Northern UFO News - No 124

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 124
Date: March - April 1987
Publisher: NUFON

This issue of Northern UFO News, published by NUFON, presents a comprehensive look at UFO phenomena and related paranormal events, blending contemporary investigations with historical accounts and critical analysis.

Key Articles and Features

The Impact of 'Communion'

The lead article, "J.R. Comments," by Jenny Randles, discusses the profound impact of Whitley Strieber's book 'Communion' on the field of ufology. Randles notes that the book, detailing Strieber's alleged CE4 (Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind) experiences, has brought UFOs into mainstream discussion, even influencing television soap operas. She highlights the book's success and the favorable reaction it has received, suggesting it has achieved a level of respectability for UFOs that the community has long sought. Randles also touches upon the book's publication and the potential for a 'million dollar' payday for Strieber, while also expressing some caution regarding the speed of the investigation and the reliance on hypnosis. The article questions whether the book's impact will be as significant in the UK as it has been in the USA, but acknowledges that it marks a new era for UFO discourse.

Historical UFO Cases: 1915/1916

Under the heading "AN EARLY UFO THAT'S OFFICIAL," the magazine presents a detailed account of naval intelligence reports from the Plymouth Garrison, dated December 1915. These reports document sightings of bright lights, described as "blue-white light" and "orange shapes," observed by credible witnesses. Despite initial dismissal as improbable, the investigators found the evidence compelling, noting that the phenomena were difficult to explain by normal causes and were potentially "lifted by captive balloons... employed to lift an aerial for wireless purposes." The cases, occurring in areas like Dartmoor and near Buckfast Abbey, were interpreted within the context of wartime, suggesting a possible military or surveillance function.

The Cheshire Photographic Case and MUFORA

"THE CHESHIRE PHOTOGRAPHIC CASE-A BRIEF MUFORA STATEMENT" addresses accusations made against MUFORA, a founder group of NUFON. The statement refutes claims of key personnel departures and clarifies MUFORA's stance on a photographic case that generated controversy. MUFORA concluded the case was "highly suspect" after an independent photographic analysis concurred that the picture was not genuine. The group criticizes YUFOS and CONTACT UK for what they perceive as a smear campaign, stemming from MUFORA's support for the WYUFORG stance and their decision to withdraw subscriptions from QUEST.

Media Matters: UFOs in the Public Eye

This section reviews media coverage of UFOs, noting the "40th anniversary syndrome" leading to syndicated stories and "pathetic fake pictures." It highlights a positive feature interview with Andy Roberts in the Halifax Courier, praising his sensible approach to UFOs and his view of himself as a "modern folklorist." The section also touches upon a debate in the Western Herald concerning UFOs and scientific explanations, criticizing a perceived dismissive attitude towards ufologists.

Welsh Cases and Poltergeists

"Margaret Fry 'The Miracle of Fatima-Mark Two'" details a series of curious events in Rhyl and Prestatyn, Clwyd, in October 1986. These include sightings of a "Rectangular room lit up with windows," a "silver/white ball," and phenomena described as a "dark hat shape" with a white circle. The case is compared to the Miracle of Fatima. The article also links these events to a poltergeist outbreak experienced by the Powell family, involving footsteps, animal noises, and a dark mist. Jenny Randles describes her involvement in trying to help the family, who were eventually featured on Granada TV.

Assorted LITS and UFO Sightings

Several brief cases are presented:

• Assorted LITS in Mansfield: Les reports five strange experiences, including bright flashes and "four orange shapes" milling about, and a "blue-white light" that stopped and shot upwards. A more distinct sighting involved a "blue/yellow lights" object moving slowly and silently.
• Mossley, Lancashire: Mrs B reported a "glow" on Richmond Hill, described as white and swirling, which was concluded to be a result of ground light reflections in mist.
• Bardsley, Oldham, Lancashire: Mark D witnessed four lights in a line (white, red, red, blue/green) flashing in sequence and moving slowly and silently over the Pennines.
• Macclesfield-The New UFO Mecca?: Mrs S reports numerous sightings of LITS (Lights in the Sky), often gold or jade-green balls, which she distinguishes from familiar aircraft. She also describes a strange object behind trees, resembling a "large building lit up," and a "silver man."

Case Histories

• The Loxley Encounters: David Clarke submits a report on legends and paranormal events in South Yorkshire, including a "giant entity surrounded by a mass of orange haze" and a "display" of star-like objects flying in straight lines. A significant case involves a "large domed disc hovering" and a "elongated metal object" hovering below a valley bottom, which Mr W described as having "indentations like boxes and piping."
• The Bizarre Case of the Flying Camera: This case from Adswood, Stockport, involves Mr K witnessing a brilliant streak of green light that slowed to a halt, appearing as a cigar shape with a "green glow" like an elliptical 'eye'. The object then shot off towards Macclesfield. The case is noted for its unusual nature and the subsequent poltergeist effects experienced by Mr K's father.

Northern UFO News Updates

This section includes "CONGRESS UPDATE NEWS" for an upcoming European UFO event in July 1987, detailing speakers like Dr. Willy Smith, Walt Andrus, and Stanton Friedman. It also announces a "Scottish UFO day" planned for October and provides a "CALENDAR" of upcoming BUFORA and MUFON lectures and conferences. A list of "UFO RESEARCH NORTH...NUFON Regional Groups" is also provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the increasing public awareness and acceptance of UFO phenomena, largely driven by popular culture and high-profile cases like Whitley Strieber's 'Communion'. The magazine consistently highlights eyewitness accounts, investigative reports, and historical data, while also critically examining the evidence and the challenges of ufological research. There's a strong emphasis on distinguishing genuine UFO phenomena from misidentifications (IFOs) and natural occurrences, though the publication clearly supports serious investigation into unexplained aerial phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions based on the presented evidence, while also acknowledging the skepticism and difficulties inherent in the field. The magazine champions the work of organizations like MUFORA and BUFORA, positioning them as key players in serious UFO investigation.