Sussex Circular - 1995 no 46

Magazine Overview

Title: SC
Issue: 46
Date: November 1995
Publisher: CCCS Sussex
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1.00

This issue of SC, 'The Monthly Magazine of Crop Circles and Beyond', features a prominent cover story on the controversial 'Alien Autopsy' film, alongside reports on crop formation anomalies and detailed surveys of formations from the 1995 season.

The Alien Autopsy Film Controversy

Sonya Porter, initially skeptical of the 'Alien Autopsy' film, finds her view changed after attending the '8th Bufora International UFO Congress'. While acknowledging the film's potential for fakery, she notes that certain provisos, if met, could suggest its genuineness. The autopsy itself is described as taking place in a small white room with two 'surgeons'. The alien is noted for lacking breasts, nipples, and a navel. The procedure involved cutting open the body and skull, and removing organs and the brain. Debris with labels, including one with a 'V-I-D-E-O' inscription and six-fingered hand prints, were shown.

Michael Hesemann from Germany, who has been assisting Ray Santilli (the film's presenter), provides a critique that addresses objections to the film. Hesemann explains that items like the telephone coil and clock on the wall were available in the late 1930s. He counters the objection about the surgeon removing black eye-coverings too quickly by suggesting it might have been a second autopsy. Hesemann also discusses the photographer, JB, who was a freelance photographer before the Second World War and served in the Army's photographic department and Intelligence Service. The film's coding suggests it could be from 1947 or 1967 stock, and it would have had to be used within three years, implying it was shot no later than 1970.

Hesemann addresses the objection that the body might be that of a deformed human, stating that if the film is genuine, it implies the existence of two aliens and two autopsies. He finds it unlikely that two identical, deformed twins would die simultaneously, or that a government would orchestrate such a scenario for disinformation. The question of why JB kept the film for so long is explored; he claimed he was waiting until he needed money. Hesemann dismisses the idea that the film is simply a clip from an old B-movie due to its quality and hand-held camera style.

For the film to be considered genuine, Hesemann posits several conditions: Kodak must confirm the film is from 1947 stock, and if film 'goes off' after three years, it must have been shot by 1970. Additionally, if there were indeed two aliens and two autopsies, he would consider it genuine.

Stop-Watch Anomalies In Crop Formations

Derek Carvell reports on strange effects observed on stop-watches at a crop formation in Winterbourne Bassett over three nights. During an experiment at approximately 1:00 am on July 25th, a stop-watch taken into the field gained twenty-one minutes compared to one left in the car. The following night, the experiment was repeated, and the stop-watch that had gained time suddenly went back and matched the other watch. A third test on July 27th with two other witnesses resulted in the watch going back by four minutes. The stop-watches used were Avia digital watches, confirmed to be working correctly. The report also mentions a bright flash of light, described as being like a camera flash but without the dazzling effect, originating from beneath where a jacket had been lying.

Crop Formations: Sussex 1995 Season

This issue features several detailed surveys of crop formations from the 1995 Sussex season.

Saltdean Formation ('WANK')

Reported by Andy Thomas, this formation appeared on July 1st or 2nd, 1995, near Saltdean, East Sussex. It consists of a neat single circle with a diameter of approximately 30ft, laid anticlockwise. Several crude, man-made additions were made later, including a path that split into three, resembling a stick figure's head, and a ring. An unidentified word, 'WANK', was added to the lay. The consensus is that the single circle is 'genuine', with the additions being the work of local youths.

Denton Formation

Surveyed by 'The X Team' on July 13th, 1995, this formation appeared on July 9th near Denton, East Sussex. It is described as a dumbbell with an attached semicircle. The crop in the dumbbell pathway flowed from the large circle into the small circle, and the pathway connecting the semicircle flowed into both the semicircle and the small circle, with spiral centres. The formation bore a resemblance to a mushroom cloud and appeared shortly before France restarted nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. It also shares similarities with formations from 1992 and 1990, suggesting a possible series.

Other Formations

Photographs of other 1995 formations are presented, including those at Shoreham (main dumbbell), Cissbury Ring (with later additions), Upper Beeding, and Cissbury additions (close-up). Additional photographs from the summer of 1995 are also featured, with locations including Andover, Hampshire; Exton, Hampshire; Winterbourne Stoke, Wiltshire; and Avebury Avenue, Wiltshire.

News and Internal Affairs of CCCS

An article by Andy Thomas discusses the 'disharmonic convergence' within the Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS). The organization is described as having an uncertain identity and purpose, prone to personal squabbles and infighting. The flashpoint occurred when Lucy Pringle resigned or was removed as Hampshire branch convenor, leading to accusations and denials regarding the potential misappropriation of funds, misuse of council authority, and alleged secret meetings.

Concerns are raised about the validity of the organization's current state and its role. Council membership and meeting attendance have dropped sharply, as have general membership numbers. Funds are at an all-time low, and there is a general lack of confidence in CCCS's abilities. Despite these issues, some positive developments are noted, including the success of the Andover Conference, the production of postcards, and a forthcoming calendar. The London Winter Lecture series is also highlighted as a success.

An unofficial meeting of dissenters was held on October 15th to discuss the future of CCCS. Chaired by patron John Haddington and president Archie Roy, the meeting was attended by approximately 27 people. The main decision was to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) as a matter of urgency to clear the air and influence change within CCCS. A date in December is expected to be announced.

The article suggests that some members believe CCCS functions best as an information exchange network rather than a central governing body, and that local research groups continue to do exemplary work independently.

Free Plugs: Merchandise and Events

This section rounds up crop circle merchandise and upcoming events.

• Postcards: CCCS has issued two sets of eight photographs of 1995 formations. Lucy Pringle has also produced two sets of postcards, featuring formations from 1995 and earlier years.
• Photographs: Original photographs of formations are available from Steve Alexander and Michael Hubbard.
• CCCS Crop Circle Calendar 1996: A calendar is available, with word that it features fewer formations than the previous year.
• London Winter Lecture Series: Held at The Friends' International Centre, these lectures feature crop circle researchers speaking on the first Thursday of every month. Entrance is £4.00 for CCCS members and £5.00 for non-members.
• CCCS Conference: A two-day conference is scheduled for July 20th-21st, 1996, at the Cricklade Theatre, Andover.
• Crop Circle Connector: An online resource for crop circle information, initiated by Mark Fussell and Stuart Dike, accessible via http://www.hub.co.uk/intercafe/cropcircle/connector.html.

Letters

Simon Burton from Southampton raises concerns about the disturbing parallels between Hampshire 'Horse Ripper' attacks and crop circles. He suggests that these attacks, often attributed to human agencies, may not be simply the work of a human pervert, and that cerealogists may need to confront the 'dark side of events'. He speculates that if the energy manipulated in circle formation is 'Ch'i or Orgone', then the Ripper attacks might be using 'Sha or DOR (Deadly Orgone Radiation)'. The article notes that the geographical connection of circles to horse attacks was previously covered in SC 17, and that precision-mutilated cattle were found near 1994 crop formations in Colorado, USA.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers crop circle phenomena, investigative reports on anomalous events (like the alien autopsy film and stop-watch anomalies), and detailed field surveys. The editorial stance, as represented by Andy Thomas, appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various viewpoints and evidence while also acknowledging internal organizational challenges within the CCCS. There is a clear effort to provide detailed, on-the-ground reporting of crop formations, particularly those in Sussex, and to connect these phenomena to broader UFO and paranormal research. The magazine also engages with the community through merchandise and event promotion, and addresses controversial topics like the 'Horse Ripper' attacks, suggesting a willingness to explore the more unsettling aspects of the paranormal.