1979 09 00 Illustrated London News - The UFO Watchers

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Illustrated London News, dated September 1979, features a prominent cover story titled "The UFO Watchers" by Des Wilson. The magazine also includes articles on C. F. Tunnicliffe's sketchbook of birds, John Winton's "The Price of Valour," Paula DiPerna's exploration of Cousteau's underwater world, and John F. Crossland's report on the Afghan War. Additionally, there are colour pictures and a "Rubens Discovery."

The UFO Watchers

Des Wilson's article delves into the growing phenomenon of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings and the organizations dedicated to investigating them in Britain. The piece highlights the increased public interest, partly fueled by the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and a parliamentary debate in the House of Lords. A whisky firm's offer of a £1 million prize for proof of a device from beyond our solar system underscores the public fascination.

The article details several reported sightings, including an incident on the M3 motorway where witnesses described a disc-shaped object and a floating ball of light. It notes the variety of shapes and colours attributed to UFOs, and the sounds they reportedly make.

Patrick Moore is quoted emphasizing the vastness of the universe and the statistical likelihood of other life. However, the article points out the difficulty in approaching UFO enthusiasts due to their fear of ridicule and the existing rivalries between different organizations.

The Earl of Clancarty (Brinsley Le Poer Trench) is presented as an "elder statesman" of the British UFO movement. He founded Contact International in 1967 and has been a vice-president of Bufora. Lord Clancarty has a long history of researching UFOs, publishing books, and advocating for government disclosure. He theorizes that UFOs may be from beings who originally created humans and are now monitoring Earth due to concerns about our progress.

Ruth Rees, president of Contact International, is also featured. She recounts a childhood sighting and expresses that the mystery will likely be resolved as sightings increase. She highlights Contact International's global reach.

Bufora, founded in 1964, is described as dedicated to the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena. Its chairman, Lionel Beer, is cautious and emphasizes objective study, while editor Norman Oliver, despite seeing UFOs, remains open-minded. Both have been involved in UFO research for many years.

Jenny Randles, a freelance writer and co-ordinator of the Northern UFO Network, believes there is no single explanation for UFOs, proposing three categories: physical phenomena, psychological factors, and human-based phenomena externalizing reality. She is also the author of "UFOs - a British viewpoint."

Bernard Delair, an authority on UFO sightings, has compiled thousands of computerized records and published ten volumes on the subject. He expresses concern about UFOs visiting on their own terms and suggests they might be surveying Earth for answers to their own problems, noting landings near hospitals and cemeteries.

Charles Bowen, editor of "Flying Saucer Review," emphasizes the overwhelming evidence from "honest, down-to-earth people" but fears a "malignant spiritual intervention" or something outside our control attempting to control our minds. He advocates for international, official study of the subject.

The article concludes by referencing Lord Davies of Leek's speech in the House of Lords, which called for serious research into UFO phenomena, questioning the dismissal of honest witnesses and highlighting the need for study and understanding.

Other Articles

While the UFO article is the cover story, the magazine also features other content:

• C. F. Tunnicliffe: A Sketchbook of Birds: This likely showcases the work of the artist C. F. Tunnicliffe, focusing on bird illustrations.
• John Winton: The Price of Valour: This suggests a narrative or report by John Winton, possibly concerning bravery or a significant event.
• Paula DiPerna: Cousteau's Underwater World: This article by Paula DiPerna explores the underwater explorations and discoveries associated with Jacques Cousteau.
• John F. Crossland: The Afghan War: This section by John F. Crossland provides coverage or analysis of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
• Colour pictures: Rubens Discovery: This indicates a feature with colour photographs related to a discovery concerning the artist Peter Paul Rubens.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the exploration of the unexplained, particularly UFO phenomena, reflecting a public fascination with the unknown and extraterrestrial life. The magazine adopts an investigative and reportorial stance, presenting various perspectives, theories, and personal accounts from individuals involved in UFO research. It highlights the efforts of organizations like Bufora and Contact International, while also acknowledging the skepticism and challenges faced by ufologists. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting the subject seriously and advocating for further investigation and understanding, as echoed by Lord Davies of Leek's call for a "serious debate."