UFO Brigantia issue 09

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Brigantia
Issue: No. 9
Date: July 1985
Publisher: West Yorkshire UFO Research Group

This issue of UFO Brigantia, a publication of the West Yorkshire UFO Research Group, features a range of articles on UFO sightings, strange creatures, and related research within the UK, particularly in the Yorkshire region. The magazine aims to keep readers informed about the latest developments in the field.

Editorial Comments

The editorial comments express hope that the magazine will return to a normal pagination after a previous issue had less material. The editor mentions recent UFO sightings in the Leeds area, involving numerous witnesses who reported seeing red and white lights. While the Air Force suggested military aircraft were responsible, the editorial hints that something more bizarre might have been occurring.

Calverley Woods CE3

Graham Townsend of the Yorkshire UFO Society has provided prints of photos taken at the possible landing site of a CE3 event in Calverley Woods. One print suggests a possible stone circle at the center of where the object stood, though a later visit to the site discounted this. The only significant discovery was a previously undiscovered cup and ring marking near the burnt area.

Westbury Hill and Glastonbury Sightings

Jenny Randles reports on a visit to Westbury Hill for the Midsummer sunrise, where she observed mysterious rings in corn fields. She discusses the hypothesis of a whirlwind causing these formations but finds it mathematically precise and unbelievable. While at Westbury, she also met friends who had witnessed purple-coloured objects flitting above Glastonbury Tor for a considerable length of time, with an estimated one hundred people observing the phenomenon. It is noted that attempts at UFO manifestation-evocations by witches may have contributed to UFO flaps in the past.

Magazine Review: Northern UFO News

Darren P. Chanter reviews the May-June 1985 issue of Northern UFO News. He highlights its regular features, including an editorial by Jenny Randles discussing the Rendlesham Forest affair and British ufology's perceived lack of seriousness towards UFOs. The review also mentions book and magazine reviews, details of upcoming UFO-related events, and a case summary of the 'Saltfleet Encounter,' an ongoing investigation by WYUFORG. Other features include 'Media Matters' concerning UFOs in the public eye and a piece by Paul Devereux clarifying points related to his 'earth lights' hypothesis.

The Strange Case of 23784 - Part 2

This article delves into the UFO flap of March and April 1967, citing John Keel's research. It then focuses on a significant flap in the Yorkshire region on July 23, 1984, and discusses a case involving Mrs Doreen Ogden of Baildon. Mrs Ogden reported seeing a black, solid, possibly metallic globe floating in the Aire Valley on July 23, 1984, around 7:15 pm. The object appeared to be moving parallel to the hill's curvature and then across the valley. Witnesses noted its slow movement and unusual color. The article explores the possibility of this being an 'earth light' due to its conformity with fault lines in the earth, although its solid, metallic description is debated.

The Yorkshire UFO Data Centre

Nigel Mortimer, formerly of WYUFOS, is establishing the Yorkshire UFO Data Centre (YUDC). This initiative aims to create a comprehensive database of UFO sighting information, accessible to subscribing members of individual UFO groups. Access to the YUDC will be available via a standard request form, with a yearly subscription costing £1 per person.

Huge Torpedo-Shaped UFO Possibly in 1938

Edward Burton of Barnsley recounts a sighting from his childhood, likely in 1938, of a huge, torpedo-shaped object with a pale blue haze and brightly lit windows, moving at high speed across the sky over Bradford.

About the Covers

Iain Johnston discusses his approach to designing the covers for UFO Brigantia, aiming for original and varied subjects to attract readers. He details the themes of previous covers, including UFOs and stone circles, UFOs and faerie mythology, 'Scareships of the 1990s,' Ancient Astronauts, and the inspiration from 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and John Wyndham's 'Chocky' for the current issue's cover.

WYUBORG Skywatch - May 31st: Venue Baildon Moor

This report details a skywatch conducted by WYUFORG on Baildon Moor. Despite poor visibility initially, the clouds cleared, and at approximately 1:30 am, a small red/orange light was observed emerging from behind a hill, traversing the sky, and disappearing. The object's movement was slow, and its color was distinct from the lights of Shipley. The report dismisses aircraft and car headlights as explanations.

The Case of the Missing Pterodactyl!

This lengthy article recounts a series of unusual events in West Yorkshire during the late summer of 1982. It begins with reports of people in white robes and hoods performing ceremonies. This was followed by sightings of a large, grey, bat-like or pterodactyl-shaped creature flying out of the woods. The creature was described as having a significant wingspan and a grey color. Similar sightings were reported, with the creature being described as several times larger than rooks. The article then shifts to a more speculative explanation involving an American condor bird caught in a volcanic eruption, but then returns to a witness account from Richard Pollock of Pudsey, who described being dive-bombed by a huge, bird-like creature with a hooked beak and talons, which he perceived as reptilian.

Further reports include Mrs Constance Hird seeing a 'huge reptile-looking bird,' and Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson of Saltaire observing four flashing red lights. The article concludes by noting that while some reports were likely misidentifications of birds, the strange creature from 'time and space' may never be seen again.

More Books for WYUFORG Readers

A list of recommended books is provided for WYUFORG readers, covering topics such as heroes and hero worship, comparative religion, strange creatures, ancient history, Einstein, parapsychology, sacred geometry, dragon legends, gnomes, dreams, Jung, and the occult.

The Aeronauts of Victoriana

Iain Johnston adds a postscript to a previous article, noting that Count Von Zeppelin served in America during the Civil War and was interested in navigable balloons. He questions whether Captain Wilson, pictured with Zeppelin, might be the same Wilson mentioned as a mysterious airshipman in later years.

Multiple Witness Sighting Over West Yorkshire

This article by Darren P. Chanter details a report of alleged UFO sightings in the Garforth, Kippax, and Castleford areas of West Yorkshire on Thursday, June 27, 1985. Ann Chanter and a photographer, Peter, arrived too late to witness the objects but spoke to several witnesses. The sightings were later attributed to Jet Provosts on night training exercises from RAF Church Fenton. However, inconsistencies remain, as some witnesses reported the jets flying at very high altitudes and without sound, contradicting other reports. The article questions whether jets were indeed responsible for all the sightings.

Galaxative... by Jain J.

A comic strip by Jain J. presents humorous vignettes related to UFOs and scientific theories, including testing the 'nuts and bolts theory' and questioning the category of a telescope observation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO Brigantia revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs/UAPs), encounters with strange creatures, and the investigation and documentation of these events by local research groups like WYUFORG. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting witness accounts and research findings while acknowledging the need for further investigation and the possibility of misidentification. There is a clear focus on documenting events within West Yorkshire and reviewing relevant publications in the field. The magazine also touches upon historical accounts and the broader context of UFO research, including the establishment of data centers and the challenges of public perception.

This issue of 'Alien Civilisations' (Issue 11) delves into various theories surrounding the origin and nature of UFO phenomena. Authored by Jain Johnston, the magazine explores possibilities ranging from extraterrestrial visitors to subterranean and interdimensional beings. It also presents a detailed case roundup of UFO sightings investigated by WYUFORG, primarily from the mid-1980s in the United Kingdom.

Theories on Alien Civilisations

Jain Johnston begins by challenging the common ufological tendency to look only beyond the nearer planets like Mars and Venus for UFO origins, suggesting these might be overlooked. The article posits that UFOs could originate from paranormal or inter-dimensional sources, or even from civilizations existing beneath the Earth's surface or under the sea. Johnston references the 'Hollow Earth' theory, mentioning legendary subterranean cultures like 'Shamballa' or 'Agharti,' and speculates on their potential existence in locations such as Tibet, Mount Shasta, or Yellowstone Park. The author suggests that such civilizations, if they exist, would likely possess superior scientific knowledge but might avoid contact due to humanity's perceived hostility and disruptive environmental impact.

The article also considers the possibility of advanced underwater societies, citing numerous reports of USOs (Underwater Submarine Objects) entering and leaving the oceans, particularly near the Bermuda Triangle. It touches upon scientific efforts to genetically adapt humans for deep-sea or space environments and raises the question of whether 'Aquanauts' might be abducting humans. Johnston further explores the idea of inter-dimensional aliens, drawing parallels with phenomena described by John Keel, such as the 'Mothman,' and suggests these might be escapees from secret genetic experiment laboratories. The concept of multiple dimensions and the nature of space-time are discussed, with the idea that alien civilizations might exist and travel through different dimensions or manipulate time itself, referencing Charles Maine's 'Einstein Highway' concept.

Another theory explored is that UFOs could be secret weapons developed by a superpower. However, the author expresses skepticism about this, finding it impractical for a nation to risk its advanced technology in foreign territory. The article briefly mentions the possibility of UFOs being advanced craft developed by Germany during World War II, citing reports of recovered plans and potential combat use, but notes the difficulty of keeping such a project secret.

Case Roundup: WYUFORG Sightings

The 'Case Round-up' section, compiled by Martin Dagless, presents a register of UFO sightings investigated by WYUFORG for the first half of 1985. These cases include:

• Case No WY/021 (January 24, 1985): In Allerton, Bradford, a witness saw two lights that resolved into a large saucer-shaped object with a red glow from its windows. The witness experienced a '02 Factor' where time seemed to stand still before the object departed at high speed, followed by the white light.
• Case No WY/023 (March 27, 1985): Near Harrogate, a witness observed a 'boomerang formation' of about 30 bright, star-like objects flying overhead at speed, originating from the direction of Manwith Hill Air Force base.
• Case No WY/025 (September 13, 1983): In York, a witness saw a large orangey-yellow globe of light moving slowly across the horizon for about 15 minutes.
• Case No WY/026 (May 24, 1985): In Haworth, a witness saw a silver pear-shaped object moving slowly across the sky without noise.
• Case No WY/027 (March 1982): In Pudsey, a witness heard a low humming sound and saw a cluster of lights, possibly oblong, hovering over Pudsey swimming baths before moving towards Central Leeds.
• Case No WY/028 (March 1980): In Clayton, Bradford, a witness observed what appeared to be three lights forming a triangular formation, moving across the sky.
• Case No WY/029 (Early 1950s): While serving in the army in Scotland, Mr R. of Bradford saw a 'full whitish glowing figure' hovering above the ground, which faded from sight.
• Case No WY/030 (1972): In Bramley, Leeds, Mr X saw a 'huge' orange ball travel across his view at slow speed, described as ten times larger than the Sun.
• Case No WY/031 (June 23, 1985): In Lidget Green, Bradford, Mr Y saw five lights hovering on the horizon, changing color and projecting a beam of light, remaining stationary for eighty minutes.
• Case No WY/032 (circa 1975): In Queensbury, Bradford, two witnesses saw a circular object with colored lights around its edge, which then moved away.

The issue also notes ongoing investigations, including soil samples from a 'landing site' related to the Calverley Hooda CEIll case, and mentions numerous reports of red/white lights seen over Garforth, Swillington, and Wakefield on June 27th, 1985, officially explained as Jet Provost aircraft.

Connections and Future Articles

Johnston briefly touches upon the connections between UFOs, similar manifestations, and ancient sites like Ley lines and Stone Circles, leaving this aspect for the magazine's editor to cover more broadly. The author concludes by stating that Part 2 of the article will explore the possibility of UFOs being of interplanetary, interstellar, or intergalactic origin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the multifaceted nature of UFO phenomena, challenging conventional explanations and proposing a wide range of origins, from subterranean civilizations to interdimensional entities. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and speculative, encouraging readers to consider unconventional theories and presenting detailed case studies as evidence for further investigation. The magazine emphasizes the importance of ufological research and aims to keep readers informed about current trends and findings in the field.