South Lincs UFO Study Group Newsletter - No 30 - 1971

Magazine Overview

This is Newsletter No. 30 of the South Lincs UFO Study Group, dated April 1971. The newsletter is published from Bourne, Lincs., UK. The cover features a hand-drawn illustration with the title 'SOUTH LINCS UFO STUDY GROUP NEWSLETTER' and includes various drawings related to UFOs and questions about them.

The Return of The 'Things'. Flying Saucer Revival

This article, continued from a previous issue, discusses the resurgence of flying saucer sightings, noting a lull in the United States during the mid-1960s and a shift in focus to Britain and then Australia. In 1967, astronomers Roger Stanway and Anthony Pace published 'Flying Saucer Report' detailing over 100 sightings in the British Midlands. The article suggests Australia is now experiencing a wave of flying saucer activity, with civil aviation officials in Western Australia reportedly attempting to obscure the issue, particularly as some objects were sighted near military installations. Aviation authorities issued a non-committal statement about 'Several sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects' in December, to which the author notes a familiar pattern of evasion. The article references an investigating committee from the University of Colorado, which stated that while governments worldwide had conducted inquiries, there was no active official interest from the United Nations.

Despite a lull in the US, sightings continue. Airport control operators at Bismark, North Carolina, reported unexplained radar activity involving two saucer-shaped objects that appeared to be identical to others seen in November 1968. Gordon Lore, assistant director of the National Investigations Committee of Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), revealed that operators tracked these objects for seven minutes, observing one perform a 180-degree turn and fly to join the other before they disappeared at high speed. This renewed activity has intensified a dispute between Lore and the US Air Force, which commissioned a report concluding that flying saucers have no origin in outer space. Lore has accused scientists of investigating only a fraction of the reported sightings, questioning the official view on the remaining 30 percent of UFOs that may have natural explanations. The Colorado scientists, in response, reiterated that most sightings are related to ordinary phenomena and that the study has added little to scientific knowledge.

However, the article highlights the admission in the Air Force report that 'many UFOs have been spotted by astronauts.' It questions why these reports are not made public and why Project Blue Book, the Air Force's investigation, was abandoned. A particularly curious sentence from the Air Force report is quoted: 'Although conventional or natural explanations cannot be ruled out, the probability that at least one genuine UFO was involved appears to be fairly high.' The new sightings in Australia have reportedly caused a split among the Colorado scientists who advised the Air Force.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek's Statement

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Chairman of Astronomy at North Western University, Illinois, is quoted from a symposium organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He stated, "I believe that a phenomenon exists and that former vigilance must be restored." He also emphasized, "Reputable scientists must be prevented from prematurely closing their minds against further study of UFOs." This statement was reported by the Leicester Mercury on March 26, 1971.

New Address

Edward Harris, Editor of Spacedrive magazine, has moved to 37 The Close, Dunmow, Essex.

Pollution - An innocent bystanders point of view

This section, written by David Prockter, Editor of UFO News, shifts focus from UFOs to the pressing issue of pollution. Prockter argues that pollution, like war and crime, is man-made and that individual actions are insufficient to combat it. He notes that some senior citizens in the United States are already anticipating an end before 1980 due to environmental degradation. The article details how plastics and factory smog contribute to the problem, making the air in places like Los Angeles thick with filth. Car fumes are highlighted as a major contributor, with the potential for toxic carbon monoxide buildup in enclosed spaces. The dumping of oil, acids, and chemicals into the seas is causing marine life to die, with Lake Erie now devoid of marine life.

Prockter criticizes the older generation for not doing enough to find solutions, stating that while they are in power, they do not seem unduly worried. In contrast, the 'NOW' generation (17-25s) are alert to the danger and urge a focus on saving lives over political squabbles. The author contrasts the current threat of pollution with past threats like atomic war (around 1964, with protest songs and films like 'Dr. Strangelove') and chemical/bacteriological warfare (1967-9). He concludes that pollution will be the ultimate killer of the human race. He expresses personal distress and depression, feeling like a condemned man, and calls for forcing "money-addicted politicians" to take immediate action.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently addresses the topic of UFOs, presenting reports of sightings and discussing official responses and scientific investigations. There is a clear skepticism towards official explanations and a belief that governments may be withholding information. The inclusion of an editorial on pollution indicates a broader concern for humanity's future, linking environmental issues to existential threats. The overall stance appears to be one of critical inquiry into unexplained phenomena and a strong call for awareness and action regarding critical global issues.