SUFOG Newsletter No 179-180

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Southampton UFO Group (SUFOG) magazine, numbered 179 & 180, is dated September/October 2005. It is presented as being '15 YRS IN THE MAKING'. The cover features a photograph of Steve Gerrard and Ernie Sears at a Portsmouth UFO Conference in 1996. Contact information, including an email address and website, is provided.

Editors Corner

The editors' corner discusses the group's August meeting, which led to the appointment of a Director of Investigations and two investigators, and a decision to slightly change the magazine's layout. Future issues will feature SUFOG activity in black and white on the cover, drawn from their photograph library. A group badge is also planned. The group is looking forward and adapting to changing times. The Avebury 2005 event did not go ahead, but 2006 is expected to be better organized with more events, including sky watches. The editor is seeking members to take an active part and is looking for a group membership secretary to manage membership records and send out renewal notices. This role can be done remotely. The group is currently investigating two cases: one involving a gentleman who encountered a UFO at 90 mph on the M3 near Fleet Service Station, and another concerning a lady with photos of orbs and objects on film, who also reported scratches on her back after an incident in bed. Mark Easen is congratulated for being a runner-up in a competition to create a hoaxed UFO photo, inspired by an item in the previous issue. The editor notes that this is a packed issue and some items have been deferred to the next issue, including more UFO photographs and updates.

Contents

• The table of contents lists articles and reports covering a range of topics:
• Editors Corner
• Sightings by Ernie Sears
• SUFOG Member wins a competition
• Portsmouth UFO Report
• Elvis Presley UFO Encounter in the 1950's
• UK UFO Reports
• Newspaper Reviews
• Pauline Roberts Legacy
• Magazine Reviews
• World News & UFO Reports
• UFO's Over Hampshire
• Obituary - Graham Sheppard
• Church Crookham UFO's, Hampshire
• Paranormal SUFOG

Sightings By Ernie Sears

Ernie Sears reports on a sighting by a Gosport resident named "George" on August 26th, 2005. While taking panoramic photos of the harbour, shipping, and the newly erected "Spinnaker" in Portsmouth, "George" later discovered an unidentified object in his photographs that was not visible at the time of shooting. George, a new SUFOG member, has studied aircraft for years and, despite suffering from eye trouble, has good close vision. Sears notes that the SUFOG magazine is the first to show these photos, which have generated discussion within the group. He also mentions that George has provided other photos taken near the Admiralty complex on Portsdown Hill, an area known for UFO sightings. Sears recalls his own first sighting of a UFO in 1960 over the same hill. The Portsmouth News also published a UFO photo in September, and consulted with SUFOG founder Steve Gerrard, leading to a mention of the group.

Mark Easen's Competition Entry

Mark Easen writes to Steve Gerrard to announce that he won a runner-up prize (an iPod) in an MSN space race competition for a fake UFO photo he staged using a plastic UFO model and edited with paint shop pro. He notes that the organizers encouraged fake pictures and provides a link to the competition entry.

University of Life Conference

An announcement for the 11th annual Spring Conference by The University of Life, titled "Unexplained Mysteries," to be held on April 9th, 2006, in Dorchester, Dorset. The conference will cover Crop Circles, UFO's, Spiritual matters, Government conspiracies, and hidden knowledge. Speakers include Barbara Lamb (USA), John Mayo, Howard Middleton-Jones, Ian Crane (discussing 9/11), and David Kingston (Crop Circles). The entrance fee is £20.00, with tickets available by mail or on the day for £25.00.

Portsmouth UFO Report

This section details a UFO report from Hampshire that was sent to another UFO group in America. The sighting occurred on September 20th, 2005, at 03:29 AM GMT in Portsmouth, England. The witness described a T-shaped, gold/orange coloured object shooting across the sky, estimating it covered 20 miles in 4 to 5 seconds. The witness also reported seeing two shield-shaped gold/orange objects flying slower on a previous night. The report notes that Portsmouth is 7 hours ahead of PDT. The witness initially thought the objects were swans but noted they had no wings and travelled much faster.

Investigator's Notes on Portsmouth Report

The investigator notes that the witness provided a concise report and referenced the moon, ruling out misidentification. Previous sightings were also mentioned. The "T" shape is unusual and not typical of conventional aircraft. The investigator cannot identify the sighting.

Phone Call from Portsmouth News

The magazine is following up on a phone call from the Portsmouth News regarding a UFO photograph over Portsmouth. They are expecting a copy for a potential article.

Elvis Presley UFO Encounter in the 1950's

According to Michael Luckman, Elvis Presley's birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, was visited by a blue light. Elvis reportedly told friends he was "not of this world" and described several UFO sightings. One account details seeing a light in the desert that moved "weird, not like a plane," describing it as cigar-shaped, oblong, and rounded with window portholes and lights along the bottom, but no wings. The object emitted a buzzing, metallic sound, and the experience caused their hair to prickle.

John Mack Case Sentence

A report from Stuart Miller dated October 7th, 2005, states that Raymond Czechowski was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment and a 3-year driving disqualification for the death of Dr. John Mack in September 2004. Steve Gerrard, SUFOG Chairman, comments critically on the sentence.

UK UFO Reports

This section compiles several UK UFO sightings:

• Devon and Nottinghamshire: On August 12th, 2005, Emma Whitley in Westwood, Nottinghamshire, saw a triangle-shaped object with three white lights and one red light flying slowly over her house. On August 13th, 2005, Tim Francis in Smithleigh, Devon, reported a series of bright orange moving lights that changed formation, with one light speeding up. He described the objects as having a rectangular or jellyfish-like shape and bright orange lights at the front and back.

• Romford Recorder, September 9th, 2005: An orange UFO sighting is reported in Elm Park, where the Smalley family witnessed an undulating, orange, balloon-like object with flickering lights in a triangular arrangement. The object moved directly upwards and disappeared.

Irish Independent - 29th August

An article titled "Communicating With UFOs 'Is No Longer Stuff Of Science Fiction'" reports on a conference where delegates discussed the possibility of communicating with extraterrestrials. Ms. Meyler, founder of the UFO Society of Ireland, believes that UFOs manifest as unexplained lights and that humans are not yet ready for contact, but that they are "coming in love to help us." She cautioned that some sightings might be misidentified as Venus or laser lights. Mr. Ansbro, a former meteorologist, recounted an incident in Kerry where a group witnessed an object that performed a figure of eight when requested.

The Scotsman - 15th Aug 2005

An article titled "MOD 'Open-Minded' On Alien Encounters" discusses inquiries received by the Ministry of Defence under the Freedom of Information Act. These include requests about alien abduction protocols and the MoD's policy on aliens. The MoD stated it has no policy on aliens or UFOs and remains "totally open-minded" about extraterrestrial life. UFO investigator Ron Halliday believes the MoD is aware of alien life and revealed that they had been recording UFO sightings since the 1940s. Other inquiries included requests for recipes and information on navy watches.

Newspaper Reviews By Ernie Sears

Ernie Sears reviews several newspaper articles:

• The Independent (August 30th): Discusses the "Silly Season" of bizarre summer stories, noting that British UFO sightings are in "troubled waters." The Cumbrian branch of British UFO Hunters is considering closing due to a lack of sightings. Chris Parr of BUFOH attributes this to the end of "The X Files," fewer military exercises, and a lack of strange phenomena.

• The Sunday Mail (October 2nd): Reports on Lajas, Puerto Rico, building a UFO landing strip to attract tourists.

• Daily Mail (September 28th): Features an article by Lucy Pringle with a photo of a crop circle in Oxfordshire, which some interpret as a Mayan calendar related to the "end of time."

• The Daily Mirror (September 2nd): Includes a full-page article about Russ Kellett, who claims he was blinded by a bright light while on his motorbike, resulting in severe sunburn and memory loss. He later saw a "black tunnel" and lost two hours.

Have your say!!!

This section invites readers to send in their personal experiences or stories about UFO sightings, ghosts, or any paranormal events they wish to share with other members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena, with a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts and reports from the UK. There is a clear effort to document and investigate these events, as evidenced by the "Director of Investigations" and the ongoing case investigations. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded but also cautious, acknowledging the possibility of misidentification (as noted by Ms. Meyler and Ernie Sears) while still presenting compelling cases. The magazine also engages with broader themes of unexplained mysteries, conspiracy theories, and the public's evolving perception of UFOs and potential extraterrestrial contact. There's a sense of community building, encouraging member participation and sharing of experiences. The inclusion of news from other UFO groups and conferences suggests an awareness of the wider UFO research landscape.

SUFOG, Issue 18, appears to be a September 2005 publication focused on UFO phenomena. The magazine covers a variety of topics including recent sightings, historical cases, personal testimonies, and reviews of other UFO-related publications. The overall tone suggests a dedicated community interested in exploring and documenting UFO activity.

Article Summaries

Page 11: SUFOG (PAGE 11)

This page features several short reports on UFO sightings and related news. A man who experienced flashbacks of standing in a circular room set up a support group, stating that the entities were not human. The SUN reported on Essex police being baffled by 'orange globes' and 'piercing globes'. The DAILY TELEGRAPH discussed scientific speculation about life on other planets. THE TIMES highlighted government 'secrecy culture' blocking information requests regarding UFO files. A significant report details a UFO sighting in Worle on September 2nd, described as a long flat grey object seen by residents Dennis Owen and Ray Parson. Dennis Owen, a former aircraft inspector, described it as not undulating like a balloon and having no windows or protuberances. A spokesman from Bristol International Airport reported no unusual objects.

Page 12: Pauline Roberts Legacy & SUFOG Diary

This section details the acquisition of the late Pauline Roberts' UFO collection, which includes press cuttings from 1950-2001, personal items, and a UFO diary. The author expresses dismay that other national UFO groups declined the collection, which was saved from being discarded. The SUFOG Diary for 2005 lists upcoming meetings and themes: October 19th (Mystery Animals), November 16th (TV based UFO Special), December 14th (Famous Cases, Christmas Party), and January 2006 (Cattle Mutilations). Meetings are held at the CIU Club in Netley Abbey, Southampton, costing £3.00.

Page 13: Magazine Reviews by Ernie Sears - OVNI & UFO Magazine

Ernie Sears reviews two magazines. OVNI, subtitled 'At The Cutting Edge', features an editorial on 'Apocalypse Now' and discusses 'Earth changes'. The Sept/Oct issue covers UK Flying Triangles and sightings over Penzance. It also mentions a report on 'Top Secret Queensland UFO sightings' from 1958 and an older report of a 'sea Monster'. A photo of a brilliant object heading behind the moon was published in the Metro newspaper. OVNI is priced at £2 plus postage. UFO MAGAZINE from the USA is described as an impressive 80-page glossy, featuring speakers like Jacques Vallee and Stanton Friedman at conferences. It includes articles on Brazil's hostile UFOs, crop circles, and secrets of the Great Pyramid. Subscriptions are $39.99 for six issues and $69.99 for 18 issues from the US.

Page 14: Rapport & Magonia Reviews

Rapport is described as a bi-monthly magazine from the late Ken Phillips Witness Support Group, edited by Mike Rutter. Its contents include an editorial on Princess Diana's death, Hurricane Katrina, the London bombing, and the Madonna statue in Naples. It also covers crop circles, spiritual warnings, New Earth changes, the Arecibo Radio Telescope, and messages from the Galactic Federation. Suggested donations are $2. MAGONIA, subtitled 'Interpreting Contemporary Vision and Belief', is reviewed with a caution to take it with a pinch of salt. Editor John Rimmer features an in-depth review of the Findhorn Community. The article discusses the 'New Age' centre and its blend of spirituality and UFOs. It also touches upon the Aztec, New Mexico UFO 'landing' or 'crash' of 1948. Magonia subscriptions are £9.50 for six issues.

Page 15: Psychic News & Other Reports

PSYCHIC NEWS for October 1st featured an article by Kay Hunter on UFOs and their connection to spiritual dimensions. It quotes Jenny Randles about a car stop and abduction case where the woman lost the ability to have children. Kay Hunter suggests near-death experiences are similar to abductions but finds it hard to believe in space creatures. The author intends to 'put her right'. The page also includes a brief mention of moving on to sightings after lunch.

Page 16: World News & UFO Reports - China & Mexico

The China Daily reported on the 2005 World UFO Conference in Dalian, China, noting the large community of enthusiasts, many with college degrees, who believe in extraterrestrials. Sun Shili, conference chairman, claimed the number of enthusiasts exceeds half the world's intellectuals. Gu Qingwen, from the Beijing UFO Society, showed a video of a sun-like object. A taxi driver reported an incident where a beam of light caused him to pass out and reappear elsewhere. The report highlights that ufology is blossoming in China with many professionals involved. Stanton Friedman is quoted on the growth of ufology. The conference featured two witnesses of 'encounters of the third kind', including Meng Zhaoguo, who claimed to be attacked by aliens, and Huang Yanqiu, who reported vanishing and reappearing 1,200 km away. INEXPLICATA, The Journal of Hispanic UFOlogy, reported a UFO sighting in Mexico City after an event involving President Vicente Fox. Gerardo Martinez Fernandez reported a shining spherical object seen in the sky. A young girl described it as a very shiny star. The report notes Gerardo Martinez's previous work on the Azcapotzalco CE-II sighting.

Page 17: Villagers Claim ET Sighting (Thailand) & Hampshire UFO

The Nation in Bangkok, Thailand, reported on September 9, 2005, that villagers in Chiang Rai claimed to have witnessed an 'alien' or 'extra-terrestrial' being about 70 cm tall with yellow skin and a bald head. Sawaeng Boonyalak described the being and stated that villagers did not find any footprints. Mae Jan district chief Wisit Sitthisombat interviewed over ten villagers who consistently testified about the sighting. Hampshire UFO reported that a sighting was not reported to them but to a Canadian UFO Group. On September 4, 2005, during a thunderstorm in Portsmouth, a UFO-like object was captured on video. The source is cited as http://www.hbccufo.org.

Page 18: UFO's Over Hampshire (Part 5)

This section details several UFO sightings in Hampshire between 1950 and 2002. July 1989: A brilliant object in the sky over Wooton. September 12, 1993: A saucer-shaped object with red/orange lights and triangular windows over Freshwater. January 15, 1994: An object at 8,000ft altitude over East Spithead hovered for 12 minutes and disappeared rapidly at 18,550 MPH. August 1994: A very bright light joined by four more over Brigstone Down.

Page 19: Graham Sheppard 1943 - 2005

This is an appreciation of Graham Sheppard, a former British Airways captain and UFO phenomenon student, who died on August 24th at age 62. Timothy Good writes about Sheppard's career as a pilot and his lifelong interest in UFOs, kindled by a sighting at age eleven. Sheppard had two well-known sightings in 1967: one involving a fast shining disc during a flight from Scotland to London, and another of two aerobatic UFOs confirmed by Bordeaux radar. Sheppard's career included flying various aircraft, including the Vickers Vanguard, BAC 1-11, and Boeing models. He also had a sabbatical in Africa flying for the Zambia Flying Doctor Service and Air Malawi. His 'retirement' included flying for Alitalia and Cathay Pacific Cargo. Sheppard was instrumental in getting the CAA to take pilot UFO sightings seriously. The article mentions his book 'Unearthly Disclosure' and an incident in March 1993 where he experienced 'lateral displacement' while flying a Cessna 172. Sheppard is remembered as a consummate pilot, a skilled musician, a wordsmith, a raconteur, and a philanthropist. The article concludes with 'Bon voyage, Captain!' and a photo from the SUFOG 2001 Conference.

Page 20: Church Crookham, Hampshire Sightings & National Reports

This page details alleged UFO sightings and an alien abduction in Church Crookham, Hampshire. The first recorded incident was on October 26, 1967, when a mini-bus driven by Mr. W. Collet experienced electrical failures, and a dark shape was observed hovering. Later, the driver felt a pressure change and heard a smell of burning. On August 27, 1979, a flight instructor at Blackbushe Airport observed a small object in two portions. The next day, another instructor saw a similar object travelling at 150 mph at an altitude of 800-1000 feet. On August 12, 1983, Albert Burtoo, while night fishing, saw a bright light, followed by two beings approaching him. He was led to a round object and entered the craft, but was rejected by the aliens for being too old. The page also notes that nationally, in the late 1950s and 1960s, there was an average of one sighting per day, often originating from military establishments. A department within the M.O.D. (A1 Technical 5b) dealt with military personnel sightings, and an undercover team called 'shark watchers' was created. A security guard at Marconi's factory in Frimley reported seeing an 'alien' form.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG are UFO sightings, alien encounters, and the investigation of these phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on documenting reported incidents, both historical and recent, from various locations worldwide. The magazine appears to advocate for greater transparency and seriousness regarding UFO reports, particularly from official sources like the CAA and military. The editorial stance seems to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to submit their own sightings and press cuttings, and to engage with the subject matter critically but without outright dismissal. The inclusion of reviews for other UFO publications suggests a desire to connect with and inform the broader ufology community. The tribute to Graham Sheppard highlights the importance of credible witnesses and their contributions to the field.

SUFOG (PAGE 21-24) is a magazine dedicated to exploring paranormal phenomena, UFO sightings, alien encounters, and ghost stories. This issue, identified by page numbers, features a variety of accounts and reports from different locations and time periods.

SUFOG Members Make Avebury

This section recounts a day trip by members of SUFOG to Avebury. The author describes a pleasant day with lunch, walks, visiting gardens, a museum, shops, and the Avebury stones. They also watched a cricket match. In the evening, while walking up Walkers Hill, they observed the sky. Initially clear, the cloud cover increased by 9 pm. Despite the changing conditions, they did not witness any UFOs and noted the absence of other members for a planned barbecue.

Superman Spotted In Serbia

Serbian authorities are investigating reports of a real-life Superman figure seen flying over houses in Ljubovija. Hundreds of residents described a cloaked person flying with what appeared to be an invisible engine on their back.

UFO-spotters tell tales of the extra-terrestrial : Oct 5, 2005

This article compiles several accounts of alleged alien encounters and UFO sightings:

• Jonathan Reed's Encounter: Jonathan Reed, a former child-developmental psychologist, recounts an experience in Seattle where his pet was allegedly attacked by a 'gray' alien with an elongated head. Reed claims he took the alien home and communicated with it telepathically for nine days. He and others, including Rafael Ulloa, are attending a world extra-terrestrial congress in Lima, Peru.
• Peru as a UFO Hub: Peru is described as a mecca for mystics, with numerous reports of flying saucers, particularly over Chilca. Locals believe aliens have imbued local mud springs with curative and fertility powers.
• Alfa y Omega Group Congress: The Alfa y Omega group, which believes a fleet of UFOs will arrive on Earth, is organizing a congress in Lima from October 6-9. The event will feature discussions and analysis of photos and films of alleged UFOs.
• Donald Ware's Experience: Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Donald Ware stated he saw seven spacecraft flying over Washington, D.C. in 1953 and has seen alien craft eight times since retiring in 1982.
• 'DETECTING THE VISITORS' by Wendelle Stevens: Wendelle Stevens, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, believes in aliens after investigating 100 cases. He worked from 1947-49 in Alaska, using B-29 planes equipped with scientific instruments to 'detect the visitors.' Stevens claims that during this work, radio frequencies went haywire, temperatures increased, and crews reported seeing a disc-shaped object. He also alleges that the military suppressed photographs taken by the crews.

'The Thing' - an ex-PC's story

K.E. Pothecary, an ex-police constable, shares his account from late summer 1963. While cycling home near Netley Railway Station around 2 a.m., he saw a large orange-red coloured ball object, about four feet in diameter, descend and land in the railway goods yard. He observed the object, which made no sound. Upon approaching and examining it, he found it was not very heavy. He placed it on his bicycle's saddle and cycled towards Netley Police Station. During the journey, he noticed the object decreasing in size with each step, and by the time he reached the station, it had completely disappeared. He states he was unable to disclose this for obvious reasons until reading a related article.

Mystery of the village 'Ghost Girl'

This section, sent in by a SUFOG group member, references an article from the Andover Advertiser (September 16, 2005) that published two colour photographs under the heading 'Mystery of the village 'Ghost Girl'.' The first image, taken near Watery Lane, Upper Clatford, shows a puff of smoke. The second image appears to show a girl in a blue and white dress behind a fire. The image was taken six years prior by villager Terry Carr. The girl is described as appearing to be in Victorian-styled clothing and on fire. Local medium Lynne Hawes believes Terry has captured a ghost on film, identifying the girl as Elizabeth, who died in a house fire at age 6. Andover photographer Andy Brooks suggested the object to the right of the girl might be a fireman, but noted the sun's position made a reflection unlikely and that the image was not digitally manipulated.

Haunted places of Southampton and what you MIGHT encounter...

This section lists several locations in and around Southampton reported to be haunted:

• Netley Hospital, Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley: The 'Grey Lady,' believed to be the ghost of a young nurse who committed suicide after accidentally killing a patient, is seen by walkers.
• Dolphin Hotel, High Street, Southampton: A cleaner named Molly has been seen gliding across the ground floor.
• The Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton: The spectral figure of an old man is reported to sit in a wicker chair backstage.
• Red Lion, High Street, Southampton: A ghostly procession has been witnessed leaving the pub for the Bargate.
• Blue Nurse at Netley Victoria Military Hospital: A ghost story associated with a nurse who fell in love with a patient, murdered him, and then killed herself. The ghost has not been reported since the building's demolition. A ghostly grey lady also reportedly appeared to patients who would die soon after.
• Flower Stealer at Delbridge's Florists, Bedford Place, Southampton: Over a six-month period in 1997, hundreds of carnation blooms were removed. Despite security updates and footprint detection measures, no culprits were found, and the incident was blamed on a poltergeist.
• Molly at Southampton - Dolphin Hotel, High Street: The shade of Molly, a former cleaner, is said to always materialize at two in the morning.

The section concludes by mentioning a news series looking at ghost sightings in Hampshire.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SUFOG are UFO sightings, alien encounters, and hauntings. The magazine presents a range of anecdotal evidence, eyewitness accounts, and investigations into paranormal events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting these accounts without overt skepticism, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. The inclusion of reports from various sources, including personal testimonies, newspaper clippings, and organized congresses, suggests a broad approach to documenting the unexplained.