Sussex Circular - 1996 no 53

Magazine Overview

SC, The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond, Issue 53, dated June 1996, is published by CCCS Sussex and features a cover headline announcing the return of new crop circles in England and the USA, alongside articles on 'A Psychic Perspective' and 'The X Files' Sinister Hidden Agenda..?'

News: They're Back!

The issue reports on the late but welcome return of crop circle formations to England in 1996. The first formation was a small, unusual circle in Lympne, Kent, appearing on May 3rd, with shredded, creamy white grass tips. A scientific neighbor suggested radiation or microwaves might have caused it. The owner had recently shown interest in crop circles, leading the author to believe the phenomenon is reciprocating.

The second event was in Girton, near Cambridge, reported on May 14th. This formation was a 95.6' flattened circle in oilseed rape, with a standing comma-shaped center resembling a foetus. A curved pathway led to a smaller circle. Reports of other formations in Lancashire and Denmark are also mentioned.

The article notes that while the circle season started late, there is still time for more elaborate designs to appear. It also mentions a false alarm of a circular wild patch on the M40 road near Booker airfield, which was not a crop circle.

News: The First Formations of 1996 - US-Style!

This section, reported by Ed Sherwood, details the first crop formations of 1996 in the USA, which resemble Native American cave art rather than typical English designs. The Laguna Canyon earth/weed formation in California, first noticed on March 9th, comprised three glyphs on a steep, weed-covered embankment. The larger glyph had nine rings, the smaller five, and a third glyph had four spokes. The formation's width was 230.10'. It was noted that the rings and lines were made of bare earth with few plants, and some English Plantain plants were found bent, splayed out as if by centrifugal force. Dr. W.C. Levengood was impressed by the bending of the plants.

The article also lists several US formations from 1995 compiled by Barry Reynolds, including events in Lebanon, Oregon; Churchville, Maryland; Provo, Utah; Blueball Hill, Maryland; Cherry Hill, Maryland; Inman, Kansas; and Rock Creek, Aloha, Oregon. Overseas formations from Israel and Canada are also briefly mentioned.

Key Persons and Organizations

Andy Thomas is the editor, assisted by Barry Reynolds and Kaye Thomas. Debbie Pardoe handles subscriptions. The magazine is produced by CCCS Sussex. Other individuals mentioned include John White, Ed and Kris Sherwood, Tom Ross, Dr. W.C. Levengood, Fred Starley, David Russell, Martin Noakes, Nigel Tomsett, Jason Porthouse, Di Knibbs, Richard Smith, Richard Andrews, and Busty Taylor.

Formation Surveys

Sussex Crop Formations '95: 12) Upper Beeding

Reported by Barry Reynolds, this section details a large crop formation in wheat at Upper Beeding, West Sussex, first seen on July 23rd, 1995. The formation, approximately 150' from the area, featured a dumbbell with two adjacent boxes joined to three touching ringed circles, laid mostly anticlockwise. It bore a striking resemblance to a formation at Mill Hill, Shoreham, which had appeared weeks earlier in a field previously marked with 'BAN LIVE EXPORTS' graffiti. The author suggests both formations were not man-made. The Upper Beeding formation was witnessed forming by Fred Starley, who reported seeing colored lights shooting from the ground up to the sky. However, Mr. Starley later retracted his statement, claiming it was a misunderstanding, though his housekeeper confirmed the original story. The formation was harvested the following day, approximately 58 hours after its appearance.

Cornography with Michael Glickman

Michael Glickman reflects on the recent AGM of CCCS, fearing its demise due to self-inflicted problems, but ultimately feeling optimistic after a simple intervention by Richard Smith. He discusses the potential for a strong and unified future for the Council, urging members to embrace change and end bitterness.

Glickman criticizes the appointment of Richard Andrews, who believes only 'experts' should study crop circles and that most are man-made, to manage the 1996 telephone Hot Line, calling it putting 'the fox in charge of the chicken coop.' He notes that Busty Taylor, who shares similar views, has replaced Andrews.

He recounts a negative experience appearing on a late-night TV show called 'Weird Night,' which was not devoted to crop circles as expected but featured various psychics and 'weirdos.' He was given only three minutes to answer superficial questions.

The column concludes with news of the season's first formations in Kent and Cambridgeshire, anticipating another 'brilliant summer.'

Mediawatch: X Doesn't Mark The Spot

This article by Andy Thomas critically examines the popular TV show 'The X Files,' questioning its role in promoting paranormal research. While acknowledging the show's quality and its initial appeal to those interested in the strange and unusual, Thomas argues that the series has increasingly focused on fear, darkness, and negative portrayals of paranormal events. He suggests that the show might be subtly promoting skepticism and fear of anything outside material reality, potentially influenced by organizations like CSICOP, which are critical of paranormal claims.

The article notes that Chris Carter, the show's creator, is scheduled to speak at CSICOP's 20th-anniversary conference, suggesting he may attempt to reassure them that 'The X Files' is merely harmless entertainment. Thomas warns that the show's emphasis on fear, similar to recent Hollywood movies like 'Independence Day,' could be contributing to a public mindset that is distrustful of the unknown, aligning with a 'Trust no-one' message.

Eye Update

This brief section mentions mysterious advertisements for the band Pitch Shifter, which appeared in trendy magazines, featuring a crop circle formation and a phone number. The band claims no manual involvement in creating the formation, and the ad seeks information about the crop design and its creators.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently champions the investigation and survey of crop circles, presenting them as a phenomenon worthy of serious study, often implying a non-human origin. There is a critical stance towards media portrayals of the paranormal, particularly 'The X Files,' which is seen as potentially fostering fear rather than open-minded inquiry. The editorial stance supports the idea that crop circles are a form of communication and that understanding them requires an open mind, contrasting with the skeptical views of organizations like CSICOP. The magazine also emphasizes the importance of information dissemination to the public, criticizing those who would restrict access to knowledge about crop circles.