Skywatch - No 15

Magazine Overview

Title: SKYWATCH
Issue: No. 15
Date: August 1975
Publisher: M.A.P.I.T. PUBLICATION
Location: Stockport, Cheshire, United Kingdom

This issue of SKYWATCH, a publication by M.A.P.I.T., focuses on UFO activity and the landscape of UFO research groups in the United Kingdom during 1975. The content includes letters from readers, news briefs, a compilation of newspaper clippings, and discussions on the challenges and potential for co-operation within the UFO community.

Letters from Readers

The "Letters Page" features correspondence from individuals interested in UFOs and the Skywatch publication.

• G. Scott of Sale, Cheshire, requests a copy of the newssheet on UFO activity in Manchester, having heard a talk on Radio Piccadilly.
• Mike Roberts of Amersham, Bucks, expresses confusion regarding the publication status of Skywatch, noting a discrepancy between information about its cessation and the appearance of a new issue. He also mentions his membership in several UFO groups and his intention to start a picture library related to UFOs.
• K. Stanley of Oldham, Lancs, thanks the publisher for the May edition and mentions sending a newsclipping from the Oldham News.
• Ken Green, Chairman of WUFOS (Bromborough, Wirral, Merseyside), praises the standard of Skywatch and agrees with an article titled "UFO Groups '75 Style." He identifies a public perception issue where UFOlogists are seen as solely believing in the ETH (Extraterrestrial Hypothesis), which he considers "rubbish." To counter this, he is collecting essays on various UFO origin theories and hopes to publish them in a special issue for Skylink, giving credit to the authors.

News in Brief

This section provides short updates on UFO-related news and organizations:

• The Merseyside UFO Bulletin has ceased publication, with a new magazine expected to take its place.
• An event at Reynolds Building on June 7th, organized by MUFORA, is mentioned.
• There are no new sightings reported in this issue, but an investigation into a supposed landing case in Partington is underway.
• Ken Green of WUFOS is preparing to print a supplement on UFO Origins Theories, following a well-received publication by MAPIT the previous year. MAPIT is updating this supplement.
• BUFORA LIMITED has been registered and is applying to become a Scientific Charity.
• A report on the BUFORA National Research and Investigation Conference, held in Stoke-on-Trent in May, appeared in Science Fiction Monthly Magazine, with Brian Robinson as the reporter. The question of whether BUFORA will hold annual conferences is raised.
• The article notes BUFORA's efforts to improve its public image, emphasizing the word "SCIENTIFIC," but questions whether they have a Public Relations Officer.

And Another One

This section discusses the emergence of new UFO groups and the setup of RADAAS and RICAP by Timothy Evans.

• Timothy Evans explains the transition of the Rossendale and District Amateur Astronomy Society to a UFO Study Group, incorporating the Rossendale Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomenon (RIGAP). They use RADARS or RIGAP depending on the context.
• Their aims include investigating UFO phenomena by collecting, evaluating, and cataloguing sightings, and participating in relevant projects.
• The group is small, with about twenty members on record but only half a dozen actively participating.
• MAPIT wishes them luck and provides contact information for Timothy Evans, Secretary RIGAP.

Paper Clippings

A selection of news clippings from national and local newspapers and magazines is listed for research purposes, dated from April to June 1975. These include articles with titles such as "Silence over UFO's Scare," "Yeti Killed my Herd," "Monsters in the Pink," "Cosmic Ray," "Prince Philip and the UFO's," "I Gave Ghost a Lift," "Breakfast in bed for Nessie," "Saucers at the Bottom of his Garden," "Don't laugh at Nessie," and "We're not on our own in Space, say Scientists."

Why the North-West?

This section poses a question to readers regarding the intense UFO activity in the North-West of England, comparing it to other well-known UFO hotspots like Warminster, New Guinea, and Yugoslavia. MAPIT, being a North-Western group, is interested in understanding any special qualities of the area that might attract visiting UFOs.

UFO's Exist - No, Not Yet.....Please.

This opinion piece discusses a perceived resistance to uncovering the truth about UFOs within the UK.

• The author suggests that a significant number of people involved in the UFO subject do not want the mystery uncovered, possibly fearing that progress would lead to the crumbling of fringe groups or the loss of their established followings.
• Some individuals are described as "ego-trippers" who seek positions like Director or Coordinator within groups.
• The author criticizes the lack of genuine progress in UFOlogy in the UK, stating it is "low, low down." He calls for the "cobwebs" to be blown off the "CLC brigade" (individuals involved for too long).
• The article specifically mentions a need for a national co-ordinating group, recalling the PROBE NATION initiative which failed due to lack of participation.
• It questions whether the country is not ready for serious inter-group relations or if groups simply disagree with certain ideas but fail to communicate them.
• The author concludes by questioning if some groups actively avoid making progress into what he calls "the greatest mystery of our time."

Advertisements

The issue includes advertisements for:

• FORESIGHT: A magazine covering Mysticism, Psychic Phenomenon, Philosophy, Spirituality, and UFOs. Subscription details and information on obtaining a free subscription are provided.
• UFO NEWS: Described as Britain's youngest UFO publication, offering useful and essential information. Details on single copies and subscriptions are given.
• SKYWATCH UFO DETECTOR: A magnetic-needle type detector is advertised, with specifications and ordering information.
• CNK INTERNATIONAL (Cosmology Newslink International): Offers information on UFOlogy, the Occult, Space Travel, and Astronomy, presented in a 10-paged litho format.
• BACK ISSUES OF SKYWATCH: Copies of previous issues are available for purchase.

A Belated Article: UNO It Makes Sense

This article, originally received the previous year, discusses the Union of Northern Observers (UNO), now the Northern UFO Network.

• The author, Nigel Watson, notes confusion surrounding UNO due to various publications and groups.
• He mentions a "potty questionnaire" from a Mr. D. Morley that seemed to disregard co-operation.
• However, a meeting with David Rees and Chris Randles impressed the author with David's filing system and efforts to compile information.
• The article criticizes the UNO Journal as "rubbish," stating that member group publications have surpassed it.
• A suggestion is made to use David Rees's address as a permanent address for UNO.
• The author advocates for a central publication for UNO, which the previous Journal failed to be.
• He suggests future Journals should focus on UFO reports and abolish "silly adverts for Nazi books and articles on (ugh:) the pyramid."
• It is proposed that member groups should automatically receive publications from other member groups and contribute to the UNO Journal with reports, articles, and finance.
• The author has personally provided David Rees with about 50 UFO reports collected from the South Humberside and Lincolnshire area.

- 7 -

This section continues the discussion on co-operation and the challenges faced by UFO groups.

• Some groups are described as believing their UFO reports are "valuable as gold dust" and fear "Men In Black" if they co-operate with other groups, yet they readily share information with the media.
• The author reiterates the need for co-operation and mentions that this has been repeatedly suggested to David Rees and Chris Randles without effect.
• BUFORA is mentioned as having operated for years without compulsion to co-ordinate UFO reports.
• The author suggests that co-operation is hard work and questions why groups avoid it.
• He concludes by urging for an "exercise in intelligence" and to stop "f...... about."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Skywatch revolve around the state of UFO research in the UK, the challenges of inter-group co-operation, and the presentation of UFOlogy to the public. The editorial stance, as expressed through the articles and letters, appears to be one of advocating for greater collaboration, transparency, and a more serious, scientific approach to UFO investigation. There is a clear frustration with the perceived lack of progress and the internal divisions within the UFO community. The publication itself, Skywatch, seems to serve as a platform for these discussions and a means to connect researchers and enthusiasts.