SUFOG Newsletter No 061

Magazine Overview

This is the November 1995 issue, number 61, of the Southampton UFO Group Newsletter. The cover features a stark black and white illustration of two grey aliens flanking an astronaut on the moon, with the group's name prominently displayed. The newsletter is organized by Steve Gerrard and provides contact information including a telephone number and postal address.

Editorial

The editorial section, written by the editor (ED), wishes readers a Happy Christmas and a good New Year. The past month has been busy with a radio interview, interviews for college students, and processing UFO sighting reports. The editor also mentions keeping up with press articles, television programs, and radio. This month's newsletter includes a transcript of the Ray Santilli interview from 'Good Morning with Ann and Nick' on November 2, 1995. The editor notes that the current period is quiet regarding major UFO events, but mentions a Triangle-type craft spotted over Portsmouth and mystery lights over Southampton. The editor plans to attend a conference in Bournemouth and hopes 1996 will be a better year for ufology.

What the Media Had to Say in September 1994

This section lists numerous regional newspaper articles from September 1994 that reported on UFO sightings and related topics. Titles include 'Close encounter on the A70', 'Two Alien Visitors from outer space 'lost' in library', 'UFO sighting sparks boy's along search', and 'I was abducted by aliens' says woman'.

Crop Circle Articles

A brief mention of a crop circle mystery reported in Lochaber News on September 3, 1994.

Paper Unknown

Two articles are listed without a specified publication: 'Are we alone?' (September 5, 1994) and 'Man sees alien land on the South Downs' (September 18, 1994).

National Articles

This section lists national newspaper articles from September 1994, such as 'UFO legend that won't fly away' (Daily Mail), 'Loaf encounter' (Daily Star), and 'UFO' was spy rocket debris' (Daily Telegraph).

Press/TV/Radio Matters Over the Past Month (15.10.95 - 15.11.95)

Press

An article from the Sunday People (October 15, 1995) titled 'Secrets of the UFOs Revealed' discusses secret Ministry of Defence files. It mentions jets being scrambled to intercept a UFO over Dover in 1957, a fleeting contact with a 'very high-speed UFO' in 1956, and a flying saucer sighting near RAF Cosford in 1963, where a 'trapdoor' was observed opening.

TV

This section covers television programs related to UFOs. It mentions a trailer for the drama 'Heartbeat' featuring a UFO sighting during a thunderstorm. It also discusses the program 'Ann & Nick' (November 2, 1995) and 'Strange But True' (November 10, 1995), which featured encounters by pilots and the Kiakoura sighting in New Zealand, which was explained as light reflecting off cabbages.

Sex Out of This World!

This is a brief mention of a book titled 'Taken' by UFO researcher Karla Taylor, which allegedly discusses 'Randy aliens' abducting young wives.

Stanton Friedman

An article from The Independent (October 20, 1995) features UFO researcher Stanton T. Friedman. He discusses his concept of a 'local galactic neighbourhood' and the overwhelming evidence for intelligently-controlled spacecraft visiting Earth. Friedman is skeptical of the Roswell Incident film, believing it may not be related to the actual crash. He emphasizes his 37 years of study and promises an entertaining experience for his lectures.

Southampton Echo Article

A letter to the Southampton Echo (October 24, 1995) describes a sighting of a spinning, dancing, white light over Pitt and Hursley on October 18th. The writer seeks a logical explanation, humorously noting their daughter's skepticism despite being an 'X Files' fan.

Tony Dodd's Encounter

An article from The People (November 5, 1995) details an encounter by Tony Dodd, a former police sergeant and UFO investigator. He describes seeing a massive, silent, glowing white spaceship hovering about 100 feet off the ground in North Yorkshire in 1978. This experience led him to dedicate his life to proving extraterrestrial life exists and has involved lobbying governments. He believes the government and military are hiding information.

Glenn Webster's UFO Video

An article from the Daily Star (November 11, 1995) reports on Glenn Webster, a 32-year-old camcorder enthusiast from Norwich, who filmed a UFO. The object, described as 'axe-head' shaped, moved erratically before changing into a spinning top shape and zooming off. Police received reports of the sighting, and one person claimed a bright light followed their car. Webster, initially skeptical, was amazed by the footage, which he believes is similar to something from 'The X-Files'. The filming coincided with numerous UFO reports over Norfolk.

Nick Coleman's Sighting

Computer engineer Nick Coleman reported seeing a bright light in his rear-view mirror that moved around his car before shooting into the sky. UFO expert Ian Simmons reviewed the video and suggested it could be extra-terrestrial.

Other Articles and TV Programs

This section lists various other articles from October and November 1995, covering topics like MoD files, alien encounters, and UFOs in media. It also mentions TV programs including 'This Morning' featuring Stanton Friedman, and a trailer for 'Heartbeat' showing a UFO.

Radio

Radio Solent (October 18, 1995)

This item featured an interview with the newsletter's organiser, Martin Hempstead of Wessex Sceptics, and Prof. H. Rishbraugh of Southampton University. The discussion covered UFO sightings, government cover-ups, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, with a consensus that while life might exist elsewhere, it is not visiting Earth.

Talk Radio UK (October 19, 1995)

Stanton Friedman appeared on the James Whale show, discussing his lectures and the Roswell fiasco. The interview included a phone-in segment with callers sharing their experiences. James Whale, who has had his own UFO experience, facilitated the discussion.

Magazine Reviews

Annals2: No 26, Oct/Dec 1995

This edition is described as packed with UFO news, featuring a photograph of a Japanese alien creature, a critique of the Roswell footage, and reports on worldwide UFO sightings. It also includes an article on a UFO in Peru and strange images from the Lunar Orbiter 3.

UFON UK: No 5 1995

A new publication from Yorkshire, consisting of photocopies of local UFO reports. The reviewer notes the lack of references for the articles.

UFO Magazine (Quest International): Nov/Dec 1995

This glossy magazine includes an interview with David M. Jacobs on 'The Hybrids are coming', an article on 'Secret Britain' concerning RAF Machrihanish, and topics like the Roswell Archive Film and a Daylight UFO photographed over Las Vegas.

Ohio UFO Notebook: No 8 & 10 1995

This magazine from Dublin, Ohio, covers UFO sightings, the Ohio UFO crash connection, New Mexico cattle mutilation, and the Moon. Issue 10 examines 'little green men', abductions, and animal mutilations.

Strange Daze: No 7 Oct 95

This issue includes letters from various individuals discussing UFO groups like BUFOSC and BUFORA. It also features a review of the TV program 'In Advance of the Landing' and a report of a mutilated sheep.

Skysearch: No 1 Autumn 1995

A new UFO magazine from Brighton, Sussex, featuring articles on abductions, UFOs: Alien or Ancestral, and recent UFO reports over Sussex.

DEGUFORUM: No 7, Oct 95

A German language publication discussing the Roswell footage and the psychic reality of UFOs.

Spiline: No 8 Oct 1995

This A5 format magazine contains reports from Havant and Portsmouth, Hampshire, North American Circles, and a triangular UFO sighting.

World UFO Journal: No 10 Winter 95

This edition includes an editorial on cooperation within the UFO community, an article on an alien probe detected in the Solar system, and a Q&A on the Roswell Alien.

UFO Hotline

Information on charges for the BUFORA WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE is provided.

Newsletter Subscription Details

The newsletter consists of at least 5 double-sided A4 pages, plus newscuttings. The cost is 25p per year, including postage.

Transcript of Good Morning 2.11.95

This section provides a transcript of the interview with Ray Santilli and Patrick Moore. Santilli asserts the genuineness of the alien autopsy film, stating that tests have been conducted. He explains that the cameraman, who was working for the military, was tasked with filming what he believed was a Russian spy plane crash but realized it was something else. Santilli confirms that medical experts have examined the film and found it to be 'flesh and blood', maintaining its integrity. The film has achieved significant broadcast success worldwide.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter include UFO sightings, alien encounters, government secrecy regarding UFOs, and media coverage of these topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, with a critical yet engaged approach to evidence such as the Ray Santilli film. There is a clear emphasis on sharing information and fostering discussion within the UFO community, as evidenced by the numerous reports, reviews, and transcripts included. The newsletter also highlights the efforts of individuals like Stanton Friedman and Tony Dodd in promoting the study of UFOs and advocating for the acknowledgment of extraterrestrial life.

This issue of UFO Magazine, dated January 1996, delves into the controversial Roswell incident and a piece of alleged UFO footage.

The Roswell Incident and Mysterious Footage The discussion begins with a question about how aliens might arrive, leading to the Roswell incident as a focal point, where it's believed something crash-landed on Earth. The narrative suggests that if the event occurred, it was subject to a significant cover-up, with witnesses being hushed.

A key element of the issue is a film footage purportedly shot by a cameraman during the 1950s, who was working for Universal News. This cameraman, described as being in the military prior to 1952, is said to have kept the film for 47 years. The individual who acquired the footage believes it to be genuine, arguing that the complexity of the film would be impossible to replicate with modern technology, even for the makers of 'Jurassic Park'. The acquisition process is described as a straightforward cash transaction, with the funding eventually coming from Germany, and the amount paid being significant.

Questions arise about why the cameraman chose this particular individual to share the film with. The acquirer suggests it was due to the cameraman's perception of him as a foreigner, making it easier to part with the film without repercussions. The cameraman is also noted to have kept aside reels for processing due to issues during filming, and while the first batch was sent to Washington, the second was not picked up.

Analysis of the Footage The footage itself is described as having no sound, although a microphone is visible, suggesting sound was recorded separately. The camera work is characterized as standard for the time, with quick movements to avoid blocking the shot, which has drawn criticism but is defended as a common technique.

Skepticism and Alternative Explanations While the acquirer of the film believes in its authenticity, the issue also presents a strong counter-argument through an interview with astronomer Patrick Moore. Moore is highly skeptical of UFOs and alien visitation, referring to all Flying Saucer stories as 'absolute rubbish'. He recounts a personal experience of seeing what he thought was a Flying Saucer in his observatory days, only to later realize it was pollen illuminated by moonbeams. Moore dismisses the Roswell footage outright, quoting the Duke of York by saying, 'If you believe that, you will believe anything,' and labels it as 'BUNK' and the 'biggest hoax of 1995'.

Alternative explanations for the Roswell event are also touched upon, including the possibility of it being an American experiment, perhaps related to a human with a chromosome disorder, or a genuine extraterrestrial encounter.

Broader Cosmic Perspective Patrick Moore also discusses the vastness of the universe, highlighting the immense number of stars and galaxies, and acknowledges the possibility of other life forms. However, he maintains that the idea of our sun being the only one with a populated planet is unlikely, but proving otherwise is difficult. He firmly believes that alien visitation, as depicted in Flying Saucer stories, is not credible.

Editorial Stance and Conclusion The magazine concludes by expressing agreement with Patrick Moore's assessment of the Roswell footage as 'BUNK'. The editor states that this will be the last time the Roswell footage is mentioned in the publication, confining it to the 'biggest hoax of 1995' category, with a promise to revisit the topic only if it is definitively proven to be a hoax.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue are the Roswell incident, the authenticity of UFO footage, the possibility of government cover-ups, and the skepticism surrounding alien visitation. The editorial stance, particularly towards the end, leans heavily towards dismissing the Roswell footage as a hoax, aligning with the views of Patrick Moore and signaling a closure on the topic for the publication.