Northern UFO News - No 153

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 153
Date: Winter 1992
Cover Headline: All the news, views and up to date cases
Editor: Jenny Randles
Cover Artist: Bill Callaghan

This issue of Northern UFO News, published in Winter 1992, is a UK-based magazine dedicated to UFO phenomena. It covers a wide range of topics including sightings, investigations, crop circles, and personal experiences, with a focus on providing up-to-date information and fostering discussion within the UFOlogy community.

Content Highlights

Features and Investigations

• Jacques Vallee in the UK: The issue announces the return of Dr. Jacques Vallee to the UK to promote his new book 'Revelations'. It details his upcoming BUFORA lecture and participation in a 'big event' in the North-West. Vallee's book is described as the final part of his trilogy, exploring topics like Area 51, Bentwaters landings, and UMMO, and is noted for its insightful examination of government manipulation of UFOlogy.
• The Dark Side of Warminster: This significant article revisits the well-known Warminster UFO cases, presenting evidence that some prime cases, including a famous photograph of a 'thing', may have been part of a calculated hoax. The article suggests the hoax might have originated from milk bottle tops and buttons and that the story got out of hand, never intending to become a national press report. It raises questions about who knew what and the potential impact on subsequent reports.
• Crop Circle Debates: The magazine delves into the ongoing controversy surrounding crop circles, particularly the 'Doug & Dave' incident. It discusses rumors that MBF services might be a front for receiving payment and that the two hoaxers are part of a government conspiracy to discredit the subject. The article mentions claims that a French scientist reported the British government was about to reveal circles as hoaxes and that appearances by Pat Delgado on 'Wogan' were mysteriously canceled, fueling suspicions of a plot.
• Abduction Experiences and Hypnosis: Editor Jenny Randles shares her personal reflections on her 'abduction' experience and her participation in a clinical psychologist's test involving hypnotic regression. She discusses the emergence of 'CE IV' memories and expresses sympathy for abductees like Alan Godfrey, who struggle to distinguish between memory and fantasy. Randles suggests that creative visualization and altered states of consciousness might play a role in recalling abduction experiences.

News Round-Up

This section provides brief updates on various UFO-related activities and publications:

• Nigel Watson: The author is releasing a new book titled 'Supernatural Spielberg'.
• Dr. Peter Talbot: A BUFORA investigator reports an increase in animal mutilations in the North-Western Scottish Isles, though official reports are lacking.
• Belgian Group NUFOC: This group is launching two new publications focusing on sightings and commentary articles.
• Philip Mantle: He is compiling a comprehensive directory of global UFO groups.
• Susanne Stebbing Books: Offering discounts on Jenny Randles' book 'Bentwaters' (From out of the Blue).
• Kevin McLure: Selling esoteric UFO material from 1955-1975.
• Anthony North: Launching 'The 1992 Phenomena Comp' for mystery-related articles, with prizes for the best entries.

Reviews and Publications

The magazine includes a 'For Your Perusal' section reviewing several UFO-related publications:

• UFO Times Winter: Features on the pineal gland and a report on activities in Eire.
• UFO Debate Feb: A new publication with a review of crop circle data and a report on CE IV beliefs.
• Annals: Known for its computer art and news items.
• Fortean Times: Includes a review of the D&D crop circle hoax story and an interview with folklorist Dr. Eddie Bullard.
• Magonia 41: Criticized for its dogmatic stance on crop circles, dismissing historical evidence.
• The Skeptic: Questions the approach to skepticism in UFOlogy.
• Swamp Gas Journal: Covers crop circle activity in Canada.
• Orbiter: Features a photograph of a cigar-shaped 'UFO' taken by a Soviet space probe.
• Just Cause: A cover-up magazine with a summary of US official agency statements on UFOs.
• IUR: Articles on US government cover-ups, the Bentwaters landings, and UMMO.
• MUFON Journal: Contains abduction cases, reports on paralysis effects, Canadian circles, and responses to criticism of Tim Good's book.
• The Mundrabilla Report: A comprehensive report from Australia.
• Dynamo House Pty: Offering the first computer UFO book.

Books of the Moment

• The Seventh Sword: Andrew Collins' book, described as a sequel to his UFO adventures involving psychics, swords, and battles against evil. It is noted as part of modern esoteric cult books.
• Revelations by Jacques Vallee: Reviewed as a thought-provoking book that poses relevant questions about government manipulation of UFOlogy and UFOlogists, touching on topics like Area 51 and the Bentwaters landings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the complexities of UFO phenomena, emphasizing the need for critical analysis and objective investigation. There's a clear skepticism towards sensationalism and a focus on separating genuine evidence from hoaxes and misinformation. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions while providing them with detailed reports and diverse perspectives. The issue highlights the challenges faced by UFO researchers in dealing with potential government disinformation and the media's tendency to sensationalize or misrepresent cases. The recurring theme is the ongoing effort to understand the UFO mystery through rigorous investigation and open discussion, even when faced with controversial topics like abductions and crop circle hoaxes.

Title: Northern UFO News
Issue: 11
Publisher: Northern UFO News
Country: United Kingdom
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Northern UFO News delves into the intersection of UFO phenomena and public perception, examining media coverage and presenting various case studies from the UK and Ireland. The publication aims to inform readers about UFO sightings, investigations, and the ongoing debate surrounding these events.

Media Matters: UFOs in the Public Eye

The section "Media Matters" highlights how UFOs are reported in the press. The Birmingham Post is noted for reporting on their sister paper, the Mail, which featured a wave of UFO sightings. These sightings, occurring around the Great Barr area on February 18th, were preceded by a prediction from Wolverhampton astrologer Philip Solomon on New Year's Eve, who foretold psychic phenomena or UFO sightings on the full moon of February 18th. The article humorously suggests arranging a skywatch when Solomon has another inkling.

Pop DJ Liz Kershaw recounted her encounter on the M62, which occurred near Burtonwood. The object was described by police as a 'huge triangle shape with three red lights as it glided in front.' This is linked to a sighting of a triangle by police officers in January 1978, which was a focal point for a documentary made by MUFORA and aired nationally.

Tim Good's book 'Alien Liaison' received some publicity, though less than his earlier works, as UFOs seem to be waning in media attention compared to crop circles. An article in The Independent on February 9th provided a biopic of Good, partly prompted by the Livingston plaque. The article reportedly repeated criticisms, including the assertion that 'Mr Good's ideas are those of a maniac,' which the magazine suggests has good PR value for attracting attention. Despite other disparaging reviews, the article allowed Good to present his views.

The Sunday Sport's UFO coverage is described as feeble, but the Daily Mirror featured an item citing US author Brad Steiger, whom they labeled a 'loony researcher.' Steiger's claim that one in every five household pets is an alien descended from creatures seeded on Earth 50,000 years ago is presented, with the paper concluding, 'Millions of people own space pets and they don't even know it.' The author of the article humorously recounts asking a Cheshire cat if it had been to outer space.

Brief Cases: Some Current Investigations

Some Irish Happenings

Thanks to Roy Sandbach, an incident from July 1965 in County Clare is detailed. A woman and her boyfriend were returning home late at night when a small blue light appeared to pace their car. Initially, it sounded like a star or planet, but the witness insisted otherwise.

Events took a turn when a figure in a long black coat appeared on the road ahead. As they drew level, the figure vanished. When the witness looked for the light, it had also gone. The couple were adamant that this was no ordinary human, given the time and remote location.

Another case from August 1970 at Birr, Co Offaly, involves Pat Delaney and Anne Griffin. A man cycling home saw a star moving very fast, which slowed as it approached, leaving him paralyzed with fear. The object was described as resembling a bubble car, green underneath and brown in the center, with a dome made of glass or perspex and a green light on the base. The craft was silent. Inside the dome, eight beings (four male, four female) were seen sitting, all appearing to wear military suits. The witness was disappointed by the lack of visible equipment. The craft then rose, its light turned orange, and it flew away to the SW. Investigators are unaware of other cases with entities seen through a transparent dome, but this case is compared to the story of Mrs Sage from Kent, involving military-suited beings in a glass helicopter.

The Blackpool Illuminati?

On October 24, 1991, the Wigan Reporter published accounts of pub regulars seeing lights moving across the sky. Descriptions included a 'torch with a strong beam... going around in a circle' and 'moving through clouds backwards and forwards across the sky.' The article notes that these are classic descriptions of laser-guided searchlight beams used to illuminate clouds, often triggering UFO flaps when used for events like nightclub openings or rock shows.

MUFORA concluded that these were searchlights from Blackpool. The powerful effects of these lights could be seen from 25 miles away. The Blackpool pleasure beach public relations officer admitted the truth, but investigator Steve Balon dismissed this, citing his 20 years of UFO experience and claiming the lights could not be searchlights. He launched an investigation, asserting that 'successive governments have attempted to conceal information about flying saucers and aliens.'

Another Fire in the Sky?

An incident on December 9, 1991, saw police inundated with calls from UFO witnesses in south-east Wales and the Midlands. The object was described as rocket-like, burning orange, and making a loud noise like a hot-air balloon, shaking windows. The MoD and CAA initially had no idea what it was but confirmed no aircraft were missing. A military plane expert at Kemspey identified it as an F-111 jet using afterburners. The object was seen at Brecon, Hereford, Worcestershire, and ended near Droitwich.

The MoD stated that an F-111 was called back to Upper Heyford, where the runway was icy, so it dumped its fuel at 10,000 feet. The afterburner ignited the fuel, causing it to evaporate. The article compares this to the famous Peter Day UFO film, which also supposedly shows an F-111 from Upper Heyford dumping fuel ignited by afterburners. However, the 1973 incident lacked the massive number of witnesses, swamped police switchboards, rattling windows, or roaring noises, and the F-111 in that film was apparently much lower than the one at 10,000 feet in December 1991.

Case Histories

CASE 8553: In September 1985, in Helmshore, Lancashire, a man and his girlfriend in a car reported seeing a 'spray of light' from a star, which split into two arcs and formed a creamy speckled aura. The process repeated, and later, the car's door locks clicked, and a beating sound was heard in the sky. The UFO might have been homemade hot air balloons or an optical illusion.

CASE 9116: On November 19, 1991, in Hull, Humberside, a man observed three lights swooping and flitting around the sky, which sounded like birds reflecting streetlamps.

The Revenge of the Daily Star

This section claims that the Daily Star newspaper inadvertently caused a UFO wave. In early February 1992, a yellowish glow was seen in the sky over London, which then moved north. For two weeks, particularly on February 24th, 25th, and 26th, reports came from Kirkby, Wythenshawe, Manchester, Moore, Bolton, and Oldham. Witness sketches were similar, showing a 'culprit' which was a 130-foot long blimp called the Virgin Lightship, advertising the Daily Star. This airship drifted around the north-west, landing at Manchester Airport, and its illuminated gas bag, circled by lights, created the sightings.

The Birchwood Mall Case (Part 2)

This part of the MUFORA report details a video film taken by a security camera at the Birchwood Mall in Cheshire on February 25, 1991. The object on the film resembled a small light or a round soap bubble. The security guard and camera operator saw it through the camera lens, ruling out a tape defect. A frame-by-frame analysis revealed interesting effects, such as the object never passing behind anything and appearing to be partially transparent. It behaved like a three-dimensional object.

Dr Steve Donnelly, a physicist and member of the British and Irish Skeptics, was invited to view the film. The possibility of an insect trapped in the camera lens was considered but ruled out, as the camera system is sealed and was cleaned only six months prior to the film being taken. Dr Donnelly conducted experiments using a torch, soap bubbles, and a video camera. He concluded that the object was not a reflecting sphere and its observed ring structure was likely not its real shape. The image showed a donut-like impression, similar to ball lightning, but this analysis was later deemed incorrect. The Birchwood Mall video was considered more impressive than the Kent film due to its longevity, motion, and size.

Dr Donnelly and his colleagues could not provide a definitive answer but leaned towards aberrations within the camera's lens system. A copy of the film was given to BUFORA photo analysts and meteorologist Dave Reynolds. The possibility of an infra-red spot beam used by the camera to illuminate the dark area was considered. The investigation took a surprising turn when, on April 26, 1991, the UFO reappeared and was filmed by another camera on the site, suggesting the issue was not with the particular camera used previously.

Final Words...

This section announces upcoming Manchester and Sheffield conferences for the IUN. It also mentions two overseas conferences: the premiere French event at Lyon on May 1st-3rd, and 'Exploring Unexplained Phenomena IV' at the Nebraska Center in Lincoln, USA, on the same dates. The US conference will feature debates on Bentwaters landings, crop circles, animal mutilations, and John Keel's work.

A competition is announced, offering a free copy of 'Looking for the Aliens' for the first correct entry by March 31st. The competition involves finding a link between the 'Maigret' TV series, a book 'Abduction,' and the work of Zsolt Varkonyi, who translated a book into Hungarian. A further link is suggested between authors of 'Crop Circles: A Mystery Solved,' 'The Ruth Rendell Mysteries,' and the TV series 'Maigret' or 'Wexford.' The prize goes to the person who can solve this riddle.

Thanks are given to Victor Kean for spotting that CHARON (not Chiron) is Pluto's satellite.

NUFON Regional Groups

A list of NUFON (Northern UFO Network) regional groups is provided with their respective locations and contact details, including SPI (W. Scotland), SRUFO (E. Scotland), NLUFOIG (Cumbria), FUFOIG (Fylde Coast), MUFORA (North West), IUN (Yorkshire), SSPR (Derbyshire), SKYSCAN (Staffs), EMUFORA (Notts), PARASEARCH (W. Midlands), LUFOIC (E. Midlands), and NUFORC (Northants). NUFON archive files are held centrally at MUFORA in Manchester.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the media's portrayal of UFOs, the investigation of specific sightings, and the analysis of potential explanations, ranging from misidentifications to more conventional phenomena like searchlights or aircraft. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various viewpoints and encouraging readers to consider different interpretations of UFO events. There's a clear skepticism towards sensationalism, as seen in the critique of the Daily Star and the labeling of Brad Steiger as a 'loony researcher.' The magazine also emphasizes the importance of organized investigation through groups like MUFORA and NUFON.