SUFOG Newsletter No 187-188

Magazine Overview

This is the May-June 2006 issue (Number 187-188) of the Southampton UFO Group newsletter. The publication covers a wide range of UFO-related topics, including book reviews, news from the UK Ministry of Defence, and numerous eyewitness accounts of sightings.

Editors Corner

The editorial highlights the group's DVD library and announces a monthly draw for a free DVD from their collection of over 650 items. The front cover is described as a montage of images captured by George over Portsmouth harbour in 2006, with flying humanoid pictures available on the group's website. The editor notes the potential self-inflicted damage by the MOD regarding the Condign Report, suggesting it has revealed information about American secret black projects. A Newsnight report is mentioned, discussing the USAF's plans for hypersonic vehicles. The editor also previews upcoming articles on a SUFOG summer BBQ, skywatch, and the connection between postage stamps and UFOs.

Five UFO Experts Praise: Majic Eyes Only

This section features endorsements for Ryan S. Wood's new book, "Majic Eyes Only: Earth's Encounters With Extraterrestrial Technology." Contributors include Paul Davids, Bruce Maccabee, Stephen Bassett, Stan Gordon, and Steven Greer, MD. They praise the book for its comprehensive compilation of UFO crash retrieval cases, its contribution to exopolitics, and its potential to transform understanding of technology and the human condition. The book is described as essential reading for understanding the evidence of recovered alien technology and the government's alleged truth embargo.

Book and DVD Information

Details are provided for purchasing Ryan S. Wood's book "Majic Eyes Only" and "The Secret DVD" via www.majiceyesonly.com or Amazon.com. Ryan S. Wood's contact information is also listed.

Nick Pope's Perspective

Nick Pope, former UFO desk officer at the MOD, writes about the resurgence of interest in UFOs, attributing it partly to the release of government documents and media coverage. He notes that UFO interest is cyclic, with a previous peak in the mid-Nineties. Pope suggests that current interest is being fueled by the Freedom of Information Act and that the publishing industry may see a boom in UFO-related content.

UK UFO Reports

This section details the "Project Condign" MOD UFO Study, a formerly secret report released under the Freedom of Information Act. The report runs to over 400 pages and discusses controversial theories. Nick Pope clarifies his involvement, stating he was not the author and had left the MOD's UFO Project before the study was undertaken.

Sightings and Encounters

Several personal accounts of UFO sightings are included:

• Brecon Beacons (May 7, 2006): Photographs taken during a hill walking trip revealed a triangle stealth bomber shaped UFO hovering over a mountain range. Another picture showed an object landing, and a third captured the object as well. Inverted negatives showed the object to be solid.
• Washington (Tyne-N-Wear) (May 5, 2006): A small white ball was observed moving quickly in an arc, stopping directly overhead for about ten minutes before moving again. The object was estimated to be about 10 feet across and made no sound. A Tornado fighter jet was also seen flying low in the area.
• Reading Evening Post (May 12, 2006): Reports mention a mysterious green ball seen over Southcote and a glowing red orb over Basingstoke Road.
• Lincoln (two decades ago): Gloria Fisher and her husband Roy reported seeing a triangle of white light that appeared to be in formation but could be seen through the middle.
• Wittering, Sussex (20 years ago): Gloria Fisher also recalled a sighting from camping.
• Whitley Wood (some years ago): Peter Brake described a mind-boggling sighting of a multicoloured globe that was square-patterned and lit up, disappearing within two seconds.
• Falmouth (last September): Peter Brake saw a deep red star-like object moving slowly.
• Woodley (April 18, 2006): Janet Cryer witnessed a bright, whooshing light, described as a greeny-coloured light, fly past her window at high speed, faster than a helicopter.

UFOs Over Hampshire (Isle of Wight 1950-2002) (Part 9)

This section presents a chronological list of UFO sightings:

• September 25, 1997 (Brading): A large, metallic, very shiny spoon-shaped object, like mercury, was seen hovering at about 200ft altitude before vanishing.
• November 16, 1997 (Yafford): A completely silent, low-flying black triangle with three lights on its underside was observed travelling northeast to southwest and out to sea.
• January 25, 2001 (Ventnor): A round object with red, white, and blue lights circulating at rapid speed was seen hovering over houses. A small round dark object was in the center of the lights.
• October 8, 2002 (South West Solent nr Hurst Castle): A grey object, very long (150-250ft) and slim (30ft thick), with no noise or bright lights, was observed at an altitude of 200ft.
• November 11, 2002 (Sandown): A strange formation of lights appeared static for a second, then moved in a circular motion. The lights appeared separate before moving across the sky at unreal speed.

Newspaper Reviews by Ernie Sears

Ernie Sears reviews recent newspaper articles on UFOs. He mentions a Mail on Sunday article about Steven Spielberg backing the search for 'Flashes of Light' potentially carrying messages from ET, and a £200,000 telescope funded for this purpose. The Daily Express is criticized for its "hot air" explanation of UFOs as plasmas, while also featuring Nick Pope discussing the MOD study. Sears notes that the MOD will likely not release documents suggesting a mystery surrounding UFO sightings.

SUFOG Diary - 2006

The diary lists upcoming events and topics for the year:

• July: Crop Circles (images of the 2005 season)
• August: Paranormal Evening (Steve Rider)
• September: 15th Birthday celebrations
• October: Alien Implants
• November: Paranormal Evening
• December: The Russian Roswell and The Day After Roswell

Meetings are held at the CIU Club, Victoria Road, Netley Abbey, Southampton, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a £3.00 charge to cover room hire. Attendees are advised to contact the editor to confirm Sky Watch/Meeting status due to potential cancellations.

SUFOG Contact Corner

This section provides contact details for various UFO organizations and researchers worldwide, including UPRI (Ireland), DEGUFO (Germany), Victorian UFO Society (Australia), Junji Numakawa (Japan), Contact International UFO Research (UK), Magonia (UK), UFO Monthly.Com (UK), and Revista UFO (Brazil).

Southampton UFO Group Newsletter Subscription

Subscription details for the newsletter are provided: UK Single Membership is £10.00, UK Joint Membership is £15.00, and UK Family Membership (4) is £25.00 per year, including postage. The newsletter consists of no less than 12 double-sided A4 pages and is published bi-monthly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the idea that UFO phenomena are real and worthy of serious investigation. There is a strong emphasis on government transparency and the release of information, particularly through the Freedom of Information Act. The group appears to be critical of official explanations that dismiss UFOs as conventional phenomena, advocating for open-mindedness and further research into extraterrestrial technology and potential cover-ups. The editorial stance is one of active engagement with the subject, encouraging member participation and the sharing of sightings and information.

SUFOG (PAGE 11-20)

This issue of SUFOG magazine, dated March/April 2006, features a range of articles and reviews related to UFO phenomena, government disclosures, and personal experiences. The cover headline announces "UFOs Exist - It's Official!", referring to a declassified Ministry of Defence report.

Ministry of Defence UFO Report

The lead story details the release of a once-classified official investigation by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The study, titled 'Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in the UK Air Defence Region', was conducted between 1996 and 2000. The report concludes that UFOs exist but are a mixture of natural and man-made phenomena, rather than evidence of extraterrestrial life. It examined UFO sightings over a 30-year period to ascertain any threat to the UK and identify potential military technologies. The study was not conducted to substantiate extraterrestrial life-forms, and no such evidence was found. Rational explanations such as aircraft lights or natural phenomena, including meteors forming 'buoyant plasmas', were often cited. The report concluded that none of the UFO reports received had any Defence Intelligence value, leading to the decision in December 2000 that the Defence Intelligence Staff no longer needed to receive them. Under Secretary of State for Defence, Tom Watson, expressed delight that the Freedom of Information Act had led to this report's declassification, highlighting the MoD's commitment to openness. The report, over 450 pages, was released due to a Freedom of Information request and is available on CD ROM for £3.50.

Personal Encounters and Interviews

The magazine includes a personal account of a surprise phone call from TV personality Johnny Lambe, who arranged to interview the author for a magazine piece. The interview took place over two days, involving filming of the author's photos, including a 'humanoid' image. The author also recounts demonstrating healing on Johnny Lambe, who claimed his knee pain had gone.

Another section details a visit from producers of the History Channel to the Marshall County Historical Museum in Minnesota to film the 'UFO Car'. This car was involved in an incident in August 1979 where a mysterious flash of light caused a deputy to lose consciousness and resulted in unusual damage to the car, including a broken headlight, a dent in the hood, a hole in the windshield, and a bent antenna. The director, Ethel Thorlacius, believes something external caused the damage, suggesting possibilities like a UFO, ball lightning, or St. Elmo's fire.

UFO Sightings and Locations

Several articles discuss specific UFO sightings and locations. The 'Alien invasion of UFO Hotspot West Kilbride' article from 'The Scotsman' is reviewed, noting that West Kilbride had the highest number of recorded sightings in Britain during 2004. The article contrasts this with Bonnybridge, previously called the 'UFO capital of UK'. The author suggests that UFOs might be attracted to regions near nuclear weapons facilities, pointing to HM Naval Base at Faslane, located between West Kilbride and Bonnybridge.

The issue also highlights an incident where the Finnish Air Force disclosed a video of an encounter between a military jet fighter and a UFO, recorded on April 27, 2005. Another UFO incident was recorded in November 2003. Researcher Tapani Koivula of FUFORA received the files and stated that no normal explanations had been found. The Mexican Air Force also discussed a UFO event recorded over the Campeche aerial space.

A report from OVNI magazine details a mysterious craft observed over Bracknell on February 1st, 2006, described as the size and shape of a 'flattened car'. A similar object was filmed over Mexico, bearing resemblance to a 'humanoid' featured in SUFOG. OVNI also highlights mysteries of the Moon and NASA/APOLLO 11. A photo from Shirebrook, Mansfield, shows a craft filmed from a garden, possibly a Flying Triangle, which blinked out when a helicopter attempted interception on August 23rd, 1994.

Magazine Reviews

The magazine includes reviews of several other publications:

• PSYCHIC NEWS (May 20th): An article about a medium being called in to investigate a mysterious body found on a coal mound in Todmorden, Yorkshire, with strange burn marks on the neck.
• THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION MAGAZINE (May 06): A small paragraph on the letters page seeking veterans or civilians involved with the secret military test site at Orford Ness, Suffolk, an area known for the Rendlesham Forest incident.
• UFOLOGIST (2006 Tenth Anniversary Edition): Described as a smart-looking Australian product, featuring articles on 'Alien Autopsy THE TRUTH', 'Encounter in Poland', and 'Varginha'.
• UFO monthly: Gary Heseltine's 25th issue, featuring an article on an 'East Coast Family's terrifying encounter', 'Cold Case updates', and an interview with a British man involved in hacking military computers for UFO info.
• UFO Magazine (USA, April issue): Praised for its production, with contents including 'Interpretations of an Alien Star Map', 'Majic Eyes only', and 'The cult of Alien Gods'.
• SUFOG Newsletter Number 185/6 (March/April 2006): Praised for its clear cover photos and interesting content, though one contributor took umbrage at an article referring to Timothy Good's books as 'Novels'.

Other Features

'Your Points of View...' section includes a letter from Mark Easen questioning why UFOs might be interested in Portsmouth Harbour, suggesting a link to the naval shipyard's capability to repair nuclear-powered submarines. Another letter from Colin criticizes an article in 'The Times' about the UFO phenomenon. Margaret Fry from the Wales Federation of Independent UFOLogists commends Timothy Good for his extensive research in writing UFO books.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the official acknowledgement of UFOs by government bodies, the persistent interest in UFO sightings in specific locations like Scotland, and the ongoing efforts of researchers and publications to document and understand these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, valuing personal testimonies and official disclosures while critically reviewing various sources of information within the UFOlogy community. The magazine encourages reader participation and discussion.

SUFOG (Page 21-24) is a publication focused on paranormal phenomena, UFO sightings, and unexplained events. This issue, dated around June 2006, covers a range of topics including a movie about a 'cereal thriller life', big cat sightings, crop circles, and UFO reports. The magazine encourages readers to submit their own paranormal experiences and newspaper cuttings.

Articles and Reports

Colin's Cereal Thriller Life Set To Hit The Big Screen

This section reports on a group member, Mr. Richardson, who submitted a cutting from the Andover Advertiser about a movie being made about 'Colin's Cereal Thriller Life'. After failing to sell his crop circle collection for over £1,500 on eBay, Colin is set to have his life story adapted into a movie by Renegade Pictures from Kansas. Colin expressed his eagerness to help create a film he believes will make a difference. A website, www.circular-evidence.com, is provided for more information.

Big Cat Sighting

A report sourced from the Southampton Evening Echo on May 2nd, 2006, details a sighting of a panther-like animal in the New Forest on the A31. The creature was seen wandering in a field around 7:45 p.m. on April 26th, close to a herd of New Forest ponies, between Stoney Cross and Picket Post. The student who saw it described the creature as black with a small head and a long tail, noting it was too large to be a domestic cat. The article also states that there were 2,123 sightings of big cats between April 2004 and July 2005, with the South-West being a hotspot. Dorset police logged about 30 calls a year by 2003 regarding such sightings.

2006 Crop Circle Formations

This extensive report, attributed to AUFORN QLD and Robert Frola, details crop circle formations in 2006. It begins by referencing previous crop circles found on Aherns Road in Queensland, Australia, on March 28th, 2004. The current report focuses on new sets of circles, one large and one small, found in the area. AUFORN planned to investigate. Mrs. English, a resident whose property was involved, discussed the circles with AUFORN. Robert informed Mrs. English that TV coverage could attract unwanted attention. He also mentioned that the previous landowner had plowed over earlier circles to deter trespassers. Mrs. English stated she was happy for those with keen interest to see the circles. A Channel 9 TV crew was in the area covering a Woolworth's store opening, which coincided with the crop circle discovery. Mrs. English expressed uncertainty about whether the circles were man-made, leaning towards the possibility of extraterrestrial origin, noting the absence of holes and the presence of a slight cone of grass in the center of one circle. She also mentioned reports of something seen in the sky around the time the circles appeared.

The issue also provides a chronological list of crop circle formations from May 17th to June 7th, 2006, across the UK, Italy, and France, with specific locations and crop types. It notes that as of June 18th, 2006, there were 17 formations recorded (6 in the UK, 10 in Europe). A link to www.cropcircleconnector.com is provided for further descriptions.

Matt's Pollen Out

A brief article from The Daily Mirror (June 15, 2006) reports that Matt Williams, known as the 'crop circle king', has quit his hobby due to severe hay fever. Matt, 35, was fined £100 in 2000 for damaging crops after attempting to debunk claims that complex circles could only be made by aliens. He is the only person convicted of crop circle making.

Snippets of Late News

This section provides brief updates:

• Karl Pflock's Passing: Karl Pflock, described as a rational thinker in UFOlogy, passed away on June 5th, 2006, in Placitas, New Mexico. His loss is noted as significant for the field.
• Hawking on Space Colonies: Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking stated that the survival of the human race depends on finding new homes in the universe due to the increasing risk of a disaster destroying Earth.
• Western Daily Press on Crop Circles: The article questions the current crop circle season, noting rumors of fewer formations in Wiltshire and mentioning hay fever, tragedy, and emigration as related topics.
• BBC Newsnight Report: A BBC Newsnight report is mentioned, focusing on the MOD Condign report concerning USA Black Projects, Area 51, and UFOs. Readers are directed to the bbc.co.uk/Newsnight website.

UFO Report Over Hampshire

This report details a sighting on June 11th, 2006, involving four witnesses in Lymington. They observed two bright orange, pulsating lights positioned one above the other, heading towards them over the Isle of Wight/Southampton Water. The lights stopped, pulsated, and then continued eastward towards Portsmouth. Hampshire Police suggested it might have been a laser light from the Isle of Wight Festival reflecting off clouds. The report also notes a previous sighting by the same witnesses around 1978/79, where eight people saw a large bright white light that moved at high speed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unexplained, particularly crop circles and UFO sightings, alongside other paranormal phenomena like big cat sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of experiences and news clippings related to the paranormal. The inclusion of a movie about crop circles and the mention of a prominent UFOlogist's passing suggest a continued interest in the cultural and scientific aspects of these phenomena.