BUFORA Newsfile - No.33 - Nov 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA NEWSFILE
Issue: No: 33
Date: November 1995
Price: £1.00

This issue of BUFORA NEWSFILE delves into the persistent mysteries surrounding UFOs, featuring a collection of reports, interviews, and discussions from across the UK and beyond. The magazine explores alleged sightings, government secrecy, and the ongoing quest to understand potential extraterrestrial phenomena.

UFO Corner

The "UFO Corner" section opens with a report from a summer UFO congress near Miramar, Costa Rica, where 1,500 participants attempted a psychic summons for extraterrestrials, though the aliens did not appear. Sceptics are invited to consider other potential subjects for psychoanalysis. The section also touches on the controversial alien autopsy footage, noting that a complete copy is available for purchase. A peculiar incident from Puerto Rico describes a rancher who allegedly bagged a "grey" alien with a shotgun after it bothered his cattle, keeping the ufonaut in deep-freeze for photographs.

The Spaceman Cometh

This segment focuses on Bonnybridge, Scotland, dubbed the "UFO capital." A local councillor, Billy Buchanan, claims a "Man in Black" will reveal "The Whole Truth" about the universe. This individual, identified as Zal-us from the "Council of Nine," is described as wearing a black suit and tie. Buchanan is convinced of the importance of this revelation, which is set to be presented at Falkirk Town Hall. The "Council of Nine" is presented as a group watching over the planet.

Welcome to the Unbelievably Popular UFO Update

This editorial piece welcomes readers, encouraging open-mindedness towards the possibility of "something else out there." It recounts a personal experience from a 50-year-old woman from Platt Bridge, who claims to have seen a bronze-coloured, saucer-shaped object with a beam of light in 1976. She describes the object as being about the size of two or three houses and hovering silently. The piece invites readers who have seen UFOs in the Wigan area to contact Jon Peake, and mentions the "Wigan Area Society for Paranormal Study and Investigation" (WasPsi), which aims to study paranormal phenomena.

'Alien messages' drive demand for release of MoD data on UFOs

This article reports on a protest outside the House of Commons by UFO spotters demanding the government release its "X-files" on UFO sightings. John Holman, co-ordinator of "Operation Right to Know," argues that the British government must hold secrets, citing the release of 20,000 documents in the US under the Freedom of Information Act, many with redacted sections. He mentions a 1990 Belgian report detailing a craft capable of extreme acceleration and noiseless flight. The article also briefly mentions the Raelian movement.

Village goes UFO-crazy

A UFO Watchers Group is being formed in Sutton as a result of a shared experience where participants in a sponsored UFO watch saw a bright white and blue light, described as far larger than a star and zig-zagging at high speed. Club leader Stephen Place described the object as travelling vertically, horizontally, and diagonally over a large area of sky for 15 minutes. The event involved 50 boys, 10 St John Ambulance members, and 10 adult helpers.

Another UFO in night sky

This report details a sighting by Steven Whittingham, a civil servant from Nuneaton, who claims to have seen a non-plane shaped metallic structure with strange lights and lines, making virtually no noise. He described it as "very disturbing to see" and stated he was sceptical himself but could not explain it otherwise. He invites anyone with a logical explanation to come forward.

Conference fails to solve mysteries of Bonnybridge

This article covers a "Cosmic Agendas" conference held in Falkirk Town Hall, organized by Councillor Billy Buchanan, which aimed to address the UFO phenomenon in the Bonnybridge area. Despite attracting around 900 people, including national media, the conference featured speakers discussing religion, ethics, government conspiracies, and mythology, with "very little" on UFOs. Disillusioned audience members heckled the panel. American speaker Phyllis Schlesser claimed to communicate with the "Council of Nine," while UFO expert Ken McFarlane discussed the vastness of the universe and the potential for extraterrestrial life. Historian Gert Rogers suggested historical links might attract alien life forms. Councillor Buchanan defended the conference, stating it was important to remember the speakers' views.

A close encounter

Stephen Jones recounts his interest in crop circles and UFOs, stemming from his study of ancient civilizations. He describes an experience in Wiltshire in 1994 where, after visiting crop circle sites, he saw a craft with three red lights in a triangular shape and white lights at the front, travelling at about 70mph. He informed Quest International but received no follow-up. He seeks explanations from readers.

To UFOs?

This letter to the editor suggests that the frequent UFO sightings in the Bonnybridge area might be due to its location between Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, with aircraft lights being mistaken for UFOs. The writer notes that aircraft lights can appear stationary when viewed from a distance and become stationary when turning for approach.

UFO is seen by mum in Taunton

A Taunton mother reported seeing an oval-shaped object with multi-coloured lights hovering over flats. She was woken by her daughter and saw the object from her bedroom window. Her husband saw it briefly before it disappeared. She has reported the sighting to UFO expert Sue Hembury-Kellow.

Tales of a UFO spotter

An ex-policeman, Tony Dodd, who investigates UFO sightings, is set to be interviewed on Yorkshire Coast Radio. Dodd claims many UFO sightings above Scarborough have been intercepted by military aircraft as part of a secret government plan. He has collected evidence and written for "UFO Magazine."

MoD files reveal new UFO cases

This article reports on the release of Ministry of Defence files detailing dozens of UFO incidents. It highlights a 1957 case where two RAF planes were sent to intercept UFOs over the Strait of Dover but could not track them. Another case from 1956 involved an RAF Venom jet sent to intercept a fast-moving UFO. In 1963, airmen at RAF Cosford reported seeing an object like a flying saucer with a trap door that opened. The files, released by Lord Henley, span over a decade, and some cases admit no explanation.

Hollywood vigil for unidentified visitors

Darren Langley, a member of the British UFO Research Association, discusses his fascination with UFOs. He defines a UFO as any phenomenon that cannot be identified, cautioning against mistaking planets like Jupiter for UFOs. He is interested in the Roswell Incident and the possibility of time travellers. Langley believes his interest in UFOs has broadened his perception of life, making him more open-minded and philosophical.

Consuming Passions

Jo Ind talks to a Midland UFO spotter, Darren Langley, who is a member of the British UFO Research Association. Langley describes a vivid dream of a UFO flying past his house and discusses theories about UFOs being alien technology or natural phenomena. He is particularly interested in the Roswell Incident and a film showing an alleged alien autopsy.

They came from outer Falkirk

This article discusses the conspiracy theory of government withholding UFO documentation, referencing "Operation Right to Know" and a meeting in Falkirk Town Hall featuring American ufologist Phyllis Schlemmer of the "Council of Nine." It touches on the enduring paranoia since Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast and the practical appeal of the cover-up theory. The article notes the "Bonnybridge phenomenon" and the failure to account for many sightings. It questions the role of the Ministry of Defence's "UFO Desk" and mentions former air minister George Ward's private conviction and Lord Hill Norton's support for UFO books.

A modern mystery at Kynance Cove

This piece reports on a photograph taken at Kynance Cove showing what appears to be a skeletal figure against a rock face. The photograph was taken by holidaymakers Mick and Carol Smoczynski. While dismissed by some as sunlight, the article questions if there could be a connection to other unexplained phenomena in the area, such as the Falmouth sea monster and the Owlman of Mawnan.

Eye-witnesses report more UFO sightings

This section compiles several UFO sighting reports from the Scarborough area. Witnesses describe seeing intense bright lights hovering near Scarborough Castle and over Ravenscar. One man, described as a "UFO sceptic," reported seeing a silent bright light above trees. Paul Upton, a UFO investigator for Quest International, notes an increase in sightings along the north-east coast.

Please tell me we didn't see a UFO...

This letter to the editor describes a sighting of a "spinning, dancing, wheel of white light" darting around in the clouds above Pitt and Hursley. The writer, Mike MacQueen, expresses a desire for a logical explanation, hoping it was just a helicopter or disco lights, rather than an "unidentified flying object."

SOMETHING OUT THERE?

This article details a sighting by Jil Faulkner of a "diffuse ball of light" that transformed into a "huge oval" craft with coloured lights. She described hearing a voice in her head saying, "We know where you are." The craft then moved off silently. The event involved a loss of electricity and a field being set alight, though the article attributes this to an umbrella caught in a gust of wind.

UFOs sighted in Hinckley

This report covers mystery sightings of UFOs in the Hinckley area, with witnesses describing a strange, brightly lit, saucer-shaped craft hovering low over the ground, often near the A5. One woman reported seeing two identical craft hovering in parallel.

Why that alien just could be your granny!

This article introduces an upcoming talk by a UFO expert in Thanet, who aims to convince people that alien beings have been visiting the island for centuries. The group "Astrasearch" believes UFOs have been around since prehistoric times and could be our ancestors. The expert will discuss evidence of UFOs and potential alien visitation.

'Come clean' plea over UFOs

This piece discusses a campaign by a group of UFO watchers urging the British Government to "come clean" about "X-files" on UFOs and extraterrestrial beings. They believe the Ministry of Defence possesses evidence it is refusing to release. The article mentions the "Operation Right to Know" initiative and the belief that governments are covering up UFO information for economic and political reasons.

UFOs are seen over Taunton

Two unidentified flying objects were sighted over Taunton's Priorswood housing estate. A man and his wife described them as oval, bulky, with multi-coloured lights, moving slowly and lower than a normal aircraft. They were confident they were not aircraft. Investigations showed no authorised flights took place at the time.

Prepare to meet thy alien

This article discusses reports of UFOs causing disturbances, such as noise nuisances keeping people awake, electricity outages, and fields being set alight. It mentions a sighting in Dagenham and another in the Lake District. Veteran UFO-er John Lingley is quoted as believing governments are covering up information about these phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, alleged government cover-ups of extraterrestrial phenomena, and the ongoing debate about the existence and nature of aliens. There is a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts and the desire for transparency from official bodies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards the subject, encouraging readers to share their experiences and seek rational explanations while acknowledging the possibility of the unexplained. The magazine actively promotes the idea that governments may be withholding crucial information about UFOs and alien contact.