BUFORA Newsfile - No.24 - Nov 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA UFO NEWSFILE
Issue: November 1994, Issue No: 24
Price: £1.50

This issue of BUFORA UFO NEWSFILE delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, featuring articles on atmospheric electrical phenomena, alien abduction research, and numerous witness accounts of unexplained aerial objects.

The strange glow of St Elmo

This section, attributed to 'Weatherwatch' by Paul Simons, discusses the phenomenon of St. Elmo's Fire. It describes how strange lights can appear before thunderstorms, citing an incident at Dover boys' grammar school on December 21, 1976, where prefects and a teacher experienced an eerie light on their heads and heard a popping sound like snapping fingers, though they were unharmed. The article also references a 1897 report from The Meteorological Magazine detailing a similar occurrence with cottonwood trees in Chicago, where sparks appeared on the twigs, extinguishing when touched but reappearing when the hand was removed.

Efforts to set up a local UFO monitoring group

A brief report from Folkestone & District Herald mentions John Dixon, who is attempting to establish a local UFO monitoring group in south-east Kent following his own sighting of a strange object. He notes that many people are hesitant to report sightings due to fear of ridicule but expresses optimism about the group's formation, with 12 people already expressing interest.

Respected doctor reports on abduction by aliens

This prominent article details the work of Dr. John E. Mack, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Dr. Mack is convinced that individuals who claim to have been abducted by aliens are reporting genuine experiences, not delusions or hallucinations. He has conducted thousands of interviews with over 80 people and detailed 13 case studies in his book, 'Abduction'. Dr. Mack states that the experiences are remarkably consistent, often involving encounters with small grey beings with large dark eyes, transport to spacecraft, and surgical tests. He dismisses conventional explanations like sleep paralysis or mass hysteria, emphasizing the psychological soundness of the experiencers and their reluctance to believe their own stories. The article notes that around 700 people called in to ITV's 'This Morning' programme to share their own abduction stories, affirming the widespread nature of the phenomenon.

UConn UFO expert cites the mystic in the majority of us

Written by Lee Krenis More of Gannett News Service, this article explores the psychological profile of UFO 'experiencers'. It cites University of Connecticut psychologist Kenneth Ring's study, 'The Omega Project', which found that experiencers are sensitive, vulnerable, and more likely to have experienced abuse or trauma. Ring suggests that UFO phenomena might be natural occurrences stemming from the Earth's crust, with electromagnetic properties affecting the temporal lobe of the brain, leading to hallucinations. However, Ring himself believes these experiences may indicate a higher level of human nature manifesting and a connection to a 'global mind', suggesting an evolution of consciousness.

Local stories from Ruthin

This piece features interviews with residents of Ruthin, Wales, about their experiences with the unexplained. Frank Pascoe recounts seeing an apparition of his deceased ex-wife. Susan Small shares a spooky dream about her husband leaving that came true. Ellen Ellis believes she may have seen a UFO, describing a flashing light that couldn't be identified. Sally Hoare dismisses ghosts and UFOs as 'rubbish'.

Mystery light over Weardale

A family in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, reported a strange, slow-moving bright white light in the sky over Weardale for about two weeks. They described it as having green, orange, and yellow colours within the white light when viewed through binoculars, and stated they had never seen anything like it in 40 years.

Alarm over lights

This report from Folkestone & District Herald details how the coastguard received numerous calls about distress flares, a comet, and UFOs, which were later identified as a meteor shower. Carole Price described seeing a bright haze, an orange streak, and a large orange ball of fire.

Pete's close encounter of a jelly kind

This article introduces Peter Van Doorn, who claims to have been visited by 'Medusae' – entities he describes as jellyfish-like aliens – for nearly 30 years. Van Doorn believes that previous UFO spotters have been wrong and that these 'discs' are actually live aliens, some from Earth and others from Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. He has christened them 'Medusae' (Manifestations and Electro-magnetic Discharges of Unidentified Superterrestrial Abiogenetic Entities) and is seeking a publisher for his book on the subject. He recounts his first sighting in 1964 of a flashing object that gave him a peculiar feeling of foreboding.

Most famous UFO shot down in flames by US 'spy balloon' tale

This report from Washington discusses the US air force's claim that the object crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 was a spy balloon from Project Mogul, used to detect Soviet nuclear tests. However, the citizens of Roswell, who have built a tourist trade around the incident, remain unconvinced, citing witness testimonies of child-sized coffins and alien autopsies.

'UFO' spotted in Somerset

BUFORA received reports of a 'massive' object seen over Peasedown St John, described as having ten houses in width with two rows of red lights surmounted by two rows of green lights, moving northwards at about 20 mph. Hot air balloon organizations and the Ministry of Defence could not identify the object.

'I was kidnapped by space aliens'

American paranormal researcher Jon Beckjord presented photographic evidence of what he claims are alien beings who visit Earth to kidnap inhabitants for examination. He displayed pictures that matched drawings made worldwide by abduction claimants. His own photos were taken in California in 1980, showing a flat-headed grey creature. He also presented photos of a long-armed creature and a similar head appearing in a computer-enhanced image of a 'flying saucer' over Vancouver.

Object shaped like peardrop

Anita Grant, 23, from Southend, reported seeing a UFO shaped like a teardrop with a black-grey hull, hovering above a tree. She described it as a machine and was excited rather than frightened. She trained a video camera on the sky afterwards, hoping for another sighting.

Anita has late night encounter with UFO

This article expands on Anita Grant's sighting, noting that Mr. Roy Lake of the London UFO Studies group confirmed it was something unexplainable as a natural phenomenon. He stressed that UFOs are a serious matter and that Anita seemed like a genuine witness.

Red admiral

This piece features a brief exchange with Admiral of the Fleet Lord Hill-Norton, who dismisses Steuart Campbell's theory that UFOs are 'astronomical mirages'. Lord Hill-Norton, a self-proclaimed UFO buff, reaffirms his belief in flying saucers, stating that Campbell's theory is 'rubbish'.

Book of the Day: Encounters of the invasive kind

This is a review of 'Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens' by John E. Mack. The reviewer, Michael Cunningham, discusses Mack's work with patients who claim alien abduction, noting the consistency of their harrowing accounts and the occasional physical evidence. Cunningham questions the 'reality' of these experiences and Mack's suggestion that they might be intergalactic rape. He also touches on other books about the paranormal.

UFO fever strikes Northamptonshire

This section presents five letters from people in Northamptonshire who claim to have seen UFOs. Ann Smith described a gold crucifix-type cross UFO. A Surridge reported a bright greenish light. Carly Short and her mother saw a saucer-shaped object. Jack Hobbs reported a grey dumbbell-like object. W Duncan described a cigar-shaped object.

The Derbyshire Dales region could easily stake its claim as the UFO capital of Britain

According to local research co-ordinator Omar Fowler, the Derbyshire Dales region experiences significant UFO activity. He suggests that the same group of aliens might be responsible for numerous sightings, possibly linked to industrial areas or reservoirs.

Alien ship hovers overhead

A lorry driver reported seeing a bright green, triangle-shaped UFO with rounded edges and flashing lights hovering beside the A303 at Deptford. Police investigated but found no trace of the object.

Watching the skies at night

This article continues the discussion on UFO activity in the Derbyshire Dales, with Omar Fowler linking sightings to 'Grays' craft and their potential connection to areas of high vibration like factories and reservoirs. He mentions that 'Grays' craft are often seen over England and other countries.

Something fishy in the night sky

Mr. and Mrs. Smith of Newark reported seeing a UFO shaped like a jellyfish, with green and yellow lights. They watched it for hours through binoculars. Phone calls to the RAF, police, and Meteorological Office failed to provide an explanation.

Mystery object seen in night sky

Peter Nelson of Bellingham reported a copper-coloured craft hovering in the night sky, which triggered infra-red alarms. He described it as a copper dome with a light underneath, hovering over the Tyne Valley and moving at high speed.

Is there REALLY anything up there ..?

This is an announcement for an open mind video presentation about unidentified flying objects being held by UFO Skywatch UK in Sutton. The event will feature a video presentation and a chance to meet local people who have had sightings and close encounters.

UFO film is to be shown on television

This brief notice states that film footage of a UFO captured by Joe Callan in Corby will be featured on ITV's 'Schofield's Quest', alongside other mysteries like crop circles and ghosts.

Seriously - HAVE YOU SEEN A UFO?

This is a call for information from Philip Mantle, Director of Investigations for the British UFO Research Association, for anyone who has seen a UFO to contact him for his book research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alien abductions, and the psychological and societal implications of these phenomena. The magazine presents a range of perspectives, from scientific investigation and skeptical analysis to personal testimonies and belief in extraterrestrial visitation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various accounts and theories without definitively endorsing any single explanation, while also highlighting the seriousness with which some researchers and academics are treating the subject.