WESSEX ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA

Magazine Overview

This document is the "U.F.O. SIGHTINGS SUPPLEMENT ISSUE ONE" published in April 1977 by the WESSEX ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA (W.A.T.S.U.P.). It serves as a supplement to the W.A.T.S.U.P. Journal, aiming to document U.F.O. sightings in a summarised form, published occasionally.

Reported Sightings

3.30 P.M. Tuesday 20 January 1976 - Barkis House, Mile End, Portsmouth, Hants

Mrs. Doris Pullen, from her 12th-floor flat, observed an unusual object in the southwest. Initially mistaken for a vapour trail, it was noted to be a dark rounded body with a flame-like tail, approximately half a cricket ball's size at arm's length. She observed it from a balcony, joined later by a neighbour. The object was not seen to move. After 10-15 minutes, the sighting ended as the area became obscured by rain clouds. No movement was noticed during the sighting.

9.30 P.M. Some time during January 1973 - Castle Hill, Southsea Seafront

Mr. Alan Dean reported seeing a black disc, roughly the size of a dinner plate, hovering at about 200 ft above Castle Hill. The object hovered and stopped in 5-minute intervals before moving out of sight over the Solent. Mr. Dean's dog exhibited signs of fear during the sighting. No sound was detected.

4.50 P.M. 6 November 1976 - Monserrat Road, Lee-on-Solent, Hants

A retired engineer witnessed a peculiar incident starting with a 'smudge' on his window pane that moved upwards and out of sight. He then observed a strange ebony black triangular object moving 'base' first over his house. The object was described as resembling a delta-winged bomber on top of a catamaran, with protruding 'floats' and a misty ball at its apex. The object was visible for a few seconds.

7.15 P.M. 20 September 1976 - Hayling Island, Hants

Neil Landymore, aged 17, reported seeing a small insignificant red light in the sky over the Solent during a thunderstorm. The object, which appeared to have a solid body, flew across the Solent over about fifteen minutes. It performed a fast horizontal manoeuvre, lighting up and ascending rapidly. It was then seen to light up again with a red central light, a large solid light, and white lights along the edge, emitting beams of white light from underneath. The object was described as extremely bright, brighter than lightning flashes, and was visible in its illuminated state for 4-5 seconds at an estimated height of 150-200 ft. The apparent size was compared to a ½ pence piece at arm's length. The total duration of the sighting was 5 minutes.

8.40 A.M. Monday 1 November, 1976 - North End, Portsmouth

Joseph Bartold, aged 19, noticed an unusual object in the northeast. The sky was clear, and the object stood out as a sharply defined silver disc or oval, estimated to be at a height of 6-10,000 ft. It appeared stationary for about one minute before the witness ceased viewing it due to his bus arriving.

11.45 A.M. Saturday 23 October, 1976 - Eastern Road, Portsmouth

Mr. C.J. Rowsell reported that two dark grey objects were travelling approximately northeast across Hayling Island in a tight, steady formation, with one slightly above and ahead of the other. The rear object emitted a very bright flash from its rear end every 3 to 4 seconds. The objects were rising into the cloud layer. The sighting lasted approximately 45 seconds, with the flashing light being gold, very bright, and the objects being irregular in shape.

14 December 1975 - Sunday Express Article: "INVISIBLE FORCE HALTED CAR"

This section details an article from the Sunday Express about Mrs. Dilys Cant's experience in a new multi-storey car park in Durham. Mrs. Cant claims she was prevented from reversing her car into an empty space by an "invisible force field." Council checks, however, indicated they could park without difficulty. Mrs. Cant, wife of an Education Officer, described the experience as uncanny, stating it felt like hitting a kerb, but nothing was visible. She had been driving for over 25 years and had never encountered such a phenomenon. Her daughter-in-law also experienced similar difficulties when trying to park in the same space. Council officials found no explanation for the phenomenon in the ground floor parking area. Mrs. Cant later accepted a chance to prove her point on television, but on that occasion, she was able to park without being stopped. She maintained that her prior experience was real.

Investigations and Contributors

Several sightings were investigated by Malcolm Handley. The supplement also includes contact information for Nick Maloret.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the documentation of unexplained aerial phenomena and unusual occurrences. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious reporting and investigation of these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and details of the observed objects. The supplement aims to provide a factual record of sightings for members and potentially a wider audience interested in the study of unexplained phenomena.