Magonia - No 76 - 2001 11

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA 76, published in November 2001, is an issue dedicated to interpreting contemporary vision and belief, with a cover price of £1.25. The magazine features articles on monstrous tales, UFO phenomena, and alleged paranormal events.

Northern Echoes by Peter Rogerson

Peter Rogerson's article, 'Northern Echoes', reflects on the passing of a generation of British ufologists, including Bill Skellan, Grahem Knewstub, and Arthur Tomlinson. Rogerson recounts his early involvement with DIGAP meetings in the 1960s, facilitated by Bill Skellan, and how this led him to discover publications like the Merseyside UFO Research Group Newsletter and MUFOB. He characterizes this first generation of ufologists not merely as 'nuts and bolts' researchers but as occultists and spiritualists whose views on UFOs were 'metaphysical'. Rogerson notes that many DIGAP members were followers of George Adamski and were more interested in assembling evidence for the supernatural than in empirical investigation. He describes Arthur Tomlinson as a complex character who accumulated strange stories, including one about a lady member who claimed contact with alien spirit guides named Kolchek and Marshak. Rogerson also recalls the olfactory memory of DIGAP meetings, dominated by the smell of cheroot cigars. He mentions references to past UFO conferences, including one hosted by DIGAP in 1968 where Norman Oliver lectured on 'sex and the saucers' and Tony Duncan Wedd discussed using earth energies.

Friendship: The Fantasy Island by Diego Zúñiga

Diego Zúñiga's article, 'Friendship: The Fantasy Island', investigates a story circulating in southern Chile about an island inhabited by blond extraterrestrials. The story gained significant publicity in 1998, despite its flimsy basis on a false UFO case, evolving into a pseudo-religion. The article highlights a 1985 incident in Santiago where thousands observed a strange object, recorded by Television Nacional de Chile, which was later identified as a French stratospheric balloon. However, many insisted it was a ship from Friendship Island. A television program, 'OVNI' (UFO), further popularized the story, leading to a surge of public interest and claims that the Friendship people had cured Ernesto de la Fuente of cancer. The article notes various speculative origins for the Friendship inhabitants, from Nazis to 'Nordic aliens'. It questions the claims, particularly regarding the alleged healing of cancer, and points out that such stories can have incalculable consequences. The article also touches upon the idea that the island's inhabitants conform to an ideal of beauty, being blond and tall. The narrative traces the origin of the 'enigma' to 1984 when radio-ham Octavio Ortiz heard an SOS from a ship sighting a UFO. Ortiz later claimed to have met 'strange' people from an island and communicated with one named Ariel. The Friendship people are described as having the faculty of knowing thoughts and events, and they offered to heal Ortiz's illness, which he declined. The 1985 UFO sighting over Santiago is presented as supposed evidence, though it was later explained as a French stratospheric balloon. The article criticizes the lack of evidence and the common tropes found in such stories, like predictions, military involvement, and promised books. It concludes that the Friendship story is likely an invention or a soap opera plot rather than a genuine enigma, and that the connection to ufology is forced and lacks critical study. The article notes the existence of over 1500 tapes of conversations with the inhabitants, though only a few have been published. It also mentions various forms of contact, including telepathic, dreams, radio, and internet. The author suggests that the story is the Chilean version of the American TV series 'Fantasy Island' and warns against buying tickets related to it due to the risk of being swindled.

Monstrous Tales: Morgawr and Owlman

Gareth Medway's 'Monstrous Tales' continues the theme of hoaxes from Magonia 75, examining two examples where truth and hoax became entangled. The first case involves the sea monster Morgawr, allegedly sighted off the Cornish coast in 1976 after a ritual performed by three naked witches. Sightings were reported and followed by Fortean Times, based on material from 'our Cornish correspondent Doc Shiels'. Shiels, described as a magician and professional entertainer specializing in 'supernatural' effects, had written about faking monster pictures. Medway notes that Shiels was at the center of the Morgawr reports, and that witnesses were often his friends or relatives, or reported sightings to him. Morgawr sightings declined after 1976 but had a few comebacks. In 1991, Mark Chorvinsky claimed Morgawr was a hoax by Doc Shiels, producing a tape recording of Shiels discussing faking monster pictures. Shiels denied creating them but admitted to experimenting with photographs of a plasticine model monster on glass, which he described as 'shamanic lures' or 'decoys'. Medway suggests this method could explain the out-of-focus pictures and lack of ripples. The second case concerns the Owlman, a Cornish counterpart to the Mothman, who reportedly appeared only to adolescent girls on holiday, who would then meet Doc Shiels. Three girls produced drawings, which Medway suggests might be the work of a professional artist, possibly Doc Shiels himself, given the similarities in handwriting between two witnesses. Jonathan Downes investigated Owlman and found a man who claimed to have seen it as a boy, but his sketch was deemed an imitation. The article also mentions a letter from an American student claiming to have seen Owlman, but her address proved untraceable.

Sean Manchester and the Highgate Vampire

The article also delves into the activities of Sean Manchester, who investigated alleged Satanism and the 'Highgate Vampire'. Manchester, who adopted numerous titles including 'Dr Manchester' and 'Lord Manchester', claimed to have infiltrated Satanism. His investigations into alleged Satanism are described as less amusing, tending to name and defame individuals. His book, 'From Satan to Christ', is characterized as anticlimactic, drifting into a personal romance. Manchester's claims about Satanic Nazis in Barnet are presented as an attempt to uncover a legion of them, but the testimony of former members contradicts his allegations. The article recounts an incident where Manchester was bound over to keep the peace after a dispute with David Farrant. It also details Manchester's involvement in the Highgate Vampire case, including an exorcism performed with a striking blonde assistant, referred to as 'Lusia'. The narrative follows the story of Lusia's death from a blood disease and her burial, and Manchester's subsequent vigil by her grave and alleged confrontation with a giant spider that transformed into Lusia's body. The article criticizes Manchester's lack of original ideas, drawing parallels to the film 'The Devil Rides Out'. It notes that Manchester's accounts were often illustrated with stills from an 8mm home movie. The article concludes by discussing Manchester's attempts to gain recognition and his tendency to threaten legal action against detractors.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Magonia revolve around the intersection of belief, folklore, and alleged paranormal phenomena, with a strong emphasis on critically examining the evidence and potential for hoaxes. The magazine appears to adopt a skeptical yet open-minded stance, presenting various accounts while also highlighting inconsistencies, lack of proof, and the psychological factors that contribute to belief in such phenomena. The editorial stance seems to favor a rational approach, questioning sensationalist claims and exploring the motivations behind the propagation of these stories, whether they stem from genuine belief, entertainment, or deliberate deception. The issue underscores the power of media and popular credulity in shaping narratives around mysteries and the supernatural.

This issue of MUFOB, identified as Volume 25, dated Summer 1976, focuses on revisiting UFO cases and related phenomena from approximately 25 years prior. The cover prominently features the magazine's logo and the headline "25 YEARS AGO," suggesting a retrospective look at significant events and discussions within the ufology community.

Article: The League of Imperial Fascists and Manchester's Claims

The issue begins by detailing a series of events involving David Farrant and Sean Manchester. Manchester allegedly created a group called the League of Imperial Fascists, practicing military exercises and recruiting from local school children. Photographs, with faces blacked out, depicted a man with a swastika armband, a female 'combatant,' and 'The Commander' (Manchester himself), who was described as spouting neo-Nazi clichés. Manchester also claimed the League was linked to Satan-worship. A second article, intended to reveal this link, was prevented from appearing.

Manchester later visited David Farrant, with whom he had a truce. Farrant, known as 'the Birdman' for his care of a white dove, posed for a photograph with the bird for a French magazine article. Manchester had placed two black candles and a 'witchcraft doll' on an improvised altar for the picture. Subsequently, Manchester used a photograph of a woman pointing at the same doll in a story for the Islington Gazette, alleging it was sent by Satanists trying to prevent a talk he was giving. The article suggests Manchester's ultimate intention was to 'discover' the same doll in both photographs and claim Farrant had sacrificed a dove to hex Manchester.

Manchester's material was also sent to the Sunday People, who were suspicious. They contacted Farrant, who recognized the faces in the pictures as John Pope (a friend of Manchester's), Manchester's girlfriend, and Manchester himself. Pope confirmed the pictures were fakes and denied any involvement with far-right politics. The editor of the Borehamwood Post admitted he had not verified the story.

When challenged by reporter Frank Thorne of the Sunday People, Manchester admitted his only proof was his word. Thorne's article concluded, "And that, Mr Manchester, is simply not good enough."

Article: MUFOB's Past Features and Organizations

The Summer 1976 issue of MUFOB featured an article by Jenny Randles about the infamous APEN organization, described as a nuisance in British ufology since the early 1970s. APEN functioned by sending anonymous letters and cassette tapes to ufologists, sometimes inviting participation and other times warning them off cases. Suggestions about APEN's origins range from sociological experiments to neo-Nazi UFO researchers. The author suggests APEN was likely a group of immature ufologists emulating the Spanish UMMO project.

Roger Sandell wrote about precursors to the 'car stop' phenomenon in folklore. Peter Rogerson contributed 'A Panorama of Ufological Visions,' an impressionistic view of contemporary ufological obsessions and rumors, from phantom helicopters to apocalyptic prophecies. The author notes uncomfortable premonitions in Rogerson's piece, relating to the collapse of Yugoslavia and genocide in Africa.

An article by Peter Rogerson and the author detailed an investigation into the strange experiences of a family in north-west England, referred to as Miss Z. Miss Z experienced a 'bedroom invader' scenario with two non-human creatures and a vehicle. The family also reported phenomena ranging from fairies to mysterious phone calls. The author suggests that if these experiences had occurred later, Miss Z might have been classified as a full-blown abductee.

Nigel Watson wrote about reports of winged humanoids. The INTCAT 'Type One' catalogue continued its entries, mainly covering the 1954 French wave, which is presented as potentially a confabulation of hoaxes and sensational journalism.

Reader's Letters

Letter from Jim Moseley: Moseley expresses offense that the "Hoax issue" of Magonia did not mention the R. E. Straith letter as the greatest hoax of yesteryear. He contrasts this with the magazine's focus on less significant hoaxers and mentions his upcoming book, "Shockingly Close to the Truth," which will detail the Straith Letter. He asserts American hoaxters are superior to British ones.

Letter from Christopher Allan: Allan discusses the death of Desmond Leslie and a forgotten UFO story that formed the basis for Leslie's directory of historical sightings in "Flying Saucers Have Landed." This story concerned a 13th-century Byland Abbey sighting, purportedly based on a Latin manuscript discovered in Ampleforth Abbey. The manuscript described monks witnessing a "large round silver thing like a disc." It was later revealed that the manuscript was a fake created by two sixth-form schoolboys from Ampleforth College and publicized in a letter to The Times in 1953. Leslie had omitted the case in the revised edition of his book. The story was also detailed in "Flying Saucers Through the Ages" by Paul Thomas, with a footnote by translator Gavin Gibbons about the Oxford undergraduates' confession.

Letter from Alberto Francisco do Carmo: Carmo responds to a review of Bob Pratt's book "UFO Danger Zone: terror and death in Brazil." He criticizes the reviewer's generalization about Brazilian society being entirely violent, arguing that Brazil's vastness and contrasts make such statements inaccurate. Carmo defends Pratt's book, stating that the violence described reflects real encounters and that the book presents extraordinary events, not just beliefs. He criticizes the reviewer's prejudice and ignorance regarding Brazil and ufology. Carmo also discusses the limitations of scientific inquiry into phenomena like UFOs and suggests that 'psychosocial' explanations are a form of 'psychobabble.' He concludes by stating that while the website is not graphically brilliant, the content is improving.

Letter from Martin Kottmeyer (responding to Ann Druffel): Kottmeyer clarifies a point from his previous article regarding a specific film influencing the Hill's experience. He also criticizes Ann Druffel's article 'Decline and Fall of the Psychosociological Hypothesis,' particularly her use of Freudian terms and her interpretation of research on dreams and memory.

Letter from Anthony Brown: Brown responds to comments about his article, clarifying his stance on alien abductions and the 'boundary deficit hypothesis.' He discusses the lack of scientific support for certain theories and expresses concern about the potential damage of Freudian/Jungian psychology. He also notes that while Margaret Buckingham raised salient points, his article was heavily edited, leading to a 'garbled argument.'

Book Reviews

"Before and After Roswell: the flying saucer in America 1947-1999" by David A. Clary: Reviewed by John Rimmer. Rimmer finds Clary's work to be a skeptical examination of the Roswell story but criticizes its attempt to be a general history of American ufology, linking it with films and TV. Rimmer notes factual errors and the central error that 'flying saucers' were exclusively an American phenomenon. He points out Clary's belief that the Roswell story began in 1978, not 1947, and that Marcel's belief about alien spaceships likely developed in the 1950s or 60s.

"Time travel in Einstein's universe: the physical possibilities of travel through time" by J. Richard Gott: Reviewed by John Rimmer. Rimmer finds the book's discussion of time travel mechanisms to be interesting but not practical for everyday use. He notes the book delves into complex physics, including cosmic strings and bubble universes.

"Dark Object: the world's only government documented UFO crash" by Don Ledger and Chris Styles: Reviewed by John Rimmer. This book retells the story of a UFO incident at Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia, in 1967. Rimmer notes the lack of definitive evidence that the event was an alien spaceship and suggests it could be misperceived stars or planets, or a military incident.

"Spiritualism and British Society Between the Wars" by Jenny Hazelgrove: Reviewed by John Rimmer. Rimmer describes the book as a study of the relationship between spiritualism and society, with an emphasis on gender relations. It explores the role of women as mediums and the cultural backgrounds influencing support and hostility towards spiritualism.

"Strange Creations: aberrant ideas of human origins from ancient astronauts to aquatic apes" by Donna Kossy: Reviewed by John Rimmer. Kossy's book examines various fringe and pseudoscientific accounts of human origins, including creationism and ancient astronaut theories. It highlights their reactionary character and hostility to modernity and progress.

"Tower of Babel: the evidence against the new creationism" by Robert T. Pennock: Reviewed by John Rimmer. Pennock's book challenges creationism on philosophical grounds, arguing that it is not science and that its proponents are motivated by social and political issues. It critiques 'Intelligent Design Theory' and 'Theistic Science.'

"The UFO Evidence, volume II, a thirty year report" by Richard H. Hall: Reviewed by Peter Rogerson. Rogerson describes Hall's book as a comprehensive collection of UFO reports intended to convince believers. He notes the religious tone of the book and its focus on 'witnesses' as messengers. Rogerson finds the presentation of cases to be selective and suggests that many stories are difficult to explain but require critical analysis of the ufologists' texts.

"Intruders in the Night: they are here" by Christopher Martin: Reviewed by Peter Rogerson. Rogerson focuses on Nick Pope's introduction, which he sees as evidence of Pope's acceptance of 'channeled information.' He notes Pope's claim to be the only person to have conducted official research into alien abductions and criticizes his 'egomaniac fantasist' tendencies.

"UFOs and Abductions: challenging the borders of knowledge" edited by David M. Jacobs: Reviewed by Peter Rogerson. Rogerson discusses the book's presentation of UFO and abduction phenomena to an academic community. He notes that while some contributors attempt academic language, others fail. He highlights criticisms of the 'psychosocial hypothesis' and the relationship between ufologists and the scientific community.

Back Page: Out of the Shadows

This section discusses how, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, some individuals from the ufology world have emerged to exploit the situation. Royce Myers, who runs a website exposing ufological sleaze, has posted details about such individuals. The Bay Area UFO Expo advertised a presentation by Jordan Maxwell on "WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING" in New York City. Peter Gersten, a 'UFO lawyer,' advocated for looking "behind the curtain" of the terrorist attacks. Ed Dames, a 'remote viewer,' claimed his team was searching for buried survivors in New York City. Myers questions why these individuals did not foresee the attacks and criticizes their involvement in mainstream UFO events.

Back Page: Piece for a Missing Jigsaw

This section discusses elaborate theories about alien propulsion systems, referencing Leonard Cramp's work. It then shifts to David Jacobs' thoughts on alien society, derived from abduction reports. Jacobs suggests that aliens, being telepathic, would have limited emotional interactions and lack art, design, and culinary enjoyment. The author notes that while fashion design is not important to aliens, they also lack cynicism, irony, sarcasm, and drama.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include skepticism towards UFO claims, the exposure of hoaxes, and critiques of various hypotheses, particularly the psychosocial hypothesis. There is a strong emphasis on critical analysis and the need for verifiable evidence. The magazine appears to adopt a stance that questions sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims within the ufology community, while still acknowledging the existence of genuine mysteries and the importance of rigorous investigation. The editorial stance favors a rational, evidence-based approach, often contrasting it with what is perceived as 'psychobabble' or uncritical belief.