Magonia Supplement - No 27 - 2000 05

Magazine Overview

MAGONIA Monthly Supplement, Issue No. 27, dated May 2000, is a publication focused on interpreting contemporary vision and belief, with John Harney serving as the editor. The issue features an editorial on the study of strange aerial phenomena, an article titled 'A Weird Weekend' detailing a conference, and several 'Notes and News' sections covering various Fortean and paranormal topics.

Editorial: The Scientific Approach to Strange Phenomena

The editorial draws a parallel between the study of strange aerial phenomena (UFOs) and the historical acceptance of British tornadoes by meteorologists. It argues that the myth of alien visitations has hindered the serious study of UFOs, which could otherwise be a pursuit for amateurs contributing to scientific knowledge. The editorial cites Philip Eden's observation in The Daily Telegraph that for a long time, tornadoes were believed not to occur in Britain, with Ernest Bilham's 1938 work 'The Climate of the British Isles' making no mention of them. It was only after a significant tornado in 1950 that British meteorologists began to take them seriously. The editorial praises the work of amateurs in providing precise and reliable data for tornado research, contrasting this with the 'batty theories,' 'occult dabblings,' and 'loony conferences' associated with ufologists. It expresses a wish for UFO investigations to be conducted in a rational, scientific manner.

A Weird Weekend: A Conference Report

Nigel Watson reports on a weekend event organized by the Exeter Strange Phenomena Research Group, hosted by Jonathan Downes. The event included a screening of Downes' film 'The Owlman & Others,' lectures, and a guided tour of Dartmoor. Emmet Sweeney presented a theory linking the construction of pyramids and megaliths to a cometary near-miss in 1400 BC, which caused geological changes and was interpreted as a 'giant serpent.' Sweeney's ideas were linked to Immanuel Velikovsky's 'Worlds in Collision.' Dr. Robert Morrell contested Sweeney's revision of Egyptian chronology, leading to a debate on dating techniques. Richard Freeman discussed various types of dragons from mythology, speculating if they originated from dinosaur discoveries or sightings of real reptiles, or were collective myths. Mike Hallowell spoke about worm-like serpents and dragons guarding tunnels near Marsden Bay, Tyneside, and the history of hermits and alleged Roman loot found in them, noting paranormal activity at tunnel entrances. The author, Nigel Watson, muses on F.W. Holiday's work linking prehistoric remains with dragon worship and UFOs, suggesting UFOs might be a collective memory of cometary near-misses. A quiz was held, won by Jon's team. David Farrant presented on psychic phenomena, distinguishing between image ghosts, poltergeist phenomena, and outside entities. He recounted his experiences investigating a tall, dark entity near Highgate Cemetery in the 1960s and 70s, his arrest, and subsequent court case where he was dubbed a 'vampire hunter.' He also described being lured to a pirate's grave in Barnet and later charged with indecent behaviour, and an incident in Crouch End involving an arrest for arson, from which he was acquitted. Malcolm Robinson discussed his research into UFOs and ghosts, noting his shift from skepticism to belief after personal experiences. Nicholas Redfern presented on the CIA's involvement with Noah's Ark, detailing his FOIA request for a file on 'The Ararat Anomaly' which photographed a boat-like structure on Mount Ararat in 1949. He also mentioned the CIA's 'Operation Often,' which used occult methods against enemies. The author notes the conference was imaginatively put together with high-caliber speakers. He also mentions meeting Robert Morrell and Sid Henley, former leaders of the Nottingham UFO Investigation Society (NUFOIS), who now run a secondhand book business and express skepticism about modern ufology. The precarious state of ufology is highlighted by the loss of original UFOIN and NUFOIS files.

Notes and News from Nigel Watson

This section covers several distinct items:

Changing Babies

David Sivier's article in Magonia No. 69 is referenced, discussing how different cultures historically rejected 'difficult' or 'abnormal' children as changelings. The author shares an anecdote about a couple in London who refused to accept their Downs Syndrome baby, believing it had been swapped. The piece touches on the idea that suspicions about 'changeling' babies might have evolved into modern notions of hospitals, scientists, or aliens replacing fetuses or babies.

Escape from Freedom

Nigel Watson received a video called 'Freedom 2000,' fronted by Heather Bell, who called for young people in Scotland to fight the establishment. The video featured threats of violence and sabotage. Lothian and Borders Police and the Serious Crime Squad took an interest. Watson later received a letter from Bell stating she had to leave the country urgently. Subsequent reports in The Sunday Post revealed that 'Heather Bell' was a fictional character created by Michele Baird as a satire to expose vice and folly, likening it to the claims of crop circle makers and 'experimental' UFO hoaxers.

Saucer Pictures

The Sunday Times featured recently discovered pictures of 'Project Y,' a vertical takeoff jet designed by British engineer John Frost that resembled a flying saucer. Built by Avro-Canada, funding ceased in 1954, but Frost continued with a scaled-down version called the Avrocar. US funding was withdrawn in 1961. These projects have fueled rumors about British government involvement in UFO mysteries, with Nicholas Redfern suggesting a 1956 UFO sighting over Manchester might have been an experimental craft from AVRO's Woodford works, either back-engineered alien technology or advanced terrestrial technology kept secret.

'I'm Jack'

This short note reveals that the curator who pretended to be Spring-Heeled Jack in a Scooby-Do serial was actually the manager of the Sherlock Holmes Gallery, who used it as a way to quit his job.

Contact Information

MAGONIA Monthly Supplement welcomes letters and short articles. Contributions should be sent to the Editor, John Harney, at 27 Enid Wood House, High Street, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1LN, UK. Contact is also available via fax (01344 482709) and email ([email protected]).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the nature of evidence and belief, the distinction between scientific inquiry and fringe speculation, the historical and mythological aspects of unexplained phenomena (tornadoes, dragons), and personal investigations into paranormal events and UFO sightings. The editorial stance clearly favors a rational, evidence-based approach to studying strange phenomena, advocating for scientific rigor and criticizing what it perceives as the more sensationalist or unscientific elements within ufology. The issue also highlights the role of amateurs and the challenges of preserving historical data in these fields.