Northern UFO News - No 14

Magazine Overview

Title: NUFON NEWS
Issue: 14
Date: June 1975
Publisher: NORTHERN UFO NETWORK
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of NUFON NEWS, the monthly newsletter of the Northern UFO Network, focuses on the importance of rigorous UFO investigation, updates from affiliated groups, and a compilation of reported UFO shapes. The cover features a stylized drawing of a domed, grid-patterned object.

Editorial: Getting the Most Out of It

The editorial emphasizes that a primary goal for UFO groups should be to enhance the public and scientific respectability of the subject. This is best achieved through thorough investigations. The editorial criticizes superficial reports, often consisting of only a few lines, as insufficient. While acknowledging that groups may have limited time and manpower, it stresses that cases warranting full investigation should not be treated the same as simple sightings. A comprehensive investigation report should include full witness statements, drawings, maps, a confidential report on the witness, details of attempts to find a cause (including weather information and official letters), and transcripts of recorded interviews.

NUFON acknowledges its own failings but notes that it relies on reports from its member groups. The organization is planning an evaluation scheme and a more detailed presentation of UFO reports to improve its output. The editorial also touches upon the ongoing 'APEN Affair,' expressing frustration with APEN's direct approach to NUFON groups, which is seen as an attempt to bypass NUFON and potentially cause upset. The editorial clarifies that NUFON has no officials and is structured as a network of independent groups, making unification impossible. It states that NUFON members are not hostile to APEN but are apathetic due to APEN's approach, which lacks openness and concrete proposals. The network awaits proof of APEN's good intentions.

In the Post!

This section includes correspondence from affiliated organizations. JB DELAIR, Secretary of Contact (UK), expresses a desire to help and liaise with NUFON, recommending that Contact (UK) members cooperate with NUFON where geographically feasible and requesting that NUFON add their name to the list of 'associating bodies.' The editor welcomes this pledge of mutual cooperation.

Another correspondent inquires about a reported UFO crash in Anglesey in May 1975. They had written to Wing Commander G Edwards of RAF Valley, who allegedly sealed off the area. The correspondent wonders if NUFON can provide more information, as their own inquiries yielded nothing, and the officer claimed never to have met anyone who had seen a UFO. The editor notes that Wing Commander Boyce stated no information was found, but he keeps an 'open mind.' Readers with knowledge of this 'crash' are asked to contact MARK WILLIAMSON of WUFOS.

Contents

The table of contents lists various sections: Letters, Group News, UFO Shapes, Viewpoint, General News, Reports Section (MUFORA, RIGAP, BYUIG, NAPRA, NUFOIS), 'Around the Groups,' and an Editorial.

Group News

• BYUIG: Announces plans for a new branch in America and mentions their Aldershot branch was contacted by APEN. They are considering T-Shirts with their insignia and plan to publish a newsletter called 'AD ASTRA' (costing 10p).
• MUFORA: Held a live phone-in on Piccadilly Radio on May 16th, featuring Jenny Randles and Pete Warrington. While many reports were received, the standard was generally lower than previous shows. Some reports were easily explained, but one caller reported sightings almost every night, including being told by voices, "Are you sure you are doing the right thing?" The panel did not accept the connection to UFOs. A 1956 case of a hovering white light at Catterick Camp was mentioned, possibly explained as a temperature inversion, but it illustrated 'official' reactions well.
• NAPRA: Has been invited to coordinate plans for a panel from MUFON group members to evaluate specific cases.
• RIGAP: Requests that correspondents use their current name and not their old one, which is still referenced on the back cover.
• GENERAL NEWS: The BUFORA conference was considered valuable, with special conference proceedings to be published. A special issue of NUFON NEWS is planned, featuring full reports on selected cases, evaluation panel reports, and research data. There is also a feasibility study for a higher quality issue to be sold through bookshops.

UFO Shapes

Compiled by H. Scothern and B. Molloy from NAPRA, this section begins a series on reported UFO shapes. The first featured shape is 'SPHEROIDAL,' with illustrations labeled A through I.

MUFORA Lecture Report

On Saturday, June 7th, MUFORA held its Second Annual UFOLOGY lecture at UMIST in Manchester. Unlike the previous year's event which featured Rex Dutta and attracted over 300 people, this year focused on a more down-to-earth, factual, and scientific approach. Two lectures were held: Arthur Tomlinson gave a general appraisal of phenomena with slides, and Norman Oliver discussed various theories explaining UFOs, concentrating on 'contactee' cases. The attendance was around 70, considered reasonable given the heat and the more specialized approach. The event included a mid-lecture group chat and displays from various groups like WUFOS, RIGAP, and DIGAP.

Viewpoint: The APEN Affair - The Last Word?

This section reiterates the frustration with the ongoing 'APEN Affair.' The editorial expresses that APEN's direct activity towards groups, bypassing NUFON, is causing upset and unrest. It clarifies that NUFON has no officials, only people doing paperwork to keep information flowing. It also states that no one supports unification with APEN. The network's structure makes unification impossible. The author notes that members are apathetic rather than hostile towards APEN, awaiting proof of their good intentions. The piece concludes by stating that if APEN were to be open, remove secrecy, and make concrete proposals, they would be listened to; otherwise, there is nothing more to do, and the move is APEN's.

Reports Section

This section details numerous UFO sighting reports from various affiliated groups:

• 6707 (Oct 31, 1957, Maghull, BYUIG): Six witnesses, mostly children, observed a blotchy red oval with a dark rim and red patches, moving silently.
• 6804 (April 1968, Shipley, Yorks, BUFORA): A young boy reported a long, red object with hazy patches and flashing lights (white/yellow top, red bottom) flying low and silently.
• 7450 (Feb 1974, Nottingham, NUFOIS): A witness and daughter saw a triangular, amber-shaped object moving in and out of cloud at low altitude, appearing like a 'V' bomber from underneath.
• 7452 (May 26, 1974, Nottingham, NUFOIS): A skywatch group regularly records detailed accounts, and this report stems from one such event.
• 7455 (Sept 9, 1974, Nottingham, NUFOIS): Mrs. Mackcazie and family observed an ovoid or onion-like object moving in a zig-zag fashion, with a low humming sound heard when it approached. The object was red and white with hazy edges.
• 7530 (May 13, 1975, Rochdale, MUFORA): A yellow crescent-shaped object was observed in the sky, fading in and out, with red pulses. It moved in a vertical position and reappeared horizontally.
• 7531 (May 18, 1975, Prescot, NAPRA): Three bright white lights in a triangular formation were seen pulsing from about 100 yards away.
• 7532 (May 27, 1975, Haslingden, RIGAP): Tim Evans reported a full white light moving Eastwards, accelerating, and appearing similar to the satellite SKYLAB.
• 7533 (May 31, 1975, Rochdale, MUFORA): A security worker reported seeing several white lights hovering between branches, with other lights above. He took a polaroid snap, but the lights 'switched off.' MUFORA is investigating, noting discrepancies and lack of connection to UFOs.
• 7534 (June 3, 1975, Bootle, BYUIG): Several people watched a black disc shape moving East for 40 seconds at an estimated height of 3000'. A member's magnetic detector was triggered at the same time.

Around the Groups - 4) BYUIG

BYUIG is highlighted as one of the founding groups of NUFON. Its membership extends internationally, with branches in Europe and America. The group concentrates its activity on Merseyside, where it began in March 1972. The core members meet regularly to plan activities and conduct skywatches. While primarily engaged in investigation, they also give talks. Their first publication, 'AD ASTRA' (The Way to the Stars), is due soon. The article suggests that BYUIG's focus on Merseyside, a perceived channel for UFO activity, will keep them busy. It hopes they will prepare a report on their local investigations for NUFON to publish.

Advertisements

An advertisement for 'ASTROLOGY' offers detailed personal analysis and future trends for £2.50.

NUFON NEWS Publication Details

NUFON NEWS is published monthly, with a copy date of June 30th. Contributions should be sent to Jenny Randles at 48 Park Drive, Manchester M16 0AH.

NUFON ASSOCIATED GROUPS

A list of NUFON associated groups is provided, including BUFORA (Staffordshire and Yorkshire), CLEVELAND UFO Research Group, D.I.G.A.P., B.Y.U.I.G. (Merseyside), MANCHESTER UFO Research Assoc., MIDLANDS UFO Research Assoc., N.A.P.R.A. (Cheshire), ROSSENDALE Astro Society, SCUNTHORPE UFO Research Soc., and HIRRAL UFO Society. Contact details (names, addresses, and phone numbers) are listed for representatives of these groups. The list is noted as being correct to March 1975.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the importance of rigorous UFO investigation, the challenges of inter-group communication and cooperation (particularly concerning APEN), and the reporting of diverse UFO sightings. The editorial stance strongly advocates for professionalism and thoroughness in UFO research, while also expressing caution and skepticism towards organizations like APEN that operate with secrecy and bypass established networks. The newsletter serves as a platform for sharing information, coordinating efforts, and maintaining a standard of credibility within the UFO community.