Awareness - 1976 - Vol 05 No 2 - Summer

Magazine Overview

This issue of AWARENESS, a publication of Contact (UK), is dated Summer 1976 and is Volume 5, Number 2. The cover simply displays the title "AWARENESS" and the date "SUMMER 1976". The magazine is edited by J.B.Delair, with an editorial address in Wootton, near Oxford, and a telephone number in Oxford.

Contents

The issue begins with an "Editorial" on page 2, followed by several articles:

• "CURIOUS AERIAL PHENOMENA IN 1812, 1813, AND 1814" by J.B.Delair (Pages 3-5).
• "UFO ACTIVITY IN NORTHERN BRITAIN: NOVEMBER 1975 - FEBRUARY 1976" by Jenny Randles (Pages 5-8).
• "Some Important Notices" (Page 8).
• "A CHECK-LIST OF BOOKS ABOUT UFOS AND RELATED SUBJECTS IN CONTACT (UK's) LIBRARY" by John Loveridge (Pages 9-12).
• "A SURVEY OF UNEXPLAINED AERIAL PHENOMENA OVER BRITAIN IN 1950" by J.B.Delair and J.Bonabot (Pages 12-18).
• "A UFO-PRONE HOUSEHOLD AT WOKING" by C.C.Warren (Pages 19-21).
• "BOOK REVIEWS" by B.Le Poer Trench and J.B.Delair (Pages 21-22).
• Advertisements (Pages 23-24).
• Recommended Book List (Page 23).
• Important Notice (Page 24).

The issue also includes "The Contact (UK) Directory", listing key personnel and their roles.

Editorial

The editorial, titled "EDITORIAL" on page 3, discusses the growing dossier of humanoid and UFO occupant cases, citing researchers like David Webb in America. It emphasizes the importance of increased cooperation among UFO organizations, both internationally and nationally, to gain a clearer understanding of the UFO enigma. Contact (UK)'s collaboration with Dr. Hynek's UFO Centre in Chicago is highlighted as an example of international effort. The editorial also notes the growing awareness among British ufologists of the need for closer cooperation, mentioning initiatives between BUFORA, CONTACT (UK), and NUFON. The editor expresses gratitude for all correspondence received, acknowledging that not every item can be individually acknowledged due to economic and other reasons.

Curious Aerial Phenomena in 1812, 1813, and 1814

This article by J.B.Delair (Pages 3-5) details three historical events that may relate to UFO activity:

• Case I (May 1st, 1812, Barbados): Described in a letter to the Philosophical Magazine, this event involved large, stationary brown and bluish clouds that remained for over twelve hours, causing unusual darkness, stillness, loud skyblasts, and a fall of ash-like substance. The event ended with the clouds dissipating.
• Case II (March 22nd, 1813, London): An article in the Philosophical Magazine describes an object, about half the size of a full moon, appearing near a black cloud at 9:22 pm. It was triangular, projected rays, and moved westwards for about half a minute. The author notes that such prolonged observations are not typical of meteors.
• Case III (September 5th, 1814, Agen, France): Observers saw a small, round, white cloud with a greyish hue materialize at a great height. It increased speed, revolved, made a thundery noise, and showered stones before becoming stationary and fading away. The stones collected resembled those from previous falls at l'Aigle. The article suggests this phenomenon, with its unusual behavior, resembled a UFO.

The article concludes by posing whether similar stone showers could be generated by unknown aerial bodies and references historical accounts of such events.

UFO Activity in Northern Britain: November 1975 - February 1976

Written by Jenny Randles (Pages 5-8), this article focuses on UFO sightings in Northern England, an area often neglected in ufology literature. It highlights the efforts of young investigators and the collaborative work between groups like CONTACT (Eire), BUFORA, and SKYSCAN. The article details a "flap" of UFO activity in late October and early November 1975, which followed a similar surge in Britain. While not on the scale of major past waves, these local events involved lights with no apparent physical substance, such as a yellowish oval light over the Irish Sea. A more significant wave occurred between December 12th and 14th, 1975.

Key incidents from this period include:

• December 12th, 1975: In Adlington, three boys reported a cone-shaped object with triangular lights. In Swinton, a woman observed peculiar lights, and a reporter team sighted three deep-red and blue lights forming a hazy disc shape that accelerated rapidly. Another witness in Swinton followed a series of lights and observed a hovering object with flashing lights.
• December 13th, 1975: The Dutton family witnessed a cone-shaped object, changing color, hover and then depart at high speed.
• January 1976: Two local UFO groups investigated reports in Bolton and southern Lancashire. One event involved two girls seeing a stationary jagged white "star", which was later concluded to be a misinterpretation of a star, despite significant publicity. Another report from Shadsworth involved three young ladies describing an oval shape in two pieces with a rectangular section containing rotating windows, emitting various colored lights.
• January 23rd, 1976: A 17-year-old girl in Bolton reported seeing a flat-topped object with red and amber lights that spun and caused a "grinding sensation".
• February 1976: Reports included an object seen on Winter Hill described as an oval with a flattened "mushroom" top, emitting a humming noise, and a sighting in the Cairo Kill area of Oldham.

The article notes that MUFORA is actively investigating these cases and that 1976 is expected to be a busy year for local investigators.

Some Important Notices

This section (Page 8) provides several announcements:

1. The Annual General Meeting for Contact (UK) will be held on Saturday, December 4th, in London, featuring speakers like Leonard Cramp and an exhibition of UFO-related material.
2. Congratulations are extended to Brinsley Le Poer Trench, founder president, on being elevated to the peerage as the new Earl of Clancarty. His new address for correspondence is provided.
3. Contact (UK) is collaborating with NUFON to produce a catalogue of UFO sightings from northern England, expected in 1977. Readers are invited to submit sightings to Ian Cresswell. A similar catalogue for Welsh UFO reports is also being prepared with the Belgian organization GESAG.

A Check-list of Books About UFOs and Related Subjects in Contact (UK's) Library

Compiled by Librarian John Loveridge (Pages 9-12), this extensive list provides a catalog of books held in the Contact (UK) library. It includes works by authors such as Adamski, Arnold, Barker, Berlitz, Binder, Bowen, Cade, Cathie, Chapman, and Condon, among many others. The entries are listed alphabetically by author and chronologically for authors with multiple publications. Books are designated as hard-cover (H) or limp/soft cover (L).

A Survey of Unexplained Aerial Phenomena Over Britain in 1950

This article by J.B.Delair and J.Bonabot (Pages 12-18) is mentioned in the contents but not fully detailed in the provided scan. It likely covers sightings and events from that year.

A UFO-Prone Household at Woking

This article by C.C.Warren (Pages 19-21) is also mentioned in the contents but not fully detailed in the provided scan. It presumably details a location with a high incidence of UFO sightings.

Book Reviews

Reviews by B.Le Poer Trench and J.B.Delair are listed on pages 21-22. Specific books reviewed are not detailed in the provided scan.

The Contact (UK) Directory

This directory lists the following key personnel and their addresses:

• National Chairman: F.W.Passcy (Headington, Oxford)
• General Secretary: J.B.Delair (Wootton, Boar's Hill, near Oxford)
• Treasurer & Membership Secretary: D.N.Mansell (Cumnor, near Oxford)
• Public Relations Officer: J.Longhorn (Cumnor, Oxford)
• Research Enquiries Officers: J.Sears and L.Dudley (Cumnor)
• Senior Research Officer: D.N.Mansell (Cumnor)
• Research Programme Co-ordinator: J.B.Delair (Wootton)
• Librarian: J.Loveridge (Cumnor)
• Archivist: E.Cox (Cumnor)

The issue states that opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or staff, and material is copyright CONTACT (UK), 1976.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the documentation and analysis of UFO sightings, both historical and contemporary. There is a strong emphasis on the need for systematic data collection and the importance of cooperation among researchers and organizations. The editorial stance clearly advocates for a collaborative approach to understanding the UFO enigma, suggesting that individual efforts are insufficient. The magazine aims to compile and disseminate information, making it accessible to its members through resources like the library catalog. The issue also touches upon the challenges of distinguishing genuine anomalous phenomena from misidentifications and the role of publicity in UFO reporting.

This document contains excerpts from the "Flying Saucer Review", specifically focusing on an article titled "A SURVEY OF UNEXPLAINED AERTAL PHENOMENA OVER BRITAIN IN 1950" by J.B.Delair and J.Bonabot, and another article titled "A UFO-PRONE HOUSEHOLD AT WOKING" by C.C.Warren. The issue appears to be Volume 18, Number 3, dated May-June 1972, with an ISSN of 0015-4777.

A Survey of Unexplained Aerial Phenomena Over Britain in 1950

Introduction

The article begins by noting the public interest in UFOs since 1947 and highlights that the first books on the subject appeared in 1950. These early works, compiled from preceding periods, often omitted the significant UFO activity that occurred during the Spring and Summer of 1950, a period described as a "veritable blizzard of ufo activity on a global scale." The authors state that this article, part of a projected series, aims to rectify this by focusing on the British segment of the 1950 UFO record. They mention that other books from the mid-1950s referred to 1950 activity but did so cursorily, concentrating on more spectacular events of 1952 and 1954. The magnitude and importance of the 1950 record have been overlooked, with only preliminary studies addressing it.

General Background Detail

A chronological list of UFO activity by month in 1950 is presented, showing a widespread distribution across various countries including Spain, USA, Denmark, Canada, Antarctica, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, Abyssinia, Egypt, Morocco, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, UK, France, Syria, Libya, Eritrea, Australia, New Zealand, and the Belgian Congo. The article notes that while this list conveys the distribution, it doesn't reflect the actual intensity of activity in specific areas.

Despite the widespread sightings, few were adequately investigated or mentioned in subsequent publications, except for a series centered on Devonshire. Some isolated cases were discussed by various authors like Scully, Keyhoe, Leslie and Adamski, Wilkins, Arnold and Palmer, Vallee, Guieu, Ruppelt, Jessup, and Lore and Deneault, but the majority of incidents were ignored or unknown to these writers.

The United Kingdom Record

Recent studies of aerial incidents over Britain in 1950 reveal extraordinary events, particularly between September and December. The article presents a table of known sightings of unexplained aerial objects and phenomena in Britain during 1950, noting that the authors applied stringent criteria to identify events likely pertaining to true unexplained aerial events. Primary information often comes from contemporary newspaper accounts, which are not always reliable, but a large number of independent reports for the same locality and date can provide a composite picture. The authors hope this article will stimulate further searches in local and provincial newspapers for additional data.

#### U.K. Catalogue for 1950

The catalogue details specific sightings by month:

• January: A green flame-like object between Filey (Yorkshire) and Berwick-on-Tweed (Northumberland) with nine witnesses.
• February & March: No reports known.
• April: A "saucer" over London on the 2nd. Two revolving "hoops" over Whitby (Yorkshire) on the 5th, witnessed by three females. A brilliant bowl-shaped object, described as pendulum-shaped, between Preston and Lancaster (Lancashire) around the 12th.
• May: An object resembling Saturn over Llantarnam (Monmouthshire) on the 7th. A large disc observed by a BEA pilot over the English Channel on the 7th. A huge red fiery ball over Aston Clinton (Buckinghamshire) on the 21st, preceding a tornado.
• June: A "luminous" object over southern England seen by an RAF "Meteor" pilot on the 5th. A Saturn-shaped object, possibly landed, near Newport (Shropshire) on the 7th, observed by an engineer.
• July & August: No reports known.
• September: Eighteen silvery spheres followed by two more over Blackheath (Kent) on the 19th, observed for three minutes. Several "Blue Moons or Suns" in unlocalized areas of the UK on the 27th.
• October: Four huge blazing lights over Barnwood, near Gloucester on the 12th. Two huge blazing lights over Churchdown Hill, near Gloucester on the 12th. A blue oval object over Trequite, near Bodmin (Cornwall) on the 16th, watched by Mrs N.M.Bray. Several "Blue Moons and Suns" and "violet glows" in the sky in unlocalized areas of the UK on the 17th. A cigar-shaped object attended by two silvery discs over Preston, near Paignton (Devonshire) on the 30th.
• November: On the same date and time as the Paignton sighting, similar objects were observed in various Devonshire localities including Paignton, Torquay, Teignmouth, Exeter, Cullompton, Sidmouth-Junction, Lympstone, Countess-Wear, between Patteson's Cross and Ottery St.Mary, Woolacombe, and near Chagford. Similar observations were made from Saltash (Cornwall) and Bittern near Southampton (Hampshire). Two brilliant blue lights over Devonport (Devonshire) on the 30th. Three "stars" seen "tumbling over one another" over Torre, near Torquay (Devonshire) on the 30th. Several blue-green discs in unlocalized areas on Dartmoor (Devonshire) on the 31st. A globular light over Bexleyheath (Kent) on November 1st. An orange ball of light over the Herts./Bucks.border on November 1st. An elongated or spherical object, described as cigarette-shaped, over Heathrow Airport (Middlesex) on the 5th, seen by many persons. Three vertical lines of light three miles north of Lambourn (Berkshire) on the 7th. A huge cigar-shaped object over Barrow-in-Furness (Lancashire) on the 12th, seen by two witnesses. A circular object over Didsbury, near Manchester (Lancashire) on the 12th. A blue sphere or object of circular configuration between Link Hill and Hopehouse Farm, Benenden (Kent) on the 14th. A red sphere with blue flames issuing from its perimeter over Yeovil (Somerset) on the 22nd.
• December: A white peardrop-shaped object over Chard (Somerset) on the 2nd. A "snake-like" object leaving a creamy tail over North Petherton, near Bridgewater (Somerset) on the 2nd. An object described as a "flying tadpole" over Exeter (Devonshire) on the 2nd. A brilliant "starlike" object trailing smoke over Amersham (Buckinghamshire) on the 2nd. A brilliant moving "light" over Bovingdon (Hertfordshire) on the 2nd. A yellow object emitting sparks over Towyn, near Rhyl (Flint) on the 2nd. A long black object over Penzance (Cornwall) on the 2nd. An egg-shaped object over Crowsanwra, near Land's End (Cornwall) on the 2nd. A blue "sausage-shaped object" over Looe (Cornwall) on the 2nd. Several "blue-green saucers" over Exmouth (Devonshire) on the 2nd. A brilliant light emitting sparks over Fields at Nethway Farm, Kingswear (Devonshire) on the 2nd (erroneously dated December 13th. in one source). Several balls of light in unlocalized districts (Cumberland) on the 7th. A cigar-shaped object followed by a discoidal object over London on the 11th. The article then lists several sightings without precise dates: a shining light over Cowes, Isle of Wight (between June 26th and August 20th); a cigar-like object over Ramsey, Isle of Man (between September 19th and December 12th); three "saucers" over Bridlington (Yorkshire) (between the same dates); a shining oval object over Peterhead (Aberdeenshire); a blue disc over Selsey Bill (Sussex); an oval object near Coventry (Warwickshire); a blue globe over Solway Firth (between Cumberland and Dumfries-shire); several "flashing things" over Ruspidge, Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire) (between the same dates); a brilliant green sphere over Southampton (Hampshire) (date unknown). Additional events include a skyblast of undetermined origin over the sea off Hunstanton (Norfolk) on November 19th, and a "fish of light" over the Bristol Channel on December 2nd.

Some Considerations

Out of the 68 reported sightings, only 13 are considered to pertain to genuine UFOs. These are chronologically listed with their locations and brief descriptions. The article notes that while some cases are descriptively weak, their resemblance to similar phenomena elsewhere is noteworthy. The author suggests that if all 68 events were genuine, Britain experienced a wide range of UFO behavioral patterns in 1950, including "classic flyovers" and various forms similar to those in cases known from elsewhere.

Conclusions

The British UFO record for 1950 is poorly covered in literature (except newspapers) and was part of a larger global UFO "wave." Despite poor documentation, several cases are of exceptional interest and reflect the wider global pattern. The authors believe the record could be improved by systematic searches in contemporary provincial newspapers, suggesting a fertile field for further research.

Bibliography

A list of books and articles cited in the text, including works by Scully, Keyhoe, Heard, Leslie, Wilkins, Girvan, Ballester-Olmos, Bonabot, Bearne, Arnold, Vallee, Guieu, Ruppelt, Jessup, Lore, and Gibbons.

A UFO-Prone Household at Woking

Introduction

This article by C.C. Warren details the experiences of a family in Woking, Surrey, with UFOs. The writer, who worked at a research establishment in Pirbright during summer months, met a colleague, referred to as Mrs A, who shared her UFO experiences. Mrs A, initially shy, confided in the writer after gaining confidence. Her experiences had previously been dismissed by friends. The precise address of Mrs A's house is withheld but is located in the Kingfield area of Woking. The writer also interviewed Mrs A's son, Master B, who provided drawings confirming his mother's accounts. The family, including Mrs A's mother (referred to as GM), has experienced four distinct UFO-related events.

Case 1: September 1960

Around 18:00 hours in September 1960, when Mrs A was 11 years old, she observed three silvery-grey objects hovering at about 70 feet in a northerly direction. They were watched for 5 to 10 seconds before accelerating away in a "u" motion and vanishing within about 1 second, dispersing in a typical formation maneuver.

Case 2: November 1967

At 03:00 hours in November 1967, Mrs A was awakened by an oscillating hissing noise coming from a bright white UFO hovering at about...

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the documentation and analysis of UFO sightings, with a particular emphasis on historical cases. The "Survey of Unexplained Aerial Phenomena Over Britain in 1950" article highlights the challenges of UFO research, including the unreliability of sources, the lack of official investigation, and the need for diligent archival work. It underscores the importance of cataloging sightings and identifying patterns, even with limited data. The article "A UFO-Prone Household at Woking" delves into personal testimony and eyewitness accounts, suggesting that UFO phenomena can impact ordinary families and that such experiences, while often dismissed, warrant serious consideration. The overall editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging further research and the collection of detailed evidence from various sources, including contemporary newspapers and personal testimonies.

This issue of UFO DATA Magazine, identified as issue number 20 and volume 3, dated January 1975, focuses on UFO sightings, publications, and related topics. The cover prominently features 'UFOs AND SPACE AGE PUBLICATIONS', indicating a section dedicated to books and magazines in this field. The magazine is published by Contact (UK) and is in English.

Case Studies of UFO Encounters

The issue details two significant UFO cases:

Case 3: September 1973

Master B, a four-year-old, reported being awakened by an oscillating sound and seeing a "man" without a head, wearing tight-fitting black clothing, large gloved hands with six fingers, a belt that appeared to "breathe", and boots. The entity was described as having a black box with an aerial on its right arm, possibly a radio. Behind where the head should have been, there was a lowered hood. This entity vanished "into thin air" after a few seconds. Following this, Master B observed that his bedroom door was ajar and saw six other "men" with hoods up through the opening. He then saw a domed UFO on his family's lawn and one of the hooded "men" ascending a ladder. The droning noise stopped when Mrs A woke up. Mrs A later found no traces on the lawn.

Case 4: March 1974

Mrs A and Master B were awakened by a loud clicking noise and observed a UFO hovering just above their lawn, experiencing a state of paralysis. In another room, GM also witnessed the UFO and observed several "ufonauts" in grey suits with hoods, carrying boxes with flashing lights, in the living room. These entities vanished "into thin air" without warning. During the observation, a car approaching on a nearby road seemed to cause the UFO to "fade away". After the car passed, the UFO rematerialized and remained visible for a few more seconds before disappearing. The issue notes that Case 4 is tentative due to the inability to interview GM personally, but highlights the consistency between the descriptions in Cases 3 and 4 as noteworthy and reliable.

Book Reviews

The magazine includes reviews of several books:

"The Sirius Mystery" by Robert K.G.Temple

This book, researched over seven years, explores the Dogon tribe in Mali, who have known for centuries about Sirius B, a dwarf companion star invisible to the naked eye and composed of superheavy metal. This knowledge, confirmed by astronomers only in 1926, is detailed. The Dogon also have a tradition of amphibious beings called Nommos from a watery planet orbiting Sirius C, a star whose existence is suspected by some astronomers. The book links the Dogon people to the Mediterranean region and the saga of Jason and the Argonauts, suggesting that the number 50 was significant to the ancients, relating to Sirius B's orbit. The Nommos are compared to Oannes of Babylonian and Sumerian legend. The book also covers the reverence ancient Egyptians had for Sirius. The reviewer highly recommends it for its "mind boggling data" on ancient and modern alien visitations.

"Á La Recherche des Ovni" (Compiled by Jacques Scorneux and Christiane Piens)

This Belgian publication is described as a statement of the current position of the Belgian organization SOBEPS regarding ufos. Despite being in Belgian, it is recommended for those who can comprehend the language. The book, with 252 pages, reportedly debunks claims about a metallic cube from 1885 in Austria and questions the nature of "jar-batteries" from ancient Babylon. It also scrutinizes Marjorie Fish's star map based on Betty Hill's testimony. The volume is noted for its comprehensive content, excellent photographs, and drawings.

UFOs and Space Age Publications

This section lists a wide array of books and magazines available for purchase, covering topics such as the supernatural, paranormal, ufos, space, and mysteries. Titles include works by Dr. Lyall Watson, Uri Geller, Prof. John Taylor, Dr. Allen Hynek, Brad Steiger, John A. Keel, Charles Fort, and Carl Sagan, among others. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Recommended UFO Books

A list of recommended UFO titles is provided, compiled by Contact (UK)'s Cumnor headquarters. The list includes works such as "The UFO Experience" by J.A.Hynek, "Ufology" by J.McCampbell, "Anatomy of a Phenomenon" by J. Vallee, and "Flying Saucers From Outer Space" by D.E.Keyhoe. The sequence is arbitrary, and not all titles may be in print.

Important Notice

The headquarters of CONTACT (UK) and Data Research are moving to new premises on September 4th. All correspondence should be directed to the new address at 48 Crown Road, Wheatley, OXON.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alien encounters, and the historical and cultural aspects of these phenomena, particularly through the lens of ancient civilizations and modern research. The magazine also strongly promotes the availability of literature on these subjects, acting as a hub for information and resources. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation into UFO phenomena, valuing witness testimony and documented evidence, while also encouraging further research and engagement with the subject matter through books and publications. The emphasis on consistency and reliability in witness accounts suggests a critical yet open-minded approach.