Northern UFO News - No 120

Magazine Overview

NORTHERN UFO NEWS - Issue 120 (July - Aug 1986)

This issue of Northern UFO News, published by NUFON, delves into the burgeoning phenomenon of crop circles and a wave of UFO sightings across the UK. The cover features a striking illustration of an alien figure in a forest, setting a mysterious tone. The magazine offers a subscription rate of £5.40 for 6 issues or £2.70 for 3 issues, payable to NUFON.

Contents and Key Articles

Crop Circles: The 1986 Season

The issue prominently features the 1986 crop circle season, with the lead story detailing the appearance of new formations. The first circle of the season was observed on July 5th at Cheesefoot Head, described as a 68-foot ring surrounded by a second annular ring. A second, identical circle, two-thirds the size of the first, appeared later the same day in the same field. The magazine discusses the popular myth of giant UFOs creating these circles, while also presenting alternative theories, notably meteorologist Dr. Terrence Meaden's idea of fair-weather stationary whirlwinds. BUFORA, a key organization mentioned, compiled a 28-page report titled "Mystery of the Circles," which explored various theories and data. The report, co-authored by Paul Fuller and Jenny Randles, aimed to educate the public and media. A seminar organized by BUFORA resulted in a split vote, favoring weather induction over hoaxes, with only one person verbally supporting UFOs as the cause.

UFO Sightings Across the UK

Several articles detail UFO sightings from various regions:

• Welsh Wave: A wave of encounters struck North Wales in late 1985 and early 1986, investigated by Margaret Fry. Cases include a yellow egg-shaped object seen at Bylchau on November 11, 1985, and a large yellow/white light seen by three witnesses at Shotton, Deeside, in early December. The wave intensified on December 28-29, 1985, in Meliden, where two students reported a green/yellow light landing.
• Sightings (Cheshire, Durham, Lancs, Wales, W. Yorks): Various cases are presented, including a perplexing incident near Warrington on September 1, 1983, involving a matt-black object and flashing lights. Other reports include a 'fiery saucer' seen over houses in North Ashton, Wigan, in April 1978, and a 'green and red mass of glowing energy' witnessed in Todmorden in June 1980. The Hartlepool area experienced sightings of nine white lights in formation on January 4, 1986, and other lights were reported on January 22nd and 24th, 1986.
• Case Reports (CE3 Sussex, CE2 Cornwall): The issue features a detailed CE3 case from Philip Taylor concerning a witness named Edwin, who reported multiple encounters with entities between August and September 1967. These entities, described as thin, greyish, and human-like, visited his home, examined objects, and exchanged gifts. Another report from Colan, Cornwall, details a bright yellow ball of light observed by a housewife in February 1985.

Media Matters and Investigations

This section reviews media coverage of UFO-related topics. It mentions the paperback release of "SKY CRASH" and its review in "TODAY," which suggested the UFOs might be American military spacecraft. Other media mentions include "Weekend" magazine's feature and "She" magazine's spread on UFO researcher Tim Good. The issue also critiques media sensationalism, such as the "Daily Star" misquoting Jenny Randles regarding Prince Charles's alleged interest in UFOs.

Other Features

• Books of the Moment: Reviews of "THE MOVING STATUE OF BALLIN SPITTLE" by Lionel Beer and "THE CHARLES AND PAT LAUGHTER SHOW" are included.
• For Your Perusal: A section highlighting other publications like "EXPLORING THE SUPERNATURAL" and "The Unknown," comparing their content and editorial stances.
• Regional Groups: Listings for UFO research groups across the UK, including NUFON, MUFORA, and WYUFORG, with contact addresses.
• Calendar: A schedule of upcoming lectures, seminars, and conferences related to UFOs and parapsychology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical yet open-minded approach to UFO phenomena. It emphasizes rigorous investigation, debunking hoaxes, and questioning media portrayals. The editorial stance, as represented by Jenny Randles, is to present factual information and encourage critical thinking, while acknowledging the complexity and often unexplained nature of many reported events. There is a clear effort to distinguish between genuine unexplained phenomena and misidentifications, hoaxes, or sensationalized reporting. The magazine also highlights the importance of organized research groups like BUFORA and NUFON in gathering and analyzing data.

Notable Quotes

• "The weather seems to be the most plausible explanation, though there are a lot of unanswered questions. But we are sure there is no connection with UFOs."
• Paul Fuller (BUFORA)
• "We dont know what it was, but we do know that it has caused high-ranking people in a Government ministry to consistently evade, deny and lie."
• Witness (quoted in review of "SKY CRASH")

FAQ

• Q: What is the main focus of the July-Aug 1986 issue of Northern UFO News? A: The July-Aug 1986 issue focuses on the 1986 crop circle season, UFO sightings across the UK, and detailed case reports, alongside media coverage and upcoming events.
• Q: What is BUFORA's stance on the cause of crop circles? A: BUFORA's report 'Mystery of the Circles' suggests that weather induction is the most plausible explanation, while ruling out UFOs as the cause.
• Q: Are there any reports of close encounters in this issue? A: Yes, the issue includes a remarkable CE3 case from Philip Taylor detailing encounters with entities, and other reports of close encounters with UFOs.
• Q: What are some of the locations where UFO sightings were reported? A: Sightings were reported in Cheshire, Durham, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Sussex, North Wales, and the Meliden area.