EVP Newsletter - No 21 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: EVP NEWSLETTER
Issue: No. 21
Date: August 1980

This issue of the EVP NEWSLETTER marks its 21st publication, a milestone celebrated by the editor despite personal challenges, including moving house multiple times. The newsletter is dedicated to the study of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP).

Editorial and Personal Notes

The editor expresses gratitude for reaching the 21st issue, acknowledging the difficulties encountered. They mention moving house five times in three years but have found a more secure dwelling for the next year. For those abroad or concerned about mail, a parents' address in Rugby, Warwickshire, is provided for forwarding correspondence. The editor also shares receiving news from Friedrich Jurgenson, who enclosed a bulletin from the Jurgenson Foundation, with a translation for English-speaking researchers.

A lighthearted observation is made about the editor's neighbour's resilience to the English summer weather, as he erects a paddling pool despite recent rain and thunder.

Research and Findings

Richard Sheargold and the Survival Joint Research Committee Trust (SJRCT)

The newsletter highlights a paper by researcher Richard Sheargold, reinforcing two key facts about EVP: 1) all voices depend on the existence of normal sounds, and 2) audio frequencies are paranormally manipulated to produce EVP. Sheargold's work, started in 1971, confirms the reality of the phenomena, dismissing theories of delusion as bigoted or ignorant. He favors the idea that voices originate from the subconscious mind of the experimenter but also admits they could be from deceased or other entities, stating it's too early to definitively conclude. The paper also discusses SJRCT experiments and pilot projects, available by post from PN Bookshop in London.

A Challenge by Cyril Luck

Cyril Luck expresses frustration with researchers who are reluctant to share significant EVP messages. He cites Gilbert Bonner's claim of receiving "entities" with dramatic information, yet Bonner has not provided specific examples in the newsletters. Similarly, Friedrich Jurgenson, when asked by Alan for examples, stated it would take too long to reply, suggesting answers would be in an interview transcript. Luck questions why, if these entities exist, they don't provide more helpful or meaningful messages, such as "Why do you try to contact us?" or "How can we help to improve your contact with us?" He also questions why many recordings consist of the name "Raudive" or variations thereof. Luck suggests Alan contact Jurgenson, Cass, and Bonner to obtain details of meaningful messages that convey knowledge or assist in understanding fellow humans, the entities' world, or improving communication.

Luck also references Eileen Buckle's book, "The Scoriton Mystery," where she claims to have received menacing messages via voice and Morse code. He challenges Alan to obtain details about these messages and their context for the readers.

Book and Magazine Reviews/Announcements

• FORTEAN TIMES: A magazine covering strange phenomena, UFOs, mysterious animals, and curious deaths. A one-year subscription (four issues) costs £3.00.
• THE MEDIUMSHIP OF THE TAPE RECORDER by David Ellis: A controversial book detailing the author's investigation into EVP. Available for £2.25.
• THE LEY HUNTER: A publication dealing with ancient alignments, geomancy, and folklore. A four-issue subscription costs £3.60.

Exclusive Interview with G. Gilbert Bonner, FHA

Bonner's interest in EVP began by chance after reading Dr. Raudive's book. Initially not a Spiritualist, he felt compelled to try recording techniques and was astonished by a voice calling out to him from a long, deep tunnel. He conducted extensive research and used various recording methods, including the "radio-mike method." Early results were not encouraging, and he admits he couldn't initially distinguish paranormal voices from other sounds. He accepted that voices might be from the dead, as suggested by Jurgenson and Raudive.

Bonner acknowledges that radio intrusions and mechanical noise can be mistaken for paranormal voices, and the human mind can imagine voices. However, he asserts that paranormal voices can override earthly transmissions, wiping out radio signals for a few seconds to transmit their own messages. He defends Dr. Raudive's work, suggesting that his dedication might have caused resentment, and states that while mistakes can happen, Raudive's book "Breakthrough" brought knowledge of EVP to the English-speaking world. Bonner notes that Freidrich Jurgenson, the accepted discoverer, has not had his works translated into English, hindering wider access.

Bonner believes all avenues should be investigated to seek the truth. He emphasizes the need to hear Jurgenson's clear dialogue recordings and understand how they are obtained. He hopes Jurgenson will be "chosen" to receive special communications that can be heard directly, without needing replay. There is a rumor that Jurgenson's dialogue tapes will be released on two LPs this year.

Site and Sound by Alan Cleaver

Alan Cleaver reports on experiments conducted at the Rollright Stones, Oxfordshire, as part of "The Dragon Project," a long-term study using various sciences. Voices were received on two occasions at dawn. Similar experiments in Ireland using a microphone method yielded some encouraging sounds, though not highly evidential. Cleaver selected two voices, one of which seemed to say "Ghost is the listener," with no normal origin identified. Another male voice was undecipherable. While not conclusive proof of paranormal voices, the results are encouraging.

Cleaver also received a letter from EVP researcher Mike Vinter, who was amazed by Cleaver's previous article on the stones, as Vinter had been studying the same line of thought for over a year. Vinter is researching material for his latest book, "Along Came a Spider," which explores an energy force involved in psychic phenomena. Cleaver laments that Vinter had to turn to fiction because publishers were unwilling to publish a book on EVP.

An experiment at the Rollright Stones produced no results, contrary to past successful experiments. Cleaver tried microphone, radio, and diode experiments without success. He references Richard Sheargold's idea that sound is needed for voices to manipulate, which seems to hold true in his own experiments.

Cleaver plans to conduct experiments using pre-recorded sounds at the stones to see if they can be manipulated to produce voices.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on the ongoing research and development in Electronic Voice Phenomena. There's a strong emphasis on the scientific investigation of EVP, with discussions on recording techniques, potential origins of voices (entities, subconscious mind), and the challenges of validating findings. The editor, Alan Cleaver, appears to advocate for open sharing of research and encourages critical yet open-minded investigation into the phenomena. The publication also serves as a platform for book and magazine reviews related to paranormal subjects and provides practical information for subscribers.

The editorial stance is one of persistent inquiry and a desire to advance the understanding of EVP, acknowledging both the potential and the difficulties inherent in this field of study. There's a clear effort to bridge the gap between researchers and interested individuals, fostering a community around the subject.