Dowsing for facts: can a sceptic find science in water witchery?

Used by water companies but debunked by science, crossing rods in Wiltshire has this writer intrigued

Nestling in the shadow of a white horse and a Neolithic long barrow, in a renowned crop circle hotspot, Alton Priors, in Wiltshire, feels like the perfect venue for a spot of water witchery. Prompted by the news that Thames Water and Severn Trent Water use dowsing rods to detect water leaks, I've arranged to meet my mum - a geologist and amateur dowser - to investigate the phenomenon for myself.

There are other reasons for picking this particular location. Geologically speaking, Alton Priors lies on the boundary between a chalk escarpment and sandstone, the latter underlain by clay, which means there are numerous springs gushing out of the ground. The local churchyard is also where an acquaintance of my mum once suggested she try dowsing, because he just had a sense it would work there". Sure enough, her rods crossed.