SUFOG Newsletter No 043

Magazine Overview

This document is the "NEWSLETTER NO 43" from the SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP, dated May 1994. Its primary focus is to compile and present media coverage of UFO-related topics that appeared in March 1993. The newsletter is organized into sections detailing local newspapers, magazine articles, and national newspapers that reported on UFOs during that specific month. It also includes a section on regional newspapers and a 'Press Cutting Collection' which quantifies the number of articles collected on various UFO-related themes. The latter part of the newsletter discusses recent television programs concerning UFOs and provides reviews of several UFO-themed magazines.

Media Coverage - March 1993

The newsletter meticulously lists newspaper and magazine articles from March 1993. Local newspapers featured headlines like "NIGHT OUT FOR UFO FANS" (Aldershot News). Magazine articles covered topics ranging from "THE STORY OF THIS MAN, A FLYING SAUCER AND THE VACUUM CLEANER" (WOMAN) to "FLYING SAUCERY" (TV & SATELLITE WEEK) and "UFO SHOCK - WHEN SON SAW STRANGE LIGHTS IN SKY" (WEEKLY NEWS).

National newspapers reported on more sensational topics, including "YOU UNIDENTIFIED LYING OBJECTS UFO LANDING COVER-UP" (NEWS OF THE WORLD, referencing Bentwaters), "EARTHLINGS ARE EASY" (SUNDAY TIMES), "ZAPPED BY STING FROM OUTER SPACE" (NEWS OF THE WORLD), "POLICE TRAP OUT OF THIS WORLD" (DAILY TELEGRAPH), "CRASHED SPACESHIP SNOOPERS GET SHOCK FROM THE BLUE" (GUARDIAN), and "INVASION OF THE ALIEN BABY MAKERS" (SUNDAY EXPRESS).

Regional newspapers also contributed significantly, with reports such as "UFO DETECTIVES SEE NEW CHALLENGES" (HEREFORD JOURNAL), "ALIEN CREATURE FROM OUTER SPACE" (LONG EATON HERALD & POST), "UFO SEMINAR GOES PUBLIC" (NEWCASTLE HERALD & POST), "UFO OVER SHANGHAI" (BIRMINGHAM EVENING MAIL), "PINT SIZED ALIENS IN FLYING TRIANGLES" (ILKESTON ADVERTISER), "ALIENS TRIED TO KIDNAP US" (SUNDAY NEWS & ECHO), "SATURDAY WITH SPACE CADETS" (NORTHERN ECHO), and "UFO BEEN FRAMED" (SOUTH WALES ECHO).

Other regional headlines included "COUPLES CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE VIDEO KIND" (SOUTH WALES ARGUS), "UFO ? 'IT'S VENUS'" (SOUTH WALES ECHO), "I WAS SNATCHED BY ALIEN BEINGS" (HARINGEY ADVERTISER), "THAT'S NO UFO - IT'S JUST VENUS" (SOUTH WALES ARGUS), "LIONEL SHOOTS NIGHT SKY VISITOR" (SOUTH WALES ECHO), "ALERT AFTER 19 POLICE SPOT UFO" (SOUTH WALES ARGUS), "TOP FLIGHT UFO COVER" (GLASGOW EVENING TIMES), "MOD ACCUSED OF 'UFO COVER-UP'" (EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES), "BEAM IN FOR TALK" (SUNDERLAND ECHO), "UFO MEETING PLEDGE" (NORTHERN ECHO), "THE GREAT UFO MYSTERY !" (CWMBRAN STAR), "UFO REPORT" (COVENTRY EVENING TELEGRAPH), "'UFO VISIT' OUT OF THIS WORLD" (MONMOUTHSHIRE FREE PRESS), "SIMILAR EXPLANATIONS FOR ALL THOSE UFOS" (SOUTH WALES ARGUS), "UFO MYSTERY SOLVED" (REDDITCH ADVERTISER), "BOXER NICKY IS STAR STRUCK BY SIGHTING IN THE SKY AT NIGHT" (CAERPHILLY CHRONICLE), "DRIVER TELLS OF UFO MYSTERY" (ILKESTON ADVERTISER), "IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE ?" (EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE TOWN CRIER), "BIZARRE NIGHT OF UFOS !" (DUBLIN EVENING PRESS), and "UFOS SPOTTED OVER THE SOUTH EAST" (DUBLIN EVENING HERALD).

Press Cutting Collection Statistics

The 'Press Cutting Collection' section provides a quantitative overview of the articles collected by the Southampton UFO Group. As of the newsletter's publication, the total number of cuttings was 6620. The breakdown includes: Crop Circles (759), UK Nationals (907), UK Regionals (2798), Hampshire Articles (95), Newspaper Unknown (638), Magazine Articles (243), Rest of the World (57), Southampton Echo (389), The Times (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), and Loch Ness Monster (2).

Television and Radio Matters

Between April 15th and May 15th, 1994, several UFO-related television programs were noted. On April 16th, Sky One re-ran an unexplained program concerning the Roswell crash. On April 20th, Sky Television was scheduled to show a one-hour special on UFOs, but it was cancelled. The 'Sightings' programs featured items on "M.I.B's (Men In Black)" and discussed the physical effects of alien encounters, citing the Cash/Landrum case involving UFOs and helicopters. The Bermuda Triangle was also featured. A local television item in the Warminster area examined a report claiming Gordon Faulkner's photograph of a UFO over Warminster was a hoax, a conclusion the newsletter disputes.

The Warminster Thing

A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to the 'Warminster Thing,' a phenomenon that has been reported since December 1964. It began with 'sonic deluges' and progressed to sightings of cigar-shaped, silent, silvery objects. The newsletter discusses the controversy surrounding a photograph taken by Gordon Faulkner in August 1965, with some, like Roger Hooton, claiming it's a hoax, while others, including Arthur Shuttlewood, maintain its authenticity. The article references Arthur Shuttlewood's book "THE WARMINSTER MYSTERY" and mentions Ken Rogers, who settled in Warminster to be closer to the UFO activity.

The newsletter also addresses the possibility of the 'UFO Centre Warminster' fading into obscurity and questions whether the mystery is truly over. It highlights that no pigeons or pheasants have come forward to explain their alleged deaths from 'paralysing sound beams,' suggesting the mystery persists.

Magazine Reviews

The newsletter provides reviews of several UFO-related publications:

1. Crop Watcher. No 21. Spring 94: Praised for its interesting content on Unidentified Ground Markings, UFO Research Manitoba's Files, book reviews, and crop circles.
2. I.U.F.O.P.R.A Newsletter. April 94: Covers recent television items, group news, and reviews of the IUFOPRA journal.
3. Ovni. April 94: Focuses on the Rendlesham Forest landing in December 1980, featuring a lecture by Larry Warren. It also mentions an alleged saucer crash near Birmingham and Ed Walters' Gulf Breeze photograph.
4. Circles Research. March 94: Recommended for up-to-date information on crop formations and UFO sightings, including personal encounters and recent sightings.
5. Foresight. No 120. April 94: A small magazine with articles on the origin of UFOs, faces and structures on Mars, and other unusual topics.
6. World Ufo Journal. No 5. 1994: Highly recommended for its news and information on UFO reports and sightings in Puerto Rico, magazine reviews, and the 1991 UFO Crash in Canada.
7. EMUFORA Quarterly Magazine. Vol 1. No 1. Spring 94: A new publication covering underground bases, book reviews, curious facts, Puerto Rico abduction, an alleged crash landing near Birmingham, and Ed Walters' photograph.
8. I.U.F.O.P.R.A Newsletter. May 94: A 20-page edition covering ufology news, evolution, close encounter advice, the Bermuda Triangle, and more.

Other Sections

UFO HOTLINE

Provides charges for standard and peak rate calls to a "Bufora Weekly News Update" service.

Newsletter Subscription Details

Details the subscription costs and content of the newsletter, including newscuttings and crop circle news.

Books for Sale

Lists two books available for purchase: "Aliens From Space" by Major Donald Keyhoe and "Flying Saucers On The Moon" by Harold Wilkins.

Meeting of Southern Paranormal Investigations

Reports on a meeting attended by the newsletter's author, which included a talk and video clips of UFO footage. The speaker, Ernie Sears, discussed his 14 UFO sightings from the 1960s and 1970s.

MIB Bufora AGM Report

An update on the BUFORA AGM, noting that despite expectations, major changes did not occur, and some issues may have been "swept under the carpet." The report mentions the M.I.B. returning to Area 51, Nevada, and promising further revelations.

ELITE FILES PART 10 - 11

A critical commentary on a publication that allegedly makes "unconfounded accusations about leading ufologists," suggesting it should be "trashed" due to its 'biblical' writing style and potential for legal action.

Can Anyone Out There Help Me....!!!!!

A request for assistance in locating a copy of "The UFO-ANTHROPOID CATALOGUE" by Mark Moravec, published by the Australian Centre For Ufo Studies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, actively compiling and disseminating information from various media sources. There is a clear interest in documenting sightings, analyzing media coverage, and reviewing relevant publications. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness towards UFOs, while also critically examining claims of hoaxes and providing a platform for ufological research and discussion. The "Warminster Thing" is presented as a significant and ongoing mystery, with the newsletter defending the authenticity of key evidence like the Faulkner photograph against skeptical claims. The publication also serves as a hub for UFO enthusiasts, providing contact details for various organizations and individuals in the field.

Title: CROP CIRCLE 1994. UPDATE.
Issue Date: As of 5.5.94 (May 5, 1994)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This update provides news and information on crop circle formations for the 1994 season, focusing on early reports from February and May. The information is compiled from various sources, including paranormal investigation groups and UFO newsletters.

Early 1994 Formations in Wiltshire

The update begins by noting that the author wondered what the 1994 season would bring and did not have to wait long, as two crop circles were found in February. These early formations were reported by two sources: Bob Schindler of Southern Paranormal Investigations Group, who was told they were created by tractors, and Maria Ward of 'Circles Research' newsletter, which covers UFO sightings and crop circles.

Both formations were found towards the end of February in Wiltshire.

• First Circle: Located opposite Silbury Hill, it was a 60ft diameter circle in a crop only 2-3 inches high.
• Second Circle: Found at the Avenue, Avesbury, this circle was also approximately 60ft in diameter.

Later, on May 2nd, a friend from Bristol named Lee reported another formation found in Wiltshire at West Kennet, alongside the A4. These formations were in rape seed and consisted of three distinct types:

1. A 5-sided dice.
2. A plain circle.
3. A big circle and a smaller single circle.

The author expresses a desire to obtain more information about these formations.

The Devil's Punch Bowl, Hampshire

Details are provided by Bob Schindler regarding a crop circle in The Devil's Punch Bowl, Hampshire, reported in April 1994. This formation was described as having a tail, resembling a snail, with a diameter of approximately 40ft and a crop height of 2 inches in rape seed.

Damage was observed inside the circle, which may suggest it was a hoaxed circle. A tramline cut through the right-hand side of the circle, potentially making it easier to hoax. Prior to the formation's discovery, Bob and his group were in the area 'circle hunting' and observed a group of 'students' looking at the field. When Bob attempted to speak with them after parking his van, they had disappeared. Bob and his group videoed the formation and promised a copy for review.

Related Publication: Alien Encounters

The issue also features information about a book titled "ALIEN ENCOUNTERS: AN INTERPRETATIVE APPROACH TO THE UFO PHENOMENON AND CROP CIRCLE MYSTERIES" by Gordon Millington. Millington is described as a former army officer and college lecturer, an accredited investigator for the British UFO Research Association, and a consultant to Flying Saucer Review. He has contributed to numerous publications on the paranormal.

A limited first edition of the book is available in hardback for £9.95 plus £1.50 for postage and packing, ordered from THE LEONINE PRESS, 8 Burnfield Drive, Rugeley, Staffs. WS15 2RH. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to Simon Moore.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the reporting of recent crop circle formations, with a focus on the early 1994 season. The content highlights specific locations in Wiltshire and Hampshire, detailing the shapes, sizes, and crop types involved. There is an underlying consideration of potential causes, with mentions of tractor creation and suggestions of hoaxing. The issue also promotes a book on UFO phenomena and crop circle mysteries, indicating a broader interest in the subject matter. The editorial stance appears to be one of information dissemination and investigation into these unexplained phenomena.