SUFOG Newsletter No 042

Magazine Overview

This document is the "NEWSLETTER NO : 42" from the "SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP.", dated "APRIL 94". The primary focus of this issue is to summarize "WHAT THE MEDIA HAD TO SAY IN FEBRUARY 1993.", covering reports from various newspapers and magazines.

Media Coverage Review

The newsletter meticulously lists media reports, categorized by publication type:

Local Newspapers: * 12.2.93: BASINGSTOKE GAZETTE featured "ONE PERSON'S EXPERIENCE OF SIGHTING UFO'S."

Magazine Articles: * 26.2.93: PUBLISHING NEWS (LONDON) included a "BOOK REVIEW." * 27.2.93: AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER published an article titled "UNIDENTIFIED !"

National Newspapers: * 13.2.93: THE GUARDIAN reported on "ALIENS 'LANDED ON CARPORT'." * 17.2.93: THE GUARDIAN also covered "UFOS DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN EUROPEAN SOCIALISTS." * 26.2.93: DAILY STAR featured "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS." * 26.2.93: THE INDEPENDENT published "GROUND CONTROL TO DAVID BOWIE." * 27.2.93: THE INDEPENDENT mentioned the "UFO INSTITUTE." * 28.2.93: SUNDAY PEOPLE ran a story titled "OH,GO & DO A RUNNER,MR BEAN."

Regional Newspapers: * 00.2.93: WHITEHAVEN NEWS reported on "THOSE STRANGE OBJECTS IN CUMBRIAN SKIES."

Newspaper Unknown: * 4.2.93: An article titled "DOWN TO EARTH." * 24.2.93: An article titled "ON THE SHELF."

Press Cutting Collection

• The organizer, Steve Gerrard, maintains a comprehensive monthly running total of his press cutting collection. He offers to provide articles for research into specific sightings. The collection is categorized with the following counts:
• CROP CIRCLES: 759
• UK NATIONALS: 907
• UK REGIONALS: 2787
• HAMPSHIRE ARTICLES: 95
• NEWSPAPER UNKNOWN: 633
• MAGAZINE ARTICLES: 243
• REST OF THE WORLD: 57
• SOUTHAMPTON ECHO: 389
• TIMES (THE): 139
• AMERICAN ARTICLES: 538
• BERMUDA TRIANGLE: 2
• BIGFOOT: 4
• PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT: 1
• CATTLE MUTILATIONS: 13
• STEALTH/FIGHTER BOMBER: 5
• FACES ON MARS: 3
• MYSTERY CATS: 10
• AURORA PROJECT: 3
• SEARCH FOR ET: 2
• LOCH NESS MONSTER: 2

The total number of press cuttings is 6604.

Press, TV, and Radio Matters (15.3.94 - 15.4.94)

Press: * 20.3.94: The Sunday Independent (Plymouth) published "MOD Has Proof Of Alien's Visit Says Ufo Expert". This article featured Bob Boyd, chairman of the Plymouth UFO Group, who obtained three photographs taken by soldiers in Cyprus in 1971 showing a hovering light, with claims that 1,400 men witnessed it during night manoeuvres. The MOD reportedly collected over 100 rolls of film.

Television: * 25.3.94: Sky Television aired "Sightings : Contacts", a program dealing with alien contacts. * 29.3.94: Sky Television presented "Unsolved Mysteries : The Belgium Sightings", a repeat program about the triangular UFO seen in Belgium in 1991, also reported in Europe and the UK. * 30.3.94: Sky Television broadcast "X-Files", concerning an alleged UFO crash landing and cover-up, where the 'Alien' was made of energy and used implants. * 1.4.94: Sky Television showed "Sightings : Monsters", which covered subjects like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot.

The newsletter also notes that a forthcoming Central Television program, mentioned in a previous newsletter, was expected to be screened around August 1994.

Magazine Reviews

1. NUFOC FLASH..February 94 #2: This magazine is described as concerning sightings over Belgium of a flying triangle, with a photograph reproduced showing a triangular object with lights. Contact details for Paul Vanbrabant in Belgium are provided.
2. AWARENESS. Vol 19. No 3. 93/94: This 32-page magazine covers UFO sighting reports, including one from Nr Tadley, Basingstoke, Hampshire on 12.7.93, and updates from Sweden and Canada. Contact details for UK, 11 Ouseley Close, New Marston, Oxford are given.
3. ENIGMAS. Issue 35 Vol 4. Feb/Mar 94: Produced by Malcolm Robinson, this issue covers topics such as encounters in the Bonnybridge Triangle, Australian man-apes, the Alvina Scott case, and news from Loch Ness. Contact details for Malcolm Robinson in Scotland are provided.
4. Ufo Witness Group Magazine. No 2. 94: This magazine contains personal UFO sightings and encounters, with an article on the 'Triangle Invasion' over France and Brussels, a missing time experience at Woburn, and a review of the Wembley conference. Contact details for Janice Greorgiou are provided.
5. Ovni. March 94: A monthly newsletter from Omar Fowler of the Phenomenon Research Association, covering Rendlesham Revelations, Flying Triangles over Essex, and the Aurora project. Contact details for Omar Fowler in Derbyshire are provided.
6. A.U.N. February/March 94: The February edition discusses a nocturnal light sighting in 1982 and balls of light merging above Greenfield, Missouri. The March edition covers a UFO sighting by a New Jersey subscriber, a glowing red sphere seen by a farmer, and lights in a cross formation over Tennessee. This newsletter is from America.
8. I.U.F.O.P.R.A. Monthly Newsletter. March 94: This newsletter aims to keep members updated on events within the IUFOPRA organization and bridge the gap between the IUFOPRA Journal issues. It is a 2-page A4 newsletter. Jenny Randles has been appointed Director and Director of Investigations for IUFOPRA.

UFO HOTLINE & Subscription Details

Charges are listed as 36p Standard Rate and 48p Peak Rate per minute. A Bufora Weekly News Update number is provided. The newsletter consists of at least 4 double-sided A4 pages, including newscuttings, with an extra page for crop circle news in the summer. The newsletter costs £5 per year, including postage.

The Lecture Circuit

A lecture is scheduled for 30.6.94 at Falkirk Town Hall at 7.30pm, titled "'U.F.O'S'... (FACT OR FICTION).. Special guests include Malcolm Robinson and Philip Mantle. Tickets are £4, with concessions at £2. Contact Malcolm Robinson for details.

1995 Lecture/Conference in Portsmouth, Hampshire

An upcoming 1-day conference in Portsmouth is being organized for 22nd April 1995, from 10 am to 4 pm, featuring four speakers on subjects like crop circles and UFOs. Refreshments and UFO material will be available. Tickets are priced at £5 each, with a 10% reduction for bulk purchases of 5 or more tickets.

The Elite Files

The newsletter mentions that other UFO groups have received parts 2-5 of "The Elite Files", suggesting a coordinated distribution or investigation. The postmarks indicate distribution from Essex, Nottingham, and Paddington, London.

Current Video/Audio Cassette Library

The editor holds 98 videos ranging from 3-4 hours and 238 audio tapes ranging from 5 minutes to 3 hours.

'The Warminster THING' Debunked

This section details the debunking of the famous 'Warminster Thing' photograph. On Friday, 15th April 1994, a reporter from the Western Morning News contacted the organizer seeking information about the British UFO Society. The organizer was prompted to address the article in the Daily Mail on 15th April 1994.

The article reveals that the blurred image of a flying saucer, which turned Warminster into a UFO hotspot, was a hoax created by Roger Hooton and Gordon Faulkner in 1965. They used a milk bottle top, a cotton reel, and a button. Roger Hooton, now retired, confessed the hoax, stating it looked "so stupid" and that it fooled many, including the British UFO Research Association. John Spencer, vice-chairman of the British UFO Research Association, confirmed that the picture was significant in his involvement with the subject and that Mr. Hooton felt guilty and wanted to set the record straight.

Despite this confession, Warminster Journal editor Diana Watkins stated that she still hadn't seen a UFO. The newsletter concludes by emphasizing that photographic evidence of UFOs should not be relied upon, especially with modern computer enhancement capabilities.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, media reports, and investigations. There is a strong emphasis on cataloging and reviewing information from various sources, including newspapers, magazines, and television. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, as evidenced by the detailed debunking of the 'Warminster Thing' hoax, cautioning readers against relying solely on photographic evidence. The group actively promotes UFO research and awareness through its newsletter, lectures, and a comprehensive press cutting collection.