A formation @ Bishops Cannings nr Devizes. Wiltshire

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Images Charles R Mallett
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A formation @ Bishops Cannings nr Devizes. Wiltshire
Reported 26/7/00 (Wheat)

The picturesque downs facing our neighbouring village,
Bishops Cannings has, for the second time this season been
the target for a very large & beautifully constructed
crop formation. This second event has arrived in very close
proximity to the earlier, extremely attractive eight pointer
which turned up in this same field on the 27th June. The
arrival of the second crop circle is rather interesting, when
one views the aerial photographs it is quickly apparent that
this latest formation is, or appears to be positioned, relative to
the big star down the field, together these two crop circles
look stunning side by side etched into the landscape.

This new addition consists of five chunky rings (11ft
wide) arranged overlapping each other. This arrangement has
produced a well balanced and rather expansive crop formation
that appears to be moving away from the star, at it's
widest the formation measures a very impressive 250ft. All
the pathways and sections of downed wheat were in excellent
condition on our arrival, even though the formation had
received coach loads of tourists. Throughout the formation the
floor lay was quite fine, very pristine & fluid in appearance.
The areas that had not been walked on still had the wheat in
it's original, brushed down (quite gently) state. As soon as one
cares to put their body weight on such an undamaged part of a
formation the wheat is smashed down hard to the floor. This is
the case with all crop circles in my experience, if you are
lucky enough to get in at dawn, everywhere you step within
the formation you will be breaking the corn under your feet and
leaving it, as flat as a hoax claim.

The geographical centre of the formation proved to be the
most popular gathering spot with visitors. The crop in this area
had been swept around a central tuft of wheat that had been
bent 180 degrees halfway up the stems, the wheat heads of
this rather ornate feature had been put down to the ground
and splayed out in all directions. This central component and
it's surrounding spiral lay pattern were made to a very high
standard indeed, as the photographs clearly show. This
formation was, for me, very much a pleasure to visit &
experience.

On our way in and out of this formation we were very
disappointed to see all sorts of litter including sweet
wrappers, toilet paper and crisp bags clogging the tramlines. I
feel that dumping crap all over the fields is not a good way to
show our appreciation to the farmers, who could very easily
bar visitors to their land, or worse still, cut the formations
down as soon as they arrive. Most visitors to the formations, I
know, have huge respect for the fields and our amazing
landscape in general. I hope this same level of respect will be
taken on by all visitors to the formations in future.

Charles R Mallett