SIGAP Bulletin No 25 - 1969-06

Magazine Overview

Title: SIGAP BULLETIN
Issue: No. 25
Date: June 1969
Publisher: SURREY INVESTIGATION GROUP ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Price: 1/-

This issue of the SIGAP Bulletin focuses on a series of UFO sightings in Hampshire, particularly around the village of Yateley, during the night of May 12-13, 1969. It also covers the organization's annual meeting and other related activities.

U.F.O. Buzzes Hampshire Village

The lead article, written by Ron Toft, details four independent reports of a significant aerial phenomenon observed in the Yateley and surrounding district. The sightings occurred between 10 p.m. on May 12 and 4:45 a.m. on May 13.

First Sighting: Diane Gardner

The first reported observation was by 8-year-old Diane Gardner, who saw a glowing ball of light from her bedroom window around 10 p.m. She described it as "like a saucepan without a handle," "just above the trees," and "very bright and white like the moon." The object made no noise and disappeared behind houses. Her mother, Mrs. Joan Gardner, confirmed Diane's insistence but had missed seeing the object herself.

Second Sighting: Mrs. V.M. Denyer

Around 10 p.m., housewife Mrs. V.M. Denyer of Mickle Hill, Sandhurst, observed a "terrifically bright object moving across the sky." She described it as "so much bigger than a star" and "fluorescent white in colour." The object was some distance away with a "pretty constant" light intensity. It then "shot off at a terrific speed and disappeared to a pinhead," which she initially mistook for a parachute flare.

Third Sighting: Clark Equipment Operators

Approximately four-and-a-half hours later, at 2:25 a.m., two night shift operators at Clark Equipment's Blackbushe branch, Malcolm Lauchlan and Barry Robinson, witnessed a mysterious aerial object. It illuminated a belt of trees with an "eerie fluorescent light" before rapidly accelerating away. Mr. Lauchlan described the object as "massive" and "like a series of headlights or floodlights at Wembley," estimating it to be about 150 feet above the ground. It hovered for about five seconds, silhouetted the trees with its yellow glow, and then vanished. They saw the object again later, between 3:30 a.m. and 3:45 a.m., but at a distance. SIGAP consultant Tim Childerhouse noted that a bright flashing Russian satellite was due over at 2:26 a.m., but did not confirm if it was the same object.

Fourth Sighting: Mrs. Dorothy Mead

At 4:20 a.m., Mrs. Dorothy Mead of Frensham Close, Yateley, saw a "huge glowing ball of light" from which a narrow white beam was emanating. She described the beam as "like a searchlight." Her dog Jamie woke her, and the beam was visible on the kitchen floor. The object hovered, moving backwards and forwards, and her dog reacted fearfully. The U.F.O. moved slowly for about 20 minutes before moving towards Blackwater and Hartley Wintney. Mrs. Mead firmly believed it was not an aircraft or a flare, stating, "It must have been out of this world." She also mentioned that she and her husband had seen a U.F.O. the previous year, which her husband dismissed.

Golden Lights in Sky

Less than a week after the Yateley sightings, on the early hours of May 18, two brilliant golden balls of light were seen over Blackwater, Hampshire, by Miss Dorothy Watts. She described them as "like two big golden headlamps - ever so bright." They were coming from the Yateley direction, moving slowly, and made no noise. She stated they were too bright to be aircraft and did not leave a vapour trail.

SIGAP's Third Annual Meeting

The SIGAP's third annual meeting was held on May 6 in the canteen of the Plastic Coatings Factory, Guildford, attended by 25 people. Bulletin Editor Ron Toft gave a talk on the moon, using a detailed photographic map to highlight lunar geological features and the landing sites of Russian and American space probes. He also discussed data from these probes and showed lunar photographs, including those from the Apollo 8 mission.

Executive Committee

The newly elected Executive Committee consists of Omar Fowler (Chairman), Dick Beet (Secretary), Mrs. Jean Fowler (Treasurer), and Ron Toft (Bulletin Editor). Ordinary members include Dan Butcher, Graham Raine, Dick Munford, P. Parkinson, and Miss M. Dalley. The group has 86 paying members, with 59 acting as area investigators.

Chairman's Report (Omar Fowler)

Omar Fowler reported on the group's active year, including attendance at conferences in Manchester and Bristol, and a U.F.O. Seminar at Cambridge. SIGAP also hosted B.U.F.O.R.A. on National Skywatch Day and conducted 'mini' sky-watches at Chanctonbury Ring and Wanborough. A watch at Cradle Hill, Warminster, identified numerous satellites, though some local watchers believed them to be U.F.O.s. Fowler noted that satellites and rocket debris are increasingly responsible for U.F.O. reports but emphasized that major sightings still occur. He mentioned the Cosmos 253 satellite's re-entry as a man-made event and highlighted SIGAP's international contacts, including those in Argentina, and their publication of information on Norwegian U.F.O. activity.

Future Plans

SIGAP anticipates a new magazine, more world U.F.O. news, participation in the National Skywatch on June 28, and representation at the National Space and U.F.O. Convention at Woburn Abbey on August 17.

Membership and Subscription

Due to rising costs, the annual subscription has increased from 10s 6d to 15s Od. Membership is being restricted to 100 to manage administrative workload, with 95% of time dedicated to investigating U.F.O.s.

Sightings Statistics

At the time of the annual meeting, 151 sightings had been reported, with 58 occurring in the last year. Of these, 45 were in Surrey, broken down as: 12 aircraft, 1 star, 1 meteor, 16 satellites, 6 natural phenomena, 3 other known explanations, 1 investigation incomplete, and 18 U.F.O.s.

Financial Report (Graham Raine)

The financial report detailed costs for stamps, stationery, National Skywatch expenses, Woburn Abbey fee, books, films, printing, and recording tape, with a cash balance of £4-6-2 on May 1.

Secretary's Report (Dick Beet)

Dick Beet reported that SIGAP has three representatives on the B.U.F.O.R.A. National Executive Committee and has been appointed Regional B.U.F.O.R.A. Evaluators. This increased responsibility necessitates enlarged investigation procedures, including new preliminary sighting report forms, standard sighting report forms for computer extraction, and investigators' report forms. A "Manual for U.F.O. Researchers" is being compiled.

Satellite News (Tim Childerhouse)

Tim Childerhouse provided an update on the Russian spacecraft PROTON 4, predicted to decay around June 15. Launched on November 16, 1968, it is a heavy spacecraft monitoring cosmic ray particles. Its visibility pattern is difficult to predict due to short summer nights.

U.F.O. Talk (Omar Fowler)

Omar Fowler gave a talk on U.F.O.s to approximately 70 parents, teachers, and pupils at Broadwater Secondary School, Godalming, on May 2, which generated significant interest and questions.

Truth Stranger Than Fiction

This section discusses the cancellation of the T.V. show "The Invaders," attributing it to the impending resignation of lead actor Roy Thinnes due to threats related to the show's controversial topics. Thinnes commented that "there is more truth behind the T.V. plots that most people realise."

National Skywatch

The National Skywatch Day was scheduled for June 28, with headquarters at Pewley Down, Guildford. Volunteers were sought for various shifts from 7 p.m. on June 28 to 7 a.m. on June 29. Participants were advised to bring a notepad and pencil, and optionally a camera, binoculars, or telescope.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently highlights the importance of rigorous investigation and data collection in the field of Ufology. It distinguishes between confirmed man-made phenomena (like satellites and space debris) and unexplained sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging detailed reporting and analysis of aerial phenomena while acknowledging the role of misidentification. There is a clear effort to provide factual accounts and updates on the organization's activities and the broader U.F.O. community.