APCIC - Vol 08 No 07 - 1983

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO NEWS, published by the AERIAL PHENOMENON CLIPPING INFORMATION CENTER in July 1983, is Volume 8, Number 7. The cover features a prominent illustration of a flying saucer and the headline "UFO NEWS". The center is located at P.O. Box 9073, Cleveland, Ohio 44137.

Staff and Contributors

The editorial team includes Harry R. Cohen as editor and S. Mac Williams as assistant editor. Ron Smotek handles photo analysis, and Richard Smotek conducts "supplement" research. The publication also lists foreign correspondents from Argentina, Australia, Denmark, France, Japan, Italy, Turkey, West Germany, and Canada, including G. Roncoroni, Jeff Bell, George Hume, H.C. Petersen, Jean Sider, M. Mori, Clypeus, S. Gerceksever, Werner Walter, and H. Gontovnick.

Key Articles and Reports

Close Encounter Convincing (Topeka, Kansas)

This article, by Merle Bird, staff writer for the Capital-Journal, details a close encounter experienced by John Stroud and Chris Borchert on June 16th. They describe seeing a white light that initially seemed like a helicopter or airplane but then became clearly identifiable as a UFO. Borchert stated, "But now that I've seen one, there's no doubt: there are things visiting us from some other place." The object was observed near Burnett's Mound. Stroud noted the object made a sound like wind and was "completely lit up, with some of the lights steady and some of them blinking." He described the metal as having a dense look unlike anything he had seen. They speculated about the object's purpose, with Borchert suggesting it might have been making observations or delivering a message. Stroud felt the experience was "gifted, so lucky, so privileged" and confirmed it was "not man-made. No way."

Vidor Area Family Mystified by 'UFO' (Orange, Texas Leader)

This report from the Orange, Texas Leader on June 7, 1983, covers sightings by Vidor area residents over two weeks. Wilma Cole reported seeing an object with a silver glow and sometimes a blue aura. The object appeared to move around but always in the same spot. A large group also saw the object on Sunday night. Ray Broussard, chief weather specialist, suggested it could be a weather balloon or the planet Venus, though the sightings were frequent and consistent.

UFO(?) Sighted (Fitzgerald, Georgia Herald and Leader)

On Sunday night, June 16, Grace Newton and Howard Evans reported seeing a large red object in the sky, described as "five times bigger than a star, with lights flickering on and off." They observed it for about 10 minutes before it disappeared.

Lady Cops Chase UFO (Inside Track Examiner)

Two policewomen in Hartcliffe, Bristol, England, reported chasing a mysterious lighted object in the sky on June 28, 1983. Another light joined it, and they both went straight up. Sgt. Ian Lock also heard a roaring noise in the area.

UFO sighted (Ridgefield, CT. Lewisboro Ledger)

Kathy Brittain and other Girl Scouts at a camp in Ludington reported seeing a UFO on June 8, 1983. Eileen Gleba and Fran Salorio described it as flying low with lights and making a humming sound.

Pascagoula, Miss. Mississippi Press June 10 1983: UFO reported in county

Mrs. Kathy Wiggins reported seeing an object with two red lights and a white light hovering over a substation and her truck late on Wednesday night, June 8. Her seven-year-old daughter became hysterical. The object was also seen hovering over pecan trees at her sister's house. Charles Hester, who lives nearby, reported hearing a loud, horrible noise that sounded like a plane landing.

New UFO sighting doesn't worry cops (By Vic Ziminsky)

This article from an unnamed publication discusses sightings in Stormville, N.Y., including one by Marjorie Clair, who described a 'T' shaped object with red and blue lights that changed to a 'V' shape and emitted a humming sound. Trooper Michael Gabomski suggested these might be related to a group of individuals who fly at night in tight formations from Stormville Airport, though he did not consider it unusual.

UFO ALIENS STALKING ROYALTY: Spaceship lands on king's palace lawn (GLOBE)

This report details a mysterious landing of a 30 ft. UFO on the palace lawn of King Carl Gustav in Drottningholm Palace, Sweden, on the evening of June 16, 1983. Guardsman Per Torell described the object as a "strange 'thing'" that approached slowly, without sound, and was a "large cylinder that was lighted at both ends." It caused a power outage. Lieutenant Colonel Ola Eriksson hinted at a government cover-up, stating that reports are sent to a special UFO bureau from which they usually hear nothing more.

SPACE ROCKS PROVE UFOS REALLY EXIST (GLOBE)

This article presents the theory of Lane Childress, a retired physicist and UFO expert, who believes that rocks found in Antarctica are evidence of aliens using Earth as a "waste" dump for their radioactive fuel. He suggests that these rocks, originating from the moon and Mars, are "clinkers" left from nitrogen-rich rocks aliens use to fuel their spaceships. Childress posits that aliens have dumped this waste in Antarctica, Africa, and India.

A close encounter with Jenny Randles (Cheshire Life, April 1983)

Francesca Turner interviews Jenny Randles, a leading ufologist in Britain. Randles, director of investigation for the British UFO Research Association and on the editorial board of Flying Saucer Review, discusses her ten years of investigating UFO sightings. She highlights the concept of Unidentified Atmospheric Phenomena (UAPs), suggesting that many sightings might be explained by the piezoelectric effect in quartz crystals, which can ionize air and create glowing balls. However, she acknowledges that a persistent few sightings defy explanation, such as the 'copter' phenomenon.

'Why UFOs visit us' (Letter to the Editor)

This letter, signed by R. Jones Pugh from Roch, Haverfordwest, published in the Western Mail on April 29, 1983, suggests that the phenomenon of UFOs exists because of the threat of nuclear annihilation. The writer connects UFO sightings to presumed nuclear activities and a general climate of fear and suspicion, suggesting that flying saucers exist as a response to the potential for nuclear war.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the reality of UFO sightings and the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation. It presents witness accounts, scientific investigations, and theoretical explanations, ranging from the mundane (weather balloons, aircraft) to the extraordinary (alien technology, UAPs, government cover-ups). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various perspectives and encouraging readers to consider the evidence, even if it challenges conventional understanding. The inclusion of Jenny Randles' work and the theories about space rocks suggest an interest in both empirical investigation and speculative hypotheses within the field of ufology.

This issue of "UFOs: Fact or imagination" from the Orpington & Kentish Times, dated June 1983, presents a collection of articles investigating UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters. The magazine explores the dichotomy between factual evidence and imaginative interpretations of these phenomena, featuring reports from various locations and perspectives.

UFOs: Fact or Imagination

This lead article by Anne Blythe introduces the complex nature of UFO sightings, acknowledging the existence of at least a dozen theories, ranging from psychological explanations to the possibility of extra-terrestrial intelligence. It highlights the reluctance of witnesses to come forward due to fear of ridicule. The article notes the skepticism of the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA), which attributes most sightings to hoaxes or misidentifications. However, it poses the question of what to make of the remaining 10 percent of unexplained cases. Science teacher Albert Budden is introduced as an investigator for BUFORA, focusing on sightings in Orpington. He recounts a case involving Mr. Tony Thurlow, who reported seeing a bright, oval shape and later a luminous kite-shaped object. Budden aims to gather more accounts from Orpington residents. The article delves into the characteristics of UFOs, noting their unusual behavior, such as rapid speed changes and seemingly impossible maneuvers, and their potential to interfere with electromagnetic equipment. It also cautions that common objects like balloons, stars, and the moon can be mistaken for UFOs. Budden encourages anyone with sightings to contact him, emphasizing the goal of building patterns from evidence.

UFOs are back again...

This section reports on a sighting by Neil Watts, 18, and his brother Mark, of a balloon-like object with orange and yellow lights hovering over trees near Chislehurst on May 24th at 1 am. Neil described it as puzzling and unlike a firework due to its slow movement and lack of noise. He regrets not having a camera but intends to be prepared next time. The report mentions that local expert Timothy Good is investigating such sightings and believes a proportion are genuine UFOs from other planets. Readers who saw the UFO on May 23rd or 24th, or have theories, are invited to write to Mr. Good.

Flying Saucers on West Flight Path

By Mark Hanna, this article discusses the possibility of Dundry Hill in Bristol being under a regular flight path for unidentified flying objects. London-based ufologist Barry Everitt investigated a sighting of two UFOs over Dundry by two policewomen, who followed one for two miles. Six other local residents have also reported UFOs. Everitt links these incidents to documented sightings over South Wales in January, where a gigantic object was reported. The article suggests a potential flight path from Morriston, South Wales, through Cardiff, passing south of Bristol near Dundry.

Avon and Somerset

This report details two WPCs in Bristol who, despite initial reluctance due to potential ridicule, corroborated a sighting of two UFOs. A member of the public reported a UFO that had been passing over his house for two years. The officers followed a 'hovering' light to a hilltop where it was joined by a second light, which then ascended and disappeared. PC Nigel Marsh also reported seeing a red and white light moving faster than a plane, followed by another similar light. Checks with local aerodromes and the Ministry of Defence revealed no recorded flights in the area at that time.

UFO Seen

This brief report from Shortlands mentions a UFO sighting on Monday night by 13-year-old Marius Geary, who described a 'bright white eye' shooting across the sky, traveling faster than an aeroplane and resembling a circle with elongated ends.

Strange to relate: Flying Saucers Chased a Train

This article recounts an incident involving train Number 91 in Rossville, Indiana, on October 3rd, 1958. The fireman, Cecil Bridge, and the driver, Harry Eckman, along with two other crew members, witnessed four oddly glowing white lights that sailed across the train's path. The lights then made a sharp left turn and approached the train. The objects descended to about 200 feet, swinging over the engine and the entire length of the train. Their color changed from white to yellow, orange, and dull red as they slowed. They then wheeled in formation and flew east, only to return and fly behind the train, with two objects flying vertically and two tilted. The crew estimated the objects to be 30-40 feet in diameter, flat on one side with a raised structure on the other. They followed the train for 70 minutes.

Close Encounter at the Shamrock Cafe

This multi-part special report by Keith Beabey and Pippa Sibley details a purported alien encounter involving three women – Rosemary Hawkins, Valerie Walters, and Viv Hayward – from Telford, Shropshire. While driving home, their car mysteriously stopped despite the driver's foot being on the accelerator. They witnessed strange red and white lights overhead, which then vanished. The drive to the police station, which should have taken five minutes, took twenty-five, a discrepancy that led to hypnosis sessions. Under hypnosis, the women independently described being taken aboard a steel, circular spacecraft, examined by 4ft tall aliens dressed in green, and experiencing pain in their legs. They also described the aliens' gruff voices and their own fear. Experts, including doctors, a lawyer (Harold Harris), and a police chief (Norman Collinson), who witnessed the hypnosis sessions, expressed conviction that the women's claims were genuine and not a hoax. The report notes that the women's accounts were consistent, and their physiological responses during hypnosis, such as increased pulse rate and blood pressure, indicated genuine distress. The case is considered unique due to the three individuals being taken into the craft. Video recordings of the hypnosis sessions are to be shown at an international ufology conference. The women believe they were chosen because of their different personalities.

Experts

This section features testimonials from experts involved in the Shamrock Cafe case. Mr. Michael Sacks, a member of the Manchester Unidentified Flying Object Research Association, calls the case the most convincing he has ever encountered, particularly due to the missing time factor. He believes the women could not have collaborated and their evidence is credible. Det. Chief Inspector Norman Collinson of the Greater Manchester Police Commercial Fraud Squad is "perfectly satisfied that this isn't a hoax." Lawyer Harold Harris states that the UFO was a "nuts and bolts craft of unknown origin." Dr. Joseph Jaffe, from North Manchester General Hospital, finds the case "extremely interesting" but notes that more research is needed. Dr. Leslie Davies confirms the women were hypnotized voluntarily and believes they were telling the truth. Dr. Albert Kellar recounts one woman's severe fear reaction under hypnosis, with a significant jump in pulse rate and blood pressure, concluding that "whatever happened to her was real and she was in absolute terror."

Riddle of 'E.T.' in cornfield

This article reports on five mystery circles that appeared in a cornfield near Westbury, Wiltshire, within the "Warminster Triangle," an area known for UFO sightings. The largest circle is 50ft in diameter, with four smaller ones positioned around it. The corn inside was flattened in a swirling manner. Farmer Stan Pointer, who reported the sight, stated he had never seen anything like it. Theories range from whirlwinds to practical jokers, but police acknowledge the effort involved. Sightseers have flocked to the field, and the article suggests that if these circles were left by an alien spaceship, it would confirm the long-held beliefs of locals in the Warminster Triangle.

UFO spotted

A brief report from Erith, Kent, mentions a mystery light seen by a family in Bexley and a man and his wife. They saw a bright white light, topped by red and then blue, through binoculars.

Chased by UFOs

This article from the Sheffield Morning Telegraph discusses a UFO sighting in December 1979 between the north and south islands of New Zealand. The case, endorsed by the American National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena, involved glowing and pulsating lights filmed by a TV crew and tracked by radar. The report includes transcripts of dialogue between the flight crew and ground control, detailing the UFO's position. The article mentions that the detailed scientific analysis of the film and theories, including those involving "mating mutton birds," are included, along with the human side of the story, such as the effect on the author and his family, leading to mental exhaustion.

Hypnotic bid to end UFO mysteries

This article from the Shropshire Star focuses on the three Telford women whose hypnosis sessions are to be a focus at an upcoming international ufology conference. The women claim to have had a close encounter on the A5 two years prior, where they believe they were taken aboard a spacecraft and examined by aliens. They reported strange red and white lights, and their car mysteriously slowed down until they reached the Shamrock Cafe. The 20-minute gap in their memory led to hypnotic regression. Their accounts, consistent across separate sessions, describe meeting 4ft robots and aliens. The video tapes of these sessions will be shown at the conference. The women state they were not cranks and only sought answers after discovering the missing time.

UFOs on the move again, claims spotter

This report from West Briton, Truro, details sightings by Mrs. Joan Dell in Cornwall. She claims to have seen two unidentified flying objects within minutes of each other on a Sunday evening in June. Mrs. Dell notes that sightings seem to increase in May and June. She described one object as a perfect, sparkling clear, spinning disc or globe with flashing lights, appearing cream-coloured, white, and sapphire blue. The second object was described as similar to a box kite, with two parts – a red square shape and a white second part, with yellow flashing lights.

Close encounters from outer space

This article from the Berrows Worcester Journal discusses the public's fascination with space, fueled by films like 'ET' and 'Doctor Who'. It touches upon the recent comet sighting and the author's personal experience of seeing a silver ball UFO while in daylight over Grand Bahama. The object stopped, hovered, and then accelerated away. The article also mentions sightings in Warminster, England, and aircraft being 'buzzed' by UFOs in the Caribbean, causing instruments to go haywire. It references J. Allen Hynek's UFO research station in Evanston, Illinois, which receives numerous reports nightly. The article suggests the possibility of other civilizations in the universe and the vastness of space. It concludes with the author's personal caution when going into the garden at night.

Flying formations

This section lists historical UFO sightings, including a formation of flying objects seen over Embrun, France, in 1820, a vast green disc observed from Greenwich Observatory in 1882, and an "aerial vessel" over Berkshire in 1888 that frightened animals.

E.T. phone the Express – have you come back to Earth?

This article from the Daily Express discusses the five mystery corn circles found in Westbury, Wiltshire, within the "Warminster Triangle." It highlights the size of the largest circle (50ft) and the positioning of the smaller ones. The corn was flattened in a swirling manner, suggesting a large object landed. Farmer Stan Pointer reported the sight, noting the absence of tractor or vehicle entry marks. The article mentions theories ranging from whirlwinds to practical jokers, but emphasizes the difficulty of creating such precise circles. Sightseers have flocked to the field, and the article concludes by suggesting that if these circles are indeed from an alien spaceship, it would validate the claims of those in the Warminster Triangle who have reported UFO sightings for decades.

Victims' view of the ship

This section, accompanied by illustrations, shows drawings produced by the three women from the Shamrock Cafe incident under hypnosis. The drawings depict various UFO shapes, including 'Adamski-type', 'Saturn-shaped', 'Mothership', 'Cylinder shape', 'Rocket shape', 'Oval shape', 'Globe-shaped', and 'Cone or 'top'-shaped' objects. The accompanying text explains that these shapes, drawn by Knut Asheim in 1967, have been described by observers worldwide. The drawings also include a depiction of the spaceship's underside and aliens examining one of the women.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and the ongoing investigation into these phenomena. There is a clear attempt to present both skeptical viewpoints and the compelling accounts of witnesses, often supported by expert analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the unexplained aspects of many sightings while also highlighting the challenges of verification and the prevalence of misidentifications. The use of hypnosis as a tool for uncovering witness memories is a prominent feature, particularly in the Shamrock Cafe case, which is presented as a particularly convincing example of an alien encounter. The issue also touches upon the historical context of UFO sightings and the public's enduring fascination with the possibility of extra-terrestrial life.

Title: DAILY EXPRESS
Issue Date: July 12, 1983
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the Daily Express delves into the phenomenon of mysterious 'White Holes' or crop circles, focusing on recent sightings in Westbury, Wiltshire, and Hampshire, United Kingdom. The publication also touches upon UFO activity in the United States, specifically in Westchester, New York, and Vidor, Texas.

Close Encounters of the Wiltshire Kind

The main cover story, by Jeremy Gates, reports on the baffling 'White Holes' discovered in a Westbury cornfield. The eighth Earl of Clancarty, who chairs the House of Lords all-party UFO Study Group, expresses fascination and suggests a possible connection to 'Ley Lines,' described as courses of electro-magnetic energy used by UFOs. He notes that many ancient churches are also situated on these lines, as is Warminster.

Warminster, Wiltshire, has a long-standing reputation as the heart of the 'Warminster Triangle,' an area known for UFO sightings and supernatural events since the mid-1960s. The article recounts early incidents, including a thunderclap in 1964 followed by pounding noises and hummings, and the 'Warminster Thing' of 1965, which involved pigeons falling from the sky, dead mice with peculiar holes, and strange droning sounds.

Despite over 430 unexplained 'sightings' recorded in the area, Jenny Randles, director of investigations at the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association, remains unconvinced that these events point to extraterrestrial visitors. She suggests that the phenomenon has been amplified by public imagination feeding upon itself, with people visiting the area expecting to see UFOs, thus magnifying any small event. Randles attributes the 'White Holes' to whirlwinds and small tornadoes, though she admits it's becoming difficult to separate fact from fiction.

Randles distinguishes between 'close encounters,' where people claim contact with extraterrestrials or see spaceships and aliens (for which no photographic evidence exists), and 'Unidentified Atmospheric Phenomena' (UAP). UAPs can be physical, leaving marks on the ground or burns on the skin, and can cause an increase in radio-activity. A recent incident in Cornwall involved a couple treated in hospital for symptoms believed to be caused by radiation after spotting a green oval object.

The Big Mystery of UFO-Land is Getting Deeper

By David Thurlow, this article expands on the crop circle phenomenon, noting that similar patterns have appeared not only in Wiltshire but also in neighbouring Hampshire. Five rings were discovered in a Westbury cornfield, and five similar rings appeared in Hampshire's Devil's Punchbowl, below Cheesefoot Head, near Winchester. These Hampshire circles were found in barley, not corn, but shared the same geometric perfection.

The Westbury circles were reported on the thundery night of June 18. Maurice Botting, a local farm manager, confirmed their presence on the morning of June 19. Mrs Petronel Payne from Owslebury described the barley as laid perfectly, not ripped or crushed, and expressed a desire for a logical explanation, noting that previous attempts to contact government ministries about similar circles had been ignored.

Villagers in both counties offered various theories, including hoaxers, deer, whirlwinds, helicopters, and even hedgehogs. However, Lieutenant Commander Henry Bruce dismissed these as speculation, calling it 'grown-up people behaving like children making wanton damage' and suggesting it was an easy hoax to perpetrate. Conversely, Mrs Jenny Randles reiterated her belief that whirlwinds or tornadoes were the cause, blaming the weather.

Front Runner: Westchester and Fairfield County Life

This section, by Chris Clark, focuses on UFO activity in Westchester, New York. The area, not previously known for UFO sightings, experienced a significant event on March 17 when a huge, triangular configuration of more than 50 lights, described as very slow-moving and approximately 120 feet long, was observed. This sighting, witnessed by roughly one thousand people, including a meteorologist and a police officer, is considered by U.F.O. investigator Philip Imbrogno to be making 'U.F.O. history' for Westchester.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, dean of U.F.O. investigators and consultant to Project Bluebook, has taken an interest in the case. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) have also been involved. Jerry Salmonese, training for a private pilot's license, described an object seen on March 26th as an 'angle of bright lights' with a 'weird sound,' unlike any airplane he had seen. Imbrogno noted that some sightings involved 'close encounters' of less than 100 feet.

A Westchester police officer reported being followed by the U.F.O., which matched the description of an apex of bright lights. The craft reportedly hovered, slowed down with the officer's car, and then reversed direction before disappearing. While a New York State trooper suggested the sightings could be of 'ultra-lights' (one-man aircraft) flying in formation, Imbrogno dismissed this explanation, stating that ultra-lights cannot hover as observed by witnesses.

Imbrogno and his colleagues are determined to identify the craft and understand why such a large object would reveal itself in a populated area.

Express Reader Saw UFO Too! (Dover Express)

Arthur Syrett, a former clerk of the Dover Rural District Council, confirmed seeing a mysterious object in the sky while on holiday in Majorca, Spain, corroborating a previous report in the Dover Express about a UFO seen from St Raphael, France. The local English-language newspaper in Majorca had also reported the incident, though without explanation.

Driver Sights a UFO (Exeter Express)

A motorist in Devon reported sighting a moon-shaped unidentified flying object on the A358 near Axminster. The bright UFO remained in the sky for several minutes before disappearing. Police suggested possible naval or marine exercises as an explanation, with no other sightings reported.

UFO Film Man Wins a Hearing (Wycombe Star)

Architect Peter Day, who filmed an orange ball of light flying near the Lane End conference centre ten years prior, is to have his film presented at an International UFO congress. His film is described by one researcher as 'the hardest evidence in the world that UFO's do exist.' Initially overlooked by the congress, a slot was found for his film due to significant interest.

Expressman Spots UFO (Dover Express)

An Express reporter, while driving near St Raphael, France, witnessed a mysterious object flying west to east that lit up the sky. The object, described as not very high and resembling the fuselage of a giant airliner, made no sound and left a trail of brilliant fire before disappearing after about 15 seconds. The reporter seeks explanations from readers.

UFO Spotted Over Vidor (Beaumont, Texas Journal)

Delores Cherry and her relatives reported spotting a UFO over Vidor, Texas, for ten consecutive days. Fred Wesley, a National Weather Service specialist, issued a public information statement about a possible UFO sighted for the fifth time. The object is described as rotund, silver, three or four times as big as a star, with three rounded protrusions, emitting blue or red light every ten minutes without blinking or sound. It could move slowly or fast, up and down, or back and forth. Cherry's nephew, Byron Cole, also witnessed the object. A Vidor police officer, David Watson, was reportedly dumbfounded after observing the object. The incident has caused fear among the witnesses, who feel they are being followed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, crop circles, and the public's fascination with the unknown. There is a clear division between those who seek scientific or natural explanations (like whirlwinds, tornadoes, or military exercises) and those who entertain the possibility of extraterrestrial involvement or more mysterious natural forces like 'ley lines.' The editorial stance, particularly in the main Daily Express articles, appears to be one of reporting on the phenomena and the various theories surrounding them, while also acknowledging skepticism from experts like Jenny Randles. The inclusion of reports from different local newspapers across the UK and the US suggests a widespread interest in UFO sightings during this period.