Northern UFO News - No 134

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 134
Date: November-December 1988
Publisher: N/A
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of Northern UFO News delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, with a significant focus on abduction cases and the methodology of investigating them. It also covers recent sightings, provides updates on UFO research groups, and offers astronomical information relevant to potential misidentifications.

Key Articles and Features

The Abduction Evidence

The lead article discusses the abduction phenomenon, referencing a preliminary report from the Fund for UFO Research based on a survey conducted by OMNI magazine. The survey, which analyzed responses from 111 potential abductees, revealed that a quarter had no recollection of UFO sightings, and almost half reported missing time. A similar number had witnessed strange 'alien' figures as children, highlighting the importance of this factor in close encounters of the fourth kind (CE4). While physical evidence like unexplained scars, as noted by Budd Hopkins, is rare in UK cases, 31% of the US-based respondents claimed them. However, a larger percentage (42%) reported strange phobias or fears related to locations, suggesting hidden memories. The article notes that the post-experience dream of UFO occupants, a significant clue in British cases, occurred in 39% of the OMNI sample. A higher number (44%) reported dreams about strange babies or pregnancies, which the author suggests emphasizes an American obsession with this theme, being rare in British cases. Notably, 31% of respondents had a history of sleepwalking as children, and 15% had gone missing for unexplained periods. Beliefs about UFOs were strong among this group, with 61% accepting UFOs as real extraterrestrial craft, 64% believing in the reality of some abductions, and 71% having read UFO literature. A significant 37% claimed to be uneasy recalling things while filling out the questionnaire. The survey's probability analysis indicated a split of 45% male and 55% female potential abductees, suggesting women and young women are more likely to be potential abductees, while around two-thirds of ordinary UFO witnesses tend to be male.

The CE4 Dilemma: To Hypnotise or Not?

This section explores the controversial use of hypnosis in UFO abduction research. Jenny Randles expresses concern that while the US extensively uses hypnosis, leading to many CE4 cases, Britain lags behind. She suspects this is due to a lack of qualified psychologists and psychiatrists willing to tackle the problem ethically. Randles highlights Alan Godfrey's experience, where he questioned whether his hypnotic memory of a UFO encounter was a genuine recollection or a reliving of a story from books he had read. This raises a fundamental choice: hypnosis can cloud the issue, and its widespread use might confuse rather than clarify. The author calls for an urgent symposium to learn from US experiences and establish a structure for future research in the UK.

News Round-Up

This section provides brief updates on various UFO-related news. It mentions upcoming films like "Communion: The Movie" and a dramatization of the Travis Walton abduction. It also includes a note about a correspondent claiming expertise in "supernormal hypnotism, parapsychology, brainwashing and black magic," who is also a researcher into various paranormal topics.

Media Matters

This segment reviews media coverage of UFOs. Eric Morris of CUFOSC is mentioned as investigating sightings, with 95% being identified as IFOs (Identified Flying Objects). The article criticizes the debunking group OSEAP for exaggerating claims and attacking BUFORA. It also reports on a sensationalist Sunday Sport article linking Prince Charles to aliens, which Morris apparently contributed to, despite the article's questionable content. The author notes that Prince Charles was reportedly buzzed by a UFO in 1986, which was likely a bright meteor.

Brief Cases: A Look Overseas

This section presents fascinating cases from abroad, sourced from readers of "The UFO Conspiracy" book:

• Ireland: A teenager named Michael reported a 'buzzing' sound and a craft described as 'like two birds overlapping' in Newry. More recently, a bright orange light was seen, which flew erratically and outpaced two helicopters. Various other 'gliding' lights have been observed.
• Malaysia: In 1983, a witness in Selangor saw a 'saucer-shaped' object descending rapidly. It was silvery, flashed periodically, and rotated. The witness noted its proximity to high-tension cables and a power station.
• Canada: Jackie, a witness from Amherst, Nova Scotia, reported a sighting in 1979. The case is presented as an example of the dilemmas faced in CE4 research, with the witness appealing for hypnosis to sort out her memory.

The Great October Light

This article details the extensive media attention given to a sighting on October 27, 1988, initially reported as a bright white light flashing across the sky. Local papers suggested it was a satellite burning out. However, reports came in from across Britain, leading to speculation. The British UFO Society's Andrew Cochrane suggested it could be a Russian Space module. In Essex, Ron West insisted it was a cover-up, rejecting meteor claims. Later, Andrew Cochrane suggested it was a comet. The Daily Star ran a front-page story about a "Family in UFO green bean terror," quoting a mechanic, Tony Silvestri, who described the light as "bright green like a firework." The article notes that the media coverage often omitted details that pointed to a simple explanation, such as space debris or meteors.

A View on the Sky

This section provides astronomical information relevant to potential UFO misidentifications. It notes that Saturn is observable in November twilight, Jupiter is spectacular throughout the darkness hours and will be near the moon on December 20th. Mars is also bright. Venus, rising early, can appear large and mistaken for a UFO, especially when magnified by ice crystals. The Geminids meteor shower is mentioned for mid-December.

Case Histories

Several case histories are presented:

• CASE 8819 (Huddersfield, W. Yorks): A shift worker saw a series of lights over trees and reported them to police, but the MoD was reportedly uninterested.
• CASE 8820 (Sowerby Bridge, W. Yorks): An elderly witness reported seeing a light orange football shoot across the sky, compressing air and trailing smoke, which dissipated quickly. It was concluded to be a meteor.
• CASE 8821 (South Shields, Tyne & Wear): A taxi driver reported a large, saucer-shaped object with red and white lights hovering silently. The object was described as grey metal on top and made no noise. Police considered it a dramatic and real sighting.
• CASE 8744 (Ilkley Moor, W. Yorkshire): This is Part 4 of "The Perfect Abduction?" investigation. Philip, an ex-police officer, reported seeing a 'small, green creature' and then a disc-like UFO. A photograph was taken. Later, Philip claimed to be visited by men identifying themselves as from the Ministry of Defence, who inquired about his sighting and the photograph. He also reported receiving calls from Mirror Group Newspapers. The photograph was analyzed and found to be potentially a photo of a photo, though Kodak later stated it was underexposed and not interfered with after processing. The case is left unresolved regarding the 'missing time'.
• CASE 8822 (Prudhoe, Northumbria): Two teenage boys claimed to see a long, vertical, yellow cigar-colored UFO. Their sketches were identical, but later they claimed it was a flare or a jet plane, leading the investigator to dismiss it as a 'semi-hoax'.

Books of the Moment

"The Black Alchemist" by Andrew Collins is reviewed as a superb, well-presented book on occult mysteries, comparing it to Stephen King's style. The reviewer notes that while credible, it delves into 'quests' for buried treasure and searches for dark influences.

Update: Silent Vulcan Downed?

This section discusses reports of F-19 'Stealth' misidentifications. Reader Robert Moore suggests that large refuelling tanker aircraft, appearing slow and silent at high altitudes, could be mistaken for such craft due to their shape and lighting. David Clarke, however, believes these were 'Stealth' tests, not refuelling exercises. The article also mentions Stafford MP Bill Cash's inquiry to the MoD about UFO sightings, with the Defence Minister suggesting they were due to increased aircraft activity near Birmingham Airport, a response Cash found unsatisfactory.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a skeptical yet open-minded approach to UFO research. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation, critical analysis of evidence, and the need for qualified professionals. There is a clear caution against sensationalism and the uncritical acceptance of anecdotal evidence, particularly concerning hypnosis. The editorial stance supports the idea that many UFO sightings can be explained by conventional phenomena or misidentifications, but acknowledges that a core of unexplained cases remains. The magazine also highlights the importance of regional UFO groups and their efforts in collecting and investigating cases. The alliance with UFO Brigantia signals a move towards a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to UFO research in the UK, aiming to provide readers with a monthly dose of information and analysis on the northern UFO scene.