FIELD REPORT

 

Here is another report about a formation that because it was not very large physically and also quite difficult to locate, except by the air, received little attention but which we found quite beautifully laid-down and in which we also found a number of elongated and/or bent nodes etc. etc.

 

I am referring to the small formation (only about 50 feet in diameter) that was reported in mature wheat in early August near the farm and aerodrome at Draycot Foliat but which really should have been labelled as being adjacent to the Ridgeway below the north side of Barbury Castle, not far from where the "Menorah" came down several years ago.   It was about 1 mile from the Draycot Foliat air strip as the crow flies but within 200 feet of the Ridgeway, just east of the asphalt road leading from Wroughton to Barbury Castle.  The formation consisted of a large ring within which lay a central circle, swirled counter-clockwise, five straight "bars" of laid-down crop bisecting it (or 7 bars if you count the two parts of the tram line that paralleled the five laid-down lines of crop) plus a smaller circle, also swirled

counter-clockwise, along the formation's edge furthest from the Ridgeway that actually was mostly outside the formation's outer ring. It was within this circle (and to some extent in the larger, central circle) that our group found the most interesting node elongations and bends etc.  The totally counter-clockwise lay of the two flattened circles was unusual for this season, having flown over the formation on August 7, thereby ascertaining its exact position vis a vis the Ridgeway and the field's tram lines, we decided to enter it the following day, our group's last day in Wiltshire.   Having counted the tram lines, we knew which one (and only one) bisected the formation and yes, we did find traces that a few others had entered it before us - having seen Bert Janssen's pole shots, we knew he'd been there earlier.  Despite these visits, the wheat remained springy and "fluffy" as if barely laid-down into the field, especially in the two swirled circles.  There were some nicely-overlapped layers where the "bars" met the circular ring, which was also precisely edged.
 

Click on thumbnails to enlarge
 

The two inner circles were the most impressive features of the formation.  After inspecting the larger central one, our group of just 11 people decided to gather in the smaller circle at the formation's furthest point for a short meditation to give thanks both for the delightful (and rare this year!) sunny day plus to the circle-makers for what was a truly memorable week of circle exploration.   Even as we gathered, combines in a nearby field across the Ridgeway arrived to begin harvesting, so we knew that we must be among the last to have the privilege to visit this small but nonetheless perfect 2007 formation.

All images Chet Snow Copyright 2007