SIGAP Newsletter No 18 1968-11

Magazine Overview

SIGAP BULLETIN - November 1968

The SIGAP Bulletin, issue number 18, published monthly for 1/-, features a prominent headline announcing that Dr. Frank B. Salisbury, Head of the Plant Science Department at Utah State University, will serve as a consultant to the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena (SIGAP). The bulletin is edited by Ron Toft, with Omar Fowler as Chairman and Richard Beet as Secretary.

Editorial: Scientist To Aid S.I.G.A.P.

The editorial section introduces Dr. Frank B. Salisbury, an American scientist known for his open-mindedness towards UFOs. Dr. Salisbury has offered to examine SIGAP's sighting reports and provide his expert opinion. The article quotes Dr. Salisbury on the scientific community's reluctance to discuss UFOs, likening favorable mentions to "extreme heresy." He is currently writing a book on UFOs, drawing from his studies in exobiology. Dr. Salisbury argues that the extraterrestrial spaceship hypothesis for UFOs warrants preliminary scientific investigation, questioning whether it can be rigorously eliminated. He emphasizes that it is logically unreasonable to state with absolute certainty that extraterrestrial beings cannot visit Earth, given our limited knowledge of the universe.

Flying Saucer Fiasco

This section discusses the impending report from the Colorado University UFO Committee, led by Dr. Edward U. Condon. The author expresses skepticism about the report's findings, suggesting it will likely dismiss UFOs as conventional phenomena or hallucinations. The article reveals that Dr. David Saunders and Dr. Norman Levine, key investigators, were dismissed for allegedly revealing to Dr. James McDonald that the project was a "cover-up" designed to debunk UFOs. Several committee members are rumored to have resigned in protest.

S.I.G.A.P. TITBIT

The circulation of the SIGAP Bulletin has reached 100, an increase attributed to a "facelift" the publication received. The bulletin acknowledges positive feedback from Judy Williams of Contact U.K. and Mrs. Kathleen Smith, Editor of U.F.O.L.O.G. SIGAP Chairman Omar Fowler also gave a talk on UFOs to the Sanderstead Young Conservatives.

New Members and Foreign Correspondence

Three new members have joined SIGAP: Mr. Douglas Palmer, Mr. John Bostock, and Mr. Robert Francis. The bulletin also reports on correspondence received from two foreign UFO societies: the Canadian Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation (C.A.P.R.O.) and the Australian U.F.O. Investigation Centre. C.A.P.R.O. notes that 1967 was the heaviest year for UFO reports in Canada, with another wave occurring in 1968. The U.F.O. Investigation Centre, founded in 1950-51, is Australia's oldest and largest UFO group with nearly 600 members, and it publishes a review regularly.

Meetings

Three significant UFO meetings took place in October:

• October 5: A B.U.F.O.R.A. meeting at Kensington Central Library featured journalist Arthur Shuttlewood discussing UFO sightings in Warminster. He claimed that evidence for extraterrestrial spacecraft is overwhelming and that visitors from space are "watching our every move." Shuttlewood has written two books on the subject.
• October 12: The B.U.F.O.R.A. Northern Convention in Manchester included talks by Norman Oliver on "Experiences of Contact Claims" and Omar Fowler on "UFOs over Surrey." Roger Stanway also spoke about investigations in Staffordshire.
• October 15: SIGAP held its own meeting in Guildford, with Jimmy Goddard of Contact U.K. giving a talk on "Leys and Orthoteny."

Leys and Orthoteny

Jimmy Goddard's talk explained "leys" as alignments of pre-historic monuments and earthworks, and "orthoteny" as alignments derived from UFO sightings during a "flap." He cited Aime Michel's research, which linked UFO sightings to specific patterns and lines, noting that many UFO sightings occur along ley lines.

International Contact Drive

SIGAP is launching a drive to establish contact with ufologists worldwide to gather more comprehensive information on foreign UFO sightings. They are seeking members who can speak German, Spanish, or Russian to help translate reports.

Upcoming Events

SIGAP's next meeting is scheduled for November 12 at the Plastic Coatings Factory, Guildford, featuring a presentation with color slides of Dan Butcher's UFO paintings. A special UFO section will also be featured at The Daily Mail's New Year Show at Olympia.

U.F.O.s: The Local Scene

Several local sightings are reported:

• September 17: A brilliant white light, described as "smaller than the moon" but "much bigger than a star," was observed in West Ewell, Surrey. It oscillated and then moved horizontally out of sight.
• October 21: Two lights, described as "definitely not aeroplanes or headlamps," were seen in Cobham, Surrey, moving within a cloud. A third light joined them, and later a white ball with a trail was observed.
• High Wycombe Area: Mysterious zig-zagging lights have been reported, which the Ministry of Defence attributes to aircraft from London (Heathrow) Airport.

News from Abroad and Odds and Ends

• USA: UFO activity remains prominent, with a yellow globe of light reported in Auburn, Washington, observed over several evenings.
• Dundas, Ontario, Canada: Mr. Fred Passmore, a former R.C.A.F. pilot, reported seeing a "box-kite" shaped object hovering beneath a plane on April 7. No rational explanation was found.
• Aberdeen University: An atmospheric disturbance was recorded on October 15, possibly caused by an H-bomb explosion, meteorite, or rocket.
• Writtle, Sussex: A school cycle shed was struck by a "huge ball of fire" on September 23.
• New Group: COS-MOS has been formed to commence operations on January 1, 1969, with the aim of contacting saucers and their crews. Membership is £1-1-0d per year.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently promotes the idea that UFO phenomena warrant serious scientific investigation, challenging the skepticism of the mainstream scientific community. It emphasizes the importance of international cooperation among UFO research groups and highlights the ongoing nature of UFO sightings globally. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging members to share information and contribute to the collective understanding of aerial phenomena.