The New SIGAP Bulletin No 2 1977-09

Magazine Overview

Title: THE NEW SIGAP BULLETIN
Issue: 2
Volume: 1977
Date: September 2, 1977
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (Sigap)
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of The New Sigap Bulletin, published by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (Sigap), focuses on the organization's future strategy and reports on recent UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) activity. The bulletin aims to inform members and engage them in the group's ongoing work.

Strategy for the Next Ten Years

The editorial, titled "Strategy for the Next Ten Years," reflects on the long-term survival and impact of ufological groups and individuals. It highlights the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (Sigap) as one of the survivors, attributing its success to the loyalty of its supporters and its flexible approach. The editorial contrasts Sigap's adaptability with the inflexibility of other organizations, which it suggests have often failed to advance the cause of ufology. The author, Richard Beet, expresses hope that ufologists will overcome their differences to work more effectively together.

Membership and Next Meeting

An invitation is extended to new members to join Sigap, with an annual fee of £3 designed to cover administrative and investigation costs. Michael Prewett is listed as the contact for membership. The bulletin announces the next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, 21 September, at 8:30 pm at the Prospect Country Club in Ash Vale, Surrey. The meeting's theme is "Strategy for the next ten years," encouraging members to bring their ideas and proposals.

UFO Activity in the Basingstoke Area

This section reports on recent UFO sightings in the Basingstoke, Hampshire area. A report from Yateley on September 9th describes a golden disc with a flashing light, which is under investigation. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in UFO activity in the Reading/Basingstoke region, including sightings of a disc-shaped object hovering near a school and another object traced from Andover to Fleet. A witness, Mr. Dooley, described an object zooming overhead while he was cycling. The main focus is on an event on August 27th, when Mrs. Hilda Downes of Winklebury Estate saw a bright star-like object, described as six inches in diameter, split into two. A section of this object zoomed towards the Lancing Bagnall factory. Mrs. Downes described the object as initially appearing like condensed smoke and later like a large dinner plate or disc, with a silver color reminiscent of wartime barrage balloons. This was not the first strange sighting for Mrs. Downes, who was prompted to contact Sigap after a neighbor suggested looking for a UFO investigation group. She also reported seeing a bright, bluish-green light emitted from a star-like object with seven points. A postscript mentions a local farmer who reported his van being followed by a bright light on an old Roman road, an incident Sigap hopes to investigate further.

What is the Moon?

This article presents a theory by Soviet scientists Michael Vasin and Alexander Shcherbakov, suggesting that the moon is not a natural celestial body but an artificial satellite. Based on information from Apollo missions, they claim the moon's rock composition and age differ significantly from Earth's. They propose the moon is a hollow sphere with a soft outer shell and an impenetrable hull, composed of metals like chromium, titanium, and zirconium, which they suggest could be remnants of an artificial satellite's outer skin. The article also references the moon vibrating for 3½ hours after a rocket booster impact as supporting evidence for this theory.

The Strange Case of the Motorway, The Wanderer and the UFO

This case study details an incident that began at the end of June. Omar Fowler was contacted by Ken Phillips of Bufora regarding a man found wandering on the M3 motorway between junctions 1 and 2. The man claimed to have encountered beings from an unidentified flying object. Initially suspected of being under the influence of drugs, he was taken to Ascot Police Station and then to Heatherwood Hospital, where tests proved negative. The man was subsequently transferred to Fairmile Hospital, a mental institution in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. Sigap wrote a letter to the Medical Director of Fairmile Hospital, expressing their desire to interview the man, while acknowledging his potential treatment. The hospital's Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. J.R. Palmer, replied on August 8th, stating that the man was suffering from mental illness and his UFO claim was part of his symptomatology. Dr. Palmer denied permission for an interview, deeming it a waste of time. The article concludes by raising questions about whether the man had escaped from the hospital, if his condition was caused by the UFO sighting, and if there was a cover-up by authorities to prevent the truth from emerging. The authors express an inclination to accept the medical officer's view that it would be a waste of time, but acknowledge that the truth may never be known.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the longevity and operational strategy of ufological organizations, the reporting and investigation of UFO/UAP sightings, and the challenges of dealing with official skepticism and potential cover-ups. The editorial stance of Sigap, as conveyed through the articles, is one of persistent investigation, open-mindedness, and a pragmatic approach to understanding aerial phenomena. The organization appears committed to gathering evidence, fostering member participation, and exploring even unconventional theories, such as the artificial moon hypothesis, while also addressing the complexities of witness credibility and mental health in the context of UFO reports.