KENSINGTON NEWS & WEST LONDON TIMES

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Kensington News & West London Times, dated February 11, 1972, focuses heavily on the topic of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), with multiple articles and reports from various locations.

Flying Saucers in the Library!

This article details the upcoming report on Project Warminster, a year-long survey of unexplained atmospheric phenomena in Warminster, England. Dr. John Cleary-Baker, founder of BUFORA, is set to release results from experiments. The report outlines the history of strange occurrences in the area, starting with a vicar's report in 1860 of atmospheric rumblings. Subsequent events include a brilliant white flash seen by an army officer in 1960, the appearance of the Charlton Crater in 1963, and a humming noise accompanied by falling pigeons in Southdean Woods in 1964. The article recounts more frequent events in 1965, including a woman hearing a menacing vibration and a village postman hearing a rasping sound. The situation escalated in June 1965 with a 'weird glow' and a 'crimson glow' seen in the sky, leading to a public meeting amidst hysteria. The Warminster Week in July 1966 featured observers from around the world, with a pulsating, ovoid, silvery white object seen over Clay Hill.

Dr. Cleary-Baker also mentions his friend Arthur Shuttlewood, who took a deep interest in UFOs and received mysterious telephone calls. The article concludes that these events were not a hoax.

THEY HAD U.F.O.s ALSO IN THE 19th CENTURY

This piece from the Herts and Beds Citizen (dated January 28, 1972) highlights an article by R. J. Pigram in 'Hertfordshire Countryside' about 'Odd things seen in the sky' during the nineteenth century. The article draws from old newspapers and details incidents ranging from violent tempests and greenhouse-smashing hailstorms to luminous arches and vivid flashes of lightning. Specific examples include a 'bluish-white' object seen in the sky on September 15, 1875, described as 'unusually large in size' and moving slowly. It also mentions a storm over Hitchin and Letchworth in October 1882 that caused extensive damage, and a 'shower' that collapsed sewers and flooded cellars.

The article also touches on 20th-century sightings, mentioning Zeppelins and an airship named 'Bournemouth' at RAF Cardington. It references an article by James Wood about a second-lieutenant named Wulstan Tempest who shot down a dirigible, and an extract from Neil Osborn's book 'The Story of Hertfordshire Police' about a German spy's attempt to penetrate the county's secrets.

'We saw UFO over Borough': two new claims

This report from the Hayes Gazette (dated January 27, 1972) details two recent UFO sightings in Hillingdon. Mrs. D. Coombs of South Ruislip reported seeing an object on January 7 at Gatehill, Northwood, which she initially thought was a helicopter on fire. The object traveled slowly towards Haste Hill and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. An earlier sighting involved an RAF wife and her two daughters who saw a bright disc above Uxbridge in the late evening during the first week of December. They described the object as changing color from red to pinky orange to bluish white, and vanishing completely with swirling clouds of smoke.

UFOs aren't pie in the sky, boffins told

This article from the Northern Echo (dated February 12, 1972) discusses the BBC-2 'Horizon' program 'The Day It Rained Periwinkles,' which aimed to challenge the conservative views of scientists on UFOs. Producer Harley Cokliss featured astronomer Allen Hynek, who spent 20 years as chief scientific investigator for the US forces studying UFO reports. Hynek stated that while 80% of reports could be explained, a residue defied explanation. The program showed examples of trick photography and then presented the case of two dots filmed in Montana, which scientists reluctantly concluded might have been a 'strange metallic device.' The article notes Cokliss's research into phenomena like ball-lightning. It also briefly mentions the Frost Programme on Northern Ireland and the hypnotist Martin St. James's act on Spellbound.

Mystery light in Digby - Dartmoor area

This report from 'The Express' (dated January 6, 1972) details a second sighting of an Unidentified Flying Object by a Digby couple, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Bramall. They observed a deep red and yellow light that appeared stationary and then moved towards their car. The object changed color and vanished. They described it as larger and flatter than a typical aircraft. The article also mentions other reports of flying lights in the area, including one following a motor-cyclist and another near Dartmoor.

Other Australian Sightings

Several smaller reports from Australian newspapers detail UFO sightings:

• Luina, Tasmania (February 10, 1972): Several residents watched a 'quite large and very bright' unidentified flying object moving in the direction of Savage River.
• Bendigo, Victoria (February 8, 1972): A group of YMCA Junior Mariners spotted a 'weird' and 'yellow light' object that moved in all directions and sometimes came to a halt.
• Burnie, Tasmania (February 10, 1972): Mrs. C. Ferguson reported seeing a 'very bright thing in the sky' with a tail, which disappeared after two minutes.
• Bendigo, Victoria (January 31, 1972): Mr. B. Bennett reported seeing an object with seven lights flying at 'thousands of miles an hour' across the sky while watching the eclipse of the moon.
• Geraldton, Western Australia (January 25, 1972): Five youths reported being frightened by a brilliant orange light shape in the sky that separated and moved towards them. They described it as having a flat bottom and rounded top.
• Geraldton, Western Australia (January 22, 1972): News agent Mr. Clem Penniment reported seeing a 'puzzling light and object in the sky' that kept pace with his car between Carnamah and Three Springs, describing it as a 'moon shape' with no beam.

Silly hoax - or from a UFO?

This article from New Zealand (dated February 15, 1972) reports on a drain-laying contractor, Mr. T. L. O'Neil, who found six small, rusty tins containing a mysterious, light, inflammable substance resembling 'polyurethane' buried 18 inches deep in the peat soil near Ngatea. The tins were found near a famous 42ft circle of bleached scrub. Mr. O'Neil believes the tins came from a UFO, though the possibility of a prank is also considered.

Flying saucer sightings soar as solid citizens scan skies

This article from the Sunday Express (Canada, January 23, 1972) reports on the increase in UFO sightings. It mentions a sighting by 16-year-old Ronnie Johnson in Delphos, Kansas, who reported a brilliant light and a burnt ring in the ground. The editor of UFO publication Skylook, Norma Short, notes a significant increase in reports. Stuart Nixon of NICAP confirms a threefold increase in pending sighting cases compared to 1970 and observes that more credible witnesses, 'solid citizens,' are coming forward. Dr. J. Allen Hynek of Northwestern University is also mentioned for his work in gathering UFO information.

U.F.Os. OVER Dampier for 2 hours

This report from 'The West Australian' (dated February 2, 1972) details a sighting by four men in Dampier, Western Australia, who watched three glowing objects in the sky for about two hours. They described the objects as separating and moving at 'fantastic' speed. Flight-Lieut. J. A. T. Lowe of the R.A.A.F. Pearce base is collecting reports of unidentified flying objects.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent nature of UFO sightings across different countries and time periods, the growing credibility of witnesses, and the ongoing debate between scientific skepticism and the acceptance of unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-mindedness, presenting various accounts and expert opinions without outright dismissal, while also acknowledging the possibility of hoaxes or misidentifications. The articles collectively suggest a resurgence of interest in UFOs, moving beyond the perceived lull of the late 1960s.