Sussex Circular - 1997 no 60

Magazine Overview

Title: SC
Issue: 60
Date: January 1997
Price: £1.00

This issue of SC, 'The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond', enters its sixth year with issue 60, maintaining its position as a prime source of information on crop circles. Editor Andy Thomas expresses gratitude for reader support and promises improvements in print quality. The issue features a review of Michael Glickman's book 'Corn Circles', an examination of anomalous lights captured on video, and a critical look at hoaxing myths from 1996. It also includes a photo spread of crop formations from the East Midlands in 1996.

Features

Trial by Croppie: The Worst Hoaxing Myths of 1996 On Trial

This extensive feature, presented as a courtroom trial, scrutinizes claims that crop formations were man-made. Barry Reynolds acts as judge and jury, dismissing various arguments presented by the 'Clerk of the Court' (CC).

• Case No. 1 (Stonehenge): The CC presents a case where a formation appeared between 17:30 and 18:15, with witnesses confirming the field was empty earlier. The defense argues it was man-made and took three hours the previous night. The judge dismisses this, citing the impossibility of creating 151 circles in such a short time and questioning the 'evidence' from an internet source.
• Case No. 2 (Silbury Hill): The CC suggests a formation was man-made because it resembled a six-petalled flower opposite the large man-made mound of Silbury Hill. The 'evidence' points to holes in the ground matching wooden posts found at a nearby pub. The judge dismisses this, questioning if the man had been drinking and noting the distance from the pub.
• Case No. 3 (East Field, Alton Barnes): The CC claims a formation ('The DNA Spiral') was man-made, possibly by the SAS, with a tight timeframe between the last 'croppie' leaving at 02:00 and discovery at 05:30. The judge dismisses this, highlighting the physical impossibility of creating 89 circles in three and a half hours (averaging 2 minutes 21 seconds per circle) and the need for a large team.

Neglected Evidence? Strange Balls of Light in Connection with Crop Circles

Karen Douglas revisits video evidence of strange balls of light associated with crop circles, drawing parallels with the 'Olivers Castle' footage.

• Steve Alexander's 1990 Footage: Taken at 4:30 PM from Milk Hill, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, this video shows a small white ball of light moving intensely and arcing around a wheat field, then traveling towards another formation and disappearing into the sky. The object's intensity, size, and lack of apparent trail are noted. Analysis in Japan ruled out mundane explanations.
• German Students' 1991 Footage: Filmed in Manton, Wiltshire, this footage shows a ball of light flying over a crop formation ('The Manton ant'). It appears to get smaller and dimmer as it approaches the camera, unlike expected behavior.
• 1994 Footage (Wilsford): Two Dutch researchers filmed an intense, elongated burst of brilliant light within a crop formation, described as reminiscent of the light in Steve Alexander's film. The light's movements are visible, and it leaves no mark in the crop.
• 1994 Footage (East Field, Alton Barnes): This video shows a pulsing bright white light near the 'Eye' formation, reportedly monitored by a military helicopter. The light blinks and disappears. Explanations like reflections from plastic bottles or helicopter strobes are deemed unlikely.

The author argues that this type of light phenomena is persuasive evidence for crop circles, noting the lack of such footage outside of crop circle contexts. The videos have been largely neglected in crop circle periodicals, prompting questions about why.

News - Bombs Away

Andy Thomas reports on an incident where two practice bombs were accidentally dropped by an RAF Jaguar ground attack plane over a crop circle site near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, on August 8th, 1996. While they contained no ammunition, the public was warned of their danger. The author notes the surprising lack of conspiracy theories surrounding this event, suggesting that perhaps this report will inspire such narratives.

Reviews

Small Wooden Wonder: Michael Glickman's 'Corn Circles'

Andy Thomas reviews Michael Glickman's book 'Corn Circles', part of a twelve-book series by Wooden Books. The book focuses on the artistry and geometry of crop circle shapes, using black and white silhouette drawings by Wolfgang Schindler. It groups English designs and briefly discusses their attributes without photographs or in-depth explanations. Thomas praises the book's simple format and its ability to concentrate on the shapes themselves, stripping away distractions. He notes that while it may not be for those seeking controversy, it serves as an excellent souvenir of notable designs. He also points out the omission of certain formations and counties.

Reports

FINS AIN'T WHAT THEY USED TO BE: The First Scandinavian Conference on Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Human Future

Doug Rogers reports on the successful conference held in Espoo, Finland, on November 9th-10th, 1996. Organized by Dr. Rauni Luukanen-Kilde, the event aimed to bridge the gap in information reaching professionals about extraterrestrial developments. Speakers included Dr. John Mack, Michael Hesemann, Mrs. Cecelia Dean, Dr. Nissinen, and Professor Leo Sprinkle. Topics covered included UFO activity, abductions, crop circles, and the need for public disclosure. The conference highlighted recent acknowledgments by astronauts and cosmonauts of extraterrestrial craft observing launches, suggesting that extraterrestrial intelligences are already present and observable if one expands their worldview.

Cornography with Michael Glickman

Michael Glickman reflects on the passing of Dave Chorley, one half of the 'Doug and Dave' duo, remembering him as the less unpleasant and more discreet of the two. He expresses regret that an opportunity was missed to elicit more information from Dave when he was reportedly seen in pubs in Portsmouth.

Glickman then addresses 'Rod Dickinson', described as the 'World's Leading Crop Circle Artist', who allegedly used a 1997 calendar designed by Glickman as evidence for his claims about the 1996 Stonehenge formation. Glickman criticizes Dickinson for traveling from afar to find a credulous audience and Michael Lindemann for lending his name to what Glickman deems 'garbage'.

He also mentions an upcoming talk he will give at 'The Learning Annex', an adult education center, noting the amusing range of courses offered, including 'How To Marry Rich' and 'Transformational Haircutting'. He points out that 'Crop Circles & Sacred Geometry' is the cheapest course available.

Looking back at the summer's events, Glickman sees the Stonehenge formation appearing in daylight and the 'Snowflake' video as hints of impending revelations. He criticizes the negative reactions to these events and suggests that humanity is being reminded to listen with compassion to the limits and sadness of its own responses.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently questions the validity of hoax claims regarding crop circles, presenting them as ridiculous and lacking evidence. The magazine champions the idea that crop circles are part of a larger, unexplained phenomenon, often linked to anomalous lights and extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance is critical of mainstream skepticism and media portrayals, advocating for open-mindedness and a deeper investigation into these mysteries. The recurring theme is the defense of the unexplained and the critique of those who seek to debunk or hoax the phenomenon.