Nessletter - No 158 - 2012

Magazine Overview

Title: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER
Issue: 158
Date: FEBRUARY 2012
ISSN: 0204-7001
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of the Nessletter, dated February 2012, focuses on "SIGHTING REPORTS" from the previous year, primarily 2011, with a few older cases mentioned for context. The publication also includes personal reflections from the editor, R.R. Hepple, regarding the challenges of producing the newsletter and the impact of personal loss.

Sighting Reports

Loch Ness Sightings

Geriant Gibson Report (July 26th): Geriant Gibson reported on a forthcoming stay at Jenny Mackenzie's chalets near Fort Augustus. He mentioned a visitor from Romania who, in May 2011, had a "spectacular sighting" of a long, low black shape moving through the water, estimated to be sixty feet long. The visitor reportedly took a video of the event. Peter Davenport, also staying at the chalets, confirmed the visitor was from Romania and that a new view of the loch from the kitchen window allowed the sighting. The video was reportedly collected by a BBC staff member from Inverness for examination. The editor expresses skepticism about the sixty-foot length, suggesting it might be a boat wake, but acknowledges the importance of the video evidence. He speculates on a possible conspiracy to conceal the truth but leans towards a mundane explanation after closer examination.

Foyers Stores Sighting (June 15th, 2011): Mr. and Mrs. Hargreaves, owners of Foyers Stores and Café, along with staff member Graham Baine, witnessed something strange on the loch between 2:30 and 3:00 pm. Jan Hargreaves described seeing a "long black neck, too long to be that of a seal." The object submerged for about 30 to 40 seconds and then reappeared, remaining visible for four to five minutes. They described the experience as "so strange and exciting." Steve Feltham, when interviewed by the Inverness Courier, expressed excitement that local, daily observers had witnessed the event. He noted the unusual nature of the sighting and encouraged reporting it. The editor agrees that it could be a good "Nessie report" but points out that the Hargreaves are relatively recent locals and the distance (three-quarters of a mile) requires a substantial object to be visible.

Dores Fish Farm Sighting (September 14th, 2011): A worker at the fish farm near Dores, John Rowe, took a photograph of a rainbow and noticed two "conical humps, shining with the reflected light of a low sun," in the foreground. These humps had disappeared by the time he looked directly at them. Rowe, who did not previously believe in the Loch Ness Monster, now thinks there might be something to the stories. Steve Feltham commented that the farm workers are knowledgeable about the water and unlikely to be misled by ordinary phenomena, suggesting the sighting warranted closer inspection.

Adrian Shine's Explanation: Adrian Shine of the Loch Ness Project suggested that the Dores fish farm photograph might be explained by Black-throated Divers, known to frequent the area, possibly diving. He noted the conical shape could resemble a duck's tail as it feeds. The editor finds this explanation plausible, especially if the photographer was on the shore, but less so if they were on the fish cages.

Other Sightings

William Jobes Sighting (July 23rd, 2011): William Jobes, from Irvine, reported seeing a bobbing 'head' above the water, about 200 to 300 yards from the shore, which then disappeared. He took a photograph. Subsequently, a "dark hump-shaped object" broke the surface, and he took more photographs. Jobes, a Nessie hunter since 1969, was certain it was not wood or a seal, describing the head as "sheep-like." The next day, he heard splashing and saw a "big black" thing in the water, which he described as much larger than the first object. The editor notes several troubling features: lack of precise dates, no mention of the second sighting in initial reports, and only one photograph appearing in the papers, which shows a low hump and a smaller triangular shape. He questions the authenticity of the photographs, comparing one to a picture of a salmon's back. The editor also finds the consecutive-day sightings from the same location unusual, despite Jobes' long history of unsuccessful searches. Steve Feltham expressed skepticism, suggesting flotsam from nearby rivers (Tarff and Oich) as a possible explanation, though Jobes insisted he could distinguish between wood and an animal. The newspaper photographs were noted as cropped, making size and distance difficult to judge.

'Cousin' Sighting (Devon): A report from Devon describes an animal seen by Graham Oxley, a 63-year-old electrician, at Saltern Cove near Paignton. He described a serpentine creature, 10 feet long, with a thin neck, small head, and flippers, which chased fish towards the shore before returning to deeper water. He took a photograph. Oxley was certain it was not a turtle or seal and noted its behavior was unlike anything he had seen. In shade, it appeared black, but when swimming, it was greeny-brown, suggesting camouflage. The newspaper reported "scientists were baffled" but asked for vigilance. Peter Richardson of the Marine Conservation Society suggested it could be another Loch Ness Monster or an "unidentified mystery creature."

Lake Windermere Sighting (Mid-February 2011): A blurry photograph in national papers showed four connected humps leaving a wake on Lake Windermere. Tom Pickles, kayaking on the lake, described a "bizarre shape" about the length of three cars, with seal-like skin, unlike any known animal. Dr. Ian Winfield, a lake ecologist, deemed it highly unlikely such a large creature could survive in Windermere, suggesting a European Catfish as a possibility. The article notes a history of occasional, unsubstantiated reports of large creatures in Lake Windermere. A later, clearer photograph showed a car tyre cut and spread out, suggesting a hoax.

Olliphant Callum UFO Sighting (June 1971): Long-standing member Olliphant Callum reported a UFO sighting in South Ferring, West Sussex, around 11 pm. He described an object moving between stars at high speed, stopping abruptly, shooting off at a right angle, stopping again, and then moving towards them before disappearing. He described its movement as like "a knife through butter."

Ulrich Note: A note from Ulrich refers to the Milne sighting (NIS 157), mentioning it was first reported in Scottish papers and written up by Alex Campbell for the Northern Chronicle and Inverness Courier on August 27th and 29th, 1930, respectively.

Editor's Reflections (RIP'S PIECE)

The editor, R.R. Hepple, expresses dismay at the long delay in producing this issue, acknowledging it is not the service he intended, especially in the age of instant communication. He contrasts the current situation with the early days of the Nessletter when a telephone was a fifteen-minute walk away. He notes that since the death of his wife, Doris, in July 2009, time has become less relevant. He describes Doris as "ness-agnostic," likening her attitude to a parent humorously indulging a child's fantasy. He now carries on alone but has received positive support from many subscribers. He thanks readers for their continued support and tolerance of the intermittent service. Subscription details are provided: UK £3.00, USA $10, with the address R.R.Hepple, 7 Huntshieldford, St John's Chapel, Weardale, Co Durham, DL13 1RQ. Contact numbers are 01388 537359 and mobile 07989813963.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and lake monster reports, particularly concerning Loch Ness. The editor's stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, favoring mundane explanations for sightings where possible (e.g., boat wakes, divers, flotsam) while acknowledging the intriguing nature of some reports and the possibility of genuine mysteries. He also emphasizes the importance of witness credibility and photographic evidence, while noting the prevalence of misinterpretations and potential hoaxes. The personal reflections highlight the editor's dedication to the publication despite personal challenges and the changing media landscape.