In October  (7th) Anne Silk will be telling us about Electro-sensitivity in Ross-on-Wye

Scientist, Anne, has researched the correlation between human health and the electromagnetic fields of the earth. Many of these researches indicate that the ancients were well aware of the nature, advantages and problems associated with the earth energy system and how to manipulate them.

 ----------------------------------------------

The Stonehenge Day Out

A report on this in the next newsletter, but we had a really full and interesting day out which included Avebury, West Kennett, a couple of cropcircles and of course a private guided hour with the stones.  If there is interest another similar day will be arranged for the end of April next year.  Please let the programme sec. know if you are likely to be interested.

----------------------------------------------

The Pembrokeshire Expedition.

A report by Bill and Margaret Black

This was an excellent trip which was well organised and well researched. The company was good, and, speaking as novice dowsers, we had a good insight into dowsing the ancient Pembrokeshire sites. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. However, there is always a “downside” to everything – we have to write the report!

Eventually we reached our destination after having wandered down many grassy high-sided lanes which seemed to lead to nowhere. The few signposts weren’t very helpful as they didn’t seem to be in English! On reaching Port Gain, a few took advantage of The Sloop Inn, where they were introduced to Rev. James, whilst others enjoyed a walk round the ancient industrial harbour.

The following day we were up at the crack of dawn and set off at 10am for Nevern, visiting Pwyllgerwaelod and Cwm yr Eglwys, two quaint harbours at Dinas Island, en route.

Nevern is a pretty village best known for its church with the bleeding yew trees and its location along the ancient Pilgrim’s route to St David’s. The church traces its origins back to the Celtic Christians and has many ancient stones and interesting graves. In the churchyard is an impressive 10ft Celtic cross which has a large energy field. Inside the church can be seen examples of ancient Ogham writing on a few of the window sills. Some of us had a strange reaction whilst standing on a certain spot in the aisle. Nearby, the pathway to St David’s is marked by a cross cut into a rock and we saw this together with impressions of footprints said to be made by the pilgrims.

After lunch, and another meeting with Rev. James, we had a guided tour around the Iron Age fort at Castle Henllys which featured in the BBC series” Surviving the Iron Age” televised in 2001. The site includes reconstructed Iron Age buildings complete with artefacts. Archaeologists are still excavating.

Next stop was Pentre Ifal burial chamber; one of the largest in Wales and dating from at least 4000BC. - a very peaceful site and still used by pagan groups.

Time for a sun downer.  Rob and Jack recommended Bessie’s (Dyffryn Arms), a tiny one-roomed hostelry tucked away in the Pembrokeshire countryside which doesn’t seem to have changed for 100 years!  

No beer pumps here but excellent ale skilfully decanted from a jug and served, by Bessie & her granddaughter, through a small hatch in the wall.

Day three saw us looking for the Pilgrim’s route at Mathry church. John quickly traced the 2 cross-inscribed stones used by the pilgrims. Another ancient relic was the local General Store and Post Office. Most of the shelves were empty and there was a good collection of cobwebs.

We rolled into St David’s shortly before lunch paying a quick visit to St Non’s Well, St Non being reputed to be the mother of St David, before our guided tour of the cathedral. When the guide found out that we were dowsers he asked if we could identify the course of a stream which was believed to run under the cathedral. Surprise! Surprise! No one admitted to having any dowsing equipment with them!

On the way back to base, we took a short detour to Tremaenhir to seek out some standing stones believed to be in the vicinity. We found several and John was told by the local farmer that a further stone was in a hedge nearby. Clearly, this site needs further investigation. How many more stones are here and what is their significance?

We had two major visits to make on our final day. The first was to the Preseli Hills- the source of the blue stones used in the construction of Stonehenge. Some thought it was a race to the top- no prize, but out- of-date Kendal mint cake was passed around. The views  from the site were superb.
As a result of all this exertion, a final visit to Rev. James was called for.
After lunch, we motored on the Laugharne, our second visit of the day. Laugharne is a small town built on the Taf estuary. It has a castle, but Dylan Thomas is its claim to fame. He lived at the Boathouse during his latter life where he wrote many pieces of work including Under Milk Wood. The Boathouse is now a heritage centre and tea-room where some of us enjoyed a slice of Bara Brith.

We would like to thank Glan for organising the accommodation and mini-bus and driving it on the outward and return journeys. Thanks to Rob for organising & researching the itinerary who, as well as navigating the narrow Pembrokeshire lanes- without rod or pendulum, gave us a running commentary based on his local knowledge and lifetime experiences. Our final thanks to Jack for contributing so much of his local knowledge. Now you can see why we enjoyed ourselves so much!

Bill& Margaret.

 ----------------------------------------------

BOOK READERS WANTED

Our library is very much the envy of other dowsing groups.  I know, because visitors to our meetings have passed very complimentary comments to this effect.

Well, we know that it is also appreciated by our membership because of similar comments.  We owe a heap of thanks to Virginia and Mavis for looking after the books, and encouraging members to use this valuable Group asset.

We do need some feedback on the books, both in the library, and books that you may have privately.  Armed with this type of information, we can mould our procurement strategy. It would also give members an idea of the standard and usefulness etc. of books in the library and in the market place.

Have you any ideas on how to record this information without putting any strain on the good will of our librarians ???            Rob

----------------------------------------------

LEARNING TO SEE AURA  (Taken from George Shaffer’s Dowsing Page on the internet.)

This is something that most everyone can learn. In a rather dimly lit room spread the fingers on your right hand, palm up, and look past your fingers to a white background or preferably black background.  This can be done by placing a black or white sheet of paper behind your hand. Your Hand should be 6 to 10 inches above the paper.  Pay particular attention to the space between your fingers, after a little time (about a minute) and while you are still focusing on the paper behind your hand you should see a clear glow between the figures.  You probably won't see color the first time you try this, but the more you practice color may began to appear. There are a few people, that I have worked with, that claim all they can see is that clear glow and never have seen color.  The majority eventually do gain the ability to see color. Do not get discouraged, keep practicing and eventually you will be able to see the glow along with colors. After mastering this you are now ready to try another experiment.  This is to be done during a moon lit evening. While you are outside select a tree (or a tree line) approximately 60 ft. away. Stare just beyond the tree line, or the tree, at an open space in the sky.  You will eventually see a brilliant clear glow all around the tree or just above the tree line. 

----------------------------------------------

NEXT YEAR’S PROGRAMME ???

Richard has been beavering away at next year’s programme for some time already. He is keeping the details under his hat for the moment, but he has some great ideas for 2005.  The thing is, it is not too late for you to get on to him about that talk you have been longing to hear for ages, or that visit that you think will be a great favourite.  I have attempted to persuade him that a visit to a distillery in Scotland would go down well (without success)...now it is up to you to push forward your ideas.....grab him at the October meeting.

Peter.   Come on comrades, we have really got to make a concerted effort to get some good vibes across to our founder. As I write, he is in hospital (Gloucester Royal, ward 11) where the staff are doing their best to stoke him up with sustaining goodies. He needs to get his appetite back, and put on some weight.  Get well soon Peter.

Next Committee Meeting.  The next meeting is on 23rd. September.  If you want anything raised with the committee please shout at the secretary (he is a bit deaf and only has one working brain cell).

For Your Diary.   Please make sure that you make a note of the Christmas Dinner date.  The W.I. are producing delicious fare for us on 9th December at the Village Hall.

The A.G.M. is on 4th November.  How time flies !

Strange Photos.   How many of you have a photo in your collection (not necessarily anything to do with SHD) that has one of those unexplainable blobs or mists on it ?  The secretary wants a copy if you have, to archive and put in our library. He says he has about a dozen or so to date.

----------------------------------------------