Enigma no 2 1967 03-04

Magazine Overview

Title: ENIGMA
Issue: No. 2
Date: March-April 1967
Publisher: International Sky Scouts Association (U.K.)

This issue of ENIGMA, the newsletter of the International Sky Scouts Association (U.K.), presents a collection of UFO sightings and related activities from early 1967, alongside astronomical information and details of upcoming events.

Current Sightings and Activities

Burnham-on-Sea Sighting

On January 2nd, ISS member Douglas Chaundy of Burnham-on-Sea reported an object in the sky over Highbridge at approximately 8:00 p.m. Initially a stationary red dot, it later moved north-westerly for about fifteen minutes and remained visible.

Big Wheel over Salisbury

Mr. Barrington Hawkins, while driving the Downton-Salisbury road in Wiltshire, witnessed three flashes and then a formation of red lights over trees near Salisbury. Upon stopping, he observed what he described as a 'complete circle of red lights' that moved outwardly into a pattern. Each light lasted about three seconds and the object appeared to be on a level with Lichury Cathedral, estimated at over 400 feet high. Its apparent size was that of a cricket ball at arm's length. He likened it to a fairground wheel covered with lights. The red glow eventually turned white, and the object vanished. Other witnesses on the same road reportedly saw the UFO.

Another Southampton Sighting

On January 12th, Brian Jeans, travelling between Lechford and Mottisfont, noticed two rotating red lights in the sky above a small hill. These lights reappeared further on, hovering for a few seconds before travelling in front of his van for five or six miles at 30-35 mph. After the van stopped, Jeans observed the lights hovering in a field before they disappeared without sound. This sighting was also witnessed by Tony Boyce and Mrs. N. Thatcher and reported to Southend Airport.

Bradford Sighting

On January 28th, ISS member Philip Montgomery observed a round, white object in the sky, larger than an ordinary star. It moved erratically with varying speed for about a minute before becoming dimmer and vanishing overhead, making no sound.

Sighting from Birmingham Organiser

Mr. Philip Instone, organiser of the Birmingham local group, reported seeing a large white star from his bedroom window between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on January 15th. Two minutes later, it had split into two small stars moving towards his house. Using a telescope, he observed three red lights underneath which flickered as the object disappeared over the houses to the north. The sighting lasted three and a half minutes and was witnessed by four other people.

Blackpool UFO Explained

Robert Couttie, Assistant Editor, found evidence suggesting that a previously reported UFO sighting by Mr. and Mrs. Cropper in Blackpool was actually a satellite re-entry.

Planet Positions

This section, by Bill Trotter, provides astronomical information for March and April:

March

• Mercury: A morning star after inferior conjunction on the 4th, at Western Elongation on the 31st, but too bright to be seen in Britain.
• Venus: An evening star, becoming more prominent in the western sky after sunset.
• Moon: Near Venus on the 13th.
• Mars: Still a morning star, visible as a prominent red object in the East, rising soon after 8 p.m. by the end of March.
• Moon: Near Mars on the 27th.
• Jupiter: A conspicuous object visible high in the south-west during the night, second only to Venus in brightness.
• Moon: Near Jupiter on the 20th and 21st.
• Saturn: Becomes a morning star after conjunction on the 23rd, but too bright for observation.
• Uranus: On the borders of Leo and Virgo, becoming an evening star after opposition on the 13th.
• Neptune: A morning star in Libra.
• Moon Phases: Last quarter on the 3rd, New moon on the 11th, First quarter on the 19th, Full moon on the 26th.

April

• Mercury: A morning star throughout April, but too bright to be observed in Britain.
• Venus: A very brilliant evening star, setting more than 3 hours after the sun.
• Moon: Near Venus on the 12th and 13th.
• Mars: Becomes an evening star after its opposition on the 15th, visible all night as a brilliant reddish object, moving westward.
• Moon: Near Mars on the 23rd.
• Jupiter: A prominent object in the south and south-west in the early hours of the night, setting around 1:30 a.m. by the end of April.
• Moon: Near Jupiter on the 17th.
• Saturn: A morning star, but too bright for observation.
• Uranus: An evening star at the eastern end of Leo.
• Neptune: A morning star in Libra.
• Moon Phases: Last quarter on the 1st, New moon on the 9th, First quarter on the 17th, Full moon on the 24th.

National Skywatches

The ISS is organizing national skywatches between 3:00 and 10:30 p.m. on specific dates, including March 18, April 21, May 6, June 24, July 22, August 26, September 23, October 21, November 18, and December 16th. Members are encouraged to send details of sightings to Keith Palmer.

Warminster Skywatch 13th-19th February 1967

This event, organised by Keith Palmer, involved about forty people. During the watch, participants travelled to Hendon, North London, where they observed a bright orange-golden light in the sky that hovered for two seconds before disappearing. The object was directly in front of their vehicle, travelling north-west. The location is noted as being close to the base-line of Philip Heselton's Great Isosceles Triangle of leys.

The group also visited the Everleigh Barrows near Everleigh on Salisbury Plain, described as important mark-points on the same base-line. They found a large circular depression near the barrows with aluminium poles topped with six-pointed aluminium stars, one bearing the cryptic letters "R.L.F. 1964" and an upward-pointing arrow. One barrow was covered with empty brass cartridge-cases.

Later, at Cradle Hill near Warminster, a high wind and heavy rain made observing difficult. Despite the conditions, some lights were seen on neighbouring hills that appeared higher than car headlights and were not moving. It was impossible to confirm if these were UFOs due to the weather.

Publicity for the Warminster Skywatch was extensive, with announcements on Radio Britain and write-ups in local newspapers, the Daily Express, and The Sun. ISS member L. Norman was filmed by Westward TV, and other members attempted to track UFOs without success. Organiser K. Palmer appeared on the 3BC Westward Home service to discuss the event.

South London Group Meeting

Mr. Ronald Booth organised a preliminary meeting for the South London group on Saturday, February 11th. The main decision was to split the group into two for skywatching purposes. An exhibition was also mentioned, followed by discussions on UFO topics.

Western Expedition

Dates for a week-long ley-hunting and skywatching trip into the West Country were set for May 21-20. The expedition would start from Salisbury railway station and include visits to Glastonbury, the Angersleigh area, Porlock, and Dunkery Beacon, with potential contact with a Venusian at Scorriton. The organiser, Jimmy Goddard, appealed for more cars to accommodate interested members and requested that participants bring camping equipment. Arrangements for food would be on a carload-group basis.

Advertisements

• Music: Information on Ray Coniff's music is available through Kay's Club.
• UFO Photographs: Available from W.J. Trotter.
• SKYSCOUTS HANDBOOK: A comprehensive guide to skywatching and UFO research, available from Jimmy Goddard.
• INTERPLANETARY NEWS: A magazine on general space subjects from Interplanetary Space Travel Research.

Book Review

"Flying Saucers Are Watching You" by John Sherwood is reviewed as a useful factual record of the recent Michigan flap, noting its objective reporting despite the inclusion of a known fake photo. It is recommended as a reference for comparing future flaps.

Editor's Note

Jimmy Goddard, Editor, can be contacted at Wynchlands, Walton Bridge Road, Shepperton, Middlesex. The newsletter welcomes news and comments from members and friends.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, skywatching activities, and astronomical observations. The editorial stance appears to be one of active investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, encouraging member participation in skywatches and expeditions. There is also an interest in related subjects like ley lines and space exploration, as evidenced by the book review and advertisement for 'Interplanetary News'. The newsletter aims to connect members and share information within the UFO community.