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In 2005 (or possibly earlier), Suffolk's Forestry Commission received £2,000 of Lottery funding from the Lottery's "Award for All" grants project.

The Forestry Commission decided to spend a portion of that money on a "UFO trail", in the aim of attracting more people to Rendlesham Forest.

The trail officially opened on the 18 August 2005. To celebrate the opening, Vince Thurkettle, a retired forester who worked at Rendlesham Forest at the time of the famous 1980 incident, will be leading two guided walks around Rendlesham Forest.

Although Vince Thurkettle was the forester who initially 'explained' away the Rendlesham Forest incident as a lighthouse and burrowing rabbits, he recently withdrew his statement on a recent UFO documentary (UFO Invasion at Rendlesham - aired 2003) commenting that the current situation was a "whole new ball game".

You can view a scan of the UFO trail's map on the Suffolk forestry commission's website:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/pdf.nsf/pdf/rendlesham-ufo-trail-map.pdf/$FILE/rendlesham-ufo-trail-map.pdf

The UFO trail has proved successful, although the accuracy of the areas mentioned is debatable. For example, the alleged landing site in the 'farmer's field' is not mentioned, presumably because the field's owner does not want people walking all over his/her field.
Additionally, the initial alleged landing site is arguably too far up Route 12 (renamed to Route 8 - read more below), this can be seen when comparing the map which Jim Penniston made to the location on the UFO trail. The Forestry Commission, however, has made no claims regarding the trail's accuracy and advises visitors to read one of the many books which examine the incident in detail.

Some information taken from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4134586.stm

Small notice advertising the "UK's first ever UFO trail". Phone number removed, since the guided walks took place almost two years ago.

A photo showing a typical-looking ET scratched into the metal plate at the #3 location.

The UFO trail information board, located at the Rendlesham forest forestry centre. The text on the board follows:

"In December 1980 several sightings of UFOs were reported in Rendlesham Forest. Many think these mysterious events are the most significant UFO incident to have occurred in the UK. During the evening of 26 December a resident of Sudbourne, a village approximately 6 miles (10 km) to the North East of Rendlesham Forest, reported a mysterious shape (like an upturned mushroom) in the sky above his garden.

Later that night two USAF patrolmen at the East Gate of RAF Woodbridge spotted unusual lights in the forest, and were given permission to investigate. What they reported was very strange. This was the time of the 'Cold War' and because of the sensitive military situation at the time, the incident was officially reported to the Military Authorities by the Deputy Base Commander Lt. Colonel Charles Halt, USAF.

There is, of course, no tangible evidence of a UFO on the ground - no debris was found apart from some broken tree top branches. We can, however, piece together, from transcripts and recordings which were taken at the time, an intriguing picture."

In December 1980 SSgt Jim Penniston, A1C John Burroughs and Amn Edward Cabansag drove down what was previously known was Route 12 in Rendlesham Forest.

This was on the first night of the Rendlesham Forest Incident. They branched off to the left, and were now closer to what was previously known was Route 10, it was then they claim to have found the source of the strange lights - a mysterious, metallic and triangular object.

In August 2006, things were changed. Route 12 has been renamed to Route 8 and Route 10's sign post have been completely removed - as far as I know it has no new name.

Whether this was done to confuse visitors, or is simply a normal procedure, it is rather strange and would certainly baffle newcomers - especially if they had read "You Can't Tell The People" or had visited this website, the Route 10 & 12 names have been used to identify the two significant routes for years.

If you're are struggling to find the correct logging paths, remember these two rules:

• Route 12 is now Route 8.
• Route 10 is opposite 'Folly House'.

Here is a photo, taken September 2006, showing the new sign at Route 12... or should I say Route 8?


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