Northern UFO News - No 160

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 160
Date: April 1993
Cover Headline: All the news, views and up to date cases

This issue of Northern UFO News, edited by Jenny Randles, provides a comprehensive update on UFO phenomena in Britain and beyond. The cover features a striking illustration of a crop circle and highlights content including "Britain's hottest hot spot," analyses of sceptics, the Alitalia encounter, and cases from various UK regions, as well as international UFO activity and a focus on BUFORA and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) collaboration.

Content Highlights

Todmorden: A UFO Hot Spot

Jenny Randles' "J. R. Comments" section delves into the phenomenon of Todmorden, Yorkshire, as a significant UFO hot spot. Statistics compiled from NUFON and BUFORA records reveal that approximately 10% of unresolved UFO activity in the north and 6% nationally can be traced to within a 10-mile radius of the town. The area has seen a disproportionately high number of close encounters, including at least five solid abductions within a 5-6 mile radius. A sixth case came to light during filming for a London Weekend Television (LWT) pilot show called 'Strange but True,' which focused on Todmorden's UFO activity. The article notes that while regional stations like Granada and Yorkshire might have been expected to cover this, a London station took the initiative.

Media Critiques and UFO Reporting

The magazine critically examines recent media coverage of UFOs. It points out discrepancies and "curious anomalies" in data presented by Sky News documentaries, noting that a Sky producer was reportedly misinformed despite extensive research. The article questions claims about UFO shapes evolving from saucers to triangular forms, asserting that a variety of shapes have always existed and saucers were never particularly common. It also criticizes the News of the World for sensationalizing UFO reports and presenting information as exclusive scoops when it had been publicly discussed by UFOlogists for years. The piece also touches upon the MOD's Air Staff 2 A unit, dismissing claims of it being a "top secret UFO unit" and questioning statistics about sightings near Fylingdales.

Historical Cases and Witness Accounts

A historical account from Stewart Robertson of Tyneside describes a 'Close Encounter 3' (CE3) from 1941 or 1942 in Gateshead. A young witness, Bob Hall, reported seeing a "large egg shaped balloon falling from the sky" and being surrounded by "alien looking men." He was interrogated by wartime officials and warned not to discuss the sighting, later breaking his 50-year silence due to the haunting experience.

MOD Cooperation and Secrecy

Nick Pope from the MOD is quoted regarding Tim Good's books, stating that the MOD has "no intention of taking any action" as Good has not divulged classified information but rather shared his beliefs and stories. Pope asserts that the MOD is "not aware of any evidence that would support the existence of extraterrestrial spacecraft." The article contrasts this with past experiences, such as the release of the Halt memo concerning the Bentwaters/Rendlesham Forest incident, where the MOD was initially hesitant but eventually allowed publication. It suggests a "fruitful liaison" and cooperation with the MOD, questioning the notion of ongoing secrecy.

Crop Circles: Eastwood 1964 Case

The "CIRCULAR LOGIC" section reports on the beginning of the 1993 crop circle season, noting a quiet start. Andy Collins provides details of a discovery at Eastwood, Essex: a crop circle from July 1964, long before the known hoaxes by Doug and Dave. The circle, approximately 40 feet in diameter, was perfectly symmetrical, swirled anti-clockwise, and found in a wheat field with no tram lines. The center was described as scorched and devoid of stalks, and the couple's dog reacted violently to its presence. The article mentions 'The Crop Watcher' magazine as a source for detailed reports on such cases.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed:

• 'Secret Life' by David Jacobs: This book, focusing on the abduction experiences of 50-60 US abductees, is described as both in-depth and shallow. While it provides detailed accounts of hypnotic sessions and surgical instruments used by 'greys,' it is criticized for lacking an overview or assessment of theories beyond the straight interpretation of cases as 'fact.' The reviewer notes that the book, despite its intellectual snobbery in some media circles, ignores prior British books on the subject.
• 'UFO ATLAS' (Berkley paperback): This is the author's own book about the Rendlesham Forest case, released in the USA. It is noted as being tidier than the large format global edition and includes an 8-page update chapter.

Other Publications and News

Several other UFO and paranormal publications are mentioned:

• BUFORA (Ireland) Journal: A new, neatly produced A4 journal with sightings, reviews, and news from Ireland.
• FATE magazine: A 'fairies' special issue is noted, with Jerry Clark's UFO column covering recent books.
• UFO Times: Ken Phillips has taken over editorship, promising strange contact cases and a panorama of recent European cases.
• Magonia: Reviews 25 years of socio-UFOlogy and discusses books on the Roswell crash and the 'Manhattan transfer' abduction case.
• SPI Enigma: Features Scottish UFO news, including a Canadian abduction, Linda Moulton Howe on mutilations, and a report on the Bonnybridge UFO wave.
• Pegasus Summer: Includes a reflective piece on the Herb Schirmer case and Ralph Noyes' personal story.
• IUR: Features articles on contact with Allen Hynek and an analysis of the Manhattan Transfer case.
• MUFON Journal: Includes articles by Travis Walton and Tracy Torme, and a piece by Willy Smith on why UFOs have lights.
• BAE: Reviews recent developments in psychology related to close encounters, false memory syndrome, and the abduction/abortion link.
• Annals: Described as a good ramble over many phenomena, similar to Fortean Times.
• J. Meteorology: Terence Meaden's journal covers relevant items like ball lightning and crop circles, with a statistical review of Russian BL cases.
• Folklore Frontiers: A topical look at strange broadcast pick-ups.
• Wild places: A piece linking bus spotting with UFOlogy.
• Ley Hunter: Focuses on earth mysteries research, particularly Paul Devereux's concept of leys, and Aboriginal dreamtime beliefs.
• PSI Researcher: An paranormal digest from the SPR with debates on key topics, including NDEs and OOBEs.
• The Skeptic: Continues its rewriting of circle history, with a discussion on its credibility. The magazine also addresses a critique of a book about spontaneous combustion, noting that Bantam staff found the announcement amusing due to a prearranged smoke stunt.

Media Matters

This section analyzes UFOs in the public eye, critiquing reviews of David Jacobs' 'Secret Life' in the Sunday Times and the News of the World. It highlights how the media often sensationalizes or misrepresents UFO information, sometimes presenting old news as new scoops. The article also discusses the arrest of individuals using illegal scanners to listen to police broadcasts about a supposed crashed UFO, contrasting this with the lack of serious attention given to the actual Rendlesham Forest incident. A sensational tabloid story about "Zombie aliens" is also mentioned.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical analysis of media reporting on UFO phenomena, the investigation of specific UFO cases and historical sightings in the UK, and the examination of government involvement and public perception of UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalism and misrepresentation in the media, while advocating for thorough research and a balanced perspective on UFO evidence. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of accurate reporting and a critique of how UFOlogy is sometimes portrayed. The magazine also champions the work of independent researchers and publications, often highlighting their contributions while questioning the methodologies or biases of mainstream media and certain academic circles.

Northern UFO News, Issue 11, presents a collection of "Brief Cases" detailing various UFO investigations and sightings. The content spans historical accounts from the 1940s and 1990s, focusing on witness testimonies, official responses, and the ongoing challenges in identifying anomalous aerial phenomena.

The Alitalia Encounter

This section details an incident on April 21, 1991, involving an Alitalia MD 80 jet (flight AZ 284) flying from Milan to London. At 22,000 feet, the aircraft experienced a near collision with a "flying object very similar to a missile, light brown coloured," which was approximately 1000 feet higher and moving on a parallel track. Captain Zaghetti and his co-pilot both witnessed the object, which had no exhaust flame. Investigations by the Safety Data and Analysis Unit and the MoD concluded that the object could not be positively identified, though a missile was not ruled out. The MoD stated that "space related activity" did not offer a solution, and the object's description did not match that of a meteorological balloon. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) closed the investigation, listing the sighting as an "unidentified flying object." Leyton Williams-Davies, the investigator, prompted his MP, Paul Murphy, to question the MoD. The Under Secretary for the Armed Forces, Lord Arran, replied that the MoD had ruled out the possibility of it being a missile from Army firing ranges and reiterated that the incident posed no "threat," thus not requiring further investigation. Paul Murphy remained concerned, questioning the MoD's criteria for judging threats and whether air defence warning systems were triggered. He highlighted the implicit threat to air safety over Britain, especially given that this was one of five similar encounters over Britain in a three-month period.

Lord Arran, in a subsequent reply, assured that there was no USAF involvement and that criteria were based on "military expertise and an analysis of available information." He noted that no UFO incident had been judged a threat and that UK warning systems had safeguards. The MoD stated they could not justify spending money reviewing UFO data where no defence implications were identified, and air safety questions were a matter for the CAA. The article draws a parallel to past efforts by MPs to press the government over defence implications of UFO cases.

Shropshire Surprises

This section presents two independent cases that emerged from a Radio Shropshire phone-in, occurring on the same night.

Case 1 (1942): Mrs S, returning home to Ellesmere, witnessed two white lights, like car headlights, traversing at speed along a wooded gully near Welshampton. The lights hugged the ground, made no sound, and disappeared instantly. The experience frightened her significantly.

Case 2 (Summer 1943): Mrs V, in Basingstoke, experienced a brilliant light resembling a big white oval with dazzling light and a buzzing/sucking noise. The object moved at high speed, and she and her boyfriend were thrown sideways or dived to escape it, ending up in a ditch. The object hovered overhead before vanishing. Both developed red, blotchy, and itchy rashes on their faces afterward, which they attributed to fright, though the article suggests a possible link to "super" ball lightning or a close encounter similar to a Tibetan incident in 1947.

Case Histories

This section presents several distinct cases:

Case 9224 (June 25, 1992): Llangernyw, Clwyd. A retired police officer observed a yellow light moving at constant speed. The following night, Margaret Fry saw a "bright gold object" with shimmering fins, a cherry red nose, and a white patch in the fan tail, which arced upwards and disappeared. Margaret states this was her 44th UFO sighting.

Case 9225 (July 9, 1992): Douglas, Dundee, Scotland. Mr T and his family observed an "enormous orange triangle" gliding overhead with no flashing lights or sound. The next day, Mr T saw a triangle rotating around a circle in the sky, which split apart and flew away.

Case 9226 (August 30, 1992): Butterton, Staffs. Mrs D, her daughter, and a friend, camping in a converted barn, witnessed a huge oval object speckled with white lights. The object remained stationary before moving eastward and dipping out of sight. The following morning, their dog, normally calm, had caused significant damage to its enclosure, indicating extreme distress.

Case 9303 (January 10, 1993): Broomhill, S. Yorks. Mr M observed a wine red object, about the size of a drinks tray, on his garden soil. It then took off like a flipped coin, spun up, revealed an underside with reinforcements, and issued a blue flash as it passed over the house.

Case 9306 (March 22, 1993): Blackley, Manchester. Mr E, a student, saw three white lights emerge from clouds, joined by many others, drifting slowly west. The suggestion of birds reflecting moonlight was rejected by the witness.

Case 9308 (May 16, 1993): Mow Cop, Staffordshire. A group returning from a trip saw a huge white light plunge out of cloud. This was later identified as a passenger jet experiencing severe turbulence and making an emergency turn.

UFO Seen Over Three Countries

This extensive case, reported by Doug Cooper and Leyton Williams, began on March 31, 1993, with a police sergeant observing "two very bright white objects hovering" north of Liskeard, Cornwall. Other officers also saw the objects. The lights moved and ascended towards Plymouth. Further reports came in from east Devon, with similar descriptions of large lights crossing the Bristol Channel from South Wales. Some reports mentioned a structure joining the lights. Investigations involved police in South Wales and east Devon, with witnesses describing a "vapourous trail" or "fluorescent light tube" dissipating behind the objects. The BUFORA office received calls, and letters were published in the local press appealing for witnesses, leading to a flood of reports. Anomalies included fishermen seeing an object like a "huge catamaran" and an off-duty policeman reporting a similar object. There were also reports of military activity, including helicopters dropping flares and fighter jets. Doug Cooper established a rapport with Nick Pope at the MoD, exchanging data. Air Staff 2A was also intrigued. The MoD suggested the possibility of USAF involvement. Leyton Williams-Davies collated reports from Gwent where similar objects were seen. The initial conclusion was space debris, but both the MoD and Doug Cooper remained dissatisfied, noting the "catamaran" reports.

Further investigation revealed that identical reports were made over southern Ireland at the same time, indicating simultaneity and a high-altitude object, possibly space debris. Air traffic controllers at Shannon and a garda patrol car reported the lights. A military plane flying from Baldonnel to Donegal also encountered them. The Irish Department of Transport launched an inquiry. NORAD affirmed that space debris passed Ireland but none re-entered. Speculation arose about a secret USAF Aurora stealth jet, which was denied. However, a Soviet launch, Cosmos 2238, and its booster burning up on re-entry into the atmosphere were identified as a likely explanation. Despite this, Doug Cooper and Nick Pope agreed that problems remained and some reports did not fit this explanation, leading to a "most welcome, joint evaluation."

Final Words

This section includes announcements:

• Artist John Lundberg is organizing a multi-media art display on the UFO theme, loosely based on his book 'UFOs and how to see them', running from June 7 to July 4 in Rotherhithe, London. His work will be for sale.
• Information on upcoming conferences: BUFORA event at the University of Bristol on July 24-25, and the IUN bash at Sheffield Polytechnic on August 14-15.

NUFON Regional Groups

A list of NUFON (National UFO Network) regional groups is provided with their respective contact details and locations across Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, South Yorks, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, and Northants.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the persistent nature of UFO sightings, the difficulties in obtaining clear explanations from official sources, and the ongoing efforts of independent researchers and organizations like BUFORA and NUFON to gather and analyze data. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting witness accounts and official responses while also highlighting discrepancies and unresolved questions. There is a clear emphasis on the need for thorough investigation and a skepticism towards simplistic explanations, particularly when official bodies appear to dismiss or downplay incidents. The magazine encourages public participation by appealing for more witnesses and providing information on regional groups and conferences, fostering a sense of community among UFO enthusiasts.