SPI Newsletter - no 07

Magazine Overview

Title: Strange Phenomena INVESTIGATIONS
Issue: 7
Date: June 1988
Price: 30p
Publisher: SPI (Strange Phenomena Investigations)
Country: United Kingdom

Editorial Comment

The editorial comment addresses the delay in including reader submissions due to coverage of a recent lecture and SPI's efforts to officially mark the Livingston UFO Landing spot. The editor apologizes to those who sent in items, assuring them they will be included in the July issue. A significant portion of the editorial criticizes the 'Sunday Sport' newspaper for its sensationalist and often ludicrous paranormal stories, arguing that such content, while potentially selling papers, does no good for genuine unexplained cases and hinders the acceptance of paranormal research by the mainstream press. The editor explicitly states they do not read the 'Sunday Sport', even for its more 'naughtier points'.

SPI Lectures and Events

The newsletter reports a "good attendance" at SPI's May lectures. Bill August from Cheshire's 'Omega Foundation' attended. The lectures were videoed and audio recorded, and an SPI Publication table was present. The first lecturer was Charles Heath of Paisley, who gave a talk on "Modern Witchcraft In Scotland." The second speaker was Philip Mantle, SPI's English UFO Consultant and Information Officer, who presented alleged UFO photographs taken over Barnsley. These photographs are being studied by Dr Bruce Maccabee with NASA computers. The event also included a discussion about the Livingston UFO site.

Exclusive: I.S.O. Found at CE III Site?

This section details a visit by Philip Mantle (PM) and David Kelly (DK) to Robert Taylor, the witness of a famous CE III UFO case in Dechmont Woods, Scotland, in 1979. The visit was accompanied by Malcolm Robinson, David Kelly, and SPI's Secretary, Frank J McKay. Robert Taylor reaffirmed his account, stating, "I know what I saw." After taking photographs at Taylor's home, the group visited Dechmont Woods. The editor noted significant changes in the woods, including new pathways, a golf course extension, and picnic areas. While searching for the UFO landing site, Malcolm Robinson became lost and eventually asked golfers for directions. He was directed to an area near Deer Hill. Upon reaching the claimed landing spot, the editor found what he describes as an "I.S.O. (what's that) ? well that's an Identified Stationary Object." In plain English, this was a picnic table and benches. Photographs were taken, and the group eventually reunited and returned to Stirling.

Ron Ley's Into Divining?

This section is an account by Ron Halliday, SPI's Treasurer, of a conference he attended on April 5th, organized by the Association of Scottish Dowsers. The conference focused on dowsing techniques, with Tom Graves, author of 'Needles Of Stone', as a speaker. The event included practical dowsing exercises. Experienced dowsers warned against "over-dowsing" due to potential physical and psychological side effects. Concerns were also raised about diverting or neutralizing "bad energy streams." On a positive note, there was a feeling of growing awareness of the Earth as a sentient being, offering hope for the future. Ron Halliday was pleased that Tom Graves accepted a copy of his book, 'Mysteries Of The Scottish Landscape'.

D-I-Y Divining

Instructions are provided on how to make a divining rod from a Y-shaped fork of springy wood, plastic, or metal, approximately 18 inches long. The rod is to be held loosely, and a slight turn of the wrists makes it spring sharply up or down. The section cautions that while 'earth mysteries' are being identified, their use and nature remain uncertain, and tampering with them could lead to unknown effects.

Let's Recognise The Livingston UFO Site

This section reiterates the sentiment, previously mentioned by Philip Mantle and David Kelly, that the Livingston UFO site needs descriptive recognition. SPI's Ron Halliday believes the site has been significantly altered by the addition of a picnic table and other "scenic" alterations, underlining the need for a marker. SPI has contacted the Livingston Development Cooporation (LDC) with a proposal to place a stone column with a brass plaque detailing the event. SPI awaits the LDC's reply and states this could be a first in Urology (likely a typo for 'Ufology') for such recognition.

News/Reviews/Updates

• The Livingston Development Cooporation has re-constructed the 'Livingston Incident' at the Glasgow garden festival.
• An event at Bathgate, which SPI was to cover, was refused entry two days prior.
• The Scottish UFO Open Day is now managed by Andrew Hardie of the 'Scottish UFO Society' (SUFOS). Contact details for Andrew are provided.
• SPI membership is now available: Single membership is £5.00 (including the NL), Husband & Wife is £8.50 (including NL).
• Existing NL subscribers can upgrade to membership for £4.00.
• Membership forms should be requested from Ronald Halliday.

Books

A listing for 'METAPHYSICAL RESEARCH GROUP' is provided, offering book and equipment lists, and courses in Spiritualism, psychic science, and Zen. Contact details and a request for £1 for the list are included.

Poetry

A poem titled "Beyond The Sky's" is included, with themes of space travel, extraterrestrial beings, and a message of peace and unity.

Photo Gallery

• The photo gallery includes:
• Malcolm Robinson at the site of Livingston CE III in May 1988 (Photo: Philip Mantle I.U.N.).
• Philip Mantle preparing for a 'Skywatch' (0605/5).
• Robert Taylor, Scotland's famous UFO Percipient, in Blairgowrie, May 1968 (Photo: Philip Mantle I.U.N.).
• A 'Sunday Sport' photo depicting a sinister hooded figure watching mourners at Alex Saunders' funeral.
• A photo from 1988 showing SPI Secretary Frank J McKay, President Malcolm Robinson, and Treasurer Ronald Halliday at a public meeting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and investigations, paranormal phenomena, and the need for credible reporting in these fields. The editorial stance is critical of sensationalism in the media, particularly the 'Sunday Sport', and advocates for serious consideration of unexplained events. There is also a focus on local UFO cases within Scotland, such as the Livingston and Dechmont Woods incidents, and efforts to gain official recognition for these sites. The newsletter also touches upon 'earth mysteries' and dowsing, suggesting a broader interest in unexplained phenomena beyond just UFOs. The overall tone is one of earnest investigation and a desire to bring a degree of journalistic integrity to the subject matter.