MEMBERS of Bude U3A delved into the relatively unknown world of crop circles during their recent monthly meeting when they were joined by Denni Clarke who gave a fascinating talk on the phenomenon.

Committee member Jan Miller said that, prior to the talk, she was aware of crop circles but had never really taken an interest in them, while she knew others considered them a man-made gimmick, however, she added that everyone, whether a sceptic or believer, would have been surprised and fascinated by what Denni had to share.

Denni has spent some 20 years researching these huge, complex and beautiful patterns that appear in dozens of countries. Crop circles are most abundant in England, especially around ancient sites in the southern counties.

Denni said the crops are never harmed, as their stalks are gently bent into patterns rather than being broken, yet scientists report cellular changes in the composition of the soil and plants within the circles which are not found anywhere else on earth.

Jan said: “I had not appreciated the sheer size of these phenomena, which would seemingly take weeks to craft by hand, even if it were possible to replicate the precision of the patterns, yet they appear overnight.

“As yet, science cannot explain how crop circles are made, or by whom, but it seems that a highly evolved intelligence is involved as the spectacular designs display clear symbolism, scientific, esoteric and astronomical.”

This thought provoking talk was the highlight of the Bude U3A open monthly meeting for November and the group invites anyone who would like to find out more to get in touch via their website at www.budeu3a.co.uk.

The next meeting will be the Christmas tea this month where Friggin’ Riggin’ will be entertaining the group. Following that the programme of open monthly meetings starts again on Thursday, January 21 in the Parkhouse Centre where Alan Newcombe will be talking about the Mercy Ships.

These meetings are free and open to anyone who would like to come and spend an afternoon in good company and find out more about the many and varied activities of the U3A — everyone is welcome.

The group also holds coffee mornings at the Weir Café from 10.30am on the first Friday of every month.

For further information contact secretary Ann Tizzard on 01409 253749.