SIGAP Bulletin No 18 - 1968-11

Magazine Overview

Title: SIGAP BULLETIN
Issue: No. 18
Date: November 1968
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP)
Country: United Kingdom
Price: 1/-

This issue of the SIGAP Bulletin focuses on the intersection of scientific inquiry and UFO research, featuring contributions from scientists and reports of sightings from around the world.

Scientist To Aid S.I.G.A.P.

The lead article announces that Dr. Frank B. Salisbury, Head of the Plant Science Department at Utah State University, will serve as a consultant to SIGAP. Dr. Salisbury, known for his open-mindedness towards UFOs and his studies in exobiology, has expressed willingness to examine SIGAP's sighting reports. The article quotes Dr. Salisbury on the scientific community's reluctance to discuss UFOs, describing favorable mentions as 'extreme heresy.' He is also writing a book on UFOs. His article in 'BioScience' Journal is highlighted, where he argues that UFOs, if extraterrestrial, are of 'most pressing interest to the exobiologist' and that it is scientifically unreasonable to dismiss the possibility of alien visitation outright.

Flying Saucer Fiasco

This section critically discusses the impending report from the Colorado University U.F.O. Committee. The author expresses skepticism, suggesting the report will likely dismiss UFOs as non-extraterrestrial. It reveals that the committee has been in 'chaos,' with key investigators Dr. David Saunders and Dr. Norman Levine being sacked. The alleged reason for their dismissal was that they informed Dr. James McDonald that the project was a 'cover-up' to debunk the extraterrestrial hypothesis. The committee examined 1,500 UFO reports and is now compiling its thesis. The article anticipates conflict if the report attributes sightings to hallucinations or atmospheric phenomena, especially given Dr. McDonald's strong belief in UFOs as spacecraft.

SIGAP Bulletin Growth and Correspondence

The bulletin reports a circulation of 100 copies, a 20% increase, attributed to a 'facelift' the publication has received. Two letters of praise are highlighted: one from Judy Williams of Contact U.K. (Bristol Branch) inquiring about the duplication process, and another from Mrs. Kathleen Smith, Editor of U.F.O.L.O.G., who compliments the bulletin and wishes SIGAP success with a future magazine. SIGAP Chairman Omar Fowler also gave a talk on UFOs to the Sanderstead Young Conservatives.

International Correspondence

SIGAP has received letters from two foreign UFO societies. The Canadian Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation (C.A.P.R.O.) expresses interest in reciprocating publications and notes that 1967 was the heaviest year for UFO reports in Canada, with 1968 also experiencing a significant wave. The U.F.O. Investigation Centre from Sydney, Australia, a group founded in 1950-51 with nearly 600 members, also sent a newsletter. They emphasize their serious and scientific approach to UFOs and mention their extensive mailing list of over 150 societies worldwide. They publish a review six times a year and offered SIGAP the liberty to quote their publications.

Meetings

Three important UFO meetings took place in October:

• October 5: A B.U.F.O.R.A. meeting in Kensington Central Library, attended by SIGAP members, featured journalist Arthur Shuttlewood as the guest speaker. He discussed ongoing UFO sightings in Warminster, claiming evidence for extraterrestrial spacecraft is 'overwhelming' and that visitors are 'watching our every move.' Shuttlewood has published two books on the subject.
• October 12: The B.U.F.O.R.A. Northern Convention in Manchester, attended by Omar Fowler. Norman Oliver spoke on 'Contact Claims,' detailing a case where a woman received messages from a UFO to question her husband about electronics. Roger Stanway also spoke, and Omar Fowler presented on UFOs over Surrey with visual aids.
• October 15: SIGAP's own meeting at the Plastic Coatings Factory in Guildford, featuring a talk by Jimmy Goddard of Contact U.K. on 'Leys and Orthoteny.' Goddard discussed alignments of prehistoric monuments and earthworks, and how UFO sightings sometimes correlate with these 'ley lines.' He also detailed the discovery of 'orthoteny' in 1954, which involves plotting UFO sightings along great circle courses, a concept explored in Aime Michel's book.

UFOs: The Local Scene

Several local sightings are reported:

• September 17: A brilliant white light, described as 'smaller than the moon' but 'much bigger than a star,' was seen by two residents in West Ewell, Surrey. The object oscillated and then moved horizontally out of sight.
• October 21: Engineer Neil Meredith and two companions in Cobham, Surrey, reported seeing two lights in the sky, described as 'definitely not aeroplanes or headlamps.' The lights moved across a cloud and were later joined by a third. A white ball with a trail was also observed.
• High Wycombe Area: Mysterious zig-zagging lights have been reported, which the Ministry of Defence attributes to aircraft from London (Heathrow) Airport. However, one resident, Mr. E. M. Walker, claims one object had a hoop, was noiseless, hovered, and then shot off at high speed, suggesting it was not an aircraft.

News from Abroad and Odds and Ends

• USA: UFO activity is reportedly high, with a yellow globe of light seen in Auburn, Washington, over several evenings. Local radio stations reported it as a UFO, and the USAF's delayed response drew criticism.
• Dundas, Ontario, Canada: Mr. Fred Passmore, a former RCAF pilot, observed a 'box-kite' shaped object, orange in the center and black at the edges, hovering beneath a plane. The object moved westwards and disappeared quickly. No rational explanation was found.
• Aberdeen University: A large atmospheric disturbance was recorded on October 15, potentially caused by an H-bomb, meteorite, or rocket explosion.
• Writtle, Sussex: A school cycle shed was struck by a 'huge ball of fire' that fell from the sky and exploded.
• COS-MOS: A new UFO group, COS-MOS, is being formed, commencing operations in January 1969 with the aim of contacting saucers and their crews. They will focus on obtaining details of British contacts and forming study groups to explore contact methods.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently promotes the idea that UFOs warrant serious scientific investigation and cannot be easily dismissed. It highlights scientists like Dr. Salisbury who are willing to engage with the subject, while criticizing the mainstream scientific community's skepticism, exemplified by the Condon Committee. There is a strong emphasis on international cooperation among UFO research groups and the collection of detailed sighting reports. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging members to contribute and share information, and advocating for the possibility of extraterrestrial visitation.