UFO BRIGANTIA

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO BRIGANTIA
Issue: 18
Date: April 1986
Publisher: West Yorkshire UFO Research Group (WYUFORG)
Price: 50p

This issue of UFO Brigantia, the journal of the West Yorkshire UFO Research Group, is dated April 1986 and features a cover illustration of a caricature in military uniform. The magazine offers a range of content related to ufology, including back issue listings, detailed case studies, interviews, and discussions on related phenomena.

Back Page Back Issues

The back page lists eleven available back issues of UFO Brigantia, priced at 70p each or £7 for all eleven. These issues, ranging from May 1985 to March 1986, cover a variety of topics including UFOs in Yorkshire, specific case histories, alien civilizations, and the 'Strange Case of 23/7/84'. The listings provide brief descriptions of the articles within each issue.

Editorial and Publisher Information

The editorial and contact details for WYUFORG are provided on page 2. Andy Roberts is listed as the Editor, and Martin Dagless as the Co-ordinator. Subscription rates are given as £7.50 per annum for 12 issues, £3.80 for six issues, and 70p for single copies and back issues. The publication welcomes letters, comments, articles, and reports of unusual sightings. It is stated that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of WYUFORG as a whole.

Editorial Stance: The Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH)

An editorial piece discusses the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH), noting that at a recent YUFOS conference in Leeds, three out of four speakers focused on it. The editorial acknowledges that the ETH has been downplayed and discredited by some, but remains the most popular explanation for UFOs among the public and media. It mentions that the YUFOS team and Tim Good presented documents from world governments that lent substance to the possibility of alien visitation, though concrete proof remains elusive. The editorial concludes that the lack of validated artefacts or unexplained UFO photographs is the strongest argument against the ETH, while also acknowledging that governments are likely involved in UFO research and that secrecy is probable.

Brief Reports: Sightings Received by WYUFORG (February/March)

This section details several sightings reported to WYUFORG:

• November 1979: A bright light with a humming sound was seen over Tong, Bradford. Evaluated as a possible mis-identification of a satellite.
• August 1979: A red cigar-shaped object was seen over York road near Whitby. Evaluated as possibly connected to a freak storm.
• September 1980: An orange ball of light was seen over Ogden Moors near Halifax. Evaluated as insufficient data.
• November 1982: A single dull white light was seen moving west to east over Halifax. Evaluated as insufficient data.
• February 1986: A brilliant white light streak was seen over Halifax. Evaluated as a probable shooting star.

The Saltfleet Incident - Part Two

This article, by Martin Dagless, continues the investigation into a case where a family at Saltfleet, Lincolnshire, observed a domed UFO with multiple lights. The UFO, after hovering over the sea, made several circuits before disappearing. The account includes additional witnesses, Mrs. M and her mother, and Mr. and Mrs. W, who also observed the object. Mr. W took photographs, and the dogs in the bungalow became uneasy. The object was described as having red, blue, green, and white lights, and later appeared as two distinct objects that flashed lights independently before moving away together.

Other Views: Extract from 'Flying Saucers' section of Viewpoint Aquarius

This extract critiques what it terms 'Organised propaganda Drumbeat' against 'Space Brothers', which allegedly portrays Close Encounters of a Fourth Kind as horrific and harmful. It argues that this narrative is subtly orchestrated and fueled by 'tame stooges' and 'Experts' who manipulate the public. The text claims that a rising swarm of letters and case histories about UFOs and aliens afflicting humans are being used to flood researchers and media, appealing for help against 'Space visitors'. The author advocates for fraternisation and breaking worldwide censorship, suggesting that UFOs have been made a 'joke' by this propaganda.

Wyuforg Archive Snippets

This section presents brief historical UFO reports:

• December 11, 1956: Two men and a woman reported a bright green, ball-shaped object hovering above Blubberhouses Moor, emitting yellow flames.
• Spring 1956: Mr. John Kelly saw an object resembling two saucers near Burnsall.
• Spring 1956: A hiking party saw a bright orange sphere hovering near Beamsley Beacon.

Classic Case: The Socorro Incident

Written by Iain Johnston, this article details the classic case of Police Patrolman Lonnie Zamora in Socorro, New Mexico, on April 24, 1964. Zamora pursued a speeding car but was distracted by a roaring flame to the southwest. Investigating, he encountered a shiny, upside-down car-like object with a flame descending from underneath. He also observed two small figures in white overalls. The object then rose silently and disappeared. The investigation noted tracks and scorched vegetation at the site. The object was described as oval with retractable legs, possibly an extraterrestrial craft.

More Tales and Lore of Yorkshire

This section features an article by ex-editor Paul Bennett, exploring tales of faeries, elves, and other beings from Yorkshire's past, suggesting a connection between these folkloric entities and modern UFO phenomena.

Alien Friends (Part 2)

This concluding part of Nigel Watson's article discusses the experiences of the Sunderland family. It details Gaynor's strange visions and a perceived message from another dimension. Gaynor, with the help of her family, performed an exorcism to banish a being preventing entry into their dimension. The event involved wind, illumination, and Gaynor's collapse. The article draws parallels to the science fiction TV series 'Sapphire and Steel'.

The Sunderland Affair - An Update

Written by Jenny Randles, this update revisits the Sunderland family case. Randles discusses the challenges of writing about personal experiences and defends her approach in the book 'Alien Contact', emphasizing her role as an investigator aiming to understand the case. She addresses criticisms regarding the use of real names and the 'fairy tales' aspect, asserting that the case involved significant psi-events and super lucid dreams, potentially indicating a developing psychic witness. Randles notes that Arna and Pars disappeared, and that Gaynor's experiences, while not necessarily abductions, reflect a different definition of reality.

Psychic Quest and The Green Stone

This section details the 'Psychic Quest' and the discovery of 'The Green Stone', a psychic treasure hunt involving nine stones found by psychic means. The article mentions the 'blue' stone, described as sapphire-like, and the 'red stone' which is the subject of a forthcoming book, 'The Eye of Fire'. Gaynor Sunderland appeared on national TV in March 1985, and at 19, she is described as a modest and self-assured young woman pursuing a career as a nurse.

Interview with Dr. Bruce Maccabee

This interview with physicist Dr. Bruce Maccabee, conducted by Malcolm Robinson, explores his interest in UFOs, stemming from dissatisfaction with conventional explanations. Maccabee believes UFOs are 'REAL SOLID OBJECTS' but is unsure of their origin. He discusses the possibility of government cover-ups concerning UFO sightings and the importance of radar visual evidence for substantiating sightings. He also touches on the use of hypnosis in CE3 cases, cautioning that it can generate evidence rather than retrieve it.

UFO Laughs

A comic strip titled 'UFO Laughs' by Iain To, featuring humorous scenarios involving aliens and Earthmen.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the detailed investigation of specific UFO sightings and cases, the ongoing debate surrounding the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH), and the exploration of potential connections between UFO phenomena and folklore or psychic abilities. The magazine provides a platform for various viewpoints, from skeptical analysis to the presentation of anecdotal evidence and personal experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to assess the evidence themselves while maintaining a critical perspective. There is a clear emphasis on presenting detailed case studies and fostering discussion within the ufological community.