Sigap News

Magazine Overview

Title: Sigap News
Issue: 5
Date: April 1978
Price: 20 Pence
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (Sigap)

This issue of Sigap News, dated April 1978, focuses on a reported surge in UFO sightings, particularly in the Farnborough and Ashdown Forest areas. The magazine critically examines the media's role in sensationalizing these events, offering its own investigations and potential explanations.

Reports Hot Up

The lead article, "REPORTS HOT UP" by Richard Beet Fras, details a significant increase in UFO reports, with sightings in Farnborough and across Surrey contributing to the biggest 'flap' since the Basingstoke sightings of the previous year. The article notes the Daily Express's coverage, which linked sightings from Farnborough, Ash, and Ashdown Forest, implying a single object moving from west to east. However, investigations by Sigap suggested this was not the case, and sensationalism was prevalent.

Sigap received initial reports from member Alan Franklin. One event involved a caretaker at Ash Walsh school observing a multi-coloured object for over an hour. Police Constable Alan Craggs was called and, with the caretaker, watched the object for about 20 minutes on April 5th. It reportedly changed colour through the spectrum and moved erratically north over Twesledown, Aldershot.

Simultaneously, a woman in Farnborough reported her son was frightened by an oval-shaped object with golden flashes hovering over playing fields. Towards the east, near Kingstanding in the Ashdown Forest area of Sussex, an object was reported breaking in two as it fell from the sky around 22:30 hours on April 5th, causing a gorse fire upon impact.

The article criticizes the Daily Express for using these events to substantiate its publicity, running a banner headline "Close Encounter of the REAL Kind." The paper's impression was of a UFO sweeping in from the west, over Aldershot and Guildford, crashing in flames in a Sussex forest. A picture showed police searching the Ashdown Forest with geiger counters.

However, the article questions the facts: the Farnborough boy saw a 'large, cigar-shaped object' hovering, not necessarily moving. The Ash caretaker observed a light for an hour and a half. The flaming object in Sussex hit the ground at 22:30 hours. The magazine points out that the timeline (20:20 at Ash to 22:30 in Ashdown Forest) does not suggest a consistent trajectory, and the object reportedly changed shape remarkably.

Page 2 continues the analysis, noting the discrepancy in descriptions: 'cigar-shaped' at Farnborough, 'flaming object' at Ashdown Forest, and a 'stationary object changing colour' in Ash. Sigap concludes it would be illogical to assume these were the same object.

Preliminary Conclusions:

• The Farnborough boy may have seen something strange, possibly related to recent reports of disc-shaped objects. The flashes could be from army flares or military exercises, as night flying from the Royal Aircraft Establishment was also underway.
• The Ash caretaker and the policeman were likely observing the planet Jupiter, which was at a high magnitude. Atmospheric aberrations and eye fatigue could explain the perceived changes in colour and erratic movement.
• Investigations by Bufora and the British UFO Documentation Centre into the Sussex report suggested the cause was likely an army flare, possibly from an exercise involving army cadets.

The article draws lessons from these experiences:

1. Don't believe everything you read: National newspapers are desperate for circulation.
2. Don't believe your eyes: What you see may not be reality.
3. Policemen can get it wrong too.
4. Out of bad, comes good: The publicity has provoked more reports, with at least four further reports tallying with the Farnborough boy's account, which are being investigated.

It is suggested that a large-scale military exercise might explain the aerial activity. Sigap expresses surprise at not being contacted sooner by the police and intends to improve communication.

Next Meeting

The next Sigap meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, April 19th, at 8:00 pm at the Prospect Club, Prospect Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot. The speaker was Alan West, Director of the British UFO Documentation Centre, who would discuss his organization's work. Alan West is a former Director of Bufora and was a Liaison Officer for that organization.

Close Encounters

Omar Fowler and Richard Beet were invited as Sigap representatives to a press preview of the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" on March 3rd. The article describes the film as a must-see for ufologists, praising the performances of Richard Dreyfuss and Cary Guffey, and the special effects. While optimistic about the film's friendly portrayal of encounters, the article notes that the 'blind faith of the hosts' might be excessive. A full review was promised for a future issue.

A Question of Identity

This section addresses Sigap's policy of withholding witness names in sighting reports to protect them from embarrassment and unwanted attention. An apology is issued for failing to edit out names in a previous issue of 'Sigap News', which was published without consultation in a local trade promotional newspaper, causing embarrassment to witnesses and their families.

Sigap News is protected by copyright, and while extracts are generally permitted, acknowledgement and notification of publication are requested.

Sigap Film

The 16mm film about Sigap, mentioned in the previous issue, was about to begin filming. Director/Producer David Furmage from the West Surrey College of Art and Design was scheduled to start filming in Surrey, Hants, and possibly London later that month.

Bufora Conference - Nottingham

A report on the Bufora conference in Nottingham was promised for the next issue of 'Sigap News'.

Skateboard UFO (Case S804)

This section, summarized by Omar Fowler, details a sighting on January 30, 1978, involving two boys, Tony and David, aged 13 and 14, in Basingstoke. They observed a bright light that moved towards them, which they initially thought might be an aeroplane. As the light approached, they saw a round shape in the middle of a glowing orangy-yellow light that seemed to be spinning. It hovered at about 100 feet from the ground.

The boys described the object as oval-shaped with a row of yellow lights rotating around the centre (estimated at 80 revolutions per minute), with a small green light visible at each revolution. The yellow lights were clear in front and blurred at the back. Other lights were visible, including a red dome on top and a red light suspended above the body, possibly on an aerial. A white light was on the forward part, and a rhythmic 'doning' noise, like bees, was heard. The object reversed slightly, then moved forward again. The boys described its length as comparable to a house roof. Scared, they ran home. The object then disappeared.

Close Encounter with Charles Bowen

Charles Bowen visited Sigap on February 22nd, coinciding with the publicity surrounding the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (CE3K) and UFOs in general, driven by the Daily Express and The Sun. Bowen shared insights into the methods used by the press to extract information, noting that the Express had spent considerable time with him, taking notes from Flying Saucer Review (FSR), of which he is editor. The article expresses frustration that references to sources were only provided at the end of the Express series.

Bowen shared the opinion that the film would likely lead to an increase in UFO sightings, a mix of genuine sightings and hoaxes. The discussion also touched upon the 'Establishment view', Russian attitudes to UFOs, and the influence of the CIA, referencing the Robertson panel report and the Condon Report.

A First World War Phenomenon

This section is an extract from "Air Observation - Warplanes of World War 1." It describes a strange phenomenon observed by an airman. The engine of his machine was behaving erratically. He then witnessed a pillar of grey-white smoky substance rise from the ground to a height level with his aircraft (5500 feet). The substance was described as 'cold, unnatural, stupidly implacable, half unbelievable and wholly ridiculous,' and at the top, it sprayed out like 'a stick of asparagus.' Similar apparitions had been seen at rare intervals in the same neighbourhood. Initially, the pillars of smoke did not seem to disperse but faded away as mysteriously as they appeared. Rumours suggested they were experiments in aerial gassing or some phosphorous compound. The author notes that these phenomena 'entertained' them with no apparent damage.

Editorial Notes

Sigap News is printed and distributed by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena, a voluntary organization founded in 1967. Material is copyright reserved, and permission to reproduce items must be obtained from the Editor, Richard Beet, at 3 Grantley Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 6BW.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the critical analysis of media coverage, and the presentation of potential explanations for phenomena. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards sensationalism, a commitment to factual investigation, and a desire to educate the public about the complexities of UFO reports. The magazine emphasizes critical thinking, urging readers to question both media reports and their own perceptions. There is also a focus on the organization's activities, including meetings, film projects, and conferences.