SUFOG Newsletter No 077

Magazine Overview

This is the March 1997 issue, Number 77, of the SUFOG NEWSLETTER, published by the Southampton UFO Group. The editor, Steve Gerrard, notes a busy month filled with talks and lectures, and an expanding video library. The newsletter covers a wide range of UFO-related topics, including recent sightings, media coverage, crop circles, and upcoming events.

Editorial

The editorial highlights the editor's busy schedule with talks and lectures, and the acquisition of new video material, including French television footage of crop circles in Southern England from the 1990s. The comet Hale-Bopp's approach is mentioned as a spectacular event. The editor also reveals his personal interest in police encounters and sightings of flying saucers, stemming from his work as a constable with Hampshire Police Authority. He recounts a personal experience of witnessing three lights in the sky, which was later attributed to a new nightclub's spotlights. The editorial also teases future articles, including one on police encounters and sightings over the past 30 years.

Southampton UFO Group Activities

The Southampton UFO Group held a poorly attended meeting in February 1997, with only six members present. The group is concerned about declining membership and is considering placing an advert in UFO Magazine and supplying contact details to other publications. They plan to hold meetings on Sundays every four months, featuring guest speakers. Plans are also underway for a potential joint conference in Southampton in 1998. The group is seeking new members and encourages attendance at future meetings.

Media Coverage: October 1995 UFO Reports

Pages 2 and 3 extensively list newspaper articles from October 1995 concerning UFO sightings and related topics. These reports come from various regional and national newspapers across the UK, including:

• Regional Newspapers: Dundee Courier & Advertiser, Northern Echo, Hinckley Herald, Barking & Dagenham Recorder, East Kent Mercury, Jersey Evening Post, West Somerset Free Press, Birmingham Post, Glasgow Evening Times, Scarborough Evening News, Somerset County Gazette, Edinburgh Evening News, Loughborough Echo, Eastern Daily Press, Guernsey Evening Press, The Scotsman, Yorkshire Post, Kingston Borough Guardian, Doncaster Star, Ilford Recorder, Falkirk Herald, Broadcast (London), Buckingham Advertiser, City of London Recorder, Craven Herald, The Surrey Comet, Greenock Telegraph, Nottingham Evening Post, Heartland Evening News, Newham Recorder, Thanet Times, Peterborough Evening Telegraph, Chorley Guardian, Wrexham Evening Leader, Oadby & Wigston Mail, Dundee Evening Telegraph, The List, Belfast Newsletter, Slough & Langley Observer, Brighton Evening News, Helston Packet, Wigan Reporter, Cambridge Evening News, Malvern Gazette, Keighley News, Glasgow Evening Times, Portsmouth News.
• National Newspapers: The Guardian, Sunday People, The Independent, The Times, The People, Daily Telegraph.
• Magazines: Focus, Time Out.
• Local Articles: Southampton Evening Echo, Westminster.

These articles cover a wide range of UFO-related themes, from "Cosmic tourists" and "Out of this world" sightings to "Alien Messages" and demands for the release of secret MoD files.

Current Lectures FOR 1997

Several upcoming lectures and events are advertised:

• UFO ABDUCTIONS & IMPLANTS: THE PROOF: Saturday, June 7th, 1997, at The Embassy Hotel, Bournemouth. Featuring Derrel Sims and Dr. Roger K.Leir. Ticket price £8.00.
• UFOKENT 1997: Saturday, April 26th, 1997, at The Lido, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent. Topics include Crop Circles, Alien Races, and Alien Abductions. Ticket price £10.
• Newcastle UFO Conference: Sunday, May 3rd, 1997, at the Civic Center, Newcastle. Speakers include William Holden, Graham Birdsall, Anthony Dodd, and Russell Callagham. Tickets £7.00 (£5 concessions).
• Totton College Lecture: March 11th, 1997. The editor and Ernie Sears gave a presentation on UFOs, including abduction cases and video footage of alleged UFOs.
• Editor's Lectures For 1997: The editor lists several upcoming talks:
• April 25th, 1997: Everton, Lymington.
• May 6th, 1997: Local Hospital radio, Southampton.
• July 5th, 1997: Southern UFO Conference.
• September 1997: Local women's association meeting in Yateley, Hampshire.
• November 11th, 1997: Annual dinner of The Institution of Electrical Engineers.

1996 Crop Circle Formations

A detailed list of crop circle formations from 1996 is provided, including dates, locations (primarily in Hampshire and surrounding areas), crop types (Oil Seed Rape, Barley, Wheat), grid references (O/S Ref), and descriptions of the formations (e.g., "standing crescent within Anit-Clockwise ring," "Rose design," "'Keyhole' design").

1997 Formation Appears in Cornwall

An early 1997 crop formation was reported on January 31st in Sennen, Lands End, Cornwall. The formation, described as a 37ft across shape resembling the letter 'Q', attracted the attention of the MoD, who reportedly took ground samples. The author speculates on the MoD's interest and the appearance of individuals dressed in black, driving a black Cadillac, suggesting they may have been adding authenticity to the event.

Magazine Reviews

Mr. Ernie Sears reviews several UFO-related publications:

• SKYLINK: Roy Lake's magazine for the London UFO Studies Group. Described as dramatic, gripping, and provocative, with improved layout. It features articles on "spirits or UFO's," Hale-Böpp, NASA's secret photos, abduction reports, and "Alien Graphics."
• IUFOPRA (Irish UFO Paranormal Research Association): Publishes an "Animal Mutilation Update" and covers "Mutilation" scenarios and communications. It also mentions a Roscommon "crash" and a "Strange and Gravity" article.
• ENIGMA: A pocket-sized magazine by Paul Vigay, with a "special Hale-Bopp issue" and a 13-page article on "Alien Encounters," covering speculation, crop circles, hoaxes, and "The Final Conspiracy."
• SIGHTINGS: Described as an excellent plus, with a free key ring. It includes UFO sightings, "alien identification," and interviews with Whitley Strieber. It also features a potted biography of "Hall of Fame" UFO luminaries and an article on Britain's Area 51.

Television and Media

Several television programs and media items related to UFOs are listed:

• Discovery Channel: "What If?" (futuristic look at extraterrestrial visits).
• Sci-Fi Channel: "Sightings" (Area 51, Project Blue Book, Abduction of Gary Wood, UFO at Edwards AFB, Nazi UFO's, Edwards Encounter), "EarthScan" (Abduction of Gary Wood, UFO Encounter France 1995, Shrewsbury UFO sighting), "The Philadelphia Experiment (Rpt)," Arthur C.Clarke's "UFO's (Rpt).
• Live TV: "The Why Files" (Rudloe Manor & UFO Cover-Up, Past Lives, Roy Lake), "Olivers Castle Crop Circle video hoax."
• Sky 1: "Sightings" (The Mantel crash, Ancient Visitors (Peru), Incident at Cherry Creek).
• Channel 4: "Fortean Tv" (Alien abductions & alien art, Aliens in Israel).
• Other: "For The Love Of: Were The Moon Landings Hoaxed?", "In the News - Alien Abduction - The Message."

UFO Research Team Membership Pack

A Jersey UFO Research Team Membership Pack is offered by Kevin Giannoni, including a subscription to UFO Magazine, free hire of conference videos, skywatches, field training, competitions, and a newsletter service.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and the phenomenon of crop circles. There is a strong emphasis on reporting media coverage of these topics, particularly from newspapers and television. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, acknowledging the existence of unexplained events while also critically examining claims and seeking rational explanations where possible. The editor's personal background as a police constable adds an interesting perspective to the reporting of sightings. The newsletter also serves as a platform for promoting UFO research groups, conferences, and lectures, aiming to engage and inform its readership.

Title: SUFOG NEWSLETTER
Issue: 11
Volume: 11
Date: 1997
Publisher: SUFOG
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of the SUFOG NEWSLETTER, dated 1997, delves into the perceived lack of transparency from the UK government regarding the UFO phenomenon. The cover headline, "The Government : Who's Fooling Who....... ?" by SUFOG Editor Steve Gerrard, sets a critical tone for the content.

Government's Handling of UFO Information

The lead article questions why the government appears to be 'button-lipped' about UFOs. It references a Hansard report from July 8th, 1996, containing questions asked to the Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. Soames, by Mr. Redmond. Mr. Redmond inquired about which office within the department deals with UFO sightings and requested a list of sightings and actions taken over the past 10 years.

Mr. Soames responded that the focal point for UFO reports is Secretariat (Air Staff) 2a, referred to as 'The UFO Desk'. He stated that the department evaluates reports solely to determine defense significance and does not investigate or provide explanations for observed phenomena unless there is evidence of a compromise to UK air defense. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) received around 200-300 reports of unexplained aerial sightings annually but denied that anyone worked full-time on them.

This official stance is contrasted with the claims of Nick Pope, a former Ministry of Defence employee who worked in 'The UFO Desk' from 1991-1994. Pope's book, 'Open Skies Closed Minds,' suggests he actively investigated UFO sightings. The newsletter highlights the discrepancy: Mr. Soames claims the department does not investigate, while Pope admits to investigating sightings and analyzing claims for national security threats, an experience he described as life-changing.

The MoD, through a statement, maintained that it knew of no evidence substantiating the existence of UFO phenomena. They emphasized their vigilance for potential threats and stated that if no threat is discerned, further attempts to investigate or establish what was seen are not made, even if a sighting remains unexplained.

Personal Sightings and Experiences

Page 12 features a personal account from "SKYWATCH 22.3.97" detailing an observation near Longdown, near Southampton. The group, including members of the Totton UFO Studies Course, observed Comet Hale-Bopp through binoculars. At 9:20 pm, an anomalous flashing light was spotted directly overhead, described as very high up and moving towards Southampton. It was visible for approximately 2-3 minutes. Later, at 11:25 pm, another flashing white light was observed in the direction of Fawley, near Southampton. This light was described as moving very erratically and was visible for a minute or two. Some group members reported seeing a similar light earlier that night.

The article also references a piece by N.G. Pope (MoD) in the 17th May edition (Issue 898) of RAF News, titled 'Sightings Provoked Scrambles.' Pope, who worked in Secretariat (Air Staff) 2a in the early 90s, noted that while many UFO sightings could be explained, a 'hard core' defied conventional explanation, including cases with visual and radar evidence. He mentioned that the RAF's involvement with the subject dates back to the 1940s and that many RAF aircrew had encountered UFOs but rarely filed official reports.

Other Content and Announcements

Page 13 includes a review of 'AWARENESS... The Journal of Contact International UFO Research organization,' describing it as a well-printed publication covering topics like Hale-Bopp, Doomsday speculation, and sightings near Manchester Airport. It also mentions the Contact International 1997 Conference in Oxford.

A 'CLOSING COMMENT' section reflects on the heightened awareness of 'something' and expresses hope for a more positive future, cautioning against humanity's destructive tendencies towards the planet and its inhabitants.

The newsletter announces the date of the next group meeting on April 27th at Woolston Community Center, Southampton. It also promotes a series of guest speaker events starting June 29th, 1997, with Mr. Roy Lake of the London UFO Studies group as the first speaker. Tickets for these events are priced at £5, and applications should be sent to Mr. Steve Gerrard.

Page 14 is a flyer for the lecture by Mr. Roy Lake, detailing the date (June 29th, 1997), time (2 PM - 5 PM), and venue (Woolston Community Center, Southampton), along with contact details for Steve Gerrard.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the perceived lack of governmental transparency and accountability regarding UFO sightings. The SUFOG Newsletter adopts a critical stance, questioning official narratives and highlighting the experiences of individuals who claim direct involvement in investigating UFO phenomena. There is an underlying suggestion that the government may know more than it publicly admits. The publication also serves as a platform for sharing personal sightings and promoting local UFO research group activities and events.