Dear Croppie: How Was The 2022 Alton Priors Circle Made?
A requested installment of Dear Croppie … just how would a human being go about making the 2022 Alton Priors crop circle?
Well, to be honest, The Croppie thinks it’s probably not worth bothering as it’s a rather generic design that has been christened the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man for obvious reasons. However, if we must deconstruct it then here is a possible and genuinely workable solution. It assumes, due the size of this formation, that it is the work of one person.
Let’s look at a labelled overhead of the circle.
1: Using long, loping strides from the tramline (path used by agricultural machinery), walk to point X. This will be the central point of your largest circle.
2: Secure a surveyors tape to point X. The tape could be attached to a sturdy camera tripod or to the ground with a tent peg or ring-ended barbecue skewer. Reel out the tape to the appropriate length and walk the central circle. Flatten the crop.
3: Place a laser level mounted upon a rotary-headed tripod above point X. Align the laser with 0° on the rotary mount and switch on the laser.
A laser level and tripod with rotary mount.
4: Reel out the tape to the required distance between points X and A. With loping strides, walk along the laser beam whilst holding the tape (which is still secured to point X). When the tape goes tight place a marker in the ground. This is point A.
5: Reel out the tape to the distance between points X and B. With loping strides, walk along the laser beam whilst holding the tape (which is still secured to point X). When the tape goes tight place a marker in the ground. This is point B.
6: Reel out the tape to the distance between points X and C. With loping strides, walk along the laser beam whilst holding the tape (which is still secured to point X). When the tape goes tight place a marker in the ground. This is point C.
7: Secure a tape to point A. Reel out the tape to the appropriate length and walk this circle. Flatten the crop. Repeat this process with the appropriate lengths of tape at points B and C.
8: Rotate the laser level clockwise on its mount by 72° (72 is one fifth of 360°). Repeat steps 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 until all five arms of the formation have been completed.
9: Remove any markers from the ground and use the magic wand tool to heal any small areas of inadvertantly flattened crop. Pack up the rest of your equipment and leave the field.
10: Walk back to The Barge Inn.
