Touchstone - No 005 - 1984 11

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 5
Volume: '84
Date: November 1984
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group
Country: UK
Price: £1 for four issues

This issue of Touchstone, a publication by the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, focuses on anomalous phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and unexplained ice falls, with additional content on ley lines and book reviews.

Obituary: Squadron-Leader Denis Shipwright

The issue opens with an obituary for Squadron-Leader Denis Shipwright, who passed away on September 19th at the age of 86. Shipwright is remembered as a man of many facets: a pilot from both world wars, a Member of Parliament, a Knight of St. John, and importantly, a good friend to the group. The author recounts meeting Shipwright in 1967 during what is described as a 'Surrey Flap' incident. Shipwright and his wife Margaret witnessed an oval, white object moving rapidly in a field near Newlands Corner, overlooking Albury. The object then moved slowly at right angles and rose over trees before disappearing. Following this sighting, Shipwright contacted the author, who ran a UFO group. They later visited the field and found a line of sandstone pieces, some with strange markings, which Shipwright kept. He later rejoined the author's group and became an enthusiastic member until his illness. The author reflects on Shipwright's full life and expresses that he will be sadly missed, hoping for his success in a 'next phase of existence', hinting at a belief in reincarnation.

Strange Surrey: Falls of Ice

This section, authored by Bob Skinner, investigates numerous reports of large chunks of ice falling from the sky over Surrey and elsewhere, termed 'ice bombs'. The article details several specific incidents:

• August 16, 1970: Thirty pieces of ice, some 5" long and 1" thick, fell in a garden at 'The Warren', Ashtead.
• August 17, 1970: A large lump of ice smashed through a conservatory roof in Isleworth.
• January 23, 1972: A block of ice crashed into a garden in Lime Tree Close, Shirley, narrowly missing a house and creating a two-foot deep crater.
• September 28, 1972: Lumps of green ice were found in a garden in Addlestone, with the assumption they fell from an aircraft, possibly from a toilet discharge.
• June 27, 1977: A 4 lb block of ice crashed through a garage roof in Albert Road, Epsom.
• May 28, 1984: A block of ice, estimated to be nine inches in diameter, coloured green and smelling of cleaning fluid, fell at Woking, narrowly missing a man. Samples were identified as anti-freeze from an aircraft.

The usual explanation offered for these events is that the ice originates from aircraft, either falling from wings or forming from liquid discharge. Official bodies like the Civil Aviation Authority and the Board of Trade support this view, despite modern de-icing equipment making wing ice less significant and waste tank discharge being prohibited. The article notes two cases of ice falling near Gatwick Airport in the winter of 1973/4 without injury or damage. An article by J.E. McDonald from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at Arizona University concluded that no significant correlation could be made between ice falls, air traffic, and meteorological conditions. McDonald could only plead for more research. The article also points out that reports of ice falls pre-date aircraft, suggesting other origins are possible. Examples include an 18th-century block of ice the size of an elephant in India and a 20-foot circumference ice mass in Scotland in 1849. The possibility of hailstones aggregating into large bodies or forming after lightning discharges is also considered. Unusual hail reports from Surrey are also mentioned, including strange shapes and sizes.

Meteorologists are now proposing an extraterrestrial origin for some ice falls, suggesting 'ice meteors'. However, the challenge remains to explain how such ice could survive atmospheric entry without melting. A more mundane explanation is provided for one case in Coulsdon, where ice fragments found after a crash were discovered to be from a garden pond, thrown by children. The author concludes that while blaming aircraft is common, other origins are difficult to confirm, and future research may identify unknown natural mechanisms.

The Old Straight Track in Surrey

Jimmy Goddard continues his series on ley lines with a focus on the 'Hurt Wood Track'. He notes that this is the last of the long tracks discovered so far and that he will be featuring shorter stretches in future issues. Goddard emphasizes the importance of a 'grass-roots' approach to ley hunting. He welcomes contributions from members and subscribers.

4) The Wisley Church Path

This section details the Wisley Church Path as a short but interesting ley for ley hunters. It is part of a ley visited by the author's group and is noted for its visual alignments. The path runs from a gate to the west end of the church, through a porch with pitted brown stone, and offers a view of St. Mary's, Byfleet, on the horizon. The line of the ley is said to pass through Wisley church, which is described as almost completely Norman, and then continues through Newark Priory, Send, and Stag Hill, Guildford, before reaching Shackleford and Peper Harow churches.

Book Reviews

• ANTI-FEMINIST PAPERS NO.1 - SACRED GLASTONBURY: A DEFENCE OF MYTH DEFILED by Anthony Roberts. This book is described as a scathing diatribe against the feminist movement and the 'Matriarchy Study Group'. The reviewer, Paul Baines, finds the work to be a strong defense of Glastonbury's geomancy but suggests more tolerance towards opposing views would be characteristic of someone devoted to ideals of love and peace.
• GLASTONBURY PAPER NO.1 - Elliptical Navigations through the Multitudinous Aethyrs of Avalon by Robert Coon. This complex work assumes familiarity with Cabala and is not for the casual reader. It explores themes of Glastonbury as a 'global Omega Point' and discusses topics like magic, the Glastonbury Zodiac, physical immortality, and Earth chakras. The reviewer notes Coon's extensive study and mastery of the subject.
• THE BOY FROM THE HILLS by Cara Louise. This is a children's story about a boy from prehistoric times projected into the present day. A friendship develops between the boy and a doctor's son, and the story explores the boy's struggle to adapt. The review notes the book's pace, character development, and its potential to engage young readers, though it criticizes the portrayal of the prehistoric world as 'somewhat too perfect'.

Letters

• From Squadron-Leader Denis Shipwright: Received before his hospitalization, Shipwright expresses interest in leys, dowsing, and earth zodiacs, believing that Earth's secrets offer an alternative spirituality that could avert a dangerous future. He reflects on humanity's capacity to end its own history through technological progress.
• From Richard Colborne: Colborne discusses the Hurt Wood Track, suggesting it may not be Roman but offering a slightly different line for investigation, starting from Winterfold Forest and heading west, then east. He notes its alignment with prominent peaks and local names, and speculates on its path after crossing Stane Street.

Stop Press

An unusual storm at Cires-les-Mello in northern France is reported, featuring hailstones 'as big as oranges' that caused significant damage to roofs and smashed windows. The storm was confined to the village area and lasted about twenty minutes. The event led one resident to believe the end of the world had come.

Exchange List

A list of publications with which Touchstone exchanges material is provided, including Quicksilver Messenger, Caerdroia, Earthquest News, Common Ground, Fortean Times, Northern Earth Mysteries, Stonehenge Viewpoint, Terrestrial Zodiac News, The Pipes of Pan, The Shaman, Earth Giant, Word Spirit, and The Ley Hunter.

Publication Information

Touchstone is published by the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group at 25 Albert Road, Addlestone, Weybridge, Surrey. Publication dates are not set. Jimmy Goddard is the editor, with production by Michael de Styrcea. Subscriptions are £1 for four issues. Articles and letters are welcome, as are attendees at the monthly group meetings held at the group's address or the church hall. Further information can be obtained by phoning Jimmy Goddard on Weybridge 49505.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the unexplained, including UFOs, anomalous weather phenomena like ice falls, and alternative spiritualities such as ley lines and earth zodiacs. There is a clear interest in local phenomena within Surrey, as indicated by the title 'Strange Surrey' and the focus on local ley lines. The editorial stance appears to be open to investigating and reporting on these phenomena, encouraging reader participation through letters and contributions. The book reviews cover a range of topics within the 'Earth Mysteries' genre, from mythology and esoteric studies to children's fiction with paranormal elements. The inclusion of an obituary for Denis Shipwright highlights the group's personal connections and respect for individuals involved in the field.