From this week's Hertfordshire Mercury newspaper (UK):


Town may be a base for secret society

A SINISTER secret society said to control the world's governments has
members living in Hertford, according to a documentary to be aired on
Sky One next week.

The Mercury can exclusively reveal that it will claim the mysterious
sect, the Illuminati, rumoured to involve bankers, power brokers and
politicians, may have an underground base in the town.

Formed in Bavaria in 1776, the group's high-powered members are said
to include George W Bush and his presidential rival John Kerry, who
joined Yale University's Skull and Bones club, a branch of the sect.

Conspiracy theorists claim that the society is "bent on world
domination" in a shadowy behind-the-scenes bid to control us.

As part of Sky's series on conspiracy theories, journalist Danny
Wilson met with Hertford man and insider Tim Acheson, in a bid to meet
an Illuminatus.

Tim belongs to a high-ranking family in the Knights Templar, a
powerful society of warrior monks which dates back to the Crusades -
and who still meet at a secret location in the town.

But he denied a link with former US Secretary of State Dean Acheson, a
well-known Templar, who was in President Harry S Truman's inner circle
during the 1950s.

Cryptically, he told the Mercury: "I cannot talk about my family
connections. The older members of secret societies want to keep them
secret, whereas some of the new blood is a bit more open.

"I do know two members of the Illuminati who live here, but I must
protect their identities.

"There are powerful and dangerous forces at work here and I cannot
risk getting on the wrong side of them."

The Mercury was given a sneak preview of The Illuminati - Our Secret
Masters, which will be aired on Sky One next Thursday at 9pm.

Tim, a reporter for conspiracy theory website www.theinsider.org, is
seen driving through Bull Plain, Fore Street, Railway Street and St
Andrew Street in Hertford with the TV presenter.

They drive to a deserted industrial estate near the town and wait for
the shadowy figure to turn up - but Wilson begins to think that he's
been led on a wild goose chase.

Finally Tim returns to say his contact has "got cold feet" and backed
off meeting the press.

Speaking to the Mercury this week, Tim said: "It is very difficult to
get them to reveal themselves, as you can understand, but I hope that
it may happen at a later date."

And he promised to reveal more of Hertford's hidden secrets. He said:
"Hertford is very important as a centre of mystery and intrigue, more
than most people realise."

Next week's programme is one in a four-part series on conspiracy
theories showing every Thursday in September.

Picture caption: Secret past? Egyptian House in Fore Street, now home
to Lussmans Eatery, is believed to have been a meeting place of secret
society the Knights Templar of Aquarius.

SOURCE: Hertfordshire Mercury, 17 September 2004, page 2.
http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/mercury/news/story.asp?id=152654



See also last week's edition:

Holy Grail: is it here?

ROYSTON Cave may hold the key in the search for the Holy Grail, the
famous quest for Christ's chalice dating back to Biblical times.

Grail hunters are set to flock to the historic site following the
publication of best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown.

The book has fuelled enormous interest in the grail, believed to have
been used by Christ at the Last Supper and by Joseph of Arimathea to
collect Christ's blood on the cross.

On the trail are places where ancient fellowship of warriors the
Knights Templar held sway - and Royston Cave is just one of the places
in Hertfordshire which is steeped in Templar lore.

Unexcavated parts of the popular attraction may hold clues to the
mystery and some people think there is a distinct possibility the
ancient relic is hidden in one of the unexplored caverns.

Cave curator Peter Houldcroft expects to see Grail hunters, including
Freemasons, a group connected with its secrets, dropping into the
cavern.

He said: "I've had a couple of visits from Masons who are fascinated
by the cave. I hope to see quite a few people with The Da Vinci Code
tucked under their arm.

"I've read the book myself and it is a fascinating assembly of
knowledge."

Local historian and publisher David Perman, who believes grail hunters
may also be visiting settlements of the knights in Hertford and Ware,
said: "They will see Royston Cave as a possible place to find the
grail. Maybe it is there - it's a distinct possibility."

Archaeologist Sylvia Beamon spent 25 years studying the cave and has
published a book, Royston Cave: Used by Saints or Sinners?, outlining
her theory that it was used by the Knights as a cellar and store for
the goods they sold in the market.

She was a little more sceptical as to whether the hidden treasure was
in the cave.

She said: "I think the Templar used the cave because of the symbols
and signs there. I don't know whether the Holy Grail is there, but I
wouldn't have thought it was real possibility. I do try to keep an
open mind though!"

The Cambridge-educated historian explained that there are two
quadrants in the cave that have yet to be explored and there is
another cavern down the road, which she would love to see opened.

The Da Vinci Code has sparked enormous debate about the basic tenets
of the Catholic Church.

It claims Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had children whom he
wished to carry on his message, and that the Vatican blackened Mary's
name, calling her a prostitute in a bid to tarnish her image and to
make Christ look more divine.

SOURCE: Hertfordshire Mercury, 10 September 2004, page 3.
http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/mercury/news/story.asp?id=150387