Northern UFO News - No 143

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 143
Date: June 1990
Cover Headline: NORTHERN UFO NEWS SUBS: £4 for 3
Editor: JENNY RANOLES
Cover Artist: BILL CALLAGHAN

This issue of Northern UFO News delves into the burgeoning phenomenon of crop circles, alongside a selection of UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) reports from the UK and abroad. The magazine aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current investigations, theories, and media attention surrounding these topics.

J.R. Comments: Crop Circles

The editorial section, penned by J.R., focuses on the exponential rise in crop circle events since 1988, noting the massive media hype and coverage they have received, even surpassing UFOlogy in public attention. The editor highlights the role of media in popularizing the phenomenon, citing the BBC's 'Crop Watch' and various newspaper and television reports. J.R. discusses the debate between natural explanations, such as Terence Meaden's 'vortex break down' theory, and the possibility of hoaxes. He expresses skepticism towards explanations that do not align with his own observations and research, particularly those involving fungal growth. The editorial also touches upon the upcoming book 'Crop Circles: A Mystery Solved' by Paul Fuller and J.R., which aims to offer a new perspective on the phenomenon.

Crop Circle Cases and Theories

The magazine presents several crop circle cases, emphasizing that they are not confined to the Wessex region.

• Northern Circles: Reports include an atypical case above Addingham on Ilkley Moor with four circles arranged in a figure-4 pattern, where dead heather and scuff marks were noted. Another case in Llanfair Talhaiairn, North Wales, involved three faint rings forming a triangle, which scientists suggested could be 'fairy rings' caused by fungal growth, though local witnesses and investigators pointed to UFO activity.
• Cheshire Case: A single crop circle near Burtonwood, Cheshire, initially appearing as a perfect circle from the motorway, was investigated and found to be a rough oval of weeded ground, likely caused by underground water seepage.
• Terence Meaden's Theory: The issue references Dr. Meaden's theory of 'plasma vortices' and 'vortex break down,' which gained traction in the media and scientific discussions, including at an Oxford conference. However, some reports suggest that Meaden's explanations were challenged by new data and alternative theories.
• Hoax vs. Phenomenon: The debate between genuine phenomena and deliberate hoaxes is a recurring theme. The magazine notes that while some cases are attributed to hoaxes, others present features that defy simple explanations.

UFO and UAP Sightings

Beyond crop circles, the issue details several other UFO and UAP reports:

• Case 8906 (Tornado Jet): A case involving a Tornado jet reportedly firing on a UFO over Blackpool in July 1989 is discussed. While initially considered a hoax by some, investigators like Joe Dormer suggest the witness's account may be genuine, possibly a misidentification of a satellite or rocket re-entry.
• Blackpool Airport Incident: A witness reported helicopters pursuing a black object, which was later identified as a charity display of model helicopters.
• Overseas Cases: Reports include a US Navy radar operator observing a target moving at 1000 mph in the mid-Pacific in the 1950s; an object seen over Mont Alouette, Quebec, Canada, in 1973; a black metal disc observed in Mannheim, West Germany, in 1985, associated with a time loss; and a bright object with pulsating lights seen in Kentwood, Louisiana, USA, in 1989.
• Mersey Mixture: Cases from Maghull, Merseyside, involving a green 'V' shape object, and Pontypool, South Wales, describing a silent white ball of light, are presented.
• Historical Cases: Older cases are revisited, including a 1952 sighting in Blackpool attributed to lens flare, and a 1966 sighting involving a tube of light and a perceived 'being.'

News Round Up and Publications

• IUN and UFOIN Files: The issue reports that the IUN has acquired the UFOIN files, archives built by independent investigators in the late seventies. This move is described as a resolution to a long-standing dispute over the ownership and accessibility of these historical records.
• Book Reviews and Mentions: Several books and publications are highlighted:
• 'Crop Circles: A Mystery Solved' by Paul Fuller and J.R. (forthcoming).
• 'The UFO Report 1991' edited by Tim Good.
• 'The Watchers' by Ray Fowler.
• 'Proceedings' of the 'First International Conference on the Circles Effect' edited by Terence Meaden and Derek Elsom.
• 'Phantoms of the Sky' by Dave Clarke and Andy Roberts.
• Other Publications: Brief mentions are made of other UFO journals such as SPI Enigmas, IUR, MUFON Journal, AFU Newsletter, and OVNI Presence, summarizing their recent content.

Media Matters

A brief section notes how UFOs can incite powerful emotions, referencing a newspaper report about a taxi driver who scarred a woman after they saw UFOs close to their bungalow.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing public and media fascination with crop circles and UFO phenomena, the ongoing debate between scientific explanations (like Meaden's vortex theory) and the possibility of hoaxes or unknown intelligences, and the importance of rigorous investigation and firsthand accounts. The editorial stance, particularly from J.R., appears to favor critical analysis, questioning conventional explanations, and emphasizing the need for more research into genuine cases, while also acknowledging the potential for misidentification and the role of hoaxes.

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated May 1990, focuses on a collection of UFO sightings and encounters primarily from the UK, with a notable case from Ireland. The publication appears to be a newsletter or journal dedicated to reporting and investigating UFO phenomena.

Case 8660: Another Stepladder Case

This case, reported on August 23, 1986, in Marton, Lancashire, involves a witness named Mr. L who observed a brilliant light descending from the sky like an unfolding stepladder, accompanied by a shower of sparkling lights. The object moved east to west and disappeared suddenly. The following morning, Mr. L learned of a major power failure in the Preston/Warton area that occurred around 4 am, speculating a connection. Investigation by Norweb confirmed a "major outage" due to a "33,000 volt cable fault," but they stated the circumstances were not abnormal and not attributable to flying phenomena.

Case 8935 MUFORA: Two UFOs 'Crash'

On April 25, 1989, in Grange Park, Lancs, a witness named JC reported seeing two UFOs 'crash into each other' while listening to music. The lights joined and vanished. JC called the airport to check for air disasters, but they had no information. During the sighting, the volume on JC's Hi-Fi reportedly decreased and then returned to normal. Colleen Innes, to whom JC reported the event, scanned the skies and saw the UFOs in the same location. The report suggests these were lasers from the pleasure beach reflecting off clouds.

Case 8936 FUFOIG: Silvery Object Over Blackpool

On June 10, 1989, in Blackpool, Lancs, a man in a station signalbox observed a bright silvery object floating across the sky at 15:22. Initially thought to be a toy balloon, the witness later became convinced they were not balloons as more objects were seen over three hours, rising high into the cloud. The investigators, however, were satisfied that given the holiday nature of the area and the objects drifting with the wind, they were likely balloons.

Police and Airport in Major Radar/Visual UFO Scare

Case 8938 MUFORA: 30 November 1989, Kidsgrove, Staffs

Reported by Peter Hough, this case details an incident on December 7, 1989, where police officers at Mow Cop observed a bright UFO for two hours after Manchester Airport alerted them to an unexplained radar target. During the sighting, police radio sets went dead. The MoD confirmed they would investigate. The Sun newspaper reported on the event. MUFORA's investigation faced uncooperative Staffordshire police. Peter Grocott, the chief superintendant, eventually allowed interviews with two officers who described a twinkling blue-white light. However, the director of Preston observatory suggested the police officers were likely observing the planet Jupiter. The report concludes that media interpretation turned a simple IFO into a complex case.

Case 8939 MUFORA: 26 December 1989, Lancashire/Cheshire

Mr. C, his wife, and son reported seeing green and red flashing lights on the M6 motorway. They stopped and observed an object with red and green flashing lights drifting away silently. MUFORA concluded these were likely aircraft.

An Irish Photo Case

Reported by Pat Delaney and Anne Griffin of BUFORA, this case from April 14, 1990, in Carlingford, Co Louth, Eire, describes a chemist witnessing a 'spinning saucer' approximately 30 meters in diameter. The object descended, glowed orange, emitted a piercing noise that frightened horses, and then turned blue, red, and lifted into cloud. A local truck driver claimed his radio whined loudly and stopped working. The investigators have a photocopy of the photograph, which they find strange, suggesting it might be a 'spacecraft' manufactured by some intelligence.

Case Histories: Down in the Bedroom Something Stirred

This section details a series of events reported by 'D' from Birmingham, starting from a very young age. These include a childhood nightmare in Jamaica where a black figure entered his room, and later, poltergeist activity at his family home in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, such as crashing sounds, lights and TVs switching on/off, strange smells, and mists. D's father also reported dreams about UFOs and aliens. The report notes the thin line between UFO close encounters and paranormal phenomena.

Further experiences for 'D' include seeing a copper-coloured cone UFO, a 'bright globe the size of the moon making a cutting sound,' and 'five blue lights' interacting with a police car. A curtain of mist appeared on their landing, and a 'small being' appeared to his father. After his father's sudden death, D moved to the Midlands and experienced a loud thunderclap noise, followed by a soft female voice dictating a message in old English. D is disturbed and frightened, and does not wish to involve his family. He reflects on abduction literature and the possibility of his life having 'blank spaces.'

Another Vital Close Encounter at Todmorden

Case 78-289 MUFORA: 30 November 1978, Todmorden, West Yorks

This witness, J, described a case that 'still haunts me to this day.' While walking her dog on the moors near Todmorden, she saw two lights flying side by side, which split and went in different directions. Two days later, while with her dog after horse riding, she saw an incredible object silhouetted against the slopes. The object was lens-shaped, shrouded in a glow with a neon blue body and three round holes. J described the experience as a feeling of spiritual oneness, leaving her in an ecstatic state. She felt a voice telling her not to be afraid, and experienced a sensation that her life was being sampled. She compares this experience to a near-death experience (NDE), noting the similarities in altered states of consciousness, bright light, voice, and 'life review.' The object then split into two, trailing sparks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue highlights several recurring themes in UFOlogy, including the 'stepladder' light phenomenon, radar anomalies, and the potential for misidentification of conventional objects like aircraft or planets. The magazine also explores the psychological and spiritual aspects of UFO encounters, drawing parallels between UFO experiences and near-death experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation, acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation, as seen in the Todmorden and Mow Cop cases. The concluding remarks express disillusionment with UFOlogy but a commitment to continuing the publication, with a mention of the companion journal UFO BRIGANTIA.