Photo 1 - Borstal near Rochester 25th June

Consisting of a large ring, with three arms formed by circles, radiating from the centre, the "Borstal Bubble Ring" was around 155 feet across. Geometric analysis revealed that it was well in tune with others that had landed elsewhere, as once again convex triangles were commonly featured. These were indicating warping or bending ... Could it be "The Circlemakers" were once again hinting at the imminent reality shift?

Figure 1 - Borstal geometry

Some amazing plant anomalies were found lying within the downed barley, whilst the standing crop (as control) clearly remained unaffected. Leaves in some plants were found by researchers to be spiralling tightly around the stems ...

Photo 2 - Leaf spiral

... Whilst in others, the actual stems were found to be "crimped" just below the seed head.

Photo 3 - Stalk crimping

Plant anomalies found in formations are by no means rare. Collectively all such findings help to blow away the "they're all made by blokes with planks of wood" theory!

Many formations are to be found close to, or upon ancient ground, and this formation proved no exception. It occupied a field next to the Pilgrims Way (which is the old pilgrim route from Winchester to Canterbury) and laid close to a tumulus, hidden in nearby woodland.

Photo 4 - Bluebell Hill, nr Maidstone 2nd July

Figure 2 - Bluebell Hill - overhead diagram

Exactly one week later, on the 2nd July, Kent's second formation arrived. Clearly seen from the Bluebell Hill picnic area, this was a lightly pressed tri-armed formation in barley, which through binoculars appeared to be springing back quite rapidly. Surrounded by idyllic countryside within the Medway Valley, a regular watch is kept on this particular field, for many have somehow sensed that one was bound to land here one day, due to its proximity to the ancient standing stones of Kits Coty. Considered to be older than Stonehenge, Kits Coty is a mighty megalithic dolmen that takes pride of place amongst its companions that lie around in fields nearby.

After obtaining the farmer's permission, I entered the formation on the 8th July, just six days after its arrival. Six days though is a long time, as far as this formation was concerned, because by now it had sprang back up so much that it was barely discernible from ground level. At this stage, it could hardly be made out even from the nearby hillside, so to say it arrived on the 2nd and left on the 9th would be about right!

Because you simply can't wade through recovering crop, access into the formation was only possible via the tramlines or by using the flattened perimeter path that was discovered outlining the largest circle. Armed on this occasion with a pair of dowsing rods, dowsable energies were noticeably easy to find within the formation. However, I couldn't seem to find any evidence supporting energy lines entering the formation, which I found a little surprising when you consider what's known to be criss-crossing what around here! As soon as I entered the large circle though, I received an immediate response from the rods ... a reaction that I found clearly repeating itself at any random perimeter point. As I proceeded across I found two energy lines that appeared to suddenly arc and divide the circle into three. Unfortunately because I simply couldn't trample down standing crop, I was unable to establish whether this arcing was due as a result of the influence of the three standing ovals within the largest circle, or something else. I remember having a gut feeling at the time though, that the "something else" could have been a hidden dowsing pattern, revealing symbology that some formations have been known to encode. All this makes for a good case that formations should only be investigated when fresh ... and by that I mean, early on day one! They simply are evaluated better, without the likelihood of anyone reaching clouded conclusions.

It's unfortunate that we didn't haven't an aerial photo of the formation, for the choppy and lightly laid over floor display might have revealed something interesting when viewed from above. However, because of its swift recovery, it's believed it would have been too indistinct to photograph even after the first day or so.

The first two formations that Kent received couldn't have been placed closer to the Medway towns if they tried, but the next two were found some distance away. Reported on the 19th July, Kent's third formation was discovered just outside the grounds of Lullingstone Castle, near Eynsford.

Photo 5 (poleshot) - Lullingstone, near Eynsford 19th July

This formation in wheat was practically invisible from any viewpoint, lying as it was on a downward slope towards the back of the field. It was so hidden that unless you were looking for a formation rumoured in the area, you'd probably be blissfully unaware of it! It didn't appear to have had many visitors, and of course this wasn't surprising given its remote position. Researchers were also of the opinion that the formation was notably far older than its reported date.


Figure 3 - overhead diagram Lullingstone

The diagram reveals that it's a tri-circular affair that includes a couple of half-circular stand-ups with a pathway leading into it ( ... or on the other hand maybe we're looking at a cosmic joypad complete with lead! ... If so, was trying to find it part of the circlemakers' game?)

The direction the pathway took was towards the edge of the field where it abruptly ended at a hedgerow. Beyond the hedge was the River Darent, which prompted researcher Dr Andrew King to remark in a report that it rather looked like an earthing path for the circlemaking energies.

As regards the authenticity of this formation (or any formation for that matter) a 101 things have to be taken into account. When a formation is fresh much more can be evaluated. Due to this formation's age, coupled with the fact that it was just a straightforward layover, devoid of any interesting features or anomalies simply didn't help its case. However, there was nothing there to really suggest it was the work of pranksters either, so the jury's likely to be out for a while on this one!

Photo 6 - (poleshot) Shoreham, near Lullingstone 19th August

"The Circlemakers" were definitely saving the best for last in the shape of a beautiful figure of eight. Arriving at Shoreham on the 19th August this simple and delightful last minute exercise revealed a brilliant floor display with a lay that could be described as water flowing over rocks. The way the crop feathered and weaved was without doubt quite exceptional.

Photo 7 - (close-up)- Shoreham, near Lullingstone 19th August

Figure 4 - (overhead diagram) - Shoreham)

There's been quite a few figure of eight designs appearing over the years, but this is the first time Kent's received one. Eight is the number of cosmic balance, for by virtue of its shape, it's associated with the balancing out of opposing forces. Eight is also the number of regeneration ... of re-birth, or reincarnation, which should be kind of comforting for many to realise that no matter what all is renewable! So, within our Celtic figure of eight, a powerful spiritual message appears to emerge ... many past formations have similar messages also encoded within their beautiful designs, leaving sweeping statements which are there for all to read. Oh, how the world would be a better place if the messages within the crop circles were more understood!

Whilst being noticeably down on our usual quota this year, the four we did receive were most welcome! Of course, because they often appear in remote areas, there's always that niggling thought, that maybe they weren't all found? But this year generally has been a quieter year and numbers are noticeably well down everywhere. Whilst there could be many reasons for this, one thing's for certain though, they'll be back, continuing as always to let us know that other realities exist.

Graham Tucker © 2001

End notes

1. Aerial photograph of Borstal formation + poleshots of Lullingstone & Shoreham used by kind permission of Dr Andrew King © 2001.

2. All other photographs, diagrams & texts are by G Tucker © 2001