Northern UFO News - No 166

Magazine Overview

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated Summer 1994, is edited by Jenny Randles and features a cover illustration by Bill Callaghan. The magazine covers a range of UFOlogy-related topics, including internal organizational politics, new publications, historical cases, and personal accounts.

BUFORA Politics and Personal Disclosure

The editorial section, written by Jenny Randles, details a significant internal conflict within BUFORA, Britain's premier UFO group. Randles explains her reasons for resigning from her post as Director of Investigations in November 1993, citing a vote of no confidence initiated by Philip Mantle. She describes a private phone conversation with a senior BUFORA director that was taped, which Mantle used as grounds for the no-confidence vote. The issue at stake was Mantle's involvement in launching a rival national UFO investigation body while serving as secretary to BUFORA's investigation team. Randles emphasizes that her actions were aimed at maintaining the integrity of BUFORA's investigation team and that she made a genuine offer to resolve the matter amicably, which was rejected by Mantle.

Furthermore, Randles uses this editorial to address a personal matter that was about to be revealed by the News of the World. She discloses her medical condition of trans-sexualism, a condition she has lived with for 20 years and undergone treatment for. She explains that she had kept this private to protect her children, who were unaware of her past. However, a freelance journalist, allegedly working with a UFOlogist, obtained official records and pressured her to give an interview to prevent a tabloid exposé. Randles agreed to vet the story to minimize its impact on her family.

New UFOlogy Publications

The issue highlights the launch of a new magazine called 'The New UFOlogist'. This publication is described as a glossy, serious journal aiming to cover scientific aspects of UFOlogy, including research reports and in-depth case histories. It is funded by six investigators and researchers, including Mike Wootten and Michael Hudson from BUFORA, and is not tied to any specific group. The magazine plans to include a column for skeptics and aims to be dictated by its readers from issue two onwards. The first issue features articles on crop circles, ball lightning, animal mutilations, and the relationship between abductions and earthlights.

Another new magazine mentioned is 'Unsolved UFO Sightings', edited by Tim Beckley, which lists Jenny Randles as 'UK Editor'. This publication is described as lightweight, featuring American-style UFO stories.

Crop Circles and Cereology

The magazine delves into the topic of crop circles, with a section dedicated to 'Circular Logic'. It mentions Reg Presley, formerly of 'The Trogs', who is now focusing on crop watching and UFOlogy, and anticipates significant income from his music, which he intends to invest in cereology and UFOlogy. Presley is also writing a book on his research.

The issue discusses the sale of a version of the 'Mowing Devil' woodcut from 1678, which refers to crop circles. Initially thought to be an original, it was later identified as an 1810 reproduction, selling for £280. This discovery is seen as positive for cereologists, suggesting a renewed interest in historical crop circle reports.

Reviews of 'Cerealogist' and 'Circular' magazines are included, discussing their content on crop circles, simulacra, and various ET theories. 'Cerealogist' is noted for its avant-garde material, while 'Circular' is praised for its layout and content, including laboratory analysis and Kirlian photography experiments.

News Round Up and Other Articles

The 'News Round Up' section provides updates on various UFO-related organizations and publications. IUFOPRA, the Irish UFO and paranormal research association, has launched an information desk in Dublin. Excalibur Books is now the sole UK outlet for 'FATE' magazine. 'Midnight Books' is offering a new catalogue of UFO-related titles.

Colonel Charles Halt is mentioned as making a flying visit to the UK for an ITV interview and lectures related to the Bentwaters affair.

A conference is being planned for Spring 1995 in Portsmouth by Steve Gerrard of the Southampton group.

An anonymous Elite letter is mentioned, which sympathizes with Randles' departure from BUFORA and suggests BUFORA will not be the same again.

The editor also discusses her appearance on the BBC chat show 'Anderson on the box', where she explained David Jacobs' sighting as a 'bolide'.

'Strange But True?' and Other Documentaries

The magazine promotes the upcoming ITV series 'Strange But True?', which will feature 14 cases, including UFO material. It also notes other upcoming documentaries on the UFO cover-up (ITV), 'Abductions' (BBC-2 Horizon), and regression hypnosis (Channel 4 'Equinox').

Publication Reviews

Several other UFO and paranormal publications are reviewed, including:

• BAE: Focuses on psychology, multiple personality disorder, and mass hallucinations.
• IUR: Reviews 'Roswell: The Movie' and John Mack's book.
• MUFON Journal: Features articles on spy satellites, pictograms, and US abduction research.
• Just Cause: Discusses an investigation into New England 'blue light UFOs' in 1812/1813.
• Aura Z: Covers the Russian UFO craft 'Ekip', UMMO in Russia, and UFO propulsion systems.
• UFO Afrinewa: Provides a review of UFOlogy from Africa.
• Annals: Features stories with UFO relevance, including a 'scoop' about the Bentwaters case involving a crashed helicopter.
• Folklore Frontiers: Focuses on urban folk tales and has a journalistic tradition.
• Skeptic: Criticized for attempting to rewrite crop circle history.
• GEM: Described as a friendly earth mystery magazine with UFO and circle material, also featuring 'big cat' sightings and leys.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the internal politics and controversies within UFOlogy organizations, particularly BUFORA. There is a strong emphasis on new publications and the need for serious, research-based UFOlogy, as exemplified by 'The New UFOlogist'. The issue also touches upon personal disclosures and the challenges faced by individuals in the UFO community. The editorial stance appears to be one of transparency, aiming to set the record straight on organizational matters and personal issues, while also promoting new avenues for UFO research and discussion. The magazine seems to champion critical analysis and well-researched content, as seen in the reviews and the description of 'The New UFOlogist'.

Title: Northern UFO News
Issue: 11
Date: May 1994

This issue of Northern UFO News delves into various aspects of UFOlogy, featuring a mix of case reports, book reviews, media analysis, and organizational updates. The publication appears to be a UK-based newsletter focused on UFO phenomena.

International UFO Publications

The issue begins with a review of several international UFO publications:

• FATE: Reviewed for its look at Soviet UFOlogy and its transition to a larger format.
• AFU: Described as a source of Scandinavian data, though infrequent, it features a report on aircraft and 'missile' encounters and is noted for its English summaries.
• UFO Nyt: A Danish publication with an English pull-out booklet, appreciated for its well-designed format and case histories.
• Phenomena: The top French UFO review, highly recommended and available with an English summary.

Philip Klass and Roswell

The editor addresses a previous misreading regarding Philip Klass's stance on the official search for government records about the Roswell case. It is clarified that Klass is in favour of the search, believing it may help disaffirm the story if no conclusive evidence is found. The SUN newsletter is recommended as a source of objective criticism.

ASSAP UPDATE

This section provides an update on ASSAP (Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena). The editor expresses delight at ASSAP's continued strength in relating paranormal phenomena and conducting field studies. The disaffection with the academic approach of the SPR (Society for Psychical Research) is cited as a reason for ASSAP's formation in 1981. ASSAP publishes a newsletter and a journal called 'Anomaly' and is a registered charity. The Blackpool ASSAP branch is noted for organizing a successful one-day conference, and the town is set to host the Annual General Meeting and lecture programme on 29 October. This makes Blackpool a significant location for UFO events in 1994, alongside the LAPIS conference.

Contact information is provided for Melanie Warren in Thornton-Cleveleys for AGM/lecture details and for ASSAP/Anomaly via post in Frome, Somerset.

MEDIA MATTERS: A look at UFOs in the public eye

This section discusses the increasing media interest in UFOs, highlighting:

• Television Series: NBC's 'Unsolved Mysteries' and 'Sightings' (later taken over by Paramount Pictures), the US Fox network's 'Encounters', an Australian/US co-production called 'The Extraordinary', and a third series of 'Arthur C. Clarke' mysteries on the Discovery Channel.
• The X-Files: Praised as a dream for paranormal researchers, this US drama series follows two investigators chasing aliens and ghosts. The article notes its success in the US and UK, and that Sky will reshow the first 26 episodes before series 2.
• Press Coverage: The press has been active with UFO stories, including reports of flashing lights over Richmond, Sheffield, a 'black blob' seen over York, and a meteor shower on 29 May that generated numerous calls to coastguards.

Case Histories

Several UFO case histories are detailed:

• Aylesbury Video: A stationary 'bulge of light' video captured over Aylesbury is analyzed, with the author suggesting automatic focus issues in camcorder cases rather than actual object motion.
• Steuart Campbell's Book: Campbell's book 'The UFO Mystery Solved' proposes that UFOs are optical mirages of stars and planets. The article notes the media's positive reception while UFOlogists express skepticism. Ron Halliday and Bob Taylor are quoted as disagreeing with Campbell's claims.
• Dr. John Mack's Book: 'Abduction' by Dr. John Mack is reviewed as a disappointing book by a respected psychiatrist. The review criticizes Mack's naivety about UFOlogy, his limited familiarity with cases outside the USA, and his focus on a stereotypical pattern. However, his exploration of aliens as 'ecologically sophisticated space gods' is noted as a departure from other researchers.
• Hovering Jelly (Case 9234): A farmer's wife in Ruthin, Clwyd, reported a dull grey, jelly mould-shaped object hovering above the ground with silver struts and rotating balls.
• Family History (Case 9235): Two boys in Clwyd reported a blue/green triangle shape ejecting sparks, and later saw a white triangular star. The article notes a family history of sightings.
• The Tin Hat UFO (Case 9322): A nurse in Trefnant observed a hovering object shaped like a soldier's tin hat with bands of light and square windows, projecting a searchlight beam.
• Ramsbottom Sighting (Case 5720): An 8-year-old boy in Ramsbottom saw a group of star-like lights in a V formation for an hour.
• Fylde Incident (Case 9236): A witness in Hambleton, Lancashire, reported three lights in the northern sky, with the lower one bobbing. The MoD's explanation involving 'Blackpool laser lights' is criticized for its inaccuracies and lack of logic.
• Manchester Video (Case 9324): A woman in Baguley, Manchester, filmed a silvery-white dot object for eight minutes. Investigation suggested the object was likely a silvered novelty balloon or a high-altitude weather balloon, not a UFO.
• Lights of Louth Pt 3: Several sightings are reported, including a ball of light exploding near Sutton on Sea, a glowing ball near Mablethorpe, and a large orange ball changing into a cigar shape.
• Mablethorpe Encounter: Peter Gregory had a dramatic encounter with a red/orange and yellow/white object that hovered and then vanished.

Upcoming Conference

The issue announces an upcoming FUFOIG/LAPIS conference in Blackpool on 27-28 August 1994, featuring speakers such as Albert Budden, Dr. Serena Roney-Dougal, Lucy Pringle, and Arthur Tomlinson. Ticket information is provided.

Local Groups

A directory of local UFO groups throughout the northern region of the UK is included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on UFO sightings and investigations within the UK, with a particular emphasis on detailed case histories. There is a critical stance towards official explanations, particularly from the MoD, and a preference for thorough, evidence-based research. The publication also engages with the broader cultural impact of UFOs, as seen in the media analysis section. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging researchers and witnesses to share their findings while maintaining a skeptical yet engaged approach to the subject.