Northern UFO News - No 168

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 168
Date: Christmas 1994
Cover Headline: A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND GREAT NEW YEAR TO ALL

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated Christmas 1994, presents a comprehensive look at UFO phenomena, featuring a mix of case reports, book reviews, and commentary on media coverage. The cover art depicts a stone circle alongside a flying saucer, setting a tone for the contents within.

Editor's Comments and Computer Transition

In his 'J.R. Comments', the editor, Jenny Randles, discusses the transition to a new computer system, acknowledging potential mistakes due to unfamiliarity. She apologizes for the delay in the August edition, which has become the December issue, attributing it to a recent house move. Randles reassures subscribers that their £7 payment covers six issues, not a specific time period, and promises another issue around Christmas.

Authorial Output and Book Reviews

Randles also reflects on her prolific writing schedule, explaining that recent book releases, including 'Star Children', are driven by opportunities and a desire to explore specific topics. She addresses potential misunderstandings about 'Star Children', clarifying that it is not an attempt to portray herself as an abductee but rather an exploration of cases where individuals feel a sense of purpose or 'alienness' due to their experiences. She contrasts this with more 'commercial' titles, aiming for deeper research in her more specialized works. Randles notes the mixed reception of some of her books, like 'Mind Monsters', and discusses the challenges of getting research-oriented work recognized.

Media Critique: Horizon's 'Alien Abductions' Documentary

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a critique of the BBC's 'Horizon' documentary on alien abductions. The author expresses strong disappointment, feeling the program was 'predictably infuriating' for UFOlogists. While acknowledging the involvement of psychiatrist Dr. John Mack, a 'scientist' whose work garners attention, the critique focuses on the perceived bias of the program. Dr. Sue Blackmore, a skeptical psychologist, is highlighted for her investigation, which the author argues was framed to appeal to the US TV market rather than providing fair coverage. The program is accused of ignoring the differences between US and global UFOlogy, creating a wider divide between skeptics and believers. The author criticizes Blackmore for presenting research by established UFOlogists as if it were her own discovery, failing to credit their decades of work. The documentary's focus on 'false memory syndrome' and hypnosis testimony is seen as a superficial approach to the complex mystery of abductions. The author feels let down by Blackmore's lack of effort to credit UFOlogy's objective approach and suggests that the media and skeptical fraternity often dismiss UFOlogists' findings unless presented by someone with a doctorate.

'Spacenapping: The Debate'

Despite the criticism of the Horizon documentary's presentation, the author acknowledges that the points raised were serious. The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) is organizing a debate on alien abductions, with participation expected from Sue Blackmore, Kevin McClure (focusing on cultural aspects), and John Rimmer (advocating the psycho-social hypothesis). The author plans to argue that the phenomenon extends beyond psychology and sociology.

News Round Up

This section provides brief updates on various UFO-related news items:

• The TV series 'Strange But True?' is achieving high ratings, with a second series anticipated.
• 'Weird TV' on BBC-2 will feature UFO witness interviews.
• A new group, CUFOR (Cardiff UFO Research), is seeking contact and advice.
• The GAO's findings on the Roswell incident are clarified; the initial 'balloon experiment' report was a summary from the US Air Force, not the final GAO position. The GAO's full findings are expected late next year.
• Eileen Fletcher offers translations of articles from the Swedish journal 'UFO Aktuelt', including reports on landing and sighting cases.
• The 'Midnight Books' catalogue is available, featuring a comprehensive UFO section.

Circular Logic: Crop Circles

This section discusses crop circle formations, including a complex pattern found at Cusworth, South Yorkshire, believed to have formed overnight. The farmer's dismissive attitude and the media's explanations (wind, UFOs) are questioned. The article notes Reg Presley's claim that 75% of circles are hoaxes, which the author disputes, asserting that northern counties have a significant history of circle reports. The complexity of some formations suggests deliberate engineering.

For Your Perusal: Magazine Reviews

Several UFO and paranormal publications are reviewed:

• Promises and Disappointments: A 32pp A5 publication by Kevin McClure, featuring magazine briefs, book reviews, and articles on the cultural side of anomalies.
• Awareness: Examines public records office files and statistically analyzes 127 cases from 1980.
• Enigmas: Described as a consistently good magazine with lively letters, books, and coverage of various mysteries.
• IUFOPRA Journal: The journal of the erstwhile BUFORA branch, featuring an exclusive on the 'Network First' documentary and other paranormal topics.
• OVNI: Includes a detailed report on the Quest conference.
• Strange Days: A photocopied offering with reports on North East cases and objective UFO thinking.
• UFO Reporter: Features Nigel Mortimer and covers Ilkley area UFO activity and folklore.

Book Reviews

• UFO Quest by Alan Watts: Described as an 'amazing offering' with a bullish approach to UFOlogy, naming Adamski's craft as 'leviathans'. While it contains interesting speculation on spaceship physics, the author found it difficult to take seriously, though it may appeal to some readers interested in the ETH.
• Alien Encounters by Gordon Millington: A neat, hardback book that takes a personal look at UFOs, incorporating well-known cases and the writings of Zecharia Sitchin. It is presented as a new 'Ancient Astronauts' UFO book.
• Without Consent by Carl Nagaitis & Philip Mantle: This book is reviewed with a degree of caution due to past BUFORA history. It covers numerous British abduction cases, written in a style reminiscent of the Daily Star. The claim of being the 'FIRST EVER' British investigation into abduction is disputed. While acknowledging some well-reported cases, the author notes the lack of an index and a haphazard structure, suggesting it might be more suited for a tabloid audience. Despite its flaws, the author found it enjoyable and a fair representation of abduction stories.
• Alien Energy by Andy Collins: Praised as a self-produced book that 'would shame major publishers'. It is described as having a free style, covering topics on the borderland of paranormal and avant-garde, and is considered a sequel to his 'Circlemakers' title with added UFO content.

Brief Cases

This section details several recent UFO sightings and events:

• Case 9408 (Alloa, Scotland): A security camera captured a brightly lit object resembling a 'polo mint' escaping from prison. The video tape was unfortunately wiped.
• Case 9409 (Pocklington, North Yorks): A woman observed a light that grew brighter, resolved into a cottage loaf shape, and then accelerated out of sight.
• Case 9410 (Carnoustie, Scotland): Four girls saw a large, dark, spinning disc with a central light casting rays, which climbed silently upwards and vanished.
• Case 9411 (York, N. Yorks): A man saw a box-like object with a single light moving away after his satellite TV picture became snowy.
• Case 9412 (Bellingham, Nthumbria): A bright light was seen over a golf course, with the witness experiencing air pressure. Photographs were taken, and other witnesses reported a similar glowing object.
• Case 9413 (Bransholme, Humberside): A wave of reports, many proving to be meteors, included an orange egg-shaped mass hovering over fields.
• Case 9414 (Aberdeen, Scotland): A couple saw a mass of lights in formation drifting over.
• Case 9415 (Burton Pidsea, Hmbrside): A woman saw an orange mass with a flashing light hovering before moving slowly, exhibiting symptoms of 'airship' sightings.

Media Matters

This section discusses media interest in UFOs, including a US television crew filming an item on the recent wave of sightings around Mablethorpe, Louth, and Saltfleet. It also mentions a story in the Sunday Express about Russia's 'Ekip' aircraft, described as UFO-like. A notable piece by Jack Tinker in the Daily Mail recounts a hoax involving a painted dinghy used to simulate a UFO sighting in Rochdale in the 1950s.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the critical analysis of media portrayals of UFO phenomena, particularly television documentaries and newspaper reports. The magazine consistently questions official explanations and challenges skeptical viewpoints, advocating for a more open-minded and thorough investigation of UFO cases. There is a strong emphasis on historical cases and the idea that the UFO phenomenon is not a recent invention. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging readers to question narratives and seek deeper understanding, while also acknowledging the challenges and potential biases within the field of UFOlogy and its reporting.

This issue of UFO Annual, identified as issue number 11 and published in 1995, focuses on a variety of UFO sightings and investigations primarily within the United Kingdom. The cover prominently features "THE LIGHTS OF LOUTH" and lists Peter Gregory, Mike Morley, Mike Beadle, Rosie Oakes, and Margaret Fry as contributors or investigators. The price is listed as £2.50.

Key Articles and Cases

Police Hunt for Crashed UFO (Rooley Moor, Lancashire)

On October 4, 1994, at 07:30, a triangle of green lights was observed above Rooley Moor by a man in Bacup and a businessman in Rawtenstall. Two lights vanished as if crashing, and a third remained on the hillside for 10 minutes before extinguishing. Police searched the area on foot, fearing a plane crash, but found nothing.

York, North Yorkshire Sightings

On October 22, 1994, York experienced a wave of independent sightings. A woman in Escrick reported a terrifying 'whirlwind' with a yellowish light. Other sightings included a blue light rotating on the A19 at Crokkey Hill. The author suggests these might be observations of a laser show.

Mystery Photograph

A half-tone photocopy of a colour still, sent by an anonymous photographer, is presented for analysis. The picture was taken in Iceland during the summer of 1993, showing an object described as sun-like with a yellow circle, an orange circle, and a red aura. The object is estimated to be about 10 feet off the ground and a foot in diameter. A photo expert had not seen such an effect before, ruling out a developing fault.

More Welsh Wonders (4) - Investigations by Margaret Fry

Case 9328 (August 16, 1993): Ms A and Mr J were returning to Prestatyn when Mr J saw a strange object descending rapidly beside a TV mast. It was initially egg-shaped with jagged edges and green/white streaks, but by the time Ms A looked, it had become a golden or orange ball with a reddish centre and then disappeared to the ground.

1970 Encounter: Ms A reported an encounter on a beach at Moreton, Wirral, where a large grey hat-shaped object appeared a few feet above her, tilted to reveal windows on its base. Later, the UFO accelerated away towards Liverpool.

Children Terrified by Chester UFO (July 1978)

In mid-July 1978, two daughters and a friend in Chester reported seeing a strange object. Separated and asked to draw what they saw, their drawings were similar, depicting a silver object studded with lights. The memory of this event has persisted, with one sister suffering nightmares and poltergeist activity.

Pier Pressure (Blackpool, Lancs)

Case 7929 (February 24, 1979): A witness reported an object landing in a quarry at Bacup around 2 am. Two policemen were also drawn to the area by a UFO sighting. The incident involved evidence of a time lapse and mind control. The object's path was tracked across northwest England, with a second object approaching from the south, described as a roaring orange ball of fire that nearly wrecked a caravan park at Scarisbrick before heading towards Blackpool.

A security guard on Blackpool's central pier described a related encounter, noting an 'Oz' factor, referring to an amusement centre.

A High Peak Practice (New Mills, Derbyshire)

Case 8946 (January 27, 1989): Mrs C and her children observed a light through their kitchen window. The object, described as 'three defined footlight rows', wavered, projected beams of light downward, and silhouetted the hills. It was initially like a car headlight but spread into an oblong shape. The witnesses watched for about 4 minutes.

Case 9232 (November 9, 1992) Handforth, Cheshire

At midnight, Mr W observed a bright orange ball falling from the sky with sparks. The object disappeared within approximately 20 seconds, suggesting it was likely a fireball meteor.

Case 9406 (July 4, 1994) Stanlow, Cheshire

A couple returning from Birkenhead to Runcorn saw a 'big, smokey white oval with a white light on top' drifting slowly along the Mersey estuary. Checks with Speke Airport confirmed a 'virgin lightship' (blimp) was based there, which is suspected to be the object seen.

The Lights of Louth (Part 5)

Investigated by Peter Gregory, Mike Morley, Mike Beadle, and Rosie Oakes. Following a large outbreak of sightings on December 9, 1993, Nick Pope at the MoD confirmed awareness of the wave of sightings near Louth. Witnesses reported three lights in a triangular formation that hovered before moving off at high speed. The MoD considered the case unexplained. Peter Gregory formed the group 'Skywatch', and on January 4, 1994, 11 members reportedly saw an object at 23:08 near a microwave repeater tower at Trusthorpe.

The dangers of taking a Leek (Case 9127, June 16, 1991) Rushton, Staffs

This case involves a Staffordshire businessman, referred to as Bill, who reluctantly shared his story. While on business in Chester and returning via country roads, he stopped near the Bridestones at approximately 1:30 am. He saw a light above standing stones, which then appeared as a golden ball heading towards him. The object hovered overhead, emitting intense light. Bill lost consciousness and later found himself disoriented, lying amongst trees 600 feet from the road. His car was found with doors unlocked and key in the ignition. His shirt and shoes were missing, and he instinctively brushed his trousers, causing sparks. He estimates an hour and a half of time had disappeared.

General Notes and Updates

• NUFON's mailing address has changed due to an administrative move, with Margaret Holt taking over secretarial duties.
• Barry Greenwood is researching the genesis and development of the May/June/July 1947 UFO wave in the USA and seeks help from researchers with access to local media.
• A case reported on December 7 involved a truck driver seeing an explosion of light and an object plunging to earth near Lockerbie, which is suspected to be a fireball meteor, but the witness was told about a tragic mid-air explosion of a Pan-Am jumbo jet that occurred there six years prior.
• A list of local UFO groups across the north of England and Scotland is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed investigation of UFO sightings, often involving witness testimony and photographic evidence. The magazine presents a range of cases, from potential misidentifications (laser shows, meteors, blimps) to genuinely unexplained phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on documenting these events and encouraging further research. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting cases with varying degrees of certainty and encouraging reader participation in solving mysteries, such as the 'Mystery Photograph'. The magazine also highlights the efforts of various UFO research groups and individuals.