Northern UFO News - No 136

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 136
Date: April 1989
Publisher: N/A
Country: UK
Price: £6 for FOUR (subscriptions)

This issue of Northern UFO News, edited by Jenny Randles, features a cover by Bill Callaghan and focuses on a range of UFO-related content, including major cases from March, various regional sightings, and an ongoing debate concerning the organization APEN.

J.R. Comments: The APEN Affair

Jenny Randles addresses the persistent issue of APEN (Aerial Phenomena Enquiry Network), an organization she previously wrote about in Magonia and THE UNKNOWN. She recounts how APEN attempted to implicate innocent people and researchers. A key revelation came from NUFON reader Brian Ratcliffe, who identified the printers used by APEN as the same ones used by FSR. Randles explains that she kept this information quiet for ten years to avoid damaging reputations, but clarifies that her research indicated FSR and its editor, Gordon Creighton, were unaware of APEN's activities and were likely targets of a smear campaign.

Randles then critically examines a piece in the March 1989 issue of FSR, attributed to 'John Squareman,' which she believes heavily misrepresents her previous writings on APEN. She points out numerous factual inaccuracies and invented details in Squareman's account, particularly concerning the alleged involvement of Gordon Creighton and the mention of Enid Grattan-Guinness. Randles includes Gordon Creighton's response, which dismisses the 'APEN' story as a fabrication and hints at 'monumental and egregious liars.' Randles expresses disappointment with FSR's descent into what she terms 'Sunday Sport' trash and urges readers to reconsider their support for the publication.

News Round-Up

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

• Janet and Colin Bord: Clarification regarding their 'Modern Mysteries of Britain' coverage, stating that while some factual errors existed in other books, their version was more responsible, though they may have slanted the case with limited justification.
• Australian UFO Scene: Recommendation of publications available from ACUFOS (Australian Centre for UFO Studies).
• F-117A 'Stealth' Aircraft: Unofficial air force names 'Wobblin Goblin,' 'Spectre,' and 'Ghost' are mentioned.
• Time-Life Book 'The UFO Phenomenon': This lavish book is noted for including a chapter on the 'Oz Factor' and reports on the Rendlesham Forest incident.
• Penpal Request: A request from Kennedy Osuagwu in Lagos, Nigeria, for a penpal interested in English customs and Trafalgar Square.

For Your Perusal

This section highlights other UFO publications and articles:

• MAGONIA March 1989: Features an article on the 'imagination boundary' as an explanation for abductions and a piece on U.S. ufology.
• FORTEAN TIMES Winter 1989: Described as a dense collection of strange news.
• IUR Jan/Feb 1989: Includes an evaluation of the 'Billy Meier' UFO film and an article on the Bentwaters case.
• MUFON Journal: Features reports on crash/retrievals, UFO health effects, and hybrid babies via UFO abductions.
• OVNI Presence: A French/Swiss magazine noted for its news and responsible reporting, including European insights into the 'Light Years' fiasco.

Books of the Moment

MJ-12 and the riddle of Hangar 18 by Timothy Green Beckley

This review discusses Timothy Green Beckley's book, which is described as a lively and readable introduction to the 'crashed UFO in freezers' and 'pickled green men' saga. The reviewer notes that the book accepts uncritically claims such as the 'Scully hoax' and the story of an alien dying on an air force base. The review is particularly critical of the chapter on the Rendlesham Forest case, calling it 'ridiculous load of old codswallop.'

Media Matters: A look at UFOs in the public eye

Jenny Randles reports on her recent media appearances to promote her book 'Abduction.' She participated in TV shows like 'Tell the Truth,' Derek Jameson's SKY TV chat show, and ITV's 'This Morning,' which generated numerous UFO case reports. She also discussed cover-up theories on LBC with Tim Good. The section contrasts this with the 'Sunday Sport,' which has reportedly toned down its sensationalism, and the 'Daily Star,' which is portrayed as aggressively pursuing UFO stories.

Brief Cases: Some current investigations

This section summarizes several recent UFO sightings and investigations:

• Midlands Spectacle (March 13, 1989): Glowing lights were seen, initially attributed to aurora due to sunspot activity, but later confirmed as Northern Lights.
• British Island Airways Tristar Sighting (March 21, 1989): During an inaugural flight, passengers reported seeing a UFO, followed by a sudden plunge in altitude. The airline later suggested it was a distant rocket launch or wake turbulence.

South African Adventure

This is a personal account of a sighting by Mrs H in South Africa in 1957. She observed a large, cigar-shaped object with pulsing lights. Her son, George, was also involved, and the event is linked to his later interest in UFOs and his creation of experimental music combining ethereal sounds with airmen's voices.

Case Histories

• Case 6731 MUFORA (Summer 1967): A round object with a red center and orange edge was seen hovering and then streaking off at high speed over Hazel Grove, Cheshire.
• Case 6732 MUFORA (Unknown 1967): A teenager in Wolverhampton reported seeing a silver, rotating flying saucer, but no one else noticed it. She also described vivid dreams and psychic experiences.
• Rainford By-Pass UFO (August 3, 1979): A large, moon-sized flying saucer with blue pyramid-shaped lights was observed hovering near Rainford, Merseyside.
• Case 8343 WAPIT (Summer 1983): A silvery cigar-shaped object was seen hovering and then vanishing at high speed over Horwich, Lancashire.
• Possible Time-Lapse Over Pennines (September 19, 1987): A witness reported seeing pulsing lights in a clearing, followed by a significant time loss. Investigations suggested it might be an illusion created by car headlights or a misinterpretation of natural phenomena.
• Case 8829 LUFOIC (August 4, 1988): Two adults witnessed a luminous cloud rising and disappearing, with damage to bushes found later. This case is described as impressive and will be reported in more detail in a future issue.
• Case 8826 MUFORA (November 4, 1988): A V formation of red/orange blobs was observed, which MUFORA identified as a flock of birds reflecting streetlamps.
• Case 76-179 SPI (March 1976): A witness, who was four years old at the time, reported seeing a huge grey cigar-shaped object passing silently overhead. The witness also claims to have had premonitions and the ability to influence traffic lights and streetlamps.
• Case 8342 (March 23, 1983): A child in Stirling witnessed lights forming a disc-like object, but investigators suggested it might have been a light aircraft.
• Case 8429 (March 7, 1984): Two individuals on a hillwalking holiday observed flashing lights above a hilltop, which they ruled out as Aurora and speculated might be related to NATO exercises or 'earthlights.'
• The Perfect Abduction (Part 6) (December 1, 1987): This ongoing case involves alleged Men in Black (MIB) visits and a photograph, with investigations continuing and speculation about a hoax.

A Brief Case Load of Educational IFOS

This section provides explanations for seemingly unusual sightings:

• Flashing Light: A flashing light reported in Lancashire was likely an aircraft with new strobe lighting.
• Flashing Light (Hebden Bridge): A flashing light observed in West Yorkshire was identified as Jupiter, despite initial suggestions from Jodrell Bank that it was a UFO.
• 'Star' Sighting: A 'star' observed in Frodsham, Cheshire, which changed shape, was likely Venus combined with frosty skies and optical distortion.

Aiming for a UFO Goal

• Gordon Brown's Request: Assistance is sought for a sighting at Roker Park, Sunderland, on September 22, 1951, involving a UFO described as 'two soup plates stuck together.'
• Case 6731 MUFORA: A round object was seen hovering and streaking off at high speed.
• Case 6732 MUFORA: A teenager saw a silver, rotating flying saucer.
• Rainford By-Pass UFO: A large, moon-sized flying saucer with blue lights was observed.
• Case 8343 WAPIT: A silvery cigar-shaped object was seen hovering and vanishing.
• Possible Time-Lapse Over Pennines: A witness reported a time lapse after seeing pulsing lights.
• Case 8744: The 'Perfect Abduction' case continues, involving alleged MIB visits.

Final Words

Jenny Randles addresses issues with the BUFORA UFO CALL service and apologizes for delays in the magazine's publication, citing personal health factors and the need to complete two books. She asks for patience and provides the phone number for the UFO CALL service.

Calendar

Announcements for BUFORA lectures and an International Congress are included.

NUFON Regional Groups

A list of NUFON regional groups across the UK is provided, along with contact details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of UFO organizations and their alleged activities (particularly APEN), detailed reporting and investigation of specific UFO sightings and cases across the UK, and commentary on how UFO phenomena are reported and perceived by the media. The editorial stance, as expressed by Jenny Randles, is one of rigorous investigation, a commitment to factual reporting, and a skepticism towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, particularly those found in publications like FSR. There is a clear emphasis on debunking or providing rational explanations for sightings where possible, while still acknowledging the existence of genuinely puzzling cases.