Sussex Circular - 1996 no 57

Magazine Overview

Title: SC
Issue: 57
Date: October 1996
Price: £1.00
Publisher: SC
Country: England
Editor: Andy Thomas

This issue of SC magazine, 'The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond', delves into the highly debated 'Snowflake' crop circle formation at Oliver's Castle, Wiltshire, with a special focus on an 'astonishing video' that purportedly shows the formation appearing in mere seconds. The magazine also provides a comprehensive round-up of crop circle reports from the 1996 season.

The Oliver's Castle 'Snowflake' Video

The lead story, "Oliver's Castle Special: The Full Story Of An Astonishing Video," by Michael Glickman, details the events surrounding a video that captured the rapid formation of the 'Snowflake' circle. The article confirms the authenticity of the video, which initially caused confusion due to poor resolution when viewed through a camcorder viewfinder but is clear on a full monitor. The author addresses skepticism from some 'croppies,' arguing that dismissing the video based on its seemingly too-good-to-be-true nature is a failure of open-mindedness. The piece encourages readers to view the video themselves and form their own judgments, warning against 'blah-merchants' who claim to be able to easily fake such footage.

Michael Glickman recounts his personal experience at Oliver's Castle, describing the formation's beauty and the farmer John Butler's initial anger and subsequent deliberate destruction of part of the formation with his combine harvester. Glickman also touches upon the unusual circumstances of the video's emergence, including the cameraman's desire for anonymity and his initial contact with Peter Sorensen.

The article "The Video Itself" by Michael Glickman provides a detailed description of the footage. He describes the appearance of luminosities moving with speed and purpose, creating a complex geometric pattern within seconds. Glickman posits two hypotheses for the event: either the purpose was to draw John's attention to the formation, or the luminosities were key to its precise geometric creation. He notes the apparent disconnect between the luminosities' movements and the formation's geometry, suggesting this is a new and unimagined aspect of crop circle phenomena.

Andy Thomas, in "The Follow-Up," details the aftermath of the video's appearance. He explains how the cameraman, a 21-year-old student named John, initially sought out Peter Sorensen. Colin Andrews also secured a copy of the master tape, claiming he needed to analyze it, but failed to keep John informed, leading John to question Andrews' intentions. John eventually gave a copy to Peter Sorensen, who committed to making it freely available. The article also mentions that Colin Andrews was promoting 'his' video on US radio and had hired a private detective.

Peter Sorensen organized viewings of the video, which were attended by approximately twenty people and described as 'breathtaking footage.' Thomas expresses gratitude to Sorensen for his generosity and openness.

Crop Circles '96: Photo-Spread #4

This section features a collection of photographs from the 1996 crop circle season, showcasing various formations from around England and Europe. Locations include Roundway (Devizes, Wiltshire), Barbury Castle (Brixham, Devon), Somerton (Somerset), Liddington Castle (Wiltshire), and Streatley (Bedfordshire). Contact details for obtaining original color copies of these photographs from Steve Alexander and Lucy Pringle are provided.

News: Circles Update #5

Andy Thomas provides a roundup of crop circle reports from the 1996 season that have filtered through since the last issue. He notes that most fields are now harvested, allowing for winter analysis. Thomas addresses a rumor about the Sussex research team withholding information, inviting those with details of missing formations to come forward. He mentions that most formations have been reported in SC, with some other reports arriving too late for this issue.

• Reports are detailed for various regions:
• Humberside/East Yorkshire: Single circles in Burstwick, Camerton, and Hedon; a ringed circle in Hedon; and a pictogram in Melton.
• Kent: A large, complex formation of rings and semi-circles with a 'fish' shape discovered late in the season near Chartham.
• Wiltshire: A strange double-'torpedo' design spotted near Burbage/Fosbury.
• Wales: A large formation of triangles, squares, and circles reported near the Welsh Border.
• Netherlands: A formation at Colment, a 30' circle at Graauw, a large circle with pathways at Netersel, a single circle at Welte, and a pictogram at Zuid-Limburg.
• Other Countries: A Celtic cross-type design in Austria, a crucifix-type formation in Denmark, and a double ringed circle in Finland. The Czech Republic is noted as having become a 'hotbed' of activity.

Reviews: Paranormal Pranks

Andy Thomas reviews "Paranormal Pranks," a booklet by cartoonist Peter Eade, which humorously tackles crop circles, UFOs, and paranormal themes. Thomas describes it as a novelty item aimed at the stocking-filler market, comparing it to other comedy publications. He notes that the jokes, while amusing, tend to focus on similar themes and sometimes lean towards the 'sicker, more outlandish' side.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently champions open-mindedness and critical thinking regarding crop circle phenomena, particularly in the face of skepticism and potential hoax claims. The editorial stance, as expressed by Andy Thomas, is to encourage readers to examine evidence, such as the Oliver's Castle video, without prejudice and to question the motives of those who might seek to control or dismiss information. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of direct observation and personal judgment over unsubstantiated claims. The publication also serves as a vital platform for disseminating reports and photographs of crop circle events, fostering a community of researchers and enthusiasts. The recurring theme of the 1996 season highlights the ongoing mystery and complexity of crop circle formations, with an anticipation for further revelations in subsequent years.