PROJECT RED BOOK

Magazine Overview

Title: PROJECT RED BOOK
Issue: Vol 5, # 6
Date: December 2001
Publisher: Yorkshire UFO Society

This issue of Project Red Book, published by the Yorkshire UFO Society, presents a diverse range of content focused on paranormal phenomena, UFOs, and related mysteries. The cover features a festive, Santa-like illustration with the prominent headline "PROJECT RED BOOK" and highlights key articles including an interview with Lionel Fanthorpe and an exposé on UFO photo hoaxes.

Contents

The magazine's contents page details several key articles:

• 1) AN INTERVIEW WITH THE REVEREND LIONEL FANTHORPE: Dave Baker interviews Lionel Fanthorpe about his work with vampires, ghosts, and haunted cinemas, and his role on Fortean TV.
• 8) NO KIDDING THIS TIME...MY FLYING SAUCER PHOTO IS GENUINE (part 1): Andy Roberts and David Clark investigate the authenticity of the Steven Darbyshire photograph.
• 16) AN INTERVIEW WITH TOM BOLLOXINSKI: Dave Baker speaks with the New Wave Ufologist about his "Ultimate Conspiracy".
• 19) FROM AROUND THE WORLD...AND BEYOND!

Yorkshire UFO Society Information

The issue also provides contact details for the Yorkshire UFO Society, including their address in Sheffield, telephone number, email, and website. Subscription details are listed, with options for 12 issues (1 year) or 6 issues (6 months), and the price for a sample issue.

Key personnel within the society are identified: Dave Baker as Editor, Chairman, and "He-Who-Speaketh-The-Most"; Richard Moss as Web-master, Group-secretary, and Chauffeur; Slater Publications as responsible for printing; Dave Baker for cover illustration; Jacqui Baker as Treasurer; and Lil' Matthew as Group Mascot.

Contributions are acknowledged from Dave Baker, Tom Bolloxinski, Dave Clarke, Lionel Fanthorpe, and Andy Roberts. A note regarding reprinting articles clarifies that permission from Dave Baker is required for YUFOS articles, while copyrighted articles require permission from the original authors.

A disclaimer states that the views expressed in the magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, YUFOS members, or specific individuals like Joe Beasley and Cheeky Monkey.

The issue concludes with the motto: "Welcome... to the real world."

An Interview with the Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe

This section features an in-depth interview with Lionel Fanthorpe, conducted by Dave Baker. Fanthorpe, a prolific author and media personality, discusses his background, including his first story sale in 1952 and his extensive writing career. He lists his hobbies as weight training, martial arts, and riding his Harley Davidson Electra Glide, noting that these are separate from his UFO and paranormal interests.

Fanthorpe explains his unique position as a non-stipendiary Priest, which grants him independence from Church authorities. He recounts an instance where a local Parish magazine rejected his offer to write about local legends and superstitions, a decision he found disappointing but understandable given the magazine's policy.

He asserts that his Christian faith makes him open to the idea of extraterrestrials and paranormal events, viewing them as part of God's creation to be investigated. He emphasizes the importance of a rational and scientific approach, distinguishing it from blind, fundamentalist faith. He believes that God desires humanity to know Him voluntarily and rationally.

Fanthorpe describes himself as an "in-the-field" investigator and researcher, with a history of on-site investigations at various locations worldwide, including Glozel, Rennes-le-Château, and Oak Island. His first investigation, in Norfolk in the fifties, involved a poltergeist case.

He mentions current work on the mysteries of labyrinths and mazes, and the Phaistos disc, with recent travel to Crete. The case that most baffled him for a rational explanation was the moving coffins in the Chase Elliot vault in Barbados. He also discusses how his opinion on the Croglin Grange vampire case changed after further research, suggesting it might have been a mentally ill individual rather than a supernatural entity.

Fanthorpe touches upon his involvement with Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP), believing it to be genuine and paranormal, and expresses a desire for more in-depth study. He reflects positively on his experience making the Channel 4 series "Fortean TV" and mentions upcoming TV appearances and a new series called "Talking Stones".

He admires researchers like Colin Wilson, Phil Walton, and Robert Snow. Regarding his prolific writing, he notes that a website detailing his available titles is under development. Fanthorpe also shares details about his exorcism at the "haunted Odeon" cinema, which was filmed for Channel 5's "Haunted Britain", and mentions his work with a medium named Rosie Malone.

He states he has never been scared during an investigation. He expresses admiration for the Roswell exhibition and its historical significance. Fanthorpe considers the possibility of UFOs being related to parapsychological phenomena or trans-dimensional craft, suggesting that UFOs might originate from other probability tracks.

He views the paranormal and anomalous phenomena as potentially linked, suggesting a "Cosmic Oneness" that is not fully understood due to human limitations. As President of BUFORA, he aims for greater recognition of UFO research as a serious scientific endeavor. He also highlights ASSAP's role as a scientific investigative organization.

Fanthorpe argues for the existence of extraterrestrial life based on the vastness of the universe, suggesting that many space-borne aliens might exist and have visited Earth.

Ghosts

The magazine explores various theories attempting to explain psychic phenomena, phantoms, and apparitions. These include:

• Pure imagination: Where the observer imagines something that isn't there.
• Aberrant physical forces: Attributing hallucinations to medical conditions like brain tumors, infections, or substance abuse.
• Impressions in the fabric of locations: The idea that strong emotional energy can leave residual recordings in old buildings, mines, or tombs, which can be perceived by sensitive individuals.
• Spirits of the deceased: The belief that ghosts are the immortal spirits of those who have died and exist in a spirit world. Fanthorpe, as a Christian priest, affirms his belief in survival after bodily death.

He also discusses the possibility of communication with these spirits, noting that such interactions appear knowing and interactive, unlike a video recording.

Spiritualism, and other psychic phenomena

This section addresses the views of extremist religious groups who consider all psychic phenomena to be evil and the work of demons. Fanthorpe expresses his disagreement with this perspective, suggesting that such phenomena are part of the mysterious universe that God has placed for investigation. He references C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters" to illustrate the concept of demons tempting humans.

The text also explores theories involving non-human entities from other dimensions or parallel universes, referencing Michael Moorcock's concept of a splintered spirit entity existing across different time-zones. This theory is applied to explain anomalous psychic sights and sounds as components of a dynamic, time-scattered entity.

Another theory posits that advanced extraterrestrial life-forms might have evolved into pure spirit, explaining the perceived meaninglessness of some messages received by mediums.

ESP and psychic powers

This section delves into psi factors like telepathy, telekinesis, out-of-body experiences (OOBE's), and teleportation. Fanthorpe suggests that the human mind possesses vast, potentially unlimited powers, and that mastering the art of harnessing these mental abilities could lead to significant accomplishments.

No Kidding This Time...My Flying Saucer Photo Is Genuine! (part one)

This article, co-authored by David Clarke and Andy Roberts, addresses the topic of UFO photographic hoaxes. It highlights the fundamental divide between skeptics and believers in ufology, with believers often downplaying the prevalence and impact of hoaxes. The authors argue that while hoaxes may be numerically small, their influence on the subject and public perception can be massive.

Hoaxes are typically photographic or document-based, making them easily marketable. The article notes that such hoaxes can lend an air of validity to disparate UFO reports, turning local events into national phenomena. The authors state that their research has focused on suspected hoaxes that had a significant media impact and influenced witnesses or perpetrators.

The article introduces the Alex Birch and Stephen Darbishire photographs as classic UFO photographs that have deeply impacted British ufology and those involved. It suggests these cases offer insight into the nature of hoaxing and early British ufology. The authors criticize the tendency in internet forums to dismiss witness testimony while simultaneously repeating classic cases without deep analysis of the human element.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of the unexplained, with a particular focus on UFOs, ghosts, and other paranormal phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on scientific rigor and rational investigation, as espoused by Lionel Fanthorpe and the Yorkshire UFO Society. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded yet critical stance, seeking genuine evidence while also debunking hoaxes and legends. The editorial stance, as suggested by the "Welcome... to the real world" motto and the disclaimer, is to present diverse viewpoints and encourage critical thinking within the paranormal field.

This issue of "Flying Saucer Review" (Vol. 5, #6, December 2001) focuses heavily on the Stephen Darbishire photograph case from 1954, exploring its context, impact, and controversies. The magazine is published by PRB and is in English.

The Stephen Darbishire Photograph

The article begins by detailing the media frenzy surrounding flying saucers in Britain in the late summer of 1950, when newspapers like the Sunday Dispatch and Sunday Express promoted books by Major Donald Keyhoe, Frank Scully, and Gerald Heard. Charles Eade, editor of the Sunday Dispatch, was encouraged by Lord Mountbatten to promote these stories, significantly boosting the newspaper's circulation.

The ground was prepared for sensational stories, and by the autumn of 1953, George Adamski's book 'Flying Saucers have Landed' was published. The public was primed to accept incredible tales, fueled by an era of technological optimism. The article highlights the public's eagerness to believe in stories of military jets being outpaced by saucers and the famous photograph taken by Paul Trent.

The narrative then shifts to the first alleged landing and photograph of a flying saucer in the British Isles. On October 3, 1953, the magazine 'Illustrated' published an article by science editor Maurice Goldsmith about Adamski's book, featuring a photograph of a 'bottle cooler' shaped 'Scout Ship' with three portholes and three landing spheres. Goldsmith adopted a tongue-in-cheek tone, expressing skepticism about life from Venus.

This article in 'Illustrated' and subsequent newspaper coverage created widespread interest. The story reached Little Arrow farm in the English Lake District, home of Dr. S.B. Darbishire and his 13-year-old son, Stephen. Stephen, described as intelligent and creative, had a talent for art.

The Sighting and Photographs

On February 15, 1954, Stephen Darbishire, then a pupil at Ulverston Grammar School, and his eight-year-old cousin Adrian Meyer went on an expedition on the slopes below the Old Man. Armed with an old Kodak box camera, Stephen claimed to have had no prior knowledge of flying saucers. He described a "nagging persistent restlessness" urging him up the hill.

Their initial plan was to photograph birds. Stephen later admitted that he and Adrian were "fooling around taking pictures...[doing] trick photography and lots of other exciting things with it, double images, ghosts, jumping off rooftops and that sort of thing..."

Adrian alerted Stephen to something odd in the sky. The object was described as silvery, glassy, shining like aluminum in the sunlight. It glided towards them from the direction of Coniston, descended, disappeared behind high ground, and reappeared. It approached within 400 yards, traveling at tremendous speed, then stopped and hovered noiselessly. Stephen described the object as glistening and milky, with plain outlines, portholes along the upper part, a hatch, and three bumps underneath. He took two pictures as it moved and then suddenly shot upwards with a whistling sound.

Immediate Aftermath and Media Frenzy

Upon returning home, Stephen and Adrian excitedly told Dr. Darbishire and the family, who were watching TV. Their story was met with laughter and disbelief. Stephen's father, initially skeptical, made him write a statement and draw a sketch of the sighting within half an hour.

Stephen produced remarkable pencil sketches of a classic Adamski 'flying saucer,' complete with turret, three portholes, and landing gear, similar to those published in 'Illustrated.' The sketches were dated before the photographs were developed.

Dr. Darbishire sent the film for development. The resulting photographs showed a fuzzy, saucer-shaped object with apparent dark portholes and three landing domes.

Stephen recalled that upon his return, his father informed him that the Daily Express and Daily Mail were arriving, leading to a "half the world's press on the doorstep." The Preston-based Lancashire Evening Post published the first photograph on page 1, followed by national press coverage. The Lancashire Evening Post also reproduced Darbishire's sketches alongside Adamski's, having obtained permission from Desmond Leslie, described as "the leading British expert on the subject."

Questions and Doubts

During the media frenzy, Stephen's written statement was overlooked. A key sentence read: "Adrian and I were down in a small hill valley so the rising in foreground of photo is due to the position we were in. Some grass is shown under the saucer." This raised questions about how Stephen could know what was depicted before the photos were developed, especially if the statement was written within half an hour of the event.

Desmond Leslie visited Coniston and, after interviewing Stephen and his father, dismissed the possibility of a hoax. He saw Stephen's photographs as corroborative evidence for Adamski's claims. Leslie noted that Stephen did not make any mistakes when questioned by journalists and a BBC TV crew.

However, a suspicious statement attributed to Stephen by Leslie indicated that Stephen had seen the Adamski saucer photograph published in 'Illustrated' on September 30, 1953. This contradicted the claim that Stephen had never seen Adamski's photos when producing his drawings. The article points out that if Stephen had seen the Adamski photo, it would explain the accuracy of his sketches.

Leslie attempted to reconcile this by suggesting Stephen claimed to have seen four portholes in his sighting, whereas Adamski's photo showed three in a row, and his drawing only depicted three, with a fourth becoming visible as the craft moved away.

Media Impact and Royal Interest

Stephen Darbishire became a national celebrity. His photographs were published worldwide. In March 1954, Stephen and his father were taken to Buckingham Palace to meet a private secretary, reportedly at Prince Philip's request after he read about the sighting in the newspapers.

RAF Squadron Leader Sir Peter Horsley, involved in his own "saucer" study, interviewed "the Darbishire boys." Horsley was impressed by their story but noted Dr. Darbishire was not enjoying the publicity. Horsley sent a report to the Duke, who asked photographer Wallace Heaton to examine the negatives. Heaton concluded the photos could have been faked but would have cost a lot of money, leaving Horsley to ponder a wider conspiracy.

Further Adventures and Skepticism

Stephen's family became involved in the UFO movement. Visitors came to their home, and letters arrived, including one from Lord Dowding. In 1959, Stephen met George Adamski in London and found him unimpressed, calling him "mad."

Stephen began to feel like a pawn and that his photos were being used for verification. To regain control, he started claiming his photos were fakes. He wrote to UFO author Timothy Good in 1986 stating, "in desperation I ... said it was a fake."

However, declaring it a hoax did not end the notoriety; instead, he faced accusations of working with "Dark Powers."

Stephen found the biggest impact was on his parents. Dr. Darbishire underwent a "mid-life crisis," and his mother became more interested in the spiritual world. The workshop at their farm became a laboratory for constructing machines using revolving lights to detect human auras.

In 2001, Stephen Darbishire, now an artist, downplayed his most famous photograph, weary of questions. The central mystery remained: how could a boy who knew nothing about flying saucers create such a mysterious photograph? His ambiguous answer was simply "An object."

He continued to distance himself from UFO enthusiasts. His original account of the Adamski "Scout Ship" with portholes and turret was replaced by a description of a "funny shaped cloud" and a "preternatural light."

Adrian Meyer, who first spotted the UFO, faded into the background and had little memory of the event, dismissing it as "a load of baloney."

Desmond Leslie passed away in February 2001. His final note to Stephen Darbishire expressed surprise that people were still taking pictures of old flying saucers.

Stephen described the experience as a "one-off" that lasted 30 seconds but had reverberations, calling it "just a type of accident."

Analysis of the Photographs

The article questions the inspiration for Stephen's sketches, noting that he claimed to have seen Adamski's photos. It is suggested that the inspiration for the sketches came from the 'Illustrated' publication. The photographs themselves are out of focus, with one explanation being that the bellows of his camera were not fully extended. Desmond Leslie's experiments suggested the camera was correctly focused, but Stephen might have altered the shutter setting.

The first photo is described as the craft appearing partly distorted on its right-hand side, an effect that Timothy Good used to support the authenticity of Adamski's later Silver Spring film. However, the article notes that Adamski could have seen Darbishire's second photo, as Darbishire met Adamski in London in 1959.

Leonard Cramp used "orthographic projection" to argue that the objects in the Darbishire and Adamski photographs were proportionally identical, but the article suggests this is not surprising if Darbishire's photo was based on Adamski's.

Tom Bolloxinski Interview: The Ultimate Conspiracy

The issue also includes an interview with Tom Bolloxinski, author of 'The Ultimate Conspiracy.' Bolloxinski discusses his work on a vast conspiracy that he believes is too large for a normal human mind to comprehend. He claims to have visited numerous archives and record offices but found no documentation, suggesting everything had been removed.

He expresses skepticism about whistle-blowers and insiders, believing that if such a secret conspiracy existed, no one would dare talk about it. He suggests that anyone who tried would be "instantly terminated with extreme prejudice" by "Black Ops groups."

Bolloxinski discusses the possibility of a trail of dead bodies but believes they can be made to disappear, referencing the film 'Capricorn One.' He claims to have been threatened, including a warning to "Watch your back, mate."

He believes he is constantly followed and that his telephone is tapped, attributing this to "Black-Ops boys" who are "good, real good."

Bolloxinski also mentions "Black Helicopters" and suggests they are now camouflaged to look like other aircraft. He reports that researchers' houses have been searched, and his own home was burgled, with drawers emptied and cupboards ransacked.

Regarding the "Ultimate Conspiracy," Bolloxinski traces its origins back to the Tunguska event and the retrieval of UFO debris. He claims a Russian medium channeled messages from a being named Lord Artheron, who taught how to recreate DNA to grow a hybrid being, later known as Rasputin. He alleges that Hitler, influenced by a "Grey Being," ordered Nazi stormtroopers to steal technology from Moscow during WWII to build prototype flying saucers.

He states that the KGB had plans for "flying saucers" using necromancy, but the Nazis stole them. Tesla is mentioned as being involved, though the details are hazy. After Hitler met with "Greys," the allies allegedly stole this power and German scientists, leading to "Operation Paperclip."

The knowledge of these "Nordic hybrids" and Tesla's help supposedly created a powerful HAAAP death-beam that accidentally brought down a "Reticulan scout ship" in Roswell, New Mexico. This crash provided the US with intact alien technology, leading to reverse-engineering and the development of transistors, fiber optics, CDs, and the internet.

Survivors of the Roswell crash became "guests" of "Majestic 12." Internal problems within Majestic 12 led to a split into two factions, one led by Donald Menzel and the other by Tommy Lee-Jones. The "Good" group, the Aviary, recruited remote viewers, while the "evil" group, the Illuminati, experimented with gene-splicing to create hybrids that escaped Area 51 with Bob Lazarr's help.

These hybrids allegedly created crop circles as "messages" to attract their "long-lost masters." The Greys are said to be creating a genetic "soup" for these hybrids, manufactured deep beneath the earth using "cattle tongues, lips and rectums," explaining "animal mutilations." They also created slave races like Chupacabras, Mothman, and Sasquatch, and used Big Cats.

The Illuminati, worshipping an Owl God, used a beam weapon to prevent the advancement of the Space Programme. A blast aimed at a Russian Mars probe was deflected by a Russian Psi-Corp member, sending it back in time to explode in Tunguska in 1909.

Bolloxinski concludes by admitting he might be considered an "idiot of the highest order."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical impact of UFO sightings and media coverage, the analysis of photographic evidence, and the exploration of complex conspiracy theories. The magazine appears to present detailed accounts of UFO cases, critically examining the evidence and the individuals involved, while also delving into speculative and elaborate conspiracy narratives. The editorial stance seems to be one of thorough investigation, acknowledging skepticism while also exploring the more outlandish claims within the UFO community.

Title: FROM AROUND THE WORLD... AND BEYOND!!!
Issue: Vol. 5, #6
Date: December 2001
Publisher: PRB
Compiler: Dave Baker

This issue of "FROM AROUND THE WORLD... AND BEYOND!!!" compiles a variety of UFO, conspiracy, fortean, and paranormal events from across the globe, with a particular focus on UK-based stories.

£130M TO FIND ALIENS

This section, reported by Bob Roberts for the Daily Mirror on 17 November 2001, details the UK government's significant investment in the search for extraterrestrial life. Ministers are allocating £130 million towards this endeavor, which is part of a broader £380 million package for new space research. The funding will support joint European projects aimed at finding "signs of life in the solar system and beyond." Specific missions include sending unmanned probes to Mars and Titan, a moon of Saturn, and searching for Earth-like planets in other solar systems. Science Minister Lord Sainsbury stated that this investment would "keep the UK at the leading edge of science and technology." Space campaigner and Lib-Dem MP Lembit Opik welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the potential shift in outlook that finding extra-terrestrial life would cause, even if it were only simple single-cell organisms. The European Space Agency is also committed to sending the British-led Beagle 2 Lander to Mars in 2003.

WELSH ROADS IN HAUNTED LIST

An online report from BBC NEWS on 17 November 2001 highlights two roads in Wales that have been included in a UK survey of the top 10 haunted highways. In Llangennith, Gower, a phantom woman dressed in white has been seen on the main street. Additionally, readers of the Fortean Times have reported sightings of another spectral white lady in St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan. The report was compiled based on over 2,500 responses from people who contacted the magazine about ghostly roadside sightings over the past two years. Fortean Times editor Bob Rickard noted the sheer volume of reports and questioned whether these sightings were due to subconscious phenomena or the presence of ghosts and elemental spirits. The UK's most haunted road is identified as the A23 between London and Brighton, with reported apparitions including a small girl with no hands or feet, a figure in a white trench coat, and a figure in cricketer's clothing. Other sightings mentioned include a six-foot tall monk near Gloucestershire, phantom vehicles on the M6 near Birmingham, and phantom hitchhikers between Nunney and Frome in Somerset.

US TV CREW CAPTURE EVIDENCE OF PUB GHOST ON FILM

According to a report by Anova on 21st November 2001, a medium claims a US television crew has captured video evidence of a ghost haunting an Edinburgh pub. The spirit is believed to be that of a publican who was driven to bankruptcy after locals boycotted his establishment due to accusations of child torture. The American TV series "Understanding the Paranormal" is set to broadcast the footage, which was filmed at the Corn Exchange in the Leith area. Edinburgh-based clairvoyant Frances Ryan was filmed making what is described as the first-ever contact with the ghost, with experts suggesting the session might explain the strange occurrences at the pub. Staff at the pub report hearing a young child crying and seeing flickering lights. Some visitors have reported being "nudged" or feeling a cold blast of air. Archie Lawrie of the Scottish Society for Psychical Research suggested a child might have been kept locked in a cupboard. Dianne Somerville, the Corn Exchange manageress, acknowledged the strange noises and lights but stated they did not cause her concern.

METEOR ROCKS VILLAGE

This Anova report from 15 November 2001 describes how villagers in Eyemouth, Scotland, fled their homes when a falling meteor produced a sonic boom by breaking the sound barrier. Residents initially mistook the event for an earthquake. The shockwave triggered burglar and car alarms. Experts confirmed that the event was consistent with a meteor entering the Earth's atmosphere at high speed. Bennett Simpson, a seismologist with the British Geological Survey Centre, stated that such incidents are often confused with earthquakes but that this event was not one. John Sinclair, a resident of Ayton near Eyemouth, recounted his experience of his house shaking after a loud thud. He also heard car alarms going off, describing the experience as frightening and disorienting. The report also notes that the Earth was about to cut across the orbit of Comet Temple-Tuttle, leading into a blizzard of meteors known as the Leonids, with particularly spectacular views expected over the Pacific Ocean.

CLUB'S LASERS SPARK UFO ALERT

An article from the Essex Evening Echo on 16 November 2001 details an incident in Wickford where residents reported strange, spinning lights in the sky, fearing a UFO encounter. Police were called, but an investigation revealed the lights were not extraterrestrial. The spooky lights were reflections from a laser light machine on the roof of a nightclub, Fraziers, which was celebrating its opening. Alistair Burrell, the boss of Fraziers, apologized for the alarm, stating it was "nothing more than that." He humorously suggested that too many people had been watching "Independence Day." A police spokeswoman confirmed receiving several calls. Ellen Howard, a resident, described her initial thought that it was a UFO and found it frightening but knew she wasn't imagining it.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features reports on unexplained phenomena, including government-funded searches for alien life, paranormal encounters like ghost sightings and haunted locations, and unusual atmospheric events such as meteors. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various accounts and expert opinions without necessarily endorsing any single explanation. The inclusion of diverse reports from different sources (newspapers, online news agencies, local publications) suggests a broad interest in the paranormal and fortean phenomena. The magazine aims to inform readers about these events and encourage discussion about their potential causes, ranging from the mundane to the extraordinary.