REPORT:  One of Sussex's largest-ever formations has arrived at Patcham to the west of the road from Ditchling Beacon to Brighton, from where it is very visible.  Other notable designs have appeared in this field in previous years.

420ft in diameter, it comprises a six-fold Flower-of-Life-type design, with six orbiting and interlocking rings marked as outlines, rather than fully laid paths.  It is remarkably accurate in its layout.

The lay inside is one of the neatest examples yet seen in the county, with barely a blemish or break on a single stem.  Where paths intersect, there are beautiful flows, demonstrating a very fluid quality.  Working out the order in which different components have gone down is not easy.  All parts are swirled clockwise.  The six inner petals are laid in oval halves, one side flowing up, the other down, with small standing centres at their middles.

A pure Sussex Flower-of-Life design appeared at Woodingdean last year, and this formation also carries echoes of the recent Lewes pattern from June, harvested last week.  It's interesting to note that the farmer who owns the Patcham field also works (though doesn't own) the fields at Newmarket Hill, near Woodingdean, where two beautiful rape pictograms were found in May.  He had the task of harvesting those formations only the day before the appearance of this 'replacement' formation on his own land at Patcham!

We would like to thank the farmer for his friendly co-operation.  He has made a strong request for people NOT to enter the field.

Another impressive formation for Sussex, in what, so far, has been a very good year in terms of quality.

Report by ANDY THOMAS