Sussex Circular - 1998 no 73

Magazine Overview

Title: THE MONTHLY JOURNAL OF CROP CIRCLES AND BEYOND
Issue: 73
Date: February 1998
Price: £1.00
Publisher: Southern Circular Research (SCR)
Editor: Andy Thomas

This issue of SC delves into the 1997 crop circle season in Sussex, England, presenting a detailed look at formations within the county, which is considered a microcosm for understanding wider crop circle phenomena. The journal acknowledges a quieter season in Sussex compared to previous years, particularly since 1995, and explores potential reasons for this decrease in spectacular formations.

Focus On Sussex 1997

The main feature of this issue is a comprehensive report on the crop circle events in East and West Sussex during 1997. The article, co-authored by Barry Reynolds and Andy Thomas, highlights several formations documented by the Southern Circular Research team. These include:

• Sussex 1997/01 (Newhaven): A dumbbell formation with a semi-circle end in wheat, surveyed on July 20, 1997. It featured complex underlays and counter-rotation lays, with stems pulled from behind others. The formation was visible from the A26 into Newhaven.
• Sussex 1997/02 (Southease): A circle with three arms, two bent at right angles, found in wheat on August 5, 1997. It had pathways and was surveyed after being present for several days.
• Sussex 1997/03 (Offham): A circle with a pathway and a separate dumbbell in flax, surveyed on August 9, 1997. This formation was one of only three known flax formations in the UK. Samples were collected for Dr. Levengood in the USA. The article notes that all three Sussex formations in 1997 were near the River Ouse, suggesting a link to water tables.
• Sussex 1997/04 (Angmering): A large area of tracks and non-geometric shapes in wheat, possibly crop damage, discovered from the air on July 22, 1997.
• Sussex 1997/05 (Edburton): Non-geometric shapes, possibly crop damage, in wheat, also seen from the air on July 22, 1997. These shapes were described as more regular than those at Angmering.
• Sussex 1997/06 (Cissbury Ring): A sacred maze formation in grass and scrub, reported but not visited.
• Sussex 1997/07 (Amberley): A pictogram of unknown design in wheat, reported but not visited.
• Sussex 1997/08 (Wineham): Non-geometric shapes in wheat, possibly lodging, reported by the farmer as six crop circles.

The article emphasizes the importance of documenting all formations, regardless of their perceived spectacularity, and acknowledges the contributions of various investigators, photographers, and contacts.

Letters

The 'Letters' section features a significant exchange, primarily initiated by Peter Sorenson, who defends his position on crop circle hoaxing and evidence interpretation. Sorenson criticizes the magazine's perceived bias and the responses to his previous letters, asserting that many readers are in 'serious need of informative material' on the subject. He outlines plans to produce videos detailing hoaxing evidence and his methods for detecting human activity in crop circles. Sorenson also specifically addresses the Oliver's Castle video, claiming to have 'smoking gun' evidence of its fakery and identifying the cameraman.

Andy Thomas, writing on behalf of SC, responds to Sorenson's points, questioning the validity of his claims and the approach of creating videos that might encourage 'arrogant novices'. Thomas argues that Sorenson's methods could inadvertently help hoaxers improve their techniques and that his stance risks promoting the idea of mass-hoaxing without conclusive proof. The editorial response also touches on the subjective nature of identifying human activity and the difficulty of distinguishing genuine formations from imitations.

Another letter from Dave Devlin expresses his positive experience at a crop circle gathering in Wiltshire, despite encountering negative vibes and discussions of 'HOAX' at 'The Barge'. Devlin shares his initial disappointment but finds comfort in the articles and renews his subscription, suggesting a sense of community among believers.

Reviews

The Art Of Glickman

This section reviews Michael Glickman's video, 'The Crop Circles: History & Geometry', based on a lecture given in California. Andy Thomas praises the video for its professional production quality, noting clear audio, well-captioned chapters, and improved slide presentations compared to typical lecture recordings. The review highlights Glickman's restrained tone and his use of a fabricated story about a vanishing person to illustrate the audience's susceptibility to dramatic narratives. Glickman's focus is on dissecting the geometrical aspects of crop circles, which the reviewer considers the core of their magic. The video also includes footage of a crop circle forming, presented without commentary on accusations of fakery. The review concludes that the video is indispensable for understanding the patterns and their potential function, despite minor factual errors, and commends the presenters' enthusiasm and belief.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the ongoing research and documentation of crop circle phenomena, particularly within Sussex. The editorial stance, as reflected in the response to Peter Sorenson's letter, is one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes while also valuing genuine formations and the 'gifts' of the circle-makers. There is a clear distinction made between opinion and fact, and a call for open-mindedness in interpreting evidence. The journal also highlights the importance of scientific investigation, as seen in the mention of Dr. Levengood's work, and the potential influence of environmental factors like water tables on formation activity. The review of Glickman's video suggests an editorial leaning towards theories that embrace the mystery and intelligence behind crop circles, rather than solely focusing on skepticism or hoaxing explanations.