South Lincs UFO Study Group Newsletter - No 29 - 1971

Magazine Overview

Title: S.L.U.F.O.S.G. Newsletter
Issue: No. 29
Volume: 515
Date: March 1971

This issue of the S.L.U.F.O.S.G. Newsletter, dated March 1971, features a detailed account of a visit to Warminster by author Richard Thompson, focusing on UFO observations and local magnetic anomalies. It also includes a report on increased UFO activity in Australia and a brief note on world population.

Warminster Visit

The primary article, "Warminster Visit" by Richard Thompson, recounts his experiences on August 6th and 7th, 1970, while on a camping holiday. He contacted Arthur Shuttlewood, a local UFO investigator whose books he had read.

On the evening of August 6th, Thompson met Shuttlewood and several other individuals at Cradle Hill near Warminster for sky watching. Shuttlewood took them to Cradle Hill, where they observed the landscape, including a military road used by the RAF and Army for training exercises. Thompson was asked to check the magnetism of two five-barred gates. Using a compass set to true North, he found three different readings, with a nearly 90-degree westerly swing between the gate top and ground level. This phenomenon was attributed to magnetic force fields running through Warminster.

Shuttlewood theorized that these magnetic lines, along with the white horses and Stonehenge, form a gigantic triangle that contributes to the area's strange happenings and frequent UFO sightings.

As cloud cover increased, Thompson joined two companions, George from Liverpool and another unnamed individual, to walk towards the firing range near Imber village. They were warned about mines and ongoing shelling and bombing exercises in the area. During their walk, George shared accounts of mysterious footsteps heard on the road at night, which Shuttlewood had also mentioned, noting that they had once caused people to flee.

Despite their vigil, the night was quiet except for their voices and the bleating of sheep. They decided to return the following night.

On the evening of August 7th, Thompson returned with his son, also named George. Arthur Shuttlewood had left early, but they found Cradle Hill. This time, approximately 20-25 people were present.

During the night, there was significant activity in a nearby copse, with flashing lights and noises. Several people left the area. Thompson noted that some individuals were dressed in dark suits, and Arthur Shuttlewood suggested they might have been sent to deter observers. After about 20 minutes, another group, three young men and a girl dressed in dark suits and dark hair, arrived. Thompson observed them more closely, noting their attire.

Later, around 1:30 am, they spotted what appeared to be a large star, larger than first-magnitude stars, moving near the constellation Boötes. Its color was described as orangy/red, with no pulsations or noise. Thompson focused his telescope on the object, which appeared round and marble-like. It changed course at least four times, making 90-degree turns, and moved in straight lines before fading out. Thompson was jubilant, while another group claimed to have seen five objects.

Arthur and others believed "they" had a space station in the area due to considerable activity observed in recent weeks. By 2:30 am, they decided to end the night as clouds began to build up again. Thompson thanked Shuttlewood and vowed to return.

The Return Of The 'Things'. Flying Saucer Revival

This section, by Judson Bennett, reports on recent UFO sightings in Meekatharra, Australia. Mineworkers in this desert town, located 500 miles north-east of Perth, have reported seeing weird orange and white objects in the night sky that hovered and hissed above them. The miners have warned their bosses that they will down tools unless the mystery is solved.

The article notes a sudden, dramatic increase in flying saucer reports from Australia, with experts suggesting the country might become the world's latest Unidentified Flying Object centre in 1971. This pattern of sustained UFO activity over one country at a time is familiar, and scientists are reportedly worried, lacking a satisfactory explanation.

The report is marked "To be continued next month."

World Population

A brief statistical note indicates that as of July 1, 1970, the world's population was an estimated 3,550,000,000 persons. This represented an increase of 72 million in one year, averaging about 200,000 persons per day.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter exhibits a clear interest in UFO phenomena, unexplained aerial phenomena, and associated anomalies, particularly magnetic fields. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation and reporting of sightings and theories, as evidenced by the detailed personal accounts and the inclusion of reports from other locations. There is a focus on eyewitness testimony and the potential for extraterrestrial or unknown intelligence involvement, as suggested by the mention of "they" and their possible "space station."
The inclusion of the world population statistic, while seemingly unrelated, might serve to contextualize the vastness of the planet and the potential for unknown activities within it, or simply as a general interest item.