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SUSSEX CROP CIRCLES 2003 - REPORT #2
Code: SUSSEX 2003/02
Location: NEWMARKET HILL, nr WOODINGDEAN, EAST SUSSEX
Reported: 14th May 2003
Crop: Oilseed rape
Design: Ringed circle with tail of five smaller circles
Dimensions: 56ft diameter
Surveyed by: Allan Brown, Andy Thomas & Helen Sewell, 14 & 15 May 2003
REPORT: This 'thought bubble'-type formation is highly visible on the left
from the road which runs from Sussex University at Falmer across the downs to
Woodingdean, though it can be seen on the horizon as far away as from the
Ditchling Road in north Brighton. It lies just to the north-east of a
transmission tower on the crest of the hill. Jugg's Road, an ancient Neolithic
track way linking the causewayed enclosure on Whitehawk Hill to Lewes, runs
along the edge of the field in question, and there is a burial mound in the
field just below the new pattern. Crop formations have appeared in this area
for many years, with a single circle having been reported in the same field as
early as 1974 (see 'Fields of Mystery', by Andy Thomas, S B Publications 1996).
Diagram ALLAN BROWN Copyright 2003
The overall diameter of the ringed circle is 106ft. The centre circle itself
is 53ft. The five tail circles are 26.5ft, 18ft, 13ft, 9ft and 6.5ft.
The farmer (who we would like to thank for his cooperation) says the formation
was not there on Tuesday evening, but was reported to him on Wednesday morning,
so 14th May is a firm date of appearance. It is worth mentioning that on
Tuesday afternoon there was thunder, heavy rain and hail all afternoon and the
field would have been very wet and muddy on the night of its appearance.
Despite this, the stems of rape were clean and un-scuffed. The direction of lay
in every component was clockwise.
Diagram ALLAN BROWN Copyright 2003
Allan Brown says: "As probably one of the first people to enter the formation,
I was amazed, as indeed was the farmer, at just how lightly the crop had been
laid. A lot of crop was already upright, or had never even gone down. There
was no overt bruising on the crop, just bent at the base, yet even on returning
the next day, after I'd walked around it a few times the day before, the crop
was visibly flatter and damaged where I'd walked around."
The centres of the circles in the tail display some of the best splays yet seen
by us in an oilseed rape formation, though the centre of the main circle is
less pronounced.
Diagram ALLAN BROWN Copyright 2003
Regarding the pattern's geometry, Allan says: "The whole formation obeys the
usual protocol of the 'thought bubble', with each successively larger circle
placed higher up the hill. If the various circles are uncoupled and placed
concentrically within the main ring and circle, a system of interlocking
hexagrams describes the relative sizes of each circle."
Diagram ALLAN BROWN Copyright 2003
Allan continues with a curious tale: "In an interesting synchronicity, on my
Ordnance Survey map I had previously drawn a line that runs from Lodge Hill in
Ditchling (itself a very mystical hill with tumuli and barrows on it), through
Ditchling Church, with its pagan altar stone now resident in the wall
surrounding the church. The line continues through Falmer Church and on
through the top of Newmarket Hill (where the transmission mast is). Amazingly,
the formation falls on exactly this line. Without wanting to go down the road
of fantasy too far, the formation and the field are visible from my children's
bedroom window at my home in Brighton. I suspect this is the only vantage
point from which the field can be seen within the local vicinity. I suspect
the two high-rise buildings further along Ditchling Road have a great view as
well. The only other view of the field is from outside my son's class room
window. Amazing, apart from the fact that he resolutely believes that they're
all man-made... Is someone trying to tell him something?!"
All in all a lovely formation, with all the required mystery, synchronicity and
visual pleasure.
Report by ALLAN BROWN & ANDY THOMAS
Diagrams by ALLAN BROWN
Southern Circular Research /
www.swirlednews.com
(C) Copyright 2003
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