SUFOG Newsletter No 123-124

Magazine Overview

This is the January and February 2001 issue of SUFOG, a newsletter for a UFO research group. The issue number is 123 and 124. The cover headline suggests a positive outlook for the year, with increasing membership and booked events.

Editorial and Group Activities

The editorial expresses optimism for 2001, noting a rise in membership and a busy schedule of events, including lectures and talks. The group secretary, Steve Rider, has been proactive in contacting local WI and men's groups, resulting in several replies and potential talks, including one for the Southampton Astronomy Society. The writer mentions observing the lunar eclipse and participating in the first skywatch of 2001. Upcoming talks are scheduled for Dorchester in April and BUFORA in November. The editorial also touches upon the "European FT Initiative," an attempt to track black triangular UFOs across Europe using Project FT's database. Contributors to this initiative will receive a report of the findings.

The newsletter also announces Christmas draw winners: 3rd prize to Steve Rider (£5.00, donated to group funds), 2nd prize to Chris Brown (£10.00), and 1st prize to Kevin Nicklen (£20.00). The next year's draw tickets will be sent out with future newsletters.

A report from the SUFOG Group Meeting on January 18th, 2001, indicates 10 attendees, £20.00 in subscriptions, £3.00 for room hire, and £17.00 added to group funds. The group's accounts stand at £267.61, with 52 members. Future events include an Open Day on October 27th, 2001, with a special speaker, a BBQ in the summer, and a trip to Toot Hill Observatory in November 2001. A UFO report was received for December 28th, 2000, and two radios were purchased for £49.99.

Feature Articles and Personal Accounts

ENIGMA TV: 1st February 2001

This section introduces The Enigma Channel, which broadcasts UFO and paranormal documentaries online. They are planning to open a "Cyberstore" selling books, DVDs, CDs, and more, with worldwide shipping.

I Carry On Through Thick and Thin...!!

The writer reflects on their earlier contemplation of ending the newsletter and group activities, but has decided to continue due to renewed support from members. The year 2000 is described as one to forget, but 2001 has started positively with planned lectures, visits, and events.

Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th January 2001...

This section details a significant event where SUFOG was filmed for a 30-minute series called 'Hooked on Hobbies' on The Discovery Channel. The filming took place over two days, involving interviews about UFO investigation procedures, reviewing SUFOG UFO video footage, and filming at Netley Abbey. The crew spent 8.5 hours filming on the first day and 13 hours on the second, covering the program's content for a 22-minute segment. The writer expresses satisfaction with the experience and emphasizes that smaller groups like SUFOG deserve recognition.

SUFOG SKYWATCH 20th January 2001..

This report describes a skywatch at Royal Victoria Country Park with Steve Rider, Bill Smith, and Karl Spencer-Smith. Despite clear skies, no UFOs or unusual aerial phenomena were observed. However, the reporter recounts a previous experience of a "ghostly encounter" near a chapel in the park, which recurred during this visit. The experience involved hearing a voice, feeling a sense of relief, and witnessing unexplained orange light illuminating the chapel, followed by security lights activating.

SUFOGs MIB Column

This column addresses concerns about potential monitoring by covert agencies. It highlights an incident involving Elaine Waite, whose phone calls were reportedly interrupted and who experienced mail tampering, including a parcel with a tiny hole possibly for a camera. The mail tampering allegedly began in January 1997, coinciding with the start of Elaine's UFO group. The column also mentions phone monitoring, where calls were cut when certain keywords were used, and intercepted emails, leading to delays and missing parts.

Just who is Listening ?

This section continues the theme of surveillance, detailing an incident where a strange man was seen in a car near Elaine's drive for an extended period, causing concern for her father.

THOUGHT...

This section discusses theories about UFOs and their pilots traveling through space and time via other dimensions, and the possibility of humans doing the same. It also raises the question of how implants might be placed in abductees without visible entry wounds, suggesting astral travel as a possible explanation.

Did You or did you not... ?

This piece reports on a UFO sighting shown on ITV news on January 19th, filmed over Berkshire. The object was initially described as round and silvery, then appeared diamond-shaped on camera. UFO expert Busty Taylor commented on the footage, but the writer expresses skepticism, suggesting the footage lost quality upon zooming and did not resemble other reported sightings from Mexico.

Newspaper Reviews by Ernie Sears Esq.

This section provides a roundup of recent newspaper articles related to UFOs and paranormal phenomena:

• DAILY TELEGRAPH (mid December): An item on angels, featuring reporter Judith Woods' skepticism and subsequent experience at a visualization workshop. Woods also appeared on BBC 1's 'Everyman' program.
• THE MAIL ON SUNDAY (December 10th): A TV review of the 'Everyman' program by Jane Shilling, mentioning Dr. Susan Blackmore's challenge to anecdotes and her hair style.
• COSMOPOLITAN (December issue): A three-page feature on angels, treating the subject seriously.
• PSYCHIC NEWS (December 9th): A front-page request from Anglia TV for ghostly experiences, leading to a discussion about SUFOG's activities at Royal Victoria Park.
• THE DAILY MAIL (Coffee Break page): A question about a UFO sighting by ex-President Jimmy Carter, with author Jenny Randles suggesting it was likely Venus or ice crystals, and claiming to have FBI and USAF records that indicate "puzzlement and a cover up of ignorance rather than guilty secrets."
• THE DAILY MAIL (December 14th): A Coffee Break question on nuclear weapons leads to a quote from Philip J. Corso's "Roswell... The Day After," alleging a massive build-up was for a "threat by the aliens."
• THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (late 2000): An article by Philip Eden suggesting UFOs could be caused by weather balloons, unusual cloud formations, ice crystals, fungal spores, gas explosions, or methane ignition.
• THE DAILY MAIL (December 12th): An article by Steven Glover titled 'If this is a Victory, Tony, I'm a Martian,' concerning an EU Conference, illustrated with a cartoon of an Adamski-type UFO.
• THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (December): An item on Dr. Richard Wiseman's "No Meeting of Minds at Telepathy Trial," which failed to provide evidence for telepathy. The writer notes that "true psychics would have known that anyway" and mentions Wiseman's findings on ghosts.
• SUFOG (PAGE 10) - Ghost Percipients: The writer mentions sending a letter to Dr. Wiseman, questioning the scientific rigor of his paranormal research due to a perceived lack of spirituality in him and the subjects.
• THE DAILY EXPRESS (December 28th): An item titled "Panic at Alien Attack" about mysterious lights and sonic booms over Australia, attributed by Major Jamie Robinson of NORAD to a meteor.
• THE DAILY EXPRESS (December 28th): A full-page feature on the Rendlesham Forest "Roswell" anniversary, including Larry Warren, and mentioning a film option and a book by an English author.
• THE PORTSMOUTH NEWS: An article from their "Portsmouth News Mysteries" series, "The Unexplained," by Richard Hargreaves, referencing a 1960 Meteor Jet chase and other sightings near the military research complex at Portsdown Hill. The article sources information from local author Bob Price.
• THE DAILY MAIL (December 29th): A "ghostly item" in the Coffee Break section about Chingle Hall near Preston, and a recollection of escorting a group of Americans around crop circles and UFO sites.
• THE DAILY EXPRESS (December 30th): A page on Arthur C. Clarke, who predicted machines would supersede man and potentially go to war against mankind, and whose "last ambition" is to know if intelligent life exists.
• THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (January 3rd): An item about a Canadian cult believing they were cloned by aliens, discussing cloning for a fee and the moral implications.

Products and Services

• BUFORA PRESS CUTTING SERVICE: Available via Mr Michael Hudson in Wingham, Kent, offering 6 issues for £7.00 or 12 issues for £13.00.
• UPN Investigations: Contact details for monitoring centers in London, West Midlands, and Wales.
• Group Video for sale: A 90-minute tape of Chris Martin's presentation on his book 'Intruders in the Night' is available for £10.00, including postage.
• SUFOG CD ROM'S: Available for £7.00, including postage, containing UFO video clips, photos, and other material.

SUFOG DIARY - 2001

• Group Meetings: Scheduled for February 15th, March 15th, April 19th, May 17th, June 21st, July 19th, August 16th, September 20th, and October 18th.
• November 15th: SUFOG's 10th Birthday, with a field trip to Toot Hill Observatory and a pub stop.
• December 20th: SUFOG Christmas Party.
• Other Noted events SUFOG involved in: Dorchester Conference (April 8th), SUFOG Weekend Field Trip to Avebury (August 4th), Leeds International Conference (September 21st), SUFOG lecture to BUFORA in London (October 2nd), and Steve Gerrard lecture in Norwich (November 18th).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing activities and growth of the SUFOG group, the reporting of UFO sightings and paranormal phenomena from various sources (including newspaper reviews), and concerns about potential government or agency surveillance. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting SUFOG as a capable and recognized group within the UFOlogy community, advocating for smaller groups to receive attention, and maintaining a critical yet open-minded approach to the subject matter. There is a strong emphasis on personal experiences and a distrust of official explanations that dismiss evidence without thorough investigation.

This issue of SUFOG (pages 11-20) presents a collection of magazine reviews and personal accounts related to UFOs and the paranormal, compiled by Ernie Sears and other contributors. The publication appears to be a UK-based newsletter for UFO enthusiasts, focusing on recent sightings, research, and discussions within the community.

Magazine Reviews

AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN

Ernie Sears reviews the December 2001 issue of the Australian UFO Bulletin, published by the Victorian UFO Research Society. The issue is noted for its technical report on the STS-75 Space Shuttle Mission and its investigation into the Valentich disappearance, presenting new evidence and a conclusion that Frederick Valentich may have crashed in the sea after experiencing compass malfunction and sighting a 'green object'. It also includes a Project Blue Book report from 1953 on an unknown sighting in New Mexico, and other items on UFO encounters from 1954 to recent reports from 2000, including a 1976 UFO/Aircraft encounter over Germany.

NORTHERN UFO NEWS

Jenny Randles' magazine, NUFON, is mentioned. Sears notes a tendency for Randles' magazine to 'crumble' dramatic cases, while acknowledging her effort to find 'THE TRUTH'. He mentions ongoing incidents that match his own experiences and refers to 'spooky' cases that have deterred media attention. Sears expresses mild disagreement with Randles' description of Colin Wilson's articles on crop circles as 'twaddle' and questions whether mobile phones could pose a threat similar to 'death rays'. He also notes Randles' approval of a Canadian book on abductions and aliens, which he feels reflects his own manuscript.

BUFORA BULLETIN

Sears identifies himself as a paid-up member of BUFORA and looks forward to its issues, though he occasionally disagrees with its content. He highlights a thoughtful piece by the Chairman and Editor and an article by Vice Chairman Judith Jaafar translating from an Italian UFO publication. A NASA-prominent writer shares personal views on 'Anomalous Phenomena', expressing amazement at UK crop circle formations.

RAPPORT

This magazine is described as the late Ken Phillips London-based Witness Support group magazine, intended for witnesses only. The October/November/December issue is noted for its artistic cover and an editorial discussing prehistoric 'barrows', mind channelling, and Supernature. It also draws attention to a 'Luddite mentality' of someone who disabled the group's website. The magazine features unusual 'supernatural' bedroom photos and a column by UFO abductee Elsie Oakenson, covering synchronicities, dreams, and abductions.

OVNI

Omar Fowler's magazine, OVNI, is praised for its classy presentation and interesting content. Sears disagrees with Fowler's editorial statement 'where have all the UFO's gone?', asserting that sightings are still being reported and filmed in the UK. The issue includes reports on 'More UFO's over Derbyshire', a 1995 Brazilian landing, and a Texan family's video of an abduction. It also mentions a claim about Earth being a billion years old according to Prof. Wickramasinghe. A 1952 US Air Force report details six UFOs seen by aircrew and radar from a B29 Superfortress travelling at 5,000 mph. An unusual lunar eclipse sighting from Derbyshire and a Siberian airport shutdown are also noted.

SYNCHRONICITIES

This newsletter from the Anomalous Phenomena Research Agency (APRA) is described as compact and splendidly printed. Its roundup section covers a 'big cat' report, MIR space station news, a near-miss asteroid, and a 'ghost' vigil. It notes that while Oxford Mail published an article on anomalies, it omitted details about 'odd dark shapes, light patches, and feelings of anomalies'.

WESTMINSTER

This magazine features an article on the definition of Unidentified Objects of Today by Jim Rayner, which Sears finds impressive and true, clarifying official disclaimers. It also mentions synchronicities and includes a review of a book on Tony Bassett's 'Mind Machines'.

UFO MAGAZINE

This is described as a quickie issue due to space constraints. It includes an interview with Georgina Bruni about her new book on Rendlesham Forest and discusses Mars missions, cult cloning experiments, and 'unfair' coverage by 'Horizon'.

C.F.O.R.G (Cornwall UFO Research Group)

This is a smartly produced quarterly magazine featuring a conference report, a book on Rendlesham Forest, and discussions on sensory deprivation, abductions, and sightings. It includes an article on Carlos Diaz and a filmed encounter by Chairman Dave Gillhams, with a back cover illustration of the Socorro, New Mexico, 1964 encounter.

I.P.R.I (UFO and Paranormal Research Ireland)

This magazine is available by sending 30p Irish stamps. It includes articles on European UFO crashes, a 'disc-shaped' (horseshoe shaped) Lenticular Re-Entry Vehicle, and planetary exploration. It also features a communication from CSETI's Stephen Greer about contacts with military and civil authorities.

Personal Accounts and Experiences

THE CASE OF CHILD "A"

This is presented as a fictitious account of a 7-year-old child's encounter with three 'grey figures' in her bedroom. The child describes seeing a blue light, figures with large black eyes and spindly fingers, and being prodded. Her parents dismiss it as a dream. The report, by Elaine Waite of UPN Investigations, encourages readers not to dismiss children's accounts.

Royal Victoria Country Park .. 20.1.01

This entry describes a night visit to Royal Victoria Country Park, which was intended as a skywatch but turned into a 'ghost watch'. The author and companions experienced a cold atmosphere, feelings of being watched, and heard a child's voice. The author theorizes that sensing past spirits might allow them to sense us, especially in a place with emotional trauma.

Another night of strangeness.

This account details a night spent at Royal Victoria Country Park, which began as a skywatch but became a ghost watch. The author's car died on arrival but then started normally. During the visit, they experienced a cold atmosphere, heard a child's voice, and saw a misty white figure. The author felt compelled to stop at one point, hearing a girl's voice. The experience is linked to the park's history as a hospital site.

SUFOG SUMMARY REPORT...

This report details a sighting on December 28th, 2000, in Sutton Poyntz, near Weymouth, Dorset, where two witnesses saw at least 7 lights in the sky. The lights were described as rotating red and pulsating white, moving in various ways before disappearing. The report was passed to David Kingston in Dorset.

Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG revolve around UFO sightings, paranormal experiences, and critical reviews of UFO-related publications. There is a strong emphasis on personal testimony and the sharing of information within the UFO research community. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging readers to share their experiences and to question official explanations, while also acknowledging the need for critical analysis of claims. The magazine seems to advocate for serious researchers to have access to information, rather than it being used for profit. There is also a recurring interest in synchronicities and the potential for communication across different dimensions or with entities.