NARO Minded - 1996 12

Magazine Overview

Title: NARO MINDED
Issue Date: December 1996
Publisher: NARO (Northern Anomalies Research Organisation)
Price: £1.50

This issue of NARO Minded, dated December 1996, begins with an editorial apologizing for delays in publication due to a lack of submitted articles. The editorial team expresses anticipation for the 1997 copies and notes a slight change in the cover design. The issue is described as being packed with reported anomalies and seeks individuals interested in becoming trained investigators, offering a free postal investigators course.

Editorial

The editorial section reiterates the apology for publication delays and highlights the packed nature of the current issue, filled with reported anomalies. NARO is actively seeking individuals interested in becoming investigators and offers a free postal investigators course to its members. Contact details for the NARO Secretary, Andrew Blunn, and for article submissions to Editor Stephen Mera are provided.

What does 'NARO' stand for?

NARO, founded in 1963 as MUFORA (Manchester UFO Research Association), changed its name in January 1994 to the Northern Anomalies Research Organisation. This change reflected a growing awareness within the membership of the psychic dynamics present in UFO experiences, drawing parallels with phenomena like Near Death Experiences (NDEs). NARO is affiliated with the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP). Composed of around twenty members, NARO investigates paranormal claims on a part-time basis, with a waiting list for membership. The organization's aims include finding rational explanations for alleged phenomena, documenting cases for research, educating the public and media, and convincing the scientific establishment of the validity of some cases. NARO has approximately 2,000 cases on file, and scientists increasingly offer their expertise, indicating a shift in attitude towards anomalies that defy conventional explanations. The chairman, Peter A. Hough, outlines these points.

Contents

The contents page lists various articles and features, including:

1. Our Senses, Anomalous Experiences and the "Real" World.
4. The Moors of Mossley.
5. Lancashire Hotch Botch.
8. Desert skies and Porky pies.
10. Your nearest Investigator.
11. The Abduction Phenomena.
13. "Mind, Body, Wallet".
15. Curiosity Corner.
17. Presence of the Paranormal.
19. The Urmston Encounter.
20. What's in the next issue?
21. Encounter in Bristol.
23. Conrad and Jasper.
24. Credits.
25. Advertising.
26. Subscription Form.
27. Strange Deaths.

Our Senses, Anomalous Experiences and the "Real" World by Anthony Obanye

This article explores the subjective aspect of anomalous experiences, arguing that dismissing them as "unreal" or "invalid" is a failure of understanding. The author contends that the ultimate nature of reality is not conditional on how we choose to investigate it. He critiques the "rational" approach, suggesting it often relies on "simplicity, ontological parsimony, and methodological conservatism" which may overlook the broader reality. Obanye advocates for a pragmatic view of science, influenced by William James's concept of "private concepts" (subjective experiences), "sense objects" (sense realities), and "hypersensible realities" (realities independent of human consciousness). He argues that anomalous experiences, whether objective or subjective, are direct representations of hypersensible realities. The author identifies as a dualist and a panpsychist, believing consciousness is a fundamental entity and that all matter has an experiential aspect. He cites Niels Bohr's view that science aims to track relations between experiences, not disclose ultimate essence, and Charles Tart's perspective on understanding reality.

The Moors of Mossley by Phil Bradbury

This case study details an investigation into strange occurrences at the home of the Moor family in Mossley, Manchester. The family reported unaccountable knocking noises, pets barking at the wall, a curtain pole falling, a jammed window opening, a sensed presence, and a silhouette seen through a frosted glass door. Small household objects went missing, and curtains were found opened or closed unaided. A significant discovery was a strange painted diagram found under the lounge carpet, featuring a heart and multiple colours, which prompted Mrs. Moor to seek outside advice, fearing it might be related to an occult ceremony. The neighbour's daughter, Lynn, also reported similar phenomena, including talking to an "old man." Mrs. Moor has been keeping a diary of events and noted that Lynn's family has been experiencing depression and emotional outbursts, which seem uncharacteristic.

Lancashire Hotch Botch by Andrew Blunn

This article reviews the Lancashire Aerial Phenomena Investigation Society's (LAPIS) International UFO Conference. The author found the event more entertaining than promised, but for the wrong reasons. The conference featured speakers discussing conspiracies, the Apollo moon landings, and UFOs. Marcus Allen of Nexus Magazine argued that while Apollo moon landings might have occurred, the released photographs contain optical anomalies. Michael Lindemann, a UFOlogist, discussed a potential link between covert weapon development and social policy. The article also recounts a confrontation where a solicitor, Harry Harris, attacked Dr. Susan Blackmore's theories, leading to a heated exchange with an audience member, Joseph Dorman, who called Harris "a shit on the underpants of Ufology."

The author expresses skepticism towards some speakers' claims, particularly regarding the Apollo moon landings, citing a lack of basic understanding of physics. He also notes that the conference was largely populated by "New Age" enthusiasts, with little representation from serious paranormal research.

Desert Skies and Porky Pies by Mervyn Gale

This article critically examines the Roswell incident, focusing on the testimony of Major Jesse Marcel. The author, referencing Jenny Randles's book "UFO Retrievals," questions Marcel's credibility, presenting evidence from his service record that contradicts his claims of being a pilot, bombardier, or intelligence observer with specialized knowledge. The article suggests Marcel may have been a "congenital liar" or that researchers have embellished his story. It also questions the initial reporting of the incident as a mere "instrument" by the "Roswell Daily Record," suggesting that Marcel's account may have been influenced by his desire to profit from the event. The article also touches upon the claims of other witnesses and researchers, highlighting inconsistencies and potential fabrication within the Roswell legend.

The Abduction Phenomena

This section discusses the phenomenon of alien abduction, noting that the word "abduct" means to be taken against one's will. The first recorded alien abduction is cited as occurring in England in 1975. The article suggests that reports are authentic and not attributable to psychological disorders, drawing parallels with biblical accounts and traditions. Abduction scenarios often involve close encounters, memory loss, and the use of regressive hypnotherapy to recover memories. The article explains that hypnosis is a state of altered consciousness used for concentration and relaxation, but warns of the potential for false memory syndrome. It describes common elements of abduction experiences, including physical manipulation, examination, and the presentation of "babies or small children" to female abductees. The article also mentions the concept of "implants" and "mind scans." It notes that while the abduction phenomenon differs across cultures, some characteristics, like the encounter with "angel-like figures" or "grey entities," are shared. The author questions the evidence for entities using hypnosis and draws parallels between modern abduction accounts and ancient tales of "fairy folk" and "changlings."

"Mind, Body, Wallet" by Mervyn Gale

This article reviews an event billed as "Mind, Body, Spirit," but which the author renames "Wallet, Wallet, Wallet" due to its commercial focus. Held at the G-Mex, the event featured numerous stalls selling items related to the paranormal and New Age beliefs, including aura photography, crystals, and books on UFOs and psychic phenomena. The author notes the absence of serious paranormal research and the prevalence of commercial offerings. He mentions looking for Zener cards, while his companion Steve sought a laugh, and Andy sought books. The article also touches upon the "Commander X" figure, who claims aliens genetically engineered six-armed commandos for the US Army and that Nikola Tesla and Jimi Hendrix were aliens. The author concludes that while the event was a "paranormal equivalent of a craft fair," it was primarily driven by commercial interests.

Curiosity Corner by Carole Morse

This section presents two brief anecdotes related to NARO investigations. The first involves a woman named Margaret, who received a phone call asking for "Gemma" just as she was leaving to visit her late husband's grave, leading to initial shock. The second anecdote describes a NARO investigation in Stockport where a couple experienced cold spots and objects appearing from nowhere, culminating in the discovery of someone's underwear strung across their bedposts, suggesting a haunting. The article also mentions a NARO investigator finding foxes responsible for missing shoes from a porch, and a humorous observation of a television broadcast mentioning "Mr. Neil and a Mr. Armstrong" during a football match.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of NARO Minded revolve around the investigation of anomalous phenomena, with a particular focus on UFOs, alien abductions, and subjective experiences that challenge conventional scientific understanding. The magazine adopts a stance that encourages open-minded inquiry into these subjects, while also employing critical analysis, as seen in the examination of the Roswell incident and the review of the LAPIS conference. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of empirical investigation and the documentation of cases, even those that are difficult to explain through conventional means. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting research into the paranormal and encouraging public participation in such investigations, as evidenced by the call for new investigators and the provision of contact information.

Title: Enigma
Issue: No.1
Date: December 1996
Price: £2.95
Publisher: NEWSTAND PUBLICATIONS
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of Enigma magazine, titled 'Explore the World of the Strange', features a prominent cover story on 'Time Travel', questioning if it has happened, who the UFOnauts are, and why they are here. Other cover headlines include 'X-Files Explained' and 'Cult of the Werewolf'. The magazine also offers a special subscription deal for 15 issues for the price of 12.

Articles

Presence of the Paranormal by Michelle Hickman

Michelle Hickman recounts her first personal encounter with an apparition while visiting a friend's house. She describes seeing a tall, dark, male figure on the landing of the first floor, which appeared to be stationary and intimidating. This experience occurred in a house that Laura and her family had previously mentioned as being haunted. Hickman details various unexplained occurrences in the house, including electrical equipment malfunctions, objects disappearing, and physical sensations like taps on the shoulder. She also mentions that Laura's daughter, Amy, spoke of a 'friend' named Alec who visited her regularly. The article notes that Laura and her husband decided to sell the house in December 1995 due to the disturbances.

The Urmston Encounter by Alicia Leigh

Alicia Leigh details an encounter experienced by Robert Shawe on Christmas Day 1994. While waiting for a taxi, Shawe observed a column-shaped aircraft with five red lights in a 'W' formation hovering near his flat. The craft then dropped thousands of feet and hovered about a hundred feet above a clearing. Shawe, initially apprehensive, ran out to investigate but was overcome by fear and returned home. The next morning, he recalled the sighting. His friend Linda accompanied him to the clearing, where they found a large area of flattened reeds coated in a black silt-like substance. In the months following, Robert experienced unusual dreams involving humanoid creatures. Leigh notes that this is the first part of the Urmston Encounter, with analysis and hypnosis to follow in a later issue.

Encounter in Bristol by Andrew Blunn

Andrew Blunn reports on the Encounters Conference held in Bristol on Sunday, December 14th. He describes the event as a 'multimedia experience' and a gathering of 'UFO worshippers'. Blunn details his experience setting up a stall for NARO Minded, an organization focused on paranormal research. He critiques other stalls selling X-Files merchandise and 'crashed saucer dioramas', questioning the logic of aliens being found outside intact craft. Blunn discusses the speakers, including Dennis Plunkett, who presented cases from the past five decades, and Peter Hough, who argued for a single unifying theory for paranormal phenomena. He also mentions Jenny Randles on Men in Black and Colin Andrews on crop circles. Blunn expresses disappointment with the conference's heavy focus on UFOs and what he perceives as a lack of scientific inquiry, suggesting a need for more varied speakers and opinions.

Strange Deaths

This section investigates the suspicious deaths of twenty top British scientists over the last ten years, who were killed in unusual circumstances while working on military-related projects. The article highlights five such deaths in 1988 and details several cases:

• Professor Keith Bowden: Died at 46 in a car crash, with his blood alcohol level found to be excessively high, leading to an accidental death verdict.
• Jonathon Walsh: Died at 29 after 'accidentally' falling from a hotel balcony in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, despite being scared of heights. Friends suspected murder due to his involvement in covert British operations.
• Richard Pugh: Found dead at 37 with a plastic bag over his head, suffocating. The police suggested a 'bizarre sexual experiment', while friends believed he was murdered due to his work on computerized warfare systems. The verdict was accidental death.
• Dr. John Brittan: Died at 52 from carbon monoxide poisoning in his vehicle, though the engine was not running. He had serious medical ailments, but the verdict was accidental death.
• Victor Moore: Died at 46 from a suspected overdose, having been recently sacked from a top-secret project involving satellite tracking. The verdict was suicide.
• Peter Peapell: Found dead at 46 under his car from carbon monoxide poisoning after hearing a noise. The circumstances of how he got under the car were perplexing, and the verdict was left open.
• David Sands: Died at 38 after driving his car, filled with petrol cans, into a disused restaurant at 80 mph, causing an explosion. His wife stated he had said he would not do anything stupid, and the verdict was left open.

The article concludes by questioning whether these deaths are coincidences or linked, suggesting a potential element of conspiracy and espionage within the governmental system.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Enigma magazine revolve around the paranormal, UFO phenomena, and unexplained events. The magazine appears to lean towards investigating and reporting on these subjects, often with a critical eye towards official explanations or perceived cover-ups, as seen in the 'Strange Deaths' section and Andrew Blunn's critique of the Bristol conference. The editorial stance, as indicated by Stephen Mera's note in the 'Comment Corner' and his closing statement in 'Strange Deaths', suggests an interest in scientific investigation of the paranormal and a skepticism towards simple explanations for unusual occurrences. There is also an emphasis on encouraging reader participation and investigation, as evidenced by the subscription offers and contact details for research organizations.