Touchstone - No 070 - 2005 07

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 70
Date: July 2005
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of "Touchstone" delves into the intriguing possibilities of historical locations and earth energies, with a particular focus on the legendary Camelot and the phenomenon of ley lines.

A Trip to Camelot

The lead article, "A TRIP TO CAMELOT" by Lionel Beer, challenges conventional ideas about Camelot's location. While many associate it with sites like Cadbury or Glastonbury, Beer presents evidence suggesting a possible location in North Middlesex. He notes that authors often 'borrow' from each other, and that if the name 'Camelot' wasn't mentioned by early writers in North Middlesex, it couldn't be 'plagiarised' by researchers. The article cites a record from 1439 mentioning the 'Manor of Camelot' between Enfield and Hadley, which was dismantled to fund repairs for Hertford Castle. Materials from this manor were used to construct three lodges around Enfield Chase. A 1658 map reportedly shows 'Camelot Moat' on 'Camelot Hill', which is equated to Trent Park. The article also mentions that Trent Park was named after 'Trento' in the Italian Tyrol, and that the moat, now known as Camlet Moat, is managed by the London Borough of Enfield and overseen by English Heritage. Excavations in 1923 revealed massive walls on the island. The area came under Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex, and 'Camelot Way' linked Enfield and Monken Hadley, with the Hadley end still retaining the name. It's unclear if this name predates 1160. A local historian suggests one of de Mandeville's descendants, Humphrey de Bohun, named it. Significantly, the building at Camlet Moat was destroyed about 30 years before Sir Thomas Mallory published 'Morte d'Arthur' in 1470. The actual moat is thought to have been dug around 1437. The possibility that 'Camelot' was a transient campaign base, a French word with an unflattering meaning, is also considered. The article concludes that Enfield's Camelot might date back to the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, though this is after King Arthur's legendary time.

The Field Trip: 19th June 2005

The magazine then details a field trip undertaken on June 19th, 2005, involving Eileen, John, Charles, Gill, Jimmy, Alan, Kleo, Rick, and Tony. The group met at Joy's house for coffee and visited the 65 ft obelisk on the north side of Trent Park, noting its inscription dedicated to George Gray, Earl of Harold. They also saw a lesser column dedicated to the Duke and Duchess of Kent. It was discovered that three monuments in Trent Park were brought from Wrest Park by Sir Philip Sassoon in the 1920s, suggesting the obelisk might not be connected to Trent Park.

The group then walked to Camlet Moat, described not as a Pagan site but as one frequented by Pagans for handfasting. Dowsers in the group detected a major east-west energy line. Chris Street, author of 'The Visionary Landscape', was reportedly drawn to the well-hole on the north-east corner by a vision of a White Lady, leading him to research 'Earthstars'. This led to a concept linking ancient sites, forming an isosceles triangle with Monken Hadley church and East Barnet church.

The trip continued to Physic Well near Barnet General Hospital, a mineral spring discovered in 1650, with the current building dating to 1937. They picnicked on Hadley Common, the site of the Battle of Barnet in 1471, where the Yorkists fought the Lancastrians. Another moat behind Old Fold Manor was examined. They then visited Hadley Highstone, a column commemorating the battle, and St. Mary the Virgin, Monken Hadley, where they met Poppy, the churchcat.

Camelot Leys

The article discusses 'Camelot leys', described as two visible lines emanating from Camlet Moat. One is an east-running ley detected by dowsing, which appears as a road pointing towards the moat. Another ley is more prominent, running from East Lodge and the obelisk's track, passing through New Barnet church and another church and moat to the north.

The Horsell Ley

This section details a field trip to St. Mary's Church, Horsell, on July 21st, 2001, as part of a 'Buckingham Palace Ley' trip. The church, on a hilltop, has a history dating back to the twelfth century with numerous additions and restorations. The site is described as striking, with a 'strong head-hum'. The stones in the south wall are noted as unusual, and faint circular indications in the ground suggest it might have been a hilltop stone circle. A powerful ley was dowsed crossing the church at a right angle to the Buckingham Palace ley. Further investigation revealed another significant ley passing through the ancient church site at Abinger, Leith Hill tower, and various other locations, forming a complex network.

Other Ley Investigations

Two other ley lines were checked and found significant, one extending through Wraysbury Church and Egham Church, linking to a Roman branch road. Another ley runs from a crossroads in Slough to Wraysbury church, Egham church, and various other sites, including Addlestone cemetery chapel and cross-roads at Byfleet and East Horsley.

The reality of leys and their energy streams seems to be confirmed by these investigations. The article notes that while negative/positive feelings were not consistently clear at all sites, such qualities are likely associated with particular places rather than being transmitted along leys.

Notes and News

This section provides information on upcoming events, including London Earth Mysteries Circle meetings and TEMS meetings. It also lists several upcoming field trips and talks, covering topics such as ley paths, Paganism, and past life regression.

Sculpture Illustrating Interference Theory

A sculpture by Walter Bailey at the top of Leith Hill is described as illustrating the ripple theory of leys and centres. The sculpture, which demonstrates circular standing waves formed around a source, is seen as relevant to the idea that leypower might work similarly through standing waves from ley centres.

The Fostercourt Lodge Ley

This ley runs along the edge of the garden of Fostercourt Lodge, aligning two ancient churches and several later ones. It starts at a meeting point of tracks on Windsor Castle's Long Walk and passes through various locations, including Thorpe Church and Chertsey Church.

Summer Solstice Programmes

This brief section mentions two BBC broadcasts about Stonehenge during the summer solstice. It notes that recent findings in ancient metrology were ignored, and questions about leys were dismissed. One programme discussed John Wood, the architect of Bath, and his belief in the secret order of creation embodied in stone circles.

Leys, Pubs and Woolworths

This piece discusses the difficulty of aligning pubs or Woolworths and the continued interest in orthoteny, despite archaeologists' skepticism. It emphasizes the importance of flashes of inspiration and keeping an eye out for small pieces of information that fit into a larger picture, rather than simply covering every map with lines.

Letters

From Phillip Clapham, High Wycombe: This letter discusses the saddle shape of Harrow Hill and Sudbury Hill, visible from the horizon. It mentions Harrow Hill's association with a pagan shrine and speculates on sight lines for viewing astronomical phenomena. The letter also explores the etymology of 'Kingsbury', suggesting it relates to Saxon moot or gathering places rather than solely prehistoric origins. It proposes a potential ley line running from Willesdenchurch to Kingsbury parish church, Kingsbury Moot, and Stanmore church.

Ossulstone: The letter also inquires about the 'Ossul Stone' in Middlesex, mentioned as a Moot point of a hundred, and asks if the recipient has heard of it.

Meyn Mamvro

This is an advertisement for "Meyn Mamvro," a publication about ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall, offering sample copies and annual subscriptions. It also lists other available guides related to Cornwall's ancient sites and paganism.

The Hidden Unity and Beginnings

This section reviews two publications. "The Hidden Unity" examines subconscious siting of ley points and the predominance of places of worship on leys, discussing environmental and philosophical implications. "Beginnings" covers discoveries in earth energy detection, natural antigravity, and subconscious siting, with a chapter on cognitive dissonance.

Earth People, Space People

This reviews Tony Wedd's manuscript "Earth Men, Space Men," detailing extraterrestrial contact claims. It also mentions the STAR Fellowship and evidence for life in the Solar System.

The Legacy of Tony Wedd

This describes a CD-ROM that is an electronic version of Tony Wedd's travelling exhibition, covering flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.

Touchstone Subscription

Information is provided for subscribing to "Touchstone," the newsletter of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ley lines, earth energies, ancient sites, and the exploration of historical mysteries, particularly the legend of Camelot. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting research and field trip experiences, while acknowledging skepticism from mainstream archaeology. There is a clear interest in local history and its potential connections to broader esoteric or ancient traditions. The magazine encourages reader participation through letters and promotes related publications and events.