Northern UFO News - No 109

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 109
Date: September/October 1984
Publisher: NUFON (Northern UFO News)
Editor: Jenny Randles
Cover Design: Ian Mrzyglod

This issue of Northern UFO News, published by NUFON, focuses on a variety of UFO-related topics, including media coverage of the paranormal, theoretical discussions on the nature of reality and UFOs, and detailed case histories from across the UK. The magazine aims to provide a platform for investigation and discussion within the UFO community.

Articles and Features

JR Comments: HTV Pilot for Channel 4

Jenny Randles recounts her experience attending the filming of a pilot for a potential six-part Channel 4 series titled "Do you believe it?". The pilot episode focused on the Out-of-the-Body Experience (OOBE), featuring discussions with Dr. Sue Blackmore and D. Scott Rogo. Randles expresses skepticism about the show's approach, noting the use of a fashion show-like segment and a pop song in the introduction, which she felt was an attempt to attract the channel's planners rather than engage with the subject matter seriously. She worries that this 'schizophrenic descent into popularism' could harm the chances of a serious UFO series on Channel 4, fearing a trend towards sensationalism like 'Abduction of the week'.

News Round-up

• This section provides brief updates:
• A new associated group, WAPIT (Wigan Aerial Phenomena Investigation Team), is mentioned.
• Walter Reid's Junior UFO Club is active, offering free membership to interested children.
• A peculiar letter from a prison inmate claims knowledge of how flying saucers work and offers to sell this information.
• Another request to join an investigation team comes from a teenager interested in UFOs, fantasy, and drugs.

For Your Perusal

• This section reviews other publications and books:
• The Ley Hunter 96: A review of Paul Devereux's work on 'earthlights', criticizing his sometimes dogmatic approach while acknowledging the potential truth in his hypothesis.
• ASSAP News August 1984: Previews a sequel to Devereux's book 'Earthlights', suggesting it will be controversial.
• UFO Research Australia Vol 5 No 2: Praises this magazine for its articles on ufologists, public perception, and Australian 'interrupted journey' cases.
• Arcturus Books Catalogue: A mention of a new 40pp catalogue from Arcturus Books, a comprehensive source for UFO literature.

Books of the Moment

• The Uninvited 2: A paperback by an unknown author is discussed. While not a factual UFO book, its title and marketing strategy are noted as potentially attracting readers of Clive Harold's "The Uninvited". The reviewer expresses concern about the trend of labeling such works as 'horror' and mentions that NUFON is referenced within the book.
• A Woman of Spirit: An autobiography by psychic Doris Collins is highly recommended for its simple and normal portrayal of psychic experiences, including a UFO close encounter and a confrontation with small beings, which are deemed significant and relevant to ufology.

UFOS AND REALITY (a few speculations) by Rodney Jones

Rodney Jones posits that the UFO phenomenon challenges our understanding of 'reality', suggesting two levels: objective and subjective. He argues that our perception of reality is based on collective experiences and questions the right to determine reality solely through this method. Jones suggests that UFOs might be a way for the 'Dreamer' (a concept representing the sum total of consciousness) to steer human consciousness or make contact, encouraging introspection and the discovery of inner worlds.

Brief Cases: Some Current Investigations

• This section presents several brief UFO sighting reports:
• Spot the UFO: A sighting of a small silvery point, later described as a balloon-like object, near Bury, Greater Manchester.
• The Gartfadd CE2: A re-evaluation of a case where a 'Giant Oak' was reportedly split by a UFO. New information suggests it was a rotten elm and the 'UFO' was a small, dark, whirking cloud, questioning previous interpretations.
• It Made My Hair Fall Out! (2): An investigation into a claim of hair loss possibly related to a UFO sighting, with discrepancies noted and a possible explanation involving misperception or aircraft.
• Case 77-334: A sighting of a cigar-shaped object near Burnley, Lancashire, described as brilliant silver with a black band.
• Case 8254: A sighting of a slightly fuzzy white oval object near Pudsey, West Yorkshire, with an IFO (Identified Flying Object) evaluation suggested.

Case Histories

• Case 8255: A sighting of 8/9 white disc-like lights moving E-W near Middlewich, Cheshire.
• Another UFO Balloon Over Yorkshire: A sighting of a large, oval, orange/red object pulsing white near Bradford, West Yorkshire, with a potential explanation as a weather balloon.
• Case 8324: A sighting of a bright white octagonal object with blue flashes and smoke near Wellingborough, Northants.
• Case 8406: Four people observed a brilliant oval shape object near Worsley Hall, Greater Manchester.

A MOST PECULIAR LIVER-BIRD

This extensive investigation by MUFORA (Peter Hough & Derek Blake) and Jenny Randles concerns a case involving a pilot (CH) who reported a UFO encounter over Snowdonia, North Wales, in December 1977. The case is described as frustrating due to inconsistencies in CH's account, including discrepancies in flight times, the description of the object, and the dating of events. The investigation found no corroborating evidence in newspapers or weather records for the claimed December 15th sighting. The case also involves a similar sighting over Carla Lane's mansion. The report concludes that while CH was not found to be inventing the story, his mind may have 'juggled' events, leading to an unresolved conclusion.

Media Matters: A look at UFOs in the public eye

This section discusses a "Mail on Sunday" story about a "mystery link" between two fatal air crashes over the East Anglia coast in October 1983, potentially related to UFO activity. The article highlights the unusual circumstances of the crashes and the MOD's concern about the "extreme coincidence", speculating that the area itself might be at fault.

Northern UFO News - Page 8

This page continues the discussion on the "York Minster" UFO scare, where two men reported seeing a cigar-shaped object and an orange ray. The report notes that the fire at the Minster was likely caused by St. Elmo's Fire, a natural electrical discharge, and criticizes other papers for sensationalizing the event. It also touches upon New Scientist's coverage of a "Great South-East England UFO scare", which was dismissed by BUFORA investigators as weather balloons.

Northern UFO News - Page 9

This page continues the "York Minster" UFO scare discussion and mentions the "Silly Season" and crop circles. It also includes a list of associated regional UFO groups and their contact details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the challenges of investigating UFO phenomena, the role of media in reporting on UFOs and the paranormal, the distinction between genuine sightings and misidentifications or hoaxes, and the theoretical implications of UFOs for our understanding of reality. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and a cautious approach to sensationalism, while remaining open to the possibility of genuine anomalous phenomena. There is a clear effort to debunk misreported cases and to provide factual accounts, while also exploring more speculative theories about the nature of consciousness and UFOs.