Wessex UFO Record - No 05 - 1974

Magazine Overview

This is the fifth issue of the Wessex UFO Record, published in October 1974. The cover features two photographic images of dark, amorphous or oval shapes against a hazy background, with the magazine title prominently displayed. The price is listed as 35 pence.

Editorial: Science and the Unseen

The editorial, titled "EDITORIAL," posits that science is the classification and recognition of facts within the order of Nature. The publication's task is to uncover UFO facts and place them within this order, questioning whether they can be satisfactorily accommodated by the current scientific establishment. It advocates for moving beyond the concept of the "supernatural" and embracing a broader view of Existence that includes the "Unseen," as suggested by psychical investigators. The editorial suggests that the human psyche is natural and may continue to exist after physical death. It proposes that the material universe might be the four-dimensional surface of a five-dimensional hypersphere, potentially populated by discarnate humanity and alien creatures. This hypothesis is presented as a way to account for phenomena that psychical research has presented to scientists, who are often constrained by narrow scientific materialism. The editorial concludes by suggesting that explanations for UFOs might lie within the "vast interior of the hypersphere," with beings free of spatio-temporal limitations, potentially corresponding to John Keel's "ultra-terrestrials."

The Motives of Ultra-Terrestrials

Drawing from Allen H. Greenfield, the editorial discusses the motives of these "UFO-denizens or ultra-terrestrials." Greenfield suggests that these beings have been in contact with humans throughout history for various purposes: friendly, neutral, or hostile. The hostile intent may involve domination through covert manipulation or overt control. A group of entities is described as being interested in combating malevolent forces, possibly being humans in symbiotic relation with humanity. The editorial acknowledges that much UFO activity is of a negative order, reinforcing destructive forces, but hopes for a positive outcome where "Light will triumph over Darkness."

Warminster Skywatch Caravan

A notice indicates that the "WARMINSTER SKYWATCH CARAVAN" will be available until the end of October, with details available from Mrs. M. Carey or Mr. A. West.

Were Luminous Meteors Fiery UFOs?

This article, authored by Arthur Shuttlewood, explores historical accounts of unusual aerial phenomena from 121 years prior, specifically from 1853. It references correspondence in the old "Illustrated London News."

Dublin Sighting (September 2nd, 1853)

John S. Sloane of Dublin reported a "curious appearance in the sky" at about 8 PM, described as a "vapoury cloud" through which stars were visible. It was brightest around 9 PM and disappeared by 10 PM, having moved from NE to SE. The sky was cloudless, and an aurora borealis was also present.

York Sighting (September 5th, 1853)

Robert F. Hutchinson from York described a "nebulous band" of bright white light stretching from the zenith to the NW horizon. It moved slowly from E to W, with stars visible through it. It became stationary, then assumed an 'S' shape before disappearing. The sky was cloudless, and an aurora was playing in the N. Some observers compared it to the tail of a comet.

Huddersfield Sighting (September 5th, 1853)

"Tertius" from Huddersfield College reported a "very strange phenomenon" resembling a broad beam of light originating from above a cloud in the NW. It extended across the sky to the SW of the zenith and then sank below the horizon. Initially thought to be a comet's tail, it was noted to be immensely long and brighter than the galaxy. It appeared to have a decided bend that gradually increased, and a narrower beam later appeared in the SE. The phenomenon was observed for about half an hour.

Nottingham Sighting (October 28th, 1874)

An account from the "olde Ufological chronicles" describes a "beautiful and extraordinary wonder of the heavens" – a large and brilliant meteor seen in daylight in Nottinghamshire. Witnessed at Retford around 4 PM, it moved at immense velocity from SW to NE. It was described as a luminous ball, nearly globular but flattened, with a deep red body and blue/yellow edges, followed by smaller globes and a white streak of light. Its passage was vivid, though its height was uncertain.

Hastings Sighting (June 1964)

David W. Paynter of Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, provided cuttings from an earlier year. Arnold W. Menn of London reported an event in Hastings, Sussex, in June 1964. He saw a tiny brilliant point of light grow into a dazzling white disc, stop at an estimated height of a couple of miles, and remain stationary. It was described as being as large as a dustbin lid, with intensely sharp edges and its own light. After about 40-60 seconds, it moved slowly in three huge circles, covering three to five miles in diameter, before coming to rest in the same spot for at least sixty seconds. It then accelerated phenomenally in a dead straight line, with a constant velocity increase, disappearing from sight at an estimated speed of 10,000 miles per hour. Menn concludes that it was a machine from another galaxy, capable of maneuvers far beyond current human technology.

Warminster Sightings

This section reports on phenomena witnessed at Starr and Cradle Hill, previously detailed in issue No. 4. In the past three weeks, more positive phenomena have been reported, including an 'invisible walker', unidentifiable mechanical sounds, and psychic occurrences. A year-long analysis of Warminster sightings is promised for the next issue.

Psychic Experiences at Cley Hill

Authored by Mrs. Betty Stead, this article details her group's experiences at Cley Hill, Warminster. The group consists of three married couples, an extra girl, and Mrs. Stead herself, along with spiritual guides.

First Visit to Warminster

During their first visit to Warminster in October, the group was interested in the enigma of the UFO. Mrs. Stead mentions meeting people who had seen "flying saucers" over Kensington, initially dismissed as advertisement balloons. These individuals later reported an unpleasant lack of hospitality in the air at Cley Hill. Mrs. Stead had previously heard of Cley Hill in relation to UFOs and her friend Grace's research into 'Inner Earth Kingdom Elementals'.

The Orange Globe and Decay Odour

On her first visit to Warminster, Mrs. Stead recalls seeing a "fantastically beautiful orange globe" pass behind Cley Hill. She also experienced a strange odour of "decay" at Cley Hill, which she interpreted as a sign that she was not welcome.

Second Visit and Malevolent Barrier

A subsequent visit was a "complete write-off" regarding "sky-riders," but the group encountered a "malevolent barrier" that seemed intent on pushing them back. This experience strengthened their resolve to investigate.

The Chaotic Weekend

In early March, the group returned to Cley Hill during a severe snowstorm. They experienced bitterly cold winds and heavy snow, making their camping plans impossible. Their gas cooker failed, and they were forced to spend the night huddled in their cars. Despite the discomfort and a feeling of "baleful influences," the countryside's beauty on their departure was striking.

Return Visit and Company

Following their snow-bound night, the group decided on a return visit. Three weeks later, they encountered terrible weather en route but pressed on to Cley Hill. They soon sensed company. At the end of the lead-up lane, near a water hut, they sat in a circle. A photograph, described as intriguing and still a mystery, was obtained during a previous visit from this location.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, historical accounts, and psychic experiences. The editorial stance leans towards an open-minded, non-materialistic approach to understanding UFOs, suggesting that conventional science may be insufficient. There is a recurring interest in the Warminster area and its associated phenomena, including both physical sightings and psychic events. The articles collectively advocate for a broader perspective on reality, incorporating the possibility of non-physical entities and advanced extraterrestrial intelligences.

Title: The Wessex UFO Record
Issue: 15
Volume: 3
Date: September 1974
Publisher: Wessex UFO Record
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of The Wessex UFO Record features a personal account of a UFO encounter at Cley Hill, a detailed report on a photographic sighting near Warminster, and an extensive discussion on the evolving public and governmental perception of UFOs. It also includes a significant section on astral travel, exploring its methods, dangers, and the entities encountered. A book review of Andrija Puharich's 'URI' about Uri Geller's psychic abilities concludes the issue.

Cley Hill Encounter

The issue opens with a first-person account of an experience at Cley Hill. The narrator describes a cold night spent in silence, tuning into spiritual presences. After issuing a challenge to unseen entities, a powerful blast of wind, described as 'evil in its anger,' struck their circle, rocking the participants. A second, more intense onslaught followed, accompanied by a howling noise that did not affect the surrounding trees. The narrator invoked a 'protective White Shield' and used 'ancient words' to repel the attacks, which then retreated. Outside the circle, two observers reported seeing strange lights flashing on the slopes of Cley Hill.

Warminster Photographic Sighting

Following the Cley Hill account, the magazine details a photographic investigation near Warminster on September 12th, 1971. Ian Scott and Derek Cooke took photographs of Bishopstrow Church. Scott used a Minolta SRT101 with a 28mm Rokker lens, while Cooke used a Nikon F with a 50mm Nikon lens. Scott exposed his photograph 3 to 5 seconds after Cooke, with an exposure of approximately 250th F/11. Upon processing, Kodak informed them that the negatives were lost. Before sending them off, Scott observed an object under 100x magnification, noting a definite grain structure but no marks or dust on the emulsion surface. The varied phenomena at Warminster are noted as requiring further investigation.

The Changing Climate Over UFOs

An article by Brinsley Le Poer Trench, President of Contact International, discusses the shift in public and official attitudes towards UFOs. He references the 1969 Condon Report, commissioned by the U.S. Air Force, which, despite containing unexplained sightings, had a negative introduction by Dr. Condon that led the press to declare UFOs non-existent. However, Trench notes a resurgence of interest, with a 1973 spate of activity and a Gallup Poll showing 51% of Americans believing UFOs are real. This trend is also observed in Europe. Trench suggests that while outright skepticism has decreased, particularly among younger generations, official attitudes in Britain, particularly from the Ministry of Defence and the R.A.F., remain cautious. They are aware of UFOs, tracking them on radar and observing them from aircraft, but are primarily concerned with potential threats to air space. The Ministry's reticence is attributed to a desire to avoid premature announcements that could lead to awkward questions from Parliament and the public. Trench believes the Ministry hopes the public will gradually become accustomed to UFOs, leading to eventual general acceptance. He encourages ufologists to continue reporting sightings to assist the authorities, though he acknowledges that no significant information is likely to be shared by the Ministry due to security concerns.

Astral Travel

Another section delves into the realm of the Astral, defining it as the gamut of supra-physical planes of consciousness. The article describes a technique called 'The Door' for astral projection, involving relaxation and visualization of a door opening. It warns against using drugs for astral travel, as this can lead to encounters with malefic entities in lower astral regions. The Astral is described as having various levels, from dark and gloomy to bright and spiritual. Dwellers can include other humans, 'dead' individuals, and non-human entities such as fauns and satyrs. The concept of 'artificial elementals' is introduced, beings created by concentrated thought, citing the 'invisible walker' of Cradle Hill as an example. Nature spirits, the psychical counterparts of plants and animals, are also mentioned. The article discusses the potential dangers of astral travel, advising the use of a protective aura of blue light and invoking the 'Powers of Light' if an undesirable entity is encountered. It also touches upon a special type of astral travel that allows observation of physical events, cautioning against its misuse as psychic voyeurism. The connection between the physical body and the astral form via a 'silver cord' is explained.

Book Review: "URI" by Andrija Puharich

Geoffrey G. Doel reviews Andrija Puharich's book "URI," which details the psychic exploits of Uri Geller and Puharich. The book covers telepathy, telekinesis, and clairvoyance, including Puharich's encounter with an Indian sage and his subsequent meeting with Uri Geller in Israel. Geller's abilities to influence inanimate objects and his clairvoyance are discussed, along with experiments conducted with cosmic entities claiming to be from space-craft. The review highlights Geller's public performances and scientific tests at the Stanford Research Institute, where phenomena were observed for which there was no scientific explanation. The book is described as well-written but dense. Doel concludes that while the book presents 'world-shattering' claims, he found no concrete evidence to support their importance, leaving the reader to form their own conclusions. The review also lists two other books by Andrija Puharich: 'The Sacred Mushroom' (1959) and 'Beyond Telepathy' (1962).

The Metaphysical Research Group

An advertisement for The Metaphysical Research Group offers occult equipment, including Tarot Packs, crystals, and incense, as well as thousands of occult/UFO book titles. A 100-page booklet and equipment lists are available for 25p. Orders can be placed via mail to their Warminster, Wilts. address or by telephone.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and encounters, the investigation of unexplained phenomena, and the exploration of consciousness beyond the physical body, particularly through astral travel. There is a consistent interest in the official handling of UFO information and a belief that authorities possess knowledge they are not publicly disclosing. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena and related spiritual or metaphysical subjects, encouraging public participation in reporting and research while maintaining a critical perspective on claims, as evidenced in the book review. The magazine also promotes resources for those interested in occult and UFO subjects through The Metaphysical Research Group.

Title: Wessex UFO Record
Issue: 20
Date: 1974

This document is a page from the "Wessex UFO Record," a publication dedicated to reporting and studying UFO, Fortean, and psychical manifestations. It is published quarterly.

Publication Details and Contacts

The magazine is available at a cost of £1.50 for an annual quota of four issues, or 35p per single copy. Subscriptions are to be addressed to Mrs Sally Pike at "Poco," 14, St. John's Rd., Warminster, Wilts, BA12-9LY. General correspondence and UFO reports should be sent to Mr. Neil Pike, also at the Warminster address. Items and articles for publication should be directed to J. Cleary-Baker, Ph.D., 3, Devenish Road, Weeke, Winchester, Hants, S022-6EI.

Editorial and Staff

The Editor is J. Cleary-Baker, Ph.D. The Associate Editor is Neil Pike, and the Secretary is Sally Pike. Readers are advised not to attempt transfer-charge telephone calls to the Editor or his associates and to seek an appointment before calling upon them, unless they are personal friends.

Advisory Panel

The publication is supported by an Advisory Panel consisting of Dr. G.G. Doel (MRCS, LRCP, DMRE), Captain E.I.A. Mackay, Norman Oliver, Arthur Shuttlewood, Hon. Brinsley Le Poer Trench, and Arnold West.

Disclaimer and Copyright

A statement clarifies that contributors to "Wessex UFO Record" are solely responsible for the views expressed in their articles and features, and these views do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Editorial Staff. The copyright for "Wessex UFO Record" is held from 1974.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of the "Wessex UFO Record" is the investigation and reporting of UFOs, Fortean phenomena, and psychical manifestations. The editorial stance emphasizes the responsibility of individual contributors for their expressed opinions, suggesting a commitment to diverse viewpoints within the publication's scope. The publication aims to study the implications of these phenomena.