Touchstone

Magazine Overview

Title: Touchstone
Issue: No. 103
Date: October 2013
Publisher: Surrey Earth Mysteries Group
Focus: Earth Mysteries, Archaeology, Ley Lines, Folklore, and Paranormal Phenomena.

The Abbot's Way and Sweet Track Leys

The lead article details an archaeological dig at Burtle on the Somerset Levels, organised by Somerset Heritage. Burtle was a sand island in the marsh, west of the rock island of Westhay. A Neolithic wooden plank trackway was discovered there in the 1830s or 1840s, with another exposure viewed in 1864. This trackway was excavated in 1873 and initially called the Abbot's Way, theorised to link Glastonbury Abbey to Burtle Priory. However, it was later found to be Neolithic, dating to approximately 2000 BC. It runs eastwards from Burtle to Westhay.

Another trackway, the Sweet Track, was discovered in 1970, running from Westhay to the Polden Ridge. It was found during peat excavations and is named after its finder, Ray Sweet.

The article explains that leys run along both these tracks. The Abbot's Way ley passes through West Huntspill Church, a crossroads at Cote, and the farmhouse at Burtle Farm. It coincides with Robins Lane, Burtle, and the first stretch of the Meare Road, passing through Burtle Church. It then continues across the moor to Westhay and Meare, possibly touching the church and passing through Abbot's Fish House. This ley is described as wide, approximately 40 paces.

The Sweet Track ley goes through a crossroads and boundary east of Burrow Mump, crosses the St. Michael Line, passes through Swayne's Jumps on the Polden Ridge, and a crossroads near Shapwick. It then follows the line of the Sweet Track to Westhay, continuing through Draycott to a tumulus on the Mendips, Charterhouse Church, a crossroads at Hounsley Batch, and a small church in Bristol.

The dig at Burtle was not solely for its Neolithic connection but also because it was the site of a medieval hermitage and later priory. Burials had been found by the landowner, but the building's site was unknown. The area was once a series of islands in the moors. A boundary ditch was detected by geophysics, and the farmhouse is within this area. The present church is not, suggesting it's not the priory site. A legend of a tunnel between the farmhouse and Westhay is mentioned, possibly indicating a memory of the track. A crypt found below the farmhouse suggests it might be the priory church site.

The trenches from the dig did not reveal foundations but were dated as medieval by pottery shards. High-status medieval roof tiles and a cauldron were found. One burial was discovered, possibly from the priory cemetery. A strange object resembling a bell clapper was also found.

Leys at Very Ancient Dartmoor Site

This section discusses a dig at Tottiford Reservoir on Dartmoor, recorded by 'Time Team'. The site is perceived as sacred from the Mesolithic to the Bronze Age, with associated leys. The area features a central mound, a stone circle, and stone rows. Geophysics revealed stone holes, with one excavated stone having an internal ramp. Bronze Age pottery fragments and a Mesolithic post hole were found. Francis Pryor described the place as having a 'feeling of a sacred site'.

Two leys are described running through the site. One ley runs along a significant Bronze Age double stone row and Mesolithic pit alignment, passing through Christow Church and Raven Tor. Another ley crosses the valley tangentially, touching the stone circle and passing through Great Leigh Farm and Christow Church.

The names 'Great Leigh' and 'Lustleigh' are linked to the song 'Widecombe Fair'. Spreyton Church is also connected to this song, as it holds the grave of Tom Cobley. An anecdote about a white horse appearing from mist near Spreyton is shared.

The ley then goes through a cairn north of Widecombe, a track junction pointing at Yar Tor, and a cairn cist called the Crock of Gold. The Crock of Gold cairn cist is described as being about 4 metres in diameter with a rectangular cist inside.

The Hurt Wood Track Ley

This section describes a straight track in Surrey, the Hurt Wood Track, stretching over two miles. It is considered ancient due to its start and end points in unexpected locations, being broken by a farm, varying in nature, and running up steep hills. While the Hurt Wood Control Committee considers it 'Roman, as far as we know', its lack of clear destinations suggests it might be older.

Several other coinciding straight tracks in Surrey are mentioned, all on public footpaths.

Notes and News

A Very British Witchcraft

This segment discusses a Channel 5 programme about Gerald Gardner, the founder of Wicca. Professor Ronald Hutton and Philip Heselton contributed. The programme explored Gardner's attraction to occult practices and his ambition to use magic on a larger scale, including a ritual in 1940 to repel the Germans.

Forbidden History in Sardinia

A TV series 'Forbidden History' is mentioned, focusing on legends of 'giants' and 'giants' graves' in Sardinia. These are linked to the biblical Nephilim and extraterrestrial interbreeding. The confiscation of large skeletons by government officials is cited as evidence supporting these claims.

The One Ring

An Inside Out West TV programme featured a story about a gold ring, Tolkien, and a Roman temple in Gloucestershire. A lead tablet with a curse on the wearer of a ring was found at the Lydney Park Estate. The story of Silvanus losing his ring and cursing the thief is recounted. The connection to J.R.R. Tolkien's 'One Ring' is explored, noting that Tolkien visited the site and knew of a ring with the name Silvanus found elsewhere. The article also mentions a ring bearing the name Abraxas found at Silchester.

The Vicars Close Ley

Vicars' Close in Wells is described as the oldest inhabited street in England. Its alignment points to the ley centre in the Cathedral and the Bishop's Chapel. The ley also passes through North Wootton Church and is associated with the Worminster Sleight dragon legend.

Web Sites

A list of relevant websites for earth mysteries is provided, including those related to ley lines, ancient sites, and UFO sightings.

Meyn Mamvro

This section advertises 'Meyn Mamvro', a publication focusing on ancient stones, sacred sites, paganism, ley paths, and folklore in Cornwall, offering sample copies and subscriptions.

The Hidden Unity and Beginnings

This section reviews two booklets: 'The Hidden Unity', which explores subconscious siting of ley points and the significance of worship, and 'Beginnings', detailing Jimmy Goddard's discoveries in earth energy, antigravity, and cognitive dissonance.

Earth People, Space People

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

The Legacy of Tony Wedd

This reviews a CD-ROM of Tony Wedd's travelling exhibition on flying saucers, landscape energies, and lost technology.

Touchstone Subscription Information

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 of Touchstone revolve around the interconnectedness of ancient sites, ley lines, and earth energies, often linking archaeological discoveries with folklore and speculative theories about extraterrestrial influences and ancient technologies. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded stance, exploring various unconventional theories and historical accounts without necessarily endorsing them as fact, but rather as subjects for investigation and discussion within the realm of earth mysteries. The editorial stance encourages readers to explore these topics through provided resources, websites, and further reading.