A Life of Ley Hunting

1980

23rd February 1980
Due to two recent UFO sightings from the Surrey Herald of similar objects flying similar trajectories parallel with St. Peter's Way, Chertsey (M25 link road), I decided to reconnoitre the area. One sighting was by later group member Richard Pywell. Main findings were:

1) From new motorway roundabout under construction the eastern stretch of St. Peter's Way was seen to align on a spectactular pine clump, thought to be Ether Hill.
2) Trembler reactions were obtained at the following places: on bridge taking St. Peter's Way over Green Lane: subliminal. Under bridge: 1. Hillcrest Avenue (on bank): 1.

Mapwork indicates possible ley on visible alignment above, but not proven. Goes through Ether Hill, Woburn Hill and several cross-roads on the Aldershot map, but no "hard" ley points. This alignment passes through the new roundabout and the "mound" built for the bridge where trembler reaction felt.

Conclusions:
If the alignment above is a ley, and the bridge mound boosted energy as an ancient mound would, the large amount of earth removed could have seriously affected the energies in the area. This could be responsible for the sightings, whether they are intelligently controlled or energy effects.

Trip to Ether Hill the following Friday
At first I lost my way and went up the Chobham Road, but found two quite interesting clumps. Ether Hill, when eventually found, was confirmed as the clump seen along St. Peter's Way. Interesting double hill with two clumps - line passes through on end of ridge. The other resembles a tumulus with a 1-reaction on the jar. Approached through a playground.

SPRING MOOT AT BARMOOR, 11th-19th April 1980

When I set out for the Northern Earth Mysteries Group Moot at Barmoor in Yorkshire this April, I expected an enjoyable weekend, but could not be prepared for the profundity of the experiences which were to follow - indeed, I did not fully realise them until afterwards, looking back over the weekend as a whole. The house, originally a summer retreat for a Quaker family at the turn of the century, is pleasantly situated below a moorland hill, and the whole area had a distinctly welcoming atmoshere, no doubt enhanced by the beautiful weather which persisted all weekend. After arriving on Friday evening, it soon became clear that ley hunters of many different interests were present, and it was not long before lively discussions were taking place.

After dinner and a general introductory session, the remainder of Friday evening was largely spent discussing possibilities for field trips the next day. Quite a number of suggestions were made, and it was decided to split into small groups, largely because it was felt that smaller numbers at any particular place would be more able to experience the true atmosphere than would a crowd. I believe my chosen trip was definitely the right one for me, though I would like to have seen some of the other places had there been time.

After breakfast next day, I set out with Philip and Hilary towards Cropton Forest, where we met another group from Barmoor looking for a standing stone marked on the map. It was surprisingly difficult to find, but well worth the effort. The stone was about four feet high, its wide faces pointing north-south, with vertical grooves on one side. Like many ancient stones, it was covered in lichen, though none could be found on any of the stones seen in the soil. With the sunlight coming through the leaves the scene was extremely beautiful, reminiscent of the Nine Stones at Winterborne Abbas, Dorset.

The next site we visited had a more austere atmosphere, particularly as it was just beyond a sign telling all concerned to keep away because of acute fire risk. This was Mawley Cross, a wayside coss about seven feet high. While obviously of later date than the previous site, it was made of the same local sandstone, very beautiful when the sunlight caught its abundance of quartz.

After this, and an interesting discussion in the local pub, we set off towards Blakey Topping, which was to prove one of the most awe-inspiring sites I have ever visited. From a distance it looks like Silbury Hill, though much larger, and protrudes from a flat plain in a similar manner to Glastonbury Tor. In fact, it is almost identical to the Tor in size, shape and feeling; the view from the top is similar too, though the surrounding hills are nearer. Before we reached the summit, however, we found an unusual arrangement of standing stones which did not appear to have ever been part of a circle.

The only rather sinister part of the view from the hill was the Fylingdales early warning station, which had two small dish aerials pointed directly at the hill. After the weekend was over, the possibility occurred to me that these could be monitoring emanations from it. It is rather wild speculation, but the Dragon Project has shown a connection between ancient sites and microwaves, and it might well be feared that the large detectors might mistake emanations from the hill for a nuclear attack. If so, constant monitoring would probably be done to screen out this "interference" - in effect, the government's own Dragon Project, no doubt a great "drag on" national resources. There are now no stones on Blakey Topping, but nevertheless it is a place of great power, so similar to Glastonbury Tor that I found myself almost surprised not to find Chalice Well at the bottom (though there was a small rushing stream).

The last site we visited before returning home (we were all spontaneously calling it that by this time) was the church at Lastingham, now famous to ley hunters for its powerful crypt. Head-hum can be felt in the main body of the church, but in the crypt it increases dramatically. No doubt there are cycles of fluctuation; it seemed somewhat more powerful on this visit than on my last some years ago, and I found myself panting a little. Comparisons with a Reich accumulator seem very real when one is in the crypt, and I could not stay long. Nevertheless, there is still one site I have visited which seemed to be at least as powerful - the otherwise unimpressive little church of St. John's in the parish of Llanfairtalhaiarn in North Wales.

After this we returned to Barmoor and were to enjoy a delicious vegetable curry before proceeding with further discussions; I was to have my first experience of cocking brown rice! My fears of it escaping over the top of the pan turned out to be unfounded (just!) and we were soon discussing plans for next day's activities. Guy Ragland ~Phillips' suggestion of a dawn trip to a local "City of Troy" maze was agreed on by a section of those present, and it did not seem long before I was woken by the dinner handbell at five the next morning.

The sky was already lightening as our three cars set off, and I was afraid we might miss the dawn as the site was fifteen miles away. I need not have worried, however, we arrived at the maze in plenty of time. Small and unobtrusive by the side of the road, we all wondered how it could have remained intact for so long. Its grassy curves were banked and obviously intended for running round at speed, which of course a number of us tried, including myself! It did not seem a very powerful place at first, however, and I wondered about its choice for the dawn trip. Immediately the sun rose however, this abruptly changed - the sensation hit us like a wave breaking over us, possibly enhanced for me as, either by chance or subconscious siting, I was standing directly across the maze facing the sun. It is an experience I will not be quick to forget.

We were certainly very ready for breakfast when we returned, and I thought we would probably spend the rest of our time at Barmoor in discussion. I still had one interesting experience to come, however; this was a trip to the top of the hill above the house. Some who had been there on Saturday had reported it to be covered in long barrows, so, led by a member playing a rather haunting tune on a tin whistle, we made our way to the summit. The pattern of the long barrows there was certainly very unusual. All the barrows seem to point either north-south or east-west, and there do seem to be alignments, some with barrow centres and others with ends. The distance in the plan may be distorted, but the alignments are real, as these were checked visually.

When we returned for dinner we found a number of mazes had mysterously appeared in various places in sugar am salt! These were so well done that it was a pity to disturb them when the time came eventually to tidy the house before leaving.

All in all the moot was an experience I will remember for a long time; it was only after it was over that I slowly came to realise the totality of what I had gained from the weekend. It was finally rounded off by a very pleasant visit to Guy Ragland Phillips for a chat on the events of the Moot and ley hunting in general.

Field trip with group, 17th May 1980
Though enjoyable, this trip did not yield much new information - interesting-looking road-boundary configurations produced no surprises for us. Nevertheless, the visits to Pyrford and Wisley churches were interesting to the others, and medium jar reaction was obtained at Wisley, confirmed by Paul Baines. Also visited East Clandon church, some jar reaction but very little feeling.

Second visit to Shepton Beauchamp, Somerset, May 1980
This second visit revealed some new information about the leys centring on Oak Hill.
Sites visited:

Oak Hill. This striking clump could not quite be reached because of crops, but even as near as we approached it could be seen to be the highest point in the area, with beautiful views.
Stone at cross-roads, Shepton Beauchamp. Interesting and rather enigmatic stone at cross-roads about a quarter of a mile from the village. The road is hollow and straight - the stone is visible along it viewed from the village. Not sure how significant the hollow nature of the road is, as high banks are common in this part of Somerset. The stone is a brown sandstone, about three feet high and rather rough. It does not appear to be a milestone - it seems the wrong shape, too rough and no identifiable markings, except an O.S. arrowmark. It does have some markings on its surface however - these may or may not be weathering. A rubbing was taken but the markings did not come out satisfactorily on it. There was no tingle from the stone. The possibility of a very faint date was put forward (17 something?) but could not be sure.
An interesting ley runs along the hollow way through the stone (not to Oak Hill), passing through a tumulus, two churches (possibly 3) and several cross-roads and cross-tracks. It also runs near Shepton Beauchamp church, the nearest ley yet to it (could find nothing before in spite of Michael dedication).
Barrington church. The original church date is unknown, but it is at least thirteenth century. St. Mary. A 1-reaction on the jar, the church aligned three degrees south of east. On a ley to Oak Hill.
Puckington church. Thirteenth century, circular churchyard. Higher point than Barrington (nearer Oak Hill). Yews and Scots pines in churchyard. St. Andrew. 1-reaction on the jar. Church aligned six degrees south of east.
Cottage (on stone-Oak Hill-Hatch Beauchamp ley). Very surprising 2-reaction on jar in downstairs rooms, but nothing upstairs.

Holiday North Yorkshire, July 1980 (32, West End, Kirkbymoorside)
Not a great deal of ley activity was possible due to family pressures, but some items of interest emerged. Perhaps the most interesting was a further visit to Lastingham crypt. This seemed to confirm that health is a variable in the operation of the sandjar. I had not been feeling well during the week - solstice pain seemed to have flared up again at a freakish time (solar activity?) I tested the jar for the first time at Lastingham. In the church, though appreciable head-hum was felt, there was no jar reaction. In the crypt, head-hum increased and a rather mediocre jar reaction was obtained. Later, in Pickering church and St. Gregory's Minster, Kirkdale, there was also appreciable hum, but no jar reaction. A Reichian explanation is put forward; the sand is thought to be activated by energy accumulated by the cork. If the body's energy is less, energy will flow into the body instead of the sand, and no vibration will occur.

Interesting places visited:
Lastingham church and crypt. (described in earlier account)
Rievaulx Abbey and Whitby Abbey. (described in earlier account)
St. Gregory's Minster, Kirkdale. Very interesting Saxon church and stone-moving legend.
Kirkbymoorside Church. Ancient with massive porch but little appreciable hum.
Vivers Hill. Near Castle site - feeling of great power.
Pickering Church - Norman with Saxon origins. Head-hum perceptible even though children present.
York Minster - described in previous account.
Kirkbymoorside cottage. No hum perceptible in house, but quite strong near bottom of garden. This is interesting in the light of the ley later discovered.

Ley: Cross-roads west end of Kirkbymoorside, possibly Friends' Meeting House, through cottage garden, Kirkbymoorside church, castle site on Vivers Hill, track junction north-west of Appleton-le-Moors, spotmarked junction east of Lastingham, earthwork north of Cropton, cross-tracks, tumulus, Ann's Cross on tumulus.

Visit to Esher, Sunday 24th August, 1980
The visit was primarily for a Quaker meeting - I went to Esher as I had been told there is an interesting eighteenth century meeting house.

On the road from Esher to Hersham (cycling) I found one edge of the road seemed to align with Esher church visible in the distance, and a modern estate of flats on the road was mysteriously called "The Leys", but no ley could be found on the map aligning with this road.

The meeting house room seemed quite powerful, though the adjoining room (the library) seemed less so. Egham meeting house seemed powerful too, though this was a modern one. I did not feel I could test the sandjar however. Nevertheless, this seems to suggest that meeting houses could be subconsciously sited - perhaps religious thoughts are beneficial to the ley system. The meeting house does seem to be on a ley through the church, though this is a bit mediocre on the map.

Afterwards, I visited the church and got a very strong jar reaction though head-hum was not more than medium. On looking back at the potential difference theory, could I have been recharged at the Quaker meeting. (Either by the meeting itself, or its situation, or both). If we consider head-hum to be the true indicator, this would seem to be the case. Head-hum at Esher was much less than at Lastingham, but a stronger jar reaction was obtained at Esher. Therefore my potential must have been higher on my visit to Esher.

Field trip with Gordon and Brenda Spinney, 25th August 1980
This was to investigate the ley which Gordon had found between Petersfield and Midhurst churches.

Petersfield Church. Norman work was very evident. Aligned five degrees north of east, aligning with the ley. Medium jar reaction.
Tumuli, Petersfield Heath. These, according to the map, lie on each side of the ley. They were found, but their exact positions could not be ascertained as the church was not visible, nor was one tumulus visible from the other. They were good pine-crowned mounds, however. No jar-reaction.
Tumuli near sandpit, a few miles along the ley. One was virtually demolished by archaeologists in a "rescue bid", before it was overtaken by sand workings. The position of the other was shown by the archaeologists to be in a nearby field.. Both were on the ley according to the map, and compass directions agreed.
Farm,.grazed by ley-track leading off it in the general direction of the ley, but not precisely straight.
Mill. The ley skirts the edge of the building on the map, the direction was confirmed in the field. A little further on, it follows a straight stretch of a stream. At this point, a parallel field boundary is separated from the stream by a belt of trees. Could the space between the boundary and the stream have originally been a wide trackway. It follows the ley if so.
Iping Common highpoint was not visited - several tumuli were near, but not precisely on the ley according to the map.
Grazes road at a bridge - originally a ford?
The church in Midhurst is now a restaurant.
The parish church is one street away, with very unusual construction, but locked. It is not in alignment with the ley although it is on it - oriented five degrees north of east, ten degrees different to the ley.
Track leading from the church towards the castle through churchyard, was cobbled where it crossed the road. It now ends at a blank wall, but evidence for the original gate in the wall is visible.
The castle site was not visited.

This ley, although not certain from the map, has many "little indications" in its favour.

Also visited was Rogate Church, not on this ley. There was strong head-hum although hardly any jar reaction. See the conclusion of the previous day regarding this (I was rather tired at this point).

Ripple nodes?
In the 1980 Royal Institution Christmas Lecture a ripple chamber was demonstrated. When a vibrating ripple source was activated, circular standing waves were formed around the source. When there were two sources there were interference points where the circular ripples from each source met. These could be aligned in straight lines radiating from each source. Could leypower work similarly and thus be a question of standing waves from ley centres?

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