Updated Monday 1st September 1997
An aerial shots by Lucy Pringle Copyright 1997.
The head of the constellation of Lyra.
Diagram by Peter R. Sorensen Copyright 1997.
This formation was about two weeks old when first discovered, below Fosbury Fort close to the Wiltshire/Hampshire border, on 5th of August in Wheat.
The 130+ foot formation can well viewed from the road up Conholt Hill, south of Verham Dean. The encompassing outlines suggests a family resemblance with the Upham "Goddess" formation.
The name is inspired by Doug Ruby's idea that crop circles may be clues to free energy devices and space propulsion.
A very unvisited formation because of its remoteness below Fosbury hill fort, on the exquisitely beautiful valley opposite Conholt Hill, from which one can get an excellent view. Map SU 325562, so we'll call it Vernham Dean formation, discovered approx. Aug 1. The CPRI team tried in vain to get farmer's permission but after much driving around it was still unclear who the owner was. So let's just let it lie in its solitude. From the air (scan on its way), it looks like an engine head gasket: three major circles in line, with two smaller circles at the head creating a 'Mickey Mouse' effect, and two further small circles off-line and in-between the larger central circles. A thin band runs like a contour around the entire formation. The feel is similar to the one in Upham earlier on. Construction from the air looked promising, despite heavy rains and what must be a wind tunnel along the base of this lovely vale. I am told by a very reliable and famous source (who has not indicated whether it wants to be credited yet), that this formation represents the head of the constellation of Lyre, of which several other formations this year are laid down in perfect synchronicity (as above, so below). I shall be devoting serious time to researching this and will detail more on my web site as it develops. Formation length? I estimate some 150 ft.
Reported by Colin Andrews, Jane Ross, Freddy Silva.
ADDITIONAL REPORT
In both cases the farmer's permission was obtained, though reluctantly and only for 1 person to take samples for Fosbury- where he claimed to have had "hordes" trampling all over his field. He moreover claimed it was a hoax (a common response to discourage visitors), while during my brief visit it seemed genuine enough, and although quite weather worn (about 2 weeks old at the time) showed little evidence of trampling. I was unfortunately unable to take any measurements but obtained a series of samples and photographs. There was some evidence of gap-seeking and the perimeters of some of the circles had a lay of some 6" wide in the opposite direction to the central part. Most circles were laid counter clockwise, but the left "ear" and its halo were both laid clockwise. The lay was overall quite rough with numerous standing stems.
Reported by Dr. Andrew King.
