NARO Minded - 1997 04

Magazine Overview

Title: NARO MINDED
Issue Date: April 1997
Publisher: Northern Anomalies Research Organisation

This issue of NARO MINDED, a publication of the Northern Anomalies Research Organisation, delves into various aspects of the paranormal and UFO phenomenon, with a strong emphasis on investigative research and critical analysis.

Cover Story: Unholy Flames?

The cover features a striking, albeit grainy, black and white photograph depicting a room with significant fire and water damage. The headline "UNHOLY FLAMES?" suggests a focus on a mysterious or unexplained event involving fire.

In This Issue Highlights:

• The Alternative A-Z of the Paranormal: A feature by Mervyn Gale that offers a unique perspective on paranormal topics, presented as a cheaper alternative to encyclopedias.
• Edwardian Super-Airships!: An article by Peter Hough that explores the historical phenomenon of 'phantom airships' sighted around the turn of the century, examining witness accounts and potential explanations.
• Men in Anoraks: A piece that discusses the stereotype of the UFO enthusiast, often labelled as an 'anorak', and the challenges faced by serious researchers.
• Urmston Man Sees Space Tree: A detailed case study by Alicia Leigh, investigating an encounter reported by Robert Shawe, including witness testimony, hypnosis, and analysis of physical evidence.
• Group Therapy: Your Guide to Flying Saucer Investigators: A guide to various UFO research groups active in the North-West of England.

Comment Section

The "Comment" section features personal opinions from NARO members. Andrew Blunn and Mervyn Gale express a desire for less gullible reporting in UFO fanzines, advocating for higher evidential standards and cautioning against the commercialization of ufology. They emphasize the importance of critical faculties while retaining a sense of wonder, and suggest that the problems in ufology may stem more from egos than from conspiracies. Alicia Leigh's contribution touches upon evidence for the physical reality of UFO cases, noting that the jury is still out.

The Northern Anomalies Research Organisation (NARO)

NARO, formerly MUFORA (Manchester UFO Research Association), was founded in 1963. It evolved to encompass a broader range of anomalous phenomena beyond 'nuts and bolts' UFOs, recognizing the psychic dynamics present in experiences like NDEs. NARO is affiliated with ASSAP and comprises around 20 part-time investigators. Their aims include finding rational explanations, documenting cases, educating the public, and convincing the scientific community. The organization has approximately 2000 cases on file and collaborates with scientists. Peter A. Hough serves as Chairman.

Contributors and Production

The issue lists contributors including Andrew Blunn, Mervyn Gale, Peter Hough, Alicia Leigh, Stephen Mera, Carole Morse, Vic Sleigh, and Robert Tollman. Cover design is by Andrew Blunn, and artwork by Theresa Cieslik. NARO Minded is printed by John Hall, with computer facilities provided by Krys Cieslik. Andrew Blunn and Mervyn Gale produced the magazine.

Joining NARO

Interested individuals can contact Secretary Andrew Blunn for an application form. Membership is regulated, with a three-month trial period. NARO also offers a postal investigator training course.

Media Appearances

Andrew, Alicia, and Mervyn were guests on the James Stannage Show on Piccadilly 1152AM on March 7th.

Phantom Airships Article (Peter Hough)

This article delves into historical reports of unidentified airships, primarily from North America but also from Britain. It details a case from Cardiff in 1909 involving dock workers who sighted a cigar-shaped object. The article notes that such sightings were often presumed to be airships, similar to how modern UFOs are labelled extraterrestrial. It discusses a search on Caerphilly Mountain that yielded a red label and paper fragments. The 'East Anglian Daily Times' reported a 'phantom fleet' of airships in East Anglia, Wales, and the Midlands in May 1909. The article includes witness accounts from London, Southend, Norwich, and other locations, describing objects with lights, whirring noises, and unusual shapes. Potential explanations explored include celestial bodies (like Venus), real aerial vehicles, and secret inventors. The article concludes by questioning the fate of these purported inventions and noting that modern UFOs exhibit capabilities not seen in these early reports.

In Your Area: Research Groups

Andrew Blunn provides a guide to paranormal research groups in the North-West of England:

• Northern Aerial Phenomena Studies: Concerned with the scientific study of aerial phenomena.
• Stockport Ghost Society SGS: Appears to have reformed and is concerned about attracting 'crank' reports.
• The Lancashire UFO Society (LUFOS): Emphasizes factual research and is skeptical, focusing on 'flying triangles' believed to be terrestrial.
• Manchester UFO Research Network (MUFORN): Believes in the ET Hypothesis and government conspiracies, with David Atkinson suggesting humans are a genetic experiment.
• Manchester Anomalous Phenomena Investigation Team (MAPIT): Formed in 1995, it consists of around 15 members and offers an investigators course.
• Merseyside Anomalies Research Association (MARA): An informal group investigating the paranormal, offering investigative training and a witness support group. It is affiliated with NARO and BUFORA.
• British UFO Studies Centre (BUFOSC): Run by Eric Morris, focusing on abduction research and counselling.
• Skipton Extraterrestrial Research Into UFOs (SERIUS): Expresses strong opinions on potential lunar mining and government cover-ups.

The Urmston Encounter (Alicia Leigh)

This installment details an investigation into an encounter reported by Robert Shawe. Initial findings included soil and plant samples from an affected area, with photographs depicting a circular shape and trees showing heat damage. Professional analysis of tree bark confirmed burning by an intense heat source, and soil samples showed significantly different mineral oil content. While the PH balance of the soil was noted, it was considered potentially normal for river valley soils. Hypnotherapy was suggested to Robert to explore his memories, and he later drew a depiction of the object he saw, emphasizing its 'organic' nature. The case remains unexplained due to a lack of further evidence.

Universal Science (Mervyn Gale)

This piece presents a dialogue between two ufologists discussing the nature of UFO sightings, particularly 'triangles'. One ufologist suggests that these sightings are a reflection of our technology, fears, and archetypes, and that UFOs are 'phantoms' or 'half-realities' that mirror our desires and fears. The conversation touches upon the pleasure derived from 'fighting' within ufology groups and the potential for ufologists to project their own issues onto their interpretations of alien encounters.

Alien Research Contact Centre

This section discusses the 'anorak' stereotype, linking it to trainspotters and characters like Duane Dibley. It criticizes individuals who claim extensive experience or qualifications without evidence, citing the example of Todd Zechel from 'Ground Saucer Watch'. The article also touches upon the influence of TV shows like 'The X-Files' in increasing public interest in the paranormal and UFOs, and criticizes some UFO groups for supporting the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) uncritically.

Pie in the Sky

This section critiques the pursuit of scientific endorsement by ufology, mentioning an incident involving a lie detector test conducted by an expert who certified the subject as lying. It also quotes Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who expressed that he had done little original work and was not very innovative, despite being remembered for making UFOs respectable.

Space Tracking

This section references an article from 'Sightings Magazine' by Nick Pope, suggesting that future ufologists will be equipped with 'space tracking radar systems' similar to those used by the military. It contrasts this with the basic equipment of binoculars and cameras used by other enthusiasts.

Advertising in NARO Minded

NARO MINDED is advertised as a quarterly illustrated magazine covering investigations, research, vigils, and anomalous phenomena. Contact details for advertising and subscriptions to various paranormal and UFO publications are provided, including UFO Reality, Phenomenal News, Northern UFO News, and Strange Daze.

Enigma Magazine Offer

An advertisement for Enigma magazine offers a subscription deal of 15 issues for the price of 12.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a stance of critical inquiry and rigorous investigation into paranormal phenomena. There is a clear skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a preference for rational explanations, while still acknowledging the existence of genuine mysteries. The editorial stance is one of encouraging serious research, questioning the commercialization of ufology, and distinguishing between genuine investigation and mere speculation or hobbyism. The issue highlights the importance of evidence-based research and the challenges of maintaining credibility in the field of paranormal studies.

Title: The UFOlogist
Issue: 4/10 (likely October 1997)
Publisher: Andrew Blunn and Mervyn Gale
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of "The UFOlogist" delves into a variety of paranormal topics, from UFO sightings and poltergeist activity to psychic phenomena and the influence of media on public perception. The magazine features a review of a conference, historical accounts of paranormal events, and discussions on the nature of unexplained occurrences.

Conference Review: UNBELIEVABLE!

Alicia Leigh reviews a conference held by the Lancashire UFO Society (LUFOS), billed as 'unbelievable'. The review highlights presentations by DIGAP investigator Steve Balon, who presented a photograph of an apparent 'triangular' UFO near Rivington Pike, Lancashire. The image was later claimed by Quest International to be a swan in flight, while Balon suggested it was a prototype military aircraft. Balon also discussed the Ilkley Moor case, involving a green entity, and an incident on Silpho Moor where a two-foot saucer-shaped 'craft' was allegedly retrieved, though this was also presented as an elaborate hoax. The review criticizes Balon's investigative methods and his selling of witness stories to the press without permission.

Alphabetical Entries on Paranormal Concepts

The magazine includes a series of entries, presented alphabetically, that briefly describe various paranormal phenomena, historical figures, and concepts:

• I is for Identified Flying Objects: Mentions the Project Mogul Balloon and its connection to Roswell.
• J is for Jeanne D' Arc: Notes her claimed childhood ability to fly and her role as a soldier, seer, and royal psychotherapist.
• K is for Klass, Philip J.: Describes him as a sceptic and aviation expert known for his critiques of iconic UFO cases.
• L is for Lincoln, Abraham: Mentions his seances in the White House and a precognitive dream.
• M is for Menwith Hill: Identifies it as a secret Yorkshire intelligence base and a magnet for ufological interest.
• N is for Nostradame, Michel De: Refers to his inscrutable quatrains.
• O is for Ouija: Questions the use of the word 'yes' joined together.
• P is for Philip: An imaginary 17th-century aristocrat used in an experiment by the Toronto SPR, who communicated via raps and table movements.
• Q is for Quantum Physics: Contrasts Newton's 'Principia' with concepts like Bell's Inequality Theorem and 'non-locality'.
• R is for Rosenheim, Bavaria: Details an intensive poltergeist activity case in a lawyer's offices in 1967, involving a teenager who detested her job.
• S is for Serios, Ted: Describes him as a 1960s 'thoughtographer' who produced images on unexposed film, with claims of fraud and the involvement of experimenter Jules Eisenbud.
• T is for Teleaesthesia: Explains it as the perception of material things from a distance, citing an example involving Mrs Fussey and her son during World War I.
• U is for Uranus: Mentions the astronomical symbol seen on the underbelly of a 'UMMO' flying saucer near Madrid in 1967, with subsequent analysis revealing strings and plastic strips.
• V is for Villas Boas, Antonio: Recounts a case involving an alien bestowing interstellar genital contact.
• W is for Wright-Patterson AFB: Advises checking filing cabinets for coldness.
• X is for Xenoglossy: Defines it as the ability to speak unlearned languages, distinguishing it from Glossalia.
• Y is for Yowie: Describes it as an Antipodean 'manimal' or outback yeti.
• Z is for Zeta-Reticuli: A brief mention related to probes.

The History of the Poltergeist

Stephen Mera explores the phenomenon of poltergeists, defining them as 'noisy spirits' and noting their terrifying and destructive nature. He contrasts them with hauntings, suggesting poltergeists may be related to suppressed sexual energy. The article details various manifestations, including rappings, levitation, disembodied voices, physical contacts, and 'formings' (such as blood appearing on walls). Historical cases are cited, including the Dagg family in Quebec and incidents in Atlanta and Enfield, London. The article notes that poltergeist activity is often house-centred and may follow a 'focus', frequently a child or adolescent, though not always. It also touches on the intelligence and mischievousness of these entities and the low percentage of investigations conducted by competent outsiders.

The Almost Paranormal Power of the Media

Robert Tollman discusses the significant increase in interest and applications for paranormal investigation groups, attributing it largely to the influence of media, such as the TV shows 'Casualty', 'London's Burning', and particularly 'The X-Files'. He notes that the demand for investigations is outstripping the number of genuinely unusual cases available in Britain, potentially leading to feuding between rival groups. Tollman argues that while the media has made the paranormal more socially acceptable and less feared, it has also led to an over-reporting of minor occurrences as paranormal. He criticizes the 'Mulder approach' of jumping to absurd conclusions and suggests that the hype surrounding shows like 'The X-Files' provides an ill-advised role model for serious researchers.

Carole's Curiosity Corner

Carole Morse presents several brief accounts:

• Jonathan Rainey: A man from Belfast who causes electrical interference wherever he goes, leading to his mobile telephone combusting and his car repeatedly breaking down.
• Great Balls of Blue Fire: An account of Mr Rutter witnessing a flash of blue light, followed by a golfball-sized object zig-zagging, later identified as a meteorite storm.
• Manchester Head Slapping Polt: A family plagued by paranormal activity in their Manchester home, including an invisible hand slapping a relative and the father being found unconscious, ultimately leading to the house's demolition.

NARO Minded Subscription Information

Information is provided for subscribing to 'NARO MINDED', a quarterly magazine produced by the Northern Anomalies Research Organisation (NARO), detailing reports on investigated cases and general paranormal articles. Subscription costs are £8.00 (UK) or £10.00 (overseas) for one year (4 issues).

Contact Information for NARO Researchers

Contact details are provided for researchers associated with NARO in various locations, including Peter Hough (South Manchester), Mervyn Gale (South Manchester), Vic Sleigh (North Manchester), Philip Bradbury (Urmston), and John Hall (Liverpool), with an assurance of confidentiality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena, poltergeist activity, and broader paranormal experiences. There is a critical perspective on the influence of media, particularly 'The X-Files', in sensationalizing and potentially distorting the field of paranormal investigation. The editorial stance appears to favour rational explanations where possible, as seen in the meteorite case, while also acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena and the need for serious investigation. The publication promotes the Northern Anomalies Research Organisation (NARO) and encourages reader participation and subscription.