6th July 2005 - Andy Thomas
"Crop Circles"
This was a breathtaking presentation at lightening speed as Andy tried to compress his normal one and a half lecture into about a third of the time, he had all the information and matching slides within his grasp and kept the membership enthralled and awake.
Most of the members prior to the talk were as
sceptical as any group of professional people who have seen it all and have the
tee shirt to prove their point! But Andy's grasp and detailed knowledge of the
finer points between hoax and reality had us all on another planet of thought.
Some
of the intricate patterns and complex shapes shown were beyond belief, within
the membership we have about 20 chartered engineers and even they were amazed
and reflected on their past design experiences and wondered how the intricate
circle, which of course is a basis for "crop circles" but extends far into mind
boggling patterns of mathematical perplexity could be produced over large
spaces. One retired University lecturer who has been using Computer Aided
Design for the last 25 years, considered the designs were a challenge to the
computer technology let alone a basic field.
This report cannot cover the range , details and the possibilities both for and against their methods of production that Andy presented, but with his permission, please read his introduction on this topic which covers many of the points raised in his lecture, it can be found at http://www.swirlednews.com/crop.asp
After a period of question, Ken Robinson our speaker secretary gave a vote of thanks and the high volume of applause indicated our appreciation of a wonderful presentation, if you get the chance to hear Andy please jump at the opportunity.
Even more information follows, read on
VITAL SIGNS by Andy Thomas
A Complete Guide to the CROP CIRCLE Mystery and Why it is NOT a Hoax
(below is a truncated introduction, the book has some magnificent photographs and is highly recommended -webmaster)
VITAL SIGNS is the ultimate guide to crop circles for newcomers and an essential summary for those already entranced, including the most complete chronological account of the crop circle mystery available.
What are CROP CIRCLES? WHERE and WHEN do they appear? What could be making them? What strange effects surround them? What do they MEAN?
CROP CIRCLES, the complex and beautiful shapes which appear each year swirled into fields around the world, continue to fascinate the public and media alike.
There have been many attempts to explain them away as the work of human artists through ambitious but flawed man-made demonstrations and the propaganda of unproven claims. Yet the shocking truth is the source of the majority of the thousands of patterns which have occurred remains an enigma. The evidence strongly suggests a far more mysterious explanation of global significance.
Are the circles meaningless abstractions, messages of greeting or warnings of doom? Some believe extra-terrestrials are attempting to communicate, or unseen spiritual forces are making themselves known. Others see them as a natural function of our planet or as an outpouring of psychic powers. All agree that something astonishing is going on.
Here, at last, in one book, is a comprehensive and frank overview of the FACTS behind the phenomenon, its rich and fascinating history, the physical and statistical evidence, the paranormal experiences surrounding it and the extraordinary effect these portentous glyphs have had on the lives of observers and researchers.
A full and illuminating discussion of possible theories to explain the circles and the dilemmas and implications of each opens up a new and powerful view of a MYSTERY which has been subjected to suspicious victimisation and an unjust wave of debunking.
For many, such attention, together with continual reports of attendant aerial phenomena and other strange effects, ultimately reinforces the view that something hugely important is going on in the fields - a manifestation of vital signs for what may be a crucial moment in history.
Illustrated with over 260 stunning colour and black and white photographs, this is an essential acquisition for anyone interested in knowing more about this remarkable phenomenon.
More info click the picture above, you can read some of the early chapters in his book but of course miss the superb pictures.