Code:  SUSSEX 2004/02

 

Location:  FALMER, NR LEWES, EAST SUSSEX

 

First reported:  28th May 2004

Crop:  Barley

Design:  Ringed circle with three attached 'triangular triplets' at regular

intervals

Dimensions:  Around 400ft total diameter

Surveyed by:  ALLAN BROWN, DAN VIDLER and ANDY THOMAS, 1st & 2nd June 2004  

REPORT:  David Marras first reported seeing this formation, on the Lewes side of Falmer, on 28 May.  He thought it might be wind damage, but on our inspection on 1st June it was found to be a proper formation, as described above. 

The formation is not visible from anywhere except the path that runs from the lay-by at Newmarket Hill (site of two formations last year) to a prominent copse of trees to the east.  It can be seen when looking north from the path, but is very hard to discern, and at first glance could pass for wind damage, as the pattern sits on the brow of a hill in the field and can only be seen obliquely.  The lay inside at first appears rough, but it seems much crop recovery has taken place and the pattern may have been there a week or more before we inspected it.  The design is regular and pleasing, however. 

Because the formation was already several days old, it was initially almost impossible to make out the original lay of the crop.  In fact, everything appears to have been laid in a clockwise direction, but the crop had grown back up from its prone position so vigorously and then collapsed either to the left or the right, that it gave the impression that the lay was almost random in its nature, or that the design was made up from wind lodging. 

Despite this haphazard looking lay, we think the formation would have originally looked very neat and orderly, which David Russell's aerial shots clearly suggest.  Walking around it immediately left a level of damage that was not apparent when we first walked in.  The crop didn't look particularly kinked, broken or damaged.  The outer satellites of the design have certain similarities to the Sompting "Triangular Triplets" that appeared in 1993 and 1999, although the proportions of this are somewhat different.  The most impressive feature is the delicacy with which the various circles touch each other, leaving small gateways to walk through.  These gateways are gaps of 2-3 feet or less, sometimes just a thin veil of single stalks.  To maintain this level of accuracy over the whole formation is a very impressive achievement, especially as there are no clear signs of any underpaths leading to the centres of the various component circles. 

Geometrically, it is a very simple and pleasing design.  Its dimensions, in feet, reflect its basic design tenet, that of the 'vesica pisces' and the 1/3rd - 2/3rd proportions it generates.  The outer circles of the triplets are 33ft diameter, while the central circles of the triplets are 66ft (as is the central circle), with the distance to the outer ring being 99ft radius. Clearly the equilateral triangle is the governing geometric device, which generates the octave and a basic diatonic ratio.  A lot of fun can be had from drawing the various equilateral triangles that exist within this design. 

The formation is placed in the middle of an unexpectedly peaceful and isolated spot, which affords a lovely view out through the pass between Mount Caburn and Firle Beacon to the south-east of Lewes.  In fact, from here you can look onto the fields of three of last year's formations, and one of 2002.  From Hollingbury Hillfort, which at the moment appears to sit at the hub of a host of radial sightlines, one can also see the sites of several formations that have appeared in nearby fields over the last couple of years.  The latest formation is just fractionally below a direct sighting from Hollingbury. 

As a historical note, the copse of trees alongside the field is reputed to be grown in the shape of a boot, while the farther copse to the south represents a hat.  These were planted to commemorate the Duke of Wellington's victory against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.