| A clerk at the Tern Hill Hall Hotel told UK | | | | government prepare the MOD files on UFOs for |
| newspapers that the launch of Chinese lanterns | | | | public release told the BBC: "Call me cynical, but |
| for a wedding reception was behind the mass | | | | what are the chances that a flying saucer would |
| sighting of UFOs by soldiers and civilians on June | | | | come down from outer space in exactly the |
| 7, 2008. However, some experts disagree. Even if | | | | same place where lanterns have been released?" |
| the lanterns were released as claimed, they would | | | | He fails to notice the time discrepancy or perhaps |
| have been too small to account for the objects | | | | doesn't care. Since most UFO researchers believe |
| that were witnessed, photographed and filmed. | | | | that many of the MOD files were whitewashed |
| Mark Hanley, a British UFO Researcher says that | | | | before being released, his opinion should not be |
| he has investigated many cases involving the | | | | seriously considered. The helicopter crew involved |
| release of Chinese lanterns. "These objects are | | | | in the UFO incident made it clear that the object |
| easily identified." Hanley says. "The size, colors and | | | | they saw with their eyes could not be seen with |
| shape of the objects from the Tern Hill Hotel do | | | | night vision goggles. Marshall Clayton, an employee |
| not match what people described or | | | | of Night Owl Tactical (maker of night vision |
| photographed... Lanterns burn up after a short | | | | goggles) says that would not be the case if what |
| time and do not behave in the manner described | | | | came at the helicopter was a Chinese lantern. |
| by witnesses of the UFOs observed on June 7th... | | | | "Any object that is self-illuminating would easily be |
| The hotel told me that they announce the release | | | | seen with the goggles. Especially if it has an active |
| of lanterns in advance to avoid complaints from | | | | flame... a candle or battery powered light would |
| residents and local businesses that say they are a | | | | stand out." It's important to understand that other |
| distraction and may cause fires." Hanley claims | | | | objects were seen and photographed on the |
| that the hotel has been cited by local fire | | | | dates of June 7-8, 2008. Shaun Williams, 12, was |
| authorities on previous occasions. Hanley's | | | | taking some daytime photos with a digital camera |
| statements are at odds with those of Stuart | | | | near his house. When he got home and reviewed |
| Willett, the manager of the Tern Hill Hall Hotel. | | | | the photos, a classic disc-shaped UFO appeared |
| Willett says, "We've had inquiries from residents | | | | on one of them along with an aircraft he was |
| before, but it's the first time it's been classed as a | | | | trying to photograph against a clear blue sky. |
| UFO." He claims that the hotel has not previously | | | | Shaun said, "I couldn't believe it when I looked |
| announced the release of Chinese lanterns, but | | | | back at my pictures and this strange object was |
| Anna Musgrave disagrees. She is a local resident | | | | there." The object did not resemble a Chinese |
| and owner of a business that is near the hotel. | | | | lantern in any way, shape or form. It's been thirty |
| According to several UK newspapers, Anna says: | | | | years since Steven Spielberg shocked audiences |
| "I had one of those lanterns land on my property | | | | with his ground-breaking film, Close Encounters of |
| (prior to this incident) and the ____ thing caused | | | | the Third Kind. The film was fact-based with |
| damage. The hotel staff told us that they would | | | | fictional characters. As we near the thirtieth |
| be launching those ______ things, but there was | | | | anniversary of its release, it's sad to see that the |
| still damage. I complained to the authorities..." | | | | news media is still obsessed with a need to |
| Whether or not the hotel was responsible for the | | | | provide skeptical explanations for each and every |
| June 7, 2008 sightings is a question that literally | | | | UFO sighting or encounter. They still believe that |
| remains up in the air. However, that's not the only | | | | the burden of proof is on us, but do not hold |
| sighting that some people are trying to debunk. | | | | other news stories to that same standard. For |
| The sighting of what the Shropshire Star | | | | MORE on these stories including details, photos |
| newspaper called "a huge unidentified object rising | | | | and video, visit |
| from the ground towards a police helicopter in | | | | Author: Bill Knell is a popular paranormal author, |
| Cardiff at 12.40am on Sunday June 8..."is now also | | | | speaker and consultant. Author's Website: Terms |
| being blamed on the Chinese lanterns, despite the | | | | To Use Article: Permission is granted to use this |
| fact that they would have all burned up long | | | | article for free online or in print with inclusion of |
| before that encounter. David Clarke, a | | | | the author's url. |
| self-described "UFO expert" that helped the British | | | | |