Northern UFO News - No 108

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, number 108, dated July/August 1984, is a publication of NUFON, edited by Jenny Randles, with cover design by Ian Mrzyglod. It is published by UFO RESEARCH NORTH from Warrington, Cheshire. The magazine covers a range of UFO-related topics, including international investigations, conferences, news, reviews, and detailed case histories.

Soviet UFO Study: 'UFOskis'

The lead story, "UFOskis" (pages 2-3), discusses the Soviet Union's initiation of an immediate UFO study project, as reported by the Soviet trade union newspaper TRUD. This initiative, which produced articles in major British newspapers like The Times and the Morning Star, was reportedly spurred by an incident on March 27, 1983, near Gorky. Air traffic controllers observed a metallic, cigar-shaped object flying erratically at 3000 feet and 125 mph. The study is headed by Pavel Popovich, a retired cosmonaut, who acknowledges the receipt of hundreds of reports annually, though most are explainable. The article notes that Soviet scientists take the subject seriously and accept that occasional well-documented sightings occur. The author expresses skepticism about the blanket explanations offered by some, like James Oberg, and highlights the media's varied reactions, including the Daily Telegraph's initial disinterest followed by coverage, and the Sunday Mirror's focus on the 'UFO-ski' aspect.

Conference News: A Weekend in the Yorkshire Dales

Details are provided for the first NUFON Conference in four years, organized by the West Yorkshire UFO Research Group. The event is scheduled for the weekend of October 13-14, 1984, in Saltaire, near Bradford. The Saturday program (October 13) includes lectures by Harry Harris on regression hypnosis and Jenny Randles on the MOD/UFO 'cover up,' along with local close encounter cases and a discussion on NUFON's future. Admission is 50p. The Sunday program (October 14) features a BUFORA National Investigations Committee meeting, open to all interested in investigation, focusing on specific cases and their follow-up.

Other Investigations and Projects

Anamnesis Project

The 'Anamnesis' project, under the auspices of Dr. Alex Keul and implemented by BUFORA's training officer Ken Phillips, aims to gain deeper insight into the psychological profiles of witnesses. A workshop for this project is scheduled for Saturday, October 27, 1984, at The Patten Arms Hotel in Warrington, designed for field investigators and open to all interested individuals.

Fund for UFO Research

The Fund for UFO Research has released its 1983 annual report, detailing its acceptance of donations and sales of government documents to fund researchers. Grants of up to £1500 are possible for accepted proposals. Ufologists interested in submitting proposals or contributing funds are directed to a PO Box in Maryland, USA.

News Round-Up and Reviews

This section includes a correction from Stephen Hart of WYUFORG regarding an article that implied a working relationship with the Yorkshire UFO Society, which is denied by YUFOS. Reviews of other UFO publications are also featured:

• BUFORA BULLETIN 013: Described as a 'bumper 42pp issue' and the best national outlet for middle-road ufology, it includes reinvestigations and defenses of UFO reality.
• FSR Vol 29 No 5: Receives a lukewarm review, noting Jacques Vallée's continued involvement and an analysis of the 1980 Kirtland Air Force Base encounters.
• MAGONIA July 1984: Praised as an 'antidote,' comparing dreams with UFO reality and featuring reviews and sociological observations.
• YUFOS QUEST Jul/Aug 1984: Acknowledged for its detailed Yorkshire case studies and general articles, including a series on RPVs. However, it criticizes YUFOS for its abrasive techniques and a factual error regarding NUFON's association with another group.
• WAUFOIC Mar 1984: An Australian publication with interesting case reports, including one involving a UFO allegedly causing a microwave oven to switch on.
• OVNI Présence No 29: The premier French language magazine, featuring a special on Jean-Pierre Petit and his UFO technology research.

Book Review: 'Visions Apparitions: Alien Visitors'

Hilary Evans' book, 'Visions Apparitions: Alien Visitors' (320pp, Aquarian, £9.95), is highly praised as a 'marvellous book' and a 'classic.' It explores various entities, from dream figures to 'Men in Black,' and discusses experimental work and theories like Rupert Sheldrake's 'morphic resonance.' The reviewer finds the book lucid and perceptive, establishing Evans' reputation as a leading researcher, though noting some speculative aspects and a potentially strained interpretation of abduction cases.

Media Matters

This section discusses UFOs in the public eye, including their appearance on 'Coronation Street' and actor Kevin Kennedy's interest. It also mentions a Sun newspaper article about PC Alan Godfrey's alleged close encounter and the media's sensationalized reporting of crop circles, particularly a 'Healey's Comet' story in the Daily Mail, which the author dismisses as misleading and potentially a hoax.

Brief Cases: Some Current Investigations

This section presents several UFO case histories:

• Cadishead CE3 case: Noted as a potential hoax, with similarities to the Socorro UFO sketch.
• Case 5002 (July 1950): Middlewich, Cheshire: A contracting electrician witnessed a silvery ball that hovered, flipped, and then shot off at high speed. The witness reported experiencing a strange feeling and hair loss.
• Case 6005 (July/Aug 1960): Settle, North Yorks: A bus driver and passengers observed a chain of circles hanging high in the sky, described as a 'watch' with dangling rings.
• Case 7477 (Summer 1974): Liverpool, Merseyside: A woman saw a large orange ball hovering over a cemetery, which then moved away rapidly.
• A Modern-Day Foo Fighter (Case 8089, ??? 1980): Shipston-on-Stour, Warwicks: A small silvery ball was observed following an aircraft, similar to WWII 'foo fighter' reports.
• The Smudge with Portholes (Case 8173, Feb 1981): Raildon, West Yorks: A man observed a structured, rugby-ball shaped object with portholes and a golden/yellow color hovering silently.
• Case 8172 (June 1981): Gowthwaite Moor, Cumbria: A bright white light, the size of a tennis ball, was seen moving erratically and then disappearing.
• Case 8253 (April 1982): Aintree, Merseyside: A couple witnessed an eerie blue light and a small round object projecting a beam, accompanied by a roar and rush of wind. The witness also reported temporary hair loss.
• Case 8252 (August 22, 1982): Sowerby Bridge, West Yorks: A silvery object with a brownish/orange underside was observed hovering and drifting over a river.

Case History: A Meeting with the Aliens

This detailed case, reported by Geoff Bird, involves witness DW and an 11-year-old boy, Phillip, in February/March 1966 near Shipston-on-Stour. They encountered a silvery, bullet-shaped object with a blue revolving light, illuminating two tall, suited figures. The witness experienced panic and drove away, later discovering a large black circle in the grass with scorched traces. The witness, who suffered brain damage from a tumor (possibly related to the UFO beam), has had his memory and psychological state compromised, leading to questions about the case's reality level.

Final Words and Subscriptions

The issue concludes with a notice about a new address and phone number for subscribers and exchange magazines. Apologies are made for the reduced page count (12pp) due to the editor's recovery from surgery, with the missing pages to be included in future issues. Upcoming articles include an aircraft encounter and a radar/visual from Britain. Readers are also directed to a July 1984 FATE article about a UFO show over Lancashire.

Regional Groups

A directory of associated regional UFO groups is provided, including SCUFON, NLUFOIG, DIGAP, MUFORA, WYUFORG, TUFOS, SSPR, NUPOL, and NUPOIS, along with contact details for UFO RESEARCH MIDLANDS.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing investigation of UFO phenomena by both official and unofficial bodies, the challenges of media reporting and public perception, and the detailed presentation of eyewitness accounts. The editorial stance, as evidenced by Jenny Randles' commentary, is one of critical inquiry, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation while acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation or hoaxes. There's a clear dedication to presenting a wide range of cases and perspectives within the ufological community, with a particular focus on British sightings and research.