In December 2010, the W.M.G.C. made a peculiar 'discovery' of an intriguing, occult-related item that, following subsequent media coverage, caused ripples of interest the world over.... As our own, personal coverage and reporting on this matter has, so far, been both sporadic and fragmentary, we have taken the opportunity of now collating all of the pertinent data involved and placing the full story (so far) here, for your perusal.......
In December 2010, a further visit was made to Hopwas, this time focusing on the region known as Hopwas (or Hopwas-Hayes) Wood. Our reason for taking a specific interest in this particular section of the area was a little outside our usual field of enquiry, being initialised by some intriguing tales of 'Witchcraft' - and related shenanigans - discovered during preliminary research into the overall region. (Well, after all, 'variety is the spice of life', as they say!!)
The woodland 'activities' concerned initially came to public attention in 1984, in the form of an 'expose' delivered by local newspaper, 'The Tamworth Herald':
"Strange midnight ritual round a fire - Police swoop on naked 'witches' in the woods".
Naked "witches" had to end their secret midnight ritual when police moved into an isolated clearing in Hopwas Woods near Tamworth.
The 16 startled witches - six of them women - were dancing and chanting around a fire. They spent the rest of the night in the cells at Tamworth police station, because officers suspected they were in possession of drugs.
It is understood that the witches claimed they were part of the international Silver Star organisation and were celebrating the weekend's summer solstice - the longest day.
Police were called to the woods in the early hours of Saturday after a car was heard making its way along a narrow track.
In a clearing on Army owned land at the heart of the firing range danger area, police found the naked dancers with a supply of food and drink, and equipment thought to have included a chalice and a sword.
Police reinforcements were sent to the scene and some officers stayed to guard the site throughout the night.
The witches, aged from the early 20's to nearly 50, are thought to be mainly from the Tamworth area. But it is believed some had travelled from as far as the West Country for the ritual gathering.
Superintendent Don Robinson, Tamworth's police chief, said: "All 16 people agreed to come to the police stations voluntarily so that we could check out their identities and the account they had given of themselves. We then suspected they were in possession of drugs and they were detained so that we could inquire into that aspect. We are now considering the question of proceedings under the Drugs Act. As far as we can make out, no offences were committed other than the possible drug offences."
When they were discovered, the witches are understood to have told police that their presence had desecrated the coven's "sacred ground".
But Superintendent Robinson said they had co-operated with the police in the investigation.
Yesterday a Tamworth clergyman who is an expert on the Occult said he had heard for a long time about a coven of witches meeting in Hopwas Woods. The Rev David Shearer, Minister of Coton Green Evangelical Church, said: "I would have no doubt that the people involved in the incident at the weekend are witches. Witches - white or black - are all worshippers of Satan, and part of the Occult. There is no such thing as witches working for good."
He added: "I wouldn't be at all surprised if there is more than one witches coven meeting in the Tamworth area."
In a further, follow-up article on the subject, it was revealed by some of the Occultists involved that ceremonies had allegedly been taking place in Hopwas Woods over the past 12 years........ While the matter concerned was hardly an episode from 'The Devil Rides Out', further reports on the site had suggested that certain, occult related paraphernalia had been discovered in the region over the years, including such things as ritualistic daggers (or Athame). Purely as a result of this, the groups December visit was optimistically conducted with a pair of metal-detectors, which were generally employed throughout our exploration of the woods.
As anticipated, the bulk of the visit went without event, though it was noted that the region was evidently a most popular and picturesque destination spot for dog walkers, ramblers and the more adventurous, off-road cyclists...... Because of the recent snow fall at that point in time, some families were even utilising the frequently hilly terrain as make-shift sledging runs for their children.......
Incredibly, it turns out that our decision to carry the metal detectors with us proved to be a very fortuitous move indeed. While scanning a section of the woods, far removed from the main, A51, Lichfield Road, John Conway received a very strong response from his machine. In digging the signal, he was at first bewildered and then amazed to find that he had unearthed what appeared to be a sizeable, copper plate, some 11 inches by 8 inches, located approximately 6 inches down. The soil in the area concerned is very black in colour and appears to have a somewhat 'oily' property to it. As a result of this, it wasn't initially clear whether the plate was blank or potentially had something on it.....? In drawing the attention of another group member to the find, the question was raised as to whether the heavy, 6mm thick object may have been some form of 'knock-down target', possibly left there after military usage of the area. (Part of the woodland was apparently used by the Ministry of Defence in the past).
Because of such an intriguing find, the W.M.G.C. contacted the Tamworth Herald with a view to potentially appealing for information on the object. While greatly intrigued by such an exciting find, we were also fully aware of the items possible significance to the people who had initally buried it and made it clear to the press that we were quite happy to hand the plate over, if we came to be contacted by it's original owners. As we had disturbed the item, we were loath to simply and unceremoniously re-bury it and wished to give every chance for it to be 'positioned' again, with whatever care and attention was needed......
Tamworth Herald - Dec 9th 2010:
"Mysterious artefact baffles ghost hunters exploring ancient woods"
"EVIDENCE has emerged of occult activity in Hopwas after a "copper plate" featuring engraved magical symbols was dug up in the village's ancient woodland.
The rectangular tablet, which features an illustration of a star alongside mystical writing, was found buried about four inches below the ground in Hopwas Woods last Saturday.
It was dug up by investigators from the West Midlands Ghost Club, who had been researching old stories of witchcraft and hauntings in the area.
Intrigued members of the club are now appealing for more information about the artefact and an explanation of what the symbols might mean.
John Conway said he discovered the tablet while using a metal detector at the site as part of his research into the area's mystical past.
He described the find as "totally unexpected" and "intriguing".
He told the Mercury: "Our interest in Hopwas came about two years back, because we had heard a couple of ghost stories from the area. On checking up on the history, we heard about things going on in Hopwas Woods."
He said: "We visited the wood with a metal detector - the purpose of the visit being to get an overview of the area concerned and, potentially, find evidence of some form of magical practices."
John said he was inspecting an area situated on former Ministry of Defence land when he picked up a "buried" signal with the metal detector, and started digging.
"We did not notice at first, but we were in the centre of a natural circle of quite old trees.
"We initially thought what we'd found was simply a thick piece of copper sheet, but, upon further scrutiny, we found it was deeply etched with peculiar symbols and writing, quite evidently of an occult-related nature."
After cleaning up and polishing the item, the magical symbols could be seen.
But he said he realised the "ethical" implications of digging up a potentially sacred item.
"We realise someone has put something there purposefully. If they want to contact us privately we would be quite happy to hand it back."
In 1984, reports of naked "witches" in the woods emerged after a raid by police in which several people were detained.
At the time, the leader of the group, part of The Order of the Silver Star, spoke out and defended the group's actions.
Members denied being witches and described themselves as "serious occultists" who had been using the woods since the early 1970s.
During rituals they claimed they "connected with the stars and planets".
As mentioned briefly above, this first article resulted in the group being inundated with general enquiries and help suggestions…. While a great many calls were received from the general Tamworth area, a lot of other interest came to us from overseas - including different sources in the U.S and Australia. Within a short period, the story also became a firm favourite on the internet blog circuit, being covered by a variety of pages, many of which were of 'Pagan' origin. A number of comments on the matter quickly appeared on the Tamworth Herald website itself, one response actually claiming to be from a person responsible for burying the plate....... Unfortunately, no real data was given in this note and, despite an assurance that we would soon be contacted by the relevant parties, no such communication was forthcoming.....? Another, poorly veiled, comment even suggested that the W.M.G.C. had actually 'invented' the story / discovery as some form of publicity stunt!!
"Another Mysterious Artefact Is Dug Up In 'Witches' Woods'
An Egyptian-style clay statuette has been uncovered by Tamworth man Andrew Lee - who contacted the Herald after reading about the discovery of an engraved copper tablet with magical writing which was found in Hopwas Woods last month.
And mystery continues to surround the copper plate after a language enthusiast produced a transliteration of the symbols, which surrounded an image of a star.
Mr Lee said: "I found [the small clay statue] last year while walking my dad's dogs around Hopwas Woods.
"I found it when one of the dogs started sniffing around a dead bird at the bottom of a tree.
"While I was shooing away the dog I saw the thing buried face down in the ground."
He added: "At first I thought it was a piece of pottery, but when I dug it out I got quite excited that it was a whole figure."
The statue, which shows signs of weathering, is thought to be of the Egyptian jackal-headed god Anubis. He is said to be a protector of the deceased and their tombs, and is associated with mummification and the afterlife.
Mr Lee said: "I thought it might be good to show it as it's been sitting in the cupboard wrapped in newspaper for months. Perhaps there might be others who have things lying around they've found there in the past."
The copper plate was discovered by investigators from the West Midlands Ghost Club after researching old stories of witchcraft and hauntings in the area.
John Conway, who discovered the tablet with his metal detector, revealed the translation to the Herald this week.
He said the language and runes, some difficult to decipher, were Enochian, used in the 16th Century by noted occultist John Dee.
It reads: "BAGLE (for) PAPNOOR (to this remembrance); I (is) DOVIOM (probably a name); LONSHI (the) power); OL (I, the maker) UMPLIF (our strength) OGG BIGLIAD (in our comforter)"
It is from an ancient tract called the 7th Enochian key, which reads: "For to his remembrance, is given power, and our strength."
Mr Conway said: "We have had lot of interest, and even from American occultists who were interested in obtaining photographs of the item.
"It is a just matter of interest for us, but we can do very little with it.
"We could take it back to where we found it, or we could return it to the proper owners."
Within the space of a week or so from the above-mentioned piece, the Tamworth Herald ran a further story, involving a first-hand encounter of 'Witchery' at Hopwas:
"Naked dancing, candles and tale of 'eerie' night in the woods"
IF YOU go down to the woods today.... you're sure to find history, intrigue and tales of witchcraft and occult activity.Hopwas Woods has been the centre of tales of naked witches, occult artefact discoveries and spooky goings-on for decades.
The ancient woods have revealed some of their secrets - more recently after a copper plate with magical symbols and an Egyptian statuette were discovered.
And in 1984, in the pages of the Tamworth Herald an occult group spoke out - following a police raid in which 16 men and women were arrested during a naked ritual in the woods. They revealed they had been practising magical rituals among the trees for years, and said the land was "sacred ground".
Now more than 25 years later a retired policeman, who wishes only to be known as Oscar One Three, has revealed his memories - and spending one "eerie" night in the woods as part of police investigations.
Oscar One Three said he was on night duty with the force in the weeks before the arrests and was responding to a call from a local resident about late-night activities in Hopwas Woods.
"As I recall, a member of the public, whom I believe lived in Hopwas, reported some kind of party going on in the woods," he said.
"The area was pointed out to the police, and I visited the area. I did find an area of ground which could be described as a clearing.
"At that time there were no persons present. It was well trodden down and appeared to have been well used."
It was then when the presence of occult activity became apparent.
Oscar One Three continued: "In the centre of the area was a fairly large tree, on the branches of which were a number of red wax candles, which had obviously been placed there by human hand. They had mostly burnt down, none were burning, but trails of wax had dripped over the lower branches of the tree."
He continued: "I remained in the wood until early light when the area was further examined.
"It was quite an eerie experience, believe me!
"There were signs of a burnt out fire, and a number of small bones, which, at the time, were thought to have possibly been sacrificial and later identified as bird bones, possibly chicken bones.
"There were also signs of a roughly drawn out pentagram scratched on the ground nearby. A number of items were taken for later forensic examination if required."
He said the area was visited regularly by police for several weeks before arrests were made - and the group admitted possessing cannabis.
"Eventually it transpired on one such visit that a number of people, both male and female, were discovered in a naked state dancing around a fire in a clearing.
"A small chalice and sword were recovered. The people present were detained and later interviewed at Tamworth police station."
Oscar One Three added: "I cannot go into any detail regarding the people detained as I recall some of them lived locally, and some were visitors from as far afield as Devon.
"I recall they were quite open with the police in that they said they were there to celebrate the Summer Solstice and some were members of a group known as the Order of the Silver Star.
"They claimed to have been visiting the woods for a number of years and were not practising witchcraft, but were 'connecting with the stars and planets'."
He said several addresses were visited in connection with the enquiries and some substances were seized on suspicion of them containing cannabis.
News of the police arrests was revealed in an exclusive front page report in the Tamworth Herald on Friday, June 22, 1984.
Headlined "Police swoop on naked 'witches' in the woods' the story revealed that naked men and women, aged between their early 20s to late 40s, had to abruptly end their secret midnight ritual.
They had been dancing and chanting around a fire but spent the rest of the night in police cells. Police reinforcements were sent to guard the site through the night.
The police had commenced proceedings under the Drugs Act.
But the following week four of the people arrested spoke to the Herald and said that they were not "witches" but in fact "occultists" who had been carrying out a ritual to avert a major disaster, believed to be happening in October or November that year.
They confirmed they were members of the Order of the Silver Star, international occultists and astronomers, with their own philosophy on the meaning of life.
The 16 men and women were, later that year, fined £2,000 after admitting using drugs. Seven of them lived in Tamworth and admitted possessing cannabis.
Even in court they said they were involved in the study of astrology linked with ancient magical rites and that they had come to Hopwas Woods for a specific purpose.
But they said the area had been desecrated and that they would not be using the land again.
But over the years the rumours of witchcraft in the woods have continued.
Oscar One Three said: "Since retiring from the police I have, from time to time, heard rumours of similar activity taking place in the woods, but I have not been inclined to go and investigate myself.
"I am getting too old for all the excitement."
In Mid-June, a further, two-man visit to the wood was made with metal detectors. While nothing of potential interest was discovered via this medium on this visit, examples of peculiar graffiti (seemingly of some age, apparently) were noticed, cut into some of the trees around the copse where the plate was found. One such reference mentioned the words 'Devil' and 'God'.
While walking around the clearing concerned, both group members present individually reported hearing loud, thumping noises, seemingly close at hand and, apparently, occurring on the ground nearby!? By all intent and purpose, it seemed as if someone were possibly hurling something akin to heavy stones in their direction - though no rocks or any form of physical movement / presence could be detected to account for the noises experienced.....? Within the last two months (at the time of tapping out this piece) the group has been contacted by Tamworth artist, Gwyddion Flint, who is one of the people responsible for a (currently) forthcoming exhibition on Hopwas Wood. Covering a variety of different aspects of the region - including it's ghostlore and surrounding mythology - the proposed event is to take place at Tamworth Town Hall in late August and September (2011). As part of the display, it was asked if the plate might be loaned to the organisers, they already having secured the fragment of Anubis statue some time earlier......
While taking a general look around the area concerned, one of the group members saw a small, orange light - some 20 or so feet distant - seemingly in the process of falling to the ground from a height of around two feet. The effect looked very much like someone dropping a cigarette end to the ground, though the light 'appeared' at the two feet level and travelled directly ground-ward. No one present during the visit were smokers, so those present were at a total loss as to what the effect might have been........? Nothing else of any potential interest was noted during the visit.
Once more - as with most of the reports on these pages - there is no real or tidy ending to this matter at the time of tapping out this note. The above-mentioned is, very much, a simple case of 'the story so far'. Needless to say, the W.M.G.C. will continue to take an active interest in Hopwas Wood and the surrounding area and hope, with time, to be able to add more data to this particular write-up(?)
In ending this piece, we should just like to say a big thank you to all of the people who took the time to phone or email us following the media coverage surrounding this matter....
More Hopwas Mystery - Further Finds!!
As amazing as the piece above may sound, it is quite clear that Hopwas Wood has far from revealed all of it's murky secrets with regards to it's occult past. In late August, 2011, Tamworth artist, Gwyddion Flint, contacted the W.M.G.C. to tell us that yet 'another' copper plate had been found in the area - some 10 years earlier!!
The astounding news was revealed to Gwyddion in feedback, generated by a recent display on Hopwas Woods that he had been involved with. (Held at Tamworth Town Hall during late August / early September).
As with our own plate, this earlier discovery was also adorned with occult / magical symbols and was also discovered during a metal detecting session in the woodland. It's discoverer, a Mr Joe Smith said about his discovery:
"During that day I had spent about three or four hours in the woods - it was only when I made my way back from the furthest edge of the wood, that faces the farmer's field, that I got quite a strong signal. The plate itself was only about a foot deep, and at first just seemed to be a sheet of metal, but there were a few grooves and marks in it so I decided to take it home to clean it up, thinking that it would be an old box cover of some kind. When I cleaned the plate there were strange symbols etched into the front."
Needless to say, W.M.G.C. Members would very much like to hear any comments that you might have on this incredible matter.....?