Pegasus - 1985 September-October

Magazine Overview

Title: PEGASUS
Issue: September-October
Date: 1985
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, focuses heavily on two significant events from 1985: the mysterious crop circles appearing in wheatfields and a close encounter reported by the Mc Murray family.

The "Five Circle Mystery"

The issue begins by detailing the investigation into crop circles, particularly those found in Alresford, Hampshire, on July 7th, 1985. Investigators Omar Fowler and Paul Whitehead were tasked with examining these formations but faced opposition from farmhands and a gamekeeper, curtailing their initial investigation. They learned of similar circles appearing in the same area in 1982 and 1983. The magazine then shifts focus to a more significant event: a set of five rings discovered in a wheatfield near Andover, Hampshire, on August 3rd, 1985. This case, designated S.1013, became the main report of the issue.

Pilot 'Busty' Taylor first spotted the Andover circles on August 3rd and subsequently took aerial photographs from a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter. Further photographs were taken from the air and ground level on August 4th and 5th. These photographs, available in colour and black and white, are featured in the issue.

On August 6th, TVS (T.V.South) covered the 'ring' phenomena in their 'Coast to Coast' news programme, highlighting various circle groups across Southern and South West England, including Patching (Sussex), Alresford and Andover (Hants), Bratton and Fonthill Bishop (Wiltshire). The circles were noted to be approximately 45 feet across for the main circle and 13 feet for surrounding circles.

Omar Fowler participated in a TV discussion, refuting the hoax theory due to the difficulty of creating such formations without leaving traces. SIGAP members inspected the Andover site on August 11th, taking ground-level photographs and soil samples from within the main circle and a control sample. A 'jelly-like greenish/white substance' found in the centre of the circle was also sampled for analysis.

Further aerial photographs revealed narrow 'walkways' through the wheat, similar to those seen at Alresford, reinforcing the complexity of the formations. The clockwise spiral of the wheat was clearly visible from the air, creating a 'science fiction movie mystery' appearance.

Samples were sent to Surrey University (Department of Chemistry) and Albury Laboratories for analysis. The results, detailed on page 7, indicated that the 'jelly' contained normal soil flora and that the substance was not of unusual features. The University of Surrey's initial examination by Dr. Moss found starch grains, crystals thought to be calcium carbonate, absence of slow dissolving crystals, cell structures of plant origin, and a large number of bacteria. The conclusion was that the sample was a kind of confectionary that had gone off, with a slight smell of honey. Further tests for reducing sugars were negative. Albury Laboratories confirmed that the soil samples were normal, and the jelly sample contained normal soil flora with no distinctive features. Radiation scans showed no X or Gamma radiation.

The Mc Murray Family UFO Encounter

On the night of Sunday, September 15th, 1985, at 9 pm, the Mc Murray family (Mr David Mc Murray, his wife Sue, and two small children) were driving home from Guildford to Farnborough. While on Red Road (B311) near Bagshot Heath, they encountered an object hovering over the road about fifty to sixty yards ahead. The light was intense, causing Mr Mc Murray to briefly look away. Another similar object then appeared from behind trees on the left. A following car stopped abruptly. The first object then shot skyward and disappeared.

The incident occurred on a lonely stretch of road in heathland adjoining the Bagshot/Lightwater area, near a Tumuli and a national grid power line.

Mr Mc Murray stopped the car, and the UFO hovered over the trees across the road at about fifty feet. He described hearing a buzzing noise, like an electric sewing machine. The object had a brilliant red light on one side and a green light on the other, with dazzling white lights around its body, but no visible movement.

After about a minute and a half, the object accelerated rapidly and disappeared as a star-like object in the distance. A white Volvo car that had pulled over remained at the scene.

In a later interview, Mrs Mc Murray described the object as 'saucer' shaped, flat underneath, with large 'spotlights' on the rim, and bright red and bluey-green lights underneath.

The family reported the incident to the local police, Heathrow Air Traffic Control, and West Drayton Air Traffic Centre.

After Effects:

The following morning, the entire Mc Murray family, including two young children (five months and sixteen months), overslept significantly. Mr Mc Murray found his car battery completely flat. Within a few hours of the next day (Monday 16th), Mr Mc Murray developed a severe headache and experienced symptoms of a 'hollow' feeling in his stomach and 'shaky' legs, which persisted for eight to nine days. His wife also suffered from 'shaky' legs and a 'hollow' stomach for the final three days.

Latest News Report: SIGAP

The magazine notes that a VHS video film of the Andover 'Circles' is available. SIGAP has also taken aerial infra-red photographs of the Andover and Alresford 'Rings', with a report to follow. UFO reports are being entered onto an Apple 2 Computer.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of PEGASUS appears to be one of serious investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena. The magazine presents detailed accounts of sightings and phenomena, supported by photographic evidence and scientific analysis where possible. The tone is objective, aiming to document events and findings for the interest of its readers. The recurring themes are the mystery of crop circles, UFO sightings, and the scientific investigation of these phenomena, with a particular focus on events occurring in Southern England. The magazine also highlights the importance of keeping up with technology in their investigative efforts.

This issue of the "Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena" magazine, identified by the case number S.1008 and referred to as the "BAGSHOT HEATH CASE", details a series of unusual events and sightings that occurred in September 1985. The magazine is published bi-monthly by SIGAP, a non-profit organization founded in 1967 to study unidentified flying objects.

The Mr Mc Murray Incident

The primary focus of this issue is the experience of Mr Mc Murray. Following an earlier event (dated as event + 11 days), Mr Mc Murray began to suffer from disturbed sleep and memory lapses. This period also coincided with the appearance of skin blemishes in the form of small red circles, approximately 1/4 inch in diameter, on his body. The first circle appeared on his neck and lasted a few hours. As one faded, another would appear, with circles appearing on his shoulder and other parts of his body, as evidenced by a photograph and a sketch of a UFO. While these effects caused consternation, there were no other additional physical effects reported. The situation was described as being up to September 30th, 1985.

Confirmation of UFO Activity

On the same night as some of the reported symptoms, September 15th, at 8:45 PM, Mr and Mrs Webb were driving along the M4 near the Wokingham turning. They observed a bright red glowing object flying across the sky from the direction of Bagshot. Mrs Webb commented that it was definitely not an aircraft and suggested it could have been a UFO.

Later that night, at 11:45 PM, Lyn Brookes and her boyfriend also witnessed a strange object with flashing red and white lights. After approximately five minutes, the object dipped down behind some trees. This observation was made from the Wokingham area. Miss Brookes expressed significant fear, stating, "it was if it was watching me." Her Great Dane dog also became "disturbed & whining."

Follow-Up Investigation

Following these reports, an area adjoining the road where the Mc Murray incident took place was inspected for potential landing marks or features, but nothing significant was found. Occupants of a new housing estate in the vicinity were questioned about any strange occurrences. Reports indicated that about a year prior, flashes had been seen emanating from nearby power cables at night, which had caused the lights in the houses to dim. Additionally, humming noises at night had been reported from the Lightwater area over the past few years, seemingly originating from common land typically used by the army for exercises. However, it was not believed that these noises, heard at 3 AM, were related to army exercises.

Incident Investigators and SIGAP Information

The incident investigators listed for this case are Omar Fowler, David Daines, and Brian Maguire. The magazine also provides contact information for SIGAP: Omar Fowler as Chairman & Investigation Co-ordinator (45 Burden Way, Guildford, Tel: (0483) 235949), Mrs D. Fowler as Secretary, and Mr R. Hayman as Treasurer. The magazine is published bi-monthly and is intended for SIGAP members, with copies available for purchase by non-members at 50p each. SIGAP was founded in 1967 and is described as a non-profit-making voluntary organization devoted to the study of unidentified flying object phenomena. The magazine exchanges publications with various UFO organizations globally, including Northern UFOLOGY, BUFORA Journal, FSR Quest, UFO Insight, SAPRT, TVS, CEFAI, MAPIT, UFO Network, GEP, UFO News Bulletin, Guernsey UFC Research Gp, Odyssey, and Archives For UFO Research. SIGAP also sends its most significant reports to the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, USA, run by Dr J Allen Hynek, who was a consultant to the US Air Force on UFOs for 20 years.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of SIGAP, as reflected in this issue, is one of thorough investigation and a commitment to eliminating conventional explanations for sightings. The article highlights that over 80 percent of reports can be explained by natural or man-made phenomena. However, when immediate explanations are not found, SIGAP investigators conduct interviews, visit sites, and consult experts. The organization also liaises with similar groups and contributes data to international UFO research centers. The themes explored include witness testimony, physical effects attributed to UFO encounters, and the process of UFO investigation. The emphasis is on empirical evidence and systematic analysis, while acknowledging the persistent nature of unexplained aerial phenomena.