SUFOG Newsletter No 117-118

Magazine Overview

SUFOG, issue number 117-118, dated July/August 2000, is a UK-based magazine focused on UFO sightings and paranormal phenomena. The cover prominently features the "European FT Initiative," an attempt to track triangular-shaped UFOs across Europe between 1993 and 1997, utilizing a database of 7,000 sighting reports. The magazine also provides contact information, including an email address, website, and mobile number for SUFOG.

Cover Story: European FT Initiative

The lead story on the cover details the "European FT Initiative," aiming to compile and analyze reports of triangular-shaped UFOs observed in Europe from 1993 to 1997. The project relies on a database of approximately 7,000 sighting reports, with a call for additional reports to potentially reveal the origin of these objects.

Editorial and Group Activities

The editorial section expresses frustration with the media's handling of the NASA 'Smoking Gun' footage, noting a lack of widespread coverage despite prior hype. The editor also vents about the state of current UFOlogy. The magazine highlights a recent group trip to Avebury on June 24th-25th, described as tiring but enjoyable, with plans for a similar trip in August 2001. The newsletter aims to improve with reader feedback.

Witness Account: Silbury Hill Incident

A letter from Robert Fisher in Bristol details an incident at Silbury Hill, where a 33-foot hole appeared. Fisher questions the official explanation of subsidence, noting the hole's clean-cut, square shape. He also recounts reports of mysterious colored lights seen over the hill, described as a flattened oval shape, by a driver named Clive Stevens. The letter also mentions crop circles appearing in the vicinity.

Ernie Sears Column: UFOs Over Southampton

Ernie Sears writes about a "skywatch" held by the Southampton UFO Group (SUFOG) on May 19th near Netley Abbey. A strong, unidentified light was observed hovering over Southampton Water, filmed by camcorder. Despite inquiries to various authorities, including the Coastguard, police, Air Traffic Control, and the MoD/RAF, no official reports of aircraft or activity were found, leading to a "deny everything" sentiment.

Steve Rider's Paranormal Project

Steve Rider, a writer for the SUFOG web ghost page, is seeking personal paranormal experiences (ghost sightings, UFO experiences, etc.) from the Southampton area for a potential book. He assures anonymity for contributors and offers to research stories thoroughly.

Rendlesham Forest Incident Update

Brian James (BUFORA) reports on a new incident near Rendlesham Forest on June 24th-25th, 2000. During a prowl through the trees, the group experienced unusual atmospheric conditions, including a feeling of being in a "black hole," abdominal tightness, and nausea. Brenda Butler reported a "time loss" in the same area previously. The account suggests a "timeless quality" and possible temporal anomalies.

SUNDAY 25TH JUNE 2000 Skywatch

This section provides a detailed account from Brenda Butler of a skywatch event attended by 17 people, which later focused on 5 individuals and a dog. The group observed multiple phenomena, including orange orbs of increasing size, shape shifters described as "glowing like little fairy lights," a triangle of lights, and silver orbs. The account describes unusual movements and appearances of these objects, including a beam of light and red/orange/white lights in the trees. The experience also involved a dog named Mason reacting fearfully to certain areas.

Newspaper Reviews

Ernie Sears provides a review of recent newspaper articles related to UFOs and the paranormal. This includes a Daily Telegraph article on a fitness instructor's yoga class being banned for religious reasons, a Mail on Sunday piece on Dr. Richard Wiseman's skepticism, a Daily Star article about a pilot's UFO photo over the Mojave Desert, and an Observer article discussing SETI research and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Sears also notes a British Gas advertisement featuring a crop formation and reports on crop circle hoaxes and theories. He also mentions a Daily Mail article about a planned "whispering jet liner" and another discussing life after death.

Joe Firmage and Alien Contact

A Sunday Telegraph Magazine article highlights Joe Firmage, who intends to spend millions preparing humanity for imminent alien contact, believing the US government has been reverse-engineering alien technology. Firmage and Carl Sagan's widow are launching an entertainment company to "transform our understanding of cosmic phenomena."

SUFOG Diary 2000

The magazine includes a diary of upcoming SUFOG events for 2000, including group meetings, sky watches, and a Christmas meeting. It advises readers to contact the editor to confirm event details due to potential cancellations.

Quote from the Past

A quote from General Nathan D. Twining (1957-1960) states that reported UFO phenomena are "real and not visionary or fictitious" and that objects are "probably approximating the shape of a disc, of such appreciable size as to appear to be as large as man-made aircraft."

Contact Corner and Subscriptions

Contact details for various UFO research groups across the UK and Ireland are listed. Information on subscribing to the SUFOG newsletter is also provided, with costs for annual subscriptions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG include detailed witness accounts of UFO sightings, investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena, and discussions on the broader paranormal spectrum. There's a critical stance towards media coverage and official explanations, advocating for open investigation and reporting. The magazine also emphasizes the historical context of UFOlogy and the importance of group collaboration and data sharing. The editorial stance appears to be one of persistent inquiry and a belief in the reality of unexplained phenomena, often challenging conventional explanations and official denials.

This issue of SUFOG, identified as PAGE 11, focuses on reviews of various UFO-related magazines and newsletters, alongside personal accounts from the Avebury 2000 event. The content highlights ongoing UFO sightings, crop circle phenomena, and discussions within the UFOlogy community.

Magazine Reviews

Ernie Sears provides reviews of several publications:

• The Australian UFO Bulletin: This review highlights an article by Paul Norman about a satellite photo showing a potential UFO near the White House lawn. It also mentions revised editions of Richard Hall's 'UFO Evidence' and reports of 'frequent UFO activity' in Puerto Rico, including sightings of 'strange beings'. The review notes a 1971 soil sample report and mentions the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON).
• OVNI: Omar Fowler's journal is described as a treat, though he is reportedly struggling with help and may move to a website. The review mentions extraordinary photographs of a 'tunnel' shaped artifact from NASA images scrutinized by Richard Hoagland. It also touches on Richard Haines' comments on a Warwickshire sighting involving fractal geometry and materialisation, and an article on flying saucers over the Caribbean from a Cuban Airlines magazine.
• Northern UFO News: Jenny Randles' magazine is noted for its Summer 2000 issue. Her editorial discusses Steven Greer's forecast of a mass release of 'THE TRUTH' and speculates on media hype. Randles also comments on the lack of UFO books being published, a point the reviewer disputes. The review mentions Nick Redfern and Jenny's suggestion of an Abduction Investigation Monitor (AIM).

Personal Accounts and Events

• Avebury 2000 Weekend: Several contributors share their experiences from the Avebury 2000 event.
• Davina Reynolds thanks Steve Gerrard for organizing the trip to Avebury, describing the stones as mysterious and her interest in Egyptology. She recounts a skywatch experience with multiple planes and satellites, and a sighting of a huge fireball with a tail over East Field.
• UPN Investigations Report (Adam's Grave, Wiltshire): Elaine Waite, John Hanson, and Dawn Holloway report on a skywatch near East Field. They observed a white car, later found to be empty. Despite not seeing ET, they witnessed a large fireball with a tail, described as lighting up the sky and being approximately a mile in length.
• Ernie Sears' Avebury Weekend Report: Sears describes the event as interesting, noting a possible UFO sighting late Saturday night. He recounts a walk around the Avebury stones, a visit to a monolith, and experiences of 'tingles' and being pushed backwards. He also details crop formation visits and mentions meeting a father and son with an album of formations. The report mentions a visit to Devizes and a triple formation.
• Steve Gerrard's Avebury 2000 Account: Gerrard describes Avebury as a 'mystical place' and shares his perspective on the weekend. He notes the sighting of three star formations and a bright light that approached the group. He recounts a skywatch where a large fireball was witnessed. He also details the group's visit to the Barge pub, meeting UPN and John Hanson, and exploring formations near Silbury Hill. He mentions a notice about a collapsed shaft on Silbury Hill. Gerrard also notes that some members felt 'funny' feelings, headaches, and dizziness near certain formations, while others felt nothing.

Editor's Column: UFOLOGY - WHAT A MESS !!!!

The editor expresses concern about the state of UFOlogy in the UK, citing egotism, lack of cooperation, and financial issues as major problems. He criticizes researchers who seek to be 'number one' and undermine others. The editor also points to financial difficulties faced by authors like Jenny Randles due to a downturn in book sales. He advocates for active field research over simply writing books, noting that the internet provides more up-to-date information than many published works. The editor also mentions Omar Fowler's decision to focus on the internet for his magazine.

Other Content

• UPRI Newsletter: Reviewed as an open-minded and objective publication, featuring an article on Reverse Engineering Roswell and discussing military activity and government secrecy regarding UFOs.
• UFO Magazine: Described as being of its usual high standard, with content on implant removals, photos, and corroboration from Dr. Leir, as well as an article by Philip J. Klass.
• Abduction Watch by Kevin McClure: This review criticizes Kevin McClure's stance against hypnosis and abductions, with the reviewer sharing personal experiences that align with abduction phenomena.
• Exchange and Co-operation: The editor emphasizes the need for groups and individuals to share information to build a bigger picture, lamenting those who hoard information or seek personal gain.
• Money: The editor highlights how some researchers, like Tim Good, only release their research in books, and quotes Jenny Randles on the financial struggle of keeping afloat. He reiterates that UFOlogy should not be solely about book sales.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the review and critique of UFO publications, the sharing of personal UFO sighting and crop circle experiences, and a critical examination of the UFOlogy community's internal dynamics. The editorial stance is one of concern over the professionalism and cooperation within the field, advocating for more active, evidence-based research and open information sharing. The editor emphasizes the importance of field work and observation over solely relying on published materials or personal gain.

This issue of 'Crop Circle' magazine, dated July/August 1990, is a comprehensive catalog of crop circle formations documented primarily in the United Kingdom during those months. The magazine serves as a record of these phenomena, detailing specific designs, their locations, and the dates they were reported. It features contributions from artists who created diagrams of the formations, including Paul Vigay and Freddy Silva, and also references researchers like Dr. Jonathan Sherwood.

Documented Formations

The magazine meticulously lists numerous crop circle formations, providing a unique identifier for each, along with the date of observation, location, and a description of the formation's geometry and appearance. The formations exhibit a wide variety of shapes and complexities:

• Strawberry Hill, West Lavington: Described as numerous rings overlapping to form a parallelogram shape.
• West Amesbury, nr Stonehenge: A series of increasing circles resembling a 'thought bubble' alongside the A303.
• Great Shelford, nr Cambridge: Features a large circle with an outer ring and smaller circles.
• Green Lane, Avebury: A circle with a curved path and a small satellite circle.
• White Hill, nr Lockeridge Deng: A large ring with standing crop segments.
• Everleigh Ashes, nr Milton Lilbourne: A celtic cross formation centered on a neolithic round barrow.
• Corhampton, nr Petersfield: Seven overlapping rings with an eighth ring in the center.
• Bishops Sutton, nr New Alresford: An elaborate formation with scallop semi-circles.
• Avebury: A ring dissected by three 'petals' with small circles at their ends.
• Old Shaw, Lockeridge: A ring with standing crop, containing smaller circles and grapeshot circles.
• Opposite Silbury Hill: A circle with two smaller circles forming a line.
• Deacon Hill, nr Hitchin: Formations include circles with triangular paths and complex bounding curves.
• Honey Street: A ring with flattened circle segments and small outer circles.
• Adams Grave, nr Alton Barnes: An elaborate 'basket weave' type formation with numerous smaller circles.
• Avebury Avenue: A 'dumbbell' style formation.
• Asthall, nr Burford: Two single circles of different diameters.
• Knowlton Rings: A formation noted as possibly wind damage but monitored due to its 'feel'.
• Hartlebury, nr Kiddminster: Two single circles of different diameters.
• Allington: Complex formations based on three and six-fold geometry.
• Bishops Sutton: A six-pointed star with satellite circles.
• Giant's Grave, nr Oare: A triangular formation with rings and curved paths, noted for an error in construction.
• Cherhill: An elaborate formation based on 11-fold geometry.
• Farm World, Erddig, nr Wrexham: Circular rings based on pentagonal geometry, commissioned by Channel 4.
• Istead Rise, nr Gravesend: A six-pointed star design.
• Blackland (Morgan's Hill), nr Calne: Various circles divided by lines, with one containing a celtic knot-work design.
• Dodworth, nr Barnsley: Formations include triangular shapes within a ring and rings with intersecting curves.
• Culver Down, nr Bembridge: Two clockwise swirled circles.
• nr Charminster: A circle with another nearby circle.
• Uffington White Horse, nr Woolstone: Circles resembling a 'speech bubble' with diagonal paths.
• Whitchurch, nr Bristol: Four circles.
• Silbury Hill: A five-pointed star formation comprised of smaller stars.
• Chaffeymoor, nr Wincanton: A simple circle with a clockwise swirl.
• Potterne, nr Devizes: A ring containing a letter 'r', noted as a confirmed hoax.
• Bishop Cannings: Five overlapping rings with curved paths.
• North Down, Beckhampton: A flattened circle with an outer ring and curved paths creating 'orange segments'.
• East Kennet: A grid of squares forming a woven impression.
• Denton, nr Newhaven: Five circles in a semi-circular design.
• Hodson, nr Chiseldon: An ellipse within a ring, with crescents resembling an 'eye'. Another formation in the same field is also noted.
• West Tistead: An irregular 'cutter' effect.
• Telegraph Hill, Icknield Way: A three-sided pyramid with a circle in the center.
• All Cannings: A circle with a ring and a standing pentagram, and another formation with six semi-circular 'petals' and a miniature version of the whole.
• Windmill Hill: A circle joined by paths, with a larger central circle and a figure of eight pattern.
• Beckhampton: Two small circles joined by a curved path, in the same field as a 'magnetic field' formation.
• Charlton, south of Woodborough: A circle with seven curved arms and a wide ring, and another similar formation.
• Pewsey (below the white horse): A circle with a ring, an additional circle, and three standing pentagonal star shapes.

Specific Mentions and Details

Several formations are highlighted for their unique characteristics or context:

• The Everleigh Ashes formation is noted for being centered around a neolithic round barrow.
• The Potterne formation is explicitly identified as a hoax commissioned by a radio station.
• The Dartington formation is described as forming the word 'COCK', suggesting it is also a hoax.
• The Farm World, Erddig formation was commissioned by the UK television company Channel 4 and constructed by The Circlemakers.
• Reports for some formations, such as Allington, Cherhill, and nr Charminster, indicate that additional information is available.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be one of documentation and observation, presenting the formations with detailed descriptions and diagrams without overt speculation on their origin. The recurring themes include the geometric complexity of the formations, their geographical distribution (with a strong concentration in Wiltshire), and the variety of shapes observed. The inclusion of dates, locations, and artist attributions suggests a systematic approach to cataloging these events. The mention of hoaxes indicates an awareness of the potential for artificial creation of some patterns. The overall tone is informative and aims to provide a comprehensive record for enthusiasts and researchers of crop circles.