Crop Circles in Kent of 1996.................
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Lympne, Nr. Hythe MAY 3rd 1996 - Lawn Grass Now here's a strange one...On the 3rd of May a scorched square approximately four foot wide was discovered in grass at the family home of a Mr & Mrs Neumann' who lived near Hythe. There was nothing to suggest that anything had covered the grass in any way, which certainly might've led to some discoloration etc. However, It was only when samples were taken, that a conclusion was reached that somehow it'd been zapped by some sort of radiation!...Something that was clearly born out by the mystifying patch, which continued to demonstrate its considerable dowsing abilities for quite some time to come. It also turns out that the owners of this oddity, had at the time been taking an active interest in crop circles...Now that just goes to show you, that when you take an interest in crop circles they take an interest in you!
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Diagram © Graham Tucker |
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Sevington, nr. Ashford July 1996 - Wheat A single circle was discovered during July of '96 in a field that's overlooked by St. Mary's at Sevington. The tiny hamlet of Sevington isn't that far from the rapidly sprawling spread of Ashford that looks certain to devour it sometime soon! The circle was roughly 30 - 40 feet across and entry was gained via a tramline that sliced through it towards one side. It sported quite a neat looking counter-flowing lay. When you look back, several single and small clusters of circles have appeared in Kent. Now whilst that might be in common with most UK counties that receive circles, it seems that in Kent something a little odd happens. For it appears that most of these small events for some strange reason, are more likely to occur in East Kent. So if you're on the out lookout for a real "jawdropper" this summer, I think anywhere this side of Maidstone would probably be a far better bet! © Graham Tucker
Diagram © Graham Tucker
Whilst this particular circle was only around
for a couple of weeks, its memory lingered on. According to Ian
Baillie it had inspired the local "Silver Springs" soft drinks
company, to launch a range of drinks called UFD - Unidentified
Fruit Drink!
One of their employees who was fascinated by
the circle came up with the idea, which was launched in swish black
cans. '96 you may remember, was the year when the TV series "The X
Files" really caught the public's imagination...unlike the UFD drink
which unfortunately fizzled out!
© Ian Baillie
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Photo © Andrew King
Photo © Andrew King
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Boxley, nr. Maidstone July/August 1996 - Wheat In a rolling field of ripened wheat that's quite renowned for its annual poppy display, a rather curious formation arrived just outside the village of Boxley, during the summer of '96. Lying as close as it could to the Pilgrims Way, this radiating twelve-fold was estimated as being around 80 feet across. Interestingly, one field over from the formation lies the "White Horse Stone" that's also sometimes referred to as the "Sphinx of the North". I've long recognised that "The Circlemakers" have a sense of humour so I hope they don't mind me referring to this one as a dartboard! Others referred to it as "The Clock", probably because it featured twelve segments. The Kent formations are always given names where possible, simply because that in so doing they're so much easier to recall. Twelve is highly significant as a number and symbolically represents the path of spiritual and earthly order, e.g. the twelve signs of the zodiac or the twelve months of the year, etc. Twelve may also be defined as the number of fulfilment, or that of a completed cycle... In being placed close to The Pilgrims "Way" and The North Downs "Way", there's a possible Celtic connection here. For twelve may be a symbolic reference to the twelve spiritual pagan paths, or "ways" that are open to an individual (Druidry, Odinism, Asatru, Wicca, Mithraism, Heathenism, etc, etc.) ...Well, who knows? - But one thing's for sure, just for a few short weeks that summer, higher truths were to be found within some of our idyllic countryside. © Graham Tucker
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Photo © Andrew King
Diagram © Graham Tucker |
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Thannington Without, near Canterbury - late August 1996 - Wheat Although estimated as being at least a couple of weeks old before it was discovered, those who were lucky enough to visit it were clearly very impressed by it. Strangely what was also felt at the time was that whilst all the other fields around it had long been harvested, there was some sort of lingering sense on this occasion that this particular field wasn't going to give in to the "Grim Reaper", until its honoured guest was found! Researchers Nigel Thomsett and Debbie Pardoe submitted a detailed diagram of the formation that was later reproduced in the winter '96 edition of the CCCS "The Circular" that I have based my sketch upon. The overall length of this cluster was around 150 ft and consisted of five well-defined circles, alongside arcs that hinted of further geometric delights. The two largest circles measured 47 ft, and it's interesting to note that the distance separating them could have also accommodated a circle with a diameter of 47 ft. Furthermore, if you were to continue the arcs found at the end of the pathways at the northern end of the formation, you'd also have another two circles offering us that very same diameter. Much lies hidden here ... At the time this was arguably the most complex formation ever to appear in Kent. Even the smaller 25/18-ft circles and arcs, that at first seemed quite haphazard, eventually revealed their intricacies. The formation was found nestled amongst the lower slopes of the Stour Valley, just past the village of Chartham at Thannington Without. Whilst I'm a little unsure to its exact location, The Pilgrims Way heading along its final stretch to Canterbury, most certainly looked down upon it. This ancient pilgrim track climbs the chalk ridge of the North Downs above picturesque Chartham before cutting through the Iron Age hill fort of Bigbury Camp. Constructed by the Celts in the century before Christ, it occupied a strategic position for fighting the Belgae tribes of northern France, and for seeing off the Romans. It's interesting to note here that the Chartham formation whether by hidden references or design clearly indicates an early Celtic influence.
© Graham Tucker
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Photo © Andrew King
Diagram © Graham Tucker |
