SIGAP Bulletin No 19 - 1968-12

Magazine Overview

This is the December 1968 issue of the SIGAP BULLETIN, published monthly by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP). The issue is priced at 1/- and is identified as No. 19. The editorial team includes Ron Toft as Editor, Omar Fowler as Chairman, and Richard Beet as Secretary.

Key Articles and Reports

"Saucer" Seen Near Henley

The lead story details a sighting of a "saucer" shaped U.F.O. near Henley-on-Thames on November 4, 1968. The object was observed by Mr. Richard Froud, an employee of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at Culham, Berkshire. Mr. Froud saw the U.F.O. at 7:25 a.m. while driving from Wargrave to Henley-on-Thames. He described the object as hovering and glowing like a fluorescent strip-light. He noted that it was not the Moon and not any known aircraft. Mr. Froud expressed his certainty that "flying-saucers" are real. A sketch of the object, described as similar to the "Adamski" type but slightly more elongated, is included.

Thousands See "Balls of Fire" in Sky

This article by Ron Toft reports on widespread sightings of "balls of fire" across the UK on November 20, 1968, shortly after 7 p.m. Initially thought to be a new U.F.O. wave, they were later identified as a Russian rocket burning up during re-entry. Mr. Desmond King-Hele, a satellite expert from the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, explained that the object was a booster from the Cosmos 253 satellite launched on November 13. The booster section was approximately 20 feet long and weighed 1.5 tons. Mr. King-Hele sought accurate compass positions and elevations of the observed pieces. SIGAP received numerous reports, with Chairman Omar Fowler and Secretary Dick Beet handling many calls. Area Investigator Dick Munford was called to assist Dorking police. Mrs. Pamela Green of Woking reported seeing 30-50 separate pieces, mainly white with red and orange, moving at a similar speed, with occasional variations, resembling a wide and long Guy Fawkes rocket.

Glowing Object Hovers Over School

This report details a sighting on July 24 by six Chertsey schoolchildren at Meads Secondary School. Lesley Otley and Marlene Bremner first saw a "round yellow glowing object" hovering. They alerted other pupils, including Burt Scuffham, Michael Wardley, and Douglas Antill, who also witnessed the object. They described it as large, glowing bright yellow, and moving considerably faster than a plane. It was seen to accelerate rapidly and shoot away. Later, 15-year-old Stephen Williams also saw the object, which appeared to come from the Staines direction and disappear over Addlestone. Burt Scuffham expressed his lifelong interest in flying saucers and his shock at seeing the object, admitting uncertainty about its origin. Mr. John Read and his wife Veronica, from Meadowlands Caravan Site, also reported seeing "The Thing", describing it as coming from the Shepperton direction, hovering, growing bright, and then fading away rapidly. They agreed it moved faster than any plane. A sketch by Burt Scuffham depicts "spherical globes" with a "white, yellow glow".

British U.F.O. Research Association's Annual Meeting

This section reports on the British U.F.O. Research Association's (BUFORA) Annual Meeting held on November 23, 1968. Omar Fowler was elected to the Executive Committee. An open debate on U.F.O. research involved Stephen Smith, Director of BUFORA Research, and Dr. John Cleary-Baker, Editor of the BUFORA Journal. Stephen Smith advocated for researchers to focus on investigating sightings rather than challenging authorities, noting 200 investigators nationwide. Dr. Cleary-Baker suggested focusing on landings or near-landings, though all phenomena should be probed. Lionel Beer, Vice-Chairman, proposed recording all reports. Anthony Durham of Cambridge University discussed advances in collecting U.F.O. data for computer analysis, with SIGAP aiming to incorporate machine-readable data facilities into their sighting report forms. Richard Farrow, SIGAP Area Investigator, suggested better coverage of BUFORA members by member-societies. Dr. Cleary-Baker proposed training for investigators, which SIGAP endorsed. Edgar Hatvany inquired about using computers to predict sighting probabilities, with Anthony Durham estimating the cost for data handling equipment and a year's operation at around £2,000. The meeting concluded with a mention of the work by Roger Stanway and Anthony Pace on "The Flying Saucer Report" and their new "Manual for U.F.O. Investigators and Researchers", proposed as the standard BUFORA Manual.

SIGAP TITBITS

Four new members have joined SIGAP: M. A. Searle, Miss M. L. Lampard, A. Sholl, and R. J. Timmis, all from the Guildford area.

SIGAP Directory and Activities

SIGAP is now listed in the Guildford telephone directory under "Research and Development Organisations". Consultant John Adams gave a talk on spectroscopy, and a spectroscope can be purchased commercially or potentially at a reduced price if enough members are interested. Mrs. Jean Fowler, wife of SIGAP Chairman Omar Fowler, will audit BUFORA's accounts.

Letter from Russia

SIGAP Foreign Correspondent Keith Burnett received a letter from Aleksandr Kazantsev in Russia, translated by Gordon Creighton. Kazantsev stated there is no specific organization dealing with U.F.O. problems in Russia, but the USSR Academy of Sciences plans to publish "THE INHABITED UNIVERSE" in 1969, which may contain relevant answers. The collection can be ordered through NAUKA Publishing House in Moscow.

Upcoming Meetings

The next SIGAP meeting is scheduled for December 17, 1968, featuring two space films: "Doorway to Tomorrow" and "Legacy of Gemini". Forthcoming BUFORA meetings include a "Brains Trust" on January 4, 1969, and a talk on "UFO Occupants - Methods and Motives" by Gordon Creighton on February 1, 1969.

Algiers Sightings

About 15 luminous U.F.O.s, described as "roughly triangular", were seen over Algiers on November 14, flying at high speed in a northerly direction.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SIGAP BULLETIN consistently reports on UFO and UAP sightings, providing detailed accounts from witnesses and attempting to identify potential explanations, such as the Russian rocket re-entry. The publication also serves as a platform for UFO research organizations like SIGAP and BUFORA, discussing their activities, meetings, research methodologies, and organizational developments. There is a clear emphasis on collecting and analyzing sighting data, with an interest in technological advancements like computer analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, seeking factual information and encouraging member participation, while also acknowledging the need for rigorous research and potential explanations. The inclusion of international reports (e.g., from Russia and Algiers) indicates a broader scope of interest.