Touchstone - No 095 - 2011 10

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 95
Date: October 2011
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone focuses on the investigation of a ley line, referred to as the 'G-line', which is traced across Southern England, connecting a series of significant historical and potentially energetic sites. The article details the author's personal investigations, dowsing experiences, and research into these locations.

The G-Line - Glastonbury, Stonehenge and South Nutfield

The primary article, "THE G-LINE - GLASTONBURY, STONEHENGE AND SOUTH NUTFIELD," details the author's investigation into an alignment of three holy wells with coincident tracks on the northern flank of the Polden Ridge in Somerset. The investigation began at Shapwick, at the site of an old church which was also a holy well. This church, demolished in the thirteenth century, was part of Professor Mick Aston's Shapwick Project. The author found 'considerable rod-spin' at this site, suggesting a powerful ley centre, and noted that the lane aligned visually with Glastonbury Tor to the east. Further mapping revealed the alignment also passes through Chalice Well and the Abbey Barn in Glastonbury. It was later found to pass through the site of Glastonbury Castle, a mound with a ditch, which yielded Romano-British finds.

The description of Glastonbury Castle from the Victoria County History of Somerset is quoted, detailing it as a mount and base court fort with special features, protected by water and marsh before drainage. The author notes the ley line's width at Shapwick was found to be 42 paces, making it the second widest ley found so far, and dubbed it the G-line.

The article then discusses the Abbey Barn in Glastonbury, now the Somerset Museum of Rural Life, noting its church-like architecture and the 'head-hum' felt there. The ley passes through it and continues to Chalice Well, encompassing the lion's head fountain and Arthur's Court, but narrowly missing the wellhouse itself. The line's width is noted to double at sunrise and sunset, a common characteristic of leys.

Ann Pennick's report on tunnels from the Abbey Barn is included, describing two tunnels discovered accidentally, one running towards the Abbey's refectory area and another angled towards the Tor, suggesting a subterranean complex beneath Glastonbury.

The author then explores how the G-line appears to pass through Stonehenge, checking its angle against existing ley lines like the Lunation Triangle line. The G-line is distinct from these, passing south of Lundy and John Michell's Dod Lane ley. Alfred Watkins' description of an equinoctal ley through Stonehenge is also mentioned as being close but not identical.

Further along the G-line, the article details the church at Tytherington, Wiltshire, dedicated to St. James, and the Coniger near Winterbourne Stoke. The Coniger is described as a group of barrows enclosed in a pentagonal bank and ditch, possibly dug by Saxons around the sixth century AD around ancient funeral mounds. The author quotes a website describing the site and the Saxon enclosure.

The G-line also passes through South Nutfield Church in Surrey, a point also on the E-line and the Hurt Wood Line. The author recounts a visit with Eileen Roche in 1991, noting the E-line dowsed as 183 paces wide and the church felt powerful. A notice mentioned Clarissa Woolloton's involvement in the church's construction in 1888.

The article then discusses Christ Church, Lower Nutfield, built in 1888, and Compton Church near Guildford, highlighting its ancient architecture, including a unique two-storey sanctuary.

The Polden Holy Well Track Ley

This section, written before the discovery of the G-line, describes a ley connecting three holy wells on the Polden Ridge in Somerset. The ley dowsed as 20 paces wide. It passes through two old churches at East Lydford, one medieval and one built in the nineteenth century. The ley continues through Street to Walton and then to Shapwick, known for the Neolithic wooden Sweet Track and its association with King Ina.

Notes and News

A forgotten church on the Brent Knoll line?

This short piece speculates about a strange rectangular outline on the lawn of a vicarage in Puriton, Somerset, suggesting it might be the site of an older church, possibly burnt down during Danish raids. Bone fragments and a potential coffin nail were found, indicating a burnt building.

A Roman villa at Chertsey, near the Egham-Chertsey branch road?

This section discusses a crop mark seen on aerial pictures of Chertsey, similar to a Roman villa found by Time Team. It is adjacent to where Roman roads meet and mentions Roman finds in the area, despite Chertsey not typically being considered a major Roman settlement.

Book and CD-ROM Reviews/Promotions

The Hidden Unity and Beginnings

This section promotes two booklets. "The Hidden Unity" explores the phenomenon of subconscious siting of ley points and the significance of worship. "Beginnings" details discoveries related to earth energy detection, natural antigravity, and subconscious siting, including a chapter on cognitive dissonance.

Earth People, Space People

This promotes a booklet based on Tony Wedd's manuscript "Earth Men, Space Men," detailing claims of extraterrestrial contact, the STAR Fellowship, and evidence for life in the Solar System.

The Legacy of Tony Wedd

This promotes a CD-ROM featuring Tony Wedd's research on flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the exploration of ley lines, earth energies, and ancient sites in the United Kingdom, particularly in Somerset and Surrey. The magazine promotes a perspective that views these geographical features and historical locations as having energetic significance, often connecting them to spiritual practices, ancient beliefs, and unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and reporting on these phenomena, encouraging readers to explore and share their own findings. The inclusion of book and CD-ROM promotions suggests a broader interest in related topics such as ufology, ancient mysteries, and earth sciences.