Sussex Circular - 1997 no 68

Magazine Overview

Title: SC
Issue: 68
Date: September 1997
Price: £1.00
Editor: Andy Thomas

This issue of SC, 'The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond', delves into the latest crop circle formations reported in England during the summer of 1997. It also tackles the contentious issue of 'hoax-talk' and the challenges faced by researchers in discerning genuine phenomena from human fabrication. The magazine features detailed reports on formations across various counties, reader letters, and opinion pieces, continuing its commitment to exploring the crop circle mystery.

Editorial Stance and Cover Story

The cover headline, "The Disease Of Hoax-Talk," immediately sets the tone for the issue, suggesting a critical stance against the proliferation of claims that crop circles are man-made. The editorial, penned by Andy Thomas, expresses frustration with individuals and media outlets that have promised revelations about faked circles but failed to deliver, questioning their reliability and motives. Thomas criticizes the 'charlatans' who he believes mislead the public and expresses a desire for definitive evidence or confessions.

He also touches upon a BBC 2 'Country File' segment featuring Lucy Pringle, noting that she was not drawn into a 'jape' concerning a formation allegedly made by Doug Bower. The editorial also mentions a press release from Lundbergh and Dickinson claiming responsibility for major designs, which Thomas dismisses as easily refutable.

Reports on Crop Formations

The "Circles Update" section, compiled by Andy Thomas, provides a county-by-county breakdown of new formations:

• Bedfordshire: A ringed circle with a Y-shaped path and a smaller ring appeared in Flitwick on August 4th.
• Kent: A complex pattern of nineteen circles with fractal arms was found near Cuxton, Rochester, and three 10' clockwise circles in a triangular formation were reported near Ashford.
• Cornwall: A formation of unknown details was reported at Downderry on August 15th, and a small single circle in flax was found at Skimmel Bridge.
• Hertfordshire: An extremely long pathway with semi-circles was discovered in Hemel Hempstead, and a line of various-sized circles appeared in Walkern.
• Herefordshire: A complex formation of circles, rings, and paths, resembling a 'stick-man', appeared near Solihull.
• Oxfordshire: Two circles, one 60' and one 10', were reported at Toot Balden.
• Shropshire: A small circle was joined by a dumbbell formation near Shrewsbury.
• Sussex: Michael Hubbard spotted patches and pathways, including small squiggles, near Angmering. A 40' clockwise circle with a Y-shaped pathway and a grapeshot circle were found near Lewes.
• Wiltshire: A smaller overlapping rings design was found at Alton Barnes. Several formations were reported near Swindon, including a 20-meter circle, a pictogram of two circles connected by a pathway, and an 'eye' design. A stunning fractal of 29 circles was also found. At Barbury Castle, an arrow design emanated from a circle. Etchilhampton featured two stunning designs: a flattened circle with a standing square and a ringed circle with six petals. A long pictogram was also reported there.
• Lockeridge: A perfect crop circle was discovered amongst other non-geometric shapes, with stems bent a few inches above the ground.
• Milk Hill, Nr Alton Barnes: A highly impressive fractal star design, similar to one at Silbury Hill, appeared with a six-armed flower and numerous surrounding circles.

Key Incidents and Case Studies

Several specific incidents are detailed:

• The 'Ant' Formation (Hampshire): Described as the East Meon 'ant', the article questions whether circlemakers understand insect biology or if there's a deeper meaning.
• The 'Calendar Grid' (Etchilhampton, Wiltshire): Michael Glickman describes the discovery of a 100' square within a 150' circle, divided into 780 smaller squares by grid lines. The layout is described as 'boustrophedon' and linked to the Mayan calendar's prediction for 2012.
• The 'Snowflake' Formation (Stonehenge, Wiltshire): Peter Sorensen critiques this formation, calling it a "textbook case of human fabrication" due to crimped stalks, footprints, and a contrived central sculpture.

SC's Observations on Peter Sorensen's Letter

SC provides a point-by-point rebuttal to Peter Sorensen's criticisms:

1. 'Red Indian' Skills: SC questions the reliability of such personal 'litmus tests' for identifying formations.
2. Crude Formations: SC disagrees that many early formations were crude.
3. First Researcher: SC questions Sorensen's certainty of being the first to enter formations.
4. Human Artists' Work: SC questions the basis for claims about how human artists work.
5. Scarring on Rape Stems: SC states that 'scarring' is not unique to hoaxed formations and that rape stems in genuine formations can be broken.
6. Barbury Crescents: SC suggests that Barry Reynolds' research challenges the idea that these were hoaxed.
7. 'Not of this Earth' Makers: SC questions the assumption that circle makers are extraterrestrial.
8. 'Textbook Case' for Fabrication: SC asks for the definition and source of this claim.
9. 'Magic Bends': SC notes that the absence of 'magic bends' does not prove hoaxing, as many genuine formations lack them.
10. 'Contrived' Designs: SC points out that the definition of 'contrive' means to devise skillfully, which applies to complex formations.
11. Synchronicity: SC suggests that the numerical coincidence in the Stonehenge snowflake and Windmill Hill triple Julia Set points to synchronicity rather than hoaxing.

Opinion: To Hear Is To Believe?

Martin Noakes expresses his frustration with the "senseless negativity" and "arrogance" of some researchers who blindly proclaim formations as hoaxes, often without sufficient evidence. He recounts an experience where a holidaymaker named Tony dismissed nearly all formations as hoaxes without providing any proof. Noakes also mentions Michael Newark's similar claims about 'hoaxer teams'. He criticizes the media's tendency to sensationalize hoax claims and calls for researchers to present their findings with less personal opinion and more objective reporting. Noakes emphasizes that the crop circle phenomenon is still a mystery and encourages critical thinking rather than blind acceptance of debunkers' claims.

Cornography with Michael Glickman

Michael Glickman recounts the discovery of two formations at Gypsy Patch in Etchilhampton, Wiltshire: a six-fold spinning star and the 'Calendar Grid'. He describes the 'Calendar Grid' as a 100' square within a 150' circle, divided into 780 smaller squares by grid lines laid in a boustrophedon pattern. He links the 26 units of the grid to 26 weeks and fifteen years, leading to the Mayan calendar's prediction for 2012. Glickman expresses his joy in discovering these formations and contrasts it with the "sleazy satisfactions" of debunkers. He also reflects on the experience of watching a formation being harvested, noting the abundance of wildflowers and insects, and the clarity of the pattern revealed after harvest. Glickman laments the negativity he encountered at 'The Barge' and urges readers to "restore our Barge to its previous glories" and "tear the hollow propaganda from the walls."

Diary Dates

The issue includes a listing of upcoming events:

• September 20-21: Cornwall UFO Research Group (CUFORG) conference at Truro College Sports Hall, featuring speakers like David Icke and Nick Pope.
• September 25: Robert Bauval and Lucy Pringle lecture at Haslemere Hall, Surrey, on the significance of the sphinx and pyramids.
• September 14: Andy Thomas workshop on crop circles at Flint House, Lewes, East Sussex.

Circles Gallery

This section features visual records of 1997 crop formations by Steve Alexander, including:

• Cley Hill, Wiltshire (started as a single circle, pathways extending into a hexagon).
• East Meon 'ant' formation in Hampshire.
• Rockley Down, Wiltshire.
• Chislehampton, Oxfordshire (satellites not originally joined).
• Newhaven, East Sussex (mushroom shape).
• Long Marston, Warwickshire (allegedly a pop band logo).
• Silbury Hill, Wiltshire (fractal of triangles).
• Morestead, Hampshire (an overlooked pattern).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing mystery of crop circles, the debate between genuine phenomena and hoaxes, and the role of researchers in interpreting and reporting findings. SC maintains a stance of open inquiry while critically examining claims of hoaxing and advocating for evidence-based reporting. The magazine encourages readers to use their own discernment and not rely solely on the opinions of others, particularly those who present negativity as fact. The editorial team is committed to pursuing the truth behind the crop circle phenomenon, even when faced with skepticism and controversy.