Northern UFO News - No 131

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 37
Volume: 13
Date: May - June 1988
Publisher: Northern UFO News
Country: UK
Editor: Jenny Randles
Cover Artist: Bill Callaghan

This issue of Northern UFO News, a UK-based publication dedicated to UFO phenomena, focuses heavily on media criticism, particularly concerning the sensationalist reporting of 'The Sunday Sport' newspaper. It also features a collection of case histories, updates on ongoing investigations, and a calendar of upcoming events in the ufology community.

Media Criticism: The 'Sunday Sport' Menace

Jenny Randles, the editor, dedicates a significant portion of her column to lambasting 'The Sunday Sport' for its increasingly outlandish and often fabricated UFO stories. She details how the newspaper has caught out public UFO figures, some of whom are willing to supply quotes, thus damaging their credibility. Randles recounts her own experience being misrepresented in an article titled "Bonking Beings:- Alien sex fiends hit Britain in lust hunt," which was based on her book 'The UFO Conspiracy' but twisted her words to imply a focus on alien sexual encounters.

The article highlights further examples of 'The Sunday Sport's' dubious reporting, including claims of "Bonking beasties from outer space" and predictions of alien "invasions." Professor Allen Tough's research was allegedly misrepresented to suggest he wrote about "Bonking beasties from outer space" and the threat of being "eaten in intergalactic burger bars." Another article featured a map predicting an "alien invasion" and provided phone numbers for sightings. The paper also reported on a "giant jelly mould" UFO and a story titled "I had a toyboy from outer space," which distorted an abduction case.

Randles expresses dismay at the paper's continued sensationalism, citing a story about a "fish faced alien" and a "Kun gives birth to an 81b trout" YUFOS report. She also criticizes a story about a "World War 2 bomber found on moon" and a "UFO shocker: Alien baby kept in a jam jar!" The editor notes that parliamentary moves to ban the paper have been unsuccessful, and that UFOs are being used as "prime fodder." She warns researchers to be wary of speaking to the publication and suggests that anyone still talking to them has "no excuse."

Despite the criticism, Randles acknowledges that not all stories in 'The Sunday Sport' are fabricated, mentioning a case of UFOs being netted by a fisherman in the River Mersey, which she states has a real basis, though exaggerated by the paper. The issue concludes this section with a bizarre report about "Space aliens turned our son into an olive," which involved a Chilean child allegedly turned into a green lump and consumed by aliens.

Case Histories and Investigations

The magazine presents several case histories, often with NUFORA (Northern UFO Network) or MUFORA (Midlands UFO Research Association) investigation details:

• Case 5511 (April 1955): A witness in Ilton, Derby, reported a domed, fuzzy blob object that stopped and hovered before accelerating away. The witness claimed it was seen again the following night and reported in local newspapers.
• Case 7139 (1970/1971): In West Hadden, Northamptonshire, a witness reported a stationary, yellowish light that paced her car before disappearing. Investigators suggested possibilities like UAP, earthlight, or a searchlight, but Randles leans towards a bright star or planet.
• Fireworks Photograph (November 1987): A spectacular color print from Scarborough showed a crescent and teardrop shape above a bonfire. It was initially thought to be a UFO, but was later identified as a lens flare from the fire bouncing off the camera lens.
• Strangers in Our Curtains (October 1987): In Vellingborough, Northamptonshire, a couple reported seeing a bright white light silhouetted on their bedroom curtains, followed by two strange figures appearing outside the window. The witness's wife also allegedly saw a large object over a factory, but no witnesses came forward to the factory's notice board.
• Case 8803 (February 1988): A witness in Grange-Over-Sands, Cumbria, reported a white "saucer" light shooting across his window, considered to be a meteor or similar phenomenon.
• Case 8805 (February 1988): In Chadderton, Greater Manchester, witnesses reported a yellowish, rectangular object that later changed into red and white flashing lights and moved in a circle. Investigators suggested it could be a helicopter with a searchlight.
• Case 8807 (May 1988): Reports from Fernwood, Staffordshire, described two triangles surrounded by colored lights. The objects were preceded by spotlights and appeared in a side-on formation. Possible explanations included F-19 "Stealth" jets or RAF VC-10s.
• Case 8808 (May 1988): In Edgeley, Stockport, Cheshire, a dark red object was seen falling from a plane, drifting in a different direction. This was later identified as a sponsored parachute jump.
• Case 8809 (June 1988): In Nantwich, Cheshire, a witness saw a "headlight"-like light that disappeared quickly. This was solved as a reflection from an aircraft's landing lights due to the dull, misty weather.

The Great August Wave (Part 4)

This section discusses a case where witnesses tried to use publicity for the "August Wave" of sightings to their advantage. Girls from Countesthorpe College submitted a photograph of a dark blob through a window, which investigators deemed likely a fake. The issue also covers a possible CE3 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) involving Brian, who reported lights, a cigar-shaped object, and a mannequin-like figure. The report notes that while Brian is sincere, some of his later sightings may have been misidentifications of aircraft.

The Perfect Abduction?

This detailed report by Peter Hough (NUFORA) investigates Case 8744, which occurred on December 1, 1987, near Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire. The witness, a former police officer, reported seeing a small green creature and a classic UFO in a crater. The case is notable for a significant time anomaly (a 30-minute walk taking two hours) and a reversed compass polarity. The witness also reported a possible alien photograph. However, the case's credibility was reportedly weakened by the actions of UFO investigator Steve Balon, who allegedly sensationalized the story and sold it to 'The Sunday Star' without the witness's full consent or the investigator's approval.

Updates and Other Sections

• For Your Perusal: This section reviews recent UFO publications, including 'UFO UNIVERSE', 'EXCALIBUR Books' (featuring Budd Hopkins' titles), 'UFO Brigantia', 'UFO Research Australia', 'IUR', and 'MUFON Journal'. It also mentions 'FATE' and 'STRANGE' magazines.
• Words: Michele Clare shares an experience involving a family member who experienced a complete time lapse after a frightening car incident, speculating if this is how some CE4s (Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind) occur.
• Calendar: Lists upcoming events, including the "Ley Hunter Moot" in Swansea and a major conference in Rio de Janeiro featuring Erich von Däniken and Jacques Vallee.
• NUFORN Regional Groups: Provides contact details for various regional UFO research groups across the UK.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of media reporting on UFOs, the presentation of diverse UFO sighting and encounter reports, and the ongoing efforts of dedicated researchers and organizations to investigate these phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly from Jenny Randles, is one of skepticism towards sensationalism and a commitment to serious, evidence-based ufology, while acknowledging the sincerity of many witnesses and the complexities of the subject matter. There's a clear frustration with media outlets that exploit UFO topics for profit without regard for accuracy or the well-being of those involved.