BUFORA Newsfile - No.54 - Feb 2007

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA NEWSFILE
Issue: Issue Number 54
Date: February 1997
Publisher: BUFORA (British UFO Research Association)

This issue of BUFORA Newsfile, dated February 1997, compiles reports of UFO sightings and related phenomena from various UK newspapers and publications, reflecting a period of heightened public interest in the subject, partly fueled by popular culture like 'The X-Files' and the movie 'Independence Day'. The magazine presents a diverse range of accounts, from official police sightings to personal testimonies, alongside discussions on government involvement and the scientific community's response.

News Reports and Sightings

Meteorite Showers and Police Sightings

The *Dorset Evening Echo* (14 Dec 96) reports that police officers in Dorchester witnessed a spectacular meteorite shower, with some officers reporting seeing large objects fall from the sky over West Dorset. This event occurred amidst cloudless skies and was noted by PC Roy Jackson and another officer at Litton Cheney.

Strange Sighting in the Evening Sky

A letter to the *Southern Daily Echo* (26 Nov 96) from MJ Poirrier in Fareham describes a strange, large, bright orange light seen over Fareham Civic Hall on November 15th at approximately 4.15 pm. The object was stationary for about 30 seconds before disappearing. Poirrier is seeking confirmation from others who may have witnessed a similar event.

UFOs Help Radio Go On Air

The *Runcorn Weekly News* (28 Nov 96) details a UFO factor event held at the War Memorial Club in Runcorn, which successfully raised funds for Halton College's student radio station. The conference featured lectures by UFO investigators, including Roger Ellison and Mark Rosney, on topics such as sightings, abductions, and military 'Black Projects'. The event helped to get the college radio station on air with a restricted licence.

Explanation Needed for Lights

A letter to the *Bradford Telegraph & Argus* (29 Nov 96) from Miss M Romanowska discusses a 'carousel' of lights seen over the Wyke hills. She suggests a logical explanation, possibly a reflection or projection on clouds, and wonders if anyone can provide a definitive explanation.

'The X Files' and North West Sightings

An article titled 'The X Files is one of the top rated shows on television – but it's not only in America where weird and spooky things happen. The North West has had its own share.' from an unnamed publication (page 2) highlights the magazine 'The Fortean Times' and its coverage of strange phenomena. It mentions alleged photographs of dead aliens, a 1954 sighting of a flying saucer by two schoolboys in the Lake District, strange lights and corn circles at Hindley in 1990, and a British Airways jet being 'buzzed' by a strange craft near Manchester Airport on January 6th. It also includes a humorous account of a flying manhole cover causing expensive damage.

Mystery of Light in Sky

The *Echo* (page 3) investigates a possible UFO sighting off the county coast, obtaining a transcript of a conversation between police, RAF officials, and a tanker boss. The object was tracked by radar at RAF Neatishead and its movements were monitored for hours. The conversation reveals confusion among officials, with no transponder signal and no identifiable aircraft. The object was described as a strange red and green rotating light, later flashing red, green, and white, appearing stationary and approximately one mile high.

'UFO' on Film

The *Wellingborough & Rushden Citizen* (28 Nov 96) reports that an unidentified flying object was captured on film by amateur cameraman Cliff Linnell from Corby. Linnell filmed a bright, cigar or saucer-shaped object hovering for about 15 minutes. He contacted the police, who confirmed that another officer and person had also reported seeing the object.

Scared by Mystery Lights

The *Dursley Gazette* (13 Dec 96) features Phillip Perrett, a retired school caretaker who has been scared by mystery lights in the Hawkesbury area over ten years. The latest sighting involved a football-sized brilliant light passing close to his car. Perrett has seen four other lights, mostly red or pink, but this one was blue. He describes the object as solid-looking and controlled, rising in an arc at high speed.

Lights in Sky Across Highlands

The *Inverness Courier* (03 May 96) reports on strange happenings in the skies over the Highlands on Wednesday night. Two people reported possible sightings of an unidentified flying object, described as a bright light zooming across the sky towards Aberdeen. The object was moving too quickly to be an aircraft. A Coastguard officer in Inverurie also reported seeing a bright light traveling fast towards Aberdeen around the same time.

UFO Circumnavigates Taunton

The *Somerset County Gazette* (29 Nov 96) features retired businessman Raymond Hampson, who claims to have seen a UFO circumnavigate Taunton. Hampson described a large circular object with blue lights and a wing of orange and red lights, with the red lights flashing. He reported his sighting to the National UFO Society.

The UFO Conspiracy?

The *Loughborough Mail* (05 Dec 96) discusses the growing mystery surrounding UFOs, citing claims by leading UFO-logists Timothy Good and Nick Pope. It suggests that UK air defences are routinely breached by extraterrestrial craft with superior technology, posing a risk to national security. The article mentions photographs of strange aerial phenomena and the work of UFO investigator Maurice Horton, who believes there is a conspiracy within the military.

Six Weird Discs Speeding in the Sky

The *East Kent Gazette* (27 Nov 96) reports on six disc-shaped lights seen speeding across the sky by Mrs Josine Barnes in Sheerness. She described the lights as 'dancing' and moving too fast to be aircraft. When an airplane did fly past, the lights stopped. She believes they were not from this world.

Alan Floats Solution to UFO Mystery

The *Gazette and Times* (20 Nov) features a letter from Alan D Rose suggesting a rational explanation for a UFO sighting in 1966. He describes a motionless, rocking, rectangular object that changed colour. Rose theorizes it could have been a sheet of paper or cardboard supported by updrafts from a nearby rubbish tip.

Dateline Mexico: Day Of The Space Invaders

This section (page 7) explores the phenomenon of UFO sightings in Mexico City, suggesting a strong extraterrestrial interest in the metropolis. It recounts the mass visitation on July 11, 1991, during a solar eclipse, where numerous people filmed a bright, shimmering metallic disc. The article links these sightings to ancient Mayan prophecies and discusses the 'Greys' as a commonly reported alien type. It also touches upon the Roswell incident and claims of government cover-ups.

UFO Sighting - Was it Just a Lighthouse?

The *Northampton Chronicle & Echo* (21 Nov 96) and *East Suffolk Mercury* (Oct 96) discuss the Rendlesham Forest incident. The *Northampton Chronicle & Echo* features an article by Richard Smith questioning whether the sighting was merely a lighthouse. It mentions a report by Lt Col Charles Halt detailing an object hovering on legs and animal disturbances. Astronomer Ian Ridpath and forester Vince Thirkettle offer alternative explanations, including the lighthouse and a fireball.

Touch of the Unknown

An article in the *Northampton Chronicle & Echo* (21 Nov 96) by R A Knight questions the lack of radio communication attempts from advanced extraterrestrial intelligence, given their presumed technological capabilities.

Area 51 and Secret Experiments

An article (page 8) delves into the secrecy surrounding Area 51, mentioning claims from ex-workers about flying saucers being kept there and experiments involving mind control and 'back-engineering' of UFOs. It references Bob Lazar's account of working with alien technology and Robert Dean's claims about a 'Cosmic Top Secret NATO-funded document'. The article also notes the possibility of similar secret projects in the UK.

Lights in Sky Could Be UFO

The *Gloucestershire Echo* (01 Jan 97) reports on Derek Hunt's sighting of two strange lights darting around in the sky, which he believes were a UFO. He described the lights as moving at high speed and dipping and rising erratically. A spokesman for the Circular Forum suggested the lights could be a probe from outer space.

Sceptic Now a UFO Believer

The *Loughborough Mail* (02 Jan 97) features an article by Andrea Thompson about Nick Pope's book 'Open Skies, Closed Minds'. Pope, a former MoD UFO expert, details his three years investigating UFO sightings and reveals how the MoD handles such reports. He became a believer in the reality of UFOs and discusses evidence of extraterrestrial craft breaching UK air defences.

Higher Profile for UFO Research

A letter to the *Berwickshire News & East Lothian Herald* (28 Nov 96) from George Niedzwiez, Regional Investigations Co-ordinator for BUFORA, seeks to elevate the profile of UFO research and offers BUFORA's assistance in explaining sightings. He emphasizes BUFORA's strict code of confidentiality and rejection of hypnosis.

UFOs 'Collided Over Islands'

The *Daily Record* (06 Jan 97) reports on Nick Pope's claim in *UFO Magazine* that a mid-air explosion over the Outer Hebrides could have been UFOs colliding, a claim rubbished by the RAF.

Stenhousemuir Woman Spots Another UFO

The *Al-KIRK HERALD* (Oct 96) reports on a Stenhousemuir woman, Margaret Ross, who has had a second encounter with a UFO. After capturing footage of a glowing ball of light in April, she again filmed a similar object with diagonal stripes. Experts are amazed by the footage, with Ron Halliday of the Scottish Earth Mysteries Research Group suggesting it could be a spaceship.

Staggered Saucer Spotters

The *Gloucester Citizen* (19 Aug 96) highlights a record six UFO sightings in Gloucestershire in one week, attributing the increase in interest to films like 'Independence Day' and 'The X-Files'. Reports include an orange oval seen near Newent and four eerie white lights over Northway, Tewkesbury.

UFO Sighting Above Bexleyheath

The *Evening Journal* (28 Nov 96) details several UFO sightings in the Bexleyheath area, including a camcorder tape showing a soldier's footage of an object over woodland and a report of a large, massive object with lights seen over Bexleyheath. Tony Stubley, a local investigator, notes that sightings often involve strange lights in the sky.

Bottesford Woman Claims Alien Spacecraft

The *Evesham Journal* (28 Nov 96) reports on a Bottesford woman who claims to have seen an alien spacecraft hovering near her home on three occasions. The object was described as dome-shaped with three twinkling lights. The Ministry of Defence confirmed they take such sightings seriously.

Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph Report

The *Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph* (23 Nov 96) discusses UFO sightings, including a report from Bottesford. A MOD spokesman stated that around 300 such reports are received annually, and while many can be explained by natural phenomena or aircraft, some remain unexplained and are investigated for security threats.

Cotswold Milkman Backs UFO Claim

The *Evesham Journal* (28 Nov 96) features a Cotswold milkman, Steve Magee, who claims to have seen 16 strange lights in the sky while on his milk round, corroborating a previous report from a Harvington woman.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BUFORA Newsfile are the prevalence of UFO sightings across the UK, the public's fascination with the phenomenon, and the ongoing debate about potential explanations, ranging from natural occurrences and military aircraft to extraterrestrial visitation. There is a clear editorial stance supporting the serious investigation of UFO reports, particularly by organizations like BUFORA and government bodies such as the Ministry of Defence, while also acknowledging the skepticism and the need for credible evidence. The magazine highlights the challenges in distinguishing between fact and fiction, and the potential implications of advanced technology, whether terrestrial or extraterrestrial. The inclusion of 'The X-Files' and 'Independence Day' suggests an awareness of how popular culture influences public perception and interest in UFOs. The overall tone is one of inquiry and a desire to uncover the truth behind unexplained aerial phenomena.