SUFOG Newsletter No 067

Magazine Overview

This document is the Southampton UFO Group Newsletter No. 67, dated May 1996. The editor is Steve Gerrard, with contact details provided for his address in Woolston, Southampton, and a telephone number. The newsletter covers a broad spectrum of UFO-related news, media reviews, and group activities.

Editorial

The editorial section apologizes for the delay in this issue, citing a wealth of topics to cover. It highlights the significant press attention surrounding Nick Pope's new book, "Beyond Top Secret," due for publication in May 1996. Pope is scheduled to appear at Dillons book shop in Southampton on June 10th for a presentation and book signing. The editor mentions that the Daily Mail serialized excerpts from Pope's book over four days. The editorial also notes a review of magazines that were not covered in the previous issue, with 16 magazines reviewed in this edition due to an inundation of submissions.

Recent television programs are also discussed, with particular praise for a Sky 1 program and a two-part episode of The X-Files featuring Mulder chasing an alleged alien. A UFO sighting over Hythe, Southampton, is detailed: local residents reported a bright light in the sky for an hour on three consecutive nights, moving consistently. One witness captured the event on video, though the witness's initial opinion was that it might be a planet or star. The editor plans to consult the local astronomical society to investigate further.

The newsletter announces that Mr. Ernie Sears will be joining the team next month to help with magazine reviews, aiming to alleviate the editor's workload. The Southampton UFO Group has also been actively contacting other UFO groups internationally, including groups in Sheffield, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, and plans to contact one in Italy. These groups publish journals, often with English translations, which the editor hopes to share with the group.

Group Activities

A recent group meeting expressed interest in organizing a sky watch. A questionnaire is included at the rear of the newsletter for members interested in participating or offering assistance.

What the Press Had to Say in January 1995

This section provides an extensive list of newspaper articles from January 1995, categorized into Regional Articles, National Articles, and Magazine Articles. These articles cover a wide range of UFO-related topics, including sightings, alien abductions, government cover-ups, and media interpretations of UFO phenomena. Notable publications include the Daily Mail, The Times, The Independent, The Observer, and Daily Express.

Press/TV/Radio Matters Over the Past Month (15.4.96 - 15.5.96)

This section reviews media coverage from mid-April to mid-May 1996:

• Press:
• The People (21.4.96): Discusses Tim Good's book "Beyond Top Secret," mentioning UFO reports over the Bailkonur Space Centre, Japan, and Turkey, and a sighting by Cosmonaut G.M. Manakov.
• Portsmouth News (22.4.96): Covers a UFO conference in Portsmouth organized by SPI, attended by approximately 300 people.
• Daily Mail (24.4.96): Critically examines a Ministry of Defence (MoD) statement dismissing the existence of UFOs, contrasting it with previous reports and questioning the MoD's stance, especially in light of Nick Pope's work.
• Daily Mail (29.4.96): Features an article on "The X-Files (UK)" which also touches upon UFOs, ghosts, and sea creatures.
• Daily Mail (30.4.96): Continues its series on "The X-Files (UK)" with an article on UFO sightings and encounters, mentioning Elsie Oakensen.
• Daily Mail (1.5.96): Concludes the Mail's series on "The X-Files (UK)" with the story of Rosalind Reynolds and her UFO encounter.
• Southampton Evening Echo (2.5.96): Reports on a large meteorite shower over Scotland and Northern Ireland that led to numerous UFO calls.
• The Independent (6.5.96): Discusses the TV program "The X-Files," its BAFTA award, and its merging of fact and fiction.
• Daily Mail (8.5.96): A letter special featuring personal UFO reports, including one from Yorkshire and accounts from ex-soldiers. Mr. Ernie Sears relates his sighting, stating there is "more evidence for their existence (UFO's) than would normally be needed to convict a murderer in a court of law."
• Daily Mail (11.5.96): Part 1 of a serialisation of Nick Pope's book, where he states that March 31, 1993, convinced him of extraterrestrial spacecraft visits. The editor adds a note questioning if this was explained by a meteor storm or rocket re-entry.
• Southampton Evening Echo (11.5.96): Features a UFO/Abduction case and introduces a new series on the paranormal called "The South's X-Files."
• Daily Mail (13.5.96): Part 2 of Nick Pope's book serialisation, discussing aliens, abductions, and potential hybrid creature creation.
• Southampton Evening Echo (13.5.96): Looks at the phenomenon of crop circles.
• Daily Mail (14.5.96): Part 3 of Nick Pope's book serialisation, focusing on the controversial film footage of an alien autopsy from Roswell, quoting Richard DeMotto on the implications of credible evidence of alien visitation.
• Daily Mail (15.5.96): The final part of Nick Pope's book serialisation, discussing crop circles and a 1980 UFO sighting at RAF/USAF Woodbridge.

• TV:
• Arne & Nick (16.4.96): A missed TV item featuring Whitley Streiber and Tony Dodd.
• UFOs and Close Encounters (Discovery Channel - 19.4.96): Highly praised program featuring Timothy Good and other researchers, covering Warminster, sightings in Devon, crop circles, and interviews with Colin Andrews and crop circle hoaxers Doug and Dave. Colin Andrews is quoted stating, "We are looking at Extra-terrestrials or simply a level of high nature we simply do not understand.. This is indeed a mystery and we are looking at some form of intelligence."
• The X-Files (2 Part episode - 30.4.96): Praised as the best program in the current series, detailing Mulder's investigation into a crashed UFO and an alleged alien.
• Roswell - The Movie (5.5.96): Mentioned.
• The UFO Incident (Betty/Barney Hill Abduction - 7.5.96): A repeat of a film based on the abduction case.
• The Why Files (Jenny Randles - 14.5.96): Featured video footage and an interview with Jenny Randles.
• Weird Night - Roy Lake & Dr Richard Lawrence (14.5.96): Featured an interview with Dr. Richard Lawrence about the Aetherius Society and Roy Lake.
• Alien Autopsy - Fact or Fiction? (15.5.96): A program examining the Roswell alien autopsy footage, with experts finding it difficult to recreate.
• Hanger 18 (Feature Film - 15.5.96): Mentioned as a frequently repeated film.

• Radio:
• BBC Thames Valley (27.4.96): A radio listener picked up a UFO feature including Jenny Randles and the MoD UFO cover-ups, and an interview with Marcus Allen.
• BBC Radio Solent (9.5.96): "Talking about contact with UFO's."
• BBC Thames Valley (11.5.96): Featuring Michael Soper (Contact International UK).
• Radio Solent (13.5.96): Nick Girdler Show - "Have You Had Sex With An alien?"
• BBC Thames Valley Radio (18.5.96): Featuring Graham Birdsall.

Magazine Review

The newsletter reviews several magazines:

1. Skylink. No 14, 1996: Praised for its content, including articles on Extra-terrestrial Visiting, Nazi technology, UFO sightings, and an alleged abduction by Mrs. Linda West.
2. Dragon Watch: No 1, March 1996: A new magazine from the Welsh Federation of Independent Ufologists, featuring articles on Area 51, the Billy Meier case, and Zecharia Sitchin.
3. Northern UFO News. No 173, Mar 1996: Includes coverage of a TV program, crop circle literature, and reports of Aerial Contacts Over Scotland.
4. Cover-Up (LUPR). No 2, 1996: A new magazine covering press cuttings, alien abduction, quantum theory, and UFO sightings.
5. British UFO Studies Centre: Intelligence. No 6, Mar 1996: Edited by Eric Morris, it contains sighting reports, the BA jet encounter, and discussions on intelligence gathering operations.
6. UFO Network UK. No 1. Mar/Apr 1996: Features a new format, news updates, a UFO report from Morocco, the Valensole case in France, and skywatch reports.
7. Awareness. Vol 21. No 1. 1996: Well-presented magazine with articles on Crop Circles in the Czech Republic, questionnaire results (66.8% believe UFOs are Extraterrestrial Craft), and abduction cases.
8. EMUFORA.. No 9, Spring 1996: Features an interview with Nick Pope, press reports, local UFO sightings, and a communiqué from Peter Robbins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are the extensive media coverage of UFO phenomena, particularly the serialization of Nick Pope's book and the popular TV series "The X-Files." There is a strong emphasis on reviewing and reporting on UFO-related articles from newspapers, magazines, and broadcast media. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, often questioning official denials and highlighting evidence that supports the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation. The editor actively seeks information and encourages reader participation, as seen with the sky watch event and the call for contributions to the newsletter. The newsletter also demonstrates a commitment to international UFO research by connecting with groups in other countries.

This document is a newsletter from BUFORA (British UFO Research Association) dated approximately 1996, focusing on UFO-related news, magazine reviews, and events within the UK and internationally. It functions as a digest of current activities and publications within the ufology community.

Magazine Reviews

The newsletter provides reviews of several UFO magazines:

• CENAP No. 230 (2/96): A German magazine that the reviewer finds excellent, though understanding it requires German language proficiency or translation software. It covers recent sightings, UFOs in the news, a review of 'The Encounters' magazine, and the Roswell footage.
• TRANS UFO No. 3 (Apr 1996): Praised for its translations of foreign articles, this magazine covers topics such as animal mutilation (male Elk in 1988), near-contact incidents (Hakesta, 1971), and sightings of wingless objects near Norwegian airplanes (1995), with reports from Sweden, Norway, and Poland.
• Skysearch (Spring 1996): Described as having improved significantly with a glossy cover and a reasonable price (£1.80). It includes articles on 'The Silencers' (MIB), a return from Star Hill (1970), sightings reported between January 6th and March 13th, 1996, an investigation into red lights over Chichester (February 15th, 1996), and reader letters, including a close encounter in Rhodesia.
• INUFOR Digest (Australia) Vol. 1, No. 3 (Apr 1996): This is noted as the only Australian magazine the reviewer exchanges with and is considered very good. It features an investigation into a photograph taken from a 747 aircraft on March 13th, 1995, showing a dark, circular object. It also questions whether the government is leaking the truth about UFO reality and discusses events from Australia, such as 'Gosford - Australia's Gulf Breeze'.
• Phenomenal News No. 2 (Spring 1996): A relatively new magazine edited by Viv Alexander and Ron Haliday, focusing on sightings and UFO activity in Scotland. It reports on the disbanding of SPI in Scotland, an article by John Morrison on 'UFOs - Dangerous to Know?', and connections between Iceland and West Scotland, alongside local news and reviews.
• UFOMEK (Mar/Apr 1996): Produced by UFO Monitors East Kent, this magazine covers local sightings, book and magazine reviews, press cuttings, puzzles, and a report on an air miss near Manchester in January 1995, as well as an article on the 'face on Mars'.
• Strange Daze (No. 9, May 1996): Now in A4 format, it contains interesting articles and news, including case reports from Northern England, the 'Clementine Space Mission Conspiracy', and reviews of books, magazines, and videos.
• New Ufologist (No. 4, 1996): This magazine, with an editorial panel including Albert Budden, Joe Dormer, Paul Fuller, Rodney Howarth, and Jenny Randles, focuses on 'real Ufology'. It features articles on declassified Spanish Air Force UFO Files, experiments by Nicholas Reiter, John Mack's escape from censure by Harvard Medical School, Skywatch, a sightings update, and events in Germany (Werner Walter - CENAP magazine).

Events and Lectures

The newsletter details several upcoming events and lectures in 1996:

• Bob Dean Lecture: A lecture by Bob Dean on 'The UFO Cover-up' was held at Cricklade Theatre, Andover on March 16th, 1996. The reviewer found the information thought-provoking and met George Wingfield and David Icke. Bob Dean is retiring and reportedly writing a book.
• Group Meetings: Two group meetings were held on March 26th and May 21st, 1996. The first meeting had 16 attendees, and the second saw an increase to 26, with lively discussions and reports of 'Flying Triangles' sightings.
• SPI Conference: A conference held on April 20th, 1996, organized by Bob Schindler and the Southern Paranormal Investigation Group, attracted around 250 people. Speakers included Graham Birdsall, Tony James, Gordon Millington, and Omar Fowler. Despite some technical hitches, the event was considered enjoyable, with Graham Birdsall's lecture being particularly well-received. Stalls offered UFO merchandise, books, and magazines.
• Forthcoming Events and Lectures:
• June 22nd, 1996: Cricklade Theatre, Andover, featuring Colin Andrews, Hopi Indian Morning Cloud, and Busty Taylor.
• June 22nd, 1996: 'Journeys & Encounters - Exploring Human & Non-Human Contacts' at The Nixon Hall, Ellison Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with speakers Hilary Evans, Philip Mantle, and Kevin McClure.
• September 29th, 1996: Contact International 1 Day Conference in Wheatley, Oxon, with speakers Roy Dutton, Roy Lake, and Lee Winterson.
• November 16th-17th, 1996: Lancashire Aerial Phenomenon Investigation Society event at The Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, featuring Jenny Randles, Nick Pope, and Philip Mantle.
• July 23rd, 1996: Next Meeting of The Southampton UFO Group at The Chatter Box, Netley, Southampton.

Crop Circle Reports

Initial crop circle reports for 1996 are listed:

• May 22nd, 1996: Sollum, Near Southport, Lancashire - a circle in oil seed rape, 18 meters in diameter, with 2 joined grape shot circles.
• Further reports of circles found/seen in Lincoln, Cambridge, High Wycombe (near an airfield), and on the Basingstoke to Stockbridge road in Hampshire.

UFO Hotline and Newsletter Subscription

The newsletter includes details for a 'UFO HOTLINE' with charges for standard and peak rates, and a 'BUFORA WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE' telephone number. Subscription details for the BUFORA Newsletter are provided: £5 per year for a minimum of 5 double-sided A4 pages and press items, sent monthly.

Magazine Addresses

A comprehensive list of addresses for various UFO-related magazines and organizations is provided, including publications from London, Fleetwood, Bathgate, Winsford, Leeds, Wheatley, Nottingham, Mannheim (Germany), Sheffield, Brighton, Kogarah (Australia), Stirling (Scotland), Bramling (Kent), Newcastle Upon Tyne, Blackpool, and Cardiff.

Southampton's First Internet Cafe

An advertisement for Southampton's First Internet Cafe, offering internet access at £3.00 per half hour (with student discounts) and training courses.

Southampton UFO Group Sky Watch Survey

A survey from the Southampton UFO Group seeking input on planning a sky watch, asking about preferred days, willingness to take passengers, preferred locations (New Forest, Winchester), and times.

Music CD Advertisement

An advertisement for a new music CD from CANOOFLE titled 'UNORGANIZED FLYING OBJECTS', with tracks including 'First Sighting', 'Paranoid Possibilities', and 'Second Sighting'. The CD is not currently available in the UK, but a website is provided to 'play before you pay', and contact information for Mr. Curtis Settino in Richmond, California, USA, is listed.

Copyright Notice

A copyright notice states that all articles and material in the newsletter are copyrighted to the Editor and may not be copied, reprinted, or reproduced without express permission.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this newsletter are the review of contemporary UFO publications, reporting on recent sightings and investigations, and disseminating information about upcoming events and organizations within the ufology community. The editorial stance appears to be supportive of 'real Ufology', as indicated by the review of 'New Ufologist', and aims to keep its readers informed about activities and resources relevant to UFO research. There is a clear emphasis on providing contact information and facilitating communication among enthusiasts.