Since this article was published the purpose of this circle has become clear. Its maker decided to add his comments to this post, thereby killing the crop circle. It is now classified as a hoax.

The Croppie really does not know what to make of the astonishing crop circle that was reported on 23 June near Hackpen Hill in Wiltshire. It has already taken a reasoned hammering elsewhere, but The Croppie took a chance on visiting the sharks that have made their home just off The Ridgeway.

Two sharks chasing their tails. Photograph courtesy of the Crop Circle Connector.

Two sharks chasing their tails. Photograph courtesy of the Crop Circle Connector.

As with the wonky Inca bird, and, more enticingly, the ‘rose‘ that appeared nearby in 2015, the ‘sharks’ formation appeared on land managed by James Hussey. Unlike many other Wiltshire farmers, Mr Hussey has established a reputation for being crop circle friendly. He has turned the headache of the circles’ appearance into a positive, utilising them to raise money for the Brighter Futures appeal at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital.

Once again, the £3.00 admission fee is collected by Paul Jacobs of the Core Group Initiative. Parked up at the corner of the field in his yellow Citroen van he seems to have all of the comforts of home at his disposal. Mercifully, for today at least, he’s not trying to sell me a copy of his poetry book.

Paul Jacobs' mobile Crop Circle Information Centre. Otherwise known as the mustard yellow Citroen van.

Paul Jacobs’ mobile Crop Circle Information Centre. Otherwise known as the mustard yellow Citroen van.

Once into the field a short walk leads me into the crop circle. It’s a weird feeling to be inside it; maybe it’s the unseasonably blowy, overcast weather, or maybe the abundance of long grass inside the field, but I’m left feeling a little cold. I’m probably in the minority as other visitors seem to be having a great time. One of them is a young baby visiting what is probably his first crop circle. Chirping and cooing at everything and everyone, he’s certainly not bothered by the threatening sky.

I leave, traipsing back to my transport whilst a steady stream of visitors head the other way. I wait and see many of them returning with smiles on their faces. Perhaps, at least for today, I’m being a misery.