SUFOG Newsletter No 109-110

Magazine Overview

This issue of SUFOG (Southampton UFO Group) is a combined number 109 and 110, dated November/December 1999. It focuses heavily on the "Conference '99 : A Roaring Success ??" held in Southampton, detailing the event's proceedings, speakers, and financial outcomes. The magazine also includes updates on ongoing UFO research, reviews of other UFO publications, and discussions on related topics.

Conference '99 : A Roaring Success ??

Ernie Sears reports on the SUFOG conference held on October 24th, 1999, at the Solent Conference Centre in Southampton. Despite poor weather, the event proceeded with speakers including Russel Callaghan, Malcolm Robinson of SPI, Graham Birdsall of Quest Magazine, and Lionel Beer of BUFORA. The talks covered various aspects of UFOlogy, including dramatic sighting reports, the Scottish Phenomena Investigation, secret bases, and the Scoriton Incident. The conference aimed to raise funds for the group, though it incurred a loss of £155 due to weather and hall hire costs. However, subsequent sales of conference videos and other income led to a small profit of £2.80.

Steve Rider provides his perspective on the conference, focusing on his role as a video camera operator. He highlights the excellent talks and the "PHENOMENA" exhibition planned for the year 2000. Rider also mentions informal discussions with speakers and the positive experience of the event, expressing a desire to participate in future similar events.

Ongoing Research and Initiatives

The "European FT Initiative" is underway, attempting to track black triangular-shaped UFOs across Europe, with a database containing approximately 7,000 sighting reports from 1993-1997. The group is seeking additional reports to expand this database.

Articles and Commentary

Malcolm Robinson contributes an article titled "NO DEFENCE SIGNIFICANCE !" which discusses the repeated response from the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) when information on UFO sightings is requested. Robinson argues that this response suggests the MoD knows more than they are letting on and that the public is being kept in the dark about the true nature of UFO phenomena.

Ernie Sears provides "YE OLDE NEWSPAPER REVIEWS BY ERNIE SEARS ESQ.", a collection of recent newspaper clippings related to UFOs and the paranormal. These include reports on the revamped Roswell Museum, the Scole Experiment, a large crematorium in Mexico, a BUFORA skywatch in Bonnybridge, book reviews on UFO topics, and a survey on belief in ghosts and aliens.

Magazine Reviews

Ernie Sears also reviews several other UFO publications:

• FASTER THAN LIGHT: Features reports on a "near miss" over Heathrow, Hull UFO sightings, and a touring exhibition. It also discusses the "Operation Surety" initiative and a new UFO investigation network called UFOIN.
• SKYWATCHERS: A colorful magazine from the Cornwall UFO Research Group, covering crop circles, sighting reports, and articles on extraterrestrial contact by Steven Greer and Whitley Strieber.
• RAPPORT: The London-based Witness Support Group's publication, featuring contactee experiences and book reviews, including Elsie Oakenson's "Into The Unknown or is it?"

Ideas for the Year 2000

The magazine outlines a series of ideas for SUFOG's activities in the year 2000, including regular meetings, lectures, skywatches, social evenings, a weekend in Avebury, car boot sales, a Christmas party, and a BBQ. These events are intended to maintain group interest and raise funds.

Other Content

• SUFOG CONTACT CORNER: A list of various UFO research groups with contact details.
• Southampton UFO Group Newsletter Subscription Details: Information on subscribing to the newsletter.
• Steve G - Lecture to TEMS 28.11.99: A report by Steve G on giving a talk to the TEMS group about UFOlogy.
• SUFOG DIARY - 2000: An announcement about a full list of upcoming events being attached to the newsletter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and analysis of UFO sightings, the organization and outcomes of UFO conferences, and the questioning of government transparency regarding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of active investigation, open discussion, and a belief that UFOs are a serious subject deserving of public attention and government disclosure. There is a strong emphasis on community and collective effort within the UFOlogy field, encouraging members to support group activities and advocate for more information.

This issue of SUFOG (PAGE 11-20) is a compilation of articles and reports related to UFOlogy and the paranormal, featuring contributions from various researchers and group members. The magazine covers reviews of other UFO publications, detailed accounts of skywatch events, analysis of video evidence, and discussions on broader UFO-related topics.

Reviews of Other Publications

AUSTRALIAN UFOLOGIST: Described as a classy magazine with a striking cover, it offers 70 pages of content on UFOs, unexplained phenomena, paranormal, new sciences, crop circles, government cover-ups, and more. The editor, Jenny Thomas, aims to provide information and inspiration. The magazine features stunning adverts and excellent photos, with articles on Roswell, crop circles, NASA veterans' claims, alien influences, and the Peter Khoury abduction. It is available via subscription from Earthlink Publishing in Australia for $25 (Australian) for 4 copies.

THE AUSTRALIAN UFO MAGAZINE: This pocket-sized magazine, with a picture cover montage of space and UFOs, was issued in December 1999. It contains illustrations, media cuttings, details on the 1991 'crash', reports from Chile and China, book reviews, and a feature on an Australian lady in UFOlogy. Enquiries can be directed to the Victorian UFO research Society.

CSETI OVERVIEW: A detailed seven-page report on a French report concerning UFOs and Defence, citing high-ranking military and civilian French officials. It is presented as a copy given to the French Prime Minister and President, and mentions the "Increasing secrecy by the USA". The report is described as "well known and so far unidentified cases world-wide are quoted." The article questions whether copies were sent to Australian authorities, referencing a previous "Briefing Document, Best Available Evidence" sent to personalities worldwide. It notes mentions of "Steve! Great (!) Britain and our very own Nick Pope" and "possible secret studies shared with the USA." The report is deemed essential for informed UFOlogists.

E.J.U.F.O.A.S. (European Journal of UFO and Abduction Studies): This is a special magazine review by Ernie Sears. The journal is described as plush, beautifully bound, and printed, with a subtitle "Bringing The European UFO Community Closer." The review questions its potential to make inroads into government secrecy. It lists an impressive editorial board and features articles on "Project for a database of ball lightening observations in Italy," "Preliminary identifications of alien contact / abduction experiences as hallucinatory states induced by prolonged exposures to electromagnetic pollution in the environment," "UFO declassification.. the Spanish Model," and a "Forum Debate" on UFOlogical information. The reviewer expresses a hope that the project will clarify its approach and questions whether the students have experienced actual craft or occupants.

Group Member Contributions

Ernie Sears Writes: Ernie reflects on his own period of self-doubt regarding UFO investigations, having previously discarded his UFO material. He discusses apathy and being drawn back to the subject by "coincidence." He commends Steve Rider's twenty years of paranormal investigation and his own sixty years of experience. Ernie emphasizes the importance of dedicated supporters over a large group that follows trends. He also mentions his own experiences and the concept of a "leaderless but powerful network" working for change, drawing parallels to Marilyn Ferguson's "The Aquarian Conspiracy." He notes that individuals are often unaware of each other but are working towards a common goal. Ernie encourages Steve to "keep on" and use his inner knowledge.

Ernie Sears on Albert Budden Lecture: Ernie attended a lecture by Albert Budden titled "Scum, sludge, and residue; refining UFOlogical Information." Budden's theories on electromagnetic and anti-gravity aspects of UFOs were presented, which Ernie found interesting, especially when a video was shown. However, Ernie notes that Budden dismissed many UFO encounters and witness testimonies, attributing them to earthlights, brain problems, or eyesight issues. Ernie contrasts this with the experiences of thousands of witnesses, including qualified aircrews. He recounts a heated exchange between his companion Reg. Atkinson and Budden, where Reg. was told to 'get out.' Ernie concludes the evening was interesting but unproductive.

Brian James (APRA) writes about the Avebury Skywatch: This article details a joint skywatch event with the Southampton UFO Group on July 31st - August 1st, 1999, at Avebury. The event involved members from APRA and SUFOG. After looking at crop formations, the groups met and discussed UFOlogy. They set up camp on the east bank of the henge. Early excitement included a bright shaft of light in a corn field, initially speculated to be a crop circle in the making, but later identified as a security light. The night sky watch included sightings of satellites, a strange airplane with orange spot lights, and three very bright flashes from the Silbury Hill direction. A significant sighting was a very bright white light, pea-sized at arm's length, which moved, changed shape from white to blue-white and elliptical, then triangular, before hiding behind a cloud. This was also seen by Ernie, Brian, and Andy. Later, two foreign travelers confirmed seeing flashes from the ground upwards in the same direction. The article also mentions the possibility of new crop circles appearing and notes that Salisbury Plain is in that general direction.

James Hill writes about the Avebury Skywatch: This account complements Brian James's report, detailing the arrival at Avebury and the initial activities. James recounts an incident where he realized he had not locked his car, and Brian went to check, finding Brian already looking at a formation. The groups met at the Red Lion pub before heading to the henge. The article reiterates the sighting of a security light in the corn field. During the night, they observed a strange airplane and three bright flashes from Silbury Hill. A key sighting was a bright white light that moved, changed shape, and was observed by multiple witnesses. The article also mentions the two foreign travelers who confirmed the flashes. James concludes by expressing a desire for a closer encounter in the future.

Mike Farrell (Australia) on Enigma Channel Video: Mike reviews the "The Crop Circle Update 1999" video by Enigma Channel. He describes it as a 3-hour tape interviewing crop circle researchers and covering the evolution of crop circle phenomena. The video features beautiful color photography and detailed analysis. A significant segment is dedicated to the "Oliver Castle" video, also known as the "snowflake" video. Mike's initial impressions suggest the video may be genuine, with enhanced analysis revealing details not visible on standard TV. The analysis shows a large luminosity descending, changing into a "flying saucer" shape, and disappearing behind a tree. A flash of light and ejection of a gas-like substance are noted, followed by another ball of light. The luminosity races across the field and reappears, dividing into two balls of light. The analysis suggests a UFO descended and discharged luminosity's. The article questions why a hoax would include details not visible on standard TV. It also notes that the "snowflake" pattern itself displayed hallmarks of a genuine pictogram with 7-fold geometry. The video's findings include: no evidence of 3D computer animation, the crop formation being considered genuine by researchers, no strings or wires detected, the "flying saucer" object not being visible on standard TV, and the luminosity's being no larger than a medium-sized beach ball traveling at around 100 feet per second.

Other Content

NASA LOSE AGAIN !!!: This short piece reports that NASA has 'LOST' the current Martian polar lander sent to find water. It speculates whether NASA lost it or if it was sabotaged by Martians. The article also mentions the possibility of E.T. establishing scrap yards on the Moon and Mars.

Subscriptions to rise in 2000: Due to increased costs, SUFOG is increasing its membership prices from January 1st, 2000. The new prices are £6.50 for single membership, £9.00 for joint membership, and £15.00 for family members. European subscriptions will be £12, and American subscriptions £18.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG revolve around UFO sightings, crop circle phenomena, and personal experiences with the paranormal. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the importance of sharing information, even when it challenges conventional understanding. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to seek the truth and to question official narratives. There is a clear skepticism towards dismissive explanations for UFO phenomena and a belief in the validity of personal experiences. The magazine also highlights the efforts of various research groups and individuals dedicated to investigating these subjects.