BUFORA Newsfile - No.68 - Mar 1998

Magazine Overview

This issue of BUFORA UFO NEWSFILE, number 68, dated March 1998, delves into the persistent mystery of UFOs and alien encounters, featuring a prominent article based on Timothy Good's book 'Alien Base: Earth's Encounters With Extraterrestrials'. The magazine presents a collection of witness accounts and journalistic reports from various UK publications, exploring the possibility of extraterrestrials living secretly among us and detailing numerous sightings and alleged encounters.

ETs Living Among Us: Timothy Good's Claims

The lead article, drawing from Timothy Good's research, posits that extraterrestrials are not just 'out there' but are secretly living on Earth, including in Britain, potentially in underground or undersea bases. The article highlights the testimony of Hubert Lewis, a Shropshire newsagent, who claims to have encountered a tall figure and a hovering circular object in the sky, and later met with beings who claimed to be from Venus. Lewis reported that these aliens were living among humans and that one could not tell the difference. Good supports this by citing other cases, such as a Sheffield market researcher who met aliens named Mark and Val, and Jan Siedlecki's encounter with humanoid figures from a saucer-shaped craft in Leeds.

Further accounts include a former equerry to the Queen recounting a conversation with an alien named Janus in 1954, who requested a meeting with the Duke of Edinburgh. A disturbing report from Puerto Rico details a creature found entering a cave, which was later preserved and taken away by NASA. Italian photographer Filiberto Caponi's claim of meeting and photographing an alien creature is also mentioned. The article touches upon the idea that some aliens are capable of taking on human form and possess advanced mental and technical abilities, including projected images.

Documented UFO Sightings and Encounters

The issue compiles several documented UFO sightings from various regions:

• Shropshire, UK: Hubert Lewis's encounters with a tall figure and a hovering craft, and later with Venusian aliens.
• Derbyshire Peak District, UK: Joelle's meetings with aliens Mark and Val.
• Leeds, UK: Jan Siedlecki's encounter with humanoid figures from a landed craft.
• Puerto Rico: The discovery and subsequent removal of a preserved alien creature.
• Italy: Filiberto Caponi's photographic evidence of an alien creature.
• Birmingham, UK: Cynthia Appleton's telepathic encounter with an alien.
• Ranton, Staffordshire, UK: Jessie Roestenburg's account of a paralysing encounter with a silver, disc-shaped craft.
• Saffron Walden, UK: Two men reported a bright red circular UFO hovering in the sky.
• United States: A Swissair jetliner reported a close encounter with an unidentified, wingless object between Philadelphia and Boston.
• Alyth, Scotland: Multiple reports of six airborne fireballs seen over the village.
• Markland Hill, UK: Eyewitnesses reported a mysterious bright white light in the sky, described as oblong and flat with 'cat's whisker' shoots of light.
• Liss Forest, UK: A woman reported seeing a white metallic tubular object hovering and moving slowly.
• Fife, Scotland: Mary Morrison claimed to have encountered dozens of aliens while driving.
• Bonnybridge, Scotland: This town is highlighted as a UFO 'hotspot' with over 3,000 reported sightings of lights, UFOs, and alien abductions in five years.
• Garelochhead, Scotland: Four people witnessed a large, gold, disc-shaped object hovering and disappearing.

Scientific and Theoretical Perspectives

The magazine also explores scientific and theoretical aspects of UFO phenomena:

• Alien Communication: A theory suggests that signals from alien civilizations might be disrupted by vast clouds of gas in space, potentially explaining why some brief radio signals picked up by SETI have been dismissed as random noise.
• Human Evolution: Colin Wilson, in an article titled 'Why I'm now convinced there are aliens in our midst', proposes that aliens are interested in humanity's evolution, acting as 'midwives' to help humans through the next stage of development. He suggests that UFO encounters can lead to profound personality changes and increased awareness.
• UFO Characteristics: Descriptions of UFOs range from circular and disc-shaped to oblong and spherical, with behaviors including hovering, rapid movement, and silent operation. Some accounts mention physical traces like mud, while others describe electromagnetic effects or the aliens' ability to manipulate memory.

The Paranormal Industry and Localised Phenomena

The issue touches upon the 'paranormal industry', noting how locations like Loch Ness, Glastonbury, and even alleged UFO sites like Area 51 and Roswell attract tourists. It highlights Bonnybridge, Scotland, as a prime example, where the local economy has been impacted by UFO tourism and media attention, despite skepticism from some residents and officials.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent presence of UFO sightings and alleged alien encounters across the UK and beyond, the potential for extraterrestrials to be living among us, and the ongoing scientific and personal quests to understand these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting witness testimonies and expert opinions without outright dismissal, while acknowledging the skepticism that often surrounds the subject. The magazine encourages readers to share their own experiences, indicating a commitment to gathering further evidence and fostering discussion within the UFO community.