New SIGAP Bulletin No 2 - 1977 September

Magazine Overview

Title: THE NEW SIGAP BULLETIN
Issue: 2#
Volume: 1977
Date: September 2, 1977
Publisher: Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of the SIGAP Bulletin focuses on the future strategy of the organization, recent UFO activity, and a speculative theory about the moon.

Strategy for the Next Ten Years

The editorial, attributed to Richard Beet, reflects on the longevity and survival of ufological groups and the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP) specifically. It notes that in ufology, ten years is a significant period, during which many hypotheses are discarded and few 'experts' or groups endure. SIGAP, founded in 1967, has survived due to the loyalty of its members and the leadership of its chairman for eight years. The editorial acknowledges the importance of personalities in organizational structure but warns against charismatic leadership that can lead to a group's demise without advancing the cause of ufology. SIGAP's strength is identified as its flexibility, allowing it to adapt to circumstances and cooperate with others, thereby fulfilling its primary purpose of investigating unusual aerial phenomena.

The article expresses hope that in ten years, ufologists will have resolved many internal differences, which, if channeled constructively, could benefit the field.

Next Meeting

Details are provided for the next SIGAP meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, September 21st, at 8:30 pm at the Prospect Country Club in Ash Vale, Surrey. The meeting's theme will be 'Strategy for the next ten years,' aligning with the editorial's topic. Members are encouraged to bring their ideas and proposals.

Membership

A reminder is issued for members to re-apply for their membership, as the costs of producing and distributing information are being covered by a few individuals.

UFO Activity in the Basingstoke Area

This section reports on recent UFO sightings in the Basingstoke, Hampshire area. The latest incident occurred on the night of Friday, September 9th, in Yateley, involving a golden disc with a flashing light, which is currently under investigation.

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in UFO activity in the Reading/Basingstoke area. This includes a disc-shaped object hovering near a school and an object described as a 'half-ball bearing' that shot across the sky from east to southwest. This latter object was traced from Andover through to Fleet. A witness, Mr. Dooley, cycling home at 10:50 pm in Fleet, saw the object zoom overhead and nearly fell off his bicycle.

A significant sighting occurred in Basingstoke on the night of August 27th, when Mrs. Hilda Downes of Winklebury Estate observed a bright star-like object, about six inches in diameter, split into two. This occurred just before 11:00 pm as she was putting out her milk bottles. One section of the object zoomed across the sky towards the Lancing Bagnall factory. Mrs. Downes described the object as initially appearing like a ball of condensed smoke, then transforming into a large dinner plate or disc with a silver color reminiscent of 'wartime Barrage balloons.' The event lasted only a few seconds.

Mrs. Downes, having previously seen strange lights, decided to investigate further. Following a neighbor's suggestion, she contacted SIGAP. She had previously seen a bright 'star' emitting a bluish-green light, with six or seven points.

An interesting postscript to Mrs. Downes' sighting is the report from a local farmer who delivers potatoes to the estate. He claimed that one night, while driving home, his van was followed by a very bright light on what is known to be an old Roman road. SIGAP hopes to contact this farmer for further details.

What is the Moon?

This article presents a theory by Soviet scientists Michael Vasin and Alexander Shcherbakov, suggesting the moon is not a natural celestial body but an artificial satellite sent to orbit Earth millions of years ago. Evidence cited includes differences in the age and composition of lunar rock samples compared to Earth rocks, and the moon's vibration for three hours after a rocket booster crash. The scientists propose the moon is a hollow sphere with a soft outer shell and an impenetrable hull, with metals found in lunar rock (chromium, titanium, zirconium) being consistent with materials used in artificial satellites.

The Strange Case of the Motorway, the Wanderer and the UFO

This case began in late June when Omar Fowler was contacted by Ken Phillips of Bufora regarding a story heard third-hand. On June 23rd, around 1:00 pm, a man was found wandering on the M3 motorway between junctions 1 and 2 by police. He claimed to have encountered beings from an unidentified flying object. The police, suspecting drug influence, sent him to Heatherwood Hospital, where tests proved negative.

SIGAP investigated and confirmed the man was found on the motorway, taken to a police station, and then transferred to Heatherwood Hospital. The 'witness' was detained for one night and then moved to Fairmile Hospital, a mental institution in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. SIGAP wrote to the Medical Director of Fairmile Hospital, requesting an interview with the man. They stated their anxiety to interview him, acknowledging he might be undergoing treatment. They also suggested that a claim of seeing a UFO should not automatically lead to psychiatric admission unrelated to the sighting and should not interfere with his treatment.

SIGAP's letter was signed by Carol Godsell on behalf of SIGAP and dated July 14th. On August 10th, they received a reply from Dr. J.R. Palmer, Consultant Psychiatrist at Fairmile Hospital. Dr. Palmer stated that the man was suffering from a mental illness and his UFO claim was a minor part of his symptomatology. He denied permission for an interview, deeming it a waste of time.

The article concludes by posing questions about whether the man 'escaped' from the hospital, whether his mental condition was caused by the alleged UFO sighting or a pre-existing complaint, and whether there was a cover-up by authorities to prevent the truth from emerging. SIGAP expresses that they will likely never know what truly happened that day.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently promotes the investigative and open-minded approach of SIGAP, emphasizing its flexibility and dedication to gathering evidence on unusual aerial phenomena. There is a clear stance against rigid dogma within ufology and a desire for cooperation among researchers. The inclusion of the 'What is the Moon?' article highlights an interest in unconventional theories and scientific speculation related to unexplained phenomena. The 'Motorway Case' demonstrates SIGAP's commitment to pursuing leads, even when faced with official skepticism and potential institutional barriers, while also raising questions about mental health and the potential for suppressed information.