SUFOG Newsletter No 049

Magazine Overview

This document is the November 1994 issue (Number 49) of the Southampton UFO Group newsletter. The cover features a striking black and white illustration depicting a group of silhouetted figures observing a UFO hovering over a small house under a starry sky. The newsletter is organized by Steve Gerrard, with contact details provided. The content focuses on UFO sightings, crop circle reports, and media coverage of these phenomena, primarily within the UK.

Editorial

The editorial section discusses a mysterious envelope received by the group, containing papers from the 'Elite' files and a Wembley UFO Conference in January 1993. The editor expresses skepticism about the content, referring to it as 'trash' and suggesting it's a prank. The editorial also provides an update on the upcoming 1995 UFO conference, noting that ticket sales are slow and that Paul Fuller has withdrawn, being replaced by crop circle researcher and photographer Busty Taylor.

Media Coverage - September 1993

This section lists media articles from September 1993 related to crop circles and UFO sightings. Notable articles include 'The Mystery Warning in Crop Circles' from the Andover Advertiser, 'UFO Sightings: Are Aliens All in the Mind?' from Focus magazine, and two articles from Yorkshire Life about UFO spotting on Ilkley Moor.

Regional Articles

A comprehensive list of regional newspaper articles from January to September 1993 is provided, detailing various UFO-related reports. These include articles from Stroud News & Journal ('Stroud is a UFO Hot Spot'), Bromsgrove Advertiser ('Flying Saucers', 'Not a UFO'), Lynn News & Advertiser (new group formation), Ryedale Star ('Flying Phenomena or Just Pie in the Sky?'), Middy (the) (referencing Barry Reynolds), South London Press ('It wasn't a plane it was a UFO...'), Shropshire Star ('Sceptical Onlooker'), Hornsey Journal ('Big Date for UFO Buffs'), Reading Evening Post ('Out of This World'), Hastings & St Leonards Observer ('UFO Update'), Halifax Evening Courier ('They Didn't Believe My UFO Story'), Huddersfield Daily Examiner ('Can We Really Rule Out These Little Green Men?'), Lancashire Evening Telegraph ('Night Watch'), Stroud News & Journal ('An Alien Event for William'), Bradford Telegraph & Argus ('Flying Visitors'), Plymouth Sunday Independent ('Little Green Men Flock to South West'), Bradford Telegraph & Argus (referencing a lecture), Ilkley Gazette ('Famous 'Alien' Picture on Show'), Chase Post (referencing the abduction of Graham Allen in 1979), Herts & Essex Observer ('A Waste of Our Money'), and Mid Sussex Times ('Night of My Close Encounter'). A 'Newspaper Unknown' entry mentions 'UFO Mania' from 9.9.93.

World Article

An article from North West News (Australia) on 23.9.93 is noted as having 'No Headline'.

Press Cutting Collection

The newsletter details the ongoing effort to maintain a monthly running total of press cuttings for research. The collection is extensive, with specific counts for various categories: Crop Circles (804), UK Nationals (978), UK Regionals (3250), Hampshire Articles (97), Newspaper Unknown (657), Magazine Articles (274), Rest of the World (59), Southampton Echo (393), Times (The) (142), American Articles (569), Bermuda Triangle (3), Bigfoot (4), Philadelphia Experiment (1), Cattle Mutilations (13), Stealth Fighter/Bomber (5), Faces on Mars (3), Mystery Cats (17), Aurora Project (3), Search for ET (2), and Loch Ness Monster (2). The total number of cuttings is 7303.

Press/TV/Radio Matters (October-November 1994)

This section covers media activities from 15.10.94 to 15.11.94.

Southampton Evening Echo

• 18.10.94: A letter written by the newsletter's author to the newspaper to publicize the group received a positive reaction, including one phone call and three letters. One reader reported strange markings on his lawn, possibly from a UFO landing, and had photographed them, but the film was damaged.
• 22.10.94: This article follows up on a previous report of a UFO sighting over Bishop's Waltham. It describes two boys seeing an object resembling electric fire bars and mentions a crop circle formation that actually appeared in West Sussex, not Bishop's Waltham.
• 5.11.94: Titled 'Mystery of Lights in the Sky Above City', this article reports on a UFO watcher seeing two mysterious balls of light over Southampton. The sighting coincided with two other events: a rotating circle of lights witnessed by university security guards and a similar sighting reported by Beverley Petts. Paul Fuller contacted airports, police, and the Ministry of Defence for an explanation. The MoD stated there were no unusual radar traces, and UK national security was not breached. The witnesses described the lights as moving with a 'jet-like noise'. Security guards at Southampton University described seeing 'a circle of rays of light radiating from a dark core', with one stating, 'It was extraordinary. We have been through every rational explanation and can come up with nothing'.
• 8.11.94: Titled 'UFO Reports Shot Down by Laser Light Theory', this article discusses reports of spinning circles of light in Southampton skies. It mentions fears of 'little green men' and a close encounter by university security guards with a 'Cartwheel of lights'. The report sparked calls from other residents who had seen similar phenomena. Maria Smith described 'sweeping oval of lights', and Raymond Ashford saw 'bluey lights'. The article suggests that recent firework displays with laser light shows might explain these sightings, citing Marilyn Weeks of Laser Creations International. However, witnesses like Maria Smith dispute this, stating they have seen laser shows before and this was different. A spokesman for Pains Fireworks stated that rehearsals were not possible at 5 am.
• 10.11.94: Titled 'Earthlings Need Not Fret Over Sky Lights', this article suggests that the lights seen are likely from enhanced firework displays with laser shows, rather than extraterrestrial visitors. Two callers disputed Pains Fireworks' explanation. Pc Chris Small and Andrew Warren reported seeing lights on late duties. Noel Kay followed lights that appeared to be made by someone operating on a roof. The lights were described as 'old war lights', effectively done, rotating and making pretty patterns.

Television

• Network First: 18.10.94 (The program that never was !!!!): A scheduled two-part special on UFOs, featuring Jenny Randles and Timothy Good, was apparently changed to a program about the Czar or Russia. The newsletter expresses disappointment and notes that the UFO program has been indefinitely cancelled, citing a newsletter from IUFOPRA in Ireland.
• Equinox: Channel 4: This hour-long program explored hypnosis and hypnotic regression, featuring Jenny Randles, who claimed to have witnessed a UFO. The program highlighted that 50% of her recalled memory might have been created by the regression technique, questioning its universal effectiveness.
• Newsround & BBC 1 NEWS: 19.10.94: A military aircraft filming during a thunder storm captured flashes of coloured lights above the clouds, which some believe could account for UFO sightings. The plane also filmed columns of gas being fired into space at high speeds.
• Good Morning with Anne & Nick, BBC 1: 31.10.94: This program featured Philip Mantle and two abductees, including ex-PC Alan Godfrey, recounting their abduction and examination experiences. The segment lasted about 10 minutes.
• Strange But True: Michael Aspel: 4.11.94: This edition looked at UFO activity in Scotland, including an attempted abduction by spiked balls and an interview with local UFO investigator Malcolm Robinson. The segment ran for about 15 minutes.

Radio

• Radio 4: 19.10.94: Anderson Country: This item featured Tony Dodd of Quest International and three people who claimed alien abduction. The program presented typical abduction stories and lasted about 20 minutes.

Magazine Reviews

1. E.M.U.F.O.R.A: Vol 1 No 3. Autumn 94: This edition covers the Blackpool Conference, a 1986 sighting of a black triangle at Bonsall Moor, Derbyshire, and continues the 'Faces Places Cases, Crop Circles' series. Contact details for EMUFORA are provided.
2. ENIGMA: No 4. Autumn 94: Paul Vigay's magazine features circle events of 1994 with drawings, book and video reviews (including 'Roswell: The Evidence'), and more. Contact details for Paul Vigay are provided.
3. UFO REPORTER: No 3. July/Aug 94: Described as a relatively new and promising magazine, this edition looks at strange encounters on the Isle of Man, the swastika UFO mystery, and orange balls of light. Contact details for Nigel Mortimer are provided.
4. UFO MAGAZINE: Nov/Dec 94: This magazine is recommended for its coverage of UFOs and the military, the Russia UFO incident, the Roswell UFO crash, and Operation Reneid. It can be found at W.H.SMITHS branches.
5. WORLD UFO JOURNAL: No 7. 1994: This is a favorite magazine, packed with news and views. It covers the 1991 Canadian flying saucer landing, UFO sightings, press cuttings, Roswell, and reviews 'Roswell: The Movie'. Contact details for Edward Harris are provided.
6. CIRCLE HUNTER: No 7 October 94: This magazine is recommended for tracking circle activity in Northern England. It features circlemakers, recent crop circles in the North, and part 4 of a crop circle gallery. Contact details for Anthony Horn are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, crop circle phenomena, and the media's reporting on these subjects. The Southampton UFO Group actively collects and archives press coverage, indicating a strong emphasis on documenting and analyzing public and media discourse surrounding UFOs. The editorial stance is generally critical of sensationalism and hoaxes, as seen in the reaction to the 'Elite' files, while remaining open to genuine reports and research, as evidenced by the detailed listings of sightings and media articles. There is a clear effort to provide a comprehensive overview of UFO-related news and discussions from various sources, including regional newspapers, national media, television, radio, and specialized magazines. The group appears to be a hub for UFO research and information dissemination in the Southampton area and beyond.

This document appears to be a compilation of reviews and snippets from various UFO-related newsletters and magazines from late 1994, with a focus on the UK and Ireland. It functions as a bulletin board for enthusiasts, providing contact information and brief summaries of content.

Reviews of Publications

7. UFO MONTHLY (Southern Paranormal Investigations Group)

This monthly magazine, issue number 11 from 1994, continues its coverage with an article on Roswell, the validity of abductions, and other related topics. For more details, readers are advised to contact Len Smith at 0705 640074.

8. IUFOPRA : Oct - Dec 94 Newsletter

This quarterly newsletter from Ireland is noted for its excellent content. The current edition includes information on a forthcoming video about Billy Meier, the use of aliens in advertising for a new CD-Rom, and other related subjects. Contact IUFOPRA, P.O. Box 3070, Whitehall, Dublin 9, Eire for more information.

9. BRITISH FLYING SAUCER BUREAU : UFO NEWS BULLETIN : Oct 94

This is a new magazine from the oldest UFO group in Britain, the British Flying Saucer Bureau (BFSB). It retains the same front cover style as its early 1950 editions. The content includes a look at the year ahead, a discussion on whether there are any UFOs, a brief resume of UFOs and ufology, and press cuttings. Contact BFSB at Warwick House, 52 Nevil Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 9EH.

10. EAST MIDLANDS UFO ASSOCIATION : SPECIAL EDITION : USA TRIP 1994

This appears to be a one-off special edition detailing a trip to America undertaken by Tony James and his wife. It covers the places they visited, including Groom Lake and The Little A-Le-Inn in Nevada, and Gulf Breeze. The trip also included a meeting with Ed Walters and a visit to the location where a famous roadside photograph was taken by Walters. The author expresses envy and requests a place on future trips.

11. ENIGMAS (MALCOLM ROBINSON) : No 38 Nov/Dec 94

This magazine covers phenomena in Scotland, including ghosts, UFO's, and the Loch Ness Monster. This edition features an interview with Derek Lauder about his UFO sightings from the year, letters to the editor, recommended books, and reports of UFOs spotted over Falkirk. For more details, contact Malcolm Robinson at 41 The Braes, Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, FK10 2TT.

12. THE CIRCLE HUNTER : No 8 November 94

This edition focuses on crop formations found north of the Watford Gap. It includes photos of these formations and an in-depth look at the 'Shoelace' formation at Molecroft. Further details can be found in item no.6 of the magazine reviews.

UFO HOTLINE and Newsletter Subscription

Information is provided for the UFO HOTLINE, with charges for standard and peak rate calls. The Bufora Weekly News Update can be reached at 0891 121 886. The newsletter consists of no less than 5 double-sided A4 pages, including news cuttings of interest. An extra page is included in the summer months (around April) to cover crop circle news. The newsletter costs £5 per year, including postage.

UFO SIGHTINGS HIT SOUTHAMPTON

This section details a personal encounter and a reported sighting. The author was contacted by a reporter from the Southampton Evening Echo on November 2nd, 1994, regarding sightings mentioned in the Southern Evening Echo on November 5th. On November 5th, the author received a phone call from Mr L, who reported a sighting at 4:30 am on November 2nd. Mr L described a damp morning with buzzing power cables, and then observed two clusters of lights that appeared to be overlapping, made up of diamond or rugby-shaped lights. These lights moved approximately 500 yards north with an oscillating motion before returning towards the witness. Mr L then entered his car and continued to work. The author states that this case, along with other sightings reported to Paul Fuller, is still under investigation. He notes that no further reports have emerged since the laser lights, possibly from an organized fireworks display, were packed away. He hopes to provide more information in a future newsletter.

Video and Audio Tape Material

The author offers a catalogue of his video cassette and audio tape collection, which spans from the late 1950s to the present. The catalogue includes 300 audio tapes and 135 videos covering subjects such as Crop Circles, UFO's, Mystery Cats, The Bermuda Triangle, and more. To receive the video catalogue, send 3 first-class stamps. For the complete video/audio catalogue, send 6 first-class stamps.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this compilation are UFO sightings, crop circles, and the reporting and cataloging of such phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of active investigation and information sharing within the UFO community, encouraging contact and providing resources for further research. There is a clear interest in documenting sightings, reviewing publications, and maintaining a record of related materials.