FIELD REPORT FOR GOLDEN BALL HILL MAY 1ST 2005  

DOLPHINS GIVE WAY TO FIRST EVENT IN WILTSHIRE

The county of  Wiltshire rarely has such an early event, there have only been 2 formations since the year  2000. Perhaps the amount of Oil Seed fields available, has obviously attracted the Circlemakers to this area at this early stage. Normally the season doesn't start till much later in May and June.

The arrival of this early crop circle in could potentially become a common occurrence in late April to early May.  The growing market for Oil Seed Rape has provided farmers with the opportunity to regain some profits from this multi use crop. This particular field is just one of hundreds that have been planted in the local area, as from our flight we could clearly see a patchwork of colour across the ancient landscape.

Oil Rape Seed is experiencing a upturn in production as food makers continue to turn away from animal fats in favour of vegetable alternatives. Supplies for this range of vegetable oils is used extensively by the food industry and are slated to rise further in 2005/2006. Also there  is an increasing demand in Bio diesel industries, despite record global supplies. So this buoyant market will intimately see a changing face to our landscape in spring and early summer.  

It was like looking at a distant relative, as the past came rushing back.

Its appearance below the hillside allowed us to get back into the frame once again, and to experience what its like to  be out in the countryside reporting on this enigmatic phenomenon.  The intriguing aspect to this small design, is that it positioned itself on the edge of the Ghost  outline of last year 'Dolphins' formation. Its quite strange that these range of fields seemed to be haunted with past formations, as the same situation occurred in 2004, just a few fields along at West Stowell. It also reminded us of a formation that appeared way back in 1997 at Barbury Castle, on the 20th April.

It was like looking at a distant relative, as the past came rushing back as we viewed it from the hillside.  I feel this demonstrates that these shapes are clearly important to the makers of such designs, even years apart from each other. Although its not exactly the same design, as this time we see arches instead of spinning arcs from the 1997 formation. But perhaps the message is very much the same, and possibly a reminder to us all, that we should never forget what has gone before, if this is indeed a communication  taking place.

Field Report Stuart Dike.