Nexus - 1606 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Another notable feature of at least three formations in 2009 was a tendency for them to grow over a series of nights. This had occurred in previous seasons, but a major example was revealed at Milk Hill, Wiltshire, on 21, 23 and 30 June, when a bizarre and entirely ambiguous pictogram performed a three-stage trick, climaxing with e final addition of a colossal tail, hundreds of feet ong, comprising a mysterious "code" of rectangular blocks and angular squiggles. The code was immediately dubbed "Mayan" by some, without foundation; but, with e 2012 Maya calendar mindset to the fore, there is a endency for some circle enthusiasts to pronounce anything remotely resembling ancient script as being Mayan. A highly detailed design found opposite Silbury Hill on 5 July was more deserving of the tag. The same code from Milk Hill was also incorporated into a ormation at Alton Priors on 27 June, with the slightly sinister addition of a "Grey" ET face subtly etched into e lay of the oval at its end. Farmers versus Croppies Another formation that grew in stages lay opposite the famous Avebury stone avenue, but seemed to do so in defiance of the farmer's attempt to erase it. The initial intricate mandala that appeared on 17 June was cut down as part of the now-growing agricultural campaign to dissuade unwanted visitors to the fields by destroying patterns as soon as they appear. A number of wonderful glyphs were lost this way in 2009, with some barely being photographed before vanishing under the farmer's blades. However, on 18 and 19 June, the avenue design took its revenge by growing a further two stages of circles and tails around the desecrated centre, and a new version of its original configuration reappeared at Waden Hill on | July. The phenomenon clearly wasn't going to be put off so easily. The wilful destruction of circle lays was particularly tragic this year because so many designs exhibited extraordinarily complex stem weaves with wonderfully sculpted elements that were art-forms in themselves at close quarters, such as the inside of a bubble-like pattern found near Silbury Hill on 3 August. The angst of farmers, keen not to lose revenue, is understandable, of course. Things were not helped when ocal thieves broke into a robust "honesty box" left near one formation—an action hardly likely to encourage the ew farmers left who do accept visitors into their fields. Things came to a head very publicly on 15 July, when an overzealous guard, hired to keep people out of a field, ired a shotgun over the heads of a group of Norwegian visitors. The police were called and an arrest was made—a moment photographed and splashed across he media—but no charges were pressed beyond a caution. The general attitude of the public was that hose entering private property deserved everything they got. Being shot at seems a little drastic, however, and Milk Hill, near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire. Reported 21 June. Phase two of a three-stage formation that was created on 21, 23 and 30 June. Image: © CCC 2009, www.cropcircleconnector.com Waden Hill, near Avebury, Wiltshire. Reported I July. Image: © Lucy Pringle 2009, www.lucypringle.co.uk NEXUS ¢ 61 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2009 www.nexusmagazine.com