A formation @ Bishops Cannings, Nr Devizes. Wiltshire. Reported 27-6-00 (wheat)

Close to the Wiltshire village of Bishops Cannings is the location of a crop circle formation of the 2000 season of cereal thrillers; thriller being a very apt word to use in this case.

The formation is situated in virtually the same location as other formations of previous years. This means, as you may have by now guessed, that we had one very ANGRY farmer to deal with. My wife, Frances, and some research colleagues were evicted from the formation moments after arriving; in fact they found themselves being treated in a very heavy handed manner by the farmer and his thuggish farm labourers.

As far as the farmer was concerned this crop circle was (quote) "pure mindless vandalism". He didn't even bother looking at the formation before saying that.

A short distance from this drama and excitement a crew of workers from a local electricity company were seen repairing street lamps on the edge of the nearby town of Devizes. So it occurred to us that if you can't go in, go over. With this in mind, and after some heavy duty begging, the electricity company truck with it's bucket and extendable arm were deployed on the edge of the field next to the formation. In effect it provided us with a very handy photographic platform. Thanks guys.

The formation itself consists of a very impressive 202ft diameter ring of downed crop within which sits a central eight pointed star. Various other impressive geometric shapes fit into this design that together make a stunning, awe inspiring sight. While the floor lay & construction of the design are outstanding; with numerous sunburst style features with standing centres that have the appearance of small water sprays coming out of the ground. Overall the formation as a whole is executed with breathtaking precision, wherever we looked there was not a stalk out of place.

View the images and weep. Charles R Mallett