NORTHERN UFO NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 111
Date: January / February 1985
Publisher: NUFON (Northern UFO Network)
Editor: Jenny Randles
Cover Design: Ian Mrzyglod

This issue of Northern UFO News, a publication of UFO RESEARCH NORTH, covers a range of topics within the ufology and paranormal sphere. The cover highlights several key articles, including "Pulsed light tracks," an update on "Mystery circles," "Media Matters," and various "Case Histories" such as "Born to see UFOs" (a psychic repeater) and "A Secret Abductee?"

JR Comments: Chocky and Alien Contact

Jenny Randles opens the issue with a personal reflection on John Wyndham's books, particularly "Chocky" and its sequel "Chocky's Children," which were dramatized on television. She draws parallels between the fictional alien contact in these stories and real-life experiences reported by children, such as those documented in "Alien Contact" and "The Green Stone" involving the Sunderland family. Randles suggests that these seemingly fictional accounts may not be science fiction at all, but rather a pattern of information implantation in young people prepared for the future. She notes similarities with the "Midwich Cuckoos" and discusses how children experiencing such phenomena often report psychic powers, time-lapses, and early UFO events.

News Round-Up

Jenny Randles announces the availability of her book "UFO STUDY" at a reduced price of $3.50 (plus postage) for UK readers, as Robert Hale has decided not to reprint it. The book is described as a teach-yourself course for new ufologists, covering various case types and research methods. She also mentions Bob Rickard's launch of a Fortean database project, seeking funding and contributors.

Book Reviews

SPACE by James Michener: Randles reviews this novel, which blends fact and fiction in its history of space conquest. While acknowledging its literary merit, she questions its inclusion in a UFO publication. However, she notes that Michener touches upon the UFO phenomenon, albeit in a way she finds distorts ufology by portraying it as the product of "bizarre, dim or criminal people." She suggests that understanding why Michener presents it this way is important.

THE EVIDENCE FOR PHANTOM HITCH-HIKERS by Michael Goss: This book is described as a valuable examination of modern folklore tales, particularly those of hitchhikers who disappear, and how they can be used to evaluate the links between fact and fantasy.

Case Histories and Investigations

PULSED LIGHT-TRACKS by Janet & Colin Bord: This section addresses an article in FSR Vol 29 No 6 concerning "pulsed light tracks." Janet and Colin Bord, professional photographers, explain that these light traces are caused by point light sources registering on film when the camera shutter is open and the camera is moved. They criticize an article by Florin Gheorghita for not fully explaining this phenomenon, despite referencing research that proved it was not ball lightning. They also express disappointment with FSR's editorial response to criticism.

A SECRET ABDUCTEE? (Case 7605): This investigation by Linda Agnew, Harry Harris, and Jenny Randles details a sighting by a 17-year-old girl named Shelley in Bolton, Gtr Manchester, in 1976. Shelley reported seeing a strange object with a flat top and curved underside, emitting vibration and light, and experienced pressure on her head. She also reported medical issues like burns and dental problems. Nine days later, two men claiming to be investigators interrogated her, attempting to convince her the object was an army experiment. MUFORA conducted psychiatric research and regression hypnosis, which revealed more details about the encounter but no clear evidence of abduction.

BORN TO SEE UFOS (Case 8174): This extensive investigation by Jenny Randles focuses on Mr D, who describes numerous vivid dreams and conscious outdoor experiences, including a possible UFO sighting. His family also reported phenomena in their childhood home. Mr D believes he is being influenced by alien powers concerned about the planet's future, fearing nuclear holocaust. Randles notes similarities between his "bomb over the Mersey" dream and her own, and intends to further verify his claims.

SPOT THE FO...: This brief report describes a sighting by Mr M in South Yorkshire in August 1983, who saw a second orange ball of similar size to the sun, to its right, which moved towards the sun and vanished.

METEOR WARNING...: A report of a brilliant green fireball meteor seen over Western Britain on New Year's Eve, with sightings reported from Belfast to Liverpool.

WHEN A UFO IS NOT AN AEROPLANE BUT IS AN AFROPLANE....: This piece discusses a report from the Wilmslow Advertiser about UFOs being seen over Nether Alderley, Cheshire. Investigations revealed these were not UFOs but light aircraft using the Manchester-Alderley Edge railway line for practice.

SOMETHING NASTY AMONGST THE GRAVES: This report by Nigel Lockwood discusses a "ghost" story from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, involving a glowing figure that disappeared through a hedge. The appearance, movements, and disappearance mirror the "entity" sighting at the Atomic Energy plant at Risley, Cheshire.

ALIENS AT THE CO-OP: This case, investigated by David Clarke, involves a woman who, along with a neighbor named Ken, reported seeing a bright yellowish light over a co-op in Sheffield. The object vanished quickly. The case is noted for its similarity to other reports of UFOs hovering over flat-rooved buildings.

WE'RE NOT GETTING THERE THANKS TO A UFO: This report details a claim by five teenagers about a Tiger Moth aircraft being chased by a UFO, which then caused their train to stop. MUFORA suspects a hoax due to the lack of evidence and the teenagers' comparison of the UFO to the "Starship Enterprise."

THE APPLETREEWICK PHOTOGRAPH: This report discusses a photograph taken in Appletreewick, North Yorkshire, showing a round pink object floating beside a tree. While technically not significant, the location is noted for its relevance to UFO activity and earthlight phenomena. The photographer saw nothing, nor did the morris dancers in the photo. The leader of the morris dance group died minutes before the photo was taken.

Media Matters

This section critiques media coverage of UFOs. It highlights the work of YUFOS in Leeds investigating UFO observations, which the MoD suggested might be helicopters used for military exercises. The Bradford Telegraph & Argus reported on this, but the Yorkshire Post published a light-hearted editorial that was dismissive and inaccurate. The section laments the difficulty of getting objective research taken seriously when it is jeered at by the press.

Regional Groups

A directory of UFO research groups across the UK is provided, including SCUPON, NLUFOTG, DIGAP, HAPIT, MUFORA, WYUFORG, TUFOS, SSPR, SUFORS, NUPOL, SKYSCAN, NUPOIS, and UFO RESEARCH MIDLANDS, along with their contact details.

Final Words

This section encourages NUFON groups to come forward to stage a conference in 1985, expressing a desire for someone to take up where WYUFORG left off, preferably west of the Pennines. It also wishes readers a happy 1985, hoping for more sightings than in the "rather ordinary 1984," and hints at a case involving the Virgin Mary leading a witness towards a flying saucer.

Calendar

Announcements for upcoming BUFORA lectures and conferences are listed, including "The death of ufology" with Paul Devreux, a YUFOS conference on "The Cover-Up," and an Anglo/French UFO/OVNI conference at Le-Touquet. Details for a BUFORA lecture by Ralph Noyes on "UFOs: Property or Possession?" are also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores a wide range of UFO phenomena, from sightings and alleged abductions to photographic anomalies and the intersection of ufology with folklore and psychic experiences. There is a strong emphasis on investigative journalism, with editors and contributors actively seeking to verify or debunk cases. The publication appears critical of sensationalist media coverage and supportive of rigorous research within the ufology community. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of genuine, unexplained phenomena while also being wary of hoaxes and misinterpretations. The magazine also highlights the work of various regional UFO research groups, fostering a sense of community among enthusiasts.