Britain's Closest Encounter (2003) (and 2008 series)

[IanR]

I remember seeing a documentary about Rendlesham that was on TV a few years ago. I think it was more about Jenny Randles and how the case had driven her crazy and she was a Rendlesham widow - does anyone else remember this ?.

Could it have been the one called (as I recall) "Britain's Closest Encounter". This was made by a company called Mentorn and went out in the early days of BBC3 in 2003.

Ian

[Dave100]

I have a BBC2 documentary from 1996 by Jenny Randles which has a short section on the Rendlesham incident,it also has an interview with the two pilots involved in the 1956 Bentwaters/Lakenheath incidents which I have posted on You Tube along with the three parts of the original Strange but True 94 documentary,there is the edited version of this I also posted which was part of the live TV debate on ufo's from 1997.I have a piece which shows a few researchers sneaking into the base with Larry Warren in about 1997 which is interesting,I will have to see whether its possible to post this on You Tube.I see the History channel pulled the documentary due to be broadcast tonight,lets hope we get to see it soon.

[redsocks]

I have a BBC2 documentary from 1996 by Jenny Randles which has a short section on the Rendlesham incident,it also has an interview with the two pilots involved in the 1956 Bentwaters/Lakenheath incidents which I have posted on You Tube along with the three parts of the original Strange but True 94 documentary,there is the edited version of this I also posted which was part of the live TV debate on ufo's from 1997.I have a piece which shows a few researchers sneaking into the base with Larry Warren in about 1997 which is interesting,I will have to see whether its possible to post this on You Tube.I see the History channel pulled the documentary due to be broadcast tonight,lets hope we get to see it soon.

Hi Dave, Just a small piece about Warren,he was booted of Bentwaters by the security guys after he was blagging in the base burger king about the incident just before the base closed,Apparantly he was saying some outrages security issues to a young airman who contacted the MP's.

Redsocks

[AdrianF]

Thanks Silvertop, for posting the links. I've been trying to track down a copy of this for a while. I've just got to watch it today and have to say it really is one of the better UFO documentaries, and probably the best on the Rendlesham case.

Cheers

Adrian

[Andy]

Thanks SilverTop. You're a diamond.

[redsocks]

I believe the "britains closest encounters" series starts again on C5 this week and should include Rendlesham.

Redsocks

[IanR]

I believe the "britains closest encounters" series starts again on C5 this week and should include Rendlesham.

First one in the series is on Wednesday at 8 and is about the so-called Berwyn Mountain incident. Highly appropriate, as the Berwyns is where The Sun has set up its ridiculous UFO Camp.

Geologists refer to the Berwyn incident as the Bala Earthquake, from which you can gather what it really was
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berwyn_Mountain_Incident

Ian

[Observer]

Rendlesham was part of the doc, but they only skirted round the edges. Rendlesham deserves a whole program dedicated to it, in fact it needs at least 2 programs to cover it in depth.
Ian for goodness sake will you change those glasses, they are so last century.
Obs

[robert]

Hey Obs leave our Ian R alone! Poor old lad.
(They maybe National Health glasses and they are all he can afford!)

It seemed to be a reasonably balanced program all in all.

I would like someone 's comments on Gerry Harris who mentioned chatting to the two Policemen. IE one was a British Bobby and the other an American Security Policeman.

Was this usual practice? (UK and USA Police working in tandem)What time did this occur? Where and how far from the base or Forest?
How long, if not standard practice, had they been there?

Robert

[Observer]

Robert
It was only a friendly dig at IR. OK, last century NHS.
This incident occurred on British sovereign territory i.e. Rendlesham Forest so it would be quite normal for the British Police to get involved and work with the military if necessary as it seems happened.
I'm not too sure who actually called out the Brit Police, but i'm sure some body knows.
It was the same for the Suffolk Fire Brigade as they had arrangements for the SF to come on base to help with major fire incidents and i saw this happen on a couple of occasions as practice runs with the base fire service. Too my knowledge there were at least 2 house/building fires at the base during their long occupation where the SF helped out or were put on standby.
Any aircrash out side the perimeter of the base would be attended by both the Suffolk Fire Brigade, Suffolk Police, Suffolk ambulance service and base emergency services as well. They would all work as a team.
I've added these last notes to try and paint a picture of the local arrangements and cooperation between the USAF and local emergency services. Similar arrangements were in place at RAF stations.
Obs

[robert]

Realise you were just winding him up Obs, don't worry!

I do appreciate the Forces would work together sometimes.

Just that in the official memorandum great play is put upon the incidents having happened on Sovereign territory as a reason for the inaction of the USAF regarding the incident and halts' memo being forwarded to the MOD and yet we see a lot of co-operation between the two countries behind the scenes.

It just crossed my mind When did these Guys start the patrol?, and was it a standard patrol. IE daily or a special set up for that night.

if it wasn't 'standard' did they respond to the incident by posting themselves there and if so which night and at what time did they start. A more in depth interview with Mr Harris might be advantageous.
By it's very nature the combined efforts suggest a combined security operation so why attempt to distinguish between the two countries as an excuse for no investigation by the USAF as has been muted several times.And consequently no official investigation of the USAF personnel by the MOD (on Sovereign territory).
They (the MOD) weren't initially aware of a report and yet the British Bobbies were out there responding to an incident?
The USAF didn't respond precisely because it was on British soil.
Result. a very convenient inaction after a lot of considerable reaction.
Very convenient or maybe I am being too cynical!

Cheers

Robert

[Observer]

Robert
You have raised quite a few questions most of which have been dealt with in past threads on this forum.
I can't remember where but i do remember them being aired. Perhaps another member with a better memory than me can high light them again. Halt allegedly was disappointed in the MOD's reaction or non action to his memo as were other USAF personel. This does not surprise me one bit as the civil servants who occupied the MOD were a bunch of Bozo's to say the least. If a bomb was planted in Whitehall, they would look out the window at it and just scratch their heads. They were [probably still are] the epitomy of the great British under statement. I have often wondered what it would take to light their fire which Rendlesham obviously didn't. Remember Nick Pope was one of them.

Just a short note on channel 5 doc Britains Close Encounters last night, there was a piece where the Nimrod was talked about and they showed a picture of a Victor B-2. That summed up for me the standard they were working to, pretty low.
As for Gerry Harris, i think other members/admin know more about him than i do.
Obs

[robert]

Apologies Obs and I am sure you or someone will have covered this point before! I will see if I can dig it out on the search button!

There is always the alternate that everybody took the view that this was a Very Hot Potato and nobody wanted to put their head in the noose.

Again the MOD is made to look inept but I don't quite buy the fact that everyone is as stupid or as incompetent as they sometimes appear to be. It's a very useful tool but there are some very bright Guys behind the scenes I'm sure!

Robert

[Observer]

Robert
I'm sure you are right re the MOD. I worked for the Police for 35 years after a doing a stint in the RAF. The Police allowed me to join the RAF Reserve and i found some absolute idiots amongst both, but also some real brainy guys in both. Not sure where i fitted in.
We had an old saying in the Police. To be a Constable you had to be able to read and write. To be a sergeant you had to be able to read or write. To be an Inspector you had to know somebody that could read and write. My spelling's awful so i must be in one of those catigories.
Obs

[robert]

If it's any comfort, I'd put you ahead of MOD's Nick Pope,
so hopefully you would have uncovered a little bit more in the time you could have been there!

I do like Nick's quip about the Mind being like a Parachute though.

No use unless it's open!

Cheers

Robert

[Observer]

Hi Robert
Nick Pope is a nice guy 'official' and he is always helpful but, he is a fence sitter as regards the RFI.
He to my knowledge has never put forward a theory or painted a scenerio. He trots out the same old cleches at all the interviews which is stuff we already know and says it with determination if you notice.
Of course the film companies love this as Nick is the face of officialdom and that to the film companies adds weight to the story, sadly the film companies are not aware that groups like ours have moved on.
They should interview us [Not just you Ian] and they might get a broader picture of this mystery.

Nick, if you are reading this, join in the debate on the forum and experience real research into the RFI.
You will be surprised how far we have moved on.
Obs