Northern UFO News - No 113

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 113
Date: May/June 1985
Publisher: NUFON (Northern UFO Organisation)
Country: United Kingdom
Editor: Jenny Randles

This issue of Northern UFO News, published by NUFON, focuses on UFO phenomena, investigations, and related controversies. It features a mix of commentary, case reports, and reviews, with a strong emphasis on critical analysis of media coverage and established theories within the ufology community.

JR Comments: The Rendlesham Forest Saga and Media Silence

Jenny Randles opens the issue with a critical commentary on the lack of serious media attention in Britain regarding the Rendlesham Forest incident, contrasting it with the proactive approach taken by ufologists in Japan and the United States. She references Clive Ponting's book "The Right to Know" as evidence of government "cover-up" tactics, involving figures like Michael Heseltine and John Stanley. Randles expresses disappointment with the British ufological response, particularly the embrace of Ian Ridpath's "lighthouse" thesis by publications like "Magonia," which she argues dismisses witness testimony and evidence without proper investigation. She details her own efforts to counter Ridpath's claims, including a 4000-word article titled "Grounding the Lighthouse," which "Magonia" deemed "inadequate." Randles laments that "Magonia" then published a letter from Ridpath on the subject, highlighting what she perceives as a disproportionate and biased stance.

She recounts her experience with a scientist who found Ridpath's thesis persuasive until reading "Sky Crash." Randles criticizes "Magonia" for its perceived behavior in the Rendlesham case, typifying a British ufological reaction of denial. She also notes that "Magonia's" May 1985 issue did include a piece by Dr. Willy Smith attacking negative approaches to the case, but criticizes Roger Sandell's comments in a book review.

Randles concludes that while she cannot definitively state what happened at Rendlesham Forest in December 1980, the evidence presented in "Sky Crash" suggests it was more significant than a lighthouse or simple radiation readings. She offers to provide her article "Grounding the Lighthouse" to interested readers for the cost of postage, noting it is too lengthy for the NUFON publication but available for other magazines to publish.

Paul Devereux on Earthlights

Paul Devereux discusses the phenomenon of "earthlights," acknowledging Jenny Randles' mention of his work. He clarifies that his colleagues and he concluded that friction-induced piezo-electrical effects in rocks might be a mechanism for producing these lights. He notes that while piezo-electricity was initially considered, they later found that even non-piezo rocks could produce luminescence in a vacuum when light enhancers were used. Devereux suggests that in landscape situations, piezo-electrical and triboluminescence effects could occur, potentially interacting with increased radioactive radon gas from geological pressure, causing ionization. He emphasizes that the exact process remains unknown and that earthlights are natural phenomena that are not yet fully understood.

Media Matters: UFOs in the Public Eye

This section reports a significant decline in media cuttings related to UFOs since Jenny Randles became BUFORA Director of Investigations in 1981. Fewer than 50 cuttings have been received in the last four months, a stark contrast to the usual upwards of 100. Most of the current cuttings do not relate to sightings but rather to new groups or investigators. The Huddersfield Examiner is noted for describing the formation of the "Pennine Anomaly Research Group." The Bradford Star reported a CE3 case from WYUFORG involving a "glowing structure" and "reptilian humanoids." The Sunday Times published an account of the recent USSR sighting, which Jenny Randles finds more credible than James Oberg's explanation of a secret rocket launch. She details the sighting of a UFO that changed shape and was tracked by ground radar. A humorous anecdote is shared about an Australian woman who found a "hot black bleb" on a beach, only to be told by a scientist that it held new knowledge about the universe.

Books of the Moment

"Skyhats & Landmarks Revisited" by Philip Heselton, Jimmy Goddard, and Paul Baines is reviewed. The book re-evaluates Tony Wedd's 1961 work linking Surrey UFO sightings with "leys." The authors validate the alignments using computer analysis and present Wedd's original article along with new speculation. While acknowledging the authors' effort, the reviewer expresses doubt about the validity of some UFOs used in the compilation and whether they were indeed UFOs or unidentified flying objects (IFOs).

"The Knights of Danbury" by Andy Collins is also highlighted. This book is described as an investigation into a centuries-old mystery of "pickled Knights" in an Essex village, focusing on paranormal phenomena and expert investigation techniques. It is praised for its production quality and writing, despite having little direct connection to UFOs.

Brief Cases

More on the whirlwind mystery: Following previous reports on "circles" and a "stationary whirlwind" sighting at Rhyl, reader Paul Wilson describes a personal experience in Maidenhead, Berks, in Summer 1979. A spiral of corn stalks rose above a hedge for 60-90 seconds without wind or sound, before settling back to earth. The ground beneath was not examined.

Scientist spots UFO over Russia: This section elaborates on the Aeroflot UFO sighting mentioned in "Media Matters." A retired experimental nuclear scientist, Mr GC, witnessed a distinct black cylinder object from a plane flying at 35,000 ft. The object was pointed out to other passengers and described as resembling a "sausage sticking out of a plate of mashed potato." The phenomenon lasted three minutes and was obscured by cloud. The airline "Aeroflot" bans cameras on board.

Sit Thi Deawn... Have I got a story to tell: This brief mention introduces the popular folk group "The Houghton Weavers" and hints at a significant event involving them.

Regional Group Reports and News

NUFON Regional Groups: This section lists various regional groups affiliated with NUFON across Scotland and Northern England, including their addresses and contact details.

NUFON Lecture Calendar: Upcoming lectures are listed, including events by Henry Lincoln, Tony Morrison, and Paul Devereux.

Northern Earth Mysteries Meet: An upcoming event in Sheffield is announced.

The Saltfleet Encounter

This detailed case report from April 22, 1984, in Saltfleet, Lincolnshire, involves three witnesses: Mrs M, her mother Mrs B, and Mrs M's two sons. They observed a formation of white lights, red and blue lights, and a bright white light atop an oval-shaped object. The object, estimated at 500 ft altitude, rotated and moved off to sea. It later returned, emitting a brilliant searchlight beam. The object then descended to approximately 100 feet, described as having two headlight-like beams, and hovered silently over the witnesses. Mrs M described seeing a "smokey glass dome" and revolving lights. The object then ascended vertically and disappeared. A sequel involved another family witnessing similar lights and a second set of lights joining the first before they departed.

Anything You Can Do - UFO Can Do Better

This section recounts an experience from February 1955 (or possibly 1952 or 1958) involving a former RAF pilot (TW) who reported a sighting while flying a Canberra PR7 jet at a record altitude of 55,000 ft over Salisbury Plain. TW and his co-pilot detected a target on radar and visually observed a flat-disc shaped object glinting in the sunlight. The object maintained position relative to their aircraft, which was attempting to increase speed. They performed a large-radius turn, losing the radar target but visually tracking the object. The encounter lasted several minutes, with the object described as a flat oval with a thin twin stabilizer. It then ascended vertically at extreme speed. The pilot was remarkably nonchalant about the event, and MUFORA investigators felt he was being deliberately cagey.

Final Words

Congratulations are extended to YUFOS for organizing an excellent conference in Leeds on March 23, which was well-received, with around 90 attendees. The section also reminds readers that back issues of NUN are available, with a discount rate for older issues and photocopies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical and investigative stance. There is a strong emphasis on scrutinizing official explanations and media coverage, particularly concerning high-profile cases like Rendlesham Forest. The editorial team appears to favor detailed witness testimony and rigorous investigation over simplistic or dismissive explanations. The publication also highlights the challenges faced by ufologists in gaining mainstream attention and credibility. The recurring theme is the pursuit of truth in UFO phenomena, often in the face of skepticism and perceived cover-ups.