EUFOSG Journal - 1976 05 - May 1976

Magazine Overview

This document is the May 1976 issue of "THE ESSEX UFO STUDY GROUP" journal. It is a non-profit publication dedicated to investigating UFO phenomena and related paranormal occurrences. The issue features a mix of reports on group activities, UFO sighting investigations, and articles on broader UFO-related topics.

Content Summary

Film Screening and Group Meeting Reports

The journal announces a screening of the film "Chariot of the Gods" on Friday, May 21st, 1976, at Harts Lane Main Lecture Hall, Barking. The film, adapted from Erich Von Daniken's bestseller, is a 16mm colour film with soundtrack. Admission is charged to cover hiring costs (£1 for adults, 50p for under 16s). The film begins at 8:00 p.m.

A report on the Group Meeting held on March 26th, 1976, at Harts Lane Lecture Hall, Barking, details an attendance of 15 members. Notable attendees included Mr. Andy Collins, the new B.U.F.O.R.A. Regional Investigations Co-ordinator for Essex. The meeting began with the Editor presenting an account of a story titled "The Mysterious Moon-Shaft" from the "AWARENESS" publication, detailing the discovery of a subterranean structure in Czechoslovakia by an Army Captain. This story was also published in the "National Speliological Society News" and the "International Fortean Organization" journal. Mr. Roy Lake provided a handout on the Group's committee structure. A vacancy for a SKYWATCH OFFICER was noted. Coffee and biscuits were served. The monthly raffle prize was the book "Warnings from Flying Friends" by A. Shuttlewood, won by Mr. R. Tansley. Mr. Ron Markwick presented on "The Ghost Fliers," concerning sightings of phantom aircraft and their pilots. The meeting concluded with a slide show of astronomical photographs.

Journal Modifications

Members are informed of radical alterations to the "Newsletter," which will henceforth be titled "JOURNAL." This change reflects new subjects and improved reproduction procedures. To address publishing delays, the journal will now be issued on a bi-monthly basis.

UFO Sighting Reports

Report 1: The Springfield UFO

This report details a sighting by Stephen Wheeler (aged 9) and ten friends on Sunday, October 12th, 1975, at Pollards Meadow, Springfield, Chelmsford. The boys observed a peculiar object hovering motionless above trees. The object was disc-shaped with bright flashing lights on its bottom edge and two humps. It advanced towards the boys before moving away and disappearing. The object was estimated to be approximately 11ft in diameter. The "Essex Chronicle" newspaper was informed.

Report 2: The UFO That Wasn't?

On Thursday, December 11th, 1975, Miss Deborah Gardner (aged 16) and her friend Miss Gloria Francis (aged 17) in Basildon, Essex, reported seeing a red, half-moon shaped object in the sky. Gloria described it as having a wrong shape, bright red-orange, and a half-circle shape upside down. The object pulsed and developed a thin blue edge before diminishing and disappearing. The "Basildon Standard Recorder" newspaper was informed. The object's estimated size was approximately 11ft in diameter, and it was visible for 4 to 5 minutes. Weather conditions were scattered cloud, cold, dry, with a light breeze. No aircraft were observed.

Report 3: Las Palmas UFO

This report comes from Mrs. Sleigh, who lives in Thorpe Bay, Essex, concerning a sighting on Gran Canaria Island in March or April 1974, between 12 noon and 3 p.m. While sunbathing, she noticed a large, cloud-like object appear in a clear, deep-blue sky. The object was pure white with a long white tail and travelled through a 45° angle of sky before passing in front of the sun. Mrs. Sleigh reported the case in November 1975, so exact details were difficult to recall due to the time lapse. The "sun in comparison size" is only approximate.

Editor's Comments on Springfield UFO

The editor comments that the Springfield UFO could have been a bright fireball meteor, which are rare and usually seen at night but can equal the sun's brightness. However, the possibility of it being a genuine UFO is acknowledged, noting that similar objects have been seen before and have changed direction in flight.

Article: The Bermuda Triangle

By Mr. Ron Markwick, this article explores the area known as the "Bermuda Triangle." Markwick clarifies that the area is not a true triangle but an outline from Bermuda to Florida (USA) to Puerto Rico. He questions conventional explanations for the vanishing of ships and planes, such as giant waves or storms. Markwick suggests that a large UFO's propulsion could cause destruction similar to storm damage. He argues that disappearances are often too quick for distress calls and suspects UFO involvement, especially when occurring in calm seas and clear skies. He notes that UFOs are sometimes associated with phenomena like earthquakes and electromagnetic storm areas. The article mentions that many witnesses, including aircrew, have observed UFOs in the Bermuda Triangle. It questions whether space beings might be involved, possibly abducting humans or causing them to be caught in a time-dimension trap or eliminated into the sub-atomic world. The author criticizes the BBC2 attempt to explain the disappearances, finding it inadequate. He also points out that mysterious disappearances have occurred on land with witnesses present and no navigational errors. The article touches upon the idea that scientists investigating these areas might also vanish, and that UFOs emit electromagnetic radiation. It draws parallels with other mysterious areas like the one off Japan and the Mediterranean Sea, linking them to earthquakes and storms. The author suggests that the high rate of losses in these areas is suspicious and higher than "experts" expect. He also notes the rough conditions of the North Atlantic and seas around Britain.

Article: Storms, (Meteorological) Navigational errors in space?

This section discusses how phenomena like the Bermuda Triangle might be linked to strong electromagnetic effects that can reach satellites. It posits that other life-form systems might be receiving signals from Earth. The author suggests that the mysterious disappearances are often dismissed as natural accidents, but the frequency in these specific areas is higher than expected. The article also touches upon the possibility of electromagnetic storm areas and UFOs emitting radiation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly focuses on UFO sightings and investigations, with detailed reports from the Essex area. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into UFO phenomena, while also critically examining conventional explanations and exploring more speculative theories, particularly concerning the Bermuda Triangle. There is a clear interest in documenting witness accounts and presenting them for analysis. The journal also aims to foster a sense of community among its members through meetings and shared information.

This issue of UFO News, dated May 1976 and identified as Volume 13, Issue 10, is published by the ESSEX UFO STUDY GROUP. The cover prominently features a comparison between the infamous Bermuda Triangle and a lesser-known area dubbed the 'Ponder's End Trapezium' in North London, suggesting a shared characteristic of mysterious disappearances.

Mysterious Losses and the Bermuda Triangle

The lead article, written by Ron Markwick, Technical Advisor for E.U.F.O.S.G., questions the conventional explanations for disappearances in areas like the Bermuda Triangle. Markwick argues that while natural elements and navigational errors are often cited, they may not fully account for 'mysterious losses.' He suggests that a scientifically thinking person should maintain an open mind to all possibilities, including UFOs. The article touches upon the idea of a 'second gravitational field' potentially causing anomalies like vortices and whirlpools, and speculates on the lack of 'tell-tale' distress signals from lost vessels. Markwick notes that Lloyd's of London admits losses are out of proportion to the traffic, drawing a parallel to a murderer operating without witnesses. He concludes by suggesting that future generations might view 20th-century scientific explanations as naive.

The Ponder's End Trapezium

A letter from Mr. K.H. Dee of Ponders End, Enfield, introduces the 'Ponder's End Trapezium' as another area of mystery. Dee describes a series of disappearances within this region over the last decade, including shops, houses, and pubs, with the unusual appearance of four tall skyscraper-type buildings housing an 'alien population.' He questions if this is related to the lost city of Pondantis, believed to have been submerged in the Lea Valley marshes following the flooding by the Metropolitan Water Board in 1913 and 1951. Dee suggests that UFO sightings in the area might indicate extraterrestrial ancestors returning.

An editor's comment clarifies that Charles Fort had identified a similar area as the 'London Triangle,' encompassing parts of North London and points like Colchester, Essex; Reading, Berkshire; and the Worcester/Hereford area. These locations were noted for strange happenings, including aerial detonations, earthquakes, and luminous objects. The editor confirms that UFOs still frequent these places.

Objective Comment on UFOs

The issue includes a brief exchange with astronomer Patrick Moore. After being asked for his views on UFO phenomena, Mr. Moore's response was curt: 'U.F.O.'s? Rot.' The editor, while not taking this comment too seriously, acknowledges that such a response is not surprising from someone holding an eminent position in 'respectable' science. The editor also notes that Prof. John Taylor and Dr. J. Allen Hynek are exceptions to this general scientific skepticism.

New UFO Report Centre and Book Reviews

A news clipping from 'The Daily Telegraph' dated March 1, 1976, reports the opening of a 'New UFO Report Centre' in Toronto, with Dr. Allen Hynek as its advisor, intended to provide a safe space for people to report unusual events without fear of ridicule.

The magazine lists several books available for purchase, including titles on UFOs, prophecies, ghosts, ESP, and space connections, with prices indicated. These can be obtained from Miss S. Stobbing.

Letters and Errata

The 'Letters' section also features a letter from Mr. D.J. Goring, who writes about the 'Ponder's End Trapezium' and its mysterious occurrences, drawing parallels to the Bermuda Triangle. He calls for higher authorities to release clear statements on the facts to alleviate public concern.

An 'Errata' section corrects details regarding a UFO sighting previously reported in the March 1976 issue. Mr. Andy B. Collins of BUFORA R.I.C. for Essex provides amendments to the account of the UFO seen by Miss Doreen Moore and Miss Jill Taylor in Basildon on January 29, 1976. The corrections specify that the object itself was not rotating, only the lights beneath it, and clarify the 'green tinge' and the rim's color. A third, untraceable witness, a small girl, is also mentioned.

Investigations and Contributions

The magazine credits several individuals for their investigations on behalf of the Group for various cases, including the Haspincall case, the Doreen Moore & Jill Taylor case, and the Chingford Dwarf Sighting.

Advertisements and Subscriptions

An advertisement promotes the 'SKYWATCH U.F.O. DETECTOR,' a magnetic needle type detector with an audio alarm, available for £9.00. Advertisement rates are listed, and subscription information is provided: £2.00 for one year, which includes 6 issues of the Journal.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs and mysterious disappearances. The magazine encourages reader contributions and aims to provide a platform for reporting and discussing these events, even when faced with skepticism from mainstream scientific figures. Recurring themes include the comparison of different mysterious locations (Bermuda Triangle, Ponder's End Trapezium), the potential for extraterrestrial involvement, and the need for more official transparency on unexplained events. The publication also serves as a hub for UFO enthusiasts, offering book sales, subscriptions, and a forum for sharing research and sightings.