Skywatch - No 18

Magazine Overview

Title: MAPIT SKYWATCH
Issue Date: February-March 1976
Issue Number: 18
Publisher: MANCHESTER AERIAL PHENOMENA INVESTIGATION TEAM
Editorial Address: 92, Hillcrest Road, Offerton, Stockport, Cheshire, SK2 5SE, ENGLAND.
Tel. No.: 061-483-4210

This issue of MAPIT SKYWATCH is a publication dedicated to the investigation of aerial phenomena and related topics. It features a collection of letters from readers, news briefs, articles, and reviews, reflecting the ongoing interest and research into UFOs and related subjects in the UK during the mid-1970s.

Letters Page

The "Letters Page" includes correspondence from several individuals. I. Mellor from Liverpool and H.T. Pullen from Kendal, Cumbria, each sent 10p for a copy of the magazine. Mr. Rees received thanks for his letter, with the author offering to re-print material from "Is anyone out there?" and mentioning a forthcoming book titled "CETI (Communication with Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence)". Jack Stondey from Sale, Cheshire, is identified as the author of "Is anyone out there?". Dave received thanks for a copy of Skywatch, with Peter J. Jackson of SPRING, Nottingham, expressing hope for the magazine's first edition and noting the formation of a new organization, Spring-Strange Phenomena Research, Investigation and Notation Group (SPRING). Jackson highlights the enthusiasm of SPRING's members despite their limited field experience and mentions investigating two negative sightings.

News in Brief

This section features a letter from Mike Hodgetts, a MAPIT member, to the magazine "PLAIN TRUTH" regarding UFOs. The reply from William F. Lavers of Plain Truth's Personal Correspondence Dept. discusses the US Air Force's Project Blue Book, which investigated over 12,000 UFO sightings, with about 700 classified as unexplained. Lavers dismisses speculation about "Green Men from Mars" and states that Plain Truth has not published articles on UFOs but notes the existence of books on the subject, including "Mysteries of the Skies - UFO's in Perspective" by Gordon I.R. Lore, Jr., and Harold H. Deneasult, Jr.

Additionally, the "News in Brief" section mentions an interesting program on Parapsychology transmitted on ITV on February 4th, featured in Skywatch No.17. The program, hosted by Elaine Grand, included Prof. John "Uri Geller" Taylor and John L. Randall. Prof. Taylor is quoted as saying, "If life is found on Mars it will be found somewhere else in the Galazy - we are not unique." The section expresses hope for increased scientific involvement in UFOlogy in 1976 and the establishment of a co-operation network in the UK.

Has Heaton Park a Ghost?

Authored by Christopher May, this article explores the alleged paranormal activity in Heaton Park, Manchester. It recounts stories of the bell tower ringing without reason, a ghost of a white figure appearing on three occasions, and a UFO sighting. The UFO, described as a "silver object," was seen over the park for one week, appearing several times before vanishing six days later. The article poses the question: "Is Heaton Park haunted?"

Following this, a section titled "UFO CLIPPINGS" lists newspaper clippings concerning UFO subjects from September 1975 to February 1976, including articles from the Weekly News, Daily Telegraph, Evening Telegraph, Manchester Evening News, Staffordshire Sentinel, Daily Express, and Sunday Mirror.

Advertisements

• Several advertisements are included:
• FORESIGHT: A bi-monthly magazine covering spiritual aspects, life, meaning, Mysticism, Philosophy, Psychic development, UFO's, and world events. Single copies are 15p plus postage, and subscriptions are 90p plus postage. Contact: Foresight Organisation, 29, Beaufort Avenue, Hodge Hill, Birmingham, B34 6AD, England.
• Wirral UFO Society: Publishers of the bi-monthly magazine "SKYLINK," seeking contact. Contact Mr. K. Green, 760, New Chester Road, Brombarough, Wirral, Merseyside L62 7HD.
• Sociological Report on positive northern UFO sightings: A sectional study of 90 sightings, available for 15p plus SAE from Mike Dean, c/o WUFOS.
• Translations: A French student offers translation services for UFO articles from French, German, and Russian into English. Contact Mike Dean, c/o WUFOS.
• SKYWATCH (BACK ISSUES): Numbers One, Two, Fifteen, Sixteen, and Seventeen are available for 10p each from the Editorial Address.
• UFO NEWS: Britain's youngest UFO publication, 20 pages, 15p per single copy plus postage. Subscription is 75p per annum. Contact David Prockter, 1, St. Augustine's Court, Mornington Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 3BQ.
• SKYWATCH UFO DETECTOR MK 3: A magnetic-needle type detector for the UFO news detector network, priced at £7.80. Obtainable from Malcolm Jay, 102, Nelson Road, Chingford, London E4.

GRIMES AND UFO'S - A Review

This review critically examines a series of UFO-related articles published in the Manchester Evening News, masterminded by Andrew Grimes. The reviewer notes that the press often misquotes people and criticizes Grimes for presenting a biased view, suggesting that everyone mentioned in his articles was a believer and not open-minded. The review covers articles from November and December 1975, including pieces on General Views/MUFORA, Arthur Bloor (described as an "obsessed man"), the Aetherius Society, Professor Kopal (likened to Patrick Moore), letters to the editor, and an "Earwig Article." The reviewer concludes that Grimes finds "eccentrics and members of the lunatic fringe" and that these articles contributed nothing to the subject. The reviewer also lists people omitted by Grimes, such as Rex Dutta, Divine Unity of Faith, Flat Earth Society, Atlanteans, and Ken Rogers of BUFOS.

PAPER CLIPPING SNIPPETS

• SPACE TREK (News of the World, January 18th, 1976): A mystery plane vanished in the Caribbean after radioing, "ATTENTION! I'm a Martian and will fly my passengers to my home Planet."
• NO TITLE (Daily Mail, January 12th, 1976): Footprints in Nepal, thought to be the Abominable Snowman's, were possibly made by a holy man with big toes, according to Explorer John Blashford-Snell.

PUBLICATION REVIEW

This section reviews SPUR Magazine 2 & 3, a group publication for S.P.U.R. (Space Phenomena & UFOlogy Research). The reviewer notes that the exact publication date is unclear but finds the content interesting, covering Space articles, UFO Sightings, and a Technical Glossary. The production method is photocopying. The reviewer suggests SPUR could benefit from more reader involvement, such as articles and letters, and a re-think of the SPUR Quiz, but believes it will establish a good readership and anticipates SPUR might comment on SKYWATCH.

SIGHTING6 SECTION: MYSTERY OBJECT OVER TOWN

This section details a sighting reported in the Stockport Express on December 11th, 1975, under the heading "Glowing Red Ball could have been an Aircraft." A glowing red ball was observed over Stockport, described as slow-moving with a white plume, which then disappeared. Mrs. Jacqueline Cooper reported seeing a red ball like a "metal object on fire" that left a white trail. She observed small objects falling vertically after the main object faded. Experts at Jodrell Bank monitored no mysterious activity and suggested it might have been a high-flying aircraft catching the sun's rays. A spokesman for Manchester Airport agreed it was likely an aircraft or a contrail. The possibility of a firework is also mentioned, but the duration was too long for ball lightning.

Another report from the Express on December 18th, 1975, titled "Another Theory," describes a "Very light" object seen over Stockport. Ernest Bradley, writing from Stockport, compares the sight to a battlefield illumination device and notes Stockport's location near Manchester Airport, leading to frequent aerial activity.

UFO ORIGINS - A Private 'Think-in'

Authored by Jenny Randles, this article explores various theories about UFO origins. Randles begins by discussing the phases investigators go through, emphasizing the need for an "open-minded" approach. She expresses skepticism about the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) or "space visitors" idea, finding no factual basis and questioning the credibility of contactee testimonies. Randles suggests that while contactees may experience genuine events, the information they receive might be deliberately false or a misrepresentation. She dismisses the idea of inter-stellar travel being insurmountable but finds the descriptions of alien worlds by 'spacemen' to be childish and meaningless.

Randles proposes "Ultra-terrestrials" or a parallel community living on Earth or in an adjacent dimension as a more plausible explanation, aligning with folklore. She also considers the possibility that UFOs could be a function of the subconscious, linking them to psychic phenomena. She recounts a psychic lady's sighting of two oval UFOs near Manchester and a multi-witness case in Swinton involving a lighted oval-shaped object. Another phenomenon at Stretford involved a dazzling ball of light. The article concludes by mentioning a case in Rainhill, Merseyside, where an object apparently landed, leaving odd footprints. Randles' preliminary conclusion is that the UFO phenomenon is not a single entity but a mix of several phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of MAPIT SKYWATCH revolve around UFO sightings, investigations, and the critical examination of various theories. There is a strong emphasis on empirical evidence and skepticism towards sensational claims, as seen in the review of Andrew Grimes' articles and Jenny Randles' exploration of UFO origins. The publication appears to adopt a stance that encourages open-mindedness but also demands rigorous investigation and a critical approach to evidence, distinguishing between genuine phenomena and speculation or misinterpretation. The editorial stance values scientific inquiry and the establishment of a credible network for UFO research in the UK.

This document contains a two-page article titled "U.F.O.'S CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE?" by DAVID GITTENS, N.A.P.R.A., originally sent to MAPIT approximately 15 months prior to its current publication. The article discusses the nature of evidence in UFO investigations and proposes a structured approach to gathering information. The publication notes that while the article is older, its suggestions are still considered valuable for UFO groups.

Circumstantial Evidence and the Nature of Proof

The article begins by exploring the factors contributing to UFO sightings, categorizing them into socio-psychic factors influenced by contemporary technology, unknown natural phenomena akin to ball lightning or plasma, and a small proportion attributed to physical machines from off-world or different time periods. Gittens questions what constitutes conclusive proof of alien spaceships and whether any UFO group in the British Isles can provide such proof.

He asserts that nearly everything written or spoken on the subject is hearsay and circumstantial evidence. The closest to positive proof, according to Gittens, are the traces of unidentified flying objects recorded by radar technicians. However, he argues that the primary goal for most UFO study groups, given their limited resources, is to record sightings from reliable eyewitnesses, correlate them, classify them, and investigate the alleged sightings.

Gittens critically examines the nature of what UFO groups investigate, stating it often boils down to statements from individuals who might be hallucinating or perpetrating a hoax. Even if witness accounts are accepted as truthful, he contends that Ufologists are still dealing with 'hearsay'.

The Investigator's Challenge and a Proposed Pattern

Facing skepticism, investigators often admit to not following a set pattern and offer excuses for incomplete investigations. Gittens emphasizes the importance of prompt action, stating that delays can lead to lost or forgotten facts. He proposes a 'Set Pattern of Investigation' that, if adhered to, would allow investigators to pursue reports of sightings and/or landings without fear of interrogation.

The suggested pattern includes nine steps:

1. Visit the home of the witness(es).
2. Tape the ensuing conversation and complete a sighting form.
3. Ask the witness to show the actual sighting/landing location and take photographs, both by day and night.
4. Check for unusual stars and/or planets on an astronomical map of that area of the sky.
5. Check flight patterns with local airports.
6. Check orbits of satellites.
7. Check with radar-control centres.
8. Sift through other sighting reports of that particular date for 'confirmation sightings'.
9. Post details immediately upon completion of investigation to the local Group.

Editorial Notes and Conclusion

The publication notes that the article was sent to MAPIT 15 months prior and apologizes for the delay in printing. They found it in a desk file. The full article is not reprinted because half of the content referred to UNO (now NUFON), and the references on UNO are no longer valid as NUFON has updated its suggestions. Nevertheless, MAPIT decided to print the article as a guide for UFO groups, believing its value persists even after a year, given that many investigating standards at local groups, including MAPIT's, are considered imperfect. Skywatch also believes the article will be helpful to those doing field work.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The central theme is the challenge of establishing conclusive proof for UFO existence, with a strong emphasis on the unreliability of hearsay evidence. The article advocates for a rigorous, systematic, and prompt investigative methodology. The editorial stance, as indicated by MAPIT and Skywatch, is that while the information may be dated, the proposed investigative framework remains relevant and beneficial for UFO research groups seeking to improve their standards.