South Lincs UFO Study Group Newsletter - No 34 - 1971

Magazine Overview

Title: SOUTH LINCS UFO STUDY GROUP NEWSLETTER
Issue: No. 34
Date: October 1971
Publisher: South Lincs UFO Study Group
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This newsletter provides a compilation of UFO sighting reports from August and September 1971, alongside expert commentary and analysis. The cover features hand-drawn illustrations of various UFO shapes and key questions like 'WHERE?', 'WHAT?', 'WHY?', 'HOW?', and 'WHEN?', underscoring the investigative nature of the group.

Sighting Reports

August 25th, 1971 - Heacham, Norfolk

Reported by Audrey Sands, the sighting involved friends in a touring caravan who observed a stationary, saucer-like object in the southern sky. Described as a very bright star, about two miles away at a 30-degree angle, it had a rainbow-coloured halo. They viewed it for 5 to 10 minutes, noting it stood out against any other object. A neighbour also witnessed it.

Peterborough Evening Telegraph - September 7th, 1971

Man Describes UFO Chase: Mr. Stimpson of Crowland reported seeing a UFO near his home on Friday morning at 1:15 am. While a passenger in a car traveling to Liverpool, they observed a round, cloud-like formation, darker in the middle. Suddenly, one end dispersed, and the object accelerated away. They gave chase for 15 minutes but were eluded. A Peterborough couple and a schoolboy also reported a UFO sighting in the area on Thursday night.

Leicester Mercury - September 8th, 1971

Experts Clash In UFO Mystery: This article details conflicting expert opinions on recent UFO sightings. Professor Jack Meadows of Leicester University's Department of Astronomy suggested that sightings in Leicestershire could be explained by a rare cloud effect, specifically a noctilucent cloud. He based this on a student's description of a patch of whitish light, similar in size to the moon, which he ruled out as artificial satellites or Mars. Professor Meadows explained that noctilucent clouds are rare, high-altitude clouds illuminated by the sun below the horizon, appearing as a whitish patch, and are typically seen a few hours after sunset.

However, a spokesman from the Ministry of Defence, while not directly refuting the theory, suggested that a 'fireball' (a meteorite burning up on entry) or a re-entry satellite were more likely causes. This was supported by a report from Weybridge, Surrey, describing an object with flames coming from it, which would rule out the noctilucent cloud theory as they are normally seen earlier in the year and at higher latitudes.

Professor Meadows dismissed the fireball explanation as "not possible" for the local sightings, emphasizing that the difference in speed was crucial. He noted that if an object was moving slowly, it could not be a fireball, which would be visible for a maximum of five minutes. Local sightings consistently highlighted the object's size and stationary nature for extended periods.

Other Sightings and Explanations

Mr. John Riley at Buckfields Farm reported seeing two objects through binoculars, one over Leicester and another over Nottingham, changing colour from green to red and then yellow, remaining visible for 20 minutes. This sighting occurred around 9 pm.

The newsletter notes that the picture was complicated by a scientific rocket fired from Benbecula in the Hebrides around the same time, which might account for some early reports from Scotland. A Ministry of Defence spokesman also suggested sunlight catching a scientific radio-sonde balloon as a possibility.

A Halifax paper report on September 8th, 1971, mentioned hundreds of people baffled by a mysterious light. Scientists again suggested noctilucent clouds. However, a Bradshaw family claimed the light came from a star, not a shooting star, but a luminous effect that hovered for about an hour before descending and disappearing. Brenda Salt, who first saw it, stated it was not a cloud and was difficult to see clearly even with binoculars.

Whitehall officials were piecing together eye-witness reports. The London weather centre received reports of sightings in Southern England. In South Lincolnshire, Stamford police received calls and contacted Midland Radar at RAF North Luffenham, who had no objects on their radar above 5,000 feet.

Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph - September 8th, 1971

Boffins Probe UFO Seen over Lincs: This article reiterates the investigation into sightings across Britain. In Scunthorpe, two mobile police units reported a glow in the sky to the west of the town around 9:30 pm. People in the Isle of Axholme also reported sightings. Mr. Brian Hastings, a geography teacher at North Axholme School, described seeing a "circle of white diffused light" on the northwest horizon that moved slowly westwards at an angle of about 40 degrees to the ground. He contacted RAF Finningley, but the duty observer did not see it. Mr. Hastings then contacted Northern Radar at RAF Lindholme.

Further Details on Sightings

Mr. Hastings's report is further detailed: He was alerted by the school secretary and her husband, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Briggs. Mr. Hastings, who runs a weather station, observed the object with his wife and sister. He described it as "like a circle of white diffused light on the northwest horizon. It moved slowly in a westerly direction, at an angle of about 40 degrees to the ground." He stated it was the first time he had seen anything that could be classed as a UFO and that "there was definitely something there."

He contacted RAF Finningley, but the duty observer failed to see it, possibly because the station was in a built-up area. Mr. Hastings then went to Northern Radar at RAF Lindholme to check if they were tracking anything.

Mr. John Riley's sighting at Buckfields Farm is elaborated: He saw two objects through binoculars, one over Leicester and one over Nottingham. Their colour changed from green to red and then yellow, and they remained visible for 20 minutes. This was at 9 pm.

Mr. Hastings's own sighting is described in more detail: He was drawn to it by the school secretary and her husband. He watched it with his wife and sister from their bungalow. He described it as "like a circle of white diffused light on the northwest horizon. It moved slowly in a westerly direction, at an angle of about 40 degrees to the ground." He considered it the first time he had seen anything that could remotely be classed as a UFO, stating, "there was definitely something there."

He contacted RAF Finningley, but the duty observer there failed to see it, possibly because the station was in a built-up area. Mr. Hastings then went to Northern Radar at RAF Lindholme to see if they were tracking anything on their screens, expecting them to call that day.

The newsletter concludes by stating "Continued next month."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of numerous UFO sightings across the UK during August and September 1971, and the attempt to reconcile these observations with scientific explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open investigation, presenting witness accounts alongside expert opinions and official statements. There is a clear effort to explore various hypotheses, from atmospheric phenomena like noctilucent clouds to more conventional explanations like fireballs and satellites, while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding these events. The newsletter aims to inform its readers about the latest developments in UFO research and encourage critical thinking about the evidence.