NARO Minded - 1998 02 - No 8

Magazine Overview

Title: NARO MINDED
Issue: 8
Date: February 1998
Publisher: Northern Anomalies Research Organisation (NARO)
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £1.50

NARO Minded, subtitled 'Open Minded, Not Empty-Headed', is the journal of the Northern Anomalies Research Organisation. This issue, number 8, dated February 1998, features a cover story on the 'little green man' phenomenon, specifically referencing the Ilkley Moor case. The magazine covers a range of paranormal topics, including conference reviews, abduction debates, and investigations into alleged hauntings and unusual photographic evidence.

Editorial

The editorial apologizes for the delay in publication, citing personal commitments and lack of material. It touches upon the recent 'bizarre' proliferation of gossip within the UFO research community, mentioning threats of assault and legal action against members of NARO. The editorial highlights two key articles: one on the 10-year anniversary of the Ilkley Moor 'little green man' encounter and another reprinting the sixth issue of 'Abduction Watch' by Kevin McClure, which summarizes his work on the abduction phenomenon. It also mentions MARA's investigation into strange encounters at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, where video evidence was captured. The editorial concludes with a speculative 'wish-list of the weird' for the New Year, including predictions about Tamagotchi folklore, the Spice Girls, and various pop culture figures.

Shorts

This section provides brief updates and gossip from the paranormal research world:

• NO JEANS OR TRAINERS: Clarifies that a remark in 'Magonia' magazine about a dress code referred to the Manchester Anomalous Phenomena Investigation Team (M.A.P.I.T.), not NARO members.
• CHINGLE HALL VIGIL: Reports on a quiet night vigil at Chingle Hall by three NARO members, contrasting with previous visits where strange phenomena were reported.
• THRILLS AT THE PHIL: Details MARA's involvement in investigating paranormal activity at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, where they captured video evidence.
• UNITED WE STAND: Notes that plans for BUFOSC, PHUFON, and LUFOS to combine into a super-group have fallen apart, with PHUFON remaining a separate entity.
• ZARKON CITY'S BURNING: References a 1994 Fire Officer's Guide that discussed the threat of Unidentified Flying Objects and potential interference with electronic equipment, citing the 1942 Los Angeles 'Air Raid' as an example.
• ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Discusses Kevin McClure's 'Abduction Watch', noting Eric Morris's apparent change of heart regarding the reality of alien abductions, shifting from strong support to viewing them as hoaxes or psychological issues.
• CONFERENCE NEWS: Announces the Merseyside Anomalies Research Association (MARA) annual conference on October 31st, featuring speakers like Kevin McClure, Peter Hough, and Jenny Randles.
• PUSSY HUNTING: A humorous anecdote about abduction investigator and solicitor Harry Harris facing charges related to a dispute with a neighbour's dog.
• THE NAME'S MATTHEWS.. TIM MATTHEWS - OR IS IT?: Reports on controversy surrounding Tim Matthews, accused of being an MI5 spy, with newsletters circulating allegations about his background and affiliations.
• WANNABE A PROFESSIONAL UFOSPOTTER?: Mentions Stephen Mera promoting a paranormal investigator's course, noting his background in SETI and NATO work.

When Egos Collide

This article by Andy Blunn reviews the 'When Worlds Collide' conference, which featured prominent figures like Peter Brookesmith, Kevin McClure, Jenny Randles, Eric Morris, and Tim Matthews. Blunn expresses initial anticipation due to the caliber of speakers and the controversy surrounding Tim Matthews, who was accused of being an MI5 agent named Tim Hepple. The conference included a tour of 'Area 51 holiday pics', a talk by Jenny Randles on the Rendlesham incident (questioning the official narrative and suggesting a possible experiment gone wrong or a Russian satellite), and a discussion on Over-the-Horizon (OTH) radar. Blunn expresses skepticism about OTH radar explaining the Rendlesham effects. The conference also featured Peter Brookesmith discussing abduction cases from his book. The event culminated in a debate that was marred by an incident where Larry O'Hara, who had distributed leaflets about Matthews, was forcibly removed from the hall. Blunn concludes that while the £6.50 ticket price was reasonable, the conference ran too long and left him questioning his involvement in ufology due to the repetitive nature of the subject matter and the prevalence of egos.

Ilkley: Ten Years After

This article by Peter Hough revisits the Ilkley Moor entity case, ten years after the photographic evidence emerged. Hough recounts the story of 'Philip Spencer' (whose real identity was kept secret), who encountered a four-and-a-half-foot green entity on Ilkley Moor on December 1, 1987. Spencer took a photograph and later claimed to have been taken aboard a UFO. Hough details his own investigation, along with Arthur Tomlinson, Steve Balon, and Jenny Randles. He discusses the difficulties in verifying the case, including Spencer's insistence on anonymity and the subsequent media attention. Hough mentions an attempt by an American 'museum curator', Eric Beckjord, to obtain the photograph's copyright and spread a story about an alien baby. Hough defends Spencer's integrity, stating he has no reason to believe the case was a hoax, despite the lack of definitive proof. He notes that the compass Spencer carried had its polarity reversed after the encounter, suggesting an intense electromagnetic field.

The Researcher

This section reviews 'The Researcher', the first publication from the Merseyside Anomalies Research Association (MARA). The reviewer, Andy Blunn, notes that MARA aims to focus on research rather than politics, criticizing the 'business-like' approach of some UFO research. The magazine, A4 sized and about 30 pages, features articles by MARA members on topics such as witness support groups, paranormal experiences, a poltergeist case from Vauxhall, and secrecy techniques. Blunn hopes the magazine succeeds but acknowledges the market is saturated.

Conrad & Jasper at the Gallows

This is a cartoon feature with a dark, humorous tone, depicting a gallows scene and a figure lamenting a boil, with a caption about keeping one's trap shut.

New Magazines

This section also reviews 'The Researcher' magazine, reiterating points made in the 'Shorts' section.

Le Spectre de L'Hotel de Ville

This article, translated by Alison Ashurst, discusses the 'Wem' photo, taken on November 19th, 1995, during a fire at the Town Hall in Wem, Shropshire. The photograph, taken by amateur photographer Mr O Rahilly, appears to show the head of a little girl on a walkway. The article notes that Wem is reputedly a haunted town, particularly by Jane Churm, who accidentally started a fire in 1677. The town now attracts ghosthunters. The article poses the question of whether there is a connection between the reported haunting and the fire.

Astral Projection?

This article by Darren Aitken recounts the experiences of Alice and Bob Tetlow between 1956 and 1959. Alice had recurring dreams of a specific cottage in a leafy lane. During a holiday in Devon and Cornwall in August 1959, they stumbled upon a lane and a cottage that perfectly matched Alice's dream. The woman who answered the door appeared startled and revealed that she had been seeing Alice 'haunting' her for over two years, suggesting a connection between Alice's dreams and the woman's experiences.

Abduction Watch

This section features an excerpt from Kevin McClure's 'Abduction Watch' newsletter, focusing on the 'Recovered Memory & Hypnosis Special'. McClure argues that the belief in alien abductions may stem from confusion and a dependence on alien presence for support, akin to Stockholm Syndrome. He contends that the abduction mythos, particularly the elements of insemination, hybrid foetuses, and maternal visits to alien nurseries, became prominent after the introduction of 'recovered memory' material. McClure asserts that there is virtually no objective or tangible evidence to support alien abduction claims, and that 'recovered memory' techniques are unreliable and potentially dangerous, often leading to false memories. He draws parallels with cases of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA), where recovered memories were found to be flawed. McClure concludes that the 'alien abduction' phenomenon is likely a product of these techniques rather than genuine events, and that investigators have a responsibility to inform and assist those who believe they have been abducted, helping them realize they have been misled. The section also provides subscription details for 'Abduction Watch'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of NARO Minded exhibits a strong skeptical stance towards certain aspects of ufology, particularly concerning the reliability of recovered memory techniques in abduction research. The magazine critically examines claims of alien abduction, suggesting they may be products of psychological phenomena or flawed investigative methods rather than genuine extraterrestrial encounters. There is a recurring theme of questioning the validity of evidence, especially when derived from hypnosis or regression. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous, evidence-based research and expresses concern about the proliferation of unsubstantiated claims and the influence of egos within the paranormal community. The magazine also highlights the importance of distinguishing between genuine paranormal phenomena and psychological or fabricated accounts, advocating for a cautious and critical approach to the subject matter.

Title: NARO MINDED
Issue: 8
Volume: 1
Date: September 1998

This issue of NARO MINDED magazine explores various facets of the paranormal and scientific inquiry, with a strong focus on consciousness, sleep paralysis, and philosophical debates about the nature of reality.

Articles and Features

Playing With The Phantom: Sleep Paralysis

The cover story, "Playing With The Phantom," by Anthony Obanye, delves into the realms of sleep paralysis and his personal experiences. Obanye describes the unsettling sensations of being unable to move, the feeling of being pulled into one's own mental center, and the potential for experiences ranging from being trapped in a forcefield to a more pleasant, energetic state. He offers a detailed "Sleep Paralysis Induction Method," outlining steps for readers to potentially induce and explore this phenomenon, including techniques for experiencing "phantom limbs" and even attempting out-of-body experiences (OBEs).

A Personal Account of Sleep Paralysis

An extract from Obanye's personal notebook details an experience on November 19th, 1996, following a night of reading and attempting deep breathing exercises. He describes waking up in a state of paralysis, feeling a hissing sound and a dizzying sensation, and the subsequent attempt to roll out of his body, which resulted in a feeling of dissociation and a struggle to breathe.

The Debate Continues: Dualism vs. Materialism

This section features a correspondence between readers Joe Dormer and Anthony Obanye, debating the philosophical concepts of dualism and materialism. Joe Dormer questions Obanye's stance, arguing that if both dualism and materialism are flawed, one should reject both. He criticizes the criterion of truth by consensus and asserts that dualism is internally coherent. Obanye clarifies his position, explaining that he does not argue for dualism based on the number of clever men who believe in it, but rather on the intuition that many seemingly opposing viewpoints might be seeing different sides of a greater truth. He acknowledges the flaws in Cartesian dualism but argues for a participatory role of consciousness. He also discusses the limitations of classical science in dealing with consciousness and the potential for models to help understand underlying reality.

Other Features

• "Sightings Shite": A critical piece commenting on 'Sightings' Magazine's practice of reprinting old articles, particularly one by a deceased researcher, and their new strategy of gathering information from the internet.
• "It's Life Jim.": This short piece highlights the appointments of two new scientists, Dr. Didier Queloz and Dr. Kenneth Nealson, at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, focusing on their roles in studying planetary evolution and the search for extraterrestrial life.
• "Geek Mythology": Written by Mervyn Gale, this article offers a critical and humorous take on the ufology community, particularly criticizing authors like Timothy Good for their writing style and perceived lack of depth, while praising figures like Charles Fort and F.W.H. Myers.
• "NARO Minded Mail": This section includes letters from readers, such as Roy Sandbach, who expresses enjoyment of the magazine but questions the editorial stance on 'live and let live,' and Michel Granger from France, who congratulates the publication.
• "Rendlesham - Nearer To An Answer?": A brief update on the Rendlesham Forest incident, mentioning that Jenny Randles has new evidence suggesting the lighthouse may have been involved.
• "Asteroid On Collision Course With Earth?": A short news item reporting that scientists have announced a 1-mile diameter asteroid on a collision course with Earth, potentially impacting in about 30 years.

Coming in the Next Issue

The next issue will feature reviews of Unconvention 1998, articles on "Flying Triangles over the M56," "Shades of 'Gray'," "Experimenting with Tarot Cards," and "more tales of ufological stupidity." It is scheduled for September.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of science, philosophy, and the paranormal. There is a critical yet open-minded approach to ufology and related phenomena, as evidenced by the critique of 'Sightings' Magazine and the discussion of the Rendlesham incident. The editorial stance appears to encourage debate and critical thinking, as seen in the "NARO Minded Mail" section and the philosophical discussions. The magazine also shows an interest in the nature of consciousness and its potential implications for our understanding of reality.