SUFOG Newsletter No 060

Magazine Overview

Title: SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP NEWSLETTER
Issue: No. 60
Date: October 1995
Publisher: Southampton UFO Group
Organiser: Steve Gerrard

This issue of the Southampton UFO Group Newsletter addresses an editorial error from the previous month and reflects on a relatively quiet period for UFO news, particularly noting the limited publicity surrounding the Roswell film. The editor expresses personal skepticism regarding the indestructibility of the Roswell craft given its alleged fragmentation.

Media Coverage in August 1994

The newsletter provides an extensive compilation of media reports from August 1994 concerning UFOs and crop circles. National articles included pieces like 'Where hast tha bin?' (Sunday Independent), 'Alien from the Pru' (Daily Star), and 'UFO Clue to Marilyn' (Sunday People). The crop circle section details numerous reports from various regional newspapers, such as 'Circles Crop up again' (Hemel Hempstead Gazette) and 'Experts to Probe 'Alien' Field Circles' (Hull Daily Mail), indicating widespread media attention to the phenomenon.

Media Coverage in Other Periods

Further sections detail media mentions from an unspecified 'PAPER UNKNOWN' source and 'REGIONAL ARTICLES', covering a wide array of local newspaper reports on UFO sightings and group meetings throughout August 1994. Additionally, a section titled 'PRESS/TV/RADIO MATTERS OVER THE PAST MONTH 15.9.95 - 15.10.95' highlights recent coverage.

Press Reports (September-October 1995)

'The People' (3.9.95): Reports sensational claims by paranormal magazine 'Encounters' researchers that aliens warned the Apollo 11 crew away from the moon in 1969, with Neil Armstrong allegedly reporting seeing 'huge' spacecraft. Maurice Chatelain, a former NASA communications head, is cited as confirming that Apollo and Gemini flights were followed by extraterrestrial vehicles, with astronauts ordered to maintain silence.

'The Sun' (26.9.95): Discusses UFO watchers investigating the abduction of 20 men by 'voluptuous alien babes' resembling Pamela Anderson and Kim Basinger. These abductees reportedly received warnings about future Earth disasters, including mass destruction and a two-mile high tidal wave in California in 1997. Around 9,500 Americans reported alien abductions in 1994.

'Southampton Evening Echo' (10.10.95): Reports on UFO watchers gathering at the House of Commons, demanding the government release secret 'X-files' on UFOs, believing the Ministry of Defence is hiding information.

TV Program Reviews

'Mysteries, Magic & Miracles' (17.9.95): Explored a potential connection between dolphins and UFOs, suggesting dolphins might be on Earth for a specific purpose and can communicate with flying saucers. Witnesses reported seeing a large red light over the ocean with dolphins underneath.

'Future Quest' (Discovery Channel, 18.9.95): A routine program about life in outer space and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

'Mysterious Forces Beyond' (Discovery Channel, 23.9.95): Focused on alien abduction, but offered no new information, featuring familiar faces and reiterating the belief in abductions and 'contact'.

'Mysterious Forces Beyond' (Discovery Channel, 30.9.95): Featured John Mack presenting at a conference, where an alleged abductee questioned his experiences. The editor found Mack's response unfair.

'Sky One News' (11.10.95): Covered a demonstration outside the Ministry of Defence in London, organized by the Alien Acknowledgement Champaign, demanding the release of UFO documents. The report mentioned a proposal for an 'Alien Embassy' and speculated about secret government UFO files being inaccessible due to secrecy laws.

Magazine Reviews

'Ovni' (September 1995): Contains a PRA interview with Dr. John E. Mack, a look at the Ray Santilli Alien autopsy film, and updates on UFO crash retrievals and local sightings.

'Encounters' (October 1995): Described as 'the world's most paranormal magazine', this launch issue focuses on the Roswell film and interviews, including a UFO picture gallery and astronaut confessions.

'Astronomy Now' (October 1995): Featured articles questioning humanity's place in the universe and the nature of UFOs, but offered no new insights.

'Skylink' (No. 12 1995): Praised for its articles on topics including Black Holes, Grey Matters, Sightings, and Human Mutilations. Subscription is recommended.

'Northern UFO News' (No. 171, Sept 1995): Contains an editorial by Jenny Randles discussing the Roswell Autopsy and a Sheffield conference, offering a critical review of the subject. It also includes book and magazine reviews and Welsh sightings.

'UFO Magazine' (Vol 10 No 5 1995): Recommended for budding ufologists, this American magazine covers the GAO's findings on Roswell, the 'Autopsy' footage, the Alien Transcription Project, and the Walton Experience.

'Emufora' (Autumn 95, No 7): Includes a look at the Roswell Autopsy footage, news snippets, a book review, and discussions on secrecy and desert news.

'IFUOPRA: Information Network Newsletter' (No 1 & 2 1995): A new venture providing updated information between main magazine publications.

UFO Hotline and Subscription Details

Contact numbers for a UFO Hotline (36p standard rate, 48p peak rate) and a BUFORA Weekly News Update (0891 121 886) are provided. Subscription details for the Southampton UFO Group Newsletter are also given: £5 per year for at least 5 double-sided A4 pages and newscuttings, with an extra page for crop circle news in the summer.

The Wheatear (Part 2)

This section delves into the crop circle phenomenon, discussing Peter Sorenson's views on the 'Spiders Web' formation near Avebury, which he attributes to a united effort by investigators. The editor expresses skepticism towards some cerealogists and crop circle investigators, suggesting that many are driven by financial gain and ignore the possibility of hoaxes. The article critiques 'The Circular' magazine for its perceived desperation and questions the existence of the C.C.C.S. junior group. It highlights instances of strange crop circle stories, such as a vanished ringed circle, and criticizes the lack of discretion among some followers, which aids hoaxers and leads to ridicule of the subject. The editor concludes by emphasizing the importance of truth over belief in the authenticity of crop circles and the alien autopsy, wishing readers a peaceful winter season.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include media coverage of UFO sightings and crop circles, the ongoing debate surrounding the Roswell incident, alien abductions, and reviews of various UFO-related publications and media. The editorial stance, particularly in 'The Wheatear' section, is one of critical inquiry, emphasizing the importance of truth and questioning the motives and claims of some within the UFO community, especially concerning crop circles and the alien autopsy. The editor appears to lean towards a more skeptical approach, acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes and the need for discretion in reporting.