Area S1 - No 2 - 1996 06

Magazine Overview

Title: AREA S1
Issue: June '96
Price: £1
Publisher: SI Publications
Affiliation: The Official Magazine of Sheffield UFO Research Association (SUFORA)

This issue of AREA S1, dated June 1996, delves into various UFO and unexplained phenomena topics, featuring a mix of investigation reports, witness accounts, historical cases, and news from the UFO community. The magazine aims to spread the truth about UFOs and is published by SI Publications, affiliated with SUFORA.

Contents

The contents page outlines a diverse range of articles:

• World UFO Newsround: Covers global UFO news, including a 'Mantle Stands Down' story, a 'Pope Book May UFO' alert, and a 'Chile UFO Alert'.
• Investigation Report: Jonathan Baker investigates a UFO that buzzed a motorist.
• Postal Drivers Shocking Journey: Reports on an OVNI sighting.
• The David Baker Article: Debunks common UFO skepticism.
• Ancient UFO Stories: Relives undiscovered UFO-related historical stories by Susan Brameld.
• Eclipse Brings Down the Martians: A local newspaper headline about UFO reports during an eclipse.
• Did I See the Roswell Disc?: A witness account from Sheffield recalling a 1947 sighting.
• Report from West Yorkshire: Mark Gibbons discusses recent UFO activity.
• More Than a Sighting: Continues Jean's ordeal and her experience.
• UBH: Unidentified Black Helicopters - 'Enough Said!'
• JFK Shot Due to UFO Talk?: An American author discusses the real reason behind JFK's death.
• More UFO Sightings at Shieldhill?: A report from Scotland by David Colman.
• Gentle Reminders: Event listings, helpline, and telephone numbers.

Contributors to this issue include J. Baker, S. Brameld, M. Gibbons, D. Baker, D. Colman, R. Twyning, K. Goodwin, and M.S. Jeffrey.

SUFORA is described as a non-profit organisation dedicated to spreading the truth about the UFO phenomenon. SI Publications encourages reproduction of reports with due acknowledgement.

World UFO Newsround

Mantle Stands Down

This section addresses allegations surrounding Phillip Mantle and the sale of photographs. After investigation, AREA S1 reports that Mantle deposited photographs with a London picture agency, some of which were allegedly sourced from books and included Ed Walters' Gulf Breeze photos. The copyright issue was brought to light by Peter Hough, an author and ufologist. It is clarified that none of the photos belonged to BUFORA, and Mantle did not receive any money. BUFORA's archives were checked, and no photos were found to be missing. Mantle acted individually, not on behalf of BUFORA. Phillip Mantle has decided to stand down as Director of Investigations of BUFORA to spend more time with his family. Gloria Dixon has been announced as the new Director of Investigations and is a member of the BUFORA council. BUFORA is also organizing a "50 years anniversary" conference to celebrate Kenneth Arnold's sighting.

Friends to Help

The "Friends of SUFORA" initiative is launched online to raise money for UFO research in Sheffield and upcoming conferences. They are seeking donations of bric-a-brac and clothes.

Month of UFO's?

May 1996 is described as an amazing month with numerous reports of flying triangles and other craft across the country. Specific sightings include:

• May 1st: Postal driver scared by a massive flying triangle.
• May 5th: Strange craft seen over Wincobank, Sheffield.
• May 5th: Strange object flying and landed in Rawmarsh.
• May 6th: Triangle casually flying over Firth Park, Sheffield.
• May 9th: Bright silver disk seen near Water tower in Burton on Trent (OVNI).
• May 16th: UFO buzzed a motorist in Mansfield, with six witnesses.
• May 18th: Two disks seen flying across Uttoxeter (OVNI).

Sheffield UFO Congress

The next meeting is scheduled for July 9th, featuring guests from Burnley UFO group, West Yorkshire BEAMS group, and Mansfield UFO group.

Chile on UFO Alert

Chile has been placed on a 'UFO alert' following major sightings near the capital, Santiago. The Chilean military FACH issued the alert, taking the possibility of an alien invasion seriously.

New Roswell Evidence

An American radio show host may possess key evidence related to the 1947 Roswell crash, having received metal pieces, electronic components, and a letter from someone whose grandfather was part of the retrieval team. A full report is promised for the next issue.

Pope Releases Book

Nick Pope has released his book "Open Minds etc.", described as appearing on numerous TV shows. The book is critiqued for not delivering 'top secret files' but instead presenting known sightings and the 'triangle situation', leading to a sense of déjà vu.

Investigation Report: Near Miss Over Mansfield?

On April 13th, a skywatch organized by the Mansfield UFO Group took place on Mansfield Colliery Tip. Over 60 people applied for membership, with 30 attending. The witness describes seeing an object to the right of the plough, moving east to west, which then faded. It reappeared in the middle of the plough, moving west to east on the same path. The witness notes that satellites do not fade directly overhead and that two objects moving in opposite directions on the same path would constitute a near miss if they were aircraft. The object reappeared a third time, moving in the opposite direction again. The witness states that such frequent satellite activity in a small area is unusual. Later, other objects were seen, with one reportedly stopping when a torch was shone on it, and another splitting into two. A distinct curved trajectory of one object was also witnessed, which is not typical of satellites. The report concludes that the objects could not be conclusively explained and mentions a hope to repeat the skywatch.

Investigation Report: Unidentified Object Sighting

On May 16th, 1996, two men reported being 'buzzed' by a UFO near Rainworth, Nottinghamshire. Police officers dispatched to the scene witnessed the object circling the men's car. It was then observed moving north over Sherwood Forest. Pc Tony Lewis and a colleague confirmed the sighting, watching the object for 15-20 minutes as it moved northeast towards Worksop, then arced westward towards Chesterfield, and finally north towards Sheffield before being lost from sight. Pc Lewis described the object as a row of four pulsating orange, red, and green lights with a blue-white strobe light near the center. It moved steadily, but its size, distance, and speed could not be confirmed. East Midlands airport confirmed no air traffic was scheduled for the area. An investigation into a possible link with an airship based at Leeds-Bradford airport was ruled out, as the airship was confirmed to be on the ground and tethered. The investigation is ongoing, and the object remains unidentified.

Postal Driver's Shocking Journey

On May 1st, 1996, a postal driver named Tom was travelling on his route between Derby, Burton-on-Trent, and Swadlincote. Approaching the Stanhope Arms Hotel, he noticed a bright light in the sky, appearing to descend. As he passed the Burton golf course, houses obscured his view. He stopped at the Bretby lane junction and saw an object pass over the houses. Tom described it as very large, very bright, with many bright lights, and a green light at the rear, resembling the shape and size of a US Space Shuttle. He noted it was silent and appeared to be about 200 yards away. The sighting lasted about ten minutes, with the object at Bretby Lane lasting only 10-20 seconds. Tom also reported a second, more frightening experience on May 3rd. The object's color was greyish with bright lights and a green rear light. On the second sighting, it appeared the size of a US Space Shuttle. It travelled slowly from WNW to ESE. Tom stated the object was too big to have landed on Derby football ground. He has since experienced trepidation and anxiety due to these incidents.

The David Baker Article: "Debunking the Debunkers... Part One"

David Baker addresses common arguments used by skeptics and debunkers. He tackles the question of why aliens don't land on the White House lawn or make themselves known en masse. Baker suggests several reasons:

1. "Why Should They?": If alien science is far advanced beyond ours, they may have nothing to discuss. They could simply take what they need without asking, much like a bee-keeper takes honey without communicating with bees.
2. "We are not worthy.": Humanity's tendency towards war, selfishness, and xenophobia might make aliens hesitant to reveal themselves, fearing how they would be treated or the damage humans could inflict if exposed to advanced technology prematurely. They may be observing us until we mature.
3. "They may already have done...": This theory suggests a conspiracy between aliens and governments since 1947, possibly involving meetings and joint operations from underground bases like Area 51. This pact could involve a cover-up or a slow, careful indoctrination of the public.

Baker also discusses the variety of UFO craft and alien descriptions, comparing them to different types of aircraft on Earth. He posits that different craft may be used for different tasks or by different species, and that alien witnesses might perceive different alien races as distinct species. He also mentions the possibility of mental control influencing witness perceptions and the concept of 'screen memories' in abduction cases, where initial perceptions of 'Blondes' or 'Nordics' can be replaced by 'Greys' upon deeper examination.

He refutes the argument that faster-than-light travel is impossible, suggesting aliens might be from other realities, planes of existence, or even our own planet, and that their technology could be far beyond our current comprehension.

Ancient UFO Stories

This section explores the question of why there are so many different types of UFOs and aliens reported. It draws parallels to the variety of aircraft on Earth (hot-air balloons, helicopters, Concorde, etc.) and suggests that aliens might operate different craft for different purposes or that various species might visit. The diversity of alien descriptions is compared to the variety of human appearances, suggesting that to an alien race, humans might appear as distinct species. Ufologist Robert C. Dean is cited as claiming up to a hundred civilizations might be watching Earth. Another theory suggests that UFO occupants might project images based on witness expectations, leading to 'screen memories' where perceived aliens can change drastically upon deeper hypnosis.

The narrative then shifts to an ancient Native American legend about 'Waupee' or 'White Hawk'. Waupee encounters a ring in a prairie where a basket descends, carrying twelve sisters. He falls in love with the youngest, and after a series of events involving mice and a silver stick, he manages to keep her. They have a son, but Waupee's wife longs to return to her father. They construct a basket and ascend to a 'country far beyond the flight of birds'. Upon arrival, gifts are exchanged, and those who chose animal parts are transformed. Waupee chooses a white hawk's feather, and he, his wife, and son become white hawks, returning to Earth.

Eclipse Brings UFO Sightings

This article reports on UFO sightings that occurred during an eclipse on April 3rd. Several incidents are detailed:

• Hupper Haugh, Wentworth: Jenny and Sandra observed an oval-shaped craft with colored lights hovering for about an hour during the eclipse. It reappeared the next day.
• Solent, Hampshire: A woman on the Isle of Wight spotted a flying triangle.
• Gloucester: Six witnesses, including Tony Miller, saw a dome-shaped object hovering, which they believed was not a comet. Mr. Miller described it as having one main light with a peanut-shaped red light beneath, surrounded by blue and green lights. They watched it for about two hours as it traveled towards Tuffley.
• Stubbington, Southampton: Astronomy enthusiasts spotted what they described as a triangular-shaped UFO. It was initially seen as an orange star that remained static for ten minutes before moving at high speed and turning into a triangular object.

The article notes that the solar eclipse of July 11, 1991, also led to UFO sightings, with seventeen people capturing a shiny hovering craft on videotape in Mexico. It suggests that UFO sightings have been increasing, particularly in Sheffield during May.

Did I See the Roswell Disc?

This section features an account from Sylvia Dean, who was fourteen years old in July 1947 when she witnessed a UFO. She describes seeing a bright silver disc hovering high in the clear blue sky. It had a dome on top and made no noise. After about five to eight minutes, the disc shot off to her left at incredible speed, heading towards what her father believed was Germany. Sylvia was shocked by its speed, stating it flew higher and faster than any aircraft she had ever seen. She initially thought it might be a balloon but dismissed the idea due to its speed. The report is reprinted from "Report on UFOs: The findings of Martin S Jeffrey."

Report from West Yorkshire

This report details several sightings in the West Yorkshire area:

• Crow Wood Park, Sowerby Bridge: An orange ball of light was seen hovering for about 10 minutes and then vanished as suddenly as it appeared.
• Scammonden Area: A triangular UFO was reported. Two friends, Carla and Steven, saw a disc-shaped object covered in lights spinning around, which then disappeared into the ground. Later, while driving over the M62, the reporter, Anne, Barry, and Steven saw a triangular object with three bright white lights at the corners and colored lights in the middle hovering for approximately five minutes. It moved slowly, then sped up, stopped, and disappeared behind a cloud.
• Todmorden Direction: An orange ball of light was seen hovering for 10 minutes.
• Golcar Area, Huddersfield: A bright object moving very fast was seen, which then stopped, flashed blue and green, and was described as a perfect sphere. Simultaneously, Anne and Carla observed a triangular object with colored lights underneath hovering above Anne's car. This object then shot vertically into the sky at high speed.

The report is taken from Mark Gibbon's BEAMS West Yorkshire Newsletter No.5.

More Than a Sighting

This article recounts an experience of Jean Ford, who had previously seen two 'blonds' in a flying saucer. Years later, while recovering from an operation, she felt a heavy hand on her head, which massaged her scalp and vibrated, filling her head with pins and needles. She felt relaxed afterward and believed the aliens had helped her. Four years later, while driving with Tom towards Skegness, they saw a flash in the sky near Sherwood Forest. They observed a shiny black ball, which turned out to be a boomerang-shaped object with a cylinder in the middle. It hovered approximately 10ft off the ground. Jean, suffering from a migraine, could not stop, and they lost sight of the object as they drove deeper into the forest. The incident led Jean and Tom to realize that visitors from other planets exist.

U.B.H.'s: Unidentified Black Helicopters

This section discusses sightings of unidentified black helicopters, which have been reported for decades. The article notes that in 1995, in Fallon, Nevada, a black helicopter sprayed an unknown substance, leading to the death of 13 livestock and subsequent plant death. Federal Aviation authorities and the military denied knowledge of these helicopters.

British Encounters

Most British helicopter sightings occurred between 1971 and 1974. One account from May 10th, 1973, describes a dome-like object resembling a helicopter with window space, which hovered silently over Hartshead Pike hill near Oldham, rotating and emitting colored lights before moving away.

Encounters were also common in the North, particularly Todmorden, Yorkshire, and Lancashire, as well as Staffordshire, Southern Derbyshire, and the North Midlands. These sightings often occurred in winter. Around October 26th, 1973, helicopters were active in the Southern Pennines, with witnesses reporting a light cigar-like object. The article questions whether these objects are UFOs or helicopters, given their ability to move low and fast across terrain and outpace cars.

The report mentions that official denials of UFO existence lead to these craft being labeled as helicopters. It also references Richard Hansen, a helicopter pilot, who stated that helicopters are unstable and cannot hover without a horizon, contrasting with the reported hovering of these unidentified craft.

A sinister note is added regarding Todmorden, where Zigmund Adamski disappeared for five days and was found dead with a burn on his head. This is linked to UFO sightings reported before his disappearance.

America's Encounters

In autumn 1976, a hunter in Montana saw a black helicopter parked on the ground. Seven men in civilian clothing emerged, speaking an unknown language, and then quickly departed. The article questions why black helicopter sightings receive no media attention, suggesting it might be a sensitive subject or that media sources are instructed to remain silent.

Cattle Mutilation Connection

This section links cattle mutilations, often associated with black chopper sightings, to secret testing of biological warfare viruses. It references the FBI's admission of releasing flu germs in urban areas in the 1950s and 1960s and suggests that the precise cuts observed in mutilations could be the work of government entities with advanced laser technology.

The article concludes by listing what is known about these helicopters:

1. They are seen flying in various sizes and types, seemingly in violation of federal regulations.
2. They harass people.
3. They have sprayed chemicals, and their occupants have shot at people.

The purpose and operators of these helicopters remain largely unknown, with speculation ranging from legitimate national defense to getaway vehicles for criminals or activities as unfathomable as those ascribed to UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of AREA S1 revolve around the persistent presence of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), the challenges of investigating such sightings, and the potential for government secrecy or cover-ups. The magazine adopts a stance of open inquiry, presenting witness accounts, investigative reports, and historical cases without definitive conclusions, encouraging readers to consider the evidence. There is a clear emphasis on the unexplained, with articles exploring everything from recent sightings to ancient legends and the controversial topic of unidentified black helicopters. The editorial stance appears to be one of belief in the reality of UFO phenomena and a desire to bring these accounts to public attention, despite potential official denials or media silence.

This issue of "UFO TALK?" (Volume 2, Issue 2, dated November 1995) delves into two significant topics: the controversial theory linking President John F. Kennedy's assassination to his alleged intention to disclose alien contact, and recent UFO sightings in Shieldhill, Scotland. The magazine also features information from the Sheffield UFO Research Association (SUFORA).

JFK Assassination and UFOs

The lead article presents the astonishing claim by JFK researcher Professor L. Merrick that President Kennedy was assassinated to prevent him from revealing that the US government had made contact with extraterrestrial beings. Merrick's research is based on what he claims are JFK's original handwritten notes for an undelivered speech, which were found on note cards that had been in the possession of Texas Governor John Connally. According to Merrick, Connally, who was wounded in the attack, kept the notes in a safety deposit box until his death in 1993. The notes, authenticated by five handwriting analysts as 95% certain to be Kennedy's, reportedly state that humanity is not alone in the universe and that in 1947, the US military recovered an aircraft of unknown origin from the New Mexico desert, leading to government contact with its creators.

More UFO Sightings at Shieldhill?

This section details several UFO sightings reported in the Westerglen area of Scotland, near the transmitting stations known as the 'goal posts'. On the night of November 26th, 1995, four individuals observed a peculiar aerial phenomenon. Initially mistaken for a plane, the object exhibited unusual flight patterns, moving back and forth. It then stopped dead in mid-flight, revealing itself to be a disc-shaped craft with a row of small rectangular windows and a red light running around its circumference. The craft resumed its flight and was lost to sight. The observers estimated its size to be considerable and its altitude to be only a few hundred feet.

Further observations were made on November 28th and 29th. On the 29th, two bright lights appeared stationary, and one was seen to drop something to the ground, a scene compared to footage in Linda Moulton-Howe's "Strange Harvest." The reporter, David Colman, managed to capture some of this activity on video. On December 5th, 1995, at 8 pm, the same phenomena were observed again, with suspicious activity on the ground also videoed.

Colman suggests that the Bathgate/Bonnybridge triangle in central Scotland may hold interest for visitors from 'Zeta Reticuli' or elsewhere. He speculates that the presence of new high-tech factories in the area, possibly attracted by the soft water, might be a factor in the high rating of UFO activity.

Sheffield UFO Research Association (SUFORA)

Page 2 provides contact information and details for the Sheffield UFO Research Association (SUFORA). Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9th, at the Nelson Mandela Building, Pond Street, Sheffield, starting at 7 pm. Skywatches are planned for Saturday, June 15th, and Saturday, July 6th, 1996, both from 8:30 pm to 12 am, meeting at the Morrisons Car park in Hillsborough.

The association also runs a helpline and seeks assistance with various inquiries: translating Polish, finding jumble or bric-a-brac in the Sheffield area, details about a missing American bearded antique seller featured on 'Unsolved Mysteries,' and information from anyone who lived in Attercliffe in the 1970s. SUFORA welcomes articles, photographs, case files, reports, and newspaper clippings for their publication, AREA S1.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the potential cover-up of extraterrestrial contact by governments and the ongoing investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to consider unconventional theories and to actively participate in reporting and researching UFO sightings. The inclusion of SUFORA's activities suggests a community-oriented approach to UFO research, fostering information sharing and public engagement.