OVNI - 1993 01 - January

Magazine Overview

This issue of OVNI, the newsletter of the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA), dated January 1993, focuses on recent UFO activity and related phenomena. The cover features a stylized illustration of a UFO and other enigmatic shapes, with the title 'OVNI' and the year '1993'. The newsletter is published by the PRA, with Omar Fowler listed as Group Leader. The price for non-members is £1, and members receive it for free. The publication originates from the United Kingdom.

An Active Year Ahead?

The editorial section highlights that December has been a 'quite amazing' month for reported incidents, with several in the early stages of investigation. The issue promises to include some of the more prominent reports. It also mentions receiving details from Antony Harding of West Midlands CCCS about an unusual Crop Circle/Pictogram at Lapworth, Warwickshire, from the previous year. Malcolm Robinson of 'Strange Phenomena Investigations' in Scotland is reported to be 'up to his eyes' in UFO reports, including 'flying triangles', and has promised to send full details. The December issue of OVNI had reportedly carried newspaper reports of high-speed objects sighted off the Shetland Isles.

Strange Lights at Alport Heights

This section details an experience reported by Jeremy Skertchly of Derby on the night of December 18th, 1992. While intending to observe stars from Alport Heights, Derbyshire, his pick-up truck was suddenly illuminated by a bright, 'cool' light, allowing him to see everything around him as if in daylight. This illumination lasted only about five seconds. After this, he experienced a 'lonesome road' feeling and decided to return home. As he was leaving the car park, the light reappeared, causing him to brake and stall the engine. He described the second incident as identical to the first in duration and intensity, with no sound or visible source. Upon checking his watch later, he discovered it had stopped at 11:54 pm, the precise time of the first event. His watch, a mechanical automatic type, had only stopped once before, in the middle of a Corn Circle. Jeremy has considered various explanations but found none satisfactory, suggesting it might be an 'atmospheric electrical effect'. The report also notes that Professor Y.H.Ohtsuki of Waseda University, Tokyo, had found a circle in a field that supported his 'plasma model'. Since the incident, Jeremy has been experiencing 'flying' dreams, and it is recalled that he was involved in a similar 'bright light incident' in October 1991.

UFO Activity on 12th January 93

This section presents two reports of UFO activity on the night of January 12th, 1993. The first, at ten minutes past midnight, involved Mrs Valerie Scott of West Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire, who saw a large white circular light hovering stationary in her garden, which she was familiar with aircraft and certain it was not conventional. The object tilted, appeared elliptical, and then flew off silently and downwards. It is also noted that two policemen from the nearby Meadows Police Station saw an unidentified object the same night. The second sighting occurred at 6:05 pm when Mrs Anne Vardy of Ripley saw a grey coloured, round shaped object hovering in the sky, described as 'observing' before moving erratically and shooting off. Two police officers in the Kilburn area also reportedly saw the object.

Laporth in the News

This report revisits the Lapworth (Warcs.) area, drawing attention to a 30-foot diameter circle that appeared in a wheat field adjacent to Bushwood Lane in 1991. The Solihull Times had reported on this Crop Circle. Richard Laithwaite, the farmer, commented that nothing like it had been seen in the area before. The article includes photographs of the wheat 'chair' formation and strange shapes in the western formation, with photos credited to Antony Harding of CCCS West Midlands. The 1992 crop formation is described as appearing in a series of rectangular shapes, approximately 30 metres from the field edge. Antony Harding commented that the crop moved in a 'flowing action', not wing damage, and noted unusual incidents like a standing wheat 'chair' and three mini circles of flattened grass, estimated at 40/50cm in diameter. The photographs of these formations will be available at the next meeting.

Another Giant Flying Triangle (1985)

Investigated by Alan Hitchcock, this section details an incident from November 1985 involving a 'gigantic' object over Derby. David Bilton reported seeing a dark, black object silhouetted against the sky, with three dull red lights. The car radio suffered interference. The object passed overhead at about 200ft high with no sound. Bilton estimated it to be about 600ft long, spanning from a park over a dual carriageway and houses. He described the air as feeling 'heavy' or 'charged'. Alan Hitchcock interviewed Mr Bilton, who stated the object was observed for about one minute, was triangular in shape, and travelled southwest at a very slow speed of about 5mph. Hitchcock notes that this craft appears similar in size to one photographed by Garry Stapleton in November 1992 near Breadsall, Derbys. It is rumoured that this type of triangular craft belongs to the 'Grays' and that one crashed near Colorado Springs, USA, in 1991. Mr Bilton's sketch of the object is reproduced.

Tale Enders

This section provides updates and announcements. Arthur Tomlinson is releasing a new book, "UFO's The Final Answer", in February, which covers the UFO story from pre-history to the present day. Arthur Tomlinson is also scheduled to address the Royal Aeronautical Society in Germany on March 10th and was informed of a huge object sighted over Amsterdam on December 31st. Colin Andrews is currently visiting the UK and discussing tactics for the coming Crop Circle year with Busty Taylor. Armen Victorian has sent a document titled "Towards a Physical Interpretation of the Corn Circle Phenomenon", discussing infrared laser beams or microwave beams in forming crop circles, which is available to PRA members. The next PRA meeting is scheduled for 8 pm on Wednesday, January 27th, at the Stanley Club, Stanley Common, Ilkeston. It will feature an Audio/Video presentation of the Linda Jones abduction case, who has given an exclusive interview to the PRA. Jeremy Skertchly is expected to be present to answer questions about his recent 'light cone' incident. A sale of UFO books and magazines will also take place. Non-members are welcome with an admission fee of £1.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained lights, and crop circle phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and reporting of these events, providing detailed accounts from witnesses and researchers. The PRA actively collects and disseminates information on these topics, as evidenced by the various reports and upcoming events. There is a clear interest in exploring potential explanations, from atmospheric effects to advanced technology, while also acknowledging the mysterious nature of many incidents.