Reading Evening Post from Reading, Berkshire, England • 10

10 Reading Evening POST, Thursday September 18 1997 NEWS Invention: engine could revolutionise transport Flying saucer man in search of 'lost' past AN INVENTOR who claims his pollutionfree, silent engine could revolutionise transport is looking for traces of his past in Mortimer. John Searl, who runs Direct International Science Consortium, lived for 20 years during the 1960 and 70s in Stephens Close, Mortimer, and conducted his earliest experiments with his 'flying saucer' on Mortimer Common. After his divorce, he left the area and his papers, newspaper cuttings, and documents were lost or destroyed. has countless applications, including cars and aircraft. He says he has a Japanese car company helping to fund his work.

He said: "I can't say which one because, as this is unorthodox science, they don't really want it publicly known that they are connected with it." He is also building a discshaped aircraft and is planning a flight from England to Australia when the work on it is complete, which he hopes will be the year 2000. His engine, known as the Searl Effect Generator, is a static motor on a magnetic bearing and requires no fuel. Ross Whatley, an associate of Mr Searl's who lives near Marlborough, has been placing cards in Post Offices around Mortimer and Burghfield Common and putting ads in local parish magazines to try to trace film of the 'flying saucer' experiments. fie said: "I lived in Bucklebury as a child and my father told me about the man who flew flying saucers on Mortimer Common. I longed to go and see him but I was never taken.

"When I met one of Mr Searl's researchers recently, of course I was very keen to meet him. I have since done some work for him. "At this stage of the development of Mr Sead's engine, it is very much an act of faith whether the engine will ever be commercially developed." At Sewards, the grocery store established for 60 years in Mortimer, staff members remembered Mr Sean and his experiments. One recalled him inviting people to Mortimer Common to watch his flying saucer experiment, but did not see it personally. They said he featured regularly in local newspapers at the time.

Anyne who can help Mr Searl with cuttings, photos or film can call him on 10181) 200 0714 or write to him at 13 Blackburn, Lower Strand, Grahame Park Estate, London NW9 59G. ON By LINDA FORT He said: "I think the newspaper cuttings were destroyed. I know that people in the area filmed me when I was flying the craft on the common. "If anyone still has cine film or photographs, then I'd love to see them." He has searched for newspaper records from the period as his work featured regularly in the press, but he is hazy about dates and has not been able to find many. Mr Searl, 65, now lives in London and is developing his engine, which he claims YOUR SIDE 5 DAYS A WEEK.

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Neusdesk: 01734 575833 Shopping on the move 3,,91::, firnirrP Great place! Great paper! HAPPY SHOPPER Edith Medcraft enjoys a shopping trip on her scooter, accompanied by Mavis Guyatt, who chairs the Heelas charities committee Pikue PHILIP TULL 'Ref 3040 HEELAS department store has become the first business to dip in to its pockets and become 'Lucky 13' partners in the Shopmobility scheme for Reading town centre. is appealing for £20,000 so that their electric scooters can be bought for shoppers who have difficulty walking around the town centre. It is on the lookout for 13 companies who will donate each towards the scheme and Heelas is the first company to jump on board. Each business will get advertising space on a scooter and publicity in Shopmobility literature. A spokesperson for the Heelas charities committee said: "This is an excellent initiative which we are pleased to support, and hope And it is soon hoping to obtain a town centre site where the Reading Evening Post sponsored Shopmobility scheme can be based.

Edith Medcraft, of Lower Earley, went on her second trip in an electric scooter last Friday. She said: "It gives you a lovely sense of freedom and you do not have to rely on other people. "It is so easy to manoeuvre and safe. It was very nice of Heelas to donate the money and was easy to get around their store." So far around has been raised and hopes more scooters will be on the streets by Christmas. other shops will follow suit." is currently running a pilot scheme for people who want to use its four electric scooters.

COMPETITION Make a date with a model auction LEGOLAND Windsor is hosting an unusual auction on Saturday, September 27, in support of The Sick Children's Trust, Legoland Windsor's chosen charity for 1997. The auction of Lego models created by celebrities will take place in the Imagination Centre Theatre, where the man with the hammer will be Loyd Grossman. Additional entertainment on the day will include live performances from up and coming bands Schino, and North and South. Former England football captain Gary Lineker, a faithful supporter of The Sick Children's Trust, built his Lego model with the help of his family and advice from expert Lego model designers. Other celebrities whose imaginative works are up for auction include Richard Grant, Mrs Merton, Cilia Black, Chris Tarrant, Christopher Timothy Michael Crawfoid and the ITN News crew, whose signed model of Big Ben will be a star turn.

The Sick Children's Trust was founded in 1982 to alleviate family stress and promote the recovery of seriously ill children through the provision of accommodation at hospitals where families can stay close to their sick child. For bookings or more information call 0990 040404. We have five sets of family tickets to the Legoland Auction to be won in our competition. The winner will also receive a celebrity signed Duplo brick. Just send the answer to the following question with your name and address to: Legoland Auction, Reading Evening Post, 8 Thssa Road, Reading RGI BNS, by September 23.

When is the Legoland Sick Children's Trust Celebrity Auction? The first correct answer out of the hat will win the Duplo brick plus a family ticket for four and the next four will receive family tickets. Rules: The editor's decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into. No purchase is necessary and entry is free. Employees of Berkshire Press Ltd are not eligible to enter. No cash alternative is available.

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