SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP

Magazine Overview

This document is the "NEWSLETTER NO : 32" from the SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP, dated JUNE 93. It is primarily a compilation of media reports, particularly newspaper articles, concerning UFO sightings and related phenomena from April 1992. The newsletter also includes sections on crop circles, magazine reviews, useful addresses, slides, and a detailed report from the Ministry of Defence regarding an airmiss incident.

Media Coverage of UFOs in April 1992

The largest section of the newsletter is dedicated to "WHAT THE MEDIA HAD TO SAY IN APRIL 1992." This is a chronological listing of newspaper articles from various regional and national publications across the UK. The headlines and brief descriptions indicate a wide spectrum of reporting, ranging from sensationalist claims of alien encounters and 'out of this world' experiences to more skeptical reports that 'explained' UFOs or dismissed them as 'hot air'.

• Examples of headlines include:
• "JACKIE'S CAR JOURNEY HOME WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD !" (Hertfordshire Star, 1.4.92)
• "STARSHIP MYSTERY FINALLY SOLVED. VISITORS FROM...THE PLANET...RENAULT." (St.Albans Review, 2.4.92)
• "ALIENS 'SNATCH HUMAN FOR EXPERIMENTS'" (Western Mail, 4.4.92)
• "UFO 'COVER-UP' STILL GOES ON." (Bolton Evening News, 10.4.92)
• "MASSIVE UFO SOARS OVER CAMPBELLS." (Lynn News & Advertiser, 10.4.92)
• "LITTLE GREY-BLUE MEN IN SHOT DOWN UFO." (Rochdale Observer, 15.4.92)
• "AMOROUS ALIENS CLOSE ENCOUNTERS." (Western Daily Press, 15.4.92)
• "SPOOKY TERRESTRIALS WERE LOT OF HOT AIR." (Bucks Free Press, 17.4.92)
• "PROFESSOR WARNS OF BOGUS SCIENTIFIC CLAIMS." (The Scotsman, 18.4.92)
• "UFOS WERE A HOAX." (Nottingham Evening Post, 21.4.92)
• "HIDDEN INVASION BY ALIENS CLAIM." (Shropshire Star, 25.4.92)
• "UFO NEAR-MISS SCARE BAFFLES THE SCIENTISTS." (Liverpool Daily Post, 28.4.92)
• "GUILTY DEPUTY HEAD OWNS UP TO 1960's UFO PRANK." (Exeter Express & Echo, 29.4.92)
• "KGB SIGNS UP FOR HOLLYWOOD." (Sunday Telegraph, 5.4.92)
• "THAT'S NO UFO...THAT'S THE MOST SECRET AIRCRAFT IN THE WORLD." (Sunday Mirror, 12.4.92)
• "HOLIDAY JET IN UFO NEAR MISS AT 15,000 FT." (Daily Telegraph, 28.4.92)
• "AIR CHIEFS SHOOT DOWN UFO THAT FLEW OUT OF THE 'SUN'." (The Independent, 28.4.92)

Crop Circles

An update on the "1993 CROP CIRCLE SEASON" details formations found up to the beginning of June 1993. Locations mentioned include Salford, Newton St Leo (nr Bath), Ivanhoe (nr Tring), Leyton Buzzard, Near Wantage, and Alton Barnes. Some formations are noted as 'probable Hoax', while others are considered potentially 'genuine'. An article from the Sussex Circular by Andy Thomas is cited, reporting a circle "1 mile wide, in a field in Spain" found at the end of 1992. A report from Jan Williams of SCAN details three crop circles found in Exmour the previous year, described as large with tripodal discs and producing positive results when dowsed.

Times (The) and Magazines

A brief mention of "THE TIMES (THE)" on 28.4.92 states "UFO FAILS TO LIVE UP TO ITS PROMISE." The newsletter then reviews ten magazines received over the past four weeks:

1. Enigmas (Strange Phenomena Investigations) (May/June 93): Highly recommended, packed with sightings, interviews. Details from Malcolm Robinson.
2. Northern Ufo News (No 160, April 1993): Features sightings, press reviews, book reviews. Details from Jenny Randles.
3. Foresight (No 177, July-September 93): Contains articles on the Socorro Saucer, Project Blue Book, and abductions. Details from Jon Barklam.
4. World Ufo Journal (Issue no.3): Packed with articles, press cuttings. Details from Edward Harris.
5. Circular Review (no 1 & 2): Produced by the East Midlands branch of the Centre for Crop Circle Studies. Praised for presentation and content, monthly. Details via Circular Review.
6. Circles Research News Sheet (March 1993): Covers 1992 field experiments with Neon Bulbs and Kirlian Photography. Details from Maria Ward.
7. Ovni (May 93): Produced by Omar Fowler, covers crop circles and includes an article from Pat Delgado. Price £1.
8. Scan (Spring 1993): Not strictly a UFO magazine, but covers mystery cats, zooform phenomena, sea serpents, and a news file on European parliamentary uproar over an EC observation centre.
9. Circular (vol 3 no 1 April 92 & vol 3 no 2 July 92): Covers crop circles, described as the best magazines on the subject, including the 'trilling noise'. Details from Jan Williams.
10. The Cerealogist (No 5-8, current winter edition 1993): Covers crop circles abroad and in the UK, and the 1992 competition. Details from Specialist Knowledge Services.

Ministry of Defence Airmiss Report

A significant portion of the document is dedicated to an official "AIRMISS REPORT No 75/91" from the Ministry of Defence, dated May 1993. This report details an incident on 15 July 1992 involving a Boeing 737 aircraft inbound to Gatwick. The pilot and co-pilot reported seeing a "small black lozenge shaped object" approximately 500m ahead and at the same level, which passed very close to the aircraft. London Control reported a primary radar contact astern of the B737. The report notes that while a meteorological balloon was released around the same time, tracing efforts could not conclusively identify the object. The JAS (Joint Airmiss Section) notes that the object was untraced and considered a potential collision risk. The report also mentions a general increase in sightings in the SE of the country.

Other Sections

• Useful Address: Lists "Unexplained Books" in Warminster, Wiltshire.
• Slides: Mentions a list of around 300 slides available from Quest International.
• Press/Tv/Radio matters: Briefly notes Sky Television programs "UFO COVER-UP" and the film "The Day The Earth Stood Still."
• Items from the press: Mentions an article in "Focus Magazine" about life on other planets and "The Daily Star" article "Kidnapped By Aliens !" related to the Travis Walton film.
• Second Hand books for Sale: Lists "Unidentified Flying Objects" by Robert Chapman and "The Bermuda Triangle Mystery - Solved" by Lawrence Kusche.
• Subscription Details: Outlines the newsletter's format (at least 4 A4 pages, plus cuttings) and cost (£5 per year).
• Diary Dates for 1993: Lists upcoming UFO conferences in Sheffield, Leeds, London (Heathrow), and Bristol.
• Advertisements: Includes contact details for various UFO research groups and publications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are UFO sightings, media reporting on UFOs, crop circles, and the review of ufology-related literature and events. The editorial stance appears to be one of active information gathering and dissemination, presenting a wide range of reports and analyses, including official documents like the Ministry of Defence report, while also maintaining a critical eye through magazine reviews and noting skeptical media coverage. The inclusion of the MoD report suggests an interest in official investigations into UFO phenomena.