HOLINWELL INCIDENT

What led to the collapse of dozens of children?

The Hollinwell incident is one of the biggest ever unexplained mysteries in the Midlands. But was it a case of mass hysteria or something more sinister?

The Hollinwell Incident remains one of the strangest events ever to happen in Great Britain.

Even though it took place over twenty years ago, the incident continues to puzzle experts and the local community alike.

At the time it was put down to mass hysteria not seen since the days of the Beatles. But this was a marching band competition in Nottinghamshire.

There are those who still believe something more sinister was responsible for what became known as The Hollinwell Incident.

Inside Out investigates this strange event in which hundreds of children collapsed and needed hospital treatment following a brass band and marching competition.

Falling Like Nine Pins

An ordinary showground... an extraordinary event

It was a summer Sunday morning at a show ground near Kirkby in Ashfield.

Children had travelled from all over the East Midlands for a Junior Brass and Marching Band competition.

But the showground was soon to resemble a battle field.

Band members began to collapse. At first in ones and twos and then by the dozens.

One witness on the day,Terry Bingham remembers, "They fell down like nine pins. We didn't know what was happening."

Contamination?

Water companies were quick to check supplies weren't contaminated.

Were workers near the site several weeks earlier responsible? Was it a gas leak of some sort?

What was it that caused so many children to collapse?

There was also talk of radio waves and even UFO's being responsible for what was happening that day.

Officials drew a blank. Most victims made a quick recovery and only nine children were kept in hospital overnight.

But what happened made national and international news. Suddenly crop spraying became the favourite culprit.

But after a brief inquiry the official theory blamed mass hysteria as the most likely cause.

Then the report was filed away and forgotten… until now.

Eye Witness Reports

Inside Out has tracked down some of the people who were there on the day.

Was the official report's verdict sound?

We have discovered that the chemicals sprayed on the field which were thought to have been harmless at the time have since been banned by the Government.

So could a pesticide, which contained the now banned tridemorph, have contributed to the Hollinwell Incident ?

After all, many local people were deeply suspicious of the official inquiry conclusion.

Tridemorph is classified by the World Health Organisation as Class II - a 'moderately hazardous' pesticide. It is harmful if swallowed and irritating to eyes and skin.

Is it possible that the pesticide caused other side-effects such as fainting and malaise? It's hard to tell so long after the Hollinwell incident.

Mass Hysteria?

Some commentators still believe that the Hollinwell Incident could have been caused by mass hysteria.

Medical studies suggest that outbreaks of mass hysteria share some common characteristics.

The most significant is the susceptibility of women, especially young women grouped together in institutions such as schools or clubs.

The type of symptoms common during outbreaks of mass hysteria include:

* fainting
* nausea and general malaise
* abdominal pain and convulsions
* headaches
* tremors and hyperventilation

These are often manifestations of anxiety and hyperventilation.

Many outbreaks are sparked off by a specific incident which gives rise to anxiety.

Another feature of mass hysteria outbreaks is their short duration - the majority last just a few hours.

The Hollinwell Incident certainly displayed some of these characteristics.

A Frightening Puzzle

So was mass hysteria to blame for hundreds of children collapsing at Hollinwell?

Or was it a case of pesticide spraying or chemicals being breathed in by the children?

It's a puzzle that's hard to unravel twenty years after the event, and one which we'll never be able to solve for sure until new evidence comes to light.