SUFOG Newsletter No 058

Magazine Overview

This is the August 1995 issue, number 58, of the Southampton UFO Group Newsletter. The cover features a provocative image of a body on a slab, accompanied by the headline 'WHO'S THE REAL DUMMY !!!! DUMMY ON A SLAB !!!!'. The newsletter is organized by Steve Gerrard and provides contact details for the Southampton UFO Group at 25 Weston Grove Road, Woolston, Southampton.

Editorial

The editorial notes a significant rise in press articles and photographs concerning the Roswell Autopsy. It mentions Malcolm Robinson's magazine featuring an article comparing an 'earthly illness' to the alien body. The editor plans to review press coverage in the next issue and observes an upward surge in UFO-related television and radio programs, suggesting a potential shift in public perception. The editor emphasizes the importance of unity within the Ufology community, warning against division over the Roswell footage, and urges collective effort to preserve Ufology for future generations. The editorial also touches upon recent UFO sightings in the Southampton area and local press coverage, promising an update next month. Additionally, it addresses the mystery skull found on Bodmin Moor, debunking it as a trophy but questioning the existence of the 'Beast of Bodmin', suggesting it might be an escaped puma or leopard.

Media Coverage - June 1994

The newsletter compiles a comprehensive list of media articles from June 1994, categorized into National Articles and Crop Circle Articles. National articles include reports from the Daily Express, The Oldie, and News of the World, covering topics such as aliens, supernatural events, and UFOs. Crop Circle articles are sourced from News of the World, The Independent, and Observer Magazine, discussing crop formations and a humorous mention of Reg Presley looking for aliens.

Media Coverage - Regional Articles & Unknown Newspapers (June 1994)

This section lists regional newspaper articles from June 1994, detailing UFO sightings and related stories from various local publications across the UK, including the Northants Evening Telegraph, Northern Echo, Eastern Daily Press, Epping Star, Essex Chronicle, and many others. It also includes two entries from an 'Unknown Newspaper' concerning a UFO hunt and alien visits to a moor.

Press/TV/Radio Matters - July 15 to August 15, 1995

This section provides a summary of media coverage from mid-July to mid-August 1995. A Sunday People article is highlighted, featuring 'amazing pictures' of an alien at the center of a 50-year-old cover-up, allegedly from a spacecraft crash near Roswell. The article describes the creature as 'weird-looking' and 'almost human', lying dead on a mortuary slab. The US military is reported to have recovered spacecraft wreckage and alien bodies, with authorities allegedly imposing a security crackdown and denying the crash, attributing the wreckage to a 'top-secret project' hot-air balloon. A 91-minute silent film, shot by a military cameraman, purportedly shows scientists examining a creature resembling ET. British documentary maker Ray Santilli obtained this film, and its experts confirm it is 50 years old. Eyewitnesses are reportedly coming forward, and the film is scheduled to be shown at a UFO conference in Sheffield.

Crop Circle Research

The newsletter reports on pioneering research into crop circles, with scientists from the government Agricultural Service (ADAS) investigating the theory that 'natural energy forces' cause the formations. Scores of circles have been spotted in the UK, particularly in Hampshire, with one formation at Bishop's Sutton containing 99 circles. Dr. Michael Foley of ADAS noted a higher concentration of a 'soil constituent' at the center of crop circles but withheld its name. While pests and diseases have been ruled out, the findings are hailed as a 'scientific breakthrough'. Richard Smith of the Center for Crop Circle Studies acknowledges that some will not accept scientific explanations, preferring UFO-type scenarios. Former Troggs star Reg Presley is mentioned as believing crop circles may be caused by alien spacecraft and has pledged £1 million to investigate UFOs.

Skepticism and Crop Circle Hoaxes

Dr. Robin Allen, a university researcher and member of the Wessex Skeptics, admitted to faking crop circles using a 'stomper'. This confession came after the Hampshire National Farmers' Union offered a reward for information on a hoaxer. Michael Green of the Center of Crop Circle Studies accused Dr. Allen of faking formations but maintained that a 'non-human intelligence' is behind the genuine phenomenon, citing a lightning-strike shaped circle at Cowdown as genuine. Researchers for ADAS claim to have uncovered evidence of natural energy forces responsible for crop circles.

Television and Radio Coverage

The newsletter lists several television programs related to UFOs and mysterious phenomena: 'Mysteries, Magic and Miracles' featured the Warminster Triangle, Reg Presley, and UFO cover-ups; 'Mysterious Forces Beyond' covered the Philadelphia Experiment and featured Jacque Vallee, as well as 'Mystical Places and earth Energies' with Paul Deveraux; another 'Mysteries, Magic and Miracles' episode discussed the 'Face on Mars'. The editor expresses disappointment with the lack of new information in some programs. A radio phone-in on 'Talk Radio UK' about the Roswell film is also mentioned, with the editor only managing to record a portion and finding it repetitive.

Magazine Reviews

Several UFO-related magazines and newsletters are reviewed:

• CENAP Report (No. 223 & 224): A German magazine recommended for its sightings from around the world and special reports.
• Circle Hunter (No. 16 7/95): Features the 1995 crop circle season, including Scorpions and Quintuplets formations.
• Strange Daze (No. 6 July 95): Covers UFO cases from North-East England, an interview with Ray Santilli, and the Roswell film.
• Enigma (No. 41 Aug/Sept 95): Praised for its research cases, including an investigation into a ghost story and a review of the Roswell autopsy and photo stills, noting a comparison to the rare disease Progeria.
• Spiline (July 95): A mix of local sightings, alien cultures, Russian UFO encounters, Majestic 12, and crop circle investigations.
• Deguforum (Nr 6 July 95): Another German publication discussing recent German reports and the alleged Roswell Alien footage.
• OVNI (July 95): A monthly newsletter covering crop circles, UFO sightings, and reports from Guatemala.
• UFO World Journal (No 9 1995): Includes press items, reviews, and looks at the Roswell alien autopsy and UFO propulsion systems.
• Crop Watcher (No 25 Spring 95): Focuses on crop circles, the Arthur C. Clarke documentary, the 'First International Crop Circle Conference', and the Alien Energy Debate, including the Roswell Alien Autopsy film.

UFO Hotline and Subscription Details

Information is provided for a UFO Hotline with charges for standard and peak rates, and a 'Bufora Weekly News Update' phone number. Subscription details for the newsletter indicate it costs £5 per year and consists of at least 5 double-sided A4 pages, with an extra page in summer months.

FDR Sighting Part 3 - The Official View

This section details an investigation into a reported UFO sighting by the crew of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). The editor, Steve Gerrard, recounts receiving replies from various agencies following Freedom of Information Act requests. The Executive Officer of USS Roosevelt in 1978 stated no such incident occurred. The CIA replied in 1980 that there was no organized agency effort to collect UFO intelligence, though sporadic correspondence exists, primarily for forewarning responsibility regarding potential hostile weapon systems. The Department of the Navy searched the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt logs for September-December 1958 and found no UFO sightings. Vice Admiral J. Hayward, former skipper of the FDR, stated in 1992 that he had no knowledge of any UFO sightings and would check Navy Historical records. The National Security Agency, after an appeal, stated in 1992 that they had no record responsive to the request. The editor finds it strange that a reported UFO sighting by the crew would not be logged or officially reported, suggesting that evidence may still exist.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the pervasive media coverage of UFO phenomena, particularly the Roswell incident and its associated autopsy film, and the ongoing investigation and debate surrounding crop circles. The newsletter demonstrates a critical yet engaged stance, presenting information from various sources, including skeptical viewpoints and official denials, while also highlighting ongoing research and eyewitness accounts. The editor, Steve Gerrard, actively investigates claims, as seen in the FDR sighting report, and encourages unity within the UFO community. There is a clear emphasis on documenting media trends and scientific/skeptical inquiries related to UFOs and unexplained phenomena.

This document is a July 1995 update on crop circle activity, titled 'THE WHEATEAR'S JULY CROP CIRCLE UPDATE.'. It details various formations, suspected hoaxes, and related events primarily in the UK, with a focus on Hampshire. The update is presented as a personal account of observations and investigations.

July Crop Circle Activity

The update begins by stating that July was the busiest month for circlemakers and fakers, with Hampshire being the center of activity. Many formations were reported late, making genuineness difficult to assess. The author recounts a personal experience on July 2nd near Cheesefoot Head, Hampshire, where a planned night watch was interrupted by rain. Upon returning on the night of the 4th, a huge formation was already present. The author suspected it was a hoax, confirmed by broken stems, footprints, and construction plans. This formation was in Oats, not Wheat as reported elsewhere, and consisted of a large, thin ring with half circles, a central 20ft circle, and a smaller ring with 'thought bubbles,' which the author found muddled and imbalanced.

Around July 7th, seven circles in a petal style formation were found south of Newbury by the A34, measuring about 200ft across.

On July 12th, the Quintuplet formation on Telegraph Hill, near Winchester, was cut, which the author believes triggered a surge in Hampshire activity. The following day, July 13th, hoaxers targeted the Punchbowl again, creating a huge 200ft 'Stickman' formation with the words 'LE TIS FOR ENGLAND' engraved in Oats. This was linked to a single released by a group called the 'Valley Slags' on Meridian TV, promoting footballer Matt Le Tissier. The band's manager was quoted humorously suggesting aliens were responsible. The author notes a suspicious connection between the lead singer, Richard Chorley, and a name Bower, hinting at a possible connection to the 'Stickman' formation.

Further activity in Hampshire included formations around Andover. Other locations mentioned are Burghclere, Goodwood Clatford, and Alton. The author visited a newish formation near Sompting, Sussex, on July 19th, a large, off-center 6-ring circle, which was also suspected to be a hoax. With Steve Alexander, the author also visited formations near Shoreham, including a dumbbell, a clover leaf, and a 15ft triangle. A subsequent viral infection caused a backlog in reporting.

On July 27th, the author visited one of three formations near West and East Meon, at Eastend. This 120ft circular formation appeared to have 5 or 6 rings from a distance but only two complete ones. The stems in the laid wheat showed unusual damage, with nodes burst open and blackened, possibly due to strong sunlight and chemicals. A formation at Exton was also mentioned but missed by the author. At Winterbourne Bassett, North of Avebury, a ring with a triangle and squares was found. The dates for many of these formations are vague.

Finally, a small pictogram appeared near Brockwood Park, Hampshire, on July 25th, in a Wheat field, similar to one found in Oats the previous year, both suspected hoaxes. Nearby, in barley, a small double ring was found, possibly a prototype for the Eastend formation.

Other Mentions

Page 3 includes a notice about 'THE UFOLOGY WHO'S WHO,' a reference book being compiled by B.M.KING, detailing UFO researchers worldwide. It requests photographs and detailed resumes from interested individuals. Additionally, the Chelmsford Branch of London UFO Studies is staging a series of public meetings featuring videos and discussions on UFOs, Aliens, Abductions, and Crop Circles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes are crop circles, their origins (natural vs. hoax), and the investigation of these phenomena. The author's stance leans towards identifying hoaxes, noting evidence like broken stems and footprints. There's a sense of ongoing mystery and the difficulty in definitively proving the origin of many formations. The article also touches on the popular culture aspect, referencing football and music related to a specific formation. The overall tone is informative and investigative, aiming to provide an update on recent events in the crop circle world.