Northern UFO News - No 163

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 163
Date: Winter 1993
Editor: Jenny Randles

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated Winter 1993, is characterized by a significant personal statement from its editor, Jenny Randles, detailing her resignation from BUFORA, alongside a collection of news, reviews, and case reports related to UFOlogy.

Editor's Statement: Resignation from BUFORA

Jenny Randles begins with apologies for the delays and reduced size of the issue, attributing it partly to a personal injury sustained during a lecture in Vienna. The core of her statement, however, addresses her resignation from the BUFORA council and her directorship of investigations, effective November 30th. She explains that this was a difficult separation after 24 years of membership, having joined the council in 1975 and becoming Director of Investigations in 1981 when UFOIN merged with BUFORA. Randles refutes the idea that she viewed the National Investigations Committee (NIC) as her 'private army,' emphasizing that each investigator had only one vote. She stresses that her departure was not an attempt to entice others to leave BUFORA but a consequence of being 'partly jumped but mostly pushed.' While she supports BUFORA's overall aims, she disagrees with the methods of some current officers. She highlights a 'yawning chaos' when a senior BUFORA figure admitted to investigating nearly 100 cases without submitting reports or sharing data with the NIC. Randles asserts her right to explain her perspective now that she is free from council restrictions, viewing the council's reasoning and methodology as unfair.

Tragedy at Vienna

The issue reports on the tragic death of Stuart Smith, a bookseller and conference attendee, which occurred shortly after the Vienna conference in November. Smith, known for his friendliness and bookselling activities, had traveled to Austria and reportedly contracted a severe flu virus, leading to his sudden death. He was a respected figure and will be missed by many in the UFOlogy community.

Vienna Conference Report

The Vienna conference is described as a low-key event with a significant media presence. The report notes the participation of three British speakers and two from America, outnumbered by the German-speaking contingent, and mentions Eric von Daniken. The organization by Ferry Radax is praised, as is the hospitality. The media's active involvement, including German and Austrian TV, is seen as potentially beneficial for Austrian UFOlogy.

News Round Up

This section provides a series of brief updates and reviews:

• Book Catalogues: Mentions Midnight Books in Sidmouth, UK, offering second-hand UFO literature, including 'Crack in the Universe.' Arcturus in the USA is noted as being for sale, and it's described as a good source for US titles, with a mention of Richard Boylen's 'Close ET Encounters' and Linda Moulton Howe's 'Glimpses of other realities.'
• Andy Collins' Orgone 93 Project: Reports on the progress of Andy Collins' project in Wiltshire crop fields, noting that income was less than half the costs of over £2000. An update and a 150-page report are promised.
• Rattler's Tale: A publication of short stories and paranormal features, costing £6 for a 4-issue subscription.

The Bonnybridge Wave

Malcolm Robinson of SPI responds to comments by Ken Higgins regarding the 'Scottish UFO wave' at Bonnybridge. Robinson addresses the implication that the sightings were for publicity, stating that Councillor Billy Buchanan was instrumental in helping constituents report their sightings. SPI was 'staggered by the volume of UFO sightings' from the small town. Robinson acknowledges that some reports were misidentifications but asserts that 'something weird' was happening in the skies. He criticizes some Scottish UFOlogists for making sweeping statements without being privy to SPI's data or speaking to witnesses. He emphasizes that the councillor is doing his job and that SPI is prepared to share data with those willing to visit the town and meet witnesses.

Circular Logic

This section reviews the state of crop circle literature, noting its general neglect by the media in 1993. It discusses the handover of the 'Cerealogist' magazine from John Michel to George Wingfield. The author critiques a 'parting shot' from Michel, which included a piece decoding 1991 squiggles and a quote about 'hoaxes.' The author expresses disagreement with the interpretation that 99% of circles are man-made fakes, attributing the perceived increase in hoaxing to basic mathematics rather than a shift in phenomenon.

• The Circular: Praised for its varied articles and photos, it is recommended alongside 'Crop Watcher.'
• Crop Watcher: Described as a publication that does not shy away from controversy and dissects disputes within cereology. It includes an analysis of Jim Schnabel's book.
• The Beckhampton and District Informer: A spoof magazine noted for being potentially libellous but often funny.

For Your Perusal

This section lists and briefly reviews various UFO-related publications:

• The SUN: A newsletter from Philip Klass, described as critical UFOlogy, sniping at American UFOlogy.
• SPI Enigmas Nov: Recommended for its UFO content, including cover-ups and earthlights.
• BUFORA Ireland Sep: Described as informed commentary on UFOs.
• PEGASUS Spring 94: Noted for offering a free time lapse and containing 'weird stuff' on conspiracies.
• Just Cause Sep: Mentions the discovery of lost files from Project Blue Book.
• MUFON Journal: Covers crop circles, Project Argos, an interview with Whitley Strieber, and insights into UFOs from the Kremlin.
• IUR Sep: Features a retrospective on Dr. James McDonald and reinvestigations of classic cases.
• BAE Oct: Focuses on psychological literature, including polygraph testing, false memory syndrome, and hypnosis.
• FATE: A monthly journal on the paranormal, with articles on UFO secrecy and methods to stop abduction.
• The Skeptic Jul: Critically examines the 'face on Mars' affair.
• GEM 16: A magazine on earth mysteries, mazes, leys, circles, and occasional UFOs.
• TLH 119: A journal on earthlights developments, edited by Paul Devereux, including a look at Marfa lights and an earthlight IFO.

Media Matters

This column discusses UFOs in the public eye. A 12-part series called 'Something Strange' is mentioned, which was filmed in the HTV area and may get national screening. Readers are urged to send in any local newspaper articles about UFOs to help sustain the column.

Books of the Moment

• Where science and magic meet by Serena Roney-Dougal: A revised edition of a controversial book aiming to bridge physiology, psychology, and the paranormal, drawing on earthlights/GAIA concepts and extending into areas like fairy lore and ESP. It is described as not a debunking book and offers interesting ideas.
• The Second Coming by Andy Collins: Described as a 'cracking good read' that races like an express train. The book is a fictionalized account of demonic forces, magical skullduggery, and a quest for hidden artifacts, with Andy Collins claiming the events are true. The author notes Collins' ability to tell a story and his honesty, supported by witnesses.

Brief Cases

This section presents several brief reports of alleged UFO sightings:

• Case 6815 (Feb/Mar 1968, Marple, Cheshire): A young mother and neighbour observed a rotating cone-shaped object with a glowing orange aura that moved away and faded. A local media report of a fluorescent object seen by a police officer is also mentioned.
• Case 7482 (Winter 1974, Bacup, Lancashire): A woman named Juliet reported seeing three large orange lights in a massive triangle formation outside her window. She experienced unusual physical symptoms afterward, including a sore wound on her finger and a urinary infection.
• Case 79-185 (October 1979, Nantwich, Cheshire): An object was observed over Ravensmoor and chased by car for 20 minutes, drifting towards Nantwich Church before disappearing. It is suggested this may have been an airship, as several visited the area between 1977 and 1979.
• Case 9209 (16 August 1992, Wigan, Lancashire): A ball of fire with a blue tail of sparks fell from the sky, visible for a few seconds.
• Case 9310 (22 February 1993, Crowden, Derbyshire): Four people observed a bright white, pulsating light hovering over hills, which then appeared over Bleaklow and faded. An OS Map indicated no roads or houses in the area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the personal challenges and internal politics within UFO organizations, particularly BUFORA, as highlighted by Jenny Randles' editorial. There is a strong emphasis on reviewing UFO literature, including books and magazines, suggesting a focus on disseminating information and critical analysis within the field. The issue also touches upon the media's portrayal of UFO phenomena and the reporting of alleged sightings. The editorial stance, as presented by Randles, is one of advocating for transparency and a researcher-centric approach, while also acknowledging the complexities and disagreements within the UFOlogy community. The inclusion of 'Brief Cases' indicates a continued interest in documenting and presenting individual sighting reports, even if some are quickly categorized as likely misidentifications (e.g., meteors, airships).

Title: Northern UFO News
Issue: 11
Date: 1 August 1993

This issue of Northern UFO News presents several case histories and updates related to UFO sightings and investigations.

Case Histories

Case 9311: Haslington, Cheshire

On 1 August 1993, Mr W reported an observation in Haslington, Cheshire. He called his son into the garden to witness three dots (one blue, two white) moving in an erratic NW-SE course, swapping places as they moved. Later, several more dots were seen. The report suggests this was almost certainly an observation of high-flying birds reflecting the strong sunlight, noting a similarity to the famous Tremonton, Utah, movie film.

Update on the Hockliffe Case

Judith Jaafar provides an update on the 'Fog from nowhere' case (NUN 158), which involved a family experiencing a 'reality tilt' after passing through a mysterious bank of mist at Hockliffe on the Bedfordshire/Buckinghamshire border on 8 August 1992. Re-interviewing the witnesses months later, Judith discovered that Mrs B had experienced weeks of 'nightmares' and 'funny feelings', along with 'vivid dreams of a bright orange triangle of lights'. She identified the location of the hovering object as being over a stand of trees near the Hockliffe road. Additionally, Mrs B discovered a mark on the back of her neck that had appeared after the encounter, which she had previously overlooked. Their five-year-old daughter has reported seeing 'shadows' in her bedroom at night, some described as being the size of children and some bigger, which she sees coming up the stairs and entering her parents' bedroom. The family has requested hypnosis, but Judith is hesitant, citing concerns about the potential contamination of hypnotic testimony due to the family's extensive contact with UFOlogy over the past year. She believes it might make matters worse rather than better. However, another investigator has offered to conduct the regression, and Judith applauds the decision to be cautious and avoid rushing into hypnotic regression as a means to uncover the truth.

New Close Encounter in Cornwall

Doug Cooper reports on a potentially important case that occurred on 28 October 1993 at 23:20. Doug was called in by the police at Liskeard, Cornwall, at 02:30 am, after a naval officer reported his close encounter. There had been reports of various lights in Devon and Cornwall since 22:00 the previous night. This sighting was described as a close encounter with unusual features, including animal effects and a graphic description of the UFO that might appeal to fans of Adamski. Doug and DUFORO are investigating the case. The report notes that the witness was coming home when he saw a silver/green light approach a football field. The large object, described as having 'three protrusions on the base like rugby balls', hovered just above ground level for about five minutes. During this time, the officer felt a kind of 'empathic voice in contact'. The object then lit up very brightly and shot away upwards at great speed.

Upon the object's appearance, the witness's cat, waiting on the doorstep, fled in terror and was missing for some time. A bird was also seen flying across the sky towards the object and then fell 'like a rock' towards the ground, as if it had hit an invisible brick wall. The bird was stunned but not present the next day.

The police were called and took an immediate statement. The witness cancelled a weekend trip to spend time with Doug to follow up the case. His naval unit also reported the incident to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). On the following Monday, the witness's senior officer called him in and questioned if he had been drunk, despite the witness not having yet told his girlfriend. His colleagues were aware of the incident. Upset by this ridicule, the witness contacted Doug, who in turn contacted Nick Pope at the MoD. The MoD had been informed about the case by Friday via RAF West Drayton, who had been telexed by the Liskeard police. The MoD claimed ignorance of how the senior officers were informed but agreed to Doug's request for Nick Pope to call the officer on the witness's behalf. Nick Pope did so, and the officer later apologized to the witness for the ridicule, suggesting that things have changed for the better at the Ministry.

Coming Events

BUFORA lectures have moved from their venue at Kings College, London. The next lecture is scheduled for 8 January at a new, unspecified location, starting at 6:30 pm. Further information can be obtained by tuning into UFO CALL on 0891 12 18 86.

NUFON Regional Groups

A list of NUFON regional groups across the UK is provided, including their names, addresses, and contact details. These groups are located in Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, Northants, and Hereford.

NUFON Archive

NUFON archive files are held centrally in Manchester and are accessible via MUFORA. Researchers can visit the files by tram, getting off at St Peter's Square Station in Manchester city centre. Bona fide researchers are welcome, but advance calls to MUFORA are essential.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, close encounters, and the investigation of these phenomena. There is a focus on witness testimony, the psychological impact of encounters, and the challenges of investigating such cases, particularly concerning the use of hypnosis and the potential for contamination of evidence. The issue also touches upon the involvement of official bodies like the Ministry of Defence and the evolving attitudes towards UFO research within these organizations. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, prioritizing truth-seeking while acknowledging the complexities and potential pitfalls in UFO research, as exemplified by the approach taken in the Hockliffe case update.