SVL Tijdschrift - Jaargang 1 No 01 - jan 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: SVLT
Issue: Jaargang 1 Nr 1
Date: Januari 1982
Publisher: SVL-GESAG Belgium
Type: Quarterly magazine of the Studiegroep voor Vreemde Luchtverschijnselen (SVL).

Editorial

The editorial, dated December 1981, announces the launch of the SVLT magazine, the official publication of the Studiegroep voor Vreemde Luchtverschijnselen (SVL), which was founded in 1979. The group's initial aim was to gather former members of the SPW (Studiegroep voor Progressieve Wetenschappen). The editorial acknowledges the challenges of launching a new UFO magazine in a climate of low interest and few local sightings, particularly in Belgium. It emphasizes that SVLT aims to provide in-depth coverage of the UFO phenomenon, assuming readers have a basic knowledge and intending to publish previously unpublished material. The editorial states that the magazine will maintain an open mind, respecting well-founded theories without jumping to quick conclusions, and compares its quality aspirations to the former SPW magazine. It also mentions a collaboration with GESAG and other groups like the Belgian SOBEPS. A key objective for the SVL is to re-establish an internal research network to collect and investigate UFO sightings across Belgium. The editorial also highlights the BUFOC proposal by Luc Devineke and reiterates the study group's main goals: to investigate unreported UFO sightings thoroughly, preferably on-site, and to find explanations, with a priority given to Belgian cases and those of high strangeness. The magazine will also classify sightings in the GESAG-SVL Catalogue and publish interesting reports, focusing on unexplained cases to find correlations.

The editorial concludes with a New Year's wish and a note from the directorate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial clearly outlines the magazine's stance: to treat the UFO phenomenon seriously and in-depth, avoiding superficiality. It aims to publish original material and encourages active participation from its readers through contributions and reporting of sightings. The approach is one of open-mindedness and respect for well-founded theories, seeking to analyze and correlate data rather than making hasty judgments. The focus is on thorough investigation and explanation, with a particular interest in Belgian cases.

Key Articles and Sections

Inhoud (Table of Contents)

• Editoriaal: (Page 2)
• Kranteknipsels / UFO-Congres 1982: (Page 3)
• CE III in Zuid-Wales: (Page 4)
• Verdeeldheid in UFO-kringen: (Page 11)
• Baarle en Rijkevorsel 17° eeuw: (Page 15)
• Grobbendonk (ANT) - 6/12/1976: (Page 19)
• Jaarverslag NOBOVO / Recente meldingen: (Page 21)

Kranteknipsels (Newspaper Clippings)

This section encourages SVL members to send in newspaper clippings or copies of articles about recent UFO events, both domestic and international. The aim is to keep members informed and to summarize articles about UFO sightings in Belgium for publication in SVLT. This also serves to enable individuals living near a reported sighting to investigate it on-site. The section appeals for reader cooperation.

UFO-Congres 1982

Announces a large UFO Congress organized by the Belgian association UFO 21 on April 25, 1982, to be held at the Cultural Center in Hasselt. Interested individuals are directed to write to Dhr. Marc Broux for more information.

CE III in Zuid-Wales (CE III in South Wales)

This article presents a selection from the English UFO wave of 1977, focusing on a UFO sighting at the Haven Fort Hotel in South Wales. The report is a summary of a witness's account, supplemented by information gathered by the SVL Directorate during a local investigation. The article draws from several publications, including 'FLYING SAUCER REVIEW', 'THE UNINVITED' by Clive Harold, and 'THE JOURNAL OF TRANSIENT AERIAL PHENOMENA'.

The Observation Site:

Haven Fort Hotel is described as an old castle converted into a hotel for foreign travelers, located between the Pembrokeshire villages of Broad Haven and Little Haven in Dyfed, South-West Wales. The landscape is characterized by steep cliffs and green meadows. The hotel offers a view of St. Brides Bay and the St. Georges Channel. A map is provided showing the location.

The Witness:

The primary witness is Mrs. Rosa Grenville, a middle-aged woman of Spanish origin and owner of the Haven Fort Hotel. She and her husband had taken over the hotel in the early seventies, despite local tales of a 'White Lady' haunting the castle.

The Incident:

On April 19, 1977, a UFO landed near Mrs. Grenville's house. She observed two humanoid beings through binoculars. Approximately a week later, the same area was visited by a circling blue light. Following this second event, Mrs. Grenville contacted Randall Jones Pugh, a researcher for BUFORA and correspondent for UFOIN. During an interview about the blue light, Mrs. Grenville recounted the incident with the UFOnauts. Initially, she had kept the story private to avoid ridicule and to not alarm hotel guests, only sharing it with her friend Pauline Coombs. Mrs. Coombs had also witnessed numerous UFO manifestations during the same period, including landings and a possible abduction. These events, which seemed to concentrate around the Coombs family, occurred regularly between January 14 and December 19, 1977. Due to these highly unusual occurrences, the family had to leave their farm the following year, as the landlord objected to his property being the center of 'flying saucer' stories.

The author's visit to the observation site, 'Ripperston Farm', was met with unfriendliness by the current tenant, who claimed to want nothing to do with 'those damned UFOs' and had acquired three dangerous dogs, preventing further discussion. The article states that it will not comment on the events at Ripperston Farm itself but refers readers to other sources. However, the author did meet Rosa Grenville and notes that throughout 1977, UFOs were reported almost weekly over mainland Britain, particularly in the South Wales region.

Other Mentions

• Verdeeldheid in UFO-kringen (Divisions in UFO Circles): (Page 11) - Content not detailed in the provided scans.
• Baarle en Rijkevorsel 17° eeuw (Baarle and Rijkevorsel 17th Century): (Page 15) - Content not detailed in the provided scans.
• Grobbendonk (ANT) - 6/12/1976: (Page 19) - Content not detailed in the provided scans.
• Jaarverslag NOBOVO / Recente meldingen (Annual Report NOBOVO / Recent Sightings): (Page 21) - Content not detailed in the provided scans.

Organizations and Collaborations

The magazine is published by SVL-GESAG Belgium. The SVL (Studiegroep voor Vreemde Luchtverschijnselen) was founded in 1979. GESAG (Groupement pour l'Etude des Sciences d'Avant-Garde) was founded in 1965. The SVL also collaborates with other groups, including the Belgian SOBEPS (Société Belge d'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux).

Subscription Information

• SVL TIJDSCHRIFT: 250,-BF for 4 issues per year in Belgium. Payment via PCR: 000-1194979-36 to Wim Van Utrecht, Oude Steenweg 35, 2280 Grobbendonk.
• BULLETIN DU GESAG: 340,-FB in Belgium, 380,-FB abroad for 4 issues. Payment via CCP: 000-0956967-62 to Mme Jenny Deduytsche, Leopold I-laan 141, 8000 Brugge.

Bank cheques are not accepted.

Contact Information

All correspondence should be addressed to: STUDIEGROEP VOOR VREEMDE LUCHTVERSCHIJNSELEN, Oever 28, 2000 ANTWERPEN.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the serious investigation of UFO phenomena, with a focus on previously unpublished material and detailed case studies. The editorial stance is one of open-mindedness, scientific rigor, and a commitment to thorough research, particularly concerning Belgian sightings. The magazine aims to be a platform for discussion and information sharing within the UFO research community.

This issue of UFO-Contact, published in 1980 as Volume 10, focuses on UFO sightings and the challenges within the UFO research community in Belgium and the UK. It features detailed accounts of witness experiences, investigative efforts, and a proposal for a new collaborative research structure.

DE FEITEN (The Facts)

The core of the issue presents an interview with a witness, R. Grenville, conducted in April 1977 by researchers Pugh and Holiday. Grenville recounts an experience on the night of April 19, 1977, near the Haven Fort Hotel in Wales. She was awakened by a humming sound, initially thought to be her central heating. Upon investigating, she noticed a pulsating blue light outside. Using binoculars, she observed a round, oval-shaped object resting on the ground, approximately 1.80 meters in size. Two tall figures, estimated to be between 2 to 2.30 meters, with long legs, were seen near the object. Grenville described their attire as white, plastic-like "boiler-suits" and noted their faces were blank, with cone-shaped heads and no discernible features.

Grenville also reported that her electric radio and mechanical clock stopped during the night, though the timing relative to the sighting is not precisely clear. The next morning, she found a light impression in the grass, described as a semi-circle about 100 meters from her window.

AANVULLENDE GEGEVENS (Additional Data)

This section provides further details and related sightings. It confirms the light impression in the grass was semi-circular and about 100 meters from the window. Grenville also reported seeing a UFO climb somewhere, possibly onto the object itself, or onto a nearby grassy verge leading to a structure owned by the Ministry of Defence. The electrical radio and mechanical clock stopping are mentioned again, with the clock stopping at 03:30. Grenville emphasizes that the humming sound, which she attributes to the UFO, stopped when the object disappeared.

NIEUWE WAARNEMINGEN (New Sightings)

Following the April 19, 1977 incident, the Haven Fort Hotel area was the site of further events:

• April 27, 1977: Mrs. Grenville observed a blue light circling the same location where a previous close encounter had occurred. The object hovered higher than the hotel's TV mast. Her daughter, Francine, complained of rattling windows around 01:00 on a calm night, a phenomenon noted during the South Wales UFO wave.
• May-June 1977: Grenville reported seeing an orange light ball twice, observing its pulsating and pendulum-like movement from her bedroom. In response to these sightings, Grenville wrote to Nicholas Edwards of the military police to inquire about any Royal Air Force or Ministry of Defence activities in the area. A Ministry spokesperson confirmed the presence of a Royal Observer Corps post but offered no explanation for any activities.

BAERLE EN RIJKEVORSEL - ENGELEN-VERSCHIJNINGEN UIT DE 17° EEUW (Baarle and Rijkevorsel - Angelic Appearances from the 17th Century)

This section delves into historical accounts, reprinting parts of a brochure titled "BAERLE EN RIJCKEVORSEL Wonderbare verschijningen op de heide, ten jare 1612." (Wonderous appearances on the heath, in the year 1612).

• May 10, 1612: A 17-year-old shepherd named Simon Olislaeger, while tending sheep on the Baarle heath, witnessed a shining apparition about two feet above the ground. The figure was described as wearing a long, snow-white garment, with a white hat. The apparition spoke to Simon, urging him to tell the people not to worry about damage to their crops and to pray more. After Simon's response, the apparition disappeared, leaving a bright light for about half an hour.
• The following day: The apparition reappeared and asked Simon if he had delivered the message. Simon confirmed he had. The apparition then explained that the incident was a test of his faith and that God would improve their fortunes if they prayed and behaved better. It warned that if they did not, things would worsen again, and the apparition would not return.

This historical account is presented as a parallel to modern UFO phenomena, suggesting a continuity of unexplained aerial or apparitional events.

VERDEELDHEID IN UFO-KRINGEN (Disunity in UFO Circles)

This article, authored by Luc Devindcke and with a postscript by Wim van Utrecht, addresses the fragmentation and lack of cooperation among UFO research organizations, particularly in Belgium.

OORZAKEN EN GEVOLGEN (Causes and Consequences)

Devindcke outlines several key issues:

1. Dissemination of Information: Organizations hoard vast archives of sightings, making it difficult to get a comprehensive overview, akin to having pieces of a jigsaw puzzle without seeing the whole picture.
2. Bad Impression: Small organizations often appear unprofessional to witnesses due to a lack of resources and expertise.
3. Mutual Rivalry: Organizations believe their methods are superior and are unwilling to collaborate with others, viewing them as amateurs.
4. Official Research: Official institutions are unwilling to cooperate with small, national UFO organizations.
5. Wasting Finances: Most organizations focus on publishing journals, which consumes budget and time, hindering serious research and the acquisition of scientific equipment.
6. Bilingualism: The linguistic divide in Belgium presents a practical difficulty, though passive knowledge of the other language is common.

METHODE (Method)

To address this disunity, Devindcke proposes the creation of a small coordinating body, perhaps named BUFOC (Belgian UFO Center). This organization would aim to:

• Receive annual lists of investigated sightings from member organizations, including date, time, location, number of witnesses, and the investigating organization.
• Compile and distribute this information to all member organizations.
• Facilitate requests for detailed reports from specific organizations, with the requesting party covering costs.
• Encourage standardization in report writing.

This initial step would involve minimal effort, primarily administrative tasks. If successful, BUFOC could evolve into a more active organization, potentially absorbing smaller groups.

BUFOC (Proposed Initiative)

BUFOC would act as a coordinating body, not an independent investigative agency. Its initial tasks would include:

• Notifying Belgian newspapers that BUFOC is the central UFO organization, encouraging them to forward sighting reports to BUFOC.
• Compiling a list of researchers and their addresses, and assigning investigations to researchers located closest to the sighting location, regardless of their affiliated organization. This aims to prevent witnesses from being overwhelmed by multiple investigators.
• Placing small advertisements in newspapers to solicit reports that might otherwise go unreported.

Devindcke envisions BUFOC eventually growing into an active organization covering the entire country, with a central archive and administrative functions handled by a core team, while members focus on local research.

NAWOORD (Wim van Utrecht)

Wim van Utrecht adds a postscript, acknowledging the potential positive impact of BUFOC but also highlighting immediate obstacles:

• Only a few organizations are likely to agree to cooperate.
• Most Belgian UFO organizations do not conduct local investigations.
• Merging organizations will be difficult due to the challenge of dividing functions (directors, chairpersons, editors, etc.).
• Inter-organizational disputes and a competitive spirit will hinder the proposal.

Utrecht stresses the need for BUFOC to maintain a neutral stance, at least initially, focusing on collecting recent reports and identifying local researchers. He notes that few people are currently interested in field investigation.

Interested organizations or individuals are invited to contact SVL or Luc Devindcke.

WAARNEMINGEN (Sightings) - A Sample List

The issue concludes with a sample list of UFO observations from January 1 to December 31, 1979, compiled by BUFOC. This list includes dates, times, locations (e.g., Lokeren, Brussels, Aalter, Hotton, La Louviere, Leopoldsburg), duration, classification (CE I, NL, DD), number of witnesses, and the investigating organization (GESAG, SOBEPS, SVL, UROS).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently highlights the importance of UFO sightings as a phenomenon worthy of investigation. There is a clear emphasis on witness testimony and the detailed reporting of specific cases, such as the Grenville and Coombs sightings. A significant recurring theme is the critique of disunity and lack of cooperation within the UFO research community, particularly in Belgium. The editorial stance advocates for a more organized, collaborative, and scientific approach to UFO research, as exemplified by the proposed BUFOC initiative. The inclusion of historical accounts suggests a belief in the enduring nature of unexplained aerial phenomena across different eras. The magazine also touches upon the potential involvement of official bodies or cover-ups, as seen in the mention of the Ministry of Defence and the "men in black" phenomenon.

This issue of the SVL-Nieuwsbrief, dated December 6, 1976, focuses on UFO sightings and historical accounts, particularly from Belgium. The cover highlights a case from Grobbendonk, Belgium, with the headline "SIMILAR UFO'S SHOW INTEREST IN CARS". The issue includes a detailed discussion of historical apparitions and more recent UFO reports.

Historical Accounts: The Baarle and Ryckevorsel Apparitions (1612)

The newsletter begins by recounting a series of events starting with an apparition on the Baerlesche heide. Adriana Sebastiaens, a 36-year-old maid, reported seeing a white apparition on May 10, 1612, while gathering turf. The apparition identified itself as an angel and instructed her to tell the villagers to pray for the harvest, warning of potential ruin if they did not believe. The angel also advised her to be strong in her faith and attend church for three Fridays.

Adriana's encounter was followed by another on May 11, 1612, on the Stockheide. This time, the angelic figure appeared as a young man dressed in a flowing white garment. He reiterated the message and added that he was one of God's angels, instructing her to worship God. The apparition then flew away, revealing wings.

The report notes that these events caused considerable stir and were reported to the diocesan authorities. Both the young shepherd (Simon Olislaeger) and Adriana were summoned to appear before the Ecclesiastical Court. The account mentions that Bishop Joannes Malderus of Antwerp presided over the hearing, where the witnesses confirmed their accounts after taking an oath.

The article draws parallels between these 17th-century events and modern UFO sightings, noting similarities such as a hovering object, a white hat with a short brim, and a bright light. It also mentions the case of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, who reported encounters with a "heavenly being" in 1820, suggesting a continuity in such phenomena.

The author, Wim Van Utrecht, notes that the original description of the Baarle apparition was recorded shortly after the event, preserving it from embellishment. He also points out that the detailed descriptions of the apparitions, including the angelic nature and the messages delivered, are reminiscent of Marian apparitions and other angelic visitations.

Recent Sightings

The newsletter then shifts to more recent reports:

Grobbendonk (Antwerp) - December 6, 1976

This section details a UFO sighting that occurred on December 6, 1976, near Grobbendonk. Witnesses A.V. and M.C., along with their young son, reported seeing two large light beams emanating from a craft. The object moved rapidly, crossed the road, and made a large arc before disappearing in the direction of Herenthout. The witnesses described the craft as having two large light beams in front, with various smaller lights (white, red, and blue) around them. They noted that the phenomenon was silent, emitting only a faint hum, and flew very low. The report includes a photomontage based on the witnesses' description.

The SVL's investigation into this case was delayed due to a lack of a local researcher. The report mentions that the witnesses were anonymous and used to run a restaurant in Nijlen.

Sinaai (East Flanders) - September 27, 1981

During a car trip from Sinaai to Eksaarde, four people (a couple and their two children) observed a bright light hovering in the sky. As they approached, it appeared to be an aircraft with several bright lights on its wings and a red rotating light at the rear. The sound was similar to a jet engine but softer. When the car stopped, the object moved and disappeared from view. The SVL's evaluation of this sighting is "AIRPLANE," suggesting that the perception of a stationary object might be due to the observer being in a moving vehicle.

Nevele (East Flanders) - September 28, 1981

Five children reported seeing a flat, round disc with colored lights underneath and a glass dome on top. The underside had four visible wheels. They then observed a second, similar UFO join the first, and both objects flew away together in the same direction. The SVL's evaluation is "INTERESTING," and an investigation is ongoing.

Discussion and Analysis

The article discusses the credibility of the witnesses and the details provided. It highlights the similarities between the 17th-century apparitions and modern UFO cases, including the hovering aspect, the presence of light, and the nature of the messages delivered. The author suggests that the details like "the hat with a short brim" and the light-dark effect after the "angel's" disappearance could point to an authentic experience.

The newsletter also touches upon the psychological aspects of such encounters, noting how the content of conversations with alleged UFO occupants often aligns with the witness's interests and beliefs, particularly in religious contexts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SVL-Nieuwsbrief consistently explores the intersection of historical accounts, religious phenomena, and modern UFO sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various cases and offering preliminary analyses while acknowledging the difficulty of definitive conclusions, especially for historical events. The newsletter encourages reader participation by requesting UFO photos and information. It also promotes its own publications, such as the NOBOVO Year Report 1981, which includes a summary of Russian studies and articles on UFOs and folklore.