Some time ago Mike highlighted the UFO-hunting activities of Rhodes Stone, a South
Shields teenager with a phenomenally successful web-site dealing with all things
bizarre and paranormal. Now it seems that another organisation would also like to contact
UFO buffs from the borough, although its headquarters is in Warrington.
The motivating force behind Area 52 - the organisation's name - is Rob Yates, who edits a
magazine of the same title for members.
Area 52 got off to a good start, but deeply felt the loss of one of its key members, Gareth Ellis,
earlier this year. Nevertheless, Rob carried on - he told me that it is what Gareth would
have wanted - and would be glad to add members to the mailing list. Due to printing costs
he has to charge for the magazine to cover overheads.
When Mike first saw a copy of Area 52 he was impressed by the layout - quite good for its
genre - but thought that the contents were a little short on text. Happily Rob has reformatted
Area 52 and the current edition contains some very good material.
Mike asked Rob why he decided to carry on running Area 52 after the death of his friend.
He told him that he had been deeply touched by the support he'd received from readers and
other investigators, and felt that it would have been a tragedy if the organisation had folded.
A browse through back issues of Area 52 makes for interesting reading. The first issue
dealt with the controversial "Alien Autopsy" footage which hit the headlines several years
ago, Rob Yates bucked the general trend and came to the conclusion that the footage was
genuine. Personally Mike thinks the footage is bogus, but everyone is entitled to their
opinion.
The next issue dealt with the infamous Amityville horror case. WraithScape readers may
remember the tale; how, in 1975, the Lutz family moved into their new home at 112 Ocean
Avenue, Amityville, and before long started claiming that they were being subjected to a
terrifying array of paranormal phenomena. A banister was ripped from the wall by unseen
hands, horrible jelly-like substances oozed from the walls and ceiling, and, on occasion, it
seemed like a terrifying entity had invaded the house.
The Lutz family has been criticised, and not all researchers believe their story. Nevertheless,
the Area 52 coverage of the tale
makes a good read - but not before you go to bed and turn the light out, folks.
Vampires? We got 'em. Issue four of Rob's magazine gave a graphic account of the
vampire phenomenon and pointed out that Transylvania isn't the only place where you'd be
advised to wear a high-necked collar. Cumbria has had its fair share of fanged
wonders of the centuries too. (Mrs. H says that that's the last time she's ever going there for
a day trip to the markets).
Forthcoming attractions in Area 52 include a Halloween special issue, a feature dedicated to
the strange phenomenon of Twins and an issue looking at the peculiar customs of Christmas.
Area 52 is not the largest magazine in the world, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in
content. After its been established for a while longer we’re sure that the number of pages will
go up and so will its readership.
(Since this interview was recorded, Area 52 has ceased publication).
UFO buffs from the borough, although its headquarters is in Warrington.
The motivating force behind Area 52 -
Area 52 got off to a good start, but deeply felt the loss of one of its key members, Gareth Ellis,
earlier this year. Nevertheless, Rob carried on -
When Mike first saw a copy of Area 52 he was impressed by the layout -
Mike asked Rob why he decided to carry on running Area 52 after the death of his friend.
He told him that he had been deeply touched by the support he'd received from readers and
other investigators, and felt that it would have been a tragedy if the organisation had folded.
A browse through back issues of Area 52 makes for interesting reading. The first issue
dealt with the controversial "Alien Autopsy" footage which hit the headlines several years
ago, Rob Yates bucked the general trend and came to the conclusion that the footage was
genuine. Personally Mike thinks the footage is bogus, but everyone is entitled to their
opinion.
The next issue dealt with the infamous Amityville horror case. WraithScape readers may
remember the tale; how, in 1975, the Lutz family moved into their new home at 112 Ocean
Avenue, Amityville, and before long started claiming that they were being subjected to a
terrifying array of paranormal phenomena. A banister was ripped from the wall by unseen
hands, horrible jelly-
The Lutz family has been criticised, and not all researchers believe their story. Nevertheless,
the Area 52 coverage of the tale
makes a good read -
Vampires? We got 'em. Issue four of Rob's magazine gave a graphic account of the
vampire phenomenon and pointed out that Transylvania isn't the only place where you'd be
advised to wear a high-
a day trip to the markets).
Forthcoming attractions in Area 52 include a Halloween special issue, a feature dedicated to
the strange phenomenon of Twins and an issue looking at the peculiar customs of Christmas.
Area 52 is not the largest magazine in the world, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in
content. After its been established for a while longer we’re sure that the number of pages will
go up and so will its readership.
(Since this interview was recorded, Area 52 has ceased publication).
