Updated Thursday 18th December 1997
This small formation was first reported on 20th July 1997. This particular photograph shows the messy lay, but with complicated layering at certain parts of the formation.
Images by Barry Reynolds & Mike Hubbard Copyright 1997
East Sussex (near Brighton) has had it's first formation, seen this morning (22nd July) although it looks older than this. It's a dumbbell, in very ripe wheat, although one of the circles is actually only a semicircle.
Large circle = 56 feet swept clockwise Pathway = 19 feet by 6 feet 3 inches Semicircle about 6 feet.
I'm going to see it tonight (22nd) so will report further when I know more. We're keeping the exact location quiet until I've spoken with the farmer.
UPDATE
Please note that the
farmer has kindly let the Sussex team in to investigate
but wishes for no further visitors.
Location : just north of Newhaven on the small country lane that leads to Piddighoe, East Sussex
First seen : Sunday 20th July 1997.
Crop : Wheat.
Type : small dumbbell with one circle actually only a semicircle.
The formation is in a small field, on an incline hardly visible from the country lane 200 yards below it. However it is visible from the main Lewes to Newhaven road some 2 miles or so distant, looking across the valley and river.
Overall length : 86' 6"
All the following measurements are averaged, a full survey was carried out.
Large circle : 53' - 54' (clockwise)
Pathway : 17' by 6' 6" (points 5.5 degrees off magnetic north)
Semicircle : 33' wide by 14' deep (clockwise & anticlockwise)
Off of the large circle was a small loop 4'4" across and only 6" wide tapering down to only 6 stems as it re-entered the circle.
Although the lay looked messy, and there were many standing stems, it was actually quite complex with many changes of direction and underlies present. Some crop had been brought into the flow from outside of the standing edge, and a few bent nodes around corners were visible.
The crop itself was fairly sparse in places and badly growing (it was only 2' 6" in height but very ripe). The circle centre was on a tramline in a patch that was completely devoid of crop for about the size of a dustbin lid. A small bowl shaped indentation was in the centre of this.
Conclusion
This is typically the small, messy-looking type of formation that many people do not take a second glance at and immediately label 'hoax'. However, on closer inspection, many genuine features were found. Don't forget, not all crop formations have to be masterpieces! The Sussex team are proud to announce their first formation of the season!
Report produced by Barry Reynolds on behalf of Southern Circular Research and CCCS Sussex..
Photos and diagram to follow.
