SUFOG Newsletter No 071

Magazine Overview

This document is the "SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP NEWSLETTER NO 71", dated September 1996. It is published by the Southampton UFO Group and edited by Steve Gerrard. The newsletter consists of at least 5 double-sided A4 pages and press items of interest to the reader. The cover features a photograph of a disc-shaped UFO.

Editorial

The editorial section, dated September 1996, reflects on the end of summer and the anticipation of winter, with plans for sky watching. The editor expresses enjoyment of the film 'Independence Day', noting its quiet, sad, and exciting moments. A point of contention is raised regarding the military's involvement in the film; they reportedly agreed to help on the condition that all references to AREA 51 were removed, despite claiming Area 51 does not exist. The editor also comments on the aliens depicted in the film, finding them inconsistent with typical descriptions. The editorial also mentions a group member, Brian, who was involved in a serious accident but escaped with minor injuries. The upcoming Oxford conference is noted, with a good response from 18 group members expected to attend.

Group Meeting and Ufology Pioneer

The newsletter reports on the group's meeting on September 3rd, which had a low attendance of only 7 people. Despite this, the attendees enjoyed watching video footage from Warminster, an update on UFO activity in Southampton, and general discussions. The group raised £7.50 towards the hall hire fee, with the shortfall covered by the group's reserve funds. Concerns are raised about the financial sustainability of holding meetings if attendance continues to decline, with a potential increase in the entry fee being considered. The newsletter also pays tribute to Arthur Shuttlewood, a pioneer in ufology from Wiltshire, who recently passed away. Shuttlewood is remembered for his extensive work documenting UFO sightings and activities in Warminster from 1967 to 1979 through his books, which are listed. His legacy is expected to continue influencing UFO reports from the area.

Press Coverage (April 1995)

This section details press articles related to UFOs from April 1995:

• Regional Articles:
• Scarborough Evening News (1.4.95): 'Seen a UFO ? We Want to Know!'
• Scotland On Sunday (2.4.95): 'Non Fiction.'
• South Wales Echo (4.4.95): 'The Day a UFO Didn't Land here.'
• Coastal Express (6.4.95): 'UFO Sightings are on the Increase...'
• South Wales Echo (10.4.95): 'Dan O'Neill's no Expert, Either.'
• Boston Trader (25.4.95): 'No Title.'
• National Articles:
• The Sun (18.4.95): 'Gaby's Saucer Concern.'
• Newspaper Unknown:
• (16.4.95): 'No Title.'

Magazine Articles (April & September 1995)

• Evening Gazette (26.4.95): 'No Title.'
• The Oldie (4.95): 'It Couldn't Happen Here.'

Local Articles (April 1995)

• Portsmouth News (24.4.95): 'UFO Mysteries Explain Meeting's High Turnout.'
• Portsmouth News (24.4.95): 'UFO Conference is Out of This World.'

Crop Circles (April 1995)

• Southampton Evening Echo (22.4.95): 'Merlin Works His Magic on Crop Circles Secret.'
• Southampton Evening Echo (27.4.95): 'Crop Circle Experts Hails 'Scientific Breakthrough.'

Press/TV/Radio Matters Over the Past Month (August/September 1996)

• The Daily Mail (20.8.96): Discussed parallels between Egyptian Sphinx/pyramids and structures on Mars, mentioning mysterious doors found in pyramids and the Sphinx. It questioned NASA's lack of interest and suggested they might know more than they are revealing.
• The Daily Mirror (22.8.96): Part 1 of a two-part article on NASA photos hidden for 20 years, dismissed by NASA as meteors or debris. It included interviews with ex-astronauts who claimed to have seen or taken photos of UFOs. Richard Hoagland urged President Clinton to release NASA's files.
• The Daily Mirror (23.8.96): Part 2 focused on alien contact and abduction claims, detailing the case of Bob Taylor, who was allegedly attacked by a UFO, and other cases involving time loss and abduction by 'grey neighbours'.
• The News of the World (25.8.96): Explored patents classified by the American Government, including Constantin Lent's patent for a saucer-shaped aircraft, and speculated on the origins of UFO stories.
• The News of the World Magazine (25.8.96): Featured 'Invasion of the body snatchers - or just tall stories?', recounting three encounters with aliens, including Elsie Oakensen's UFO encounter and loss of 15 minutes of her life, James Basil's claims of regular alien visits, and James and Pamela Millen's unaccounted-for time.
• Southampton Evening Echo (10.9.96): Reported on the bumper harvest of crop circle formations in the South, noting that experts can distinguish between hoaxes and genuine articles. The patterns have been appearing for 20 years, becoming more complex. Two formations at Stonehenge and Avebury were highlighted, with the Avebury pattern being over 1,000 feet across and representing a mathematical symbol. Lucy Pringle reported strange lights seen by children on the night the Avebury pattern appeared, suggesting a connection between light phenomena and crop circles. Colin Andrews is examining a film of UFOs over a Hampshire corn field. The NFU is offering a £1,000 reward for information on crop circle hoaxers.

Magazine Articles (April & September 1995)

• Evening Gazette (26.4.95): 'No Title.'
• The Oldie (4.95): 'It Couldn't Happen Here.'

Local Articles (April 1995)

• Portsmouth News (24.4.95): 'UFO Mysteries Explain Meeting's High Turnout.'
• Portsmouth News (24.4.95): 'UFO Conference is Out of This World.'

Crop Circles (April 1995)

• Southampton Evening Echo (22.4.95): 'Merlin Works His Magic on Crop Circles Secret.'
• Southampton Evening Echo (27.4.95): 'Crop Circle Experts Hails 'Scientific Breakthrough.'

Press/TV/Radio Matters Over the Past Month (August/September 1996)

• The Daily Mail (20.8.96): Discussed parallels between Egyptian Sphinx/pyramids and structures on Mars, mentioning mysterious doors found in pyramids and the Sphinx. It questioned NASA's lack of interest and suggested they might know more than they are revealing.
• The Daily Mirror (22.8.96): Part 1 of a two-part article on NASA photos hidden for 20 years, dismissed by NASA as meteors or debris. It included interviews with ex-astronauts who claimed to have seen or taken photos of UFOs. Richard Hoagland urged President Clinton to release NASA's files.
• The Daily Mirror (23.8.96): Part 2 focused on alien contact and abduction claims, detailing the case of Bob Taylor, who was allegedly attacked by a UFO, and other cases involving time loss and abduction by 'grey neighbours'.
• The News of the World (25.8.96): Explored patents classified by the American Government, including Constantin Lent's patent for a saucer-shaped aircraft, and speculated on the origins of UFO stories.
• The News of the World Magazine (25.8.96): Featured 'Invasion of the body snatchers - or just tall stories?', recounting three encounters with aliens, including Elsie Oakensen's UFO encounter and loss of 15 minutes of her life, James Basil's claims of regular alien visits, and James and Pamela Millen's unaccounted-for time.
• Southampton Evening Echo (10.9.96): Reported on the bumper harvest of crop circle formations in the South, noting that experts can distinguish between hoaxes and genuine articles. The patterns have been appearing for 20 years, becoming more complex. Two formations at Stonehenge and Avebury were highlighted, with the Avebury pattern being over 1,000 feet across and representing a mathematical symbol. Lucy Pringle reported strange lights seen by children on the night the Avebury pattern appeared, suggesting a connection between light phenomena and crop circles. Colin Andrews is examining a film of UFOs over a Hampshire corn field. The NFU is offering a £1,000 reward for information on crop circle hoaxers.

Magazine Articles (September 1996)

• The Independent (11.9.96): 'Ulster kept in dark by Whitehall secrecy.' This article touched upon government secrecy regarding Northern Ireland and the potential release of UFO files after 30 years.
• Southampton Evening Echo (12.9.96): 'UFOs are filmed carving out a crop circle.' This reported on video footage appearing to show four UFOs creating a crop circle. Colin Andrews is examining the film, which shows four small glowing spheres creating a snowflake-shaped pattern. Doubts about the film's authenticity are noted.
• News of the World Magazine (15.9.96): 'The Alien Secrets of Area 51.' This article concerned a TV program called 'Dreamland' and an interview with Bob Oechsler.

TV (August 1996)

• Independence Day (The Making Of) (18.8.96): A 30-minute program discussing the making of the film 'Independence Day', including interviews with people like Whitley Strieber, Carl Sagan, and other ufologists, astronomers, and scientists.

Magic and Mystery Show (August 1996)

• 23.8.96: 'Alton Barnes and Alien Tattoo's in Southampton.' This covered UFO sightings in Wiltshire and an interview with a Southampton tattoo parlour owner who claimed to have been abducted by aliens.

Sightings (August/September 1996)

• 2.9.96: 'Sprites and Blue Jets & The Outback encounter of the Knowles Family.' This item looked at photographs of strange lights seen at high altitudes and reconstructed the UFO encountered by the Knowles family in Australia.
• 9.9.96: 'Mexico sighting update.' This discussed updated UFO sightings in Mexico shown on videos, including new footage and interviews.
• 11.9.96: 'The Why Files.' This program examined 1996 crop circle formations and featured an interview with Steve Alexander, who filmed an object gliding through a field. The article notes that this was not new information for regular readers.

Radio

An appeal is made for information regarding a UFO sighting over Bolton, Lancashire, seen by hundreds or thousands of people during the morning rush hour. The editor notes that the national press did not cover the event and requests any recordings or press cuttings.

UFO Hotline

Charges are listed as 36p Standard Rate and 48p Peak Rate. The BUFORA Weekly News Update number is 0891 121 886.

Newsletter Subscription Details

The newsletter consists of at least 5 double-sided A4 pages and press items. The cost is £5 per year, including postage. It is published monthly.

Magazine Reviews by Ernie Sears

Ernie Sears reviews several publications:

• The Flying Triangle Mystery: A 25-page publication by Omar Fowler of the Phenomenon Research Association, featuring illustrations and charts of triangular UFOs. It costs £3.
• OVNI: Omar Fowler's monthly publication, with the August issue including an article on the quartz layer and its effects on energy underneath Stonehenge, a drawing by Pat Delgado regarding crop circles, and a UFO sighting over Derby. It costs £1 per issue.
• Truth Seeker Review: A 44-page publication with an article on 'Underground Bunkers', how to spot them, and their power sources. It also covers 'Aurora' craft, stone circles, and UFO sightings. Six editions cost £10.20, and three cost half that.
• Skysearch: A quarterly publication (£1.50) focusing on abductions, crop circles, and UFO sightings, particularly in Sussex. It features articles by Shaun Carr and Maria Ward.
• UFO Magazine (May/June 1996): A Canadian publication covering implants, remote viewing, moon edifices, and astronomer Carl Sagan. A yearly subscription costs $32 (foreign dollars).
• Sightings Issue 4: Contains articles on the 1979 Rossendale Valley incident, a speculative account about Mars, Soviet sightings, alien autopsy doubts, the 'Independence Day' movie, Nick Pope's column, and a tribute to Ken Phillips. It costs £25 for 12 issues.
• UFO Magazine (British): Highlights Brazilian 'alien' capture incidents, 'alien implants', and Russian attacks on ufologists. It also covers 'Dreamland', Groom Lake, and a North Wales UFO crash. It costs £1.95 bi-monthly.
• AREA S1: The Sheffield UFO Association magazine, featuring an article on the Chupacabras creature, a plan by New York UFO investigators to exterminate county authorities, and the current UFO 'wave' over Sheffield. It costs £1 per copy, monthly.

Making Contact With Other Groups

The author has contacted 25 groups in the UK and two abroad to exchange information. So far, only one UK group and two overseas groups have responded. The author expresses surprise at the lack of willingness from other groups to exchange information and encourages a more connected network.

BUFORA NEWSFILE

Subscription costs are £7.00 for 6 issues or £13.00 for 12 issues. Contact Michael Hudson at Linden Trees, 70 High Street, Wingham, Kent, CT3 1BJ.

Forthcoming Events and Lectures

• 16th-17th November 1996: Lancashire Aerial Phenomenon Investigation Society at The Lowther Pavilion, Lytham. Speakers include Jenny Randles, Nick Pope, and Philip Mantle. Contact: 01253 391704 or 01253 404532.

Southampton's First Internet Cafe

Offers internet access at £3.00 per half hour (discount for students) and training courses. Opening times are 9 am - 10 pm Monday to Saturday, and 2 pm - 9 pm on Sundays. Telephone: 01703 635429. Address: 75 Bedford Place, Southampton, Hampshire.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, crop circles, alien abductions, and related phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on reporting and reviewing media coverage of these topics, including films, TV programs, and newspaper articles. The editor expresses a personal interest in the subject matter, often offering opinions and interpretations of the events and reports. The newsletter also highlights the activities of the Southampton UFO Group, including meetings and efforts to connect with other ufological organizations. A recurring theme is the perceived secrecy surrounding UFO information, particularly from government agencies like NASA, and the desire for greater transparency. The newsletter also serves as a platform for reviewing various ufological publications, providing readers with a curated list of resources.

This document appears to be a collection of UFO sighting reports and related information, likely from a specialized magazine or newsletter. The primary focus is on witness accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) in the UK, with a specific report dated August 21st, 1996, over Southampton.

UFO Sighting/Report Over Southampton 21.8.96

The first detailed report describes a sighting on Wednesday, August 21st, 1996, at approximately 1:25 PM near Maypole Roundabout, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire. The witness, alone in a car, observed a bright, completely silver metallic, cigar-shaped object high in the sky. It was rotating but appeared stationary in a clear blue sky. The object was described as being about a few hundred feet high and was dazzling due to its reflection. After about 30 seconds, it disappeared from view. The witness noted the object's metallic appearance resembled 'molten silver solder' and its glint was brighter than any normal sun reflection.

Sighting Over Bristol

This section compiles several less detailed reports. An elderly lady in Bristol reported seeing a ring of lights, described as 'huge light bulbs,' outside her flat at 1:45 AM. The object reportedly lit up her flat and had a dome with colored lights, and another dome on top. This sighting occurred approximately 18 months prior to the report. Another account mentions a woman seeing similar objects hovering over a school. In 1978, a classroom full of children reportedly saw an egg-shaped UFO hovering over their school. A man on local radio in Bristol mentioned his grandmother saw lights dancing around the Mendip Hills, which she described as 'Earth Lights' appearing on a full moon night.

Mr Ernie Sears Encounters a 'Flying Triangle'

This is a personal account from Ernie Sears, a member of the Southampton UFO Group. On November 28th, 1977, at 8 PM, during a clear night, he observed a metallic-looking, triangular craft hovering silently about a thousand feet overhead in the sky above his Portswood home in Southampton. The craft had visible 'ribs' beneath and 'rivets', with weird colored lights around its edges. Sears, who had prior experience with UFOs, including witnessing a UFO chased by two RAF meteor jets in the 1960s, felt the object was 'looking down' at him. He called for his wife, but by the time she looked, the object had vanished. He initially questioned his sanity but was later relieved to hear of other sightings.

Sears recounts his attempts to verify the sighting by contacting Eastleigh airport, the local police, and the Royal Observatory at Herstmonceux, all of whom reported no unusual activity. The following morning, he spoke to a musician friend who confirmed that he and three other musicians had seen a similar 'huge triangle' dashing about the sky at high speed with short trails of light, periodically stopping and hovering, while driving along the M27 near Bursledon (close to Southampton).

Answers to Last Month's Quiz

This section lists the answers to a previous quiz, including names like Kenneth Arnold, Yuri Gagarin, Neil Armstrong, and Project Blue Book. It also notes a correction regarding Wilhelm Reich and orgone radiation. The winner of the competition is announced as Tom Trubridge.

*U* UFO DATABASE MAPPING AND RESEARCH TOOL

This section is an advertisement for a software product called '*U* UFO DATABASE'. It is described as the most complete and best-researched UFO software available, containing over 14,400 quality sightings from 240 sources. The software offers versatile maps, zoom and shift capabilities, trajectory maps, and data filtering by over 90 search paths. It includes an astronomical clock showing planetary data and alignments. The advertisement features glowing reviews from sources like MUFON UFO JOURNAL and researchers like Jacques Vallee and Dr. Bruce Maccabee. System requirements are listed, along with pricing for the database disk and documentation, including options for US and international shipping. Contact information for Larry Hatch Software is provided.

Some screens from the *U* UFO DATABASE

This section displays several screenshots from the '*U* UFO DATABASE' software. The images show various map views of UFO sightings across North America, Europe, and Australia. Other graphics include trajectory maps for July 1947, a chart showing UFO sightings by month over 50 years, and planetary data alignments related to Venus and Mars proximity to Earth. A note indicates that 1995 was the busiest year for sightings since 1973.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this document are UFO/UAP sightings, witness testimonies, and the analysis or cataloging of such events. There is a clear interest in documenting and investigating these phenomena, as evidenced by the detailed reports and the promotion of the '*U* UFO DATABASE' software. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, providing a platform for witness accounts and promoting tools for research.