Updated Tuesday 6th August 1996
We have another report from Steve Alexander of two formations near Basingstoke. (OS grid reference 590505) The formation is just off the B3400 between Basingstoke and East Oakley and is situated the south side of the railway line and west of the Roman road.
Both formations are in the same field. One is a crescent back to back and the second is a ring . The Oil Seed Rape is apparently immature so it not yet in flower possibly resulting in disappointing designs, but again without a full report we will reserve judgement.
It was Reported on 2nd June.
An aerial shots by Lucy Pringle Copyright 1996.
A pole shot by Busty Taylor. Copyright 1996.
Image by Busty Taylor (Home Page) Copyright 1996.
Date of Visit - 7.6.96
Crop Type: - Oil Seed Rape (Canola)
Crop Height - 5ft-6ft
Circle Diameter - 83ft and 60ft respectively
Two formations, one described as two crescents back to back, and one ring formation with detail inside. The formations were on the land belonging to Shelly Keel's brother. Near East Oakley, Basingstoke.
Damage to formation plants.(Formation 1)
There was extensive damage to the base of the stems, including snaps, scraps, crushing and bruising. Many plants had died and dried out.
A slight indentation was observed in the earth at the centre of the swirl. The plants were severely damaged, bruising, scraping and snaps were considerable. There was a thin Curtain ring of standing plants around the centre.
There were a single standing stems visible, but these looked as though they had recovered to this position. Some scrapes and bruises were visible on these stems.
Roughly edged formation, in a poor condition. Many obviously dead plants.
Damage to base of stems (Formation 2)
Markedly less damage to stem bases in this formation, still a few snaps approx. 50%
Other damage to stems (Formation 2)
Again, although some scrapes, bruises and snaps were present, these were markedly less in the 1st formation.
Damage to flowers (Formation 2)
Even less flowers left in this formation, seed pods were quite advanced.
Centre Swirl Details (Formation 2)
Plants in the swirl were swirled neatly and tightly. The very centre was bare, and there was a small hole not more that 1 in across and 2ins deep. Plants were dying-out, and beginning to go brown. Not to much visible damage to these plants.
No single standing stems observed in this formation.
Less dried out and dead plants in this formation. The floor lay was pleasing and quite neat. Recovery was in full progress with the flowering top part of the plant bent 90 degrees towards the sun.
Both formations were on the same tractor lines. The first formation showed considerably more damage than the second. Was this because the first formation has had more visitors causing extra damage? The second formation was quite a walk down the field, and the rape was difficult to walk through, as now the pods had developed. The plants seemed to mesh together even in the tractor lines. The small hole in the centre of the second formation was curious in comparison to the shallow dent in the centre of the first. If the two formations appeared at the same time, and were seemingly created by the same agency - why the difference? Unless the hole in the second circle had been made subsequently for another purpose, i.e. surveying. Both formations had appeared at least 3 weeks prior to our visit, so again these observations stand as a raw data to be used in comparison to others of a similar age and crop type.
Mark Fussell & Stuart Dike