Northern UFO News - No 106

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 106
Date: March/April 1984
Publisher: NUPON (Northern UFO Network)
Editor: Jenny Randles
Cover Design: Ian Mrzyglod

This issue of Northern UFO News, published by NUPON, provides a comprehensive look at UFO research and sightings, with a particular focus on the UK scene. It includes a critical editorial, historical overviews, case reports, book reviews, and news from other UFO organizations.

Editorial: The Fall of the House of Bowen

Jenny Randles begins with a personal reflection on the decline of 'Flying Saucer Review' (FSR), once a leading UFO magazine. She details her long involvement with FSR, serving in administrative capacities and contributing case material. Randles criticizes the magazine's recent changes, including reduced page count, increased price, and poor artwork, attributing the decline to the editorship of Gordon Creighton. She expresses concern over Creighton's views, such as the belief that UFO books are being deliberately removed from libraries by the MOD and his speculations about the 'demonic nature of UFO entities.' Randles argues that FSR's current direction is damaging British ufology's reputation, especially given its reach to influential circles. She calls for 'Friends of FSR' to unite to save the magazine.

News Round-Up

• This section highlights new UFO groups and initiatives:
• BCUFOS: A new group in Burnley, which has already held a successful meeting with a lecture by Arthur Tomlinson of DIGAP.
• Margaret Fry: An ufologist who has moved north and is seeking contact with Welsh readers.
• AFU (Sweden): Introduces 'UFOCODE,' a system for cataloging reports, magazines, and books, aiming for an international standard.
• Aquarius Guide 1984: A comprehensive list of paranormal and UFO groups, available from UFON.
• A criticism of 'UFO Reality' is mentioned, where a person suggests UFO sightings are manipulations to promote nuclear disarmament.

Magazine News and Reviews

• This section reviews other UFO publications:
• Fortean Times: Celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special 76-page issue featuring articles by John Keel and Michael Persinger.
• Common Ground: Changes direction to focus on single themes, with articles on folklore aspects of crashed saucers and the significance of 1947 for UFOs.
• UFO Research Review: Has folded and been replaced by 'Anomalous Perception Review,' which will focus on paranormal phenomena, including UFOs. The first issue includes reports on a 'fiery goose' sighting, ball lightning, and earthquake lights.
• FATE (March 1984): Features the second part of Bruce Maccabee's thesis on the existence of 'Wos' and new analysis of the Iran UFO missile/interceptor case.
• International UFO Reporter (December 1983): Marks the tenth anniversary of the Center for UFO Studies, with an analysis of successes and failures and a report on the Hessdalen, Sweden, UFO jamboree.
• APRO Bulletin (January/February 1984): Celebrates its 32nd anniversary, featuring a new time-lapse case.
• UFO Research Australia (Vol 4 No 2): Covers Australian and New Zealand CE3 cases and Bill Chalker's review of Australian government documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

Books of the Month

• The Evidence for Alien Abductions by John Rimmer.
• The Evidence for Bigfoot by Janet & Colin Bord.
• Both books are published by The Aquarian Press and are described as well-produced and informative.

Book Reviews: The Evidence for Alien Abductions & The Evidence for Bigfoot

Jenny Randles reviews 'The Evidence for Alien Abductions' by John Rimmer and 'The Evidence for Bigfoot' by Janet & Colin Bord. She praises the Bord's book for its succint and enjoyable summary of evidence, though notes the lack of British examples. Rimmer's book is commended for gathering evidence on a complex subject, covering historical perspectives, folklore, and sci-fi. However, Randles criticizes Rimmer for assessing the meaning of the evidence too early and for introducing a 'rather extreme psychological theory' in the final chapter, which detracts from the book's overall merit. She also points out several errors in the book, such as misdated events and incorrect witness names, attributing them to rushed publication.

Northern UFO News - A Decade of Sightings

• This section provides a historical overview of NUPON's case collection, starting from its inception in 1974. It highlights key years and significant cases:
• 1974: A modest start.
• 1975: 161 cases, including the 'mystery helicopter' flap and the unique Rainhill, Merseyside, landing with 'entity footprints.' The Machynlleth, Wales, 'jellyman' case is noted as a UFO classic.
• 1976: 173 cases, including the first abduction case from Leeds and a frustrating case in Durham involving tiny entities and interference by COFTACT UK.
• 1977: A major wave year with 333 cases, including car stops and UFO sound tapes.
• 1978: Influenced by Spielberg's movie, with 275 cases, including several 'crazy days' with animal disturbances and the Llanerchynedd landing.
• 1979: 158 cases, with many standard UFO reports and the Livingston 'assault' by a mini-UFO.
• 1980-1983: Case totals declined dramatically (88, 71, 48, 20 respectively), though the late November 1980 mini-wave included significant close encounters like the Godfrey abduction and the Rendlesham Forest affair. The percentage of unsolved cases remained high.

NUPON enters 1984 with an uncertain outlook but ready for future developments.

Hero Urology vs. Rogues

Andrew J. Cummings discusses the concept of 'Hero Urology,' distinguishing between genuine researchers who present theories objectively and 'rogues' who manipulate the unknown for personal gain. Heroes present theories that can be disproven, while rogues often mimic the appearance of objectivity without genuine practice.

UFOs in West Yorkshire

• This section presents three sightings from West Yorkshire:
• December 4, 1950: Two textile workers in Bingley saw a large, bluish-black 'wheel' with vapour, moving in a swirling motion.
• January 15, 1951: Mr. E. Fox and his children in Bradford saw a white, oversized 'doughnut' shaped object.
• April 25, 1983: Mrs M Kay and children saw an object near Bradford, initially a ball, then a blue or purple 'doughnut', moving at high speed.

Media Matters: UFOs in the Public Eye

• This segment discusses recent media coverage of UFOs and related phenomena:
• Asteroid and Meteor Streams: Martin Dawson of the York Astro Society explains how an asteroid seeded the Geminid meteor stream, causing a spectacular show.
• Fireball Sighting: A brilliant fireball (magnitude -8) was seen on December 12, 1983.
• Ice Bombs ('Tafrotskies'): Tales of ice bombs falling are discussed, with explanations ranging from aircraft to pranksters.
• Lights over Denbigh: Vehicles stopped to observe lights described as 'about four times bigger than a football and radiating green light,' attributed to a transformer short-circuit.
• Motorways in the Sky: A feature in the Halifax Courier discusses aircraft navigation and how high-flying jets might be mistaken for UFOs, particularly in West Yorkshire.

Brief Cases: Some Current Investigations

• One Day at Night: Peter Day's account of a strange phenomenon observed in his bedroom in 1943, described as a sphere of dark grey smoke-like material, is presented as a potential 'prequel' to later close encounters.
• Mrs W's Abduction Experience: A detailed account from Mrs W, who claims to have been taken into the future in December 1965, subjected to a medical examination, and given a 'life plan.' The experience is described as involving a tall, thin man with heavy eyebrows.
• Case 8316 (October 15, 1983): A bright silver ball was seen moving over Wingfield, South Yorkshire, which investigations suggest was a weather balloon.

New Events in 'UFO Alley'

• Investigations by Norman Collinson and Mike Sacks of MUFORA in the Rossendale Valley ('UFO Alley') are discussed:
• DC-9 Freighter: Many sightings in the area are attributed to a 'DC-9 freighter' from 'Air Cargo' (Swissair), which passes over late on Friday nights.
• December 2, 1983: Two girls in Bacup reported seeing bright lights, which investigators suspect were exaggerated and likely the 'Air Cargo 101' DC-9 jet.
• December 4 & 6, 1983: Two more sightings in the valley of white objects with red lights are reported, likely light aircraft or helicopters.

Case 8402: January 10, 1984 (Whiston, Merseyside)

Peter Hough reports on a case where two white lights and a row of five flashing red lights were seen hovering over a playing field. The witness's description did not fully match newspaper reports, and attempts to find independent witnesses were unsuccessful. The case remains unexplained but could be a helicopter.

Final Words: The MOD and UFOs

This section discusses the British Ministry of Defence's (MOD) evolving policy on UFOs. Following the Rendlesham Forest incident and the release of an MOD file via the US Freedom of Information Act, the MOD has become more open. Several less sensitive case files have been released to British investigators. The article notes that the MOD admitted to possessing significant report totals for recent years (1978-1983), which contrasts with the decline in UFO reports noticed by many UFO groups worldwide. The potential introduction of a Freedom of Information Act in the UK is also mentioned as a factor influencing this shift.

Editor's Personal Problems

A brief note indicates that due to the editor's imminent hospitalization for surgery, readers should expect potential delays in future issues, but assures them that no pages will be lost and they will receive full value for their subscription.

Calendar of Events

• March 30/April 1: Second Anglo/French UFO/OVNI conference, Brighton.
• May 26/27: London Earth Mysteries Moot, Tufnell Park, London.
• July 28/30: Ley Hunter Moot, Shrewsbury Music Hall.

Subscription Information

Details are provided for subscriptions owing for 1984, with payment to be made to NUPON or NORTHERN UFO NETWORK.

UFO Research North - Associated Regional Groups

A list of regional UFO groups and their contact details is provided, including ScUFON, FLUFOIG, DIGAP, MUFORA, MYUPORG, TUPOS, SSPR, SUTORS, JUPOL, JUFOIS, and UPO RESEARCH MIDLANDS.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation, data collection, and cooperation between UFO groups. There is a critical stance towards sensationalism and a concern for the credibility of ufology, particularly in light of perceived issues with established publications like 'Flying Saucer Review.' The publication champions independent research and aims to provide a platform for detailed case studies and historical analysis within the UK context. The editorial stance is one of cautious optimism regarding UFO phenomena, advocating for a scientific and objective approach while acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation.