Northern UFO News - No 167

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 167
Date: September 1994
Cover Headline: In Rendissham Forest

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated September 1994, presents a diverse range of articles and news items related to UFOlogy and the paranormal. The cover features an illustration of a UFO in Rendlesham Forest, with Roy Sandbach credited for the cover design and Jenny Randles as the editor.

Contents and Key Articles

The issue begins with a "Comments" section by J.R. (Jenny Randles), who apologizes for the late June issue, attributing it to a thinning workload as a TV series concludes. She announces an upcoming move to the coast and assures subscribers that they will receive all six issues paid for, even with delays. Randles emphasizes the importance of studying cases that challenge preconceptions, arguing against a single, all-embracing explanation for UFO phenomena. She highlights the Trans-en-Provence landing and the 'Ilkley Alien' photograph as examples of significant cases.

Challenging Cases and Investigations

Several articles delve into specific cases and investigations:

• Challenging Cases: The issue promises to explore cases that challenge preconceptions, with a particular focus on the 'Ilkley Alien' photograph and its investigation by Peter Hough. The media's portrayal of this case is criticized for being fraught with errors and an inaccurate sketch.
• Roswell Revelation: The General Accounts Office (GAO) in the USA announced findings from a nine-month archive search regarding the 1947 Roswell crash. The GAO claims it was a balloon from a secret project called 'Mogul,' designed to gather data on Soviet nuclear tests. The article notes that this report is unlikely to end the debate, with skeptics likely seeing it as vindication and believers suspecting a cover-up.
• Bentwaters/Rendlesham Forest Affair: This significant case from December 1980 is discussed, with the editor acknowledging both believer and skeptic viewpoints. Upcoming media coverage includes ITV's 'Network First' and a 'Strange But True?' program, which are expected to provide new details and a detailed report.

UFOlogy and Research Organizations

• BUFORA Response: An editorial addresses the editor's departure from the BUFORA council and a tabloid newspaper expose. Philip Mantle responds to the editorial, with his comments included. The editor stresses that she was not suggesting any BUFORA officer leaked the story to the 'News of the World' and reiterates her continued support for BUFORA as an organization.
• UFO Research Australia (UFORA): The organization is undergoing a transformation, with Keith Basterfield stepping down as research director to focus on project work that may move beyond his previous 'middle-of-the-road' position. Jim Atwell also quit his position due to work pressure. Harry Griesberg has taken over as the new research director.
• Alien Acknowledgment Campaign (AAC): John Holman announces a 'UK National Awareness Day' on October 1st, with a media campaign planned. A future 'International Roswell Day' is also mentioned, linked to a potential Roswell movie release.

Magazine Reviews and News Round-Up

The issue includes a "News Round Up" section featuring brief mentions of various UFO-related publications and groups:

• The Circular: Described as a lively magazine with photographs and analyses of crop circles and other phenomena.
• The Crop Watcher: A more austere publication, primarily featuring the editor Paul Fuller's thoughts and often aligning with the Meaden line.
• Local Groups: Mentions of SUFORIN (Somerset UFO Research and Investigation Network) and the Southampton UFO Group, both producing newsletters.
• Other Magazines: Reviews of Pegasus, OVNI, UFO Reporter, Strange Days, IUFOPRA newsletter, Enigmas, World UFO, BAE, IUR, MUFON Journal, and Just Cause, providing details on their content and subscription information.

Orgone Energy and Crop Circles

• Orgone, But Not Forgotten: This section reports on 'Orgone 94,' a sequel to last year's venture aimed at capturing evidence of 'Orgone' energy, an atmospheric/psychic force linked to UFOs and crop circles. Research uncovered electronic readings and visual sightings, including a massive burst of light. Andy Collins is working on a book about this research.
• Circular Logic: A letter from Roger Walker discusses an article by John Michel in 'Cerealogist,' which argues that the focus should be on crop circles themselves, not on countless unproven explanations. Michel criticizes Terence Meaden's theories and the 'hoax-a-circle' competition. The editor, however, disputes Michel's claim that nothing has been discovered about circles, believing significant progress has been made.

Media Matters

This section examines UFOs in the public eye. It discusses a story about disappearing trees in Oxfordshire, which was linked to the extraterrestrial theory and crop circles. The media's reliance on 'cuttings' and the involvement of police are noted. The section also criticizes a US UFOlogist who lectured at a crop circle convention, releasing a photo and a sketch of the 'Ilkley Moor alien' that was inaccurate and misleading.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate surrounding the Roswell and Rendlesham Forest incidents, the complexity of UFO research with multiple possible explanations, the role of media in shaping public perception of UFO phenomena, and the review of various UFO publications and research groups. The editorial stance, as expressed by Jenny Randles, is one of open-minded investigation, encouraging readers to study cases objectively and avoid rigid adherence to preconceived notions or single explanations. There is a clear emphasis on critical analysis of evidence, particularly in light of media portrayals and organizational responses.

This issue of Northern UFO News, identified as issue number 11, focuses on various UFO-related topics, including case studies, media critiques, book reviews, and discussions on potential explanations for sightings. The content appears to be primarily in English and covers events and research from the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s.

Key Articles and Reports

Media Critiques and Case Discussions

The issue begins by referencing a six-part series on a specific UFO case from 1988, highlighting a dispute between UFOlogist Peter Hough and the Daily Star newspaper. The newspaper allegedly published a spurious explanation for a photograph of an alien, which Hough denied. The article criticizes the media's 'sloppiness' and 'lack of knowledge' in handling such cases, citing the Oxford Mail's 'Moor Madness' piece as an example of ridiculing a potentially vital case.

Albert Budden's research, suggesting that electromagnetic pollution hot spots might trigger CE4s (Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind), is also discussed. The article defends Budden's work against criticism from 'The People' newspaper, stating that his research was published legitimately and not just for hype.

Malcolm Robinson of SPI is mentioned for his claim that humans are direct descendants of aliens due to genetic experiments. Arthur Tomlinson, a lecturer, is quoted as claiming that extraterrestrial intelligence is coaching humans in interstellar travel. The RAF's response to this idea is presented, with a spokesman stating that defense cuts leave no time for such endeavors.

Government Stance and International Perspectives

The issue touches upon the British government's stance on UFOs, referencing a letter from Defence Minister Lord Cranborne to MP Teddy Taylor. Cranborne stated that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was not aware of evidence supporting the existence of extraterrestrial life and was not covering up information. However, he acknowledged that the MoD mostly receives reports of 'lights in the sky' and remains 'open minded on these' unsolved cases. A contrast is drawn with the Hungarian Defence Minister, Gyorgi Kalety, who is quoted as believing 'We don't stand a chance in the UFO invasion.'

Book Reviews

'The UFO Mystery: Solved' by Steuart Campbell: This book is reviewed as the work of a former UFOlogist turned skeptic and premier debunker. The reviewer notes that while Campbell's analysis is worth hearing, he disagrees with much of it. Campbell's theory suggests that UFOs, including LITS (Lights in the Sky) and CE3s (Close Encounters of the Third Kind), may be triggered by optical mirages of stars and planets. The reviewer finds this theory applied too broadly but acknowledges the book's contribution and professional presentation.

'Strange South Yorkshire' by David Clarke: This is presented as the latest title in a series covering the UK. The book focuses on myths and legends of the county, followed by modern accounts of ghosts and UFOs, including crop circle events. It is described as well-illustrated and a modest, unassuming, yet delightful volume.

'The Second Coming' by Andy Collins: Mentioned as a paperback sequel to 'The Black Alchemist,' it is described as a typical rip-roaring yarn, like a supernatural adventure novel, reportedly true.

Brief Cases: Some Current Investigations

This section details several specific UFO sightings and encounters:

• Case 9325 (January 29, 1993): Near Moel Park mountains, Clwyd, UK, a yellow object with a yellowish halo and dark orange lines defining a cockpit area was seen climbing a TV transmitter tower before vanishing. A car following behind independently witnessed the phenomenon.
• Case 9326 (June 16, 1993): On the A5 road near Anglesey, UK, a peculiar mass described as changing shape like dough was seen moving slowly overhead. The witness experienced loud noises in his ears, collapsed, and suffered a mild itchy rash, pins and needles, and nausea.
• Case 9327 (July 8, 1993): Near Rhosneigr, Anglesey, UK, a hotel owner observed a large grey sphere followed by a small golden ball moving slowly and silently overhead.
• Case 80-106 (Late 1980s): South of Keighley, West Yorkshire, UK, a vast, black mass with lights appeared overhead, described as huge and drifting slowly before accelerating rapidly. This case is compared to a similar sighting in 1977.
• Case 9404 (May 31, 1994): In Bollington, Cheshire, UK, a vague crescent shape with a shower of light was seen stationary for about 30 minutes.
• Case 9405 (May 23, 1994): In Knutsford, Cheshire, UK, a brilliant pulse of light was followed by a large mass of purplish light moving slowly across a garden, described as being the size of the sun or moon.
• Case 9406 (July 4, 1994): Near Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK, a smokey yellow/white oval-shaped object with a white light was seen moving slowly and hovering, then following the Mersey estuary.
• Case 9407 (August 5, 1994): In Edgeley, Stockport, Cheshire, UK, a brilliant ball of golden light was observed for about 10 seconds before extinguishing, identified as likely a fireball meteor.

The Lights of Louth

This section details a series of sightings in Lincolnshire/East Humberside during autumn 1993, culminating in a significant event on December 9th. Louth journalist Mick Hill received numerous calls about unusual lights. Reports described three lights in a close triangle hovering and rotating. Initial suspicions of military activity at RAF Donna Nook were investigated, but the Station Commander denied operations after 15:30, though he admitted seeing a triangular UFO himself. The MoD confirmed interest in the case, but local residents reported unusual atmospherics affecting TV sets. Independent witnesses ruled out conventional aircraft due to the lights' steady nature, lack of sound, and tight formation.

Final Words and Events

This section announces upcoming events: the ASSAP AGM with lectures on the Doddleston case and spontaneous time anomalies on October 29th in Blackpool; Andy Collins' psychic questing conference on November 5th/6th in London; and the 'New UFOlogist' magazine's first free gathering on November 19th in Birmingham.

Local Groups

A directory of local UFO groups across the northern region of the UK is provided, including their names, locations, and contact details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of media reporting on UFO phenomena, the presentation of detailed case studies from the UK, and the exploration of various hypotheses for sightings, ranging from mirages to electromagnetic effects and potential extraterrestrial origins. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, while also being critical of sensationalism and misinformation. There is a clear effort to document and analyze specific incidents, often with input from witnesses and researchers, and to connect them to broader patterns or theories within the field of UFOlogy. The issue also highlights the ongoing efforts of various organizations and researchers in the UK UFO community.