Part I

Depending on which way you looked at it, we either sizzled in one of the best U.K. summers ever, or suffered one of its sweltering worst! Circlewise though, it looks as if it's been matched by the appearance of some of the hottest designs ever, for whilst there now all long since ploughed in, we can certainly look back upon a season that at times has been simply overwhelming.

Early on many of the formations were quite sparse in character. Designs that appeared almost "pencil drawn", relied on a lot less crop being laid over. Maybe we could read into this, as perhaps a gesture from "The Circlemakers" towards those long suffering farmers that have at times, lost large areas of downed crop that's certainly unrecoverable.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the one that came down at Ogbourne St. George in Wiltshire had been "sketched" into the landscape... Arriving on the 15th of June in young wheat, this amazing cluster of thirty-seven circles was huge! Spread over eight tramlines it measured around six hundred-foot across and was simply awesome! Because it was in young wheat, it didn't take long for it to spring back up again, which was certainly a disappointment for those who tried to visit it a few days later. Its location was isolated and quite well hidden...the nearest house that was two miles away was actually the farmer's- who incidentally wasn't a very happy bunny!

Photo 1 - Ogbourne St.George, Wiltshire -15th June

A stunning formation arrived on the Solstice, right beside the Stone Avenue at Avebury. Resembling the shape of a scallop shell, it also included in its design an intriguing "Yin-Yang" symbol. Because it was set upon Waden Hill which also overlooks the Avebury Stone Circle, it attracted a huge number of visitors...this resulted in a worn out wreck two or three days later!

Photo 2 - Waden Hill - 21st June

Avebury received another formation on the 6th of July at Green Lane, that was one of the most precisely defined designs to be found this season. This pentagonal five star that appeared in unripened wheat, measured over 300 foot in diameter.

Photo 3 - Avebury - 6th July

As you can see from the overhead its edges were extremely clean-cut...such precision! This "State of the Art" offering also boasted an exquisite floor-lay and for the many who visited, it was everything a formation should be.

Another precise design was the "Star of David-Starburst" that arrived at Burham in Kent on the 12th of July.

Photo 4 - Burham, nr. Maidstone Kent -12th July

Now whilst there was overwhelming evidence to suggest it was genuine, the farmer wasn't convinced! He thought it must have been the handiwork of the boys from the pub after chuck out time. This though begs the question, if you've got three or four pints inside you, how the hell do you make lines as straight as that?!

Similar to the one that came down on June 21st at Waden Hill, the formation that appeared on the 20th of July below the White Horse at Hackpen Hill, also
featured an interesting play on "Yin-Yang" symbolism. Once again the"Yin" (which is the female inward aspect) is featured complete, whilst the "Yang" (which is the male more outward aspect) is found incomplete. Was this a subtle hint from "The Circlemakers" regarding our current spiritual imbalance?

Photo 5 - Hackpen Hill, nr. Winterbourne Basset, Wiltshire - 20th July

Lying to the east of Marlborough, at Scrope Wood on the 22nd of July was a formation of exquisite beauty. It undoubtedly was one of the season's best, and although it was found somewhat a little out of the way, it certainly was well worth a visit.

Photo 6 -Scrope Wood, nr. Marlborough, Wiltshire - 22nd July

Superbly laid throughout, its centre featured six intriguing "nests" - one of which is featured in the following photograph.

Photo 7 -Scrope Wood internal centre"nest"

The farmer appeared quite cool about being on the receiving end of a circle, and in fact set up an honesty box at the side of the field. Now whilst a suggested £1 admission must have helped towards the farmers loss, it also bought us some quality time in a remarkable formation.

Graham Tucker © 2003

End notes

1. Interior photograph of Scropes Wood formation used by kind permission of Janet Tucker © 2003.

2. Overhead shot of Burham, nr Maidstone (photo. 4) by kind permission of Dr Andrew King © 2003

3. All other photographs used by kind permission of Steve Alexander © 2003.
Steve is a professional crop circle photographer who produces a beautiful yearbook illustrating the season's events. Details to be found on his homepage at: http://www.temporarytemples.co.uk/