Northern UFO News - No 132

Magazine Overview

Northern UFO News, Issue 132, July-August 1988, is a UK-based magazine dedicated to the study of UFO phenomena. This issue features a strong focus on investigative journalism, media critique, and detailed case reports, reflecting a passionate and sometimes contentious debate within the UFO research community.

Contents and Key Articles

J.R. Comments: The Leeds Abduction Controversy

This section, written by Jenny Randles (Editor), addresses a reported UFO sighting and abduction case in Leeds. Randles criticizes the Yorkshire UFO Society (YUFOS) for what she perceives as an aggressive and biased approach to investigating the case, particularly their attempts to 'smash' rumors and discredit BUFORA (British UFO Research Association) and IUN (Investigation into the Unknown). Randles details YUFOS's methods, which she describes as 'KGB style' and 'Mission Impossible,' including allegedly spying on witnesses and investigators. She contrasts this with BUFORA's more diplomatic approach, emphasizing the importance of thorough investigation and careful procedure. Randles also refutes claims that she instructed the Yorkshire Evening Post to suppress YUFOS's findings, attributing the newspaper's coverage to natural reporting of a radio broadcast.

News Round-Up

This section provides brief updates on various UFO-related matters:

• Isaac Asimov Book: Randles was approached by a US publisher to assist with a book on UFOs by Isaac Asimov. She found the text to be poor, biased against extraterrestrial explanations, and refused to continue assisting when the author was persuaded to write it against his initial judgment.
• Author's Books: Randles offers her books, including 'Sky Crash,' 'UFO Reality,' 'Sixth Sense,' and 'Abduction,' to readers at discounted prices.

A MYSTERY CIRCLE 'UP NORTH'

This article discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding 'mystery circles' in cereal fields. It highlights the differing viewpoints between the BUFORA study, led by Paul Fuller and supported by meteorologist Dr. Terence Meaden, which leans towards natural explanations like whirlwinds, and the FSR theories of Pat Delgado and Colin Andrews, which suggest an 'unknown force' related to UFOs. The article notes that while many standard circle patterns have appeared, public attention has focused on the personality clashes and media battles. It mentions a specific circle set found near Oadby, Leicestershire, which gained press and TV coverage. The author expresses sympathy with the BUFORA/TORRO research and criticizes the FSR's approach as 'snide personal insults' without presenting their hypotheses clearly. The article also touches on the potential for these phenomena to be twisted to tarnish the subject of ufology.

Deep Sea Fishing for UFOs

This case report (Case 8811) details an incident on the River Mersey, Liverpool, where a decorator named D and several other fishermen witnessed five objects emerge from the water, described as 'banana shape,' 'deep orange,' and approximately 20 feet in diameter. The objects submerged for about five minutes before climbing out to sea. The witness, initially skeptical of UFOs, was shaken by the experience. The report notes that the Sunday Sport newspaper sensationalized the story.

Case Histories

This section presents several UFO sightings and encounters:

• Case 8741 (The Biggest Sighting Ever!): A massive UFO sighting occurred on December 9, 1987, across Northern England, with estimates of 100-300 witnesses. The phenomenon, described as a large mass of lights, was concentrated in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Humberside. Initial reports suggested a 'UFO the size of a football pitch.' However, the article concludes that this was likely a refueling exercise involving USAF KC 135 tanker aircraft and F-111 aircraft operating with Midland Radar, flying in tight formation at high altitude.
• Case 8744 (The Perfect Abduction? Part 2): This report revisits the alleged encounter of Philip on Ilkley Moor, W. Yorkshire. It criticizes media coverage, particularly by the Daily Star and 'Quest' magazine, and urges readers to rely on the investigation by Peter Hough. The article discusses the controversy surrounding a photograph of an alleged alien, with claims that it was solved by identifying it as Jack McHale, an insurance salesman. The investigator, Peter Hough, and the witness remain unconvinced by this explanation. The case also involved an alleged compass anomaly, which Dr. Spooner demonstrated could be caused by pulsed magnetic fields. Soil and rock samples from the site showed no unusual readings.
• Case 8814 (Grwdle Glen, Isle of Man): The same witness from the M62 and Cleveleys cases reported seeing an oval object glinting white in the sun, which traversed a headland and seemed to fall into the sea. No splash was heard, and similarities were noted with the 'Deep Sea Fishing for UFOs' case.
• The Staffordshire UFO Returns: This section details sightings of a triangular-shaped object around Stafford on May 16. MP Bill Cash made a newspaper appeal for witnesses. New reports described objects appearing and disappearing, with bright lights. One witness described an object that was quiet, slow-moving, and had orange-red and blue lights. The possibility of military technology being involved was suggested.
• Case 8810 (NLUFOIG): A 53-year-old grocer and four others reported seeing an object with two white searchlights and red, blue, and white lights on the underside, heading north. Witness accounts suggested it was a brightly lit aircraft.
• Case 8812 (Morecambe, Lancs): A salesperson observed a creamy white light moving from the southeast, visible for about 8 seconds. It was suggested to be a satellite, aircraft, or bright meteor.
• Case 8813 (Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancs): One of the witnesses from the M62 sighting saw a silver flash and a rugby ball-shaped object drifting south, with a darker silver band appearing at each end. The witness felt 'good' afterwards, and while an aircraft is suggested, it is noted as potentially unexplained.

Media Matters

This section critiques recent media coverage of UFOs:

• 'More' Magazine: Criticized for an 'inane' article on 'sexy green aliens' that relied on sensationalist press stories and plugged Billy Meier.
• 'Chat' Magazine: Described as having a 'definitive article on abductions' that was exclusively a rip-off from 'Abduction' and included a quote from the MoD stating they do not dismiss UFOs but have no real proof.
• 'Financial Times': Michael Thompson-Noel's article, 'The bizarre new religion of UFOs,' is heavily criticized for its negative portrayal of ufology, its inaccurate claims about the number of UK UFO groups, and its overall dismissive tone.
• 'Sunday Sport': Continues to be criticized for sensationalist and bizarre reporting, including claims about radioactive landing sites, aliens using lakes for fuel, and a Spanish alien dying from poisoning. The article highlights a Freudian slip where the newspaper was proclaimed to be the 'NEW STATESMAN' instead of the 'Sport'.

Updates

• The Mrs B Abduction: Ray Broderick clarifies the date of Mrs. B's abduction as June 20, 1987, and explains its similarity to the 'Dynasty' TV show.
• Mundrabilla: Keith Basterfield and Ray Brooke provide an update on the Mundrabilla case, noting that the truck driver witness, Graham Henley, never saw the UFO near the Knowles family car as reported. Dr. Richard Haines's analysis of mystery dust yielded no unusual results. UFORA is attempting to obtain the damaged tire for study.

BOOK OF THE MOMENT: UNINVITED GUESTS by Richard Hall

This review discusses Richard Hall's book, 'Uninvited Guests,' a sequel to 'The UFO Evidence.' While acknowledging it as a good American title and a genuine offering from an investigator, the reviewer expresses vague disappointment. The book surveys entities, abductions, and crashed UFO cases, reprinting documents like the MJ-12 material and cataloging approximately 100 cases. The reviewer notes a potential bias in the selection of cases, with a disproportionate focus on American cases and a lack of British cases, suggesting the data might be 'squeezed to fit the proffered ET solution.' The book is praised for its writing and marshaling of material, recommending it for its perspective on the gulf between American and European ufology.

A UFO VISION

This section presents a case (Case 8655) involving a 29-year-old nurse from Wythenshawe, Manchester, who has a history of visiting Texas and wishes to move there permanently.

FOR YOUR PERUSAL: Major articles elsewhere

This section lists and briefly describes other UFO publications and articles:

• UFO Afrinews: Edited by Cynthia Hind, reporting on cases from the South Africa/Zimbabwe region.
• JTAP Mar: Features a study of mystery circles and replies to Steuart Campbell's 'solving' of the Alan Godfrey abduction.
• MAGONIA Aug: Offers in-depth and psychological ufology pieces, including articles on the development of UFO theories and accessing historical UFO files.
• NUFORC May: Discusses the links between synchronicity and the UFO medium.
• NUFOIS News 12: Notes a potential split within NUFOIS, with some members investigating earth mysteries and Dennis Harriman editing the UFO side.

A VIEW ON THE SKY

Astronomer Gary Anthony will provide notes on upcoming sky phenomena. For August and September, Jupiter and Venus will be bright, and the Perseids meteor shower is expected to be active.

THREE TIMES LUCKY!

An American reader, Professor G, recounts three encounters: a rain of tiny frogs, three hemispheres seen above an airport, and a small ball of light that struck him on the forehead.

FINAL WORDS

This section reports the death of Peter Johnson, an original BUFORA investigator who was active for over 25 years and responsible for significant cases.

CALENDAR

Announces the new BUFORA lecture series at the London Business School, featuring talks by Professor Arthur Ellison and Andy Roberts. It also mentions a one-day conference in Morecambe organized by NLUFOIG.

NUFON Regional Groups

A directory of regional UFO groups across the UK, including their contact details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical and investigative stance, particularly towards perceived sensationalism in the media and what it views as flawed or biased research by other organizations (e.g., YUFOS). There is a strong emphasis on rigorous investigation, factual reporting, and distinguishing between credible evidence and speculation. The editorial tone often expresses frustration with media misrepresentation and the challenges of conducting serious UFO research. The magazine also highlights the divide between American and European approaches to ufology, favoring the latter's more nuanced and less dogmatic perspectives. The recurring theme of debunking hoaxes and scrutinizing witness testimony, while also acknowledging genuine unexplained phenomena, is central to its editorial policy.