OVNI - 1996 01 - January

Magazine Overview

This is the January 1996 issue of OVNI, the Newsletter of the Phenomenon Research Association (PRA). The cover features a collage of symbolic images including a pyramid, the Sphinx, the Earth, a flying saucer, and a complex geometric design, with the magazine title 'OVNI' and the date 'JANUARY 1996' prominently displayed. The price is listed as £1 including postage, and it is free for members. The newsletter is produced with the aid of a PC, promising an improved publication.

Editorial and New Format

The editorial welcomes readers to the new year and the new format. The cover design by PRA member Garry Stapleton is intended to showcase the varied interests of the association, which include Crop Circle research dating back to 1984, alongside their primary interest in UFOs. The PRA feels they have accounted for the natural Crop Circle phenomenon. The association is arranging a tour of this year's Crop Circles for visiting Japanese tourists, in cooperation with Mr Shinichiro Namiki of the Japanese Space Phenomena Society and editor of the 'MU' magazine. This tour, expected in late June, will be assisted by Crop Circle photographer and pilot Busty Taylor, and the Japanese group also plans to visit ancient sites like Stonehenge.

This issue includes contributions from new members Andy Emmerson and Daryl Spence, who have started a project called 'Seek To Discover' in the Mansfield area, focusing on Flying Triangle behaviour and geometric analysis of local stone circles. The PRA regrets that there will be no meeting in January due to the search for a new venue.

Reported Incidents and Sightings

The Flying "Gas Ring Mystery"

On the night of May 26, 1995, a fourteen-year-old schoolboy, Paul Reader, witnessed several spinning white lights over Cosham, Hants., flying in a N.W. direction at approximately 1,000ft, making a low humming noise. Shortly after, on May 28, SPI and PRA member Brian Maguire saw and photographed another swirling ring of lights at midnight on Portsdown Hill, near Portsmouth. Sketches by both witnesses are included, showing the lights rotating and moving.

Warminster Sighting 1993

Two witnesses travelling on the Warmister to Frome road in 1993 reported seeing a group of rotating lights alongside their car. Their sketch shows the outer lights rotating anti-clockwise.

Christmas Eve "Encounter" on the A12 (Essex)

On December 24, 1995, at 6:30 pm, Mr Chris Lamb and a friend driving down the A12 in Essex observed fifteen to twenty lights descending through low cloud. The lights hovered, appeared stationary, and then moved with the car before passing over and hovering in a field, tilting downwards. Mr Lamb described the formation as 'very big'. He later reported a similar sighting from two weeks prior in the 'Braintree & Witham Times'. The article questions whether these lights could be natural phenomena or some form of intelligent control, suggesting the possibility of alien intelligence in plasma form.

Another Mackworth (Derby) UFO Incident

On December 11, 1995, at 1:15 pm, Mr Dennis Hardwick, a correspondent for the Derby Express, received a call about a bright oval-shaped object. He saw two bright silvery circular objects heading skyward at high speed. As they passed into the cloud layer, they appeared to punch holes through it, leaving 'doughnut' holes. Mr Hardwick managed to photograph the holes, commenting that the event was hard to absorb and that he had proof. Another person had reported a similar sighting but was afraid of ridicule.

UFO Photographs from Brazil

This section presents photographs, claimed to be taken in Brazil in 1991, passed on by researcher Busty Taylor. The photos allegedly show a massive orange and red UFO rising from behind trees. The witness, driving along the road, stopped to photograph the object. The main body is described as bright orange with red areas, appearing as dark patches in the black and white photos. The trees are silhouetted, with reflections on the car bonnet and an Armco barrier. The second photo shows the UFO moving skyward, with a dark oblong 'window' and four small 'lights' at the corners. The article notes extensive UFO activity in the area since the 1970s and mentions the witness also took a video shown on '60 Minutes' in the USA. The authenticity is questioned, but the photographs are believed to be genuine after extensive scrutiny, with reflections suggesting they are not fakes.

Encounters Magazine Scoops "Aurora" Photo?

This article reviews the recent launch of 'Encounters' magazine, describing it as a glossy publication aimed at cashing in on public interest in UFOs, and a competitor to 'Quest UFO Magazine'. The February 1996 issue of 'Encounters' covers various paranormal topics. The review criticizes the accuracy of its presentation, citing an example where a photo of an alien dummy was used instead of the 'Roswell' alien. It also notes that articles on Area 51 and Flying Triangles are accompanied by unrelated photographs. The magazine is characterized as a colourful picture magazine not to be taken too seriously. However, it is credited with publishing a photograph taken on September 27, 1995, at Sandymouth, Bude, Cornwall, showing a KC 139 Strato-Tanker refuelling a triangular aircraft, escorted by two F1-11 planes. This is compared to a report from a Scottish oil-platform worker and raises the question of whether this could be the non-existent 'Aurora' aircraft.

The Evening Sky

This section, written by Barry Parkinson, reflects on the experience of stargazing in January. It emphasizes the clear skies and extended darkness of winter evenings, ideal for observing celestial phenomena. Parkinson encourages readers to recapture a sense of wonder and mystery by looking at the stars, contrasting this with the modern world's detachment from nature due to 'civilisation' and technology. He criticizes the over-reliance on computer technology by professional astronomers, suggesting it distances them from the real joy of observation and alienates the public. Parkinson advocates for experiencing the night sky with both heart and intellect, warning that current trends might lead to the loss of human connection to nature.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of OVNI are UFO sightings, alleged photographic evidence of UFOs, and the broader study of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting various accounts and evidence while acknowledging the need for critical analysis. There is a clear interest in documenting UFO activity within the UK and internationally, as well as exploring related topics like Crop Circles and the potential for alien visitation. The publication also engages with the wider UFO community by reviewing other magazines and discussing the challenges of research and public perception. The 'Evening Sky' section introduces a philosophical element, urging a reconnection with nature and a critical view of technological over-dependence.

This issue of the Evening News, dated Saturday, November 11, 1995, features a cover story about a 'Jesus image rock' in the Australian town of Beverley, which has caused a deep rift among its 1,400 residents, dividing them between believers and doubters. The cover also highlights a 'UFO mystery' in Norwich, with a spectacular picture captured by Glen Webster.

Town Divided Over Jesus Image Rock

The main cover story details the phenomenon in Beverley, Australia, where local businessman Julian Webb claims a slab of granite at his farm mystically displayed the image of Christ's face six weeks prior. This has led to a significant division within the town, with some viewing it as a miracle and others as a hoax or tourist trap. Rumors abound about a wealthy American potentially buying the rock and part of the town, and links to an Aboriginal elder's prediction, crop circles, and mysterious lights over the town are mentioned. Publican Rav Dickie of the Freemasons Hotel expressed that the religious aspect of the phenomenon is what causes contention, contrasting it with finding gold. The article notes that over a thousand pilgrims and tourists visited the rock when it was displayed at the Beverley Town Hall. A 93-year-old woman was reportedly driven six hours to see it, and a tourist couple ordered a simple meal during their visit, raising concerns about potential deception. Psychic Roma Paton examined the rock's energy field and expressed doubt that it was a hoax, sensing an unusual energy distinct from granite. She also linked it to strange lights and crop circles observed around the time of its discovery.

UFO Mystery Baffles City

This section focuses on a baffling UFO mystery in Norwich, centered around a spectacular picture captured by Glen Webster on his camcorder. The silent, biscuit-shaped object was filmed in the sky above Mile Cross. Experts are examining the tape to identify the object. Glen Webster, an unemployed painter and decorator, was prompted to share his sighting after reading previous reports in the Evening News. The article also references a recent report about motorist Nick Colman being tracked by a mysterious light near Aylsham. The sightings have reignited the UFO debate. Webster described scrambling to get his camcorder and capturing the object zig-zagging before it headed towards Great Yarmouth. He only reviewed the footage after filming bonfire night celebrations. Webster stated that the Evening News stories gave him the confidence to come forward. He described zooming in on the shape and being amazed, noting the object made no sound and shot towards the moon. His wife, Lesley, mentioned that UFO investigators had visited their home. Specialists also noticed two smaller background objects in the film, which could also be UFOs. The minute-long film shows a black object in three segments, described as axe-head shaped, spinning rapidly before zooming away. The original film has been copyrighted and sent to UFO experts. It is noted to bear a striking similarity to a sighting in New Zealand in 1978. The sighting is linked to two others revealed by the Evening News that week, including a man who reported a strange spinning disc over Freethorpe and computer engineer Mr. Colman, who reported a bright light following his car. Expert Ian Simmons, British editor of the Fortrean Times, commented that the object's behavior was unidentifiable and the sighting very interesting, stating, "We are not crackpots."

Contributions From Our Readers

This section features several reader-submitted accounts of UFO sightings:

• Ian Read (Director UFON UK): Expresses enjoyment of the OVNI magazine.
• Carregal do Sal, Portugal (July 19, 1965): A strange glowing Flying Triangle was seen over the town for 21 nights, appearing around 9:00 PM.
• Vila Franca-Azores, Portugal (February 5, 1978): A Flying Triangle was seen hovering over the area, approximately 880 meters up and grey in color.
• Gary, Indiana, USA (March 27, 1986): Two people reported seeing a large Flying Triangle with colored lights travelling very fast, which then stopped and became stationary for about 30 seconds. The object was described as larger than an airliner and made no sound.
• Dominic Beglin, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Cheshire (July 29, 1995): Five witnesses at Low Bradfield Village sighted a Triangular object, described as "far bigger than a commercial airliner", flying from North to South with a low humming noise and red lights at each corner. Shortly after, an orange/amber ball of light was observed flying towards the horizon, stopping and releasing a small red ball of light that traveled upwards. An orange ball of light was later seen traveling from South to North, pursued by two aircraft, before accelerating away.
• Andy Emmerson PSC (Mansfield): Investigating a report of a glowing object descending into Cuckney Woods, near Bramfield, last February. Scorch marks were found on trees surrounding a clearing, up to six and a half feet high. Military activity in the area and removal of topsoil have also been reported.
• CENAP Germany: Expresses thanks for the exchange of magazines and notes the interesting reports in OVNI.
• Victor J. Kean (Berlin): Reports 31 visits of Flying Triangles over Sizewell Nuclear Power Plant between January 3rd and June 30th, 1995.

Tale Enders

This section presents a collection of shorter paranormal and UFO-related news items:

• VENUS: Identified as the cause of several UFO reports in the local area during late December, thanks to a new computer Night Sky program.
• A GLOWING BALL OF LIGHT: Seen at 1:15 AM on December 30th, following a car driven by a witness on his way home from work in Derby. The object came within 500 yards of the witness.
• EMUFORA (Nottingham): Announcing their next meeting on February 12th, featuring new video footage of recent events.
• THE SPHINX: Terry Walters, after visiting Egyptian sites, described hieroglyphics at the Sphinx that, when deciphered from a damaged section, read: "In the beginning, we came from the stars." This discovery has reportedly interested Reg Presley of "The Troggs."
• JIMMY CARTER: Featured in a film clip on TV's "The Paranormal World Of Paul McKenna", discussing his 1969 UFO sighting where he and 20 other men saw a bright light in the sky that changed colour.
• DISTURBING TRENDS: Mentioned in the UFO INTELLIGENCE NEWSLETTER (USA: December 95 issue), noting that UFO-related newsletters and journals are starting to cease publication and UFOs are no longer in the news.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on unusual aerial objects like Flying Triangles and glowing lights. The magazine also touches upon religious or spiritual mysteries with the 'Jesus image rock' story. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and reporting on these phenomena, providing a platform for witness accounts and expert opinions, while also acknowledging skepticism and the potential for hoaxes. The inclusion of reader contributions and the 'Tale Enders' section suggests a broad interest in paranormal and unexplained events. The note about UFO publications dying out hints at a concern for the future of the field.