SUFOG Newsletter No 151-152

Magazine Overview

This issue of SUFOG, identified as numbers 151 and 152, covers the period of May/June 2003. The publication, which has been investigating UFOs for 12 years, is based in Southampton, UK. The email address provided is [email protected] and a website is also listed. The cover story features Chris Martin, an 'alien hunter', who claims to have filmed a UFO being chased by a police helicopter.

Editorial Content

The newsletter begins with an editorial noting that this edition contains a reply from Graham Birdsall, Editor of UFO Magazine, concerning the Anthony Wood's UFO footage, and a letter from Graham in response to a previous item. It also highlights a translated article from the Russian newspaper 'PRAVDA' about attacking UFOs. Contributions include an article by Steve Rider reviewing the Leeds UFO Conference from September 2002, and an article titled 'Time to think' by Brian James, Chairman of APRA and former Chairman of BUFORA. The issue also features an article on an animal mutilation case reported to the RSPCA, a UFO report from a police officer, and an open letter to SUFOG members.

The editorial also discusses SUFOG's involvement with the Anthony Wood's case, raising questions for researchers involved. It mentions that due to a threat of court action, the editor cannot currently publish all information but will be closely monitoring the investigation by Graham Birdsall at UFO Magazine, with a warning to Graham to be thorough.

A notice announces the cancellation of the SUFOG Open Day on October 18th, with refunds to be issued. It is hoped that Derrel Sims will attend the group meeting on October 15th.

Articles and Reports

Attacking UFO Impossible (from PRAVDA - Russian Newspaper, 1st April 2003)
This article discusses historical instances where military pilots attempted to attack unidentified flying objects (UFOs). It recounts an incident in October 1944 in Europe where US Air Force pilots fired on ball-like UFOs with no effect. It mentions a tape recording of a conversation between two pilots who engaged objects over a US Air Force base in New Jersey on October 7th, 1965, describing them as balls moving at high speed. The article notes that official documents on such events are often classified. It also details an incident on June 24th, 1999, where passengers on a bus witnessed pursuit planes attacking a silvery disk-shaped UFO near Dallas, which was hit but escaped. The article touches upon British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's 1952 order to investigate the UFO phenomenon. It also reports an unconfirmed incident on August 24th, 1998, involving Japanese air force planes and a large red ball, resulting in two planes vanishing and a third pilot's strange message.

21st LEEDS International UFO Conference Review by Steve Rider (20th-22nd September 2002)
Steve Rider reviews the Leeds International UFO Conference, detailing his journey and experiences. He mentions meeting other speakers like Michael Hesseman, Nick Pope, and Tom Van Flandern. The review covers presentations by Russel Callaghan, who discussed recent UFO footage and hoaxing techniques, and SUFOG's own presentation of footage from Southampton water. Other speakers included Gary Baker, Nick Pope on a North Sea crash, Michael Hesemann on UFOlogy in Russia, Alan Alford on the Great Pyramid, and Dr. Tom Van Flandern on images of Mars. Stanton T. Friedman delivered a lecture on the Roswell incident and its critics. The review concludes with a description of the speakers' supper and the UFO Magazine Awards.

Time To Think! by Brian P James
This is the first in a series of observations on paranormal events. The author discusses 'Vehicle Interference Effects', where UFO encounters are associated with vehicle malfunctions like lights dimming, engines stalling, and difficulty restarting. He questions how a vehicle's engine restarts after electrical failure, given the mechanical requirements for ignition. The author also raises questions about 'Encounter Paralysis', noting that while paralysis is a known phenomenon, the fact that experiencers can still see despite being unable to move is puzzling, as the optic nerve should logically also be affected.

Avebury 2003 Skywatch
An announcement for the annual Avebury Skywatch event on August 2nd/3rd, with details on meeting points and the lack of SUFOG transport.

News Shopper 22nd April 2003: Man phoned at home to go UFO hunting.
This article reports on Chris Martin, who claims to have filmed a UFO being chased by a police helicopter in Blackheath. Martin, a full-time UFO researcher, believes aliens visit Earth to collect information and genetic material. Police, however, stated the helicopter was responding to a traffic collision.

Something Spotted...
A report from the Ringwood area on June 2nd, 2003, describing a bright, fast-moving object seen in the garden, moving in a zig-zag pattern towards Southampton.

Newspaper Reviews by Ernie Sears
Ernie Sears reviews recent newspaper articles related to UFOs and paranormal topics. He mentions articles in THE DAILY MAIL and THE DAILY EXPRESS discussing ghosts and UFOs, and a piece in THE TIMES on Wiseman's theories. He also notes an article in THE DAILY MAIL questioning if 'DNA from ALIENS?' and quoting Dr. Richard Taylor and Francis Crick.

Local Sightings by Ernie Sears
This section details two local sightings. On Monday, June 9th, Lorraine from Eastleigh reported seeing a silvery disc flying towards the south above a plane. On Wednesday, June 12th, she observed a black 'dot' moving erratically, described as a falling leaf but level flight.

SUFOG Diary - 2003

The diary lists upcoming SUFOG meetings and events, including video evenings, open discussions, the Avebury Skywatch, a special meeting with Derrel Sims, and a Christmas meeting. It also mentions plans to invite guest speakers and advises members to contact the Editor for confirmation of events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG revolve around UFO sightings, investigations, and the analysis of UFO-related phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on documented cases, conference reviews, and the critical examination of evidence, including footage and eyewitness accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging discussion and investigation into the UFO subject, while also acknowledging the skepticism and debunking efforts within the field. The publication aims to provide a platform for researchers and enthusiasts to share information and perspectives on these complex topics.

This document comprises pages from the SUFOG magazine, specifically pages 11 through 19, covering content from June 2003 and related topics. The magazine focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena, featuring articles, reviews, and reader contributions.

SUFOG Sightings and Reports

Page 11 details a sighting by a SUFOG member in Littlehampton, West Sussex, on June 13th, 2003. The witness observed a bright 'Star' moving across the night sky for about 10 minutes. The object was intense, very bright, and silent. The witness managed to take a photo before the light disappeared abruptly, as if a switch was turned off.

Page 12 presents a report from Portsmouth dated May 15th, 2003. Witnesses driving on a country road saw a bright egg-shaped object in the sky at 9:37 PM. They described it as darting from side to side, and it emitted a bright, blinding light that caused them to cover their eyes. The car's dashboard clock began spinning rapidly and then stopped working, indicating a non-terrestrial event.

Page 17 includes a report about a 'Mutilated Cow' case in Osterley Park, UK, investigated by the RSPCA. The cow was butchered, and the meat removed, in a bizarre incident that the inspector suggested looked like it had been 'sucked up by UFOs'.

Page 18 details a UFO sighting in Hampshire in 1999, reported by a reader. The witness and a friend saw a red light approaching, which later appeared as three red lights forming a triangle. The craft flew silently over heath land and the Isle of Wight before hovering and then vanishing.

Page 19 contains further reports from Littlehampton. One incident from March 2003 involved a silent object with a revolving red light. Another, from about two years prior, described a silver sphere seen in broad daylight.

Magazine Reviews

Page 11 features a 'MAGAZINE REVIEWS BY ERNIE SEARS'. Sears expresses disappointment with the selection in this issue, noting the absence of Jenny Randles' NUFON pocket-sized publication. He mentions that Jenny Randles has reportedly gone to live in Wales. The review highlights 'THE NEW BUFORA JOURNAL' for April, edited by Norman Oliver, which discusses space-time travel and alleged alien theories. It includes a seven-page recall of a three-women close encounter and abduction. The journal also features articles by Norman Oliver on the 'Astro-highway' and a 1950's 'car stop' incident investigated by Judith and Malcolm Robinson. The Philadelphia Experiment and Montauk Project are also covered. A 1972 South African 'Flap' by David Oakley-Hill is mentioned, along with UK and worldwide incidents. BUFORA London Lectures are listed, and a TEMS meeting with Guy Lyon Playfair on telepathy is noted.

Page 12 reviews 'THE AUSTRALIAN UFO BULLETIN' from SUFOG member Farish, describing it as a great little magazine that has been 'reincarnated' by President and Editor Judith Magee. Articles include 'On the UFO Trail' by Paul Norman, a piece on cooperation in the 1960s from 'The UFO Investigator', and reports on airline participants reporting sightings. It also mentions 'Victorian Sighting Reports' and sightings from South Australia and Queensland. 'UFO Central' from Canada and its Editor/Publisher Lucius are also noted.

'OVNI', a magazine from the Phenomenon Research Association in Derbyshire, is reviewed. It is described as 'At The Cutting Edge' and covers the Rendlesham Forest 'official release' excerpt, 'Hansard' files, and photos of a 'mini-rod' and a 'glowing ball of light'. It also reports on laser-like lights and 'tremors'.

'RAPPORT', a bi-monthly magazine from the Ken Phillips Witness Support Group, is reviewed. The March-April issue, subtitled 'Enlightenment', is noted for its editor Mike Rutter getting the magazine back to regularity. It includes articles on the Pleiadians and a 'Swiss bike riding' contactee.

Page 13 continues the reviews, mentioning 'UFO MAGAZINE' for May and June, which features articles on the moon landing controversy, Rendlesham documentary, a potential world UFO Centre, and the 'Taken' series. It also discusses earth's magnetic field changes and 'Changes in perception'. Nick Redfern's book 'Rods' over Baghdad and speculation on the SARS virus are noted. Graham Birdsall's articles on magnetic fields and astronaut vulnerability are mentioned, as are a Turkish UFO museum, rock band Belisha, and new 'black' technologies.

Filming for TV Series

Page 11 mentions that on June 11th, Ernie Sears (Public Relations Officer) and the author were interviewed for a new program by Chrysalis Productions. Ernie was interviewed indoors, while the author was on a hill in bright sunlight and wind. The interview covered standard UFO questions.

Correspondence and Editorials

Page 15 features an email from Steve Gerrard of the Southampton UFO Group to Graham (presumably Graham Birdsall of UFO Magazine) regarding the Anthony Wood footage. Gerrard expresses concern that the footage, filmed only 20 miles from their location, has been handled without their input. He questions why UFO Magazine is publishing sightings if they do not investigate them, warning of potential hoaxes. Gerrard insists that the case needs 'REAL INVESTIGATION'.

Page 16 contains a response from Graham W. Birdsall, Editor of UFO Magazine, to Steve Gerrard. Birdsall states that he endeavours to partake in field roles and that UFO Magazine routinely forwards enquiries to witnesses. He explains that Anthony Wood chose to deal directly with Santiago Yturria Garza and later ended that association. Birdsall clarifies that Anthony's invitation to disseminate the footage came after discussions and that they agreed to pre-conditions to protect him and his family. He emphasizes that they cannot be held responsible for past events and that Anthony is free to correspond with others, but insists it be through UFO Magazine. Birdsall highlights that the investigation has already incurred significant costs and that any recoupment will be reinvested in future UFO research. He asks for respect for Anthony's privacy.

Page 19 includes a letter from Graham Birdsall (UFO Magazine) dated May 14th, 2003, responding to editorial comments in the SUFOG Newsletter. Birdsall reiterates his role as a UFO researcher and investigator for over 30 years, emphasizing objectivity. He explains that UFO Magazine forwards enquiries to witnesses and that it is up to the interested parties to follow up. Regarding Anthony Woods, Birdsall states that Woods expressed an unwillingness to deal with anyone other than UFO Magazine and that they must abide by his wishes. He mentions that early clips of Woods' footage were featured at a 2002 International UFO Congress lecture by Santiago Yturria Garza, and clarifies the difference between video-taped footage and original master tapes.

Personal Accounts and Contributions

Page 18 introduces an article by Mark Green, a new member of SUFOG. Green, 34, from Sussex, describes his fascination with the unexplained and his journey into UFOlogy, sparked by Georgina Bruni's book 'You Can't Tell The People' about the Roswell incident and subsequently finding UFO Magazine.

Page 18 also lists 'Crop Circle Formations in Hampshire 2003', noting a figure '8' shape in Privett on April 20th. It mentions that to date, there are 6 formations in the UK and one in Germany, and encourages readers to report any formations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of UFO sightings and investigations, encouraging reader participation and reporting. There is a clear focus on UK-based incidents and research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness, while also advocating for rigorous investigation and verification of claims, as seen in the exchange between Steve Gerrard and Graham Birdsall regarding the Anthony Wood case. The magazine also reviews other UFO publications, suggesting a desire to cover the broader UFO landscape. The recurring themes include UFO sightings, alleged abductions, crop circles, and historical UFO events like Rendlesham Forest.