CROP CIRCLES AROUND BATH
SUMMER 1999

In the weeks of late June and early July a number of crop circles appeared in fields to the east of Bath. As I commute through this area to work I was fortunate to be able to see them. On the morning of 15/7/99 I set off earlier than usual armed with my camera. Even so I was not able to spend enough time there to measure and catalogue them accurately. Here are some of the photo's and brief descriptions of the circles and their locations.

Fig.1.

This circle formation was one of the first to appear.
Located on the south side of the A4 between Bath and The Globe roundabout it consists of a number of circles in a spiral pattern formation.
Photograph taken from the other side of the valley looking south.
Same formation, this time taken looking north.
Fig.2.

Located on the western side of the road which runs between The Globe roundabout and Odd Down on Pennyquick Hill. Driving it in this direction the circle stands out really well. Like most circles it is formed on the slope of a hill and was impossible to miss unless, like me you only travel it in the other direction. I had to be told about this one.
Fig.3.

This was the first of the circles that I saw though I do not know if it was the first formed.
Located on the western slope of Stantonbury Hill between the hill and the A39 it is very similar in design to Fig.2.
Perhaps the easiest to visit since there is a lay-by right next to it.
Fig.4

The last two figure were the hardest to spot, bearing in mind I try to keep my eyes on the road most of the time.
This was the simplest design consisting of three basic interlocking circles. They reminded me of the good old days before the advent of the pictogram.
Located on the eastern slope of Ashton Hill, this circle formation could be seen lookin west from the A39. The carpark of The Wheatsheaf Inn proved quite useful.
Fig.5.

This was the most complex of the formations consisting of at least six interlocking circles. Unfortunately it was also the most difficult to see from my vantage point near The Wheatsheaf.
As with Fig.4. this formation was on the eastern side of Aston Hill and could also be seen from the A39.
Fig.6.

Strictly speaking this formation does not belong to the Bath grouping but was located several miles to the south near the old mining town of Radstock. It was formed during the night of 14th July 1999 an was located north of Radstock near Clandown. If approaching along the A367 from Bath there is a steep left bend at the top of a long hill down into Radstock. As you turn the bend the circle was clearly visible in the field opposite.

I remain unconvinced as to the reasons behind the formation of crop circles. I have heard the arguments of Terence Meadon and others and find them hard to accept. On the other hand I cannot bring myself to believe that they are all some great prank perpetrated by people addicted to nocturnal activities. I have dowsed crop circles and like others have found their sometimes complex web of energies. Yet they remain enigmatic. In the early days it was possible to believe that they had been formed by atmospheric vortices, but as their complexicty has increased so has the variety and eccentricity of the explanations.

It is interesting to note that apart from the circles by the A4 (Fig.1.) and the circle at Radstock (Fig.6.) they all appear to be formed in much the same way; anumber of interlocking circles of varying complexity.

If the are the work of hoaxers then I can only admire the time, energy and imagination which must go into their formation and hope to laugh with them at the their continuing ability to confound the academic world.

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