Pegasus - 1980 January-February

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1980
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of PEGASUS, the journal of the Surrey Investigation Group On Aerial Phenomena, opens with a somber note, commemorating the passing of a valued member, Ron Turner, who died on December 6th. The editorial reflects on the mysteries of 1979, including a "strange pink glowing craft at Havant" and the "Blackbushe 'Mini-Disc'," expressing hope that 1980 will yield further insights into the UFO phenomenon.

Contents This Month

The issue features a variety of articles and reports:

• Page 2: "Glowing Rugby Ball" Over Normandy (see cover).
• Page 3: Investigation At Ripperstone Farm.
• Page 5: Photo Feature.
• Page 6: A Visit To Kent Police H.Q.
• Page 7: Table of Events 1979 (Jan/June).
• Page 8: Table of Events 1979 (July/Aug).
• Page 9: Blue Flames Mystery: Fleet.
• Page 10: Welsh Folklore Story & New Members List.

The next meeting was scheduled for January 10th at the "Prospect Club."

Glowing "Rugby Ball" Visits Caravan Site

This article details an incident (Case S944) investigated by K. Williamson, involving Mrs G. Phillips. On December 3rd, 1979, at 1820 hrs, at the "Middle View Park Caravan Site" in Normandy, Surrey, Mrs. Phillips reported seeing an object with pulsating white lights. It appeared in the South and moved clockwise around the site without changing altitude. The object stopped, became very bright, and Mrs. Phillips described being "paralysed with fear." Her niece also witnessed the event. The object then moved with them as they ran towards the road and was also observed by an elderly lady. It eventually moved back and went down over a hill known as "Hogs Back." The incident lasted five to ten minutes, during which the object was lit with a "glaring" white light. The witness noted that the sense of fear felt was unusual, contrasting with reports of "peace" or "well being" in other cases. The investigation was ongoing.

"The Uninvited" - Fact or Fiction?

Written by Omar Fowler, this article discusses the strange happenings at Ripperstone Farm, which had been a subject of recent discussion and was to be a topic at the "Prospect Club" meeting. The incidents have been reported in publications like "Flying Saucer Review" and "ALPHA." The author acknowledges that very strange incidents occurred in the area of Wales, referencing "The Welsh Triangle" by Peter Paget, but questions whether some events might be attributed to psychic phenomena. Fowler visited the area in late October and spoke to locals. The postmistress at Broad Haven confirmed frequent UFO sightings, and an incident near the local school involved pupils drawing similar crafts. The article notes that little was known about the Ripperstone Farm incidents until a book was published. The terrain is described as difficult, with winding roads and hedgerows. The article also addresses electrical failures and overloads at the farm, with an electrician suggesting a "force field." Fowler questions the lack of hard evidence, such as plaster casts or soil analysis, and mentions reports of "radiation traces." He highlights an incident on the coast path where soldiers, army trucks, and fifty frogmen were present, questioning how this activity could have gone unnoticed. The article then focuses on "Stack Rocks," a quarter-mile offshore, where a "craft" reportedly landed and "beings" with "elongated" and "rectangular shaped" heads were observed. An artist's impression from "FSR Volume 23 No.6" is shown, with a comparison to the actual size of Stack Rocks. The author invites comments at the next meeting.

Photo Feature

Page 5 includes a photograph of Omar Fowler on the Welsh coast with Stack Rocks in the background, described as "the scene of strange incidents in the book 'The Uninvited'." A second photograph shows Mike Prewett (right) discussing a UFO project with Detective Sgt. Graham Knight of the Kent C.I.D. at police H.Q. in Maidstone, Kent.

SIGAP HAVE A POLICE RECORD...

This section details SIGAP's involvement with the Kent C.I.D. in an investigation project for an 'Advanced C.I.D. Course'. Mike Prewett and Omar Fowler visited the Police H.Q. on November 20th, where they met Det. Sgt. Graham Knight. They were given a tour of the H.Q., including a demonstration of a computer identifying car registration numbers. Following lunch, Prewett and Fowler discussed UFOs with the officers, leading to a video TV recording session in the H.Q.'s studio. The half-hour programme, featuring Omar F. and Det. Sgt. Graham Knight, was recorded with minimal retakes. The project was described as an "outstanding success" by Det. Sgt. Knight, and SIGAP was thanked for their assistance. Prewett and Fowler were presented with Kent C.I.D. ties.

Table of Events 1979

Two tables detail UFO events recorded in 1979. The first covers January to June, listing dates and categorizing events as 'CE1' (Identified Shape/Close Enc.), 'LITS' (Light In The Sky), and 'UNO' (Unknown Noise). Totals for Jan-June are: 18 events, 6 CE1, 11 LITS, 1 UNO.

The second table covers July to December 1979, with similar categorizations. Totals for July-Dec are: 17 events, 6 CE1, 9 LITS, 2 UNO. The overall total for 1979 is 35 events: 12 CE1, 20 LITS, 3 UNO.

Blue Flames Mystery: Fleet

This report (Case S943) by Investigator B. Fishwick describes an incident involving Mrs. Marriott in Fleet, Hants, on December 3rd, 1979, at 2345 hrs. Mrs. Marriott woke to see blue gas-like flames flickering around her head, which formed into a "ball" and moved towards her window. She was distressed and unable to scream. The flames gave off no heat, smell, or noise and did not disturb her dog. Another neighbour in an upstairs flat and a friend in a nearby block reported similar experiences with a blue glow. A further witness, Mrs. Butler, reported seeing a blue mass of light shimmering on her bedroom wall. A postscript details an encounter with a milkman on the morning of December 4th, who reported seeing a blue "light" moving through the trees near the canal. The current opinion is that natural phenomena might be responsible, though John A. Keel's suggestion of possible intelligent control is mentioned.

Welsh Folklore Story & New Members List

This section is mentioned in the contents but not detailed in the provided pages. It likely includes a story related to Welsh folklore and a list of new members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, investigations into these phenomena, and the challenges of gathering evidence. There is a focus on detailed case reports, including witness testimonies and investigator notes. The magazine also highlights the importance of cataloging events and the potential for collaboration with official bodies, as demonstrated by SIGAP's work with the Kent C.I.D. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various incidents and encouraging discussion and further investigation, while also acknowledging the possibility of natural explanations or psychic phenomena in some cases.

This issue of the "Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena" magazine, identified as issue number 10, focuses on UFO and UAP investigations. It includes a folk story from Wales that is interpreted as a potential UFO encounter, details about the SIGAP organization, and welcomes new members.

Folk Story from Wales: Penrhyndeudraeth

The issue opens with "A Folk Story From Wales: PENRHYNDEUDRAETH," attributed to T. Roberts and sourced from "Myths & Legends of Wales." The narrative recounts an experience of a young woman returning home one night from Penrhyndeudraeth, accompanied by her family's large and strong manservant, David Williams, known as Dafydd Fawr (Big David).

On a dark, calm night, Dafydd was walking behind his mistress when he experienced a significant delay. He claimed to have only been three minutes behind her, despite a three-hour gap. His explanation involved witnessing a brilliant meteor followed by a hoop of fire. Inside the hoop, he saw a handsomely dressed, small man and woman, who were embracing each other and bracing themselves on the rim of the hoop. As the object landed, they dismounted and formed a circle on the ground, joined by other men and women who began dancing to beautiful music. The area was illuminated by a subdued light. The meteor then returned with the hoop, the couple re-entered, and the object took off, with the other individuals disappearing. Dafydd then continued his journey.

The author, identified as O.F., suggests that if the legend is based on a real incident, it could be interpreted as a UFO encounter, with the "time lapse" episode being of particular interest.

New Members to SIGAP

The magazine announces new members joining SIGAP:

• Mr Jo' Andrade: Identified as the U.K. representative for CEAFI (Centre for Astronomical Studies and Unexplained Phenomena), which is also a member of the U.G.E.P.I. (Portugal).
• Mr Brian Maguire: Noted for making his own portable T.V. camera and video recording unit available for investigations.
• Mr S. Smith: A member known to the organization for some time, from Havant, Hants.

Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)

The magazine itself is identified as "Pegasus," the publication of SIGAP, founded in 1967. SIGAP is described as a non-profit-making organization dedicated to the study of Unidentified Flying Object phenomena.

The magazine is published bi-monthly and is intended for SIGAP members only. Copies can be purchased by non-members for $0.25 each.

The article details the origin of SIGAP in early 1967, formed by a small group of people to investigate UFO phenomena locally. Primarily founded to investigate reports in Surrey and surrounding counties, SIGAP has contributed to studies across many parts of Southern England.

SIGAP's investigative process begins with a 'Hot-line' (Farnborough 41012) that triggers an immediate course of action. This preliminary inquiry procedure aims to eliminate obvious explanations, noting that over 80 percent of reports can be explained by natural or man-made phenomena.

If an immediate explanation is not found, SIGAP investigators will interview witnesses and, if possible, visit the site of the observation. The group then utilizes its own consultants to explain sightings and liaises with similar organizations nationwide. They often observe patterns of activity consistent with those in other areas.

SIGAP's most significant reports are sent to the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, USA. This center is led by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Professor of Astronomy at Northwestern University, who served as a consultant to the U.S. Air Force on UFOs for 20 years.

The organizational details provided are:

• Group Secretary: Michael G. Prewett, 20 Loman Road, Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey.
• Chairman & Investigation Co-ordinator: Omar Fowler, 149 Mytchett Road, Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are folklore as a potential source of UFO accounts, the methodology of UFO investigation, and the community aspect of UAP research through membership and collaboration. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, seeking rational explanations while acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena, as evidenced by the interpretation of the Welsh folk tale and the detailed description of SIGAP's investigative procedures and affiliations.