Skywatch - No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: SKYWATCH
Issue: No. 9
Date: September 1974
Publisher: Manchester Aerial Phenomena Investigation Team (Affiliated to the Wirral UFO Society)

This issue of SKYWATCH, a publication dedicated to UFOlogy, presents a collection of correspondence, news, and articles aimed at engaging its readership and fostering a greater understanding of aerial phenomena. The magazine serves as a platform for various UFO investigation groups to share information, collaborate, and discuss the challenges and opportunities within the field.

Postbag

The "POSTBAG" section features edited correspondence from various individuals and organizations within the UFO community. John W.B.Barklam and J.Barklam (Mrs) of the Foresight Organisation and Magazine congratulate Mr. Rees on the continued production of SKYWATCH, expressing hope for future contact. Geoffrey Falla of the Guernsey UFO Club shares the club's aim of providing a book-borrowing service and offers assistance with research into UFO phenomena, noting his personal reference index. Ken Philips, National Investigations Co-ordinator for BUFORA, expresses enjoyment of SKYWATCH and hopes for co-operation between MAPIT and BUFORA. The editor responds positively to these sentiments, emphasizing the desire for beneficial relationships and co-operation among groups.

News in Brief

The "NEWS IN BRIEF" section provides updates on the UFO community. Mike Dean has resigned as Secretary of the Wirral UFO Society due to exams, with correspondence now directed to Ken Green. David Gittens' group, the Northern Aerial Phenomena Research Association (NAFRA), has restarted. The section mentions an article in the NAPRA Journal about the "Delamere Forest Monster" in Cheshire, with copies available for purchase. It also notes a member's attendance at an Erich Von Daniken lecture in Wolverhampton. The section highlights that MAPIT is receiving credit for summarized sightings in BUFORA JOURNALS and promotes MAPIT's special issue No.1 on the origins of UFOs. The Scunthorpe UFO Research Society details are provided, and a "STOP PRESS" announces that SKYWATCH is going international, with an inquiry from "REDAKTIE UFO INFO" in Belgium.

MAPIT and the Media

This section emphasizes the crucial role of publicity for UFO groups like MAPIT. It details recent media engagements, including a filmed interview by David Rees for a Granada T.V. Special and a 30-minute discussion program on Piccadilly Radio featuring David Rees, Chris Randles, Mike Dean, and Ken Green. These appearances are expected to generate more sighting reports. The presenter of the "Platform" show, Jim Hancock, is commended for his fair-mindedness. The article notes that while the programs couldn't cover all aspects due to time constraints, they provided general coverage and an interesting discussion, benefiting MAPIT and the North West UFO scene. The section also mentions that MAPIT declined an offer for a feature story in the Stockport Advertiser, believing the proposed angle ("we went looking for these things every night under bushes") would not portray UFOlogy respectfully. The importance of publicity is reiterated, but with a caveat against actively seeking sensationalist coverage.

MAPIT is also building a tape library, with arrangements for recording the Wirral UFO Conference and the Platform Radio Programme available for a charge from Mr. D.L.Rees.

Who Needs You?

This section addresses the question of an individual's usefulness to a UFO group. It acknowledges the common urge to investigate mysterious phenomena but stresses that expertise is not limited to physics or astronomy. The "ideal UFOlogist" is described as an expert in virtually every field, a concept that doesn't exist in reality. The article argues that every group needs a diverse range of individuals, including amateur psychologists, historians, meteorologists, physicists, chemists, astronomers, anthropologists, and sociologists. It concludes that whatever knowledge or interest a person possesses is of importance to investigation, and UFO groups like MAPIT need such individuals.

The Wirral Conference

This article reviews the first Northern UFO Conference, organized by the Wirral UFO Society and held in Bebington. Approximately 100 people attended the event, which is described as a qualified success despite some problems. While the speakers were considered good for entertainment, their content was sometimes lacking. The article notes that many speakers were new to public speaking. Specific criticism is directed at talks that seemed to avoid the subject of UFOs or delve into pseudo-religion. The brief talks by representatives of various groups are highlighted as a saving grace, contributing to scientific respectability. The organizers hope to arrange a similar, more comprehensive conference in the Manchester Area, potentially including case histories, drawings, graphs, and UFO equipment demonstrations. Tape recordings of the conference are available from WUFOS.

Crazy Ideas

Under the heading "CRAZY IDEAS," the author suggests ways to revitalize public interest in UFOlogy, which is perceived to have declined. Ideas include sponsorship of "Skywatch" by companies like Coca-Cola, the establishment of a UFO Radio station, and a weekly TV program similar to Frank Edwards' show in the U.S. The possibility of evening class courses for adults is also mentioned. The decline in UFO-related films is noted, with Kubrick's "2001" being the only film worth mentioning, though a 90-minute U.F.O. Documentary film by United Artists is mentioned as having been seen by few in Britain. The section invites readers to submit their ideas for the future of UFOlogy. It also reiterates the call for UFO sightings to be reported to MAPIT for investigation and encourages the formation of local UFO groups.

UFOs and Time Travel (Part 1)

This is the first part of a series exploring the potential connection between UFOs and time travel. It begins by describing a sandstone rock formation in the Gobi Desert containing a footprint of a man wearing a shoe, dated to two million years ago. The article discusses geological evidence suggesting early human ancestors existed 10-15 million years ago, but these were primitive sub-human races. The Gobi footprint is presented as anomalous because it appears to be from a civilized man. Other rock formations with footprints and hand-prints from the age of dinosaurs are also mentioned, along with artifacts like iron nails found inside rocks. The author questions how these phenomena can occur, proposing two explanations: either humans have existed for much longer than believed, or they are evidence of extra-terrestrial visitation. The article argues against the former, citing the incomplete fossil record and the lack of evolutionary evidence. It then considers the possibility of extra-terrestrial visitors and the challenges posed by the time factor, questioning if they visited over millions of years when intelligent life did not exist. The possibility of time travel is introduced as an alternative explanation. The article concludes by stating that future expeditions would be sent to observe the past, becoming fossils themselves, and that next month's installment will compare this to UFO phenomena.

Advertisements

The final section contains advertisements for various UFO-related publications and organizations. These include U.F.O.NEWS, FORESIGHT magazine, The British Science Fiction Association, and lists of American Comics. Details are provided for subscriptions, contact persons, and addresses. An announcement is made regarding the cancellation of a Norman Oliver lecture in Scunthorpe. Information is also provided for NAPRA and for submitting letters to SKYWATCH.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SKYWATCH are the promotion and professionalization of UFOlogy, the importance of media engagement for public awareness, and the exploration of unconventional theories such as time travel. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging collaboration among UFO groups, advocating for rigorous investigation, and seeking to elevate the public perception of UFO phenomena beyond sensationalism. There is a clear emphasis on the need for diverse expertise within investigation groups and a forward-looking approach to understanding the mysteries of UFOs.