DMC - Cropcircles - May 18, 2007, Morgan Hill, near Devizes, Wiltshire

June 13

A pilot friend of mine called yesterday, May 18th, and told me about this new star formation near Furze Knoll (on the SE side of Morgan’s hill), which he’s certain was not there the day before. I couldn’t fly to get shots until this morning -- which is just as well since the light was much better today. It’s impossible to find from the road (we tried unsuccessfully yesterday), but the twin Marconi towers are a nearby landmark that’s easy to see from miles off. The OS map reference is about 035-667.

The first formation in barley in England this year, I’d guesstimate from the number of tramlines that it’s a bit over 200 feet in diameter. Considering that the crop is so young, I was surprised to see that it still has a perfectly clear impression. (I was afraid that the barley might have sprung back up in the 30+ hours since it arrived, and lost its crispness.)

Personally I think that the simple, yet elegant, form of this crop circle is very lovely indeed, and starts the cereal crop portion of this summer’s season off beautifully.

The great, ancient ditch of the Wansdyke snakes right past the star circle, and looking at the OS map I discovered that “our” section of the Wansdyke starts on Morgan’s Hill. It meanders to the West, passing to the South of Avebury, over Milk Hill, then to the North of Alton Barnes, and ends a total of nine miles away after going through West Woods. (The construction of the 130 mile long Wansdyke was a Herculean task that makes the building of Silbury Hill look like child’s play -- and I hasten to say that I LOVE Mother Silbury!) It’s good to see the Wansdyke getting some rare recognition from the Circle Makers!

Peter Sorensen

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

The formation measures approximately 260ft diameter. The laid crop of the formation is neat and clean. Approximately 90% of the crop is very flat to the ground, while the other 10% is beginning to recover to its original upright growing position. This recovering crop is most pronounced in the areas where the tram-lines cut through the glyph.

Geometrically the formation measures as very precise.

Limited damage to the plants is very noticeable at a few locations throughout the formation and judging by the nature of the damage is probably due to previous visitor activities.

Charles Mallett

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Geometry Analysis This 5-fold formation holds perfect geometry as the photos shows.

Tommy Borms

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Click on thumbnails to enlarge

I went to see the Furze Hill event today and was suitably impressed. I always like the formations that are in barley, they seem more alive with the movement created in the wind. I liked the way this formation sits out of sight just over the brow of the hill and cannot really be seen from any vantage point. It is fairly easy to find. If you come along the Bishop Cannings road form the Devizes - Avebury end you first pass a farm on the right, the next Byway leads to Furze hill, you can park here, walk up the path to where it bends to the left - walk along the fence on the right as far as a path gate into the barley field and just follow the tramlines in front of you for about 250-300 metres and there is the formation. Peter's map ref:- SU 035 667 is spot on. All the elements are interconnected so the crop can stay pretty well intact. The barley is starting to recover now and the only broken stems seem to be from people walking in the formation. The rings are very good with nice walls, the centre is good with a spiral effect. I did dowse it and it is very lively, not like some of last years. A young man called Jay tried the rods and found the experience exciting, he's in one of the photos. I hope people treat this one with respect and not upset the farmer - remember the code - .

Michael Murray