Touchstone - No 098 - 2012 07

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 98
Date: July 2012
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group

This issue of Touchstone, a newsletter from the Surrey Earth Mysteries Group, explores various earth mysteries, ancient sites, and historical legends. The primary focus is on Pomparles Bridge near Glastonbury, its connection to Arthurian legend, and the discovery of an ancient Roman road. The magazine also features articles on ley lines, other ancient sites in England, and a mysterious submerged pyramid.

Pomparles Bridge - Ley Centre

The lead article discusses a stone circle built in a garden near Pomparles Bridge at Glastonbury, which the author found to be situated on a previously identified ley line. Pomparles Bridge itself crosses the River Brue and its name is derived from the French 'pont perilleux' (perilous bridge). John Leland's Itinerary mentions the bridge in connection with Arthurian legend, stating that King Arthur cast his sword into it. The bridge is also depicted in paintings at St. Patrick's Chapel, Glastonbury Abbey.

John Morland's writings from 1922 and 1881 are referenced, detailing the history of Pomparles Bridge and the discovery of a buried Roman road. This road, found during drain excavations in 1881, ran parallel to the 'Causeway' and was likely crossed by a wooden bridge, evidenced by oak timbers and piles.

The article traces a north-running ley line that passes through the new stone circle, Pomparles Bridge, and continues through various locations including Street, Cold Harbour, Godney, Cheddar Church, Rowberrow Church, and Dolebury Warren hillfort.

Street Church

Street Church is noted for its ancient origins, with the present building dating from the thirteenth century, but the site having a structure from the sixth century. It is linked to St. Gildas and was on a Roman road used for lead transport from the Mendips, with Roman finds discovered in the churchyard.

Cheddar Church

Cheddar Church dates from the 14th century, but a Roman presence is indicated by a Roman villa site at the vicarage. The original minster church is theorised to have been built in the ruins of this villa.

Dolebury Warren

Dolebury Warren is described as a large Iron Age hillfort on the Mendip ridge, with an imposing western entrance. The ley line passes through the middle of it.

Ley Lines and Alignments

The author notes finding another ley line through the Pomparles Bridge site, confirming its significance. This second ley is narrower and passes through churches in Glastonbury and other locations. The article also discusses the concept of 'leys' in relation to place names like 'Lega' (now Street).

Stockland Bristol Church and Ancient Road

Stockland Bristol Church, originally dedicated to All Saints, was rebuilt in the 19th century. The article revisits John Morland's 1881 findings about the ancient road near Pomparles Bridge, describing its north-south direction and potential connection to Street Cross and Marshalls Elm.

Coquetdale Visit

This section, by Pat Toms, details an investigation of alignments related to a holed stone on Beacon Hill near Rothbury. The stone points to the midsummer solstice sunset. Alignments from another stone on Beacon Hill lead to the cemetery next to Rothbury Church, and further alignments are noted in the Coquetdale landscape, including connections to Coquet Island.

The author describes the etheric influences felt from the stone on Beacon Hill and how they might be conveyed to the cemetery. The width of a ley line through the church was monitored, fluctuating and widening during singing.

Visit to London's Camelot with Chris Street

This section reports on a visit to Camlet Moat in North London, organised by the Research into Lost Knowledge Organisation and led by Chris Street. Street argues against the idea that Camelot was purely mythical, suggesting Camlet Moat is a marked site that was part of the Royal Plantagenet hunting grounds and potentially a defensive location.

The history of the site is traced from Saxon times, with suggestions of Celtic origins for the name. The moat itself is described as star-shaped, and excavations revealed remains of a large drawbridge and thick walls, indicating a substantial structure, possibly a castle.

Excavations by Robert Cooper Lee Bevan and his daughter Nesta are mentioned, revealing a dungeon, drawbridge remnants, glazed tiles, and coins. The site is also associated with legends of burials and paranormal events, and a north-running London axis ley is believed to pass through a well on the site.

Chris Street suggested the site might have been a sacred enclosure before the castle, mentioning visions of a White Lady. The area also features an 'Om tree' and a 'Merlin Tree'. The author experienced dizziness during a meditation at the site.

Notes and News

Stonehenge healing centre

A television program investigated Stonehenge as a Neolithic healing and pilgrimage site, based on evidence of trauma and deformity in burials around the monument. Radio-carbon dating suggests construction between 2,400-2,200 B.C., with earlier human activity dating to 7,000 B.C.

St. Edmund's Hill, Glastonbury

This section notes that St. Edmund's Hill, Glastonbury, is a recognised ancient site, often assumed to be a modern mound but potentially a Megalithic mound. Astronomical alignments from the mound suggest its significance.

Pyramid under Bermuda Triangle waters

Reports are cited of the discovery of a partially translucent, crystal-like pyramid rising from the Caribbean seabed, described as gigantic and independently verified by diving teams.

Web Sites

A list of websites related to earth mysteries is provided, covering topics such as ley lines, ancient sites, and UFO sightings.

Letters

A letter from Norman Darwen describes a visit to Cornwall, noting tumuli, standing stones, and a recent stone circle, expressing a desire to return with John Michell's book.

Meyn Mamvro

This section advertises 'Meyn Mamvro', offering guides to ancient sites and folklore in Cornwall.

Book and CD-ROM Reviews/Information

The Hidden Unity and Beginnings

Information is provided on two booklets: 'The Hidden Unity', which examines subconscious siting of ley points and worship, and 'Beginnings', detailing discoveries in earth energy detection, antigravity, and cognitive dissonance.

Earth People, Space People

This section describes a booklet prepared by Tony Wedd, detailing claims of extraterrestrial contact, the STAR Fellowship, and evidence for life in the Solar System.

The Legacy of Tony Wedd

Information on a CD-ROM containing Tony Wedd's research and findings on flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.

Touchstone Subscription

Details are 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, ancient sites, megalithic structures, Arthurian legends, and unexplained phenomena. The magazine adopts an investigative and exploratory stance, presenting research, historical accounts, and personal experiences related to earth mysteries and alternative history. There is a clear interest in connecting geographical locations with historical and mythological narratives, often through the lens of ley lines and earth energies.