Northern UFO News - No 148

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 148
Date: April 1991
Publisher: Not specified
Country: ENGLAND
Language: English
Price: £6 for six issues
Cover Headline: All the news, views and up to date cases

Content Summary

Editorial and Reviews

The issue opens with a commentary by J.R. on witness protection, questioning the ethical obligations owed to individuals sharing their close encounter experiences. This is prompted by the publication of Nigel Watson's book, "Portraits of Alien Encounters." The reviewer praises the book's quality and its focus on the psychodynamics of witnesses, noting Watson's historical involvement in UFOlogy. However, a significant dilemma is raised regarding the potential impact of publishing such personal accounts on individuals who may have moved on from those experiences.

News Round Up

The "News Round Up" section provides several updates. It debunks a story about British Rail developing a UFO-like propulsion system, confirming it was a hoax. BUFORA Ireland has been established, and readers are invited to correspond with them regarding Irish cases. In Scotland, Ken Higgins of SRUFO reports on upcoming research trips and conferences, highlighting cooperation between SRUFO and SPI. An international conference in Belgium on flying triangles is also mentioned.

TV news includes the postponement of a mega-series called 'The Unexplained,' which was to feature a UFO special. In its place, Granada TV will screen 'James Randi Investigates,' a series focusing on paranormal phenomena, notably excluding UFO topics.

UFOlogists Are Witty: Its Official!

This section announces the winner of a competition to invent a daft headline for a fictional newspaper story. Several humorous entries are presented, and readers are invited to vote for their favorite from the final four. The prize is a copy of UFO Newsfile, a digest of media stories on the UFO subject.

Circular Logic

This section delves into the phenomenon of crop circles. It discusses theories involving dust being sucked into vortices and spat out, flattening crops. The section also highlights a reported hoax in Scotland involving a wooden batten and steel pin, suggesting that hoaxes are becoming increasingly common and questioning the seriousness with which some crop circle researchers treat such cases.

A British Dreamland?

This article explores the possibility of a secret underground base in Britain where alien-built UFOs are operated. It references tales of tunnels leading from RAF Brawdy and doors opening in the side of Stack Rocks. The author also mentions a correspondent who suggests Warrington as a potential location, citing the large, partially dismantled US Army base at Burtonwood and persistent tales of underground complexes. The section notes that while subsidence is officially attributed to local mine workings, there could be more to it, referencing past NUN reports on strange occurrences in the area.

For Your Perusal

This section provides a list and brief descriptions of various UFO-related publications available for purchase, including UFO Times, UFO Debate, SPI, Crop Watcher, The Circular, The Skeptic, Earth, Annals, IUR, MUFON, and Orbiter. It offers subscription details and highlights key features of each publication.

Books of the Moment

This section reviews "The UFO Encyclopedia" compiled by John Spencer. The reviewer notes that while it is a comprehensive British-originated encyclopedia credited to BUFORA, it leans heavily on material from other sources and is criticized for a lack of proper crediting of investigators. The usability of the book's format is also questioned, with a suggestion for a comprehensive index to improve its usefulness.

Fire in the Sky Put Out?

This article revisits the famous film taken by Peter Day in Cuddington in January 1973, which has been featured on TV and in UFO publications. New information suggests the incident may be related to the crash of an American F-111 jet. Steuart Campbell, with the aid of CAUS in the USA and the Freedom of Information Act, has reportedly secured an accident report that supports the theory that the film depicts aviation fuel being ejected from the F-111 during an initial crisis to minimize fire risk.

Have You Got a Sixth Sense?

This is a personal advertisement from the author, promoting his book 'Sixth Sense,' which explores the five human senses, altered states of consciousness, and the Oz factor, with UFO content relevant to perception and unusual experiences. He offers copies to readers at a reduced price.

Media Matters

This section examines the media's portrayal of UFOs, focusing on recent coverage by the Daily Star. The newspaper featured a blurry photograph of a supposed UFO, which the photographer admitted seeing nothing at the time of taking the snap, suggesting it could be a photographic artifact. The article also mentions Chris Tarrant's sighting of a 'shining light' and the subsequent public interest and betting activity generated by the media coverage.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the investigation of UFO cases, the analysis of crop circles and potential hoaxes, and the ethical considerations for UFOlogists. There is a strong emphasis on critical analysis, with the magazine reviewing publications and debunking hoaxes, while also acknowledging the importance of witness accounts and the need for responsible reporting. The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough investigation and a commitment to providing up-to-date information to its readership, encouraging critical thinking and discussion within the UFO community.

Northern UFO News, Issue 11, is a publication focused on UFO sightings, paranormal phenomena, and related investigations. It features a mix of reported cases, analysis, and news from the UFO community.

Key Articles and Reports

Fylde Group's Shift and UFO Theory

The issue begins by noting that the Fylde group on the Lancashire coast has 'cast off its crackpot image' by rejecting the flying saucer theory in favor of a 'paranormal overlap and image hypothesis.' Joe Dormer is quoted comparing UFO sightings to ghost experiences, suggesting they might be hallucinations. The article mentions the 'Meadon vortex' as a potential cause, though it's humorously compared to a 'new brand of toilet cleaner.' The report concludes that while the theory sounds fanciful, the group members are 'down to earth characters.'

UFO Boffins Uncover Alien Sex Attack Link

A report from the Sunday Sport (March 10) highlights research by Dr. Kenneth Ring linking near-death experiences with UFO abductions. The article suggests a pattern of childhood abuse among witnesses and claims a recent UFO movie is based on studies of people 'abused by gangs of blue coloured dwarfs led by tall matchstick men.' The author expresses a humorous skepticism about the report's sensationalism.

The Power of Prayer and the Gulf War

The Aetherius Society is credited by the Hammersmith Guardian (March 7) for the Gulf War's short duration, hostage release, and low casualty count, attributing it to prayer. Dr. Richard Lawrence is quoted stating that prayer is a 'tremendous cosmic force' that can change the world. The author questions why Iraqi casualties were not affected and speculates if 'aliens' involved in the prayer channeling were on President Bush's side.

The Mystery of the Snow Domes

This section, highlighted on the cover, details a phenomenon reported by Zena Williams from Humberside. On February 15, during a mini-freeze, 'giant hollow domes of snow' appeared over a few miles of coast. At Weeton, hundreds were seen in a field. These objects, described as tennis to soccer ball size, were hollow underneath and 'look as if they have just landed,' with similarities drawn to crop circles. The phenomenon was allegedly wind-borne and restricted to a few miles from the sea. The publicity officer for South Holderness Countryside Society, Mr. Howard Frost, is mentioned, and readers with meteorological expertise are asked for help.

Brief Cases

This section presents a series of brief UFO sighting reports:

• China Encounter (March 18-19, 1991): A Chinese domestic flight was pursued by an oval object for nine minutes over Shanghel. Passengers witnessed the object suddenly turn course and vanish.
• CASE 8757 (October 29, 1987): In Blackpool, a British Telecom engineer saw a grey, box-like object with irregularities travelling at constant speed and direction above geese.
• CASE 9028 (March 26, 1990): In Edinburgh, a housewife saw a green ball of light shoot across the sky, possibly a fireball meteor.
• CASE 9030 (August 12, 1990): In Widnes, two objects (one silver, one red) were seen; the red one hovered before flying off.
• CASE 9026 (November 17, 1990): In Warrington, a circular object with a slight dome was seen moving like an aircraft.
• CASE 9033 (November 24, 1990): In Horwich, Mrs. W saw a mass of orange fire that looked to move and pulsate over the town, later concluded to be a grass fire.
• CASE 9034 (December 9, 1990): In Pilling, a triangular mass with a red light was seen tilting and drifting towards the coast; a Coastguard balloon was released in the area.
• CASE 9101 (January 2, 1991): In Blackpool, four witnesses saw three dark objects, confirmed as low-flying military aircraft.
• CASE 9102 (January 15, 1991): In Henbury, a green light fell from the sky like a ball of flame, evaluated as a fireball meteor.

A Hole in the Sky

This case (Case 9103, March 18, 1991) from Stoke-on-Trent describes Mr. G observing a perfectly round hole in the sky, several times the sun's diameter. Inside the hole, two small, brightly lit white clouds appeared and then vanished. Later, a grey cloud descended within the hole. The hole enlarged and became irregular, and the grey cloud broke up as the sky below became overcast. Mr. G suspects a weather effect but remains puzzled.

Birth of a Time Lapse

This detailed case (February 21, 1991) involves three youths in Buckinghamshire who encountered a 'shaped unusually cigarish' object with 'luminously white, glowing with lights radiating from all angles.' The object hovered over a wood, then moved rapidly. The youths followed it, and the object then hovered about 100 feet away. Their car's engine and lights failed, and a brilliant beam of light enveloped the car. After the light and object vanished, the car started working. The encounter was followed by a significant time lapse, with the youths arriving home much later than expected, and their watches having stopped.

Forthcoming Conference Season and Book Reviews

The magazine previews upcoming UFO conferences in Australia (September), Belgium (October 3-6), and Edinburgh (October 12). It also mentions a major British conference (August 16-18) in Sheffield, focusing on close encounter victims and abductees, with speakers like Budd Hopkins and Dr. Thomas Bullard. The article urges readers to reserve their places due to high demand. A new book, 'A UFO atlas' edited by John Spencer, is also mentioned as an excellent publication.

Diary Dates and Regional Groups

The issue includes a list of upcoming meetings and lectures for various UFO research groups, including SRUFO, BUFORA, MUFORA, and others across the UK, along with contact information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of diverse UFO sightings, the exploration of paranormal explanations, and the investigation of specific phenomena like 'snow domes' and 'holes in the sky.' There's a consistent effort to document witness accounts and encourage further investigation, as seen in the 'Brief Cases' and the appeal for meteorological readers. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various theories and reports, sometimes with a touch of skepticism or humor, particularly towards sensationalist media claims. The publication also serves as a hub for the UFO research community, promoting conferences and group activities.