Northern UFO News - No 149

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 149
Date: Summer 1991
Type: Magazine

Main Articles and Features

The Peter Day Film and the F-111 Case

The issue delves into the case of Peter Day's 1973 film of a UFO in Cuddington, Buckinghamshire. Steuart Campbell's claim to have solved the case by linking it to a crashed USAF F-111 jet is examined. The article notes that while the F-111 did crash nearby, the timing and location details, as well as witness testimony, suggest it may not be the definitive explanation. BUFORA's investigation, which included Dr. J. Allen Hynek, failed to obtain the crash report, possibly due to a secret rocket ejection system. The article discusses the theory that the UFO might have been burning aviation fuel ejected during the F-111's crisis. Campbell's recent article in the British Journal of Photography, which allegedly ignored witness testimony and BUFORA's findings, is criticized for its tone and for not acknowledging previous research.

Crop Circles Update

The 'Circles Update' section reports on the latest developments in crop circle phenomena. It mentions a breakthrough at a Japanese university involving the artificial creation of triple-ringed circles using miniature plasma vortexes. The article suggests this is the basic explanation for many formations, despite skepticism from some quarters. The poor English summer in May and June saw a high number of hoaxes, with some culprits arrested. A joint project by TORRO and BUFORA, along with Japanese researchers, is mentioned. The section also discusses media publicity and prize money offered for solving the mystery, while expressing doubt about the validity of the hoax and plasma vortex theories as the sole explanation. It highlights various publications for further information, including The Journal of Meteorology, The Crop Watcher, and The Cerealogist.

Media Matters: UFOs in the Public Eye

This section analyzes recent media coverage of UFOs. It discusses the Daily Star's publication of a purported alien photo from the Roswell crash, questioning its authenticity and noting the lack of public panic. Tim Good's new book, 'Alien Liaison,' is mentioned, along with a cynical reference to Prince Philip's alleged belief in UFOs. An April Fools' joke by a local housing department offering payment for skywatchers is also reported. The article critiques Adrian Berry's Daily Telegraph piece, which linked planetary alignments to UFO sightings, arguing that it was an overestimation. The 'Sunday Sport' is mentioned for its sensationalist UFO stories, including claims of alien impregnation and abduction.

Brief Cases: Photographic UFOs

Two recent photographic UFO cases are presented. The first, from Barmouth, Wales, involved a night shot allegedly showing a crescent-shaped UFO, but analysis concluded it was a lens flare. The second case from Cotleigh, Devon, featured a black and white photograph of a saucer-like object, but investigations suggested it was not a UFO, possibly a misidentification or artifact.

Books of the Moment

Several books are reviewed. John Spencer's 'UFOs: The Definitive Casebook' is compared unfavorably to his earlier 'Encyclopedia,' with reservations about its presentation and accuracy, particularly regarding the Peter Day film and the Rendlesham Forest case. 'Circles from the Sky,' edited by Terence Meaden, is described as a comprehensive, though one-sided, collection of papers from a crop circle conference, focusing on scientific approaches and potentially damaging illusions about the subject. Other publications reviewed include 'UFO Debate,' 'SPI,' 'Awareness 3,' 'Fortean Times,' 'The Skeptic,' 'Wild Places 2,' 'Annals,' 'Folklore Frontiers,' and 'The Ley Hunter.'

Witness Ethics

Nigel Watson addresses the ethics of using real witness names in publications. He defends the practice, stating that percipients often seek publicity and must accept the consequences. He contrasts his book, 'Portraits of Alien Encounters,' with 'coffee-table UFO books,' arguing for a serious approach to high-strangeness cases. A note from the editor acknowledges that witnesses may not fully understand the long-term implications of publicity when they are young or inexperienced.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and related phenomena like crop circles. There is a critical stance towards sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, particularly in media coverage. The editorial team, led by Jenny Randles, emphasizes rigorous investigation and analysis, often questioning official explanations or media interpretations. The magazine appears to advocate for a serious, evidence-based approach to UFOlogy, while acknowledging the complexities and potential for misidentification. There is a clear distinction made between genuine research and what is perceived as commercial exploitation of the subject.

Title: Northern UFO News
Issue: 11
Date: August 1991 (inferred from ticket information)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated August 1991, presents a collection of UFO sighting reports and case studies, primarily focusing on incidents from the late 1980s and early 1990s. The publication covers a range of phenomena, from aerial encounters and mysterious lights to more complex personal experiences and potential government involvement.

AIRCRAFT AND 'UFO' IN NEAR-MISS OVER KENT

The lead article details a mid-air encounter between an Alitalia MD80 jet and an unidentified object. The incident, reported with slightly varying dates (April 10 and April 21, 1991), involved Captain Achilee Zaghetti spotting a 'fawn 'missile shaped'' object moving in the opposite direction at approximately 1000 feet above the aircraft, which was flying at 22,000 feet. Radar at Heathrow reportedly picked up a faint trace behind the jet. Initial theories suggested a missile from a nearby army range, but this was dismissed due to operational status and altitude ceilings. Extensive inquiries were made, and despite an initial cover-up by the MoD, the story leaked in Italy. A civil aviation spokesman called it a 'complete mystery,' and an MoD source controversially commented, 'What happened was a mystery. It was yet another UFO.' The article expresses hope that Italian UFOlogists will interview the crew.

CASE 8552: Great Snoring, Norfolk (November 1985)

This case, reported after BBC TV appearances by John Spencer and Jenny Randles, involves a civilian at a local RAF base. While in his bedroom with his wife at 22:15 on a clear night, he observed a white light, 'like Jupiter,' moving slowly across the sky from SE to NW. Behind this main object were five or six smaller lights, trailing like ducklings. These smaller lights appeared to be drifting slowly AGAINST the wind, despite the main object's movement. After about two minutes, the lights extinguished one by one from the rear, with the main object being the last to vanish.

CASE 8759: Biggleswade, Bedfordshire (August/September 1987)

Mr B was riding on the back of his girlfriend's motorbike at 20:30 when his girlfriend stopped due to a moth in her eye. Mr B then saw an object hovering over open land. The object had a flat base and was covered in red and white lights, with a metal base. Miss J also saw the object. They watched it for 45 minutes while riding, but lost sight of it when they passed through built-up areas. Upon returning home, they could not find it. Mr B's parents suggested it might have been a barrage balloon or airship, but the witnesses stated it was not.

CASE 8758: Marton, Lancashire (16 November 1987)

At 03:11, a local band musician saw a pulsing orange light, initially mistaking it for a helicopter. However, the object was silent and began to descend in 'steps,' described as 'like a spider on its webline.' The taxi driver, to whom the musician showed the object, shrugged and drove off. The object was then surrounded by a transparent shell and resembled a lightbulb spinning rapidly, emitting a 'crazy pattern of light' (many coloured). The effect was compared to a globe with electric fibres reacting to static charges. A faint noise, like 'stalgic or a tape being played,' was heard. The spinning and noise stopped, and the object shot away. The musician felt 'drained of energy.' His wife reported seeing flashes of light illuminating the room. FUFOIG believes this was an electrical UAP.

CASE 9036: Widnes, Cheshire (3 August 1990)

Two teenagers were in a park at 20:00 on a clear night when they observed a silver object over trees to the west. A second object appeared behind it, and then both flew away to the north at great speed. MUFORA concluded that these could be almost anything, such as kites, and did not pursue further investigation.

ALL UFOS GREAT AND SMALL

Case 9037: N & S Yorkshire (12 August 1990)

This case, occurring at a similar time to another sighting, involved a woman in the Sheffield area who saw a 'star' moving near Orion's belt. It travelled slowly in a vertical direction towards the ground, taking one minute before vanishing. While this might suggest a satellite, the report notes that at 22:40 on the same night, events of a stranger nature occurred in North Yorkshire, outside a hostel on the Wensyldale Moors. Mrs H, the warden, and Mr B, a helper, witnessed strange flashes in the sky. After gathering, they observed flashes of pinkish light at regular 3-minute intervals, illuminating the base of clouds. At one point, a red ball was seen to shoot skywards and 'explode.' The effect faded after an hour and a half. Police initially suggested lightning, but later enquiries disproved this. The possibility of a distant laser display was considered.

CASE HISTORIES: ALIEN MEDICINE (Report by Margaret Fry)

This section details an extraordinary case involving a man referred to as Mr J from South Wales. Mr J, who has a strong religious background and is a staunch Salvation Army member, experienced rheumatic fever in 1936 at age 8, leading to six months in bed. During this time, he had several out-of-body experiences (OOBEs), floating above his bed and viewing himself. He also reported 'visions' of strange craft in the sky during these OOBEs.

On September 25, 1944, at age 16, Mr J was waiting for a bus in Penywaun, Aberdare Valley. He witnessed several grey 'half moon' shapes appear in a line. Two glowed above a hill of ash and rubble. Small white oval lights travelled alongside a pit waste escalator on both sides, as if clinging to the metal and 'riding' with it, rising towards the shapes. The shapes then formed full circles and lined up into a ring. A black cigar was then sucked into the centre, which became a vortex, leaving a dark spot that expanded to swallow the ring. Finally, the sphere contracted to a point and disappeared. This event lasted about 4 minutes and was accompanied by stillness and silence.

Soon after this vision, a disaster occurred when the side of the slag heap collapsed onto a school, killing children. Mr J has wondered if the white ovals climbing the mountainside put strain on the slag tip, provoking the disaster. The report notes that in October 1966, a similar disaster occurred at Aberfan, where a cloud-like UFO with a beam of light was reportedly seen as a prelude.

Years later, in November 1987, Mr J underwent hip replacement surgery in Cardiff. While being wheeled into the theatre, he experienced another OOBE, seeing himself on a 'bed of mercury' with a 'strange tall being' rectifying things. He floated out of his body and observed the surgery, hearing the surgeon tell students that 'this man has healed himself.' Later, the surgeon questioned Mr J about his UFO sightings, suggesting he had been babbling about UFOs and aliens under anaesthetic.

Before discharge, a nurse invited Mr J to lunch, revealing that she and a student had seen his 'spirit body' rise from the table and disappear through the ceiling during the pre-op phase. They later saw him re-enter his body from the waist up. Margaret Fry, who investigated the case, is convinced that aliens do not abduct the physical body but rather the etheric body, explaining 'observed abductions' where witnesses claim experiences but were seen by others and did not physically move.

SOMETHING IN THE AIR (PART 1) (Report by Jenny Randles)

In January 1991, scientists suggested that an unexpected high level of ionization in the atmosphere, possibly due to solar flares, might lead to spectacular auroras and other effects, potentially triggering a wave of UFO encounters. The article notes that this might have gone unnoticed.

Several 'fireball meteor' events, described as green balls of light crashing through the atmosphere, were reported starting November 5, 1990. Other recent cases include:

• March 23, 1991: Reports of a 'light blue ball with a long tapering tail' flying east to west in about 5 seconds.
• April 17, 1991: A case from Limerick, Ireland, described as a 'funny green light' that made the air glow.

The period of mid to late February 1991 was particularly active. The article mentions a spectacular time-lapse case from Buckinghamshire (reported in the previous issue) and a case on February 20, 1991, which the author initially dismissed but now believes might have been significant. This sighting occurred in central Manchester around 19:30, as MUFORA members were leaving a meeting, witnessing a 'dazzling affair' unfolding overhead.

The author fielded numerous calls over the next 12 hours, including reports from Stoke on Trent of a 'big streak of white light that split the sky like an explosion,' and from Mow Cop, Staffordshire, of a 'big glow shooting across the sky.' A particularly lucid witness, Mrs Pat Sandbach from Cheshire, reported seeing a 'big green thing that flew across the sky and went behind our farmhouse.' Initially thought to be an aircraft, it scintillated from dark to lurid green but did not reappear on its flight path. Other calls came from Blackburn and Oldham.

The wide scattering of reports led the author to initially consider it a bright fireball meteor or a satellite re-entry. However, the area of observation was limited to Burnley, Oldham, Stoke, and the Wirral. The author later learned that on February 21st, BBC radio in Manchester requested a live insert to discuss the UFO. The author's explanation, suggesting it was identifiable, was picked up by BBC TV and reported as a firm answer, leading to an investigation.

My demystification efforts apparently upset some people. A caller, Mr McGregor, demanded an answer for the 'pathetic explanation.' Another caller, from Sale, Manchester, also sought an explanation. The author was friendly and reported the facts, but the caller rang off when asked for a number to call back.

Intrigued, and noting local press reports of an aircraft inbound to Manchester Airport possibly seeing something, the author wrote to the MoD. On May 2nd, Owen Hartop of Air Staff 2A replied, stating that they had only two sightings and could 'confirm that we have no reason to link these sightings with a satellite re-entry.' The MoD was actively discouraging a UFOlogist explanation, which was unusual. One of the two sightings mentioned by the MoD was from Sale, where a witness reported an 'emerald/lime green light pulsating' for 4 seconds. The MoD note indicated the witness was a 'well known UFO buff.'

FINAL WORDS

The update on the international congress indicates that witnesses Betty Cash, Vickie Landrum, and Charles Hickson could not finance their trips to the UK. However, Budd Hopkins and Dr Thomas Bullard will attend to provide an American perspective on the abduction phenomenon. Linda Moulton Howe has been added to the program, making her UK lecture debut. She is described as the world's top expert on animal mutilations. Tickets for the congress, held at Sheffield Central Library from August 16-18, 1991, are available, with prices for daily admission, the full event, and a CEIV rock concert.

NUFON Regional Groups

A list of NUFON (National UFO Network) regional groups is provided, along with contact details and locations across the UK, including Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, and Northants. The NUFON archive files are held centrally in Manchester.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, with a particular focus on mid-air encounters between conventional aircraft and unidentified objects. The magazine presents a variety of sighting reports, ranging from brief visual observations of lights to more detailed descriptions of structured craft. There is a consistent effort to investigate and document these events, often involving multiple witnesses and attempts to correlate them with official reports or scientific explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting cases and witness accounts while also exploring potential explanations, including those offered by the MoD, and sometimes questioning the official narratives. The 'Alien Medicine' case introduces a more complex dimension, exploring potential non-physical interactions and the nature of consciousness in relation to UFO phenomena. The issue also highlights the role of UFO organizations like BUFORA, MUFORA, and FUFOIG in collecting and investigating these reports.