Awareness - 1973 - Vol 02 No 3 - Autumn

Magazine Overview

AWARENESS, Volume 2, No. 3, published Autumn 1973, is a publication of CONTACT (UK). The issue is edited by J.B.Delair, with the editorial address at 19 Cumnor Road, Wootton, Boar's Hill, near Oxford, Berkshire. The magazine covers a range of topics related to UFOs and paranormal phenomena.

Editorial and Chairman's Message

The editorial section includes a message from the National Chairman, Fred W. Passey. He apologizes for the delay in the Spring and subsequent issues, attributing it to a series of misfortunes and difficulties, including the loss of the previous editor, Rick Roebuck, and issues with paper suppliers and printing equipment. Passey expresses gratitude to Derek Mansell for stepping in as assistant editor. He also announces that J.B.Delair has taken over as editor of AWARENESS, commending his industry and capability, and notes that the Summer issue has been released promptly, with Autumn and Winter issues planned for completion by the end of 1974 to bring the publication back on schedule.

Passey thanks members for their patience and offers of help, though notes the difficulty in utilizing remote offers. He extends a welcome to new members and mentions a pleasant visit from Sr. Giuseppe Petitti of CONTACT (ITALY). He concludes by appealing for original articles from readers regarding UFOs and news.

The editor, J.B.Delair, also appeals for submissions, noting that while the magazine has contributions from established writers like John Keel, Raymond Drake, and Kiril Terziev, new writers are always welcome.

Contents

The issue features an editorial, a preliminary report on a strange episode at Maresfield, Sussex, an article titled 'Between You and Me' by B. Le Poer Trench, and a piece on 'Re-entered Satellites'. It also includes 'The Contact (UK) Directory', listing key personnel and their contact information.

The Contact (UK) Directory

• Key personnel listed include:
• National Chairman: F.W.Passey
• General Secretary: A. Riebold
• Public Relations Officer: D. Baxter
• Membership Secretary: D.N.Mansell
• Research Enquiries Officer: J. Sears
• Senior Research Officer: D.N.Mansell
• Research Programme Co-ordinator: J.B.Delair

Strange Episode at Maresfield, Sussex: A Preliminary Account

This lengthy article, authored by J.B.Delair, details a series of paranormal events and UFO sightings experienced by Mrs. Jenny Bogart at her home, 'Batt's Cottage', near Maresfield, Sussex, starting in August 1973.

Background Detail:

Mrs. Bogart, aged 40, is described as a slim, fair-haired woman, separated from her husband, and a busy housewife. She previously worked as a reporter for the 'London Evening News', which contributed to her keen awareness of detail. 'Batt's Cottage' is an old brick-and-timber dwelling in a secluded spot, bordered by wooded areas, near the Maresfield army camp. The property is near Piltdown Lake, which is frequented by the Bogarts for fishing and swimming, and is noted as being of interest to UFOs. The area also has a tall radio mast at the army camp and a fixed navigational light at Mayfield. An old Roman road runs nearby, and an underground stream is connected to a garden well.

Historical Summary of Paranormal Events:

Since moving into 'Batt's Cottage' in 1958, the Bogarts reported hearing unidentified children's voices, primarily in the attic, which ceased after electricity was installed. In 1961, Gareth Bogart mentioned a 'little boy' climbing through the attic window. In the same year, a grey-haired woman apparition was seen in the bedroom, later identified as a former occupant who had died young. In 1962-1963, flashing red, green, and white lights were observed over the army camp and adjacent woods, moving independently. In circa 1970, during a visit by South African friends, a tall man apparition appeared on the stairway. Since then, mysterious footsteps have been heard in the attic 2-3 times a week, leading to the attic door being kept locked. Objects have also appeared or vanished inexplicably from rooms.

Mrs. Bogart claims that when footsteps are heard, the cottage feels airless, causing breathing difficulty. She underwent a chest X-ray with negative results.

Recent Paranormal Activity:

On August 6th, 1973, around 10:20 pm, Mrs. Bogart, her son Rupert, and a visitor, Martin Ayling, witnessed a bright aerial light approaching the cottage. The light, initially white, turned red and doused its lights as the house light was switched on. It appeared to stop over a well, estimated at 50-100 feet above ground, for a few minutes. The object, described as cigar-shaped and about 30 feet long with blacked-out square features, spun and moved off towards Piltdown Lake. The incident lasted about 5 minutes and was silent. Following this, the television began to malfunction and eventually burnt out, while a radio set continued to work.

On August 7th, Rupert reported seeing three separate objects: a red triangular object, a dull white bullet-shaped object, and a jet black ice-cream cone shaped object with a red nose. On August 8th, Mrs. Bogart saw an amber-colored, bullet-shaped object stationary over the woods, releasing and receiving smaller red flashing objects. Rupert also described a 'plated' object with lights at each end.

About ten days after the August 6th incidents, Mrs. Bogart developed red weal-like markings on her scalp and cheek, experienced hair loss, and developed ulcers on her gums. These symptoms persisted at the time of the interview.

Mrs. Bogart has continued to see lighted aerial objects almost every clear evening since August 6th, often in the direction of Piltdown Lake.

In early September, during a severe storm, Mrs. Bogart observed a large arc of light emanating from the wooded areas near Piltdown Lake, with lightning flashes seemingly originating from or focusing on this spot.

Films taken by Mrs. Bogart to record these events have invariably turned out blank or 'fogged', despite producing normal results when filming in non-paranormal conditions.

Observations and Brief Discussion:

J.B.Delair notes that the account is a preliminary investigation. He suggests that the physical symptoms experienced by Mrs. Bogart could be psychosomatic. He discusses the possibility of the phenomena being real, imaginary, or a combination. The consistent reports of mystery voices, footsteps, and unidentified figures at 'Batt's Cottage' suggest it is a center for psychical phenomena, possibly including poltergeist activity. The joint observation of aerial lights and objects by multiple witnesses suggests these were real phenomena.

Subsidiary Details:

Mrs. Bogart reported being followed discreetly by a yellow Volkswagen car with smoked glass windows on several occasions. Once, the car stopped, and two individuals emerged to take photographs before driving off. This vehicle's presence is considered furtive and unexplained.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine focuses on UFO sightings, paranormal events, and unexplained phenomena, presenting detailed case studies and witness accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and reporting, while also acknowledging the need for critical analysis and the possibility of psychosomatic explanations for some reported effects. The publication emphasizes its role as a platform for members and readers to share their experiences and findings.

This issue of 'BETWEEN YOU AND ME' features an article by Brinsley Le Poer Trench, titled 'BETWEEN YOU AND ME by Brinsley Le Poer Trench', which delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, physical evidence, and associated unexplained events. The content appears to be from a magazine issue dated approximately January 1973, based on the satellite data provided.

Article: The Maresfield Events and Psychic Phenomena

The article begins by discussing the nature of UFO evidence, suggesting that single or unaccompanied percipients' accounts, while not always demonstrably real, warrant consideration and may represent actual UFOs or related phenomena. It then focuses on the experiences of Mrs. Bogart, who reported numerous events, some of which she experienced alone. The author acknowledges that Mrs. Bogart's domestic pressures and high psychic receptivity might lead one to suspect imagination, but counters that similar physical reactions (ulcers, hair loss, epidermal markings) have been reported in other unrelated UFO cases, even by those without psychic receptivity. Examples include radiation causing ulcers and skin burns, and the Falcon Lake/Michalak case. Mrs. Bogart's account includes seeing a low-level cigar-shaped object hovering over her garden, with co-witnesses Rupert and Martin Ayling not reporting any ill-effects.

The author notes that while there is no direct evidence linking psychical/poltergeist activity with aerial lights and objects, John Keel's 'Operation Trojan Horse' suggests a frequent association between these phenomena in American instances. Mrs. Bogart's experience of both suggests a link.

Mrs. Bogart's observations on August 8th of a bullet-shaped object releasing smaller red objects are compared to the Aveyron affair of 1967 and a similar event at Melbury, Dorset, in 1949. Notably, Mrs. Bogart had not heard of these cases when they were mentioned, making her account particularly interesting.

The mysterious yellow Volkswagen car episodes are superficially linked to 'men in black' cases, but no irrefutable connection is made to Mrs. Bogart's other paranormal experiences. The significance of the Volkswagen episodes remains unknown but they are catalogued for future reference.

Fogged or blank films from the Maresfield events are considered of uncertain value but could potentially provide confirmatory evidence for the reality of the objects Mrs. Bogart attempted to photograph.

Summary of the Maresfield Investigation

The author expresses hope that other, better-equipped investigators will visit 'Batt's Cottage' to re-interview Mrs. Bogart and her co-witnesses to unravel the meaning of the events. The writer states that, to his knowledge, at least some of the detailed events did happen and lack a rational explanation. Captain Ivar Mackay, a leading British ufologist, is expected to undertake further investigations, with others also signaling interest. The magazine intends to report on these future inquiries and hopes for an exhaustive study of the Maresfield phenomena to understand why it attracts both psychic and ufological phenomena. The author concludes by referencing John Keel's postulation that Sussex might be one of the 'windows' through which UFOs enter our world.

Article: 'BETWEEN YOU AND ME' - Earthly Substances at Landing Sites

This section, written by Brinsley Le Poer Trench, explores cases where UFOs or their occupants have allegedly dropped 'earthly' substances and artifacts. The author references John A. Keel's assertion that this has been a consistent pattern for years.

Case Studies of Physical Evidence

• Maury Island Affair (June 1947): Suggested to be a hoax due to slag-like material dropped from UFOs.
• Glassboro, New Jersey, USA (1964): Investigators found potassium nitrate at an alleged landing site, which the U.S. Air Force used to discredit the incident, despite other evidence like ground holes and damaged trees consistent with eyewitness accounts.
• Kuusamo, Saapunki, Finland (January 1971): A blinding light appeared, and snow at the site melted and refroze into strange, dark green crystals, later found to contain aluminium, which is unusual in snow.
• Brazil (Various sites): Analysis of materials from alleged landing sites in Baleia (1967) and near Villa Constitucion revealed substances like iron, aluminium, magnesium, silica, carbon, nickel, and copper. A subsequent analysis of soil near Campo Grande showed high percentages of silica, magnesium, and alumina.
• Florence, Italy (October 27th, 1954): During a UFO fly-over, shining flakes fell on a stadium crowd. Analysis showed these flakes were composed of ordinary substances like iron, calcium, magnesium, and silicon.
• Kearney, Nebraska, USA (1957): A fertilizer salesman reported a UFO landing, and police found a puddle of oil-like fluid at the site.
• Cherry Creek, New York State, USA (August 19th): A 16-year-old witnessed an egg-shaped object land, trailing vapour and emitting a sound, leaving behind a strange odour and globs of shimmering purplish liquid, later identified as silicon, aluminium, and iron.

'Foreign Looking Men' and 'Earthly' Materials

The article highlights another strange aspect: the appearance of 'foreign looking men', dressed in normal clothes, at landing sites. These individuals often take photographs and make measurements before eyewitnesses can report their observations. An example from the Daily Mail (May 20th, 1909) describes a Mr. Lethbridge encountering five 'foreigners' measuring a landed cylindrical object.

The author reiterates that UFO occupants have been dropping 'earthly' substances and garbage for decades, with materials being solid or fluid and essentially of an 'earthly' character.

The Ummo Affair

The article briefly introduces the Ummo affair, a case baffling Spanish ufologists. Some claim to have corresponded with 'Ummoans' from a planet named Ummo, orbiting the star Wolf 424. Letters received on paper-like material with a symbol claimed to signify Ummo have been observed on UFOs. The author notes that if these letters are indeed from Ummo, then the Ummoans use 'earthly' paper.

References

The article cites John A. Keel and Saga magazine for information on UFO substances, and lists Keel's book 'Strange Creatures From Time and Space' and Brinsley Le Poer Trench's 'The Eternal Subject' as references.

Re-entered Satellites

A comprehensive list of 're-entered satellites' is provided, detailing their catalogue number, source (USSR or USA), satellite name (e.g., Salyut 2, Cosmos 552, Titan 3C-4, Skylab II), and the date they decayed. This data spans from April 1973 to June 1973, and includes some earlier entries from 1964-1972.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the physical evidence associated with UFO sightings, the potential connection between UFO phenomena and psychic events (like poltergeist activity), and the mystery surrounding the origins of these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the unexplained nature of many cases while encouraging further investigation and rigorous analysis of evidence. The author, Brinsley Le Poer Trench, presents various cases and expert opinions, suggesting that while some phenomena might be explained by earthly means or hoaxes, a significant portion remains anomalous and worthy of continued study. The inclusion of satellite data suggests an attempt to correlate or contrast terrestrial UFO reports with space-based activities.