SIGAP Newsletter No 16 1968-09

Magazine Overview

This document is Bulletin No. 16 from The Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (S.I.G.A.P.), dated September 1, 1968. The bulletin details several UFO and unusual aerial phenomena sightings reported by individuals in the Surrey area and beyond. The chairman of S.I.G.A.P. is Omar Fowler, and the secretary is Dick Beet. The bulletin aims to document and investigate these occurrences.

Reported Sightings

Farncombe Sighting

On the evening of July 6, Mr. Robert Harris and his wife Janice reported seeing a "radiant orange" star-shaped UFO at Farncombe. Mr. Harris described it as appearing like a bright star low in the sky, which then descended vertically from a point above trees on the horizon. It was visible for about 15-20 seconds and was approximately twice tree-height when first seen. The object's light varied slightly, and it was located in the East. The weather was dry and clear.

Bramley-Alford Road Sighting

Simultaneously, while the Harrises were observing the star-shaped object, Miss Phyllis Pease, driving along the Bramley-Alford road, saw a red ball of fire in the sky. It was visible for about half-a-minute before disappearing. Her passenger also saw the object, which was in the North-East.

Ash Sightings

On August 19, at 11 p.m., Miss Pamela Jennings of Ash Hill Road, Ash, reported seeing a cluster of three "very large" stars that hovered for three to five minutes and made a droning noise. They then shot up into the air and disappeared. Earlier, in late May, Miss Jennings, while sitting in a car with R.A.E. engineer Mr. Anthony Frost, saw another peculiar star-like object from Ash Hill Road.

Mr. Frost provided an account of this sighting, describing a streak of light in the south-easterly direction that slowed down, hovered, and made a droning noise. It turned red and disappeared in a flash of red.

Ash Vale Sighting

In mid-May, Mrs. White of Ash Vale saw a brilliant white light in the sky between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. from her house. She described it as round, visible for only a few seconds over the "George Inn", and making no noise.

This sighting was investigated by Omar Fowler. In his report, he noted that Mrs. White also shared details of a peculiar dream she had after her husband's death, involving a saucer and the abduction of her children, which led her to believe in the 'Lord'. Regarding the sighting, Mrs. White emphasized its brightness and sudden disappearance.

Guildford Sighting

One night in June, Miss Dorothy Raggett saw an orange UFO shaped like a half-circle over Guildford. She described it as a very bright orange object, moving slowly from the Guildford direction towards Woking. It was brilliant orange and appeared about ten inches long and five to six inches deep in the centre. The sighting lasted about five minutes before it vanished.

S.I.G.A.P. member Mrs. S. J. Holt investigated this sighting and found Miss Raggett to be a reliable and truthful person.

Biggin Hill Sighting

On July 17, just after midnight, Mr. and Mrs. S. V. Russell of Biggin Hill, Kent, reported a mysterious circular light passing over the area. Mrs. Russell described hearing a short burst of a light aircraft engine, but then saw a large circular light travelling at excessive speed. She concluded it was not an aeroplane due to its speed and regular height. The colour of the light was described as "apricot".

Ball Lightning in Normandy House

Dick Beet reports on an incident at Normandy House where, on February 19, 1967, after an explosion and a loud popping sound, a ball of fire appeared from a telephone protector. The ball of fire was described as the size and shape of a narrow light bulb with a yellow-orange colour and a "fuzzy blue edge". It travelled slowly, scorching the observer's neck and hair, and later increased in size and changed shape to "more octagonal with jagged edges" before shrinking and disappearing at a power socket. Investigations revealed the telephone earth wire had become disconnected.

Discussion on Flying Saucers

Captain S.R.B. Urry contributes an article titled "Nonsense or Logic?" discussing his views on flying saucers. He recounts a sighting from about seven years prior of a very bright stationary light in the North West that moved at terrific speed. He posits that man's innate desire for beauty suggests a higher origin, possibly a civilized planet, and that spaceships and their origins might have been forgotten over time. He suggests biblical references to fiery chariots could relate to advanced propulsion and that visits from spaceships to Earth might still occur.

S.I.G.A.P. Updates

S.I.G.A.P. is to be listed in the next edition of the Guildford Telephone Directory under Research & Development Organisations and in the ordinary classified section. Member Leslie Seymour has emigrated to Montreal, Canada. The group currently has 66 members, with a list of recent joiners provided, including Mr. Ian Mackinlay, Mr. Trevor Heath, Mr. Christopher Hopper, Mr. Edward Giles, Mr. Peter Hill, Miss Phyllis Pease, Miss Ellinor Austen, Mr. Roger Amos, Miss Marjorie Dalley, Mrs. Rosemary Hick, Mr. Richard Farrow, and Mr. Arthur Tuffill.

Articles for publication in the Bulletin should be sent to Ron Toft, S.I.G.A.P. Bulletin Editor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this bulletin is the documentation and investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena, including UFOs and ball lightning. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and reporting, providing detailed accounts of sightings and witness testimonies. The inclusion of an investigator's report on Miss Raggett's sighting and Captain Urry's speculative article suggests an open-minded approach to the subject, encouraging further investigation and discussion.