Earthlink - No 01 - Vol 2 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: EARTHLINK
Issue: No.2
Volume: Volume 2
Date: SPRING 1978
Publisher: Essex UFO Study Group
Country: England
Language: English

Earthlink is presented as a serious publication dedicated to the UFO phenomenon and related subjects, published four times a year by the Essex UFO Study Group, founded in 1970. This issue, Volume 2, No. 2, dated Spring 1978, aims to reach a wider audience interested in UFOs.

Contents

The issue features a variety of articles, including an editorial, an article titled 'Teenage Observers - A Clue?' by David L. Rees, reports on 'Three humanoids seen in Northern Sweden', 'Latest Triangle mysteries', 'Mystery booms off Nova Scotia', and 'Cases from around Britain', including 'The Chelmsford UFO Mystery'. It also includes a report on a meeting of the Essex UFO Study Group and an exhibition, along with letters, advertisements, odds and ends, and a farewell note.

Editorial

The editorial welcomes readers to the first issue of Earthlink, expressing the hope that it will be a successful magazine. It notes the publication's transition from a localized group journal to a periodical with a national/worldwide image. The name 'Earthlink' is explained as being apt because Earth plays a significant role in the manifestation of UFOs, and these objects seem most interested in Earth and its inhabitants. The editorial emphasizes that the UFO phenomenon remains largely unexplained and is not under government censorship, with sightings occurring globally. It highlights the unique nature of each sighting and the excitement of closer encounters.

Teenage Observers - A Clue? by David L. Rees

This article by David L. Rees of MAPIT discusses the significant increase in UFO interest and sightings in Great Britain during 1977, comparing it to the 1967 wave. The release of the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' is expected to maintain this interest. Rees notes the prolific media coverage and the wealth of data gathered. He points out that many UFOlogists from the 1967 wave have since disappeared, and there might be valuable information held by former investigators. A key focus of the article is the high number of UFO sightings and landings reported by children in 1977, referencing cases like Broad Haven and Winchester. Rees questions why so many children and schools are witnesses to these events, presenting several cases from 1976 and 1977 involving alleged UFO landings, occupants, and hovering objects witnessed by children at schools across Britain.

Age and Sex Distribution of Witnesses

The article presents figures compiled by Mike Dean of the Wirral UFO Society on UFO sightings from 1960-1974, showing that the 11-20 age group, particularly males, had the highest number of witnesses. Further data from 100 north-west UFO reports indicates that the 11-20 age range also had the highest percentage of witnesses. The author finds the prevalence of young witnesses interesting and questions whether they will continue to report UFOs as they age. The article also touches upon the high number of 'close encounters' and sightings near schools in 1977, suggesting a possible mild interest from UFOs in children and schools, perhaps as part of a study or due to a specific brainwave emitted by young people.

Three Humanoids Seen in Northern Sweden

This section details an encounter by Kurt Nilsson on October 18, 1977, near Trehörningsjö, Sweden. Nilsson observed a pale blue, dome-shaped object emitting light, approximately 2 meters in diameter, with three grey, spacesuit-clad figures about 100 meters away. The encounter caused his car's lights and engine to fail temporarily. An investigation by Reinhold Carleby revealed damage to a birch tree and unusual moss findings. Footprints of the figures were described as short, wide, with a cross-shaped heel. The article also includes notes from the editor regarding the timing of the event and a related 1969 encounter by Kjell Näslund at the same transmitting station, involving a large craft and 'box-men'.

Latest Triangle Mysteries

This section covers two incidents:

1. Bomber vanishes in Triangle of Death: A U.S. bomber disappeared from radar screens over the Bermuda Triangle, with the pilot's last words indicating a problem. Search efforts for the plane and its crew were unsuccessful.
2. Three Planes Lost in U.S. 'Crash Triangle': Three planes crashed within five days over an area in Nevada known as the 'Sagebrush Triangle'. Two crashes involved Air-Force officers, while a third was survived by an off-duty officer and his son. The wreckage was found after a large search.

Mystery Booms off Nova Scotia

This article discusses mysterious booms heard off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, which have been linked to the supersonic Concorde aircraft. Canada has persuaded Britain and France to alter Concorde's flight path to New York to fly no closer than 45 nautical miles to the coast. Residents, particularly those in Barrington, have been alarmed by these booms, which intensified when Concorde flights to New York began. Mrs. Hattie Perry, president of a local environmental association, gathered information and led the campaign for the flight path change. The booms are described as coupled with atmospheric disturbances.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the prevalence of UFO sightings involving children and schools, the potential interest of UFOs in these demographics, and the unexplained nature of various aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of information. The publication aims to provide a platform for reporting and discussing UFO-related events from both domestic and international sources, with a particular focus on detailed case studies and witness accounts.

This issue of Hermes magazine, Volume 25, Number 1, dated January 1978, focuses on the "Great Siberian Comet" and a multitude of UFO sightings and related phenomena reported in late 1977 and early 1978.

The Great Siberian Comet

The lead article discusses the 1908 Tunguska event, confirming through two new Soviet studies that it was indeed the Earth's first observed collision with a comet. The comet exploded over the Stony Tunguska river in Siberia with a force equivalent to 122 megatons, flattening trees for up to 30 km. Eyewitnesses described a blue-white fireball. While some reports mentioned strange radioactivity, these were denied by other researchers. A controversial theory suggested a crash-landing nuclear-powered spaceship. However, a Soviet expedition found microscopic particles of carbonaceous chondrite in the soil, suggesting a normal comet. Independent research by astronomers John Brown and David Hughes supports this, noting the comet was likely only 40 meters across and too small to be seen before impact. They also suggest that any radioactivity would have been produced in the hot gas during atmospheric entry. The article warns that similar objects are expected to hit Earth every 2,000 years.

Phenomena in Nova Scotia and South Carolina

The magazine reports on loud booms heard in Nova Scotia, Canada, which seem to coincide with Concorde flights but are also heard when no supersonic flights are in the area. Residents describe sensations of being lifted and windows rattling. Similar phenomena were noted in South Carolina and New Jersey, with noises seeming to come from overhead but not heard at a distance. The Canadian government has sent environmental experts to investigate.

Mystery on the French Marshes

An account details the baffling disappearance of Claudette Souchon in the Camargue marshes in southern France. Her horse Lucky was found dead with its body savagely ripped open, and another horse, Tommy, was found injured and frightened. Claudette was later found miles away, covered in mud, unable to speak and in shock. Police theories initially included rape, but medical examination found no signs of assault. The incident is described as a "brutal shock" and "something outside her experience."

Cases from Around Britain

Kidnapped by Blue Aliens from a UFO

A story from the Daily Express recounts an abduction in Emington, Devon, in 1957. A woman hanging laundry was approached by a floating blue light and abducted by "three beings" in bluish metallic clothing. She reported no ill-effects and felt the beings were friendly.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little UFO

Mrs. Susan Stovoid and her husband Brian witnessed a large, twinkling, silver-coloured flying saucer hovering over the New Forest near Fordingbridge, Hampshire. It had red and blue lights and a tank-like turret, appearing about the size of an airliner. It glided away horizontally.

UFO in Kirkby

Four men in Kirkby reported a seven-foot faceless monster with flashing lights, described as having a square head, white boots, dark hands, and red and white flashing lights on its chest. The driver later suffered an asthma attack. Police are treating the incident seriously.

Workers Quaking in the Quarry

Night workers at a quarry near Yeovil, Somerset, reported seeing red balls hovering and a green object crawling through blocks, which they identified as UFOs. One worker described a red ball glowing on blocks and a long green object moving towards him.

UFOs in the Welsh Triangle

Reports from the Welsh Triangle area (Swansea, Mid-Wales, Broad Haven) are highlighted, with over 50 sightings. A particularly factual account involves company director Peter Bevan and Elvet Dyer witnessing a huge cigar-shaped machine flying low without sound. Professor J. Allen Hynek of NASA is mentioned, calling for renewed investigation into UFO reports.

UFO Photographed Over House

Contact UK, a group of enthusiasts, presented a photograph of a flying saucer taken by Kevin Dudley in Erdington, Birmingham. Mr. Derek Mansell of Contact UK believes the photograph to be genuine after considerable investigation.

The Tall Visitor

A sighting near Manchester University involved a seven-foot tall figure in a silver suit with beams of light for eyes. The figure was seen to stoop, clamber down an embankment, cross a road, and seemingly walk through a high security fence. Police investigated but found no sign of a breach.

Silver Giant from 'Outer Space'

Mr. Kenneth Edwards reported seeing a 7ft. tall figure with a silver suit, beams of light for eyes, and arms extending from the chest, near the Manchester University reactor. The figure was observed moving stiffly and crossing a road.

The Chelmsford UFO Mystery

Chelmsford, Essex, experienced significant UFO activity in late January 1978. Bill Eden, investigator for the Essex UFO Study Group, received numerous reports. A key sighting involved Richard Wilson and Amanda Prowse observing a craft with bright lights, a dome, and a dark body with a flat base. The object moved rapidly, covering an estimated 10 miles in 2-3 seconds. Other sightings in the area included a UFO seen by Mr. Moore and Mrs. Bright. An ex-flying-officer also reported a bright light that shot off at "lightning speed" near Rettendon. The article notes that while an aircraft explanation was suggested by Mr. Samain, the descriptions make this unlikely. It also mentions a car battery found flat the morning after the Richard and Amanda sighting, with the owner living in the same area.

Meeting of the Essex UFO Study Group

A report from a meeting of the Essex UFO Study Group features guest speaker Mr. J.B. Delair, who discussed "UFOs - The Tip of the Iceberg." He described UFOs as rounded, performing impossible manoeuvres, changing shape, and having an average size of 25-30ft. He noted they can stop electrical gadgetry and are interested in places like nuclear power stations and farms. UFO waves are linked to sunspot activity. Theories on UFO origin include extra-terrestrial, space/time continuum, or Earth-based. Delair also spoke about animal mutilations and suggested studying UFOs and related subjects as a whole.

Essex UFO Study Group Exhibition

A successful three-day exhibition in London displayed drawings, photographs, maps, and publications related to UFOs. Visitors, including sceptics, left with a more open mind. The exhibition featured accounts of sightings, including a remarkable sighting of a Yeti-like creature near the India/Kashmir border and a mysterious ball of light landing in Ashdown Forest, Sussex.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently presents UFO sightings and related phenomena as credible events worthy of investigation. It highlights eyewitness accounts, expert opinions from ufologists and scientists, and reports from UFO study groups. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards the UFO phenomenon, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of extraterrestrial or unknown aerial phenomena. Recurring themes include the physical characteristics and behaviours of UFOs, their potential occupants, connections to animal mutilations, and the mystery surrounding unexplained aerial events. The magazine emphasizes the need to study these phenomena holistically, rather than in isolation.

Title: UFO TIMES
Issue: 20-Spring'78
Date: Spring 1978
Publisher: EUFOSG

This issue of UFO TIMES delves into various aspects of UFO phenomena, featuring a spirited debate on the Extra-Terrestrial Hypothesis (ETH), historical case studies, personal accounts, and news from the UFO research community.

Letters Section

The issue opens with a letter from Ron Markwick of Ilford, Essex, responding to Ian Ridpath's article. Markwick criticizes Ridpath's 'scant' and 'unscientific' study of ufology, arguing that scientists are too quick to dismiss evidence and prejudge witnesses. He points to historical instances where scientific consensus was later proven wrong, such as with ball lightning. Markwick contends that UFOs exhibit characteristics beyond known natural phenomena and that evidence like witness testimony, photographic evidence, and effects on animals and electronics should not be ignored. He also mentions the USAF's long study of UFOs and specific instructions for dealing with them, suggesting a hidden agenda.

Markwick highlights the Fatima sightings of 1917, where 75,000 people witnessed a 'craft' and received information about future events, questioning how ball lightning could achieve this. He also references a case with a million witnesses.

In response, Ian Ridpath acknowledges Markwick's points but maintains that major 'extra-terrestrial spaceship' cases have been compromised by withheld evidence. He reiterates his skepticism about UFOs being interstellar spacecraft, stating that their existence has not been established even by ufologists. Ridpath dismisses claims of astronauts photographing UFOs and ground radar evidence as popular fictions, urging Markwick to provide chapter and verse. He also references a critique of astronaut UFO reports and notes the skepticism of journalists he spoke to regarding alien beings.

Another letter from Mr. D- of West Tilbury, Grays Thurrock, Essex, shares two sightings. The first, from 1939, describes a cluster of pearly-white 'balloons' in a tight formation rising rapidly. The second, from about six or eight years prior, describes a fast-moving, copper-green oval blob with a long orange-green trail observed on two consecutive nights at the same time and location, suggesting it was unlikely to be a meteorite.

Mr. D- also recounts a war-time event where a signal mentioned the hurried burial of a corpse found on Canvey Island, described as gruesome and having caused mental imbalance in those who saw it. The editor's note confirms the story's truth and adds that the corpse was believed to be alien.

A brief note mentions a 1935-1939 newspaper report of an object landing on Salisbury Plain, leaving a depression.

UFO News and Reports

Mexico UFO Sighting: Three farmers in Culiacan, Mexico, reported seeing an unidentified flying object land in their fields. The disc emitted a green-copperish light and a roaring sound before taking off.

The Same UFO?: An article from Spacequest magazine describes a close encounter of the third kind near Bournemouth, England, in September of the previous year. The witness, Mrs. Ethel Field, described humanoids and a craft similar to one seen over Chelmsford, Essex.

A Farewell Note: The issue marks the departure of Doug Canning, the Public Relations Officer for the EUFOSG, who contributed artwork for the cover.

UFOs in the News: The Daily Express and The Sun dedicated significant coverage to UFOs in late February, coinciding with the release of the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." The Daily Express featured a front-page banner headline: "FLYING SAUCERS GALORE." L.B.C. radio also broadcast a two-part program, "We are not Alone."

UFOs from Space: A report details a three-hour UFO program that included interviews with UFO witnesses Betty Hill and Travis Walton, astronaut James McDivitt, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Stanton Friedman, Walter Andrus (MUFON Director), and John B. Musgrave. The program also featured phone-in segments.

Enticement for UFOs: A Japanese short wave radio station planned to illuminate the Tokyo sky with blue, white, and red rays to attract UFOs, and a phone-in broadcast was organized for witnesses.

Those two planets again: The planets Venus and Jupiter appeared close together in the western sky in late May and early June 1978, and were mistaken for a UFO by some.

Cosmos 1,000 launched: The USSR had launched 1,000 satellites in the Cosmos series by March 1, 1978.

Crystals from space: Weird, color-changing crystals fell from the skies during a storm near Haverfordwest, West Wales, where pupils reported seeing "a spaceship." The crystals, found to be quartz-like, were handed over for analysis.

CEIII in Georgia, U.S.A.?: Tom Dawson, a 63-year-old retired dealer, reported a sighting on August 6, 1977, involving a circular 'space-ship' landing, five strange 'humans' emerging, and a voice mentioning "Jimmy Hoffa."

UFO from heaven?: An account from AD 674 describes a sudden light from heaven descending upon nuns in a Barking, Essex, convent, which then withdrew itself.

"Heaven sent help for the plagued nuns": A report from the "Barking & Dagenham Post" details a heavenly happening at a convent, including a vision of a human body being drawn up into heaven.

"Around the world in 60 minutes": John Searl, a flying-saucer-maker, was reportedly preparing to pilot his first "levity disc" on a maiden voyage, with plans to stop in Auckland, New Zealand.

UFO signals?: Dr. Constantin Raudive's mystery voices were reportedly being picked up on radio. Two Norwegian radio enthusiasts heard a "gabble of voices" belonging to a Lapland dialect not used for hundreds of years, suggesting communication from past worlds.

Advertisements

The issue includes advertisements for various UFO-related services and publications:

• UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE: Provides monthly reports of UFO sightings from international press clippings.
• THE UFO EXAMINER: A publication covering close encounters, landings, occupant sightings, and UFO news.
• SKYWATCH: A magazine featuring UFO news, sightings, letters, and articles, published by MAPIT.
• 'DIARY OF AN ALIEN' by Richard Spencer: A book exploring whether Moses was an alien.
• PAGE RESEARCH LIBRARY: Publishes a bi-monthly Fortean news and UFO newsletter and a comprehensive booklist.
• RES BUREAUX BULLETIN: A newsletter of UFO and Fortean phenomena.
• NATIONAL UFO RESEARCH: Publishes a monthly newsheet.
• COMMENTARY: A quarterly newsletter from UFORUM.
• VIEWPOINT AQUARIUS: A newsletter with UFO news, Theosophy, Yoga, Meditation, and Healing.
• ESSEX HEALERS' ASSOCIATION: Publishes a newsletter concerned with spiritual healing.
• UFO INFO EXCHANGE LIBRARY: Provides a free service and a quarterly magazine.
• THE LEY HUNTER: A magazine of Earth mysteries.
• LANTERN: A magazine covering ghosts, UFOs, and ley lines.
• LES EXTRATERRESTRES: A French-written glossy magazine devoted to UFOs.
• FORESIGHT: A bi-monthly magazine concerned with spiritual aspects of man's being, psychic phenomena, mysticism, and UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing debate surrounding the nature of UFO phenomena, the reliability of witness testimony versus scientific skepticism, and the exploration of historical and contemporary sightings. The editorial stance, as stated, is that the opinions presented in the journal are not necessarily those of the Editor or the EUFOSG, indicating an openness to diverse viewpoints within the UFO community.