SIGAP Newsletter No 14 1968-07

Magazine Overview

This document is Newsletter No. 14 from The Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (S.I.G.A.P.), dated July 1, 1968. The newsletter's stated aim, in affiliation with the British Unidentified Flying Object Research Association (B.U.F.O.R.A.), is to promote unbiased investigation and research into "Unidentified Flying Object Phenomena". The primary focus of this issue is a collection of UFO sighting reports and related news.

UFO Pays Midnight Visit to Newport

The lead story details an account from Derek Toombs, a Welsh S.I.G.A.P. member, and his friend Miss Violet Burnap. On April 23, 1968, at 12:20 a.m., while walking along Stow Hill in Newport, Wales, they observed a brilliant white light moving from West to East. Toombs concluded it was a UFO, describing its behavior as "bizarre, pendulum, zig-zag and curved movements of varying accelerations". The object appeared to be scrutinizing Newport and travelled along the South Wales coastline towards the River Severn. Initially resembling a bright moving star, its outline became discernible as a "tea-cosy" shape with lights on top and underneath, and a deep red band around the bottom perimeter. The object made no noise, showed no vapour trails or emissions, and its lights did not change in brightness. It was first sighted about 85° above the western horizon and last seen about 35° above the eastern horizon before fading behind Newport's lighting complex. Police and local newspapers were informed.

Sightings From The Past

This section compiles several historical UFO reports:

• Summer 1964: Two UFOs were seen over Dunsfold Aerodrome, near Guildford, by Mr. A. H. Lloyd, an electrical aircraft inspector. The sighting, occurring around 2 a.m. and lasting 22 seconds, involved two objects slightly above and behind each other, glowing brightly. They moved on a North by North-East course, descending in a long curve, estimated at 2,000-3,000 feet altitude and half a mile away. They appeared elliptical, the size of a sixpence held at arm's length, and maintained a constant distance apart. The sighting was verified by others and mentioned in aviation magazines.
• September 1, 1859: Richard Carrington, an astronomer at Redhill, Surrey, observed two moving luminous bodies in the sky, which he believed were not meteors.
• November 12, 1965: A local resident in Redhill spotted a mysterious glowing orange-coloured object crossing the sky from the direction of Godstone at 9:45 p.m. It made no noise, was visible for about 1.5 minutes, and shaped like an inverted shuttlecock.
• December 16, 1965: An object, described as almost as big as the moon but not as bright and shrouded in mist, was seen over Guildford by a woman on her way home. It was travelling north towards Stoughton Barracks at a speed comparable to a shooting star.
• September 14, 1953: Two large glowing lights were seen over Andover, Hants. They were flat underneath and domed on top, with a band around their middles described as a "revolving neon light". The objects were noiseless.
• October 4, 1962: An elliptical UFO was seen over West Horsley, Surrey, at sunset. Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Wood observed the object, which was about 10° above the western horizon, as bright as the moon, and approximately 20 miles away. Mr. Wood, an amateur astronomer, described it as a flattened ball with two protrusions. They were baffled by its nature.

Investigator's Report on A. H. Lloyd's Sighting

Mr. R. K. Thackray investigated the sighting by A. H. Lloyd. He concluded that due to Lloyd's occupation and logical nature, aircraft misinterpretation was unlikely. Thackray believed it to be a reliable report and noted that Lloyd became very interested in UFOs after the event. Lloyd expressed the opinion that life exists on other planets and that "flying-saucers" are possible.

Skywatch '68

This section, authored by Ron Toft, reports on the Skywatch event held on June 15 at Pewley Down, Guildford. The event was largely disappointing due to atrocious weather, with the sky becoming completely overcast shortly after the watch began at 7 p.m. Despite the weather, many members attended. June 15 was National Skywatch Day, with 27 UFO groups across the country participating. Pewley Down served as the B.U.F.O.R.A. headquarters, with S.I.G.A.P.'s equipment including a mobile generator, UFO detectors, and diffraction gratings. A portable radio station facilitated contact with other UFO groups. Mr. Tim Childerhouse, a satellite expert, provided satellite visibility times, but none were seen due to the weather. However, several members did observe a red glowing object in the direction of Hindhead at 10:50 p.m., visible for 25 seconds. S.I.G.A.P. planned to investigate this further.

Separately, eight men and a girl skywatching at Chanctonbury Ring near Worthing had a "terrifying experience", feeling a strange presence and unusual cold, though they saw nothing. One experienced stomach pains, and another had breathing difficulties.

Space Briefs

This section provides short news items related to space exploration:

• Dr. J. R. Wilkins suggested that astronauts returning from other planets might pose a risk of alien disease, potentially requiring isolation for a month or more.
• Dr. Kurt Debus of Cape Kennedy stated that the possibility of astronauts encountering intelligent beings from other worlds cannot be dismissed as metaphysical speculation.
• Soviet space scientists successfully launched the satellite Cosmos 215, an automated astronomical observatory carrying eight small telescopes, whose data is being analyzed by computer.
• Three American astronauts were scheduled to spend 10 days in orbit in September testing the Apollo moonship.

S.I.G.A.P. Titbits

Dan Butcher contributed a note regarding his article "The Spectre of Winterfold as a Ley Phenomenon". He discovered that if a line connecting Coneyhurst Hill-Palmers Cross is extended east and west, it strikes specific hills (Holmbury Hill, Anstiebury Camp, Hydon Ball, Beacon Hill, Hindhead). He noted that these five points lying on a straight line is remarkable and suggests a ley line connection, possibly linking to ancient trackways. Holmbury and Anstiebury were Iron Age forts.

Late News Item

S.I.G.A.P. has added new contacts in the U.S.A., including the "Students Investigation on UFOs" of Oklahoma City, Colorado University, and Utah University.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are UFO sightings, witness testimonies, and the investigation of these phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on promoting "unbiased investigation and research". The editorial stance is one of open-minded inquiry, presenting detailed accounts of sightings and historical cases without overt skepticism or sensationalism. The inclusion of "Space Briefs" suggests an interest in the broader context of space exploration and potential extraterrestrial life. The newsletter aims to document and analyze UFO reports, encouraging further investigation and maintaining connections with other research groups.