The Tales of Gehiwian Circle

Gehiwian Circle - A Brief History

Gehiwian Circle (pronounced geh-hiwi-an circ-le) is a strange rural English village on the South Coast with a colourful but bizarre history. The name loosely translates to 'Circle of Imagination' in reference to the stone circle located at the site. There is some dispute over the exact translation. Gehiwian in Old English can be interpreted in modern English to mean either imagine, shape, transfigure, transform, or to colour. One particular translation, co-opted by the superstitious due to the carvings in the rock formation within the stone circle, is 'to imagine apparitions and infernal ghosts at night'. Paranormal activity is often linked to the site. Regardless, there is a consensus that the site is one of great interest to the imagination, and also holds some influence over the ability to.

The geological bedrock of Gehiwian Circle is a bed of Carboniferous coal (now extensively mined) formed when the site sat at a tropical latitude and sported a large forest. Successive layers of sandstone cover this, with the uppermost layer dating back to the mid-Cretaceous and representing a shallow, tidal oceanic environment. Prominent at the sight is a rock formation - a granite stock that has intruded the sedimentary layers from deep within the Earth's mantle. The most recent traces of prehistory at the site are the Neolithic stone circle around the stock, though the purpose of the circle is unclear as the stock does not sit in the centre. Also of note are five skull-like carvings on the stock, with hollowed caves both at ground level and above. The creators of these impressions remain a mystery, but given the fertile location of the site, they may have been created by Stone Age settlers trying to warn off other tribes.

The name Gehiwian Circle was designated by the Anglo-Saxons that settled at the site, with the name deriving from the stone circle left by their Neolithic predecessors. At some point, a small road and a few buildings were built nearby, as indicated by the abandoned Tudor cottage and the renovated country inn, now named The Miner's Haunt. In the 19th Century, with the onset of the Industrial revolution, a coal mine was opened by expanding the existing caves in the Skull Stock. The rich deposits were mined out with the assistance of a small horse-drawn narrow gauge railway owned by the Gehiwian Mining Company (and the child labour acceptable at the time). Mining loads and order sizes increased as the Industrial Revolution ballooned, so a standard gauge station and line was built to make use of modern steam traction. The new line linked to a yard hosting a platform and steam powered crane, which then looped around, taking a similar line to the existing stone circle, surrounding the Skull Stock. The narrow gauge line drew up on the opposite side of the platform and crane so loads could be transferred between the two lines. The north junction of the standard gauge loop line split off into a single track station with platforms on both sides. Two small yards split off too - one to storage sidings and the other to a two-berth shed just down from the station. The branch line continued on to a main line connection. 

The first steam engines to work the Gehiwian Circle line were London, Brighton and South Coast Railway A1 and A1X Stroudley Terrier locomotives. These were painted in dark purple with black tank lining, white running plates and black buffer beams. They were named 'Gehiwian Circle' and 'Minestone'. A small settlement began to blossom nearby in the form of a post office, general store, garage and several cottages. Traffic consisted primarily of coal and supplies for mining and maintaining the railway, with the occasional train of farm stock and products. Later, under Southern Railway ownership, an old SECR P Class also worked the line along with the Terriers, freeing A1 Gehiwian Circle up to manage a small passenger service that ran from the main line to deliver workers to and from the mine. Later, under British Railways, a Hunslet Austerity was stationed on the line to assist with the work.

As the coal deposits began to wane in the 1950s, the mine was closed and the narrow gauge lines taken up. The existing road was refurbished for modern traffic and a small town square was established by the goods yard, which had recently renovated with a single modern crane. The railway remained operational, but wasn't profitable in the long run. The line was identified for closure under the Beeching cuts. When the closure was announced, local and national enthusiasts mobilised to save it due to its historic location. They bought the whole line from British Rail, including the yards, station and sheds . With ambitions to open the loop line as the only standard gauge heritage loop line in Britain, the two Terriers, the P class and Austerity were all retained, as well as some of the original coaching and wagon stock. In addition to running small passenger trains and period freight trains, larger locomotives and coach stock also visit so enthusiasts have the joy of seeing them complete a loop circuit instead of terminus-to-terminus runs. Big names such as City of Truro, Flying Scotsman, Foxcote Manor, Green Arrow, Tornado and Blackmore Vale have all had star appearances. The site now boasts a new-found popularity with a model store and book store in the town square. Day Out with Thomas events are also held to draw in younger enthusiasts, with the whole town taken over by Thomas characters for the occasion, making it a real-life 'mini Sodor'. For special holidays the town square hosts a drive-in cinema, drawing in movie and car enthusiasts from all round. A farm is situated nearby, showcasing locally raised Highland cattle, while a paleontological research team is undertaking excavations at a fruitful site. The scientists have uncovered petrified tree stumps, ichnofossils and theropod dinosaurs of various sizes, suggesting an ancient tidal surge took place. The abandoned Tudor cottage still sits nearby in a sorry state, but local builders have moved in with hopes of renovating the building as another historical attraction.

The flora varies within the small area. The station platform is surrounded by vibrant flower beds wherever there is a gap.  A small forest has regenerated around the Skull Stock, consisting mainly of silver birch and pine trees. Foxes, deer, grouse, badger, mink, squirrel, rabbits and wild boar can be spotted. Bird-life is equally rich, with owls and woodpeckers heard in the trees. On the fringes of the mines, lucky naturalists may spot the likes of hedgehogs, frogs, sand lizards and adders. Doves, pigeons and crows can be seen around town, while pheasants wander the rural surroundings. Geese, herons, ducks and swans all frequent the nearby tidal estuary. Rare aquatic giants can be seen by the lucky few. Pike, perch and even sturgeon can be fished for at low tide. At high tide, some marine wildlife including sharks and whales can be seen close to shore. The line runs close by, offering a scenic ocean view for railway enthusiasts.

Despite its welcoming atmosphere, Gehiwian Circle has a darker side. Locals and passing travellers recall hearing spooky noises emanating from the Skull Stock, with some reporting flashes of light coming from the eyes of the skulls. Some have suggested the lights are bursts of igniting gas. Strange sightings have fed into the superstition of the stone circle and the carved skulls, lending credence that the correct translation might relate to apparitions and ghosts. Paranormal incidents happen with a frightful degree of frequency that has attracted tourism and skepticism, with some calling the line 'the most haunted railway on Earth.'

Gehiwian Circle is a place steeped in rich history that continues to unfold in imaginative, surprising and haunting ways. The following are tales of happenings around the town, some mined from historical anecdotes, and others vividly recent to those affected. Little is offered in  the way of explanation, so revel at the peculiar and step inside the Circle.