences pile up, with leys connecting to places like Outridge Farm, Weardale Manor, and Toys Hill. The article mentions an old cruciform cave near Highfields, possibly Mithraic, with features interpreted as Celtic calendar points and a representation of midwinter.

Wedd also discusses his own communications, understanding that 12 specific uses exist for 12 sorts of healing water. He mentions Philip Heselton's research into a healing apparatus. Following his divorce, Wedd is moving to Australia with his family to join a community, leaving the quest for the 12 healing centers to others. He expresses a desire to continue work connected to his ley research and bids farewell to the readers of The Ley Hunter, suggesting he has not quit the field but is pursuing it in a new context.

Garden Island and a New Venture

Tony Wedd's departure is further elaborated upon. He is rebuilding a home in a tropical paradise in Australia with friends of the Henry Doubleday Research Association. He references Dino Kraspedon's book "My contact with Flying Saucers" and its chapter on "Man's wasted efforts," suggesting an educational approach for children on an island, free from conventional schooling. He mentions receiving telepathic messages, including the name "Elyssa" for his baby daughter.

Wedd is interested in investigating a solar energy apparatus and discusses cancer, aligning with Wilhelm Reich's observations. Garden Island is described as a flora and fauna sanctuary, unpolluted and dedicated to organic methods. He contrasts the struggle to find land in England with the obligation to do so in Australia. He criticizes much of modern work as "occupational therapy" or "Pyramid Building," contributing to environmental pollution and ill health. He believes the way forward lies in living more attuned to natural processes, citing the community at Findhorn as an example.

Medicinal Plants and UFO Symposia

Wedd mentions his project to establish medicinal plants in his garden, writing a book called "Plenty without Pyramids" to fund an expedition. He notes a plant claimed to soften stone, potentially explaining the construction of Andean fortresses and suggesting ancient flight capabilities. He speculates that rocks shaped into figures worldwide might be recognizable from flying craft.

He apologizes for being unable to contribute to a forthcoming symposium on leys, orthotenies, and UFOs due to his move to Australia and the need to focus on agricultural tasks. He expresses hope for the symposium's success and notes that the editor will have his material. He also mentions that Tony Wedd writes in the Contact (UK) magazine "Awareness" about a message received from a spaceman, and that Philip Heselton also believes in telepathic messages from spacemen.

LOCAL ANTIQUITIES (1) by F. R. WATTS

THE DITCH LEY

F. R. Watts details the Ditch Ley in Wychwood Forest, near Chilson. It is marked by a small round barrow, known as Tump Mound, which once indicated the intersection of important trackways. The ley passed over the site of a destroyed barrow, over Tump Mound, and then the tumulus in Ditchley Park, crossing the Salt Way. During invasion threats, Grim's Dyke was constructed, partly along the side of this track, which became known as the Ditch Ley to the Saxons. The builders of the dyke buried their sacred markstone rather than remove it. Tump Mound is situated in Church Brake, suggesting a site used for both heathen and Christian burials.

GRIM'S DYKE and AKEMAN STREET

Watts discusses Grim's Dyke and its relation to Akeman Street. General Pitt-Rivers initially thought Grim's Dyke was a British earthwork, but its proximity to Akeman Street led him to assign it to the Roman era. Three straight portions of Akeman Street were laid on existing British trackways. The article traces a portion of Akeman Street from Cold Harbour to Asthall, noting its path through various farms and sites, including an intersecting point on Pebble Bank and Ramsden Church. From Asthall, Akeman Street diverged, running parallel to a track before increasing its divergence towards Sturdy's Castle, where another British track was utilized. The extensive earthworks around Wootton Wood are believed to have been constructed for defense, possibly as an outpost of Grim's Dyke.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of ancient sites, ley lines, and potential connections to unexplained phenomena like UFOs. There is a clear stance against the perceived narrowness of conventional archaeology, advocating for a broader, more intuitive approach to understanding prehistoric societies and their achievements. The editorial tone encourages open-mindedness, interdisciplinary research, and the exploration of alternative explanations for historical and geographical anomalies. The magazine also highlights the personal journeys and research of its contributors, often linking their findings to broader themes of ancient wisdom, energy, and consciousness.

This issue of The Ley Hunter, dated June 1970 and edited by Paul Screeton, delves into the intersection of ancient history, folklore, archaeology, and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings. The magazine presents a blend of historical accounts, personal testimonies, and speculative theories.

Ancient Sites and Folklore

The issue begins by discussing ancient trackways and earthworks, noting how a Roman road was diverted near Oxford, possibly due to fortifications or difficult terrain. It then focuses on two specific historical sites: the Lady Well and the Hoar Stone.

The Lady Well, located near Ramsden and Wilcote, is presented as a site with deep historical roots, originally a gathering place for a Springtime Celtic festival sacred to Bride or Brigit. This deity was associated with fire, domestic arts, and healing, and her influence was so strong that it posed a challenge to early missionaries. To counter this, a new Brigit, a Druid's daughter with Christian virtues, was introduced, eventually becoming synonymous with the Virgin Mary. The well's worship was displaced by a Palm Sunday festival honouring Our Lady, but the old name persisted in Bride Well Farm. Local inhabitants still visit the Lady Well on Palm Sunday, using its water, sometimes mixed with liquorice to make "Spanish Water," as a remedy for sickness. The article speculates on a connection between this practice and ancient Egyptian remedies, suggesting the Celtic cult may have originated from Egypt via the Iberian Peninsula.

The Hoar Stone, mentioned in Rev. J. Jordan's 1856 history of Enstone, is described as a prominent stone on the hills, a subject of mystery and conversation. A remarkable observation is that the Hoar Stone, along with Fenny Compton Church, Warmington Church, Wiggington Church, Little Tew Church, Instone Church, an intersection at Wilcote, Witney Butter Cross, and the original site of the Blowing Stone, all lie in a straight line. The article also notes that a portion of Akeman Street east of Bicester follows another ancient British track sighted through Rousham Gap to the Hoar Stone.

Another section discusses the "North Ley," a ley line that, if traced from Chadlington, would be obstructed by a massive stone at its intersection with the Chipping Norton-Burford road. This stone marks the intersection of another ley originating from Burford Church and extending through various local landmarks to the North Ley from Abingdon.

UFO Sightings and Ufology

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to UFO sightings, particularly in the Hartlepool area. The article "Like a Zeppelin" by Paul Screeton, originally from a 1948 Chartbury School Magazine, explores the controversial connection between leys and flying saucer phenomena. Screeton acknowledges that while some dismiss this link, ufologists like those supporting Aime Michel's orthoteny theory, suggest UFOs follow regular routes. He then presents a series of sightings reported in Hartlepool, often referencing the Northern Daily Mail (NDM).

Key sightings detailed include:

• April 25, 1969: A fireball reported across England, with a specific report of a crash in a field near Hartlepool, investigated by police.
• Robert Peddy's sighting: A bright red, orange, and yellow cylinder, described as "like a zeppelin," travelling slowly and low, with a tail, seen from Hartlepool.
• Teenage sightings: Two girls saw a pyramidal object with shining, rainbow-hued surfaces that revolved and moved short distances.
• Cigar-shaped craft: Multiple sightings of grey cigar-shaped craft at high altitudes, travelling north-south, and a rapidly moving grey cigar-shaped object with a hazy outline travelling south-north.
• Orange light: Two NDM employees saw an orange light flashing on and off, moving at an estimated 3,600 mph across Hartlepool Bay.
• Blue ball: A blue ball with a slight tail was seen travelling towards the NE and vanished quickly.
• Amber oblong object: Seen moving slowly, described as resembling train carriages lit up at night, coloured amber with black lines.
• Inverted V formation: Three objects, one larger than the others, changing colours and pulsating with lights, observed through a telescope.

A map is provided with a key to the locations of these sightings and the routes of the objects where known. The article also mentions a separate sighting by Arthur Wright of Hartlepool, an amateur astronomer, of objects heading towards Teesside.

Archaeological and Esoteric Connections

The magazine touches upon various archaeological sites and their potential alignment with leys. It notes churches marked on the map, including Stranton Church, and sites like Short Cake Hill, Stone at Hart, and Castle Eden Church. Mentions are made of Norman churches, a leper colony, a friarage with a Grey Lady ghost, and a church reportedly robbed by Satanists. The issue highlights the alignment of Castle Eden Church, Monk Hesleden Church, a site of an ancient cross, and St Hilda's Church.

Postscript and Reader Contributions

A postscript details an experience at "Hart's stone" where touching it reportedly alleviated pain and caused an electric shock sensation. The acupuncturist John Wheaton is quoted, linking magnetism of stones and leys to Reich's "Orgonne" accumulator and "Cosmic Energy."

The issue includes a bibliography of books and articles related to the magazine's themes, including works on flying saucers, Atlantis, latent power in Britain, and UFOs. It also features "Readers' Forum" contributions.

• Glyn Daniel, Editor of ANTIQUITY, acknowledges The Ley Hunter as belonging to the "lunatic fringe of archaeology" but expresses interest and may feature it in a future issue.
• Allen Watkins discusses Tony Northwood's article on leys and mathematical probability, questioning the formula for determining ley soundness and criticizing the perceived hostility of the "Antiquity crowd" towards unconventional theories, defending John Michell's work.
• Sheila Walker praises the magazine's open forum approach.
• Keith A. Walker apologizes for a misstatement in a previous letter and clarifies information received from Fred Gardner regarding the separation of UFO and S.F. topics.

Corrections and Future Issues

Corrections are provided for a previous article on stone alignments, including adjustments to figures and place names. The "Next Month" section announces a forthcoming issue featuring an article by John F. Neal and comments by Circumlibra, as well as a BUFORA symposium on leys and orthoteny.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the interconnectedness of ancient sites, ley lines, and unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine consistently explores the fringe of archaeology and ufology, presenting evidence and theories that challenge mainstream scientific and historical perspectives. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to consider unconventional ideas and allowing diverse opinions to be aired in the "Readers' Forum." The editor, Paul Screeton, is presented as someone who treats readers as intelligent adults capable of forming their own conclusions.