Northern UFO News - No 150

Magazine Overview

Northern UFO News, Issue 150, August 1991, is a UK-based publication focused on UFO phenomena. Edited by Jenny Randles, with a cover by Roy Sandbach, the issue is priced at £6 for six issues. The cover headline proclaims 'All the news, views and up to date cases'.

Content Highlights

The issue features a variety of content, including:

• Usual features (p. 4)
• Crop circles update (p. 5-8)
• American reports (p. 10-12)
• Case Histories including an alien jaywalker and a Midlands invasion in 1991 (p. 12-16)
• Specific reports on Rendlesham revisited, Horse sense in Bedfordshire, Blowing bubbles in the West Midlands, and the Manchester Airport UFO encounter.

Editorial and Commentary

J.R. Comments: This section features an interview with author John Spencer, who defends his recent books against criticism from the UFO press. Spencer questions the target audience of UFO publications, suggesting that many reviews are from rival authors with vested interests. Jenny Randles, the editor, responds by asserting her responsibility to readers to provide honest reviews, regardless of the author's reputation or her personal relationship with them. She emphasizes that while she aims to be critical, her reviews are intended to help readers decide if a book is worth purchasing. Randles discusses the usability problems and factual errors she found in Spencer's books, but acknowledges their appeal to the enthusiast market. She argues that pointing out errors is beneficial for authors and the field, even if it's frustrating. Randles also reflects on the balance between writing popular books to reach a wider audience and maintaining the integrity of UFOlogy by exploring difficult truths. She concludes by wishing Spencer luck in finding a formula that bridges these two aspects.

NEWS ROUND UP: This section includes a reminder about meetings for SRUFO readers in Scotland and an offer from Eric Herr in California for case reports involving magnetic compasses being affected by UFOs.

Circles Update

This section, written by Jenny Randles, labels 1991 as the 'year of the hoax' for crop circles. It notes that many cereologists now support the claim that over 50% of recent cases are hoaxes. Examples of hoaxes include company logos and messages. The article mentions less cases occurring outside of Wessex, with some in Leicestershire and Northants, and hoaxes in Nottinghamshire. It highlights a report from Robert Moore about a ring in Somerset, considered a likely hoax. The scientific aspect of crop circles gained attention with researchers from Japan and extensive promotion for Operation Blue Hill. Rita Goold, a leading cereologist, reportedly concluded that plasma vortex and hoaxing were the cause of events after witnessing a spectacular event near Avebury. The article mentions laboratory experiments using wind tunnels and computer simulations to create circles. It notes that the mystical side of cereology has received little attention, though David Icke visited a circle and offered a spiritual interpretation.

For Your Perusal: Major Articles Elsewhere

This section reviews several other UFO publications:

• UFO Times: Features a piece by Anthony North on reality, a crop circle report by Paul Fuller, the John Spencer interview, and an explanation of the Peter Day film.
• MUFON Journal: Focuses heavily on crop circles, with articles on 'the mystic view' and 'how to measure them'.
• IUR: Includes a perceptive piece on Canadian Circle research by Chris Rutkowski and an Australian abduction case.
• Oribiter: Reprints letters and press stories with commentary on American UFOlogy.
• Just Cause: Offers a sensible look at the 'cover-up' field and includes US intelligence data on the Belgian wave.
• NUFOC 3: A Belgian journal covering the wave and other activity, written in English.
• Phenomena: A French publication offering detailed looks at UFOlogy in Europe, with interviews and features on Dutch and Belgian cases.
• Eurofon News: Another French publication, providing a detailed look at European UFOlogy, with a focus on Dutch and Belgian cases.
• Fortean Times: A glossy magazine with a broad range of interests.
• Strange: An American equivalent of Fortean Times with a UK subscriber offer.

Books of the Moment

Several books are reviewed:

• Alien Liaison: The Ultimate Secret by Tim Good: Described as an excellently written and reasoned presentation, though some claims are controversial. The reviewer notes its fairness and discussion of issues like the MJ-12 documents and Billy Meier photos. It is praised for its simple style and accessibility.
• How to Catch a Flying Saucer by James Deem: Hailed as an absolute delight and the best book written specifically for children on UFO studies. It is noted for its American perspective but includes a British element, making it agreeable for UK readers. The reviewer wishes it could be provided to new investigators.
• Crop Circles: A Mystery Solved by Robert Hale: A paperback reprint.
• From out of the Blue by Jenny Randles: A book examining the Bentwaters case with new data.
• Looking for the Aliens by Peter Hough and Jenny Randles: A book on the search for extraterrestrial life.

Media Matters

This section discusses media coverage of UFO topics, particularly Tim Good's book 'Alien Liaison'. The Daily Express is criticized for calling the book 'plainly daft' without substantial effort to explain why. The Sunday Telegraph is also criticized for its dismissive review. The article argues that the media creates a false dichotomy, suggesting that UFOlogists must either believe in spaceships and aliens or be labeled skeptics/debunkers.

Brief Cases

This section presents several current UFO investigations:

• Miami Advice: Ms R recounts tales, including a childhood encounter with a purple light that caused an electrical issue, and later sightings of a 'Picasso style' UFO. She believes UFOs are piloted by aliens from a planet called Phaeton.
• UFO at the Pentagon: A case from Mrs X, whose husband was an air force officer. She reported seeing a 'mellow white searchlight-like light' and later witnessed two balls of light rising over the State Capitol building.
• They shouldn't be able to fly: Mr H of Washington State claims to have seen numerous aircraft without wings or stabilisers between 1957 and 1988, and experienced radio contact.

From the Dawn of the UFO Era

This section details historical cases:

• Case 4704 (August 1947, Sheffield): Mr B, as a teenager, saw a red light in the sky that grew in size and disappeared.
• Case 6918 (April 1969, Gleadless): Mr B and his wife witnessed a bright green light speed through the sky.
• Case 75-170 (November 1975, Penkridge): R and his brother saw a small, silver-suited 'being' dart onto the road.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate about the nature and validity of UFO evidence, the role of hoaxes in phenomena like crop circles, and the challenges of reporting and reviewing UFO-related material. There is a clear editorial stance, particularly from Jenny Randles, advocating for honest and critical reporting within UFOlogy, even when it means confronting uncomfortable truths or challenging popular narratives. The magazine aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current news, historical cases, and book releases within the field, catering to both experienced researchers and newcomers.

Title: Northern UFO News
Issue: 11-
Date: September 26, 1990 (with other cases from 1990 and 1991)
Content: This issue of Northern UFO News features a collection of witness accounts and investigative reports on UFO/UAP sightings primarily from the UK.

Case 9031: Alsager, Staffs (September 26, 1990)

The issue opens with a report from Alsager, Staffs, detailing a sighting by an individual travelling to school. The object was described as a 'moving vehicle' that was 'light blackish metallic and very aerodynamic' with an orange light emanating from its side. The witness initially dismissed it as a late arrival, but a month later, on October 27th, at 20:30, the same individual saw a 'red glow' in the sky from a field, which slowly drifted out of sight. That same night, the witness's mother reported hearing an odd humming sound. The report also recalls a similar humming noise and a bright white light experienced by the witness in 1984 when he was nine years old. The initial sighting is tentatively attributed to an aircraft under unusual lighting conditions, but the 1984 experience is noted as more intriguing.

Midlands Invasion Season 1991: Nottingham Area (May 22, 1991)

This section summarizes press stories about a series of sightings in the Nottingham area, investigated by Anthony James of EMUFORA. Initial reports from the Nottingham Post described a 'low flying, brightly lit but almost silent' object seen over Gedling and Arnold. Witnesses described 'elongated triangles resembling Concorde' and later, 'two diamond shaped lights... no more than a few feet apart' with a low humming or pumping noise. The lights were noted as being much larger than those of any aircraft. Tony Dodd of YUFOS commented that the events were 'panning out into something quite spectacular' and that the speed ruled out known aircraft. The reporter, however, suggests the possibility of aircraft refuelling exercises. Anthony James appealed for data, stating that a large object met up with several smaller ones before disappearing. By June 4th, EMUFORA reported cases flooding in from a 20-mile radius of Nottingham, with sightings of 'very bright white lights and many green and red lights', emitting a deep humming drone, occurring between 23:40 and 00:40. By June 5th, there were '50 reports', and James was investigating leads, including RAF or USAF refuelling options. A letter to the Post from a woman in Bulwell insisted she saw the phenomenon but identified them as 'two aircraft flying close together', suggesting military night-time manoeuvres.

Case 9106: Woodford, Cheshire (June 10, 1991)

Two men cleaning water tanks at an airfield (which builds aircraft) observed a small white ball speeding across the field at right angles to the runway. The sighting occurred on a dull day with low cloud. Similar sightings were reported in the north-west that week. A video filmed in Wythenshawe, Manchester, showed one of the white balls speeding upwards with almost rocket-like velocity, passing through cloud within 3 seconds, which likely rules out a runaway balloon hypothesis.

Anonymous Report: Armagh, Northern Ireland (May 30, 1991)

An anonymous witness reported seeing a 'warm wind' and a 'green glowing object' (drawn to resemble a rugby or American football) hovering briefly over football pitches at 22:15. The object then moved at amazing speed to another position above the goalposts before flying off over a farm. The witness, aged 28 and working in a shop in Ardmore, wished to record the details but feared ridicule.

Meteorologist Dave Reynolds' Comments

Dave Reynolds commented on a case from a previous issue (February NUN), suggesting that an object pacing an aircraft in the USA could have been a rare optical phenomenon or viewed through an image-distorting medium. He noted that ball lightning has been known to pace high and fast-flying aircraft, and suggested that a plasma vortex might also have this capability, though many questions remain.

Case Histories: Rendlesham Revisited (Report by Jenny Randles)

This section details a case phoned to BBC TV after Jenny Randles' appearance on Daytime UK. Mrs W, living in Woodbridge, Suffolk, in March 1974, reported seeing an oval object with a searchlight beam projecting towards the ground. The object hovered and pulsated, and the beam appeared solid. Mrs W felt a sense of telepathic communication from the object. After she fetched her daughter, the object moved away by retracting its beam and drifting sideways to the SE. She had no knowledge of other UFO sightings in the area at the time but later heard of the Bentwaters case. She contacted RAF Bawdsey, who stated they had not tracked anything, but were intrigued by her story. A Flight Lieutenant visited, and a form was presumably sent to the MoD, but Mrs W heard nothing further.

Horse Sense (Report by Jenny Randles)

This case, from November 1980, occurred in Westoning, Bedfordshire. Mrs T (then 17) and her mother were in their farm fields feeding horses when they spotted a white, round light in a neighbour's arable field. The light was large and appeared close. It moved smoothly and rapidly, convincing the women it was airborne. The light seemed to explore the field, moving back and forth, before shining directly at them, illuminating the area like daylight. The light was described as being like looking into a giant car headlight, and it hurt the eyes. Four horses in the field were not spooked by the light, though they stared at it. Despite the still night, there was no sound, leading the witnesses to rule out explanations like a lighted farm machine. The light vanished and reappeared further across the field, scanning great distances. It followed them to the house, shining onto the back wall. It remained for some time, disappearing for good at 03:00. The farmer had no explanation and had seen nothing unusual in his field. The reporter speculates about luminous owls or other phenomena but finds the brilliance of the object rules them out.

Forever Blowing Bubbles (Report by Jenny Randles)

This case, occurring in daylight on August 26, 1989, involved Mr W exercising his dog outside a nature reserve in Sedgeley, West Midlands. He saw a 'soap bubble' object, larger than a golf ball, with a white feather trapped inside, drifting by about 12 feet off the ground. It appeared to be surveying the field and horses. The object then moved directly against the strong wind, leading Mr W to suspect a remote control model. He searched for an operator but found no one. The object moved close to the ground, then climbed over a fence, reaching within 24 inches of Mr W. He described it as 'looking at me' and saw it perfectly. The object had an oily, opaque surface with a white residue, no antennae, but a dark patch. Mr W saw his own image reflecting on the surface. He was tempted to 'burst' the bubble, but it visibly 'kicked' into gear and accelerated away eastwards, covering 30-40 feet in a second. Mr W, who has lived in the area for many years, had never seen anything like it and waited a year to report it, considering it might be a 'military surveillance device gone a little wild'. He concludes that it was a very unusual UAP.

Something in the Air (Part 2) (Report by Jenny Randles)

This report discusses press coverage of a UFO incident over Greater Manchester. Reports mentioned a UFO lighting up the skyline with no sign of 'little green men'. The crew of a Manx Airlines plane saw it on arrival at Ringway. Theories included satellite debris, but the MoD called it 'just one of those mysteries.' The CAA was filing a report with the MoD. The reporter quoted herself as saying the sightings 'appear to be consistent with what we've seen before from space debris re-entering the earths atmosphere.' A teletype from RAF West Drayton to the MoD provided details: sighting at 19:19, duration 5 seconds, bearings 200-220 degrees, elevation 15-25 degrees. The UFO was described as 'one object with a line of light inside in a broad band, very bright, changing from green to yellow to white.' Four experienced air traffic controllers from Manchester Airport saw it, and it was not tracked on radar. The Manx Airlines aircrew confirmed the sighting. A letter to the ATC produced a response from an officer who confirmed it was not tracked on radar, but the Manx Airlines report prompted them to take note. The officer confirmed that the aircrew saw the UFO on two occasions: a bluish streak at 19:07 at 10,000 feet, and again when taxiing in after landing, where it was seen through the runway lights. The controller initially suggested an aurora but realized it was in the southern sky. He described it as an electric glow arcing in the sky and considered a power station issue in Devon, but deemed it improbable due to the distance. The conclusion was that it was 'one of those things', possibly a natural atmospheric event.

Final Words

The issue concludes with information about upcoming BUFORA lecture series at the London Business School, featuring talks by Stan Conway on UFO energy and Norman Oliver on UFOs and coincidence. It also recommends two new BBC videos of the 1980 and 1981 TV films 'The Flipside of Dominic Hyde' and 'Another Flip for Dominic', noting their incidental UFO content and exploration of the 'time travelers theory'.

NUFON Regional Groups

A directory of NUFON (National UFO Network?) regional groups across the UK is provided, including contact names, addresses, and phone numbers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are detailed witness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena, often involving unusual lights, shapes, and behaviours. The magazine appears to adopt a stance of open investigation, presenting various cases and theories, including conventional explanations like aircraft and meteorological phenomena, alongside more unusual possibilities. There is an emphasis on gathering data and encouraging public participation in reporting sightings. The editorial tone is investigative and analytical, with the reporter, Jenny Randles, often offering her own reasoned speculations while acknowledging the unexplained nature of many events.