SUFOG Newsletter No 177-178

Magazine Overview

This is the July/August 2005 issue (Number 177/178) of the Southampton UFO Group's newsletter, titled 'SOUTHAMPTON UFO GROUP' with the tagline '13 Years of Investigation'. The issue covers a range of UFOlogical and paranormal topics, including recent sightings, analysis of the phenomenon, and personal accounts.

Editor's Introduction

The editor begins with an apology for a previous issue's date error and notes that this edition is packed with UFOlogical news. They mention unusual happenings within the group, such as audio tapes disappearing during a meeting, and the group's plan to produce a collar-type badge for members. The editor also notes the passing of Phil Klass, a UFO debunker who offered $10,000 for proof of UFO existence.

Contents Overview

The contents page outlines various articles, including recent UFO reports over Hampshire, Spielberg's confusion about decreasing UFO sightings, a historical sighting, UK UFO reports, an article on 'War of the swirls' (likely crop circles), Microsoft and NASA's involvement in UFO-related activities, newspaper and magazine reviews, a world news section, and an abduction study by Chris French. The 'Paranormal SUFOG' section includes ghost stories and paranormal proof.

UFO Reports from Hampshire... But who forgot to tell SUFOG?

This article details a sighting on Wednesday, June 22, 2005, in Locksheath, Hampshire. The witness observed a round shiny ball/disc/object that looked like a star or balloon but was too high to be either and not moving. The object was later seen moving very slowly. The witness attempted to photograph it with a digital camera but the images were unclear. Using a telescope, the object had disappeared. The witness contacted the local BBC TV station, which had received no other reports.

Sighting Number 2

Reported by Jonathan Bluestone, this sighting occurred on Saturday, June 18, 2005, in Fair Oak, Eastleigh, Hampshire. While sky-watching with two colleagues, they observed an object that appeared 'as if on request'. The object was overhead, estimated to be several miles up, and appeared as a brilliant, fast-moving light source. It then bloomed into a white point of light five times brighter than the brightest star, before dulling down and remaining in motion. It did not display characteristics of an aircraft and eventually stopped in the sky near Orion's second star in the Belt of Orion, remaining visible for about fifteen minutes before disappearing into the star-field.

Spielberg Confused by Decrease in UFO Sightings

Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg is baffled by the decrease in UFO sightings compared to twenty years ago, given the widespread availability of video cameras. He believes there are millions of UFOs and that we are not alone in the universe, but expresses disappointment that he may never witness UFO evidence himself.

Letter to the Editor

A reader writes about attending a 'LAPIS' conference and expresses agreement with a previous comment about the decline of UFO interest following the death of Graham Birdsall and UFO Magazine. The writer laments that information is not reaching the general population, being confined to the internet, and calls for a more public dissemination of UFO knowledge.

Sighting from the past...

This section recounts the experience of Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker near Pascagoula, Mississippi, on October 11, 1973. They reported being abducted by robot-like aliens and taken aboard an egg-shaped, glowing spacecraft. They described floating creatures and being examined by an electronic eye. Hickson, now 74, has consistently recounted his experience and believes aliens exist and will return. He has published a book about the event and notes increased UFO programming on television.

UK UFO Reports

This section compiles several recent UFO sightings from across the UK:

• London (May 31, 2005): A bright silver, oval disk was seen flying fast, then turned and disappeared into clouds.
• Doncaster, South Yorkshire (May 31, 2005): A witness saw a bright red light hovering above houses, with a light moving within it. The object then moved in a circular motion and took off at high speed, flashing an orangey color.
• Guernsey (May 30, 2005): A silver colored object was observed travelling at speed without noise or jet stream, not resembling a conventional jet aircraft.
• Poole, Dorset (June 26, 2005): Mr. Fosdike witnessed an extremely large, low-flying object with flashing white, red, and blue lights, heading fast through the sky.
• Fleet, Hampshire (June 26, 2005): A large, luminescent silver object was seen travelling from North to South, making an abrupt 90-degree turn and disappearing at speed, lacking wings or position lights.

War of the swirls

A Marlborough man, Mike Booth, witnessed three moving white metallic objects making patterns in a wheat field. The objects were described as white, metallic, somewhat oblong, and domed. Two moved slowly through the wheat, leaving a trail. Booth remained skeptical about crop circles but kept an open mind. The article also mentions Michael Glickman's appeal to farmers to stop destroying crop formations, highlighting the economic benefits they bring.

Microsoft And NASA...

Microsoft launched a competition inviting submissions of UFO/alien photographs and challenges to locate a UFO at a secret military facility, with a prize including a trip to NASA's Space Centre. Nick Pope, a former MOD advisor, is judging the competition. The editor addresses rumors suggesting this is a government attempt to gather information or acclimatize the public to extraterrestrial reality, clarifying that it is not an official venture.

Disclosure Australia Project - Announcement 25

This section announces the posting of Newsletter 24, which includes previously unseen memos about the 1953 Drury film and information from RAAF HQ Darwin files.

SUFOG Diary - 2005..

This diary lists upcoming meetings and topics for the Southampton UFO Group, including 'Anti Gravity', 'Mystery Animals', 'TV based UFO Special', 'Famous Cases Christmas Party', and 'Cattle Mutilations'. Meetings are held at the CIU Club in Netley Abbey, Southampton.

UFO's Over Hampshire... (Isle of Wight 1950 - 2002) (Part)

This section lists several historical UFO sightings in Hampshire:

• October 1979, Lake March: A white baton or strip light moved horizontally to vertically and shot off.
• October 1980, Ryde: A bright light travelled north, accelerating rapidly and disappearing.
• July 1981, Ryde: A misty white light behind clouds made thirteen sweeping circles before disappearing.
• July 3, 1981, Newport: A bright white disc turned sharply, exposing flashing red lights, and shot off north at tremendous speed.
• August 18, 1988, Newport: A bright disc was observed for ten minutes, then came towards the witness, turned sharply, exposing flashing red lights, and accelerated north at tremendous speed.

Florida Today : 12th August 2005 : Noted UFO Debunker Klass Dies At 85

This article reports on the death of Philip J. Klass, a UFO debunker who spent 50 years researching aviation technology and trying to disprove UFOs. He died of prostate cancer at age 85. His sister and wife are quoted, highlighting his lifelong interest in science and his dedication to his cause. Klass was a founder of CSICOP and offered $10,000 for verified UFO claims, which he never paid. David Jacobs, an abduction expert, acknowledged Klass's dedication.

Newspaper Reviews By Ernie Sears

Ernie Sears reviews recent newspaper articles related to UFOs. He discusses a Daily Telegraph article about UFO sightings over Filey, Yorkshire, and a Daily Express article about Nick Redfern's book 'Body Snatchers in the Desert', which offers an explanation for the Roswell incident involving Japanese balloons and pilots. Sears expresses skepticism about these explanations. He also mentions a Daily Express cartoon and a letter to the Daily Mail about alien encounters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include contemporary UFO sightings, historical cases, the challenges of UFO research, the role of media in disseminating information, and the paranormal. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging skepticism and debunking efforts, as evidenced by the coverage of Phil Klass and the discussion of crop circle explanations. The group encourages public participation and the sharing of information.

SUFOG, Issue 14, published in June 2005, is a magazine focused on UFOlogy and related phenomena. This issue delves into the perceived decline of UFO sightings and the state of ufology as a field.

The Martians Aren't Coming...

The lead article, "The Martians Aren't Coming...", published in The Guardian on August 11th, 2005, highlights a potential crisis in UFO-spotting. Chris Parr, coordinator of the Cumbrian branch of the British UFO Hunters, announced that his group might be forced to close due to a significant drop in sightings in Cumbria, from 60 in 2003 to 40 in 2004, and none in 2005. Parr attributes this to a diminished public interest, the end of 'The X Files', and a lack of military exercises. He notes that the country is experiencing a 'dying breed' of UFO spotters.

The closure of 'UFO magazine' following the death of its editor, Graham Birdsall, is described as a disaster for the community. Websites like Ufodata, launched by Russel Callaghan, attempt to fill the void but face technical issues. Similar reports of a 'long, dark night of the soul' come from UFO groups in Indiana and New Jersey. A Scandinavian ufologist suggests people are 'fed up with the UFO hysteria'.

Psychologist Susan Blackmore views the UFO phenomenon as a 'meme' or craze that thrives on novelty and eventually dies out, predicting it will return later. Having studied the paranormal for 30 years after a personal 'out-of-body experience', she concludes that 'everything is explicable in terms of psychology' and that there are no paranormal experiences. While generally harmless, she notes that belief in UFOs can be damaging for some, leading to fear, obsession, and an anti-science attitude.

Russel Callaghan, however, argues that Cumbria's small population might explain the lack of sightings and that ufology should not be dismissed. He is involved with Ufodata and the upcoming Great British UFO Show.

UFO Activity in Filey and Beyond

Russ Kellett, a UFO researcher, reports significant UFO activity in Filey Bay, North Yorkshire, with 80 reports in eight months, including sightings of 'flying triangles' that defy physics. He has video evidence to be shown at the Great British UFO Show in Leeds.

Kellett's interest stems from a personal 'close encounter' in 1988 involving a bright ball of light. He believes in an official cover-up of UFO incidents.

Veteran ufologist Denis Plunkett, of the British Flying Saucer Bureau, acknowledges the current lull but insists ufology should not be written off, noting that belief in UFOs has risen significantly over decades. He considers the evidence for extraterrestrials 'incontrovertible' and believes they visit Earth frequently for observation.

Nick Pope, former head of the Ministry of Defence's UFO project, began as a sceptic but found cases difficult to explain, leading him to become more open. He states he 'won't rule out an extraterrestrial explanation' and has investigated UFO activity in Filey.

UFO Waves and Explanations

David Clarke, a historian and UFO correspondent, is unconvinced by the 'peaks and troughs' theory of UFO sightings. He notes a significant drop since 1996, coinciding with 'The X Files', and suggests that post-9/11 concerns and the end of the Cold War (when the MoD's focus shifted from Russian aircraft to UFOs) may have reduced interest. He also mentions that the MoD now collates sightings primarily due to MP inquiries.

Joe McGonagle, who runs UFOlogyinuk, believes ufology is suffering from 'paranoid accusations of government cover-ups' and a general 'loss of focus', leading to apathy and a decline in local UFO clubs as information moves online. He contrasts the panic caused by Orson Welles' 1938 radio broadcast with the indifference to a recent Tom Cruise movie.

Clarke views ufology as 'modern folklore', comparing UFO encounters to medieval descriptions of angels.

Magazine Reviews

Ernie Sears reviews several magazines:

• Awareness for Spring 05: A pocket-sized journal from Contact International UFO Research, featuring articles on Moon Landing Mystery, Freedom of Information Act, and Ancient UFO Cases. Editor Geoff Ambler discusses 'Science V Senses' and the challenges of distinguishing 'spirit' vibrations from scientific phenomena. It also covers 'rods', 'insects', and big cat sightings.
• The Australian UFO Bulletin June 05: Features articles on a solar storm, a Grampians trip, international sightings, and Apollo Moon photos showing lights and structures.
• RAPPORT (May/June issue): Features a cover depicting an abductee and discusses 'Enlightenment'. It includes an abductee claim by David Phillips and connections to David Icke. Other articles cover a legendary site in Oxfordshire, a mid-air abduction, Rendlesham Forest trip, and a 1975 incident involving a craft and a 'humanoid'.
• Margaret Fry's book 'Who Are They?': Mentioned as a review subject.
• OVNI (July/August issue): A journal from Omar Fowler's Phenomenon Research Association, discussing implications of triangular craft in UK airspace and featuring a close encounter report from Colin Saunders. It also revisits the French 1965 Valensole case.
• DEGUFORIUM: A German glossy magazine.
• UFO (Issue 108, Mexico): Features articles on the Varginha case and alien encounters.
• UFO Monthly.com (July 05): Aims to fill the gap left by 'UFO Magazine', featuring an interesting article by Gary Heseltine and a report on the John E. Mack program.
• NEW BUFORA JOURNAL (April 2005): Features an article by Steve Gamble on abduction experiences, exploring whether they are physical or mental. He suggests evidence for aliens could also support time travellers.

World News & UFO Reports

• Massive UFO Fleet Sighting, Xalapa Mexico: On June 24, 2005, a fleet of at least 14 unknown flying objects was sighted by Governor Fidel Herrera Beltran and others during an official ceremony. The objects formed a triangle pattern and remained static for 30 minutes. Governor Beltran joked about Martians arriving.
• PUGACHYEV, SIMFEROPOL: On July 2 or 3, 2005, Yuriy A. Pugachyev reported a brightly lit object emitting yellow light moving in a zigzag trajectory. He is sure it was not a satellite or airplane.
• MEXICO CITY: Jaime Maussan reported on July 3, 2005, that over forty UFOs were sighted near Xalapa on June 30, 2005. Witnesses described a fleet of shining UFOs flying together.
• A AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico: On June 28, 2005, an enormous tapeworm-shaped ship with lights was observed. Residents reported the object emitted various colored lights.

Abduction Study by Chris French

Joe McGonagle summarizes a research paper by Christopher C. French, Julia Santomauro, Victoria Hamilton, Rachel Fox, and Michael Thalbourne, funded by the Bial Foundation. The study used control groups and paper-based tests to measure psychological factors related to abduction experiences. Key findings include:

• Abduction experiencers reported a higher incidence of paranormal encounters and greater belief in the paranormal.
• No significant difference in 'psychic ability' was found, though telekinesis results were pending analysis.
• Experiencers showed increased tendencies towards hallucinatory tendencies, 'openness to absorbing and self-altering experiences' (hypnotic susceptibility), and 'disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness' (absorbtion).
• Early indications suggest an elevated tendency for 'fantasy proneness' among experiencers.
• No significant difference was found in 'false memory susceptibility'.
• No significant evidence of greater drug or alcohol use was found.

The study's conclusion is not yet available, but it is noted that it may not be well-received by participants. The paper also raises the question of whether observed differences are consequences of or contributory factors to the experiences themselves.

Ministry of Defence On-Line Reading Room

The Ministry of Defence has expanded its online Reading Room, consolidating responses to UFO FOIA requests. The site allows searching by the keyword 'UFO' and lists received requests. Plans are underway to expand the scheme with more UFO-related information.

UFO THE MUSICAL

A brochure for 'UFO The Musical', taking place from August 17-28, 2005, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, based on the 1980 Rendlesham Forest event.

SUFOG Magazine Back Issue Appeal

The editor appeals for missing back issues of SUFOG Magazine: Issues 4/5, 46, 48, and 141/142.

Timothy Good lecture

Details are provided for a lecture by Timothy Good on October 22nd, 2005, in Normanton, Wakefield. Tickets are £12.50, with discounts for pensioners and students. Pre-booking is required due to limited seating.

Great British UFO Show

Russel Callaghan announces the upcoming Great British UFO Show, highlighting the venue's equipped concert room. He introduces several invited guests who have interesting stories and personal experiences related to the subject. He encourages listeners to tune into 'Talk UFO', an internet radio station, for previews from the guests.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SUFOG reflects a concern about the declining state of ufology, with multiple articles and reviews discussing the drop in sightings, the closure of publications, and a perceived loss of public interest. The magazine presents various perspectives, from psychological explanations of UFO experiences to the ongoing belief in extraterrestrial visitation and potential government cover-ups. The reviews of other magazines and news reports from around the world indicate a continued, albeit perhaps more fragmented, interest in UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting the current state of the field, presenting diverse viewpoints, and encouraging continued investigation and discussion, as evidenced by the back issue appeal and the promotion of upcoming events and resources.

This issue of SUFOG, spanning pages 21-24 and dated July 2005, delves into various paranormal phenomena, including ghost stories, UFO sightings, and crop circles. The cover boldly proclaims 'THE PARANORMAL HAS ARRIVED IN SUFOG...' and features illustrations of an alien and a ghost, with prominent headings for 'Supernatural', 'Unexplained', 'Flying Saucers', 'Open Minded', and 'Ghosts'.

A Ghost Story? Or....... (Page 21)

Ernie Sears recounts a personal experience from a sunny afternoon in 1982 in Portswood, Southampton. He describes being awakened by a gentle hand and seeing a beautiful lady with golden tanned skin, blue eyes, and glowing golden hair. The apparition spoke, saying, 'All these years you've been asleep.. now you are awake.' She then vanished. Sears, initially thinking he had a touch of the sun, later contacted his 'spiritual Guru' who confirmed the healthy appearance of those who 'come back'. He realized the apparition was his first wife, Nellie, who had died of tuberculosis in 1947. Sears interprets this as a sign that Nellie has been with him, offering help, particularly when he is healing patients, and notes that his right hand vibrates and he gets goose pimples. He humorously asks if this qualifies as a 'ghost'.

Argentina: Mutilated Horse Discovered (Page 21)

This section, sourced from CIUFOS - La Pampa, dated 06.15.05, reports on a mutilated horse found near the Parque Raceway in Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina. The horse's death was estimated to be about 15 days prior. The animal showed signs of missing its tongue and left ear. An oval-shaped incision was noted on its left wither, along with smaller ones on its abdomen and in the anus region. The absence of anterior and posterior lymph nodes was also observed, with incisions on the fetlocks. The report highlights similarities to a case in the La Arana wilderness, where large pieces of hide and ears were missing.

First Canadian Crop Circle Formation of 2005 (Page 22)

This article, referencing The Southampton Evening Echo of July 2nd, 2005, discusses a crop circle formation reported at Sandy Bay, Manitoba, Canada, on June 3rd. The formation is described as an unusual 'miniature dumbbell' in short grass, approximately 3-3.6 metres (10-12 feet) long. Each end circle consists of concentric rings. The condition of the grass (flattened or dead) was not yet known. The shape is noted as being similar to some formations from the early 1990s in England.

Spooky Story... (Page 22)

Submitted by a SUFOG Reader, this story recounts an experience from around May 2000. While driving towards Emery Down near Southampton, the narrator and her husband saw a young girl dressed in a long black dress, long sleeves, a high neckline, a tipping hat, and brown boots. The girl appeared to be between 18 and 28 years old, with pretty, soft features. The narrator's husband could not see her. The girl seemed to go through a gateway, lifting the latch. Upon investigation, the narrator found the gate was spring-loaded. Research at the library suggested the hat dated to about 1872, and a dress of similar style was seen at a costume museum in Bath, also dating to the early 1870s. An old cottage in the enclosure is believed to be dated around 1840.

Paranormal Proof? - Ernie Sears... (Pages 23-24)

Ernie Sears details a series of incidents in June, which he considers a natural progression for SUFOG adding the 'Paranormal' title to its format. He describes two 'disturbed' nights. On the first, he dreamt of something being done to his chest, resulting in what appeared to be blood and gel on his chest of drawers the next morning. Having a family history of tuberculosis, he was alarmed but the incident did not repeat. A week later, he discovered two 'puncture marks' on his upper left leg, about an inch apart. He recalled an abductee story involving a double-barrelled 'syringe' with two thick needles. He managed to get a Polaroid photo of the marks as they lessened, which was published in the Rapport magazine. He also recalls hearing his bedroom door clicking open and shut on a previous night, despite having firmly shut it.

During a SUFOG meeting on June 15th, Sears played an audiotape of a Radio 4 programme featuring abductee investigator Dr. John E. Mack. He notes that during the broadcast, someone tapped him on the knee, and he was certain he was not asleep. He also experienced a muffled sound from the radio despite having his hearing aid on, describing his mind as 'detached from normality'. Sears identifies himself as a post-abduction 'healer', registered since 1982, after experiencing three 'encounters' in 1978. He mentions his then-wife as a witness to these events.

Sears also recounts an incident where his ex-wife, after their divorce in 1982, refused to discuss her 'nightmares' which had persisted since a shared experience. He offered help, but she declined. He believes the last of his three encounters was one where both he and his ex-wife were 'taken', though his memories are not traumatic, hers were.

He describes the missing tape incident: after the meeting, he asked Steve where his tape was, and was told it was still in the machine. The next morning, the tape was gone. Steve denied touching it beyond unplugging the machine. Sears is now in discussion with Radio Four and national media for a copy of the broadcast, believing something 'IMPORTANT' was on it. He eventually located a member who had a copy.

Sears expresses his belief that knowledge and messages are sent by those who have passed on. He is no longer hesitant to speak about UFOs, their occupants, and 'ghosts', including his 'dead' wife who reappeared in 1982. He relates to the experiences of abductees, particularly a young lady lamenting the 'vanishing of the phenomena', assuring her that 'they' are still here.

He concludes by mentioning 'pinpricks' on his upper left arm discovered on August 9th, about three inches across with a 'tail' of three pinpricks, which should have been painful but were not. He speculates about 'other reality' and links between worlds, suggesting beings with advanced 'science' are involved.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained, the paranormal, and encounters with the unknown, encompassing ghosts, UFOs, and potential abductions. The magazine appears to adopt an open-minded stance, presenting various accounts and encouraging readers to share their own paranormal stories. The editorial stance seems to be one of exploration and documentation of these phenomena, without necessarily offering definitive explanations, but rather inviting further investigation and discussion. The inclusion of personal testimonies and reports from various sources suggests a commitment to exploring the breadth of unexplained experiences.