UPIA SKYWATCHES

UPIA THURSTASTON COMMON SKYWATCH REPORT.

SATURDAY 06th OCTOBER 2001.

On a blustery and cloudy evening, 10 individuals braved the cold common overlooking the Dee estuary and North Wales.

Between 1930hrs and 2000hrs the skywatch observers congregated in Thurstaston’s Visitor Centre carpark, and ventured onto the common to begin the evening’s event.

UPIA members Dave Sadler, Ian Roberts and Paul Doran; 5 of the Aurora team, led by Pete Smith, and two of UPIA’s distant travellers, Jason and Georgie all the way from Banbury, set up equipment and placements for the evening.

Soon, many aerial occurrences began to have us straining our necks, most obviously the high number of aircraft, travelling to and from Speke Airport in Liverpool, to our east.

The sky rapidly became a pewter grey with clouds, and began further to darken. With the clouds, the wind blew harder, but luckily soon broke to reveal a beautiful star studded sky. Several satellites were witnessed, as were more high flying aircraft, and star formations were discussed.

Nothing else of consequence occurred, until 2211hrs, an aircraft was being watched heading to Speke Airport from west to east, when a large spherical ball of light crossed near to and just behind it, from north north east to south south west, at a constant speed, before rising into the clouds. No noise was heard, due mainly to the wind. But 10 different individuals, each with varying levels of experience, all witnessed and agreed that this aircraft was not an aircraft.

Camcorder footage was recorded, and we are awaiting its outcome and analysis. Contact with relevant officials have also been made concerning the sighting.

The skywatch concluded at 2345hrs due to the heavens finally opening.

UPIA SKYWATCH REPORT:

13/07/2002 Ashurst beacon, Up-Holland, Lancashire.

1945hrs – 0020hrs

Attendees:

Dave Sadler - Unknown Phenomena Investigation Association.

Aron Smith – Unknown Phenomena Investigation Association.

Lisa Kettleband – AURORA.

John Waterworth – AURORA.

Joe Mcgonegle – UFOlogyinUK.

+1 other.

The inaugural URA skywatch found 6 associates arrive at the venue to find probably the years best weather appear in the North West.

Participants arrived to commence proceedings at 1945hrs at the highest point of the Country Park. Equipment was positioned and tested on and around the Beacons sundial. Introductions were made between enthusiasts and the 360-degree breathtaking panoramic views were viewed. Many well-known structures and places could be seen clearly, Blackpool Tower, Llandudno’s Great Orme, Winter Hill, and many of the Northwest’s towns, cities and peaks were viewed and gazed upon.

The Sun began to set at 2130hrs as a lone paraglider circled to land towards Southport. Aircraft could be seen continuously, preparing for landing at Manchester airport far in the Southeast.

Over the next few hours numerous light sources were witnessed, but were almost immediately recognised as aircraft.

At 2205hrs, two skywatchers set off to the Beacon Inn at the base of the hill to stock the team with soft drinks and snacks for the coming hours. Fifteen minutes later the first arrived back at 2222hrs just in time for the evenings first sighting.

To the East-Southeast a deep red ball of light appeared instantly at approximately 7500ft above and between Orrel and Wigan. Video recorders automatically began taping whilst photographs and other recordings were made. This occurrence lasted for over one minute, the ball, (the size of a two pence piece at arms length,) Split into two of equal size and shape, one ball set off upwards and the second down, the first blinking out several seconds after splitting, and the latter dropping below our view. 3 separate recordings of footage were taken in this instance.

The other person soon returned and quickly a recording was shown to him, within twenty minutes at 2239hrs our next occurrence took place. In the same general are as our previous sighting, a similar ball of light appeared, although yellow in appearance, this continued for thirty seconds and again the same recordings as before were made, an extra video taping was also captured thanks to the inn visitors return, this sighting ended as quickly as it began.

For the next hour we concentrated hard on our surroundings expecting many more light shows to manifest. Unfortunately our only pleasure were the many fireworks throughout the Northwest, Southport, Bolton, Wigan, Blackpool, Liverpool and the Wirral; we witnessed many animated displays celebrating the orange day parades.

That was until 2333hrs when a flare similar to a candle’s flame appeared in the Southwest towards Warrington, this lingered for twenty seconds before diminishing, on further analysis by participant and UFOlogyinUK founder Joe McGonagle this appears to be a helicopter. Also during this time a light was noticed to the east at winter hill, we also believe this to be a helicopter.

Whilst still awaiting photographic development and analysis, all video footage captured has been viewed and the images are indeed most impressive. Letters and phone calls have been issued to the relevant sources, and again we await results. Numerous avenues have been explored regarding an explanation to the lights witnessed, were they flares or earthlights? But as yet these ideas remain unconfirmed.

Thanks to all participants of the event and those supporters who could not attend, also to the individuals along with Russ Kellet and Chris Parr who organised events to coincide with this Skywatch.

If any group or individual can assist with determining the aforementioned occurrences, please contact us via the link below. Please feel free to forward this information to any other interested parties or use it within any publication or newsletter.

UPIA SKYWATCH REPORT:

19/04/03. THURSTATON:

On Saturday 19th April 2003, a skywatch was conducted at Wirral Country Park in Thurstaston Wirral.

This was attended by 25 persons from the UPIA, Parascience, MARA and MAPIT, as well as 10 people from the general public visiting thanks to the support of several local newspapers.

The evenings event began with a barbecue and general socialisation, although the chef at the event was no Jamie Oliver, the conversation and meeting of public and local organisations went well.

Due to the weather conditions numerous persons cancelled expecting severe wind and rain. At 2030hrs our intrepid mix of attendees found solace away from the wind in an area central to the common near high gorse bushes, and began to set up the wide range of equipment, night vision, cameras, camcorders, compasses as well as charts for all the meteorological and astronomical events due to occur.

As the temperature plummeted, several notable aircraft flew above us inbound to Speke airport, with the low cloud causing conventional aircraft to appear somewhat different, the several air scanners at the event were able to assist in our deliberations as to determination of the origin of our sightings.

The evening progressed with members of the public arriving and leaving. As the cloud broke a brilliant view of many stars and constellations could be witnessed, and exact names of the many satellites streaming through the ionosphere were also given.

Unfortunately the Lyrids meteor shower and Iridium flare due at 2200hrs were not seen due to cloud. This apart an excellent social event was held, public attendees enjoyed the event and have asked to be kept abreast of future skywatches.

So apart from the weather conditions the Thurstaston skywatch was a resounding success, more of these events will be planned throughout the year.

The area viewed is large, the whole of the Dee estuary can be seen, along with a lot of North Wales, and The Wirral. This is an excellent spot for many paranormal related phenomena, Hauntings, Earthlights, UFO activity, ancient monuments, and possible leys.