BUFORA Newsfile - No.47 - Nov 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA NEWSFILE
Issue: 47
Date: November 1996

This issue of BUFORA NEWSFILE, published in November 1996, focuses heavily on a surge of UFO sightings reported across the United Kingdom during the preceding weeks. The magazine highlights a particularly active period, with a "bumper week" of reports from various regions, suggesting a heightened public interest in the phenomenon, partly attributed to the release of the film 'Independence Day' and the TV series 'The X-Files'.

Key Articles and Reports

Gloucester and the West Country

The lead story, "A bumper week for saucer-spotters," details six separate UFO sightings recorded in Gloucestershire in the week prior to publication. These included a small orange oval seen moving between Newent and Upleadon, and four white lights observed over Northway, Tewkesbury. Other reports mentioned a strange object over Bourton-on-the-Water and three sightings in Cheltenham. Robin Cole, the Cheltenham Circular Forum's lead investigator, expressed surprise at the volume of reports, noting that the organization typically receives such a number in a year, not a week. He stated that the current "Sky Watch" period coincides with increasing UFO reports globally and in the UK, with Gloucestershire being a focal point.

A separate article from the Gloucester Citizen, "UFO buffs baffled by noises," reports on strange early-morning un-rhythmic sounds heard in Newent. The Circular Forum received seven calls related to this phenomenon, with witnesses describing sounds that faded quickly and returned, and some noting that dogs and cats were disturbed, and security lighting activated simultaneously. Robin Cole admitted to being perplexed by this specific case, although he believed most other calls could be explained.

The Dorset Evening Echo featured two articles. "'Strange' encounter with a UFO" recounts the experience of a Dorchester family who saw a triangular-shaped craft hovering 50ft above their car on the A354 near Milborne St Andrew. The craft reportedly had no engine noise and followed their vehicle before disappearing over a hill. The family contacted the police but found no logical explanation. The same newspaper also reported on "More report sighting UFO," detailing numerous calls confirming a family's close encounter near Puddletown. UFO researchers described the triangular craft with flashing lights as the biggest-ever witnessed sighting in the county, with reports from Portland to Piddlehinton. A local farmer described a dome-shaped craft with a fluorescent white glow hovering about 50-60ft above him.

The Midlands and North

The Staffordshire Evening Sentinel reported on "UFOs over Potteries claims spark plea for sky watch assistance," where the Potteries Paranormal Investigation group asked the public to report sightings. They had received calls about a bright orange ball of light travelling at high speed and zig-zagging, with no noise. A spokesman, Gary Cartlidge, mentioned a sighting of an orange ball of light at 15,000 feet above Mow Cop.

The Stockport Express Advertiser ran a story titled "Was a white light a UFO?" detailing numerous calls to Manchester Airport from people who saw a large white light speeding across the sky, followed by a smaller one. UFO expert David Cayton suggested it might be a UFO, but Jodrell Bank proposed it could have been a Russian satellite.

The Wigan Reporter covered two cases: a "noisy helicopter overhead" followed by a "small matt black triangular object" and a Jaguar fighter aircraft over Wigan. Another report from the same area described a "mystery object" sighted over Hindley Green, which led to fire engines and a police helicopter being scrambled.

National and Expert Opinions

The Aberdeen Press & Journal featured "Prof dismisses UFO theories" by Rebecca Stephens, presenting the view of defence consultant Air Vice Marshal Tony Mason. He suggested that many UFO sightings could be explained as top-secret military aircraft tests or highly classified military projects. He stated there was no proof of extra-terrestrial life and that some phenomena might be obscured by such projects. He recounted an incident in 1956 where a US spy plane disappeared off radar, with his superiors assuring him it was one of theirs.

The Islington Gazette's "More UFO mystery" reported on readers seeing "big circles of light" in the sky over Islington, with one witness describing "big circles of light" and another seeing a "large, silver, football" with a blue flare.

The Essex Weekly News reported that a "mystery UFO" sighting above Chelmsford was identified as laser lights from a club.

The European newspaper's "Abducted housewife alive on web site" discussed the growing interest in extraterrestrials and UFOs online, highlighting websites dedicated to UFO lore, Project Bluebook, and Area 51.

Crop Circles and Specific Incidents

The Staffordshire Evening Sentinel also covered "CROP CIRCLE SPARKS UFO ALERT," detailing how the Potteries Paranormal Investigation group assessed a 70ft-wide crop circle in a field near Rocester. A witness claimed to have seen the circle formed by "strange mist." Gary Cartlidge expressed scepticism but noted the witness's account. The article mentioned theories involving lay lines, bright balls of light, and alien aircraft activity.

The Dorset Evening Echo's "'Strange' encounter with a UFO" also detailed a family's sighting of a triangular craft. The police were contacted, but no explanation was found. They appealed for other witnesses.

The Gloucester Citizen reported on "UFO sightings" in the county, mentioning an orange oval and strange un-rhythmic sounds in Newent.

The Ayr Advertiser featured "BOFFIN'S UFO DREAM THEORY SHOT DOWN," where a woman who reported seeing a UFO landing by her home blasted claims by Dr. Susan Blackmore that such sightings are induced by 'sleep paralysis.' The woman insisted she saw a strange cone-shaped object moving straight upwards.

UFO Spotting Tips and Resources

The final page offered "TOP TIPS FOR UFO SPOTTING" from David Reynolds of the Global UFO Investigation Systems. Tips included getting multiple witnesses, taking photographs with background, making detailed notes, and contacting investigators if a craft landed. The article also mentioned David Reynolds' belief in alien life, citing cave drawings and Area 51 as evidence, and his work with the Global UFO Investigation Systems, which has branches worldwide and an internet presence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increased frequency of UFO sightings across the UK, the public's fascination with the phenomenon (amplified by popular culture), and the varying explanations offered – from conventional phenomena and military activity to the genuinely unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these events and investigations, providing a platform for witnesses and researchers, while also acknowledging skeptical viewpoints and official explanations where available. There is a clear emphasis on documenting these sightings and encouraging public participation in reporting and investigation.