Touchstone - No 081 - 2008 04

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 81
Date: April 2008
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group
Focus: Earth mysteries, ley lines, ancient sites, local folklore.

Clump on Stanwell Cursus Ley

The article "Clump on Stanwell Cursus Ley" by an unnamed author discusses a recent observation of a clump of cherry trees near Hengrove Farm, adjacent to the Roman stretch of the A30 between Staines and Ashford. The author notes that some trees have spiral trunks, a characteristic previously observed at powerful ley places. This clump is situated on a ley previously identified during research into the prehistoric landscape around Staines. This ley runs along the northern stretch of the Stanwell Cursus, which is described as an enigmatic linear structure built in Neolithic times, similar to the one near Stonehenge. The Stanwell Cursus has two straight stretches and crosses the area now occupied by Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, where it was excavated during archaeological digs. The ley to the Hengrove clump runs along the northern stretch of the cursus. The ley continues northwards from St. George's Hill, passing through the Hengrove clump, then the cemetery chapel at Stanwell, and a cross-roads north of Uxbridge, Mopes Farm moat near Chalfont St. Peter, and a road south of Little Chalfont.

The article mentions a nearby Neolithic/Bronze Age/Iron Age/Roman site recorded in the Surrey Historic Environment Record, which included Neolithic features, an Ebbsfleet bowl, and evidence of a Roman field system. This site is not directly on the ley but appears to be at the center of an equilateral triangle formed by this ley and two others. One of these links Thorpe Church with the henge near Heathrow's north runway, and another links churches in Ashford to a pond with possible prehistoric features.

The Thorpe Lea Clump

This section describes a clump of pines near Thorpe Lea Primary School, identified as a mark point on a ley. The ley runs from a hill adjacent to the road entering Thorpe Lea from Egham, stretching to St. Anne's Hill hillfort in Chertsey. It then passes the east end of Thorpe Church, an unmarked center at Thorpe Trading Estate, an estate road called The Lea with a Scots pine, the Thorpe Lea clump itself, a small church and track at Wraysbury, an unmarked center near Sunnymeads, and Hedgerley Church.

THE E-LINE NEAR REDHILL

Authored by Bob Shave, this section details the E-line ley, also known as the 'energy line', which was dowsed at South Nutfield near Redhill by Eileen Roche and Jimmy Goddard in 1991. The author walked the area and found the ley's course from a map. The ley enters a grassy field on high ground west of Kings Mill Lane. Along the northern edge of this field, boggy ground suggests a spring line. Photographs show South Nutfield church spire, Tilburstow Hill, a house, and a tall poplar tree, with a World War II pillbox in the foreground, and another visible in the distance. The article notes that two pillboxes in line with the ley appear like tumuli due to vegetation. Further photos show sheep grazing on the ley and the ley running beside the entrance to East Surrey Hospital, passing through hospital buildings and a stand of oak trees.

THE ST. MICHAEL LINE IN TAUNTON

This article follows the St. Michael Line through Taunton, Somerset. The ley passes through All Saints' Church, Trull, and continues to St. Bartholomew's, East Lyng. It runs along a road before reaching Burrow Mump and Glastonbury Tor. The author recounts finding a large conifer clump and a monolith in Sellicks Green, adjacent to a public park. The monolith has a plaque stating it was found in 1972 near a Bronze Age site at Fulwood. The Historic Environment Record describes an oval Bronze Age enclosure near the M5 motorway, where the stone was placed, noting its alignment with the enclosure and its parish name 'Trendle', meaning 'circle'.

The ley crosses the Sellicks Green line near Trull Church, where Gatchell House is marked. A milestone on the road is noted, along with an oak tree and mistletoe clusters on the line. Trull Church features extensive foliate carving by Simon Warman, and a dragon window depicting St. Michael, Margaret, and George.

The article mentions several dragon legends in Somerset, including those at Churchstanton, Wells (associated with Bishop Jocelyn), and Castle Neroche. It also describes a modern stone circle on the St. Michael Line in Taunton, resembling the Nine Stones at Winterbourne Abbas, which the ley skirts. The line continues to St. Bartholomew's Church in East Lyng, noted for its strong connection to King Alfred and his abbey at Athelney.

LETTERS

From Caroline Gentinetta, Oakhill, Somerset:
Caroline shares an email from Alan Stone regarding 'Ticklebelly Cottage'. Alan Stone suggests the name might derive from 'Ticklebelly Lane' and possibly from Saxon English, perhaps related to the woollen industry or teasels. He admits his explanation is confused.

From Norman Darwen, Bolton, Lancashire:
Norman discusses Tony Charlton's comments on 'glacial erratics' and shares an example from Worden Park in Leyland, Lancashire. This erratic is located near Worden Hall and a mound believed to be an ice house, close to ornamental gardens and woodland.

The Six Templars vanquish Jane Wenham

Authored by Lionel Beer, this piece recounts the development of a J.D.Wetherspoon pub in Hertford, initially planned as 'The Last Witch' but renamed 'The Jane Wenham' due to local objections. Jane Wenham was the last person condemned for witchcraft in Hertford in 1711, though she received a pardon and lived out her life in Hertingfordbury. The pub eventually opened as 'The Six Templars' in 2008, named after the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Jesus Christ and the Temple of Solomon, who had a presence in Hertfordshire. The article details the pub's construction, staffing, and amenities, including a mini-library. It mentions the arrest of six Templars in 1309 and the folklore of Templar tunnels under Hertford. Royston Cave is also attributed to the Templars.

NOTES AND NEWS

This section lists upcoming events for the London Earth Mysteries Circle and TEMS (The Earth Mysteries Society). Events include talks on goddesses, psychometry, ancient knowledge, reincarnation, crop circles, and UFOs, held in various locations including London and Wimbledon.

Ramblings

This segment discusses a Radio 4 'Ramblings' programme featuring Laurence Main and the Society of Ley Hunters on a walk near Llanthony Priory. The priory is described as a spiritual place and St. David's first abode. The walk followed a ley found by Alfred Watkins, exploring the concept of leys as more than just ancient tracks.

BOOK REVIEW: MEET THE SASQUATCH

This review discusses Christopher Murphy and John Green's book "MEET THE SASQUATCH". The reviewer praises the book for its depth and dedication of its authors, who are Bigfoot researchers. It covers witness reports from the West coast of America, photos of footprints, possible nests, and the anatomy of the creatures. The Roger Patterson/Robert Gimlin film of 1967 is also examined. The review notes the book's excellent illustrations and comprehensive bibliography, recommending it despite its price.

MEYN MAMVRO

This is an advertisement for "MEYN MAMVRO", offering information on ancient stones, sacred sites, ley paths, pre-history, and folklore in Cornwall. Contact details and website are provided.

THE HIDDEN UNITY and BEGINNINGS

This section reviews two booklets. "The Hidden Unity" examines subconscious siting of ley points and the tendency for places of worship to be located on leys, discussing environmental and philosophical implications. It investigates two ley centers: the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking and the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Scunthorpe, with an appendix on Pagan religion. "Beginnings" details discoveries made by Jimmy Goddard over twenty years, including earth energy detection, natural antigravity, subconscious siting, and cognitive dissonance. Both booklets are available from the Touchstone address.

EARTH PEOPLE, SPACE PEOPLE

This describes a booklet prepared by Tony Wedd, based on his unpublished manuscript "Earth Men, Space Men". It details claims of extraterrestrial contact, the history of the STAR Fellowship, evidence for life in the Solar System, and extraterrestrial language. It is available from the Touchstone address.

THE LEGACY OF TONY WEDD

This is a CD-ROM that serves as an electronic version of Tony Wedd's travelling exhibition, covering flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology. It is available from the Touchstone address.

TOUCHSTONE Subscription

Information is provided for subscribing to "Touchstone", the newsletter of the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, including the price and contact details for J. Goddard.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Touchstone revolve around the exploration of earth energies, ancient sites, and the interpretation of landscape features through the lens of ley lines and prehistoric activity. The magazine consistently promotes the idea that the landscape holds hidden patterns and energies that can be detected and understood through methods like dowsing and careful observation. There is a strong emphasis on connecting historical events, folklore, and even modern phenomena to these underlying energetic lines. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into these subjects, encouraging readers to investigate and share their own findings, while also providing a platform for established researchers and authors in the field of earth mysteries. The inclusion of book reviews, event listings, and letters from readers further solidifies its role as a community newsletter for enthusiasts of these topics.