Touchstone

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 44
Date: January 1996
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone, the newsletter of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, features a detailed account of a "Holy Wells Field Trip" led by Lionel Beer, exploring various ancient sites and wells in Surrey. It also delves into the history and ongoing research of ley lines, the work of Alfred Watkins, and potential connections between these ancient pathways, UFO sightings, and other earth mysteries.

Holy Wells Field Trip

The main article, "HOLY WELLS FIELD TRIP" by Lionel Beer, recounts a field trip undertaken by the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group. The trip began with fourteen participants meeting in Guildford. The first stop was Sutton Place, via Jacobs Well village, though the well at Jacobs could not be traced. The Victorian-built Roman Catholic Church of St. Edward's was visited, noted for its ancient sacred bones, documents, and religious artefacts. The church was aligned to St. Edward's (the Confessor) Well, located in the churchyard. The article speculates if St. Mary's at Worplesdon might lie on the same alignment. A path of flagstones led from the church to the well, which was enhanced with an arch and fairy bridge by Victorians, though the arch has since collapsed. The well sits on what was Manor Field, the site of the Confessor's hunting lodge.

Lunch was taken on picnic tables on St. Catherine's Hill, south of Guildford. The group later walked down the hill to the River Wey, noting an ancient ford that was part of the Pilgrims' Way Track. St. Catherine's Spring was also visited, described as enhanced by Victorians with an arch and fairy bridge, though the arch needs removal. The spring's water was noted to contain chlorides, likened to the water at Lourdes.

The group then proceeded to Dunsfold, stopping at the Rowcliffe drinking fountain. They visited the medieval church of St. Mary's and All Saints, and a tributary of the River Arun where a well was located near the river in its floodplain. This well was associated with visions of the Virgin Mary and miraculous healing. It contained small twin wells and water with chlorides, possibly similar to Lourdes water. The Dunsfold well was later enhanced by the Dunsfold Amateur Dramatic Society with a brick and oak structure.

Before returning, the group visited the decorated church at Hascombe, noted for its Victorian wall decoration, including small gold swastikas. Another Rowcliffe drinking fountain was also observed. The day concluded with tea at Eileen's, where participants reviewed the events. Jimmy Goddard, leader of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, videoed the trip.

Ley Lines and Ancient Sites

The issue extensively covers the concept of ley lines, originating from the work of Alfred Watkins. An article by Alan Gill, "OUR EARLIEST SIGNPOSTS," discusses Watkins' theories about ancient man using landmarks like tree clumps, churches, stone circles, and mounds to form straight lines across the country, which he called "leys."

Philip Heselton of Sunbury is highlighted for his continued research into ley lines. He formed the Ley Hunters' Club and has traced Watkins' son and members of the defunct Straight Track Club. Heselton believes a statistical analysis could convince archaeologists of the validity of ley theories and has received a study grant for his research. The article mentions two claimed leys running through Kingston churchyard, one from New Malden and another from Caesar's Camp.

Another article details a ley discovered by Dan Butcher, running west-north-west from Sutton Veny Church near Warminster, passing through several ancient sites and ending at Pen Hill. The article notes that Flying Saucer enthusiasts, particularly James Goddard, have observed UFOs more frequently over ley mark points, suggesting a possible ancient connection.

Several specific ley lines are described in detail, including those connecting churches and landmarks in Somerset, passing through Glastonbury Tor, Wedmore, and extending to Weston-super-Mare. Another ley connects Easton Church with a wayside stone in Doctor's Lane, Wookey, and continues through various sites towards Weston-super-Mare.

Other Articles and Notes

"THE HIDDEN UNITY and BEGINNINGS" discusses subconscious siting of ley points, the significance of places of worship on leys, and the implications of worship versus doctrine. It examines two ley centres: the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking and the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Scunthorpe, with an appendix on the significance of Pagan religion.

"EARTH PEOPLE, SPACE PEOPLE" refers to a manuscript by Tony Wedd detailing extraterrestrial contact claims, and a booklet prepared to cover similar topics, including the history of the STAR Fellowship and evidence for extraterrestrial life.

"NOTES AND NEWS" includes a report on a new discovery at Avebury, where a major structure, possibly a Neolithic burial mound, was uncovered. It also lists upcoming meetings and events for the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group and the London Earth Mysteries Circle, covering topics such as paranormal cases, field trips, and ancient mysteries.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on earth mysteries, particularly ley lines, ancient sites, and their potential connections to paranormal phenomena, including UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and exploration of these subjects, encouraging research and discussion among its members. There is a strong emphasis on historical research, fieldwork, and the sharing of discoveries within the earth mysteries community.