Northern UFO News - No 13

Magazine Overview

This is the May 1975 issue (Issue 13) of NUFON NEWS, the monthly newsletter of the Northern UFO Network. The cover features a drawing of a domed, grid-patterned object and the subtitle 'Monthly Newsletter of the NORTHERN UFO NETWORK'. The issue is primarily in English and originates from the UK.

Contents and Key Articles

IN THE POST:: National Contacts
This section includes correspondence from other UFO groups. J.B. Delair from 'Contact UK' expresses interest in NUFON News and suggests publishing further northern UFO sightings in their publication 'AWARENESS'. The editor notes this potential liaison positively and offers to supply articles, with NUFON News material being usable if credited. Mr. Delair also requested to review NUFON News for their Summer Journal.

Another undated entry expresses dissatisfaction with BUFORA, citing a lack of courtesy and acknowledgement. The editor acknowledges these complaints but emphasizes the need for cooperation between BUFORA, NUFON, and UFO News, suggesting that the new Liaison Officer situation might improve communication. The editor also notes that 'UFO News' is interested in receiving articles and correspondence from other groups.

CONTENTS LISTING
The contents page lists articles and sections including: Letters, Editorial, Group News, General News, Conference, Tapes, In the News, Viewpoint, Maps & Drawings, Sighting News (BUFORA, MUFORA, NAPRA, RIGAP), and Around the Groups (NAPRA).

EDITORIAL: "Our first birthday"
The editorial marks the first anniversary of NUFON's formation on March 25, 1974, noting that May is the actual anniversary month since the newsletter began publication and initial projects were launched. The editor reflects on NUFON's function, which is primarily communication and liaison between UFO groups, emphasizing diversity and independence rather than integration. The editorial highlights achievements such as increased awareness among groups in the north and the spread of information through tapes and newsletters, with credit given to the originating groups. It acknowledges that while there are failures, such as the lack of a formal organization, these are secondary to the successes. The editor expresses optimism about proposals to increase field publications, aiming to improve scientific standing. The editorial concludes with a self-congratulatory note on their efforts.

GROUP NEWS

• BUFORA (Yrks): Reports quiet activity but success in attracting new members. Trevor Whitaker's lecture was disrupted by students. The group plans its 12th anniversary dinner in June.
• MUFORA: Busy preparing for a June event. Jenny Randles was interviewed by Picadilly Radio regarding UFO activity and police cooperation. A plea was made for more cooperation, though MUFORA is fortunate in this respect. A police statement from Greater Manchester claimed any UFO landing would be immediately arrested and that the UFO problem was non-existent, which did not convince the interviewer. A fascinating meeting featured a screening of an ATV film of a UFO and the identification of an odd object in a feature film.
• WUFOS: Has gone international with contacts in Australia, Germany, France, and Portugal. Frank Stranges will write for their journal 'SKYLINK'. A Skywatch event was hampered by poor weather, but efforts are ongoing with a Publicity Week showing a better response. Mike Dean is moving.
• RICAP: Instigating a project into research capabilities with a questionnaire to be circulated.

GENERAL NEWS

• CONFERENCE '75: Finalized for Saturday, June 7th, at the RENOLDS THEATRE UMIST, Manchester. It will feature double lectures by Arthur Tomlinson ('UFOs - what are the facts?') and Norman Oliver ('The origins of UFOs'). The theme is 'THE NUTS & BOLTS SIDE OF UFOLOGY'. The hall is available from 10 am to 5 pm, with time for a general NUFON get-together. Groups are encouraged to attend and exhibit. Tickets are 50p.
• THE TATE SCHEME: Plans for a TALE LIBRARY are being formulated, where groups can send blank reels or cassettes to record chosen lectures. BUFORA and WUFOS have offered to help manage reel and cassette recordings. The list of available lectures includes BUFORA lectures by Tim O'Brien, Lionel Beer, and Norman Oliver, and WUFOS CONFERENCE - June '74.

EDITORIAL: "Our first birthday"
(Duplicate entry, content covered above)

INVESTIGATION SECTION
This section details various UFO sighting reports:

• 7514 (April 75 issue): WUFOS confirmed an object was not a satellite; a weather balloon was reported but did not fit the recorded movements.
• 7516 (April 75 issue): A possible explanation for the Rochdale 'flap' is being investigated.
• 6202 (19--30): An EX RAF man and his mother observed a large oval orange object that moved away and shot straight up.
• 6603 (14--00): A witness followed a shiny metal cigar shape object moving South-East.
• FLES SEET (1974, 19-30): A white, fluorescent disc shape object was observed moving slowly West-East over Crosby.
• 7466 (DEC 1974, 19-00): A dome-shaped object with a rim, white in colour, hovered for about 12 minutes before accelerating straight upward.
• 7517 (Jan 9 1975): Two sisters reported a brilliantly lit dome hovering over fields near Leek, then silently moving.
• 7518 (Jan 19 1975): A farmer and wife observed a 'cartwheel of fire' moving South-East for 6 minutes.
• 7519 (Feb 20 1975): Two boys reported a small, elongated, silver object that flickered and had a white light on each end, moving silently low over the moors.
• 7520 (Feb 0 1975): A young farmer's wife was followed for twenty minutes by a bowl-shaped object.
• 7522 (March 28 1975): An observer saw a white object, the size of a half crown, moving West-East, then climbing straight up.
• 7523 (April 3 1975): A fuzzy white light was observed travelling in a NNE to E direction, described as erratic and 'lazy'.
• 7524 (April 5 1975): A small red glowing object was reported slowly descending behind houses.

THE ROCHDALE 'MYSTERY' (Repts 7525-29)
This section details the investigation into a series of reports of orange red balls of fire. The initial solution involved a tyre store fire, but further investigation revealed that the Rochdale Observer had received reports of 'craft' and 'bonfire things'. The mystery was apparently solved when police confirmed finding home-made hot-air balloons with fire beneath. The makers had not been found.

AROUND THE GROUPS:- 3) NAPRA
NAPRA, formed in Summer 1973 by Dave Gittens, is actively involved with NUFON. Their aim is to collect and collate investigated reports. They cover the North Cheshire regions and are expanding into Lancashire. NAPRA has an excellent administrative structure and produces a regular newsletter, 'NAPRA NEWSLINK'. Their views on UFOs generally favour the extra-terrestrial hardware theory.

STOP PRESS:: MIKE DEAN
New address provided.

ADVERTISEMENTS

• UFO DETECTOR - magnetic needle type, solid state latching audio alarm, portable (£7.82).
• M JAY::: 102 Nelson Rd, Chingford.
• ASTRO-ANALYSIS: Problem analysis - personal report, future trends (£2.50).

VIEWPOINT: "GRAMMER AND SPELING" - Mike Dean WUFOS
This article criticizes UFO groups for poor grammar and spelling in their newsletters, arguing that it can lead to misinterpretation and reflects poorly on ufology. The author suggests that NUFON News could improve by checking spelling, using English not American spellings, investing in correcting fluid, having a second person check stencils, and using grammar properly. The editor acknowledges the point and states he is taking an English course.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the importance of inter-group communication and cooperation within the ufology community, the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, and the promotion of research and information sharing. The editorial stance is one of encouragement for collaboration, a commitment to disseminating information accurately, and a desire to improve the scientific standing of ufology. There is a clear emphasis on the practical aspects of running a UFO group and producing a newsletter, as evidenced by the 'Grammar and Spelling' viewpoint.