Northern UFO News - No 165

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 165
Volume: Spring 1994
Publisher: Northern UFO News
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated Spring 1994, features a cover illustration by Roy Sandbach and is edited by Jenny Randles. The main cover headline is "Binning the Elite files".

Contents Overview

The contents page lists a variety of articles, including "Binning the Elite files", "UFO Zone arrives", news on the EEC and UFOs, "Circular logic", a "UFO day out on Ilkley Moor", media matters, reviews of "Dark White" and "Cropcircle Apocalypse", other sightings from Cheshire and Lincolnshire, and a case history of the Louth encounters.

Editorial and Comments

Jenny Randles, the editor, begins by apologizing for the late publication of the February edition, citing pressure from book contracts, other ventures, and a family illness. She reaffirms her commitment to providing seven issues for the price of six in 1994.

In her "J. R. Comments", Randles addresses the "Elite" files, describing them as "looney tunes" from an individual with significant financial resources, possibly linked to APEN. She believes these files are a deliberate attempt to cause disruption within UFOlogy and expresses concern that remaining silent might be interpreted as having something to hide. The "Elite" files are presented as messages from an alien source, claiming that various UFOlogists, including Randles, are government agents. Randles dismisses this as "daft" and unbelievable, especially given potential government funding priorities.

Randles further criticizes the "Elite" files for their anonymity and their claims of inside information. She suggests that the perpetrators are "mischievous insiders" who understand UFO politics. The "Elite" files are seen as part of a pattern of attacks on researchers, similar to those in the USA and the MJ 12 documents, possibly originating from the fringes of the UFO community. She views this as a new game invented by bored individuals, especially as crop circle cases have diminished.

Articles and Features

"Elite" Files Critique

Randles continues her critique of the "Elite" files, stating that they are a "childish waste of everybody's time" and should be crushed before they spawn imitators. She urges readers to ignore them and challenges the creators to publish their claims openly if they have any evidence. She likens their methods to "kids in a schoolyard scribbling secretly on walls," which she believes is self-defeating for UFOlogy.

DARE YOU ENTER THE UFO ZONE?

This section details the creation of the world's first UFO "dark ride" at Granada Studio Tours in Manchester. Peter Hough and Jenny Randles were involved in designing an exhibition area for the attraction, which opened in April 1994. The ride simulates a crashed UFO and aims to raise UFO awareness. The article notes that the ride itself is described as "tepid and scareless" compared to the exhibition.

NEWS ROUND UP

This section provides several brief news items:

• French UFOlogist Perry Petrakis is campaigning against the EEC's plans to operate a Euro-wide UFO investigation unit, fearing it would go underground if handed to SEPRA.
• Andy Collins has published more on his Orgone 93 experiments in Wiltshire, with some anomalies being attributed to air bells and insects, though other readings suggest anomalies. A new operation is planned for summer 1994, and subscriptions are sought to fund it.
• Media Productions is creating a paranormal TV series called "Tangible Evidence" and is seeking loan of documentation.
• Ian Radburn is offering second-hand UFO books for sale.
• Jake Kirkwood and Melanie Warren are providing catalogues of second-hand UFO and paranormal books.

CIRCULAR LOGIC

This article discusses the continued interest in crop circles despite a perceived decline in media attention. It reviews two new books: Paul Fuller's updated "Crop Circles: A Mystery Solved" and John McNish's "Crop Circle Apocalypse," which is described as anti-circle. The author notes that while they were once considered debunkers, they now receive a hearing. The article mentions media stories, including a claim of unusual magnetism at a Wiltshire site, and a critical review of Jim Schnabel's "Round in Circles" in The Times Literary Supplement, which dismissed crop circles as a "deceased" mystery. The article also reviews the journals "Circular" and "Crop Watcher," highlighting their content and aims.

UFO DAY OUT ON ILKLEY MOOR

Written by Nigel Mortimer of Connect, this piece recounts a conducted walk around UFOlogical sites on Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire. Despite poor weather, five walkers shared experiences. The walk visited sites like the Swastika Stone and the Twelve Apostles Stone Circle, referencing George Adamski and Paul Bennett. The article also mentions the launch of "UFO Reporter," a new magazine covering cases from Yorkshire, including earthlights and local mythology.

FOR YOUR PERUSAL

This section reviews several new UFO publications:

• Aura Z: A 100-page Russian paranormal journal published in multiple languages, covering UFO reports, cryptozoology, and psychic research.
• NUFOC-FLASH!: An English-language publication from the National UFO Center in Belgium, focusing on activity in Flanders.
• Thresholds: An American magazine with a strong focus on case summaries, a Canadian column, and an interview with Allen Hynek.
• American UFOlogist: A scientific journal analyzing UFO phenomena, including the Roswell case and SETI.
• Enigmas: A publication from Bonnybridge, Scotland.
• Pegasus: A publication covering Zacharia Sitchin, Adamski, and the Hills & CIA.
• Magonia: Reprints a paper suggesting the 1952 US UFO wave was partly seeded by the government.
• J. Met: A study of colour ball lightning.
• Annals: Reviews attempts to find cyclic patterns in UFO activity.
• TLH: An overview of Orgone 93 and reviews of crop circle books.
• IUR: Covers the Roswell case and a potential breakthrough in the search for an archaeologist who saw bodies.
• MUFON Journal: Reviews French and US abduction cases and mid-air encounters.
• BAE: Focuses on psychological and abduction issues, hypnotic regression, and false memory syndrome.
• SUN: A skeptical magazine that criticizes the decision to mount a congress search for Roswell data.
• Phenomena: Discusses UFO noises and a book about UFOs in France.

MEDIA MATTERS

This section discusses the ongoing row over the Livingston plaque commemorating the Bob Taylor landing case, noting that Arthur C. Clarke's "A to Z of world mysteries" implies responsibility for the plaque's erection, despite it being suggested by Scottish UFOlogists.

AMAZING CLAIM TO SOLVE BELGIAN WAVE

This article reports on a claim in the Herts Advertiser that a 16-year-old mystery might be resolved, potentially explaining the 1989-1991 Belgian UFO wave. A photographed UFO over Nomansland Common is discussed, with an aeronautical engineer claiming it was a six-foot diameter saucer model built as a top-secret project, electrically powered, and silent.

BOOK UPDATE

Albert Budden is set to publish a new book, "Allergies and aliens: The Visitation Experience," which suggests alien contact and phenomena like poltergeists may result from allergic reactions to electronic or other health hazards. The author also offers personal books for sale at reduced prices.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently adopts a critical stance towards unsubstantiated claims and sensationalism within UFOlogy, particularly evident in its dismissal of the "Elite" files. It champions rigorous research and evidence-based analysis, while also acknowledging the ongoing interest in UFO phenomena. The publication serves as a platform for reporting on new research, publications, and events within the UFO community, with a particular focus on UK-based cases and researchers. There's a clear emphasis on distinguishing between credible investigation and what the editor deems as "hoax" or "daft claims."

Northern UFO News, Issue 11, is a publication dedicated to the exploration of UFO phenomena, featuring book reviews, case histories, and discussions on related topics. The issue appears to be from the 1990s, given the dates of the reported incidents and book publications.

Books of the Moment

Dark White by Jim Schnabel

The review of Jim Schnabel's 'Dark White' highlights the book's extensive promotion and Schnabel's skill as a journalist in presenting the 'UFO obsession.' The book is sub-titled 'a review of Aliens, abductions and the UFO obsession.' Schnabel's approach is described as an 'amiable trek' through various theories, painting 'clever (if one-sided) pictures.' He links UFO abductions to psychological states like multiple personality disorder and spirit possession, echoing earlier work by Hilary Evans. While Schnabel admits that the theory of aliens having landed cannot be entirely ruled out, he seems uncomfortable with it. The review notes that while 'most outsiders' found the book enjoyable, 'insiders' who have read more extensive UFO literature criticized its lack of references and direction, suggesting it rambles and leaves the reader 'hungry.' Despite these criticisms, it is described as a 'very pleasant, at times perceptive, read,' and a 'more sober book than 'Round in Circles'.'

Cropcircle Apocolypse by John MacNish

John MacNish, formerly known for promoting crop circles on BBC's 'Daytime Live' and producing videos of what are now considered Doug and Dave hoaxes, has released 'Cropcircle Apocolypse.' The review suggests MacNish began to have doubts and, in a 1992 lecture, effectively debunked aspects of cereology, including the infamous high-pitched sounds attributed to them. The book is presented as a 'self produced' work, attractive with good photos but containing typesetting and design errors. Its billing is described as 'egotistical,' with the cover proclaiming 'The answer is here...' and the blurb calling it 'The ultimate book on crop circles.'

However, the review is critical, stating that the book is effectively a 'breathless promotion of Doug, Dave and Jim Schnabel' and a 'true confessions of a crop circle sensationalist.' MacNish admits his role in hyping the circles and his mistake in promoting those who fueled the mystery. The reviewer contends that MacNish falsely assumes skepticism stemmed from personality clashes rather than genuine scientific concern about the subject being mishandled and the public misled. The book is praised for its enlightening account of gullibility and media handling of the paranormal, and for adding new data about the hoaxing of Doug and Dave. However, the appendix, 'the authentic history of the circles phenomenon,' is dismissed as a 'joke' and a 'claimed history of Doug and Dave's hoaxing' that omits key events. MacNish's claim that there is no evidence for circles before Doug and Dave's first hoax in 1978 is called 'frankly ludicrous,' with evidence of earlier circles existing. The review points out that Doug and Dave themselves got the idea from the Tully circles in 1966. The reviewer fears MacNish's quest for honesty, while a 'brave and useful contribution,' leads him too far, missing a larger truth. The book is ultimately seen as a 'personal journal of acute observation' that will seem 'quaintly amusing' in the future.

The book costs £12 (UK), £16 (Europe), $23 (US) from 'Circlevision' c/o PO BOX 36 Ludlow Shropshire SY8 3ZZ, Tel/Fax: 0584 - 891083.

Brief Cases

More Welsh wonders from Margaret Fry (1)

This section introduces a new series of investigations by Margaret Fry, based in rural Wales.

The mystery pylon: Case 8346 occurred in Summer 1983 at Glan Conway, Clwyd. Mrs S and a friend witnessed a 'lit up thing like an electricity pylon' appear in a field. It had cross hatchings but no top. They discussed whether a pylon was present but knew of none. Small amber balls of light appeared within the structure and flew out in various directions before returning to the pylon, which then folded in upon itself and vanished. The women were speechless. The next day, no trace was found in the field.

A pear shaped rash: Case 9233 involves two women who, at sunset on 2 November 1992, saw an object by a church spire at Bodelwyddan. The object, shaped like a pear and dark grey with huge lights of green, blue, red, and white, flew over open fields towards the Clwydian Mountains without sound. The women felt elated after it vanished, but the next morning both had a rash on their neck and chest. A doctor prescribed cortisone cream, but the UFO sighting was not reported. The rash has returned periodically on one of the women. Margaret Fry saw this rash immediately after the sighting and again in March 1994.

Case 6815 March 1968

Reported by Peter Hough/NARO, this case involved Mrs T in Marple, Cheshire, who saw a golden object shaped like a flat-based cone rotating very fast in an anti-clockwise direction with an orange glow around it. Her friend and two passers-by also saw it. It moved away after about 1 minute. The reviewer notes that this sounds similar to the PC Perks encounter in Wilmslow, which occurred in March 1966, suggesting the date might be wrong and that it could have been a weather balloon.

Chester's Magic Roundabout

This section follows up on case 9401, where witnesses at a roundabout in Littleton, Chester, reported a strange object. The case has become more curious as this roundabout has been the focus of other sightings. On 18 August 1993, four people saw a bright star sink downwards. They then observed a large oval with flashing lights move slowly and silently into the distance. They contacted Jodrell Bank, and Mike Wootten of BUFORA was asked to investigate.

Without knowing of the Chester sightings, Margaret Fry was contacted by Mrs G from Cumbria. On 14 October 1993, she saw a white oval object with 'some sort of arrangement on the side' appear overhead, moving slowly and silently towards Deeside and Wales.

Roy Sandbach was contacted by a witness to the 16 January 1994 affair. She, her mother, sister, and grandfather at Plas Newton saw a big oval object with red, blue, and white bars of light hover for 10 minutes before flying away.

The reviewer expresses an inclination to think these sightings are akin to airships, but notes the local media and police remain baffled. An aviation factory at Hawarden is mentioned as a possible factor.

More curiously, the reviewer discusses their own mysterious UFO sighting in August 1977 at Vicars Cross, Chester, and mentions crop circles reportedly forming since the 1970s at Waverton, which were less than a mile away.

Case 9402 22 February 1994

Reported by Ric Millen, this case involved Mr S, a music teacher, who saw a triangular formation of lights moving SE between Linwood and Lissington, Lincolnshire. The lights made no sound and filled a large area of sky. There were two groups of four lights with two lights in between, totaling nine lights. They took about three minutes to move out of view. The reviewer suggests this is similar to phenomena seen in other Lincolnshire cases and those in Belgium and Staffordshire, which turned out to be refuelling exercises, though the MoD seems unwilling to endorse this view.

Case Histories

The lights of Louth Pt 2

This section focuses on key witness Peter Gregory, who has video recorded UFOs and launched a group. His background is described as 'fascinating.'

Peter used to live in Grimsby and has been seeing odd things since age six. According to his local paper, he claims to be psychic and feels this makes him more 'in tune' with UFOs. He reports fleeing Grimsby and changing his name twice to avoid harassment, as he was being hounded to solve ghost mysteries, predict events, and find missing children. He describes his visions as 'frightening' and suggests that 'if you have an unusual power' you are 'as alien as UFOs.'

On 16 April 1993, Peter saw a football-sized sphere appear through his window, move towards the sea front, and vanish. He felt a burning sensation on his forehead and had a vivid after-image of the ball on his retina. The next night, he had a vision of being in a 'control room' of a 'flying machine' with a blue haze and humming noise. He saw three 'normal looking beings' watching a viewscreen, one of whom was described as a 'Nordic' entity with piercing blue eyes and reddish/brown hair. He felt a 'special bond' with them. He saw a three-dimensional picture on the viewscreen with the motto 'Year 3600,' depicting a disaster related to ecology, and heard a voice say, 'It must never happen again.' He believes this vision was real and that these visitors came from the future, being intimately related to humans.

On 31 May 1993, Peter filmed a silvery ball of light over Mablethorpe, though the film is difficult to view due to daylight. More spectacular was a UFO seen on 21 June outside his bedroom window at 2.45 am, described as a large glowing shape with red and yellow lights forming a flattened triangle. He managed to take 4 seconds of film before it shot away, leaving a trail. Sadly, this film, after a colour still was taken, disappeared.

Before the report received publicity, two men claiming to be from a Grimsby UFO group took his film for analysis and never returned it. Subsequent checks revealed that neither the men nor their named group existed. Peter Gregory is now attempting to replace the lost film.

Final Words

Guy Lyon Playfair won an out-of-court settlement from the BBC over the use of his name and research in the 'Ghostwatch' spoof, seen as a potential turning point against media trivialization of the paranormal. Plans are advanced for a series called 'Strange but true?'

John Holman of the Alien Acknowledgement Campaign is joining forces with America's Operation Right to Know for a protest outside the MoD and House of Commons to urge an end to the UFO cover-up. Holman is seeking finance and support for this initiative.

Upcoming events include a one-day conference by local ASSAP members in Blackpool on Saturday 28 May, themed 'the future of paranormal research.' On Saturday 18 June, Paul Fuller will lecture on historical crop circles and the UFO connection in Birmingham.

John Keel, in his December 1993 column for FATE magazine, reported that Dr James McDonald coined the term 'The Oz Factor.' The reviewer questions if he invented this term himself and if Keel is mistaken.

Regional Groups

A list of regional UFO groups across Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire, West Yorks, Derbyshire, Staffs, W. Midlands, E. Midlands, and Northants is provided, along with contact information. NUFON archive files are accessible via NARO.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical review of UFO literature and the media's portrayal of UFO phenomena, with a focus on distinguishing genuine sightings from hoaxes and psychological explanations. There is an emphasis on investigative journalism and the reporting of specific case histories. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, questioning sensationalism while acknowledging the persistent mystery surrounding UFOs. The inclusion of Peter Gregory's case and his unusual theory about future visitors suggests an openness to unconventional interpretations within the field. The magazine also serves as a platform for connecting regional UFO research groups.