SUFOG Newsletter No 034

Magazine Overview

This document is the "NEWSLETTER NO : 34" from the SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP., dated August 1993. The organiser is Steve Gerrard, with contact details provided. The newsletter's primary focus is on media coverage of UFO phenomena, crop circle news, and reviews of related publications.

What the Media Had to Say in June 92

The newsletter begins by listing numerous regional newspaper articles from June 1992 that reported on UFO sightings and related topics. These include reports from:

• Colchester Evening Gazette (2.6.92): UFO Sightings.
• Alloa & Hilfoot Advertiser (3.6.92).
• Hemel Hempstead Gazette (4.6.92): Close Encounters Heading Our Way ?
• Southend Evening Echo (5.6.92): Mike Wants Info on UFOs.
• Cambridge Evening News (8.6.92): A Wilder View Needed on UFO Sightings.
• Swindon Evening Advertiser (9.6.92): Unidentified Flashy Objects.
• Asian Times (11.6.92): China Bid for First World UFO Conference.
• Gillingham Times (12.6.92): Spotted a UFO ?
• North Eastern Evening Gazette (13.6.92): Top 10 Books.
• Lea Valley Star (17.6.92): UFO Duo Wait for Calls on Sighting !
• Kent Today (18.6.92): New Group Has a Mission Thats Just Out of This World; Traders of the Lost Ark & An Encounter of the Stroad Kind.
• Hertfordshire Mercury (19.6.92): An Ear to the Ground & an Eye to the Sky.
• Lynn News & Advertiser (19.6.92): White Light in the Sky Puzzle.
• Sittingbourne Extra (19.6.92): Seers of Saucers Sought for Book.
• Chad (Mansfield) (24.6.92): Spirits, Spooks That Go Bump in the Night.

Crop Circle Articles from June 1992 are also highlighted:

• South Bucks Star (19.6.92): It Came From Outer Space... Dressed as a Hippy & Driving a Volkswagen Beetle.
• Western Morning News (19.6.92): UFO or Bovver From a Hover.

World Article:

• Dubai Gulf News (8.6.92): Six UFOs 'Appear' at ET Show.

Press Cutting Collection

The editor maintains a monthly running total of press cuttings. A breakdown of the collection is provided:

• Crop Circles: 706
• UK Nationals: 874
• UK Regionals: 2433
• Hampshire Articles: 87
• Newspaper Unknown: 600
• Magazine Articles: 219
• Rest of the World: 56
• Southampton Echo: 388
• Times (The): 135
• American Newspapers: 508
• Bermuda Triangle: 2
• Bigfoot: 4
• Philadelphia Experiment: 1
• Cattle Mutilations: 13
• Stealth Fighter/Bomber: 2
• Faces on Mars: 2
• Mystery Cats: 3
• Aurora Project: 3
• Search for ET: 2
• Loch Ness Monster: 2

The total number of press cuttings is 6040.

General Information

Useful Addresses are provided for Paul Fuller (The Crop Watcher) and for obtaining slides from Quest International.

Press/Tv/Radio matters over the past month (15.7.93 - 15.8.93) are summarised.

Radio Reports:

• On July 15th, Radio 3 reported on a BOAC British Airways airliner pilot's sighting of a large disc-like object and three smaller objects over Scotland. The sighting was reportedly confirmed by another pilot and crew.
• On July 19th, the John Dunn show on Radio 2 featured a listener's account of sighting 'FOO' fighters (orange balls) during a WWII bombing raid over Germany in 1944-45. The objects appeared controlled and followed the bomber.

Television Report:

• On July 23rd, Cable TV on Wire TV featured recent UFO activity in Bristol. Information on this and the Bristol wave is available from a new UFO group based in Bristol.

Magazine Reviews

Several magazines are reviewed:

1. Brigantia (Summer 93, No 53/54): Praised for its articles, including a UFO encounter of an RAF Lightning, a report on the Sheffield conference of 1992 by Paul Fuller, a John Keel interview, and an article by Jenny Randles titled 'Why I Believe In Aliens!!!!!'. Details are provided for S. Smith in Burnley.
2. Pegasus (Summer 93): An A4 format magazine of 20 pages, considered a must-subscribe. Articles include 'Governments and the UFO phenomenon' by Ralph Noyes, an article on the abduction of Sergeant Herbert Schirmer in 1967, and crop circle articles. Details are from Gordon Millington in Guildford.
3. Gloucestershire Earth Mysteries (No. 15, 1993): Covers subjects like ley lines and stone magnetism. This edition includes a look at Gloucestershire UFO cases from 1939-1992 and crop circles. Details are from Gloucestershire Earth Mysteries in Cheltenham.
4. ASSAP (No. 47, May 93): Features articles on 'Ghosts Galore', ASSAP evolving a northern group, and crop circle items. Details are from Valerie Hope, Hugh Pincott, and others in Frome, Somerset.
5. UFO Magazine (Quest International, May/June 93): A 31-page special edition focusing on the 'Kalahari conspiracy' - the alleged crash/landing and retrieval of a UFO and occupants in South Africa. It includes controversial material, top-secret papers, and transcripts. The magazine also shows photographs allegedly taken in Russia of UFOs flying over Russian aircraft, which the editor suspects might be hoaxed.
6. Ovni (July 93): An informative magazine priced at £1 per copy. Articles include Doug Bower (crop circle hoaxer), current UFO investigations by PRA, and news from Russia.
7. Crop Watcher No.17 (May/June 93): Focuses on crop circle phenomena. It notes a lack of mention of formations from the current year but covers 'The Circle Makers' by Andrew Collins, accusations of material taken from Trevor Constable's book, 1964 crop circles in South-East Essex, and Ted Phillips' Physical Trace Catalogue.

New Group

Bristol UFO Research Group has been set up in the Bristol area, run by Lee Winterson. The group is seeking to correspond with other UFO groups.

Andy Roberts, the editor of Ufo Brigantia, has resigned after ten years, reportedly feeling disillusioned with ufology. Ufo Brigantia will be under new editorialship from members of IUN.

UFO Hot Line

Details for a 'Bufora Weekly News Update' are provided.

Second Hand Books for Sale

Several books are offered for sale, including 'The Bermuda Triangle Mystery - Solved' by Lawrence Kusche, 'Mind Monsters' by Jenny Randles, and 'Dowsing The Crop Circles' edited by John Michell.

Book Sales from Paul John

Paul John is selling several books, including 'The Interrupted Journey', 'Chariots of the Gods', 'Return to the Stars', 'Black Holes: The Edge of the Universe', 'The Bermuda Triangle', 'The World's Greatest Mysteries', and 'SETI'.

Subscription Details

The Newsletter costs £5 per year (including postage) and consists of at least 4 double-sided A4 pages, with extra pages during summer months for crop circle news.

Round-up of Recent Sightings/Reports

• A sighting of a UFO over Southampton Water was mentioned, with reports of 8 objects seen in pairs, one above the other, in Hampshire at Petersfield on the same night. Questions are raised about whether the Southampton UFO jumped to Petersfield or if it was the same object seen from a distance.
• Another UFO sighting in the Southampton area is reported, described as elliptical with lights at the front.

Events

A one-day lecture organised by the Hereford UFO Research Group is scheduled for October 9th, 1993, at The Lancaster Public House, Bridge St, Hereford. Lecturers include Ray Moore, Andrew Watson, Clive Potter, and Ken Phillips.

Rumours

A new secret programme based on Stealth technology, involving a boat designed like a Stealth fighter, is mentioned. There has been recent activity in the North Sea involving Americans, theorised as UFOs engaged in undersea mining. A towed instrument platform disappeared, along with the boat and its crew.

Cattle Mutilations

In early July 1993, two calves were found mutilated at Modcombe on the Wiltshire/Dorset border. Sheep were also found mutilated on the Yorkshire moors on the same night. UFO reports from Southampton, Bristol, and Petersfield (Hampshire) occurred around the same time.

Crop Circle News

A new crop circle formation was found at Gussage All Saints in Dorset on July 3rd/4th. The circles were 20 feet in diameter and swirled clockwise. Unusual occurrences that night included a power cut, dogs barking, and rooks flying around.

Crop circles have been numerous along motorways this year. A formation appeared under police motorway cameras, yet the cameras, which are sensitive to light and movement, did not record its formation. Other formations are mentioned near Oxford and Silbury Hill.

An article from the Southampton Evening Echo (26.7.93) by Andrew Napier, titled 'Sharp Decline In Mysterious Crop Designs', notes a significant drop in crop circles this year (45 compared to 400 in 1992). Investigator Pat Delgado suggests this decline indicates most are hoaxes, with very few genuine circles this year.

Colin Andrews and Pat Delgado are mentioned as key figures in crop circle research, with their books selling widely. A meeting of international experts in Bath discussed the mystery of crop circle formations, including paranormal and extra-terrestrial involvement.

Another article, 'Cutting A Swathe Through The Corn' by Andrew Napier, reviews Jim Schnabel's book 'Round In Circles', which critiques the crop circle 'industry' and its researchers. The phenomenon grew from local interest in the early 1980s to worldwide coverage by 1989. The article highlights the humorous aspects of researchers waiting for hours with high-tech equipment.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently reports on UFO sightings, media coverage of these events, and the phenomenon of crop circles. There is a clear interest in documenting and disseminating information about these topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, as evidenced by the quote "I don't know what is the answer to it.I have a wide open mind.It is still a fundamental mystery". The newsletter also engages in reviewing relevant publications and sharing news about UFO research groups. There is a critical perspective on some aspects, such as the potential for hoaxes in crop circles and the possibility of hoaxes in photographic evidence of UFOs. The editor (ED) interjects with personal comments and questions throughout the text.

Title: UFO DATA MAGAZINE
Issue: 13
Volume: 3
Date: September 1993
Publisher: Flying Disk Press
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £2.50
ISSN: 0963-8779

This issue of UFO DATA MAGAZINE focuses heavily on the phenomenon of crop circles, exploring various sightings, theories, and individuals associated with them. The cover prominently features the headline "UFOs OVER BRITAIN."

The Crop Circle Controversy

The article begins by discussing the evolution of crop circle formations and the challenges faced by theories attempting to explain them. Terence Meaden's plasma vortex theory is mentioned as being continuously undermined by the increasing complexity of the formations. A significant event highlighted is the claim by "Doug and Dave," two sexagenarians from Southampton, who in 1991 asserted they had created most of the crop circles themselves. The magazine notes that other groups, including Japanese scientists, astrologers, conspiracy theorists, New Agers, ufologists, dowsers, and mediums, were also involved in the discourse surrounding these phenomena.

For some, the circles held quasi-religious importance, while for others, they fulfilled a need for mystery. The text references a "very well-written book" with "much of local interest," noting that most of the formations discussed were found in the Winchester-Andover area and in Wiltshire.

Notable Figures and Mentions

The issue makes several mentions of key figures. Pat Delgado is referred to as a "Ufologist," with a photograph from a couple of years prior being presented under the heading "LAST LAUGH." The editor questions whether Pat Delgado would be happy with this classification. The article also mentions Ken Rogers, who ran an exhibition in Warminster featuring press articles and pictures of pictograms. Prime Minister John Major is referenced in relation to a crop circle found in a field adjoining his country residence.

Documented Formations and Locations

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to listing specific crop circle formations found across the UK. These include:

• The Hogs Back, Farnham-Guildford: A circle inside a triangle, five circles in a dice formation, and three crescent moons.
• Oadby, Leicestershire: A 300ft by 150ft wide pictogram.
• Herne Bay, Kent: A single circle with a 100ft diameter.
• Southampton: An alleged crop circle.
• Codicote, Hertfordshire: Three circles, one with a ring, one with two rings, and one with four rings.
• Weeley Down, South West Meon: A single circle with a 120ft diameter.
• South of Windmill Hill, Avesbury: A pictogram.
• Cherhill White Horse, 5 miles NE of Devises: A pictogram.
• Cheesefoot Head: A 250ft pictogram with a small 'D' to the left, prompting speculation about whether Doug and Dave were still working together. Another 100ft circle in a field of rape is also noted at Cheesefoot Head.
• Near John Major's country residence: A 200ft formation described as a "willy," which was reported by the Sun newspaper under the headline "PORN CIRCLE."
• Warminster: A large circle was reported to have appeared outside the town.

Author's Visit to Warminster Exhibition

The author recounts a visit on August 9th to an exhibition in Warminster run by Ken Rogers. The exhibition displayed numerous press articles and photographs of well-known pictograms. A collection of books and magazines were available for sale. The author also viewed a video featuring Ken Rogers, made around 1990 and extended by about an hour, priced at approximately £25, which was beyond their budget. The visit included an hour of conversation with attendees.

Editorial Musings

The editor poses a question regarding the "willy" shaped crop circle near John Major's home, suggesting that the headline "PORN CIRCLE" might imply a hidden message. The editor wonders if this represents a new generation of pictograms and proposes that the headline should have been "SEXOGRAM."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are crop circles, ufology, and the investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of curiosity and critical examination, acknowledging the mystery surrounding crop circles while also engaging with the more sensational or speculative aspects, as seen in the editor's commentary on the "SEXOGRAM" headline. The magazine aims to provide readers with local interest stories and detailed accounts of formations, encouraging reader engagement with questions like "What do you think?"