SUFOG Newsletter No 031

Magazine Overview

This document is the May 1993 issue (No. 31) of the Southampton UFO Group's newsletter. The organiser is Steve Gerrard, with contact details provided. The newsletter's primary focus is to collate and present information related to UFO phenomena, drawing from media reports, magazine reviews, and personal research.

What the Media Had to Say in March 1992

The newsletter begins by listing numerous regional newspaper articles from March 1992 that discussed UFOs. These include reports such as 'EXPERT TALKS ON UFOS' (Wigan Evening Post), 'STUDENTS BELIEFS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN' (New Zealand News UK), 'LISTENING IN AS FLYING SAUCER CAPTURES A JET' (Leicester Mercury), and 'SUPERPOWERS 'CO-OPERATING WITH ALIENS FROM SPACE'' (East Anglian Times).

Other articles mentioned cover a range of topics, from 'PETER PUTS HIS ALIEN THEORIES INTO PRINT' (Bolton Journal) to 'SOMEBODY OUT THERE IS WATCHING YOU' (Ormskirk Advertiser) and 'UFO HEADED FOR MOYLEGROVE' (Cardigan & Tivyside Advertiser). The collection highlights the diverse media coverage of UFOs during that period.

Crop Circle Articles

Following the general UFO reports, the newsletter lists articles specifically about crop circles. These include 'CIRCLES OF CORN' (Camcorder User) and 'SCIENTIST CLAIMS ANSWER TO CROP CIRCLE MYSTERY' (East Anglian Daily Times). An article titled 'UFO MONUMENT' from The Times is also noted.

Magazine Articles

Several magazine articles are highlighted, including 'ARIADNE' and 'THE COSMIC WATER HOLE' from New Scientist. National newspaper articles such as 'IS ANYONE OUT THERE ?' (Sunday Telegraph) and 'OLD TRAFFORD FANS 'SHRIEK IN TERROR AS ALIENS HOVER'' (Daily Telegraph) are also mentioned.

Press Cutting Collection

Steve Gerrard details his ongoing effort to maintain a monthly running total of his press cutting collection. He invites readers to contact him if they are seeking articles for research into specific sightings. A breakdown of the collection's contents is provided, showing large numbers of clippings in categories like 'CROP CIRCLES' (691), 'UK NATIONALS' (834), 'UK REGIONALS' (2610), and 'HAMPSHIRE ARTICLES' (83). Other categories include 'BIG FOOT', 'CATTLE MUTILATIONS', 'MYSTERY CATS', and 'SEARCH FOR ET'.

Useful Addresses and Information

The newsletter provides a list of useful addresses, including the UFO Newsclipping Service in PlummerVille, USA, and information about obtaining a list of around 300 slides from Quest International.

Press/TV/Radio Matters

Matters concerning press, television, and radio over the past month (15.4.93 - 15.5.93) are discussed. A Sky Television programme about crop circles is mentioned, and the organiser seeks viewer input. An article from the Daily Mail titled 'Enter Sea Stealth' is presented, describing a test craft called Sea Shadow, which is compared to Stealth aircraft technology and described as the 'ultimate killer of the deep'. Facts and figures for this craft are provided: Weight 560 tons, Speed 13 knots, Length 160ft, Width 70ft. The article speculates on the origin of such technology, questioning if it came from captured UFOs or alien bases.

Magazine Review

Six magazines are reviewed:

1. Crop Watcher (No. 15): Edited by Paul Fuller, this magazine is praised for its coverage of crop circles. This edition includes articles by Robert Irving on 'More ufos over Woodborough', crop circle rings in Canada in the 1970s, an interview with Doug Bower by Clas Svahn, and other informative pieces. Contact details for Paul Fuller are provided.
2. Fortean Times (No. 68): This magazine is recommended for those interested in strange phenomena. It features a look at a UFO photo, an article on cattle mutilations in America and possible alien connections, an interview with conspiracy researcher Mary Seal, and a look at 1992 crop circles by John Michell. Dennis Stacy's work on the Abduction Scenario is also mentioned. It is available through newsagents.
3. OVNI: Produced by the Phenomenon Research Association in Derbyshire, led by Omar Fowler. It is described as a very interesting magazine/newsletter with informative views, costing £1 per copy. Contact details are provided.
4. SKYLINK (London Ufo Studies Group) (No. 4): This magazine is recommended for its content on UFO sightings and information, costing £4 for 4 issues. Contact details for Roy Lake are provided.
5. UFO MAGAZINE (QUEST INTERNATIONAL) (Vol 11 No 6): Described as a hard-hitting magazine packed with news, views, and potentially controversial material. It is praised for its presentation and quality, with contact details for Quest International provided.
6. FORSIGHT: This magazine, costing around £2 for 4 issues, is found to be interesting, featuring articles on topics such as Hitler's body, a meteor near-miss, UFOs over the Shetland Isles, and 'ancient ufos' possibly built by Nazis. Contact details for J. Barklam are provided.

UFO Hot Lines

Information is provided on 'Bufora Weekly News Update' (0898 121 886) and a Computer UFON Network/Ufo Reporting and Information Service, including connection details and phone numbers.

Useful Addresses and Information (Continued)

Further contact details are given for Astronet (Bob Fletcher) in Australia, including BBS and voice numbers. Two videos are offered for sale or exchange, with descriptions of their content, including BBC programmes, 'UFO' The Unsolved Mystery, Gulf Breeze sightings, American UFO material featuring Stanton Friedman and Budd Hopkins, Irish TV programmes with Whitley Strieber, Newsnight reports on UFOs in Russia, and children's TV programmes featuring Philip Mantle.

Tape 2 includes 'The Gamma Chronicles', 'Granada TV Up Front' discussion on UFOs, a documentary 'In Search Of: UFOs', 'Stories In The Night' with Timothy Good and Hilary Evans, Timothy Good on Pebble Mill, and Jenny Randles and Patrick Moore on Breakfast TV.

Terrestrial Connection and Subscription Details

'Terrestrial Connection', presented by Richard C. Hoagland, is available for £15. Subscription details for the newsletter are provided: it consists of at least 4 double-sided A4 pages, includes newscuttings, and may have an extra page for crop circle news in summer. The cost is £5 per year, and it is published monthly.

Diary Dates for 1993

Upcoming events include the IUN conference in Sheffield (14/15 August) and the Ufo Congress 1993 in Leeds (25th September). Details for the 3rd WORLD UFO CONGRESS in London (7-8 August) are also listed, including prices for accommodation and conference entry.

Bookshops

Several bookshops are listed: Atlantis Books, Millennium Books, and Spacelink books, with their respective addresses and telephone numbers.

New Book Review

A review of Timothy Good's new book, 'Alien Update', is presented. The book is highly recommended for its coverage of the latest UFO developments, featuring contributions from an international team. Chapters mentioned include 'Ufos over Washington DC, April 1992', 'Close encounters in Romania', 'Important Developments in the Former Soviet Union', and '1992 Animal Mutilations Update'. The paperback costs around £4.99.

Recent UFO Activity in Ireland

A press cutting from Ireland, supplied by Mr John Price, details a 'Bizarre Night Of Ufos !' reported in the Dublin Evening Press on 31.3.93. Two eyewitness accounts were investigated by the Department of Transport. A large mysterious object with lights and emitting vapour was reported to air traffic control at Shannon. The reports came from two Gardai officers in Co Limerick, with most sightings occurring between 2:00 am and 2:15 am, involving 2-4 objects. The Gardai observed a large object with two bright lights and a vapour trail. The Department of Transport's Air Navigation Services Section was investigating.

Crop Circle News and Up-Date

As of May 7th, 1993, no crop circles had been reported in the UK or worldwide. The newsletter promises to publish any findings in future issues. Useful addresses for the 1993 season are provided, including:

• Crop Circle Magazines: The Cereologist (£7.50 for 3) and The Crop Watcher (contact Paul Fuller).
• Crop Circle formation photographs of 1992: Contact Richard Wintle and Anthony Horn.
• Board Game: A Crop Circle board game is available from G.T. Vernon, costing £17.00 for ages 7-70.
• Readers Digest (August 1992): An article from this magazine is mentioned, discussing the 1991 crop circle season and offering explanations ranging from hedgehogs to UFOs, as well as the 'Doug and Dave Circus'.

Advertisements

Advertisements are included for:

• LONDON UFO STUDIES: Head Office details, and contacts for Tom Trubridge (Crop Circle Researcher) and the Independent UFO Network, and Paul John of the Hereford UFO Research Group.
• NORTHERN UFO NEWS: Contact details for Jenny Randles, World UFO Journal (c/o Edward Harris), and Malcolm Robinson.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are UFO sightings, crop circles, and the reporting of these phenomena in the media. The editorial stance, as represented by Steve Gerrard, is one of diligent information gathering and dissemination, encouraging reader participation and providing resources for further research. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and sharing UFO-related news and developments from various sources, particularly the press and specialist publications.