Ley Hunter - 1973 no 48

Magazine Overview

Title: THE LEY HUNTER
Issue: No. 48
Date: October 1973
Publisher: The Ley Hunter
Editor/Publisher: Paul Screeton, 5 Egton Drive, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, County Durham, TS25 2AT.
Content Focus: Ancient skills, wisdom, UFO sightings, ley lines, and mystical experiences.

Warminster Visits by Paul Baines

Paul Baines recounts a recent, largely uneventful visit to Warminster, contrasting it with a previous, more charged experience. During his first visit on August 17th, the atmosphere at Warminster was described as 'alive and charged,' with a feeling of expectancy. He and a friend stayed at the Bath Arms Hotel after finding the Old Bell Hotel 'unpleasant.' They spent time on Cradle Hill, plotting possible leys and intersecting lines between Stonehenge and Avebury. As darkness fell, numerous skywatchers gathered. Around midnight, Baines and his colleague John observed three lights near Battlesbury that changed color and suggested UFOs. Strangely, they were the only ones in the gathering to see these lights. Baines also experienced a distinct, continuous whistle that seemed to come from outside himself and lasted until Sunday night. He felt that something was monitoring his mind and senses. His colleague John also reported a similar sound. In contrast, his latest visit to Warminster was 'a dead loss,' as Arthur Shuttlewood had given up the UFO scene and had his phone removed.

Arthur Shuttlewood: Gentleman of Warminster by William Porter

William Porter profiles Arthur Shuttlewood, a journalist, author, and ufologist. Porter challenges the notion that time mellows a person, suggesting it brings fear and a need for affection. He distinguishes between personal fear and a metaphysical fear arising from life's evils. Shuttlewood, along with co-workers Bob Strong and Sybil Champion, endured 'cruelty' for years, leading Shuttlewood to announce his retirement from UFO research in 1970. He initially described his Warminster colleagues as 'hard-boiled cynical clan.' The article details the influx of 'etheric' phenomena in Warminster starting in December 1964, leading to visual manifestations. Shuttlewood witnessed his first 'cigar-shaped craft' on September 28, 1965. His reporting for the Warminster Journal and Wilts County Advertiser led to an exhausting schedule. Shuttlewood published four UFO books, including 'The Warminster Mystery' and 'Warnings from Flying Friends.' His final UFO article expressed sadness over the reasons for his retirement, emphasizing that truth must be found through personal experience. Bob Strong's illness is also mentioned. The article notes that Shuttlewood is now retiring from journalism after over thirty years due to an aggravated World War II eye injury. He is taking on a new role as manager of the Chapter One Bookshop in Warminster. His fourth book, 'Stairway to the Stars,' is nearing publication and discusses ancient underground power networks and their connection to UFO activity, suggesting that UFOs 'tap in' to this grid, releasing energy that affects watchers. Shuttlewood believes his work aims to make people think for themselves about universal structures and life-forms, valuing this over material gain.

Ley Points in Cornwall by Allen Watkins

Allen Watkins presents a list of 'Ley Points in Cornwall' derived from a document found by a friend in Marazion. The document, a handwritten statement by Margaret Thornley, claimed she was a 'servant of Michael' and had made a pilgrimage to holy wells and sanctuaries in Cornwall between 1947 and 1956. The manuscript was reportedly a copy of an original sent to the Queen Mother. The list includes various sacred spots like old church sites, cross sites, hills of vision, and mark stones, each with a symbol. Watkins notes that St Michael's Mount is the westerly terminal of the longest ley in Britain. He provides a list of Cornish place names and their associated symbols, acknowledging potential mis-spellings due to his typewriter.

John Michael's Research

John Michael of Bristol is researching the Ffarmers/Pumpsaint Zodiac in Wales and seeks correspondence with interested persons.

And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times? by Mollie Carey

Mollie Carey shares a personal experience from her youth. While studying wild plants on the downs near her farm, she felt a 'pulling' sensation and an impression of being 'Called like Christ into the Wilderness.' After her husband's death, she spent more time in this area, which she called 'Serenity.' One summer afternoon, while walking along an ancient track, she heard humming and singing, and saw two figures dressed in old-fashioned clothes emerge from a wood. The landscape around them seemed to transform. The figures were a middle-aged man with a beard and a young boy. The boy, naked to the waist, picked flowers and laughed with the man. Carey felt a spiritual presence and a surge of LOVE from the boy. When she stepped towards them, the vision vanished. She later heard birds chirping 'Joseph of Arimathea.' Her Vicar suggested that Joseph of Arimathea might indeed be connected to the area, as a Roman road passed through the wood. She discovered later that a track nearby connected to Glastonbury and Canterbury. She also mentions a connection to the ancient way to Glastonbury and Canterbury.

The Ley Abouts

A brief, humorous exchange about the nature of leys, with one character questioning the existence of a 'circular ley.'

The Bedford UFO Society and Lords Hill by William Porter

William Porter recounts his experiences related to the Bedford UFO Society (now Interstellar Research). He often visited their caravan near Lords Hill and had strong impressions of holy men and people with horses and donkeys. One day, a solitary walker asked for water and spoke of the 'green road' from Glastonbury to Canterbury, mentioning that Lords Hill dominated his journey. Porter realized the implication of the name 'Lords Hill' and connected it to his previous impressions. He believes he saw the 'Boy' (possibly the Boy Christ) with Joseph of Arimathea, and that their feet had indeed walked over England's pastures green. He interprets his experience not as a vision, but as his mind picking up past events and superimposing them. He also mentions finding a 'Gods Hill' in Somerset and a ley running from it, passing near churches and earthworks, and crossing a track near where the caravans were. This ley eventually leads to Corton Long Barrow, which started him on the road to Stonehenge. He notes that Lords Hill Farm is named after the hill, not an individual named Lord. The article mentions Cley Hill as a 'dragon hill' and Cadbury Castle as another significant site.

Landscape Conceptualism by William Porter

William Porter discusses the art exhibition of Marie Yates, focusing on her 'Field Workings' project. Yates created a series of documented journeys, using text, photos, film, and recorded tape to explore the perception of place and landscape. Her work is described as a 'multilinear survey' that externalizes orientation techniques and internal processes. Yates received a grant from the Arts Council for this project, which blends ancient landscape art/science with conceptualism. Her aim is to work with nature and allow for the orientation of something for which 'a primary recognition could be vastness.' Posters for the exhibition may still be available.

Book Reviews

"THE BOOK OF THE DAINED" by Charles Fort (Abacus, 60p):

Reviewed by Bob Rickard. The review highlights the re-release of Charles Fort's work, making it accessible to a new generation. Fort is credited with pioneering modern feelings about 'science' and the Unknown, cataloging UFO phenomena, sea monsters, and psychic events. His work is characterized by its unorthodox sources, humor, and profound insights, which Rickard compares to early Taoism and Buddhist Madhyamika. The review quotes Fort's perspective on the dawn of a new era and the changing of minds. It recommends reading Thayer's introduction before diving into Fort's work.

"TIMELESS EARTH" by Peter Kolosimo (Garnstone Press, £2-95):

Reviewed by J. Hawkes. The reviewer expresses astonishment at the acknowledgment of pre-Columbian European sea voyages to America. While Kolosimo's extensive network of transoceanic claims (Canaanites in Brazil, Greeks in Haiti, Vikings in Minnesota) might strain credulity, Hawkes finds the book a fair introduction for those new to lost civilizations. However, it is considered repetitive and unoriginal for readers familiar with authors like von Daniken. The book's strength lies in its illustrations, but it is ultimately deemed 'very much third rate.'

"ANCIENT STONE CROSSES OF ENGLAND" by Alfred Rimmer (Garnstone Press, £2-50):

This book, published in 1875, is described as a 'period piece' with character. Alfred Rimmer was a distinguished author who published 11 books and died in 1893.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of The Ley Hunter revolve around the intersection of ancient sites, ley lines, and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings. There is a strong emphasis on personal experience and subjective perception as valid sources of knowledge, often contrasting with conventional scientific or historical viewpoints. The magazine appears to champion an alternative perspective on history and reality, exploring mystical, spiritual, and paranormal aspects of the world. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging readers to think for themselves and consider possibilities beyond mainstream understanding. The articles often blend historical accounts, personal testimonies, and speculative interpretations of ancient landscapes and phenomena.

This issue of The Ley Hunter (Issue 10) delves into various topics related to ancient history, folklore, and paranormal phenomena. The content includes a book review, personal experiences with ley lines, a letter to the editor, and a miscellany of news items.

Book Review: Northumbrian Dragon Legends

The issue begins with a review of a book on Northumbrian dragon legends, described as a worthy reprint by Garnstone Press. The reviewer found the book to be a pleasure, noting its major record of ancient stone crosses of England with many illustrations. The book's style is characterized as rustic and dignified, with occasional humorous anecdotes and quirky diversions. One example cited is a Cistercian abbot being found to have "one more wife than would be allowed even to a layman, and two more than an ecclesiastic ought to have, as the chronicler relates." The book is structured as a series of essays covering weeping, memorial, boundary, and market forces, and is recommended for ley hunters.

Personal Experience: Cley Hill and Cradle Hill

The text continues with a personal account of an experience on Cley Hill and Cradle Hill. The author spent several hours alone on Cley Hill while John stayed on Cradle Hill. Despite a fine night with a full moon, the magical atmosphere from a previous visit was absent. The author proposes a theory that the power from ley lines flows in pulses and that they may have arrived "between pulses," accounting for the change in atmosphere from charged and alive to seemingly dead.

Letter to the Editor: Jimmy Goddard

A letter from Jimmy Goddard of Addlestone addresses a comment made in a previous review of Arthur Shuttlewood's book. Goddard refutes the implication that he induced the author or others to believe he was the editor of The Ley Hunter to take credit from Philip Heselton and Ken Rogers. He states that the situation is the reverse and that he never claimed editorship. He notes that the issue he produced single-handedly carried his name as Acting Editor. Goddard explains that both Heselton and Rogers had to be persuaded to take on the magazine, and their contribution was limited to typing stencils, leaving him with the work of duplicating, distributing, answering correspondence, receiving articles, and correcting spelling. He asserts that without his involvement, The Ley Hunter might not have existed or would not have had the benefit of a ready-made subscription list and author contacts. Goddard finds the mention of previous editors irrelevant to the current discussion of Shuttlewood's book and requests that his letter be printed to clear himself of implied allegations.

Miscellany

The 'Miscellany' section presents a collection of brief news items:

• ESSEX: P.R. Finbow of Colchester is seeking others interested in leys and megaliths in his area.
• STONE AGE ART: Paul Devereux and Richard Caston are holding an exhibition titled "Prehistoric Cosmology: an English revelation" in Düsseldorf from November 7th to 23rd.
• OMEN: Several correspondents have reported unease and awe regarding the approach of Comet Kohoutek.
• FANGSSFOR THE MEMORY: A vampire bat attack in a cave near Mexico City resulted in the death of a man searching an ancient Indian site for archaeological treasures.
• BEΛCKER FOLK: A reader complained in The Times of October 6th that their usual cup and saucer had been replaced by a paper beaker at the Chinese Exhibition.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the study of ley lines, ancient history, folklore, and unexplained phenomena. The magazine appears to foster a community of researchers and enthusiasts interested in these subjects, providing a platform for sharing personal experiences, book reviews, and news. The editorial stance, as inferred from the content and the response to Goddard's letter, seems to value open discussion and the clarification of facts within the ufology and paranormal research community.