Sussex Circular - 1997 no 70

Magazine Overview

Title: SC
Issue: 70
Date: November 1997
Price: £1.00
Cover Headline: Global Formations Of 1997

This issue of SC Magazine, 'The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond', is dedicated to documenting the global crop formations of 1997. The cover prominently features a star-like formation and lists key locations such as Alton Barnes, London, and Glastonbury.

Editorial and Administration

Editor Andy Thomas opens the issue by explaining the delay in publishing the international crop formation list, citing the time it takes for information to be gathered from abroad. He notes that while England remains a focus for complexity and numbers, the phenomenon is truly global. Thomas addresses administrative matters, emphasizing that SC and its parent organization SCR are run on a voluntary basis and requesting patience from readers regarding delays in subscriptions and back issues. He also passes on good wishes to SCR's resident psychic, Paul Bura, who was recovering from a benign brain tumour.

International Crop Formations 1997

The core of the issue is a comprehensive list of overseas crop formations from 1997, compiled by Barry Reynolds. The data is presented in tables detailing country, county/state/province, nearest town/village, date first seen, crop, and specific details of the formation. Germany and The Netherlands are noted as having a significant number of reported events. Notable formations include:

• Australia: A 30' clockwise circle in grass near Melbourne with internal indentations.
• Brazil: A 10m circle in cornfield near Santo Angelo, associated with a strange noise and red light.
• Canada: A 13m circle and grapeshot formation in Saskatchewan, with a 'singed' edge.
• Croatia: A 28m circle found after a sighting of a 'red light'/'fireball'.
• Czech Republic: Two touching double rings in a military range.
• Denmark: Multiple formations including ringed circles, dumbbells, and complex patterns in grass, wheat, rye, and barley.

The issue also includes detailed descriptions of formations in Germany and The Netherlands, with specific dates, sizes, and geometric descriptions. Some formations are noted for their complexity, such as labyrinths and pictograms, while others are described as simple circles or rings.

Circles Gallery

Pages 6 and 7 feature a 'Circles Gallery' with photographs of stunning 1997 formations. These include:

• A fractal star at Milk Hill, Wiltshire, shown in relation to a white horse carving.
• A pictogram in grass at Woodhorough Hill, near Alton Barnes.
• A faint pictogram in young barley at Upham, Hampshire.
• A 'thought bubble' formation at Clanfield, Hampshire.
• Two neat formations at Etchilhampton, Wiltshire, including a rectangle of 780 boxes potentially linked to the year 2012.
• A sacred maze in grass at Cissbury Ring, West Sussex.

Photographs are credited to Lucy Pringle, Steve Alexander, and Michael Hubbard.

Event Reports: Let's Get Together Again

Andy Thomas reviews the three major crop circle gatherings of the summer of 1997:

1. Alton Barnes Fun Weekend (July 12-13): Described as a 'glorified jumble sale' with an emphasis on traders' tables, offering an informal atmosphere. It's noted for its focus on merchandise and community interaction.
2. London Conference (August 30): Organized by the Centre for Crop Circle Studies (CCCS), this event is characterized by a more formal and traditional format. Speakers like Adrian Gilbert, Jim Lyons, and Peter Paget are highlighted for their insights.
3. Glastonbury Symposium (August 1-3): The longest-running event, it's depicted as a calm centrepiece for the crop circle community, offering reflection and exploration of related issues. The atmosphere is described as cosmopolitan and good-hearted, despite some minor controversies.

Thomas emphasizes the value of these events for bringing people together, fostering discussion, and sharing information, even amidst occasional conflicts.

Cornography with Michael Glickman

Michael Glickman reflects on his experience producing scale drawings of crop formations. He describes the process as a meditative ritual that allows for a deep connection with the geometry and spirit of the formations. Glickman discusses the 'quintuplet' formation as a key piece of evidence for the intelligence behind the circles, outlining its design rules and variations. He expresses frustration with 'hoax boosters' who, in his view, ignore evidence and promote conspiracy theories. Glickman also touches upon the audience's suggestion for a hexagonal formation and the development of new variations on the quintuplet theme.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the idea that crop circles are a genuine phenomenon requiring serious investigation, while acknowledging the existence of hoaxes. There is a strong emphasis on international collaboration and documentation. The editorial stance supports the idea that the phenomenon is not easily explained and encourages open-mindedness. The publication also serves as a hub for the crop circle community, facilitating communication and discussion through its events and articles. The recurring theme is the ongoing mystery and the search for understanding behind the formations.