Warminster To Host 60th Anniversary Conference Marking The Mysterious 'Thing'

This summer marks 60 years since a strange and unexplained phenomenon began in the skies above Warminster - a mystery that became known as the "Warminster Thing." To commemorate the occasion, a special one-day conference will be held in the Wiltshire town on Sunday 24th August 2025, bringing together some of the UK's most experienced UFO researchers, investigators, and authors.

The event, organised by Stuart Dike, will run from 9am to 5pm at The Athenaeum, a historic community venue in the centre of Warminster that has served over the years as a lecture hall, school, cinema, and theatre. Doors open from 8:30am.

The conference not only reflects on six decades of sightings, sounds, and speculation, but also celebrates Warminster's unique place in British UFO history. The day will include a full programme of guest speakers, music, and opportunities to meet fellow researchers and enthusiasts.

The Warminster Thing began on Christmas Day in 1964, when residents started reporting unusual crackling and droning noises in the sky, followed by sightings of unidentified flying objects. These included cigar-shaped craft, metallic discs, glowing orbs and other lights that moved in ways which defied conventional explanation.

The phenomenon drew widespread attention and transformed the town into a hotspot for UFO activity during the 1960s and 70s. Sightings were frequently reported in the surrounding countryside, particularly from areas like Cradle Hill and Starr Hill, locations that would later form part of what some referred to as "The Warminster Triangle."

While the term doesn't refer to a specific mapped area, it came to describe the concentrated zone of reported sightings and activity, cementing Warminster's reputation as a focal point for the unexplained.

Conference organiser Stuart Dike is well known in the world of crop circle research and is the co-founder of the long-running Crop Circle Connector website. Stuart has produced numerous documentaries on the subject and lectured widely in the UK and overseas.

Joining him on the speaker line-up:

Steve Wills: A Wiltshire-based researcher with a particular interest in the Warminster case and co-author of regional volumes in the Haunted Skies* series.

John Hanson: Retired police officer and author behind the Haunted Skies* books, widely regarded for curating one of the largest privately-held UFO archives in the UK.

Maria Wheatley: A master dowser and expert in ley lines and earth energies, known for her work on ancient megalithic sites and their connections to unexplained phenomena.

Steve Rider: A paranormal investigator with over 30 years' experience in ghost hunting, UFO research, and cryptozoology, with numerous media and TV appearances to his name.

Busty Taylor: A veteran of the crop circle scene since the 1980s, known for his aerial photography and international contributions to the study of the phenomenon.

Adding to the atmosphere, the day will also include music from the UFO-inspired band C.E.IV, including their track 'Cradle Hill'. Founding member Brian McMullan Jr. will also take part in an interview exploring the band's connection to the Warminster legend.

Whether you're a seasoned investigator or simply curious about the history of the Warminster Thing, the event promises to be a memorable gathering. With talks spanning everything from earth energies to government secrecy, it's a rare chance to hear directly from some of the UK's most respected voices in the field.

The Warminster Thing: 60th Anniversary Conference takes place on Sunday 24th August 2025 at The Athenaeum, Warminster. Doors open at 8:30am and the event runs until 5pm. For more information and to book tickets, visit warminsterthing60th.co.uk.