Awareness - 2009-10 - Vol 31 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: AWARENESS
Issue: Volume 31, No 1
Date: July 2010
Publisher: Contact International UFO Research
Incorporating: OCCCS, Oxford Crop Circle Studies.

This issue of Awareness magazine, published by Contact International UFO Research, delves into a variety of topics within the ufology and unexplained phenomena sphere. The cover prominently features crop circles, with a lead article exploring their connection to ancient sites. Other key themes include 'Project Bluebook', 'Men in Black' encounters, and recent UFO sightings.

Editorial: "MEN IN BLACK" ALERT!

The editorial highlights a disturbing incident where a researcher who submitted a UFO photograph to CIUFOR was interrogated by covert operatives from the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The photographer's camera and computer were confiscated, and he was warned off providing further details due to 'national security' concerns. The editorial expresses shock at the apparent failure of witness confidentiality and the ease with which the 'men in black' located the photographer. CIUFOR states they did not leak the photographer's address and were not contacted by the MOD. The incident is considered significant, with the MOD possibly having a new branch called 'Unidentified Aerial Phenomena' (UAP) or 'The Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena' project, distinct from the defunct UFO desk. The editorial also speculates on the involvement of 'CDS' (Chief of Defence Staff) or the 'Criminal Defence Service'.

Contents

The magazine includes a range of articles and reports:

• Editorial/Latest News Items (1-9): Covers the 'Men in Black' incident and other news.
• Sighting Reports (10-14): Features reports from Fran Copeland and Bill Foley.
• Crop Circles 2010, Ancient Past Connection (15-19): An in-depth look at crop circle formations in relation to ancient sites.
• Strangest Reports Hidden (19-20): A report by Michael Soper.
• Project Bluebook - Archives (21-25): An exploration of the historical Project Bluebook files.
• Reviews (26-27): Book and other media reviews.
• Advertisements (28-30): Commercial advertisements.

Key Personnel and Organizations

The issue lists the Hon Life Member as Margaret Fry, President as J. Bernard Delair, and Vice-President as Geoffrey E. Ambler. Administrative officers include Geoff Ambler (Editor), Fran Copeland (Secretarial), Bill Foley (Hot-Line Co-ordinator), Mike Soper (Press and Media Spokesman), Tony Broad (Custodian), and Ellis Taylor (Webmaster). The publication is from Contact International UFO Research (CIUFOR).

Latest News Stories

• CIUFOR Archives Head for Sweden: CIUFOR is assisting the AFU group in Sweden with a project to collate the world's largest UFO data base, involving the conversion of thousands of paper files to computer discs. Representatives from AFU met with CIUFOR staff in Oxford, exchanging information and shipping a significant amount of UFO material back to Sweden.
• Clas Svahn's Opinion on Tromso Spiral: Clas Svahn believes the Tromso spiral incident was likely caused by a faulty Russian rocket launch, not an atmospheric experiment.
• Alien Life on Saturn's Moon Titan: Scientists have found possible evidence of 'life' on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, due to its complex chemistry, dense atmosphere, and the presence of mountains, lakes, and rivers. Organic chemicals have been discovered, though any liquid is methane, not water.

"MEN-IN-BLACK" Explained

A brief explanation defines 'Men-in-Black' as an expression from the 1950s describing men in black suits who warned UFO witnesses not to divulge information, likely from British security services or the Ministry of Defence concerned about Soviet infiltration.

British General Election and UFO Secrecy

The recent 'hung' parliament and coalition government in the UK are discussed, with the hope that the inclusion of Liberals might lead to a more positive approach to UFO secrecy. MP Norman Baker, a proponent of transparency, is now part of the government.

Gary McKinnon Still in "Purgatory"

The article details Gary McKinnon's ongoing legal battle against extradition to the USA for hacking into Pentagon computers. It notes the UK government's willingness to comply with US requests and mentions Prime Minister David Cameron's proposal for McKinnon to serve any sentence in Britain.

UFO INVASION ALERT! (Humorous)

This section humorously describes 'UFOs' emerging from the ground, which are revealed to be 'patissons' or 'custard marrows' (squash vegetables) from Lidl seeds, playing on the visual resemblance to flying saucers.

"MIRAGE MEN" Book Review

A review of Mark Pilkington's book "MIRAGE MEN" is introduced. The book suggests that UFO sightings and related phenomena might be a deliberate US government ruse to distract from actual secret aircraft and weapon systems, possibly initiated by the CIA.

Photographic Anomaly at Edgehill

An account of strange 'phantom cables' appearing in photographs taken at the Round Tower inn at Edgehill, Warwickshire, is presented. The digital camera captured these anomalies in multiple shots taken within a short period, but not before or since.

Agony Corner: Katyn Massacre Reprise

This section recounts the tragic crash of a Polish aircraft carrying President Lech Kacynski and other officials on April 10th, 2010, near Smolensk, Russia. The crash occurred while commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre. The article suggests a combination of bad luck, stupidity, and ill fortune led to the disaster, while also touching on potential sabotage and strained Polish-Russian relations.

Dr Kelly - The Plot Thickens

This piece discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly, with a call for a new investigation. Doubts are raised about the official 'suicide' verdict, citing discrepancies in the medical report and the unusual 70-year secrecy order on his medical records.

Swine Flu - The Pandemic That Never Was!

The article critiques the World Health Organisation's (WHO) declaration of a Swine Flu pandemic, suggesting it was a hyped-up notion driven by profit-seeking drug companies. It highlights the discrepancy between predicted deaths and actual figures, the vast sums spent on vaccines, and the WHO's change in definition of a pandemic shortly before the declaration. MP Paul Flynn is investigating the handling of the outbreak in the UK.

Secret Mind Experiments

This section explores historical instances of alleged secret experiments by defense services, including nerve gas tests at Porton Down and a mysterious incident in Pont-Saint-Esprit, France, in 1951, where villagers experienced mass hysteria, possibly due to ergot poisoning. The article links these events to CIA experiments, particularly the MKULTRA program led by Sidney Gottlieb.

Leicestershire Appeal

A keen ufologist in the Leicestershire Area is seeking to connect with like-minded individuals who are members of Contact International for ufological discussions.

Sightings

Several recent UFO sightings are detailed:

• Northampton (April 16, 2010): Mrs MP reported seeing two bright, silent, up-side-down saucer-shaped lights moving at high speed.
• Gloucester (early 2010): Mr SD's husband saw an oblong light, approximately 1.5 times the length of a car, moving silently just above rooftop level.
• Old Marston, Oxford (July 1, 2010): Mr H witnessed 8 round objects with internal lights moving slowly across the sky for half an hour.
• Birmingham (April 18, 2010): Mr MY observed two yellow objects with amber hints flying slowly towards Birmingham Airport, making no noise.
• St John's, Worcester (July 4, 2009): Mr AW saw 3 spherical objects moving very fast, described as ball-shaped with three shapes inside each.
• Oxford (June 30, 2010): Two young men reported a round object with indistinct edges, a bright white light, moving slowly and silently across the sky.
• Guildford, Surrey (July 11, 2010): A male witness and friends saw a triangular object with flashing red lights moving at high speed, described as unlike any aircraft.
• Bicester, Oxfordshire (June 19, 2010): Bill Foley and his wife observed nine orange balls of light moving in unison at intervals, later identified as potentially Chinese Lanterns.
• Poole, Dorset (June 24-27, 2010): Fran Copeland observed Chinese Lanterns travelling out to sea, noting their speed and flickering nature.

Chinese Lanterns

This section, by Bill Foley, discusses the increasing reports of orange lights, which are often identified as Chinese Lanterns. He recounts his own sighting and Fran Copeland's similar experience, questioning whether the speed and movement of these lanterns could be mistaken for UFOs.

Triangles - Original Report

A report from Hockwell Ring, Luton, describes two triangular shapes moving silently and in unison through the sky. The objects were hazy and translucent, with no visible lights or defining edges, and disappeared quickly. The editor notes this description is unusual compared to typical 'triangle' reports.

Crop Circles 2010 - The Ancient Past Connection

Geoff Ambler details the 2010 crop circle season, noting a decrease in numbers compared to 2009 but a wider geographical spread. A significant trend is the placement of circles near prehistoric sites like hillforts and long barrows, including a large formation at Stoney Littleton Long Barrow. The article lists formations from May and June 2010, marking those adjacent to prehistoric sites. It also mentions the use of binary codes in some designs and the 'linked cubes' formation at Cley Hill, suggesting technology beyond simple 'plankers'.

Description of Selected Prehistoric Sites

This section provides descriptions of various prehistoric sites in England, including Yarnbury Castle, Liddington Castle, Stoney Littleton Long Barrow, Walbury Hill, and White Sheet Hill, referencing the book "A Guide to Prehistoric England" by Nicholas Thomas. It discusses the concept of 'energy lines' or 'leylines' passing through these sites and their potential connection to the placement of crop circles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena with historical and governmental aspects. There's a strong emphasis on investigative reporting, particularly concerning alleged government cover-ups and secrecy ('Men in Black', Project Bluebook, Dr. Kelly case, Swine Flu narrative). The magazine also maintains a focus on eyewitness accounts of UFO sightings and the physical evidence of crop circles, linking them to ancient mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, questioning official narratives and seeking to uncover hidden truths, while also acknowledging the potential for misidentification (e.g., Chinese Lanterns) and the humorous side of some phenomena.

Title: UFO DATA
Issue Date: 2010
Publisher: Spacelink Books
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of UFO DATA from 2010 focuses on crop circle events, media interpretations of UFO phenomena, and the historical context of UFO investigations, particularly Project Blue Book. It also includes a book review and a reader's request for UFO sightings.

Crop Circle Events and Reactions

The issue highlights crop circle events from 2010, including a strong reaction from a farm manager, Gavin R A Davies, at Oare, Pewsey Down. Upon discovering a formation on his land on June 21st, Davies expressed his opposition to the 'vandalism' and stated he would take legal advice and potentially mow out the circle if visitors ignored notices. He also noted that crop circles had appeared in the area for nearly 25 years.

Another significant crop circle discussed is the '3-D cube design' at Cley Hill, Wiltshire, which was featured in the Daily Mail on July 12th. The article describes it as a 'sophisticated 200ft-wide crop circle' that 'looks like the result of a close encounter of the 3-D kind.' However, the Daily Mail attributed it to 'very human pranksters,' a sentiment that the author of the article questions, suggesting a potential media directive to avoid a positive spin on the phenomenon.

A letter from Giles Thompson of Harrow, Middlesex, defends the complexity of crop circles, arguing that their accuracy and execution in a single night suggest they are not the work of simple pranksters. He posits that the patterns are laid out with surveyor-level accuracy and that the difficulty of navigating a cornfield even in daylight makes one question how such patterns could be created in darkness.

Media Coverage and Skepticism

The article "ENGLAND 2010 - HOW THE STRANGEST REPORTS ARE NOW HIDDEN" by Michael Soper discusses the perceived tendency of major media corporations to downplay or dismiss UFO reports, often relegating them to 'silly season' news. Soper notes a shift, with UFO reports being treated more seriously, evidenced by a conference held in Leeds attended by both astronomers and ufologists. He also touches on the political climate, referencing the EU and statutes, framing his observations as factual rather than political.

The magazine also reflects on the historical media landscape, comparing the openness of 1967 to the present. It criticizes the lack of adequate national media coverage for phenomena like animal mutilations and abduction accounts, contrasting it with the extensive coverage given to football. The author suggests methods for individuals to access information, including skywatching and consulting various UFO-related resources.

Project Blue Book: A Government Investigation

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a report on Project Blue Book, the US Air Force's investigation into UFOs from 1948 until its abandonment. The report, dated February 1, 1966, outlines the program's objectives: to determine if UFOs posed a threat to US security and if they contained unique scientific information. Project Blue Book aimed to identify and explain all reported UFO sightings.

The investigation process involved three phases: initial reporting and investigation by the nearest Air Force base, intensive analysis by the Project Blue Book Office using scientific facilities, and dissemination of findings. The Air Force defined an unidentified flying object as any aerial object that an observer could not identify. Common misidentifications included balloons, aircraft, satellites, and natural phenomena.

The report details the categories of UFO evaluations: Identified, Insufficient Data, and Unidentified. It notes that balloons, including large research balloons, were frequently reported as UFOs due to their lights and appearance in high-altitude winds. Other misidentifications included missiles, mirages, and even birds.

The firm conclusions of Project Blue Book were that no unidentified flying object reported had ever indicated a threat to national security, nor did they represent technological developments beyond current scientific knowledge, nor were they extraterrestrial vehicles. The Air Force maintained an open invitation for evidence of extraterrestrial vehicles.

Book Review: "UFO Warminster, Cradle of Contact"

Geoff Ambler reviews Kevin Goodman's book, "UFO Warminster, Cradle of Contact." The review notes that the book, published in 2007, covers events from the mid-late 1970s, long after the initial UFO activity reported in Warminster in the late 1960s. Goodman's research was influenced by ufologist Peter Paget and his wife Jane, who ran the 'Fountain Centre' and published the 'Fountain Journal.'

The review suggests that the book focuses more on the relationships between the visiting teens and the people they stayed with, rather than a detailed account of UFO activity. While some lights were reported, the crux of the book appears to be an alleged alien contact experience by Colin Rees, who claimed to have encountered a humanoid figure named 'Lenston.' Ambler expresses skepticism about the nature of such 'thought forms' and the gender representation in alien contact narratives.

The review also touches upon the 'Dyfed Enigma' and the Rendlesham Forest incident, questioning the objectivity of reports from investigators who may be influenced by a desire to find sightings.

Reader's Request

The issue concludes with a "MEMBERS REQUEST" from Kevin Owen, seeking UFO sightings in and around Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently questions official narratives and media portrayals of UFO phenomena. There's a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards mainstream explanations for crop circles and a belief that media coverage is often biased or dismissive. The detailed examination of Project Blue Book highlights a historical government effort to investigate UFOs, with conclusions that downplayed the extraordinary nature of sightings. The book review further explores the subjective nature of UFO experiences and the potential for psychological or 'thought form' influences. The overall stance appears to be one of critical inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging readers to seek information and question official accounts.