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More featuresYou are in: Black Country > Features > More features > Watch the Skies ![]() A triangular UFO in the sky Watch the Skiesby Brett Birks The leading UFO research group in the Midlands operates right in the heart of the Black Country. Ten years ago, coinciding with the staggering number of reported UFO sightings in the Black Country area, several local people formed a group that has evolved into the Midlands’ most respected UFO research organisation – 'UFORM' (UFO Research Midlands). Based in Brierley Hill, the group's primary goal is to act as an information outlet for anyone wishing to find out more about this global phenomenon. ![]() Steve Poole and Yvonne South of UFORM The committee run organisation was founded in 1995, primarily due to the interest and personal UFO experiences of its chairman Steve Poole: "I attended a lecture given by astrologer Paul Mayo in 1995 at the Stourbridge Town Hall," he says. "He touched on UFOs and many of us there were very interested in the subject – I had been since I was a small boy – and we decided to form our own group. "I have had numerous experiences involving the unexplained and strange aerial phenomenon over the years, as had the other founding members, so we all felt well equipped from the start to begin researching the subject." Guest SpeakersUFORM holds monthly lectures in Stourbridge where members meet and discuss the latest reported sightings, their own personal experiences and listen to a range of respected guest speakers. ![]() (c) Brenda Butler One such speaker was famed author Timothy Good, universally acknowledged as the UK's leading expert on the UFO phenomenon, who attended UFORM's 10th anniversary seminar. "UFORM are a very good research group," said Timothy. "They're thorough and most of them are very level headed. Steve Poole is a sharp guy." UFORM also has an extremely active events diary, holding group 'sky-watches' over the summer months and they operate a 24 hour hotline for anyone to call – anonymously if they like – to report UFO sightings in the Black Country. But their main objective is to act as a serious research body, collaborating data and offering detailed and credible information for anyone interested in this largely unexplored subject. ![]() A typical 'sky-watch' "We are a research group and data gathering body primarily," says Steve. "We've now managed to build up an extensive library of books, videos and audio tapes, and a collection of slides and case files, some of which go back to the 1950s." Research and ControversyOf course, given the controversial nature of the subject matter, inevitably some people will be sceptical, but even the most cynical of non-believers have to admit that the UFO phenomenon is now accepted as a genuine component of popular culture. "Many of us have had our own UFO experiences," says founder member Yvonne South. "But the fact is that nine out of ten cases of reliable people witnessing something strange can be explained away rationally. ![]() Triangle UFO "But that leaves a huge residual figure of unexplained cases that deserve detailed and objective investigation. The Black Country is such an active region in terms of sightings and other strange phenomena that cannot be explained away easily. We act as an outlet for people who want to know more, a place to come and speak out without fear of ridicule." If you would like to know more about 'UFORM' or have an interest in UFOs, please visit: www.uform.org. Timothy Good's new book 'Need to Know: UFO's, The Military, and Intelligence' is published August 3rd 2006 by Sidgwick and Jackson. last updated: 29/11/07 Have Your SayHave you had a UFO experience? Tell us about it here! Denice beck gazza Aine Kelly Claymore thomas romcoe.sr Peter kevin Jeff Gary Brent Wilson jose r hernandez Les Lee - Stevenage Bally john philipson observer yvone jack & andy whodoodit Steve Poole - Chairman UFORM the voice in your head says: xxxxxxx Sighting in Surry Hills, Sydney SEE ALSOYou are in: Black Country > Features > More features > Watch the Skies |
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