Sussex Circular - 1996 no 56

Magazine Overview

Title: SC
Issue: 56
Date: September 1996
Price: £1.00
Cover Headline: A Forming Circle Caught On Video At Last.. Or Not?
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial Introduction

The September 1996 issue of SC magazine, 'The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond', opens with an editorial by Andy Thomas reflecting on the current crop circle season and the controversy surrounding a video allegedly showing a crop circle being created by unexplained lights. Thomas highlights the importance of Colin Andrews' photograph on the cover, which depicts a formation at Windmill Hill, Wiltshire, from August 1996. He notes that the video, purportedly showing a crop circle being created by 'little balls of light' at Olivers Castle, is a central point of discussion and excitement, with many eager to view it. The editor also mentions the Glastonbury Symposium as a significant event for gauging the community's understanding and thoughts on the phenomenon.

The editorial also pays tribute to Kim Besly, a recently deceased member of the Sussex circles team, remembering her wit and commitment to truth. The magazine announces a significant increase in readership, partly due to a promotion in 'Nexus' and the book 'Fields of Mystery', and welcomes new readers.

News and Updates

The 'NEWS - CIRCLES '96 UPDATE #4' section provides a rapid overview of new formations and related news. The editor clarifies a previous statement about the Internet being 'prone to errors', explaining that all information sources, including SC, are susceptible to mistakes due to the nature of how information spreads. He commends Mark Fussell and Stuart Dyke's Crop Circle Connector pages on the Internet as valuable resources.

The issue emphasizes that SC has provided the most thorough and up-to-date crop circle listings in 1996. It also addresses the issue of misreported events in the USA, where fairy-rings and natural ground markings are sometimes mistaken for crop circles, urging caution when handling uncertain information from distant sources.

Crop Circle Formations - England

The magazine presents an extensive list of crop circle formations reported in England, organized alphabetically by county:

• AVON: Burton - A single circle in wheat spotted on August 18th, visible from the M4.
• BEDFORDSHIRE: Filgrave - A dumbbell formation in wheat with a key shape. Streatley, Nr Barton Le Clay - An impressive design in wheat with connected circles, rings, and crescents.
• BERKSHIRE: Caversham - A 40' ringed circle with four smaller satellites. East Ilsley - A formation appeared on July 10th, with another single circle on July 26th.
• CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Huntingdon - Formation reported around July 13th. Spaldwick - A large single circle in barley. St Neots - A ringed circle reported on July 16th. Wandlebury, Nr Cambridge - A formation in wheat on August 1st.
• CORNWALL: Penrynn - A ringed circle with a 'triangle on legs' in wheat.
• DEVON: Bickington - A dumbbell with a ring in barley. Exmouth - A circle and a ringed circle in barley. Harbertonford - A circle and a ring facing each other on opposite sides of a valley.
• HAMPSHIRE: Clanfield - A dumbbell in wheat with a pathway crossing the shaft.
• HEREFORDSHIRE: Hopwood - A double ringed circle with a nearby 'grapeshot' formation.
• HERTFORDSHIRE: Nettleden, Nr Berkhamsted - Three formations, including a 100' ringed circle with four arms and a 200' ringed circle with 'curious appendages', and an impressive quintuplet formation.
• KENT: Boxley - A ringed circle with 'arrow-heads'. Exmouth - A circle and a ringed circle in barley. Harbertonford - A circle and a ring facing each other.
• LEICESTERSHIRE: Calthorpe, Nr Rugby - A single circle in wheat. Endery, Nr Leicester - A formation. Great Easton, Nr Corby - A large single circle in wheat.
• NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: Aynhoe, Nr Banbury - A single circle in wheat. Silverstone - Formation reported.
• OXFORDSHIRE: Ashbury - A 'Vesica Pisces' formation and a 'necklace' design.
• SOMERSET: Somerton - Two ringed circles in wheat. Yeovil - A 'treble clef' shape.
• SUFFOLK: Bealings, Nr Martlesham - A ring in barley with a stick-man-and-rude-word formation. Colchester - A large single circle with several grapeshot in wheat.
• SUSSEX: Alfriston - An unconfirmed report of a single circle. Arlington, East Sussex - Five large blocks of indeterminate shape. Mannings Heath, Nr Horsham - An elliptical circle. Ovingdean, East Sussex - Reports of strange glowing lights over the area. Roedean, Nr Brighton - A tiny circle, an equilateral triangle, and two grapeshot.
• WILTSHIRE: Liddington Castle, Nr Chiselden/Badbury - Rings, standing circles, and crescents. Olivers Castle, Devizes - A striking six-armed 'snowflake' formation. Windmill Hill, Yatesbury/Avebury Trusloe - A three spiral-armed 'galaxy' or 'Catherine wheel' formation.

Crop Circle Formations - USA

• MAINE: A large crescent with grapeshot.
• CONNECTICUT: Stony Creek, Nr Branford - Two thin overlapping semi-circles.
• OHIO: Sugar Creek Township, Nr Elida - A 48' anticlockwise circle.
• VERMONT: An oval in cultivated grass.

The Glastonbury Symposium 1996

Andy Thomas reports on the 1996 Glastonbury Symposium, describing it as a 'coming of age' event that focused on the 'movement to the spirit within' and the implications of the phenomenon. The symposium moved away from debates about hoaxes and UFOs, emphasizing a deeper exploration of the phenomenon's meaning. Speakers included Stanley Messenger, who offered a 'stream of consciousness' presentation, and Michael Glickman, who discussed 'hoax apologists' and conspiracy paranoia. A highlight was the debut showing of a video by Michael and Patricia Murray, which used computer graphics to show formations spinning, suggesting they were intended to be viewed in motion. The event also featured Darryl Anka, an American psychic channeling an entity called 'Bashar', whose sessions were well-attended and described as thought-provoking.

The symposium's atmosphere is characterized as introspective, with a strong international flavor, particularly from American attendees. Despite the £65 cost, the event is seen as a valuable gathering that offers a unique perspective and a positive effect on those who attend.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes its commitment to reporting the latest information on crop circles with honesty and a focus on truth, distinguishing itself from mythology. The editorial stance is to provide a platform for researchers and enthusiasts to explore the phenomenon, acknowledging the uncertainties and moving towards understanding its deeper implications. There is a clear distinction made between older researchers who seek definitive answers and a newer generation that embraces the mystery and the ongoing evolution of understanding. The magazine also highlights the visual aspect of crop circles through photographs and the potential for video evidence to play a crucial role in future research, while also cautioning against sensationalism and the need for raw, unedited footage.

The issue concludes with a note about the price of back issues and contact details for subscriptions and inquiries, reinforcing the magazine's dedication to serving the crop circle community.