Northern UFO News - No 118

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, number 118, dated March-April 1986, is published by NUFON and edited by Jenny Randles. The cover features an illustration of UFOs and highlights a lead story about 'Prince Charles and the spacemen'. The magazine covers a wide range of UFO-related topics, including investigative reports, case histories, and commentary on the broader field of ufology.

Editorial Stance and Media Critique

Editor Jenny Randles expresses strong criticism of the media's handling of UFO stories, particularly 'The Sunday Mirror'. She recounts negative experiences with journalists from the paper, accusing them of bribery, threats, and fabricating stories, such as the 'Rendlesham Forest' story appearing in the News of the World. Randles emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between genuine UFOs and misidentified objects (IFOs), and criticizes the tendency of some to sensationalize events. She argues that it is the duty of investigators to explain the explainable, thereby lending more credibility to genuine UFO cases. The article 'Charles in UFO Riddle' is discussed, where Randles questions the interpretation of a bright red flash seen by Prince Charles and multiple aircraft as a UFO, suggesting it was more likely a fireball meteor. She expresses concern that figures like Tim Good and Gordon Creighton might be too quick to accept such events as UFOs without sufficient evidence, potentially fueling media sensationalism.

Features and Articles

• "Prince Charles and the spacemen" (pp2-3): This article, likely the cover story, discusses an alleged UFO encounter involving Prince Charles, which Randles critically analyzes, suggesting a meteor explanation.
• "Human Interfaces?" by Nigel Mortimer (pp5-6): This piece explores the concept of 'doorman' effects and how unknown sources might interact with humans, potentially through a quasi-conscious conditioned reality. Mortimer posits that sightings could be a detection of a message, and questions whether data emerging into consciousness is internally or externally generated. He uses his own encounter and a sighting by Mrs. Dixon as examples of synchronicity and potential external origin.
• Case Reports: The magazine includes numerous case reports from various regions of the UK, categorized by the investigating group (e.g., WYUFORG, MUFORA, LUFOIC, SUFORA, WAPIT). These reports detail sightings of various objects, lights, and phenomena, often with witness descriptions, dates, locations, and investigator assessments. Notable cases include:
• A sighting near Rombalds Moor, North Yorkshire, involving a brilliant white ball hovering with a high-pitched whine.
• A bright shiny sphere observed in Farnley, Leeds, moving in a step-like motion.
• An oval, egg-shaped object with a haze seen near Cramlington, Northumbria.
• Two bright lights observed over Maltby, South Yorkshire, which merged and projected beams.
• A multi-witnessed LITS (Lights in the Sky) observation near Kippax, West Yorkshire.
• A round blob with green flashing lights seen over Brigg, Humberside.
• An object described as a comet with a long tail, changing color, seen near Bispham Green, Lancs.
• A bright light observed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, exhibiting distorted movement.
• An oval object seen over Westhoughton, Lancs, moving slowly and silently.
• A green and yellow fireball meteor observed over Old Swan, Liverpool.
• A UFO formation intercepted by a BOAC Stratocruiser flight near Goose Bay, Canada, in 1954, which the Condon report explained as an 'optical mirage'.
• An investigation into a sighting by Mrs. Beryl Browitt in Sheffield, involving amorphous shape-changing blobs and electrical anomalies.
• "News Round-Up" (p2): This section provides brief updates on changes of address for UFO groups and notes that some groups are broadening their scope due to a perceived dearth of UFO sightings, while anticipating a potential wave in 1987.
• "For Your Perusal" (p3): This section reviews other publications, including 'Beyond Science' (criticized for its lack of depth) and 'Unknown' (praised for its regular writers and investigative approach). It also mentions the magazine 'FSR' and the BUFORA BULLETIN.
• "Books of the Moment" (p4): Reviews include 'UFOS OVER PLYMOUTH' (a booklet of local cases) and 'RIGEL 9' (a science fiction record with a story by Ursula Le Guin).
• "Media Matters" (p4): This section discusses UFOs in the public eye, referencing newspaper reports on unidentified falling objects, a UFO sighting near Gatwick, and a UFO found in a garden. It also notes Winston Churchill's 1955 memo inquiring about flying saucers and the subsequent intelligence report that dismissed sightings as natural phenomena or illusions.
• "Cloudbusting - A Fascinating 'IFO'" (p5): This article details an experience by Mrs. Olive Dewhurst-Maddock, who sensed a telepathic rapport with clouds and witnessed one form into a perfect replica of an Adamski UFO, complete with light beams from its portholes. The event lasted several minutes and left her feeling it was 'natural' yet significant.
• "54 Goose Bay - No Mirage" (p8): A report by Barry King detailing an interview with Captain H McDonnell about a UFO formation encountered in 1954, which was dismissed by the Condon report as an 'optical mirage'.
• "Nether Edge Apparitions" (p8): A report by David Clarke concerning Mrs. Beryl Browitt, who experienced amorphous shape-changing blobs, lucid dreams, and electrical phenomena, suggesting she might be a 'medium' for these events.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of UFO evidence, the distinction between genuine sightings and misidentifications, and the role of the media in reporting on UFO phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly from Jenny Randles, is one of cautious skepticism, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and a rational approach. There is a strong critique of sensationalism and a call for ufologists to uphold scientific integrity. The magazine also highlights the ongoing efforts of various regional UFO research groups across the UK and promotes the exchange of information and data within the ufology community. The issue also touches upon the idea of 'human interfacing' and potential 'messages' from unknown sources, reflecting a more speculative aspect of UFO research.