Northern UFO News - No 101

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 101
Date: March/April 1983
Publisher: NUFON (Northern UFO Network)

This issue of Northern UFO News, a publication of NUFON and UFO Research North, edited by Jenny Randles, covers a range of UFO-related topics, investigations, and news from March/April 1983. The cover highlights several key articles, including "The NIC Prize," "Entente Cordiale," "Media Matters," "IFO Corner," an update on the Rendlesham Forest 'UFO Crash,' "The Paul Bennett Story," brief cases from various UK locations, and a case history titled "The Silent Vulcan" (Movie).

JR Comments

Jenny Randles, the editor, reflects on her evolving stance regarding the possibility of UFOs being actual spacecraft and government cover-ups. She notes that while she has historically been skeptical of the 'nuts and bolts' alien vehicle hypothesis and government secrecy, recent developments have caused her to reassess. She mentions a running debate with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) regarding UFO sightings and their handling of data, noting that the MOD collected five times as many cases as BUFORA in 1981. Randles reveals that the MOD has relented to opening files to scientific scrutiny, a decision influenced by Bill Chalker's work in Australia. She emphasizes that this news is not public and advises against making a public issue of it to avoid jeopardizing the decision. She also discusses claims of a high-level cover-up from individuals like Lady Falkender and Lord Hill-Norton, while acknowledging the MOD's position as reasonable. Randles then delves into the US context, referencing J. Edgar Hoover's memo and the continued circulation of UFO reports despite the US ceasing official interest in 1969. She also touches upon the French GEPAN team and the controversial statements made by Dr. Pierre Guerin. Randles concludes by stating her increased willingness to be open-minded on the UFO question.

The NIC Prize

The National Investigations Committee (NIC), operated by BUFORA, aims to foster cooperation among investigative members and local groups. Jenny Randles announces the establishment of an NIC prize for 1983, to be awarded for the best completed case investigation report, emphasizing quality of work and investigative competence. This prize will be awarded by the NIC, and one issue of a BUFORA publication will be devoted to the best work of the year starting in 1984.

For Your Perusal

• This section reviews several UFO-related publications:
• Journal TAP Jan 1983: Features articles on ufology as a profession, a review of BUFORA members' social questionnaire, and details on Project Rainbow.
• Probe Report Jan 1983: Includes a case of a 'man-in-black' and an investigation by the Swindon group SCUFORI.
• FSR Vol 28 No 3: Edited by Gordon Creighton, this issue focuses on D-Notices, MOD machinations, and Len Stringfield's 'pickled green men' tales.
• UFO Research Australia Vol 3 No 4: A glossy magazine with articles on the Lonnie Zamora CE3 case and the hypothesis that the UFO phenomenon is a CIA cover for secret technology.
• International UFO Reporter Vol 7 No 5: Features a new abduction case and hypnotic regression.
• Bibliography: Exobiology & Urology: An Australian Centre for UFO Studies publication listing books and articles on exobiology and ufology.

Book of the Moment: The Green Stone

This section reviews "The Green Stone" by Martin Keatman & Graham Phillips. The book is described as a magical mystery tour involving psychics and non-psychics searching for a 'green stone,' with connections to ufology and mythic features.

Entente Cordiale: The UFO / OVNI Conference in Boulogne

This article recounts an Anglo-French UFO conference in Boulogne-Sur-Mer. It highlights the contributions of French ufologists and the spirit of cooperation between British and French attendees. The event included presentations on various UFO topics and investigations, fostering a sense of mutual learning and exchange.

Media Matters

This section discusses the portrayal of UFOs in the media. It notes a positive shift in the "New Scientist" journal, with articles exploring the scientific side of ufology. The author also critiques articles in national papers, such as the "South Wales Echo," for presenting sensationalized or biased views on UFOs, while ignoring more rational explanations.

Sky Notes

This section provides astronomical data, including sunrise and sunset times, moon phases, and planetary visibility for April and May 1983. It also lists expected meteor showers.

Spot the IFO

This section presents a case from October 30, 1982, near Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, where a witness reported seeing a close-knit ball of orange light. The investigation group (UFO Research Midlands) noted the witness's expertise and the involvement of army personnel at the scene.

Brief Cases

• This section presents several brief UFO case reports:
• Update on Rendlesham Forest: An update on the ongoing investigation into the Rendlesham Forest incident, focusing on efforts to find a farmer who allegedly witnessed the event and the challenges faced in obtaining information.
• A Directed Meteor?: A case from April 1971 near Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, where a witness reported a large orange ball of fire moving along a valley.
• The Pink and Blue Comet: A case from October 4, 1980, near Fylingdales, N. Yorks, involving a teardrop-shaped object with pink and blue lights and a rigid blue beam.

The Paul Bennett Story

This ongoing investigation by Nigel Mortimer details the experiences of Paul Bennett, a Yorkshire contactee who claims to have seen various inexplicable phenomena, including UFOs and 'elementals.' Bennett believes these are 'forms' from another void influencing humanity and sees a connection between ufology and the occult. He recounts family history of encounters and his own early rejection of religious teachings in favor of seeking deeper meaning.

Case History: The Silent Vulcan

This detailed account describes a multi-witness encounter with a silent, triangular object resembling a Vulcan bomber, observed over Leicestershire on October 23, 1978. The case is notable for the large number of witnesses, the object's unusual characteristics (lack of noise, specific shape, lights), and the existence of movie film evidence. Investigations ruled out conventional aircraft and other explanations, classifying it as a genuine UNKNOWN.

An Irish Tale

This section presents an anonymous report of a series of encounters in County Tyrone, UK, involving a shadowy figure, paralysis, and UFO sightings. The witness describes a humanoid figure with large eyes and a 'breathing sound,' and later sightings of 'spaceships' and a 'giant humanoid.'

Final Words

This section includes extracts from a letter from the British CD (January 20, 1983) regarding their policy on UFO reports, reiterating that their interest is limited to defence implications and that they have no evidence of alien spacecraft landings. It also mentions the reorganization of France's GEPAN team and the international cooperation in UFO research.

Calendar

This section lists upcoming UFO-related events, including lectures and conferences in the UK and France.

UFO Research North: Regional Groups

This section provides a directory of regional UFO investigation groups across Scotland, Northern England, and the Midlands.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate about the nature of UFOs (spacecraft vs. other phenomena), the potential for government secrecy and cover-ups, the importance of rigorous investigation and accurate reporting, and the growing international cooperation in UFO research. The editorial stance, as expressed by Jenny Randles, is one of increasing open-mindedness and a call for dispassionate analysis of evidence, while acknowledging the complexities and controversies surrounding the subject.