Northern UFO News - No 157

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 157
Date: October 1992
Price: £6 for six issues
Editor: Jenny Randles

This issue of Northern UFO News provides a comprehensive update on UFO-related news, views, and cases, with a particular focus on international developments and ongoing research.

Content Highlights

UFOs Over Hungary

Jenny Randles shares her experiences promoting her books in Hungary, noting the growing interest in UFOlogy there since the fall of Communism. She discusses the country's first UFO conference and highlights a particularly bizarre case involving an abduction scenario. The case describes a woman who saw a holographic alien image, subsequently experienced a phantom pregnancy with an alien-like foetus detected via ultrasound, and faced medical confusion. This case is presented as an example of the increasingly unusual and evidence-based phenomena emerging in the UFO field.

Crop Circles and Cereology

The magazine features articles discussing the crop circle phenomenon. Jim Schnabel's work is highlighted, exposing a new team of hoaxers and reinforcing the view that most complex shapes are human-made. Terence Meaden denounces the 1992 season as a 'circus' and urges prosecution of hoaxers. The article also touches upon the challenge of distinguishing genuine circles from hoaxes and mentions the work of Professor Gerald Hawkins in finding mathematical relationships between circles and musical tones. The debate around the authenticity of crop circles and the potential for government infiltration of UFO groups is also explored.

News Round Up

This section provides a diverse collection of news items and resources for UFO enthusiasts:

• New Book Catalogues: Arcturus has moved, and new catalogues are available.
• Publications: Mentions of 'Deja Vu', 'Excalibur', 'UFO Times', 'UFO Debate', 'OVNI Sep', 'Wild Places', 'The Ley Hunter', and 'Fortean Times' are included, with brief descriptions of their content and subscription details.
• Resources: Information is provided on George Fawcett's 'resources listing' and the new Aura-Z Research Centre in Russia, which will publish a multilingual journal on UFOs and the paranormal.
• Museums and Organizations: The opening of the first International UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico, is announced, along with a call for funding. Operation Right to Know is seeking support for a march on the White House.
• International Magazines: Several international UFO magazines are reviewed, including 'UFO Afrinews' from Africa, 'A E' from Canada, 'Just Cause' and 'IUR' from the USA, and 'UFO Nyt' from Denmark.
• Books: 'The Black Alchemist' by Andy Collins is featured as a 'cult classic' with UFO references. A catalogue of Australian and New Zealand abduction cases by Keith Basterfield is mentioned. Jenny Randles' own new book, 'UFOs and how to see them', is released.
• Local Folklore: 'Ghosts and Legends of Yorkshire' by Andy Roberts is reviewed as an entertaining exploration of local folklore with UFO mentions.
• UFO Encyclopedia: Jerome Clark's 'The UFO Encyclopedia Volume 2' is highly praised for its comprehensive coverage of the genesis of UFOlogy up to the space age, despite its unusual chronological order and high price.

Media Matters

This section addresses the media coverage of a significant 'big light' sighting on August 16th. While initially reported as an 'ET invader' phenomenon by local newspapers, it was later identified as a fireball meteor. The article notes how BUFORA and Jenny Randles provided explanations for the event. It also touches upon a Guardian preview of a UFO conference where 'double agents' were to be revealed, hinting at a conspiracy within the UFO community.

Eclipsing the Unknown (Part 2)

Robert France continues his analysis of contactees, questioning the claims of individuals being chosen by higher intelligences. He suggests that while genuine incursions by higher intelligence may exist, many cases investigated by UFOlogy do not fit this description. He explores themes of salvation and messianic figures in these accounts, pondering why these advanced beings cannot identify their origins if they have been present for so long. The article suggests that technology, even advanced, might appear 'magickal' and that contactee and abduction phenomena are deeply rooted in subconscious aspects of fear, desire, and faith.

Circular Logic

This article critically examines the field of Cereology (the study of crop circles). It highlights the ongoing debate between genuine circles and hoaxes, referencing Jim Schnabel's work in exposing hoaxing teams. The author expresses skepticism about the authenticity of many crop circles, suggesting they are largely human-made. The article also mentions Terence Meaden's concerns about tricksters impacting serious research and questions the methodology of researchers like George Wingfield. It touches upon the idea that crop circles might be a 'last cry for help from mother earth' or a means to promote social change, but questions whether this includes rampant commercialism and destructive acts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Northern UFO News maintains a critical yet engaged stance on UFOlogy and related phenomena. The editor, Jenny Randles, actively participates in promoting UFO research internationally and critically analyzes various cases and theories. There is a strong emphasis on distinguishing between genuine phenomena and hoaxes, particularly in the context of crop circles. The magazine also highlights the evolving nature of UFO sightings, moving from more common encounters to rarer, more extraordinary cases. The editorial stance appears to be one of rigorous investigation, open-mindedness to genuine evidence, and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, while also acknowledging the deep psychological and cultural aspects of the UFO phenomenon. The recurring themes include international UFO activity, the challenges of crop circle research, abduction experiences, and the broader landscape of paranormal investigation and related literature.

Title: Northern UFO News
Issue: 11
Date: N/A (estimated January 1992 based on content)
Publisher: N/A
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Northern UFO News critically examines skeptical approaches to UFO phenomena and presents a collection of UFO case histories and related discussions.

Editorial and Commentary

Critique of Skeptical Reporting

The lead article, likely an editorial or commentary, strongly criticizes a pull-out from the Observer Magazine (dated September 20th) that purportedly tackled paranormal issues. The author dismisses the magazine's writers as uninformed and their approach as biased. Specifically, the article refutes the claim that crop circle experts cannot distinguish between hoaxes and unexplained circles, highlighting the success of researchers in exposing hoaxes. It criticizes the analogy used to dismiss the possibility of non-terrestrial origins for crop circles and lambasts the common skeptical argument that UFOs are either alien visitors or conventional aircraft/balloons. The author argues that such debunking tactics are employed by those who set their own exam questions, failing to engage with the real issues facing UFOlogy.

Magpie Speaks Out

This section addresses a previous 'media column' that apparently upset some readers by making 'serious allegations of spies in our midst.' The author defends the importance of airing these allegations, suggesting that true engagement with UFOlogy often leads to accusations of being a government secret agent. The piece reflects on the evolution of UFOlogy, moving from romantic notions to a more rational approach that acknowledges strange realities while clearing misconceptions. It posits that every UFOlogist reaches a crisis point where they must either engage rationally or find new interests, though many do not realize this transition has occurred.

Key Persons and Accusations

The issue touches upon the branding of researchers like J. Allen Hynek as 'spies' and mentions accusations against Bill Chalker and Jerry Clark. The author acknowledges being singled out but dismisses the allegations without a direct reply. A significant portion is dedicated to publishing a letter from Mike Jones of the Rochdale UFO Research Group, who criticizes the author's handling of a specific case (presumably the 'Heywood' case) and accuses the publication of being in the 'suppression business' rather than the 'information business.' The author defends their position and invites readers to review the MUFORA/IUN report on the case.

Brief Cases: Current Investigations

This section details several UFO sightings and encounters:

• 76-183 (November 1976): Llandymog Moors, Cambrian Mountains, Wales: A couple reported seeing two strange, human-like figures in white jump suits carrying large boxes on a remote moorland road. The sighting occurred during a spate of entity sightings across Britain.
• 8662 (Late November 1986): Wick, Caithness, Scotland: A man witnessed a stationary blue light. Two RAF jets approached the light, which then vanished at high speed. The jets subsequently returned to their base.
• 8760 (March 1987): Bishop Monkton, North Yorkshire: An army communications officer on a 24-hour exercise observed a strange red light circling silently for about 20 minutes. Two jets appeared and chased the light, which engaged in evasive maneuvers before shooting away at high speed.
• 9121 (June 23, 1991): Middlesbrough, Cleveland: Two boys at a caravan site saw an object with a dark underside and rotating wings that vanished into cloud. The description was later confirmed by a man who had also seen it.
• 9208 (January 12, 1992): Waddington Fell, Lancashire: This case is described as a puzzling 'car stop in reverse,' with the possibility of it being a CE4 (Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind).
• 9209 (August 16, 1992): All over Britain: Numerous sightings of a brilliant blue/green light with a tail, identified as a spectacular meteor, occurred. This phenomenon is noted to be relatively common in mid-August every few years.

Case Histories

Incident at Junction 36 (September 4 or 11, 1988): M6, Cumbria

This case, investigated by FUFOIG, involves a witness (Mr. D) who reported seeing a white light that pulsed and disappeared/reappeared. He also described a goblin-like figure emerging from bushes. The investigation found no corroborating evidence from motorway patrols or highway departments regarding power outages or the witness being picked up. The witness later identified a photo from the Ilkley Moor entity case as matching his experience. The report notes that NLUFOIG has records of strange events in the area, including a green light chase and a nocturnal encounter with entities in 1980.

A UFO Haunted House (Report from Southern England by Paul Fuller)

This case involves a married couple (A and B) living near a military base. The experiences are considered serious due to the witnesses' background and the 'repeater' nature of the events.

• Spring 1989 (around 02:30): The wife (B) awoke to see a large, bright oval light drifting over houses, joined by two other brighter lights that lined up astern and oscillated. The lights vanished.
• January 5, 1990 (03:00): The wife saw a bright yellow light with a black rim and a tail. Later that night, their kettle 'descaled itself,' and their washing machine caught fire in a way that baffled an electrician.
• April 8, 1991: While washing up, a blue/yellow ball of light about 5 inches in diameter appeared. It shot towards the wife, hitting her stomach with a 'pungent, burning smell,' and passed through her and a closed window without leaving marks. This is considered a potential ball lightning case, though the lack of physical effects is noted.

Final Words

This section provides information on upcoming UFO events and resources:

• Lyon Conference Proceedings: Readers interested in French UFO research can purchase proceedings from the May 1992 Lyon conference, which includes papers on 19th-century cases and a reinvestigation of the Premanon landing and circle case.
• BUFORA Lectures: Upcoming lectures at the London Business School are announced for November 1992 and January 1993, featuring speakers on UFO theories, UFOs in art, and personal accounts of contactees and MIB meetings.
• Regional BUFORA Event: A one-day event is scheduled for January 1993 in Northampton.
• NUFON Regional Groups: A list of NUFON regional groups across Scotland, England, and Wales is provided, along with contact information for accessing archive files held in Manchester.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently defends UFOlogy against skeptical attacks, emphasizing the importance of rigorous investigation and the reality of unexplained phenomena. There is a strong undercurrent of suspicion regarding government involvement or cover-ups, reflected in the 'Magpie Speaks Out' section and the discussion of accusations against researchers. The publication prioritizes detailed case histories and encourages continued research and information sharing among enthusiasts, as evidenced by the extensive list of regional groups and upcoming events. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocacy for the UFO subject, challenging dismissive attitudes and promoting the work of dedicated researchers.