Northern UFO News - No 151

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated October 1991, is identified as issue number 151. The cover features a prominent headline "All the news, views and up to date cases" and highlights contributions from Editor Jenny Randles, cover artist Johnny Haudby, and logos artist Bill Callaghan. The price is listed as "£6 for six". The cover art depicts two grey aliens, one with its hand raised, against a stylized circular design.

Editor's Comments: J. R.

In his editorial, J. R. (presumably Jenny Randles) reflects on a dramatic experience during a September tour in Australia. He recounts spending a concentrated period immersed in UFOlogy, participating in interviews and discussions at a two-day international congress in Sydney. He describes feeling tired and speaking somewhat spontaneously during a lecture on abduction cases, leading him to acknowledge that while he had previously maintained a cautious approach, some cases genuinely seemed to involve intervention by another intelligence. He admits to a fear of jeopardizing his objectivity or credibility by accepting the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH), and the potential implications of such a public statement. He concludes that while many cases can be explained by complex psychological theories, a significant portion points towards an intelligence beyond human comprehension, even if the CE 4 experience itself was witness-dependent and created 'Dan Dare' imagery.

J. R. then discusses the evidence for the Roswell Incident, refuting the weather balloon explanation and noting the increasing strength of evidence for an "out of this world" origin. He also mentions writing an assessment of the Bentwaters encounters in 1980, where he outlined four possible scenarios, including an intelligently controlled phenomenon. He acknowledges that photographic cases like McMinnville and Williamette Pass, if substantive, lead to the conclusion of a craft of intelligent origin. He states that he can no longer deny the evidence and must accept the possibility of an intelligence beyond ourselves, though he clarifies he is not endorsing the ETH wholesale.

Content Highlights

The issue features several articles and updates:

• Content: Includes usual features, a "Circles Update" on page 4, and discussions on "Hypnotic regression doubts" on page 5. It also covers cases from Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Scotland, Worcestershire, and East Yorkshire, with a case history on "Gypsies of a strange and distant time" and an "amazing Welsh CE 4 from Margaret Fry".

• News Round Up: Reports a sighting of a "classic black manta-ray UFO" over North West London on September 22nd, with a leading British UFOlogist and his wife having reported it.

• Media Matters: Critically examines the press coverage of the Sheffield conference. It notes the extensive promotion by BUFORAS press officer Philip Mantle and the multiple articles in the Sheffield Star. The coverage is described as varied, with some articles focusing on contactee Kathryn Howard's story and others, like The Daily Telegraph, sensationalizing the event. The Independent on Sunday is highlighted for its perceptive overview, with the author being quoted.

Crop Circles and Hoaxes

The "Circles Update" section declares September 1991 as a turning point, potentially the "termination" of circles research due to two significant hoax events. The author expresses concern that hoaxing reached extreme levels in 1991 and states that "much (if not all) of the complex patterns we have seen are the result of hoaxing." He suggests that the phenomenon might be limited to simple circles, doublets, triplets, and rings, and that there may not be any "real crop circle phenomenon" beyond these. This view is presented as controversial but historically justified by events.

Further discussion on crop circles appears on page 5, where the author notes that the makers of an EQUINOX documentary fooled Dr. Meaden into commenting positively on a filmed faking of a circle. This event seems to validate doubts about the ease of distinguishing fake from real circles. The issue also mentions the claim by "Doug and Dave" that they created the circle mythology from 1978 onwards, including complex insectograms from August 1991. The author suggests that after stripping away the effect of these hoaxes, a simpler, natural phenomenon might be behind some circles, possibly related to weather patterns.

Hypnotic Regression Doubts

Page 5 introduces David MacMillan, a psychologist joining BUFORAS, who has compiled data expressing doubts about the usefulness of regression hypnosis in investigating CE 4 cases. The summary of his points includes:

1. Hypnosis does not generally distort memory recall.
2. Material recalled can be subject to confabulation, especially with highly hypnotisable subjects or leading questions.
3. A subject's confidence in their recall is not an indicator of its correctness; higher confidence can correlate with greater error.

MacMillan adds that experiments show highly hypnotisable people are more prone to fill memory gaps with confabulation, and that trauma recovered under hypnotic regression often involves a significant tendency to recall unreal material. While hypnosis may bring forth more material, the percentage of accurate information decreases. This research is deemed important for CE 4 cases, especially since consciously recalled testimony varies little from hypnotic regression, and the issue suggests this justifies the "ceasefire" on hypnotic regression into abduction cases in British UFOlogy.

Book Reviews and Publications

The issue includes a "FOR YOUR PERUSAL" section reviewing various UFO-related publications and books:

• 'The Unexplained': A 156-part encyclopedia, now re-launched as 'ENIGMAS', with five million copies of the first issue given away free with the News of the World.
• 'The Fireside Philosopher': A new magazine from Anthony North.
• Fortean Times 59: Praised for its value and news on strange phenomena, though its crop circle coverage is noted as problematic due to the recent 'Doug & Dave' story.
• UFO Debate: Described as full of unusual and entertaining articles.
• TLH 114: A significant edition with a section on new earthlights cases and a piece on the pineal gland.
• Annals: Features artwork and data on weather effects, circles, and unusual aircraft.
• IUR (International UFO Reporter): Praised for major articles defending abduction data as reflecting real events.
• MUFON Journal: Considered arguably the best article-based UFO publication, covering US circles, Soviet UFOs, and crash data.
• Orbiter: Features an account of the Daily Star's 'exclusive' photo of a dead alien and a sceptical piece on the Roswell crash.
• 'Alien Liaison' by Tim Good: Receives mixed reviews from US UFOlogy, suggesting a shift in the field.
• 'Life Beyond Planet Earth?' by Janet & Colin Bord: A comprehensive but somewhat superficial overview of CE 3/4 cases, focusing on contactee accounts.
• 'Looking for the aliens': A forthcoming book by Peter Hough and Jenny Randles, which focuses on interviewing people actively searching for extraterrestrial life.
• 'The Roswell Report': A CUFOS publication that complements Kevin Randle and Don Schmitt's book on the Roswell crash, offering new leads and refuting the 'Japanese' balloon theory.
• 'Life Pulse' by Anthony North: A self-published booklet offering a "grand unifying theory of life."
• NEXUS: A new 'New Age' publication from Australia, with less UFO content but covering orgone energy and other therapies.
• UFO NYT: A Danish publication with a one-page English summary.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of UFO evidence and the evolving nature of UFOlogy. There is a strong emphasis on the impact of hoaxes, particularly in the context of crop circles, and a growing acceptance that natural explanations may account for a significant portion of phenomena. The editorial stance, particularly from J. R., reflects a personal journey from skepticism to a more open, albeit cautious, acceptance of the possibility of non-human intelligence, while still valuing objectivity and rigorous investigation. The issue also highlights the challenges of media representation of UFO topics and the ongoing debate about the reliability of testimony, especially when obtained through techniques like hypnotic regression. The publication aims to provide a platform for detailed case studies, critical analysis, and reviews of relevant literature, catering to both dedicated UFOlogists and a broader audience interested in the subject.

Title: Northern UFO News
Issue: 11
Date: August 1991
Publisher: NUFON
Country: UK
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Content Summary

This issue of Northern UFO News delves into various UFO phenomena, beginning with a commentary on the reproduction of crop circles in a lab setting and the potential for patenting such discoveries. The author expresses frustration with the UK's approach to UFO research compared to Japan's more proactive stance. The magazine critiques a UFO article for its obligatory coverage and predictable 'cigar shaped objects' trope, while noting the author's own quotes were used for balance. A significant point is made about the need for sensationalism to secure funding for serious UFO research, a dilemma currently debated within BUFORA.

The 'Sport' section is mentioned for its coverage of a conference and a prediction from Tony Dodd of YUFOS about a 'massive increase in sightings of aliens.' The article also highlights a sensational claim about astronomers discovering that aliens are 'thieving our stars' for nuclear fuel.

Brief Cases

The "Brief Cases" section presents several current investigations:

• Malvern Earthlights: Reports from Bushley Green, near Worcester/Gloucestershire borders, detail events near Bredon Hill. In June 1986, a purple night sky turned green, followed by a ball of light with a short tail drifting slowly for 45 seconds. In May 1991, two rapidly moving white lights were observed. A historical account from the witness's grandmother in November 1920 describes two globes of light near a church, which then 'took off' towards a larger object, and witnesses were knocked down by a wind or forcefield.

• Yorkshire Puddings: This section discusses sightings in East Yorkshire, including two holidaymakers spotting orange lights darting through clouds near Filey on August 7, 1991. The following night, a farmer and hotel receptionist in Sancton saw a cross-shaped green and red light that became a bright light and hovered before flying off with a 'soft drone.' Similar sightings of a pulsing orange light at Gristhorpe were reported. The Hull Mail reportedly pitted UFO expert James Randi against Tony Dodd, with Dodd linking sightings to crop circles and mentioning contact with NASA and the MoD. Philip Mantle suggested mid-air refuelling exercises as a possible explanation, a theory the MoD initially denied but which the author supports as plausible given training exercises.

• Midlands Invasion (Part 2): Reported by Anthony James of EMUFORA, this covers a wave of sightings on May 22, 1991, over Nottingham. Witnesses reported a slow-moving object with two white lights that resolved into triangular formations with red and green lights. A humming sound was heard. While one witness insisted they were aircraft, EMUFORA's investigation suggested otherwise, noting the MoD's off-the-record comment about tracking an object that 'played havoc with their airspace.' EMUFORA rejects the refuelling theory, citing similarities to Belgian triangle cases.

• Padiham Case (9107): On May 23, 1991, a security guard in Padiham, Lancashire, observed a stationary cone-shaped mass of lights (red, green, white) above a cloud bank. The object remained visible for 20-30 minutes before dimming and eventually vanishing. The author suspects an astronomical source.

• Ladywell Case (9109): On August 4, 1991, a couple in Ladywell, Scotland, were awoken by a brilliant lightbeam entering their window. The beam vanished when they looked, and no source was found. A neighbor reported seeing the same phenomenon. Steuart Campbell suggested the moon as a source, but SRUFO investigations found the angle insufficient, though a temperature inversion might have magnified the moon's effect.

• Case 9111 (Blackridge, Scotland): A preliminary report on a triangular object seen over Bathgate Hills, with beams of light directed towards the ground. One beam appeared to hit a house roof, followed by a loud explosion.

Case Histories

• Gypsies of a Strange and Distant Time: Reported by Margaret Fry, this is a case involving a woman referred to as 'G' from south Wales. In summer 1934, as a child, G witnessed 'soldiers' in green suits forcing a family into a 'big silver caravan.' Later, in June 1943, she encountered a 'long silver caravan' with a row of windows. Inside, she met beings who identified themselves as coming from 'Chiron,' a satellite of Pluto, and claimed to have 'programmed' her. The case notes that G struggled to recall these memories. Around this time, a colored ball of light appeared at her window. In 1949, G and her young brother were drawn towards a cliff edge by a hovering 'dull silvery bell shape,' and G had to prevent her brother from falling.

Final Words

This section congratulates Victor Kean for winning a competition. It notes that Northern UFO News is entering its 50th issue, highlighting its longevity compared to other UFO journals. The publisher announces a joint subscriber savings deal for 1992, offering 10 issues (6 NUNs and 4 Brigantias) for £12, with a warning about future price increases due to printing and postal costs. Renewals at 1991 prices are encouraged.

What's on Where

This section lists upcoming BUFORA lectures and events, including a debate on modern UFO life, a pilot and crop circle photographer's talk, and a 'Psychic Questing Conference.' It also details paranormal lectures at The Leigh, Lancashire Library, featuring Michael Carro on astrology and Jenny Randles on UFO and psychic experiences. Peter Hough's lecture on 'Scary Stories' is also mentioned.

NUFON Regional Groups

A directory of NUFON regional groups across the UK is provided, with contact names, addresses, and phone numbers for groups in Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Staffs, Nottinghamshire, the West Midlands, East Midlands, and Northants.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on eyewitness accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and objects, often referred to as UFOs. There is a clear interest in investigating cases thoroughly, as evidenced by the "Brief Cases" and "Case Histories" sections. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, acknowledging the need for funding and sensationalism to advance research, while also critically evaluating explanations such as refuelling exercises and astronomical phenomena. The magazine also highlights the challenges of media coverage and the importance of serious UFOlogy over sensationalism or 'magic.' The historical case of 'Gypsies' suggests an interest in long-term patterns and potentially extraterrestrial origins, with specific claims about 'Chiron' and 'programming' being presented for investigation. The publication also serves as a community hub, listing events and regional groups for UFO enthusiasts.