BUFORA Newsfile - No.48 - Nov II 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA NEWSFILE
Issue Date: November 1996
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Key Articles and Reports

Day I Saw a UFO Over North Bay (Scarborough Evening News & Mercury, 21 Sep 96)

This article details a sighting by Scarborough housewife Elizabeth Chadwick, who reported seeing two white oblong-shaped objects in the sky over North Bay. She described them as zooming across the sky and then disappearing. Chadwick stated that while she doesn't typically believe in such phenomena, this experience led her to believe it was a UFO. The report also introduces ECUFORN (East Coast UFO Research Network), a new group founded by Martyn Cheshire and Deidre Dodds from Bridlington, dedicated to investigating unexplained sightings.

UFO Update with Jon Peake

This section features a report from Wigan where a man described seeing a long, thin, cylindrical shaped object flying low over the area. The object was estimated to be at least 150ft long. The 'UFO Update' column also mentions an upcoming meeting of WasPsi with Tony Dodd, promising video footage and an "extraspecial night for UFO enthusiasts." Phillip Mantle of BUFORA is also mentioned as hosting a meeting.

Strange lights in sky start a UFO mystery (T&A Reporter, 14 Oct 96)

This article from Bradford reports on a spate of unidentified flying object sightings in the region, including strange lights over Wyke Hills, a circular metallic object above Manningham, and a brightly coloured craft gliding across Wilsden. Steve Verdeyen described seeing a dozen lights flashing in a carousel-like formation over Wyke Hills for about half an hour. Nigel Heap also witnessed similar lights the following night. Thomas Daw reported a brightly lit craft hovering in Wilsden. Russell Kellett, coordinator of the Bradford UFO Research Network, is investigating these sightings, noting an increase in strange occurrences.

East Anglia's UFO mystery deepened

A tanker crew aboard the Conocoast reported seeing two large lights hovering over The Wash. Despite an investigation by the Ministry of Defence and a theory from RAF Neatishead suggesting it could be the Boston Stump church tower and an electrical storm, the crew dismissed the explanation. David Hutchinson, the vessel's mate, stated the objects were too high and in the wrong position to be the tower.

X-Files gran (Daily Record, 14 Oct 96)

This piece focuses on Margaret Ross, a 63-year-old from Falkirk, who captured video footage of a pulsating, bright object in the sky. Specialists believe her footage provides sensational evidence of a UFO. The object appeared as a spherical shape with diagonal bars, later transforming into a half-circle. Archie Roy, professor of physics and astronomy, noted that while most sightings are explainable, this case falls into the 8% that science cannot recognize.

Dorset Evening Echo (07 Sep 96)

This letter to the editor addresses a previous article about a UFO sighting near Dorchester. BUFORA clarifies its position, stating it has no intention of confronting other organizations and has opened its files to recognized bodies. They suggest the sightings might be a new, advanced type of aircraft, possibly the Stealth fighter plane, and are seeking witnesses to interview.

Dancing globes of light spin a circle of mystery (West Sussex County Times, 20 Sep 96)

This article discusses Andy Thomas's book "Fields of Mystery" about the crop circle phenomenon in Sussex. It mentions a video taken in Wiltshire showing a complex design being created by several dancing globes of light within seconds, corroborating eye-witness accounts. The article notes that Sussex had nine crop formations in 1996.

Is UFO a balloon? (Tonbridge Courier, 20 Sep 96)

A Tunbridge Wells woman, Hazel Teather, reported seeing a large, perfectly circular, hovering object with lights near her home on three occasions. Her brother-in-law suggested it might be a weather balloon, but Mrs. Teather insisted it was different. Ronald Rosewell suggested the object might have been one of his mother's escaped golden helium balloons.

Experts clash on Dorset sighting (Dorset Echo, 26 Sep 96)

National researchers suggest that an unidentified flying object seen by Dorset residents could be a top-secret Stealth fighter plane. BUFORA believes it might be a new type of American aircraft on trial. However, local researcher David Kingston challenges this, stating the Stealth cannot fly at 50 feet or hover silently, and that the craft seen was silent.

Another UFO sighting recorded in Fleetwood

A local man named David Jessop reported seeing a silver disk-shaped object in the sky over Fleetwood. He described it as hovering low over the sea and then shooting off at incredible speed. Jenny Randles, a UFO expert, expressed interest in the report.

UFO spot Andrew is not alone! (Bolton Evening News, 16 Sep 96)

Investigations are ongoing into a mysterious bright object seen over Bolton. Andrew Landwieser, who first reported the sighting, has been enlisted as a local coordinator for the UFO Research Network. Similar sightings were confirmed in the area. Anne Langley reported her son's detailed description of the object matched newspaper reports.

UFOs: The proof is out there (Dover Express & East Kent News, 19 Sep 96)

UFO experts are studying video footage that could potentially prove the existence of aliens. Jerry Anderson of UFOMEK recorded four white lights on video above his Wingham home. Investigator Chris Rolfe believes this could be the proof they have been waiting for, and a vigil may be held in the area. Other sightings in Nonington, Preston, and Eythorne are being investigated.

Radio men check out a UFO mystery (Daily Mail Scottish, 21 Sep 96)

A radio team in Inverness was alerted to a mystery object hovering above their studio. News presenter John Murchison and others witnessed multi-coloured flashing lights. Air traffic control confirmed no aircraft activity in the area at that time, leading them to consider it could be a UFO.

UFO hunters probe 'lights in sky' mystery (Lancashire Evening Post, 24 Sep 96)

MYSTERY lights were reported over Lancashire, coinciding with a UFO enthusiasts' conference. Residents reported seeing circles of lights and a beam. Staff at the University of Central Lancashire's observatory were contacted. The reports are being investigated by the Lancashire UFO Society.

Alien sightings are such a gas (Annandale Observer, 26 Sep 96)

Residents in Lindal reported seeing mysterious lights above the railway tracks, which turned out to be British Gas engineers working at night. Ian Hargreaves of TransCo apologized for the alarm caused.

'UFO' may be right on schedule (West Lancashire Evening Gazette, 21 Sep 96)

This article discusses a sighting in Dundee where a man reported a bright light moving vertically with a loud noise. The airport confirmed a Saab 340 flight landed around the same time, suggesting it might have been the scheduled aircraft.

UFO hunters are flying in (Islington Gazette, 19 Sep 96)

UFO hunters are coming to Islington to track mysterious lights reported by resident Theresa Lyons. Paul Southcatt of London UFO Studies will be using a video camera to investigate.

UFO over Troedyrhiw (Merthyr Express, 06 Sep 96)

Villagers in Troedyrhiw witnessed a circle of lights hovering above the village for about an hour and a half. Witnesses described the lights as swirling clouds that joined together in a large circle, moving at high speed before vanishing.

Light thrown on UFO riddle (Brighton Evening Argus, 05 Sep 96)

Brighton police received two calls about unusual lights in the sky. A spokesman for the Island Club in Hove confirmed their laser lights were on at the time, suggesting this might explain the sightings.

Experts probe UFO sighting (Bolton Evening News, 11 Sep 96)

This article follows up on the Bolton sighting, with UFO experts investigating reports of a mysterious bright object. Andrew Landwieser, who first reported the sighting, is now a local coordinator for the UFO Research Network. Similar sightings were reported in Kearsley.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BUFORA NEWSFILE revolve around numerous UFO sightings reported across the United Kingdom throughout September 1996. The articles highlight witness accounts, the formation of new UFO investigation groups (like ECUFORN), and the ongoing efforts of established organizations such as BUFORA to collect and analyze data. There's a consistent effort to present these sightings, while acknowledging skepticism and offering potential conventional explanations (weather balloons, aircraft, gas works), but also leaving room for the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and information gathering, encouraging public participation in reporting sightings.