MORE LIGHT SHOWS?

Readers of APRA's Synchronicity and these web-pages may recall mention of apparent (although never proven) laser displays over parts of Oxfordshire in the late 1990s; the image (left) illustrates one such event over Horspath in 1997 of moving and spinning concentric rings of lights.  Other similar reports occurred over other areas such as Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, again with no confirmation that a laser display was responsible.

Earlier this year we received an old report of a sighting over Bury St Edmunds in the early 00s (the actual date uncertain), which left an indelible memory on the witnesses who'd seen it; this event was reported as two rings of lights "the size of several Wembley stadiums" high over the Suffolk countryside (see illustration below left).  In that case there was sudden police activity, which may suggest that they were trying to source an illegal laser display - for obvious reasons such displays have to be licensed by the FAA and not cause interference to aircraft.  In mid-November this year we then received another report from Market Deeping in Lincolnshire; this time from a motorist who was 'followed' by three circles of moving and rotating lights (see illustration below right); investigations still continue, but again we seem to have a very spectacular laser/light show.

TIM FIELD REMEMBERED...

It is with deep regret that I have to relate the passing of good friend and APRA colleague Tim Field. Tim passed on in January, but I have only recently learned the news - James Hill, Laurence Stockdale, Jason Hawkes, Stewart Edwards and myself who knew him via APRA are stunned and shocked to learn of his untimely passing. Tim moved from Didcot to Warwick in September 2005; the last time we saw him at the Fleur he looked so fit and well, and was looking forward to life and the future.

Tim was a world-renowned authority on bullying and a supporter of the victims of bullying - in all in manifestations - and was a fervent proponent of the eradication of bullying in schools and in the workplace. Tim was moved down this path having himself been the victim of workplace bullying. Tim was an eminent author and publisher on the subject; his considerable work and legacy can be found on his websites (currently run by his son, Michael) www.bullyonline.org and www.thefieldfoundation.org.

Tim was a supporter of APRA and its interests for many years, more importantly he was a good friend who shared many interests outside of Ufology and the paranormal - often at our social meetings we spent more time talking about sci-fi films and TV shows than UFOs and aliens. As well as the 'physical' aspects of the whole UFO subject, Tim had a very deep interest in the 'spiritual nature' of UFO events and notably of the alien encounter scenario and experience; Tim never actually revealed whether he too had shared this experience, but his understanding and insights were and are the same as mine.

Tim's insight and inner light illuminated everyone he met - I am fortunate to have been one of those people. You won't be forgotten, Tim...

Brian James

April 3 - Phoenix Nights...

While on holiday at New Romsey in Kent, Brian James briefly thought he was seeing something of a 'Phoenix Lights' incident.

Brian had been in a pub on the seafront at Greatstone-on-Sea having a meal, and came out just before 8.00pm, and he walked over the road to the wide beach opposite, to look at any ships out in the Channel. After a few moments, he heard a loud 'pop' up to his left, and turned to see a bright amber light slowly drifting downwards. Another amber light burst into life, followed by another 'pop' (the difference between the speeds of light and sound). These were quite obviously flares being fired from and above the army firing ranges at Hythe just up the coast; in total Brian saw and watched 15 flares over a 5-minute period, sometimes there were as many as 3 burning and falling at one time.

Brian only had his [Motorola] cameraphone to record the event, the images here hopefully give some indication of what these flares looked like in the night sky*. However, it is worth noting that in images 2 and 3, there were actually 3 flares in shot, with two close together above; the cameraphone's lens/ccd sensor couldn't resolve two separate lights, so the upper two flares merge into one larger-looking flare.

* It was afterwards that Brian found that for reason's unknown, his phone was in the wrong exposure mode - it was set for indoors, hence the odd exposure and colours in these images.

April 2006 - Thames Valley: Puma on the Prowl

Brian James has twice seen a puma run across the road in front of his car while driving on the A417 between Streatley and Blewbury - on Saturday April 1 during the afternoon and Tuesday April 11 at night.  On both occasions the look of a big cat was obvious with the long s-shaped tail held out behind the the dark brown and grey animal as it bounded across the road and into the verge and hedgerow.

The two sightings have been within 1km of each other, so it is more than likely this was/is the same animal.