You can imagine that after a six to seven month period of inactivity in our fields, the first circles to appear become eagerly awaited. Usually though we can rely on a few April formations, but unexpectedly this year we had to wait until early May before being blessed with our first real event. This to many seemed a little odd, because we've always had April formations before, and it wasn't as if the rape fields weren't up and ready for 'em!

Whilst Crop Circle designs continue to grow ever more complex, sadly their numbers are becoming notably less...and without doubt there were also fair number of "plankerised" efforts around this year, which really didn't help matters! All to often the hoaxed variety spreads confusion, and tends to plant seeds of doubt amongst those freshly smitten. And of course all the while we suffer a decline in numbers originating from the real phenomena, it only serves to highlight these fakes. But (and it's a big but) the real circles still rule OK!...Never ever doubt that...Never be fooled by a media that relentlessly pursues its own agenda, or be taken in by the negativity that appears to have recently infiltrated certain "chatrooms". The real phenomena..."The Circlemakers"...are still continuing to amaze us - and long may they do so!

The first to arrive appeared in Oil Seed Rape along the "Icknield Way", near Pegsdon in Hertfordshire, on the 3rd of May. Much to my surprise it had arrived on my birthday, and featured a somewhat spiralling three within it's centre! This intriguing formation, that was etched out in this rather unwieldy and unforgiving medium, was geometrically made up of a number of overlapping circles that were laid over an area of approx. 270ft.

The "Icknield Way" is a series of prehistoric pathways that were known to exist long before the Romans arrived. Set along the chalk spine of Southern England, it claims to be the oldest road in Britain and many archaeological remains are associated with it. The formation was clearly visible from nearby Deacon Hill which was once a hillfort.

Photo 1 - Icknield Way, Nr Pegsdon, Hertfordshire 3rd May

Arriving at Honey Street in Wilts on the 16th of June was a very attractive ribbon spiral. Its floor was beautifully swept and depending upon a certain angle of view, its sculptured look became considerably enhanced. This particular field lies next to the Kennet Canal, and has proudly hosted many formations over the years. On the opposite bank stands "The Barge Inn", a world-renowned watering hole for croppies!

Photo 2 -Honey Street, Wiltshire 16th June

Looking something like a treble clef, a very "musical" looking formation arrived at East Field, prior to the Solstice on June 20th. With circles set within the design reminding me of trumpet or saxophone keys, this neat and interesting design was placed upon an energy line, which runs through an ancient barrow nearby that's known as "Adams Grave". According to researcher Francine Blake * some of the members of the Wiltshire Crop Circle Study Group who visited it, swear they could hear mantra-type sounds emanating from it. But what's even more curious, is that WCCSG members during the Venus Transit were actually chanting mantras from "Adams Grave" on the 8th of June!

Photo 3 -East Field, Wiltshire 20th June

As well as providing some wonderful views over the Pewsey Vale, Milk Hill in Wiltshire often provides us with an excellent platform for viewing formations. On the 26th of June a large "Insectoid" type formation nicknamed "The Bee", was found lying just below.

Photo 4 -Milk Hill, Wiltshire 26th June

On the 17th of July, another "Insectoid" appeared at Windmill Hill near Avebury Trusloe that was almost 900ft long!

Photo 5 -Windmill Hill, Nr. Avebury Trusloe, Wiltshire 17th July

Arriving at Etchilhampton near Devizes on the 25th of July, "The Circlemakers" had presented us with a geometrically intriguing design, which was made up of a division of seven, within an eleven, that was also within a thirteen fold! These three numbers are at odds with circle division, and to find them all appearing in the same formation is also quite odd!...It's not that easy to get these divisions exactly right on paper, so what chance has a "corncrusher" got in the middle of the night?

Photo 6 -Etchilhampton Hill, Nr. Devizes, Wiltshire 25th July

End notes

1. Overhead photographs of Icknield Way & Nashenden Valley formations, used by kind permission of Andrew King © 2004.

2. All other photographs used by kind permission of Steve Alexander © 2004.

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/

* Details of this event were published in Francine Blake's publication "The Spiral" No. 97 June 2004