Saucer Forum vol 4 no 1 1966 01-03

Magazine Overview

Title: SAUCER FORUM
Issue: Vol. 4, No. 1
Date: January-February-March 1966
Publisher: Jimmy Goddard
Country: England

This issue of SAUCER FORUM, edited by Jimmy Goddard, presents a collection of articles, letters, and reports related to UFO phenomena and space exploration. The cover features a hand-drawn illustration of a group of people gathered around a table, titled 'SAUCER FORUM'.

Editorial

The editorial section, written by Jimmy Goddard, reviews Gray Barker's 'Book of Saucers,' highlighting its detailed accounts of spectacular UFO events in 1963, including the Charlton Crater and a 'Saucer Flight from Uranas.' Goddard expresses particular interest in photographs of a UFO over the Mount Palomar Observatory, initially skeptical but finding the accompanying story to be authentic. The editorial also mentions other aspects covered in the book, such as Air Force files and current theories about extraterrestrial life. A notice introduces the newly formed 'International Sky Scouts,' a world-wide organization for young people interested in UFOs and space exploration, with contact details provided for England.

Letters to the Editor

Several letters from readers are included:

• Correspondent 1 (Unnamed): Shares personal UFO sightings, noting that many could be explained by satellites (Echo I and II). This correspondent expresses a 'will-to-believe' tendency and warns future reporters to be absolutely sure they are not observing natural phenomena, as this can cast doubt on genuine sightings.
• Stuart Hatch (Liverpool): Mentions that most science-fiction films feature spherical or saucer-shaped spacecraft, contrasting this with the cylindrical shape of current 'space-craft.' He predicts mass landings of UFOs within 25-30 years and hopes they will be friendly.
• Derek Andrews (Somerset): Reports on the 'Warminster Thing,' citing a newspaper cutting from December 31, 1965. The sighting described a bright light with another brilliantly-flashing light in front, gliding across the sky, which witnesses stated could not have been a plane. Military authorities denied knowledge of it.

BUFORA Meeting Report

A report on a BUFORA (British UFO Research Association) meeting held on November 7, 1965, with Chairman Gordon Creighton. Due to the editor's participation, notes on other talks are brief.

• Dr. John Cleary-Baker: Discussed strange sights and sounds plaguing Warminster, Wiltshire, with details available in BUFORA Journal Vol 1, No. 6.
• Jimmy Goddard: Presented a talk on 'leys' and 'orthoteny.' He explained Alfred Watkins' discovery of prehistoric sites aligning in radiating patterns and Aine Michel's finding that UFO sightings also form alignments. Tony Tedd connected these two types of alignment, and Goddard's research found several orthotenies in Britain, forming a symmetrical pattern, with a spectacular sighting near Warminster providing clinching evidence.
• Nigel Stephenson: Discussed his work filing BUFORA UFO reports, noting a lack of common denominators between types of UFOs and their associated phenomena. He planned research into the connection between UFOs and terrestrial environments.
• Stephen Smith: Entitled his talk 'Some Thoughts on UFOs.' He quoted the 'Adhemar contact case,' noting discrepancies between the UFO description and published pictures. Smith also discussed meteors, suggesting a 'flying train' sighting might have been a meteor breakup, though he noted the sighting points were orthotenic. He concluded by stating that anti-gravity, if it exists, is unlikely to be used for spacecraft propulsion, as only electric and magnetic forcefields are known.

Bargain Bundle and Forthcoming Meetings

The magazine offers a 'Bargain Bundle' of remaining back numbers of SAUCER FORUM, plus 'The Favoured Ones' and 'To Our Friends On Earth,' for 7/- per set. Forthcoming BUFORA meetings are announced for February, March, and April 1966, featuring talks on 'The Night Sky, Stars and Saucers,' 'Editing the Review,' and 'Current Trends in UFO Research.'

International Sky Scouts

This section details the 'International Sky Scouts,' described as a new world-wide movement for young people interested in the Space Age, UFOs, and extraterrestrial life. The message from the Chairman, The Hon. Brinsley Le Poer Trench, emphasizes the growing wonder about 'two-way traffic' with other worlds and cites prominent scientists like Dr. Harlow Shapley, Sir Bernard Lovell, and Professor Fred Hoyle who agree that millions of planets may be inhabited. The organization aims to foster companionship among like-minded individuals and believes the coming years will be 'EXCITING.' Membership details are provided, with an annual subscription of 2/6 in England, and objectives include mutual friendship and the realization that Man exists on other planets. Activities for 'Local Groups' include sky-watching, plotting sightings, studying astronomy, and discussing UFOs. The 'Voice of Youth' aims to spread knowledge of visiting space craft and promote peaceful co-operation. A form is included for those wishing to become a Sky Scout.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and reports, the scientific and speculative aspects of extraterrestrial life, and the promotion of youth engagement in these topics through organizations like the International Sky Scouts and BUFORA. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging careful observation and reporting while acknowledging the 'will-to-believe' tendency among enthusiasts. There is a clear effort to connect UFO phenomena with scientific concepts like alignments and potential technological advancements, while also grounding discussions in reported events and research.