Northern UFO News - No 20

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated January 1976 and identified as Issue 20, is published by SKANDINAVISK UFO INFORMATION. The editorial, titled 'New Years Resolutions,' sets a tone of introspection and forward planning for British ufology.

Editorial: 'New Years Resolutions'

The editorial, likely penned by editor Jenny Randles, begins by wishing ufologists a progressive year. It proposes several resolutions for 1976, including the establishment of a more cohesive national structure with greater emphasis on local groups and researchers. The editor expresses frustration with the slow progress in understanding UFOs, suggesting that simply collecting more sighting reports is becoming insufficient. The focus should shift towards more in-depth research, testing hypotheses, and analyzing data. The editorial also touches upon the idea of a two-tier structure within NUFON to facilitate more complex projects, professional publications, and the involvement of scientific personnel. Readers are invited to provide comments on these proposals.

Addresses and Group News

Page 2 provides essential contact information, including the editorial address for Jenny Randles and a comprehensive list of 'Associate Groups' across Britain, such as BUFORA, CONTACT (UK), MURO, UFOSIS, and others, along with their respective addresses. Regional Consultants are also listed. The 'Group News' section on page 3 reports on the disbandment of two Midlands UFO organizations (BUFORA Staffs and Leicester Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation) due to lack of support, while expressing hope for new associations. Positively, UFOSIS has been active in public relations, appearing on Birmingham radio. The Sheffield Group has been loaned a camera by Cablevision for filming activities and is organizing for the next NUFON convention. MUFORA held an experimental 'Investigator Training Evening'.

General News

The 'General News' section on page 3 covers the BUFORA AGM, where Jenny Randles was elected Northern Liaison Officer. BUFORA plans a complete reshaping of its image, a publicity drive, and the revitalization of its data systems with a punch card system. NUFON maintains its independent status. The Contact UK AGM also went well, with ongoing liaison work and hopes for joint research. Efforts are being made to transfer NUFON data to Dr. Saunders in America for computerization. Mike Dean of WUFOS is taking on the task of building NUFON's overseas connections, coordinating with UFO-NYT in Scandinavia and the Tasmanian UFO Centre. NUFON material is expected to be published regularly in the French organization Lumiers Dans La Nuit, thanks to Bryan Jefferey. Work is underway on the NUFON 1975 report and a potential catalogue of NUFON reports from 1970-75. A comprehensive publication titled 'The UFO Phenomenon over Northern Britain' is also planned. The section concludes by emphasizing the importance of detailed case studies and worthwhile investigations by NUFON groups.

Subscriptions

A note on subscriptions clarifies that they will run from January to December to standardize financial arrangements. Subscribers are asked to re-subscribe if they paid in the first quarter of the previous year, with a code letter indicating the adjusted rate.

UFOs and Science Fiction

Nigel Watson (SUFORS) contributes an article titled 'UFOs and Science Fiction' on page 4. He discusses how science fiction authors often create worlds that can influence public perception of UFOs, citing the 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast as an example. Watson quotes Arthur C. Clarke, who suggests that public belief in scientific marvels can blur the line between the possible and the improbable. The article also addresses the 'choleric menace of the moron' and the emotional impact UFOs can have, referencing graffiti that vehemently defends the reality of flying saucers. Watson acknowledges that some UFO witnesses may be influenced by science fiction, but argues that this theory doesn't account for physical evidence like radar visual cases. He concludes that studying ufology can be rewarding if approached with common sense and proportion.

NUFON Cassette Tape Library

On page 4, the NUFON Cassette Tape Library is announced as fully operational, thanks to Ken Green and colleagues. Lectures and cassettes can be borrowed by sending a request with postage and a small fee to the library.

Investigation Procedures: 2) Categorising Reports

Page 5 details a proposed system for categorising UFO sighting reports, building on systems by Vallee and Hynek. The proposed categories are: Type A (single witness, light in the sky), Type B (multiple witnesses, subdivided into B(i) simultaneous and B(ii) independent), Type C (object with a clearly defined shape, single witness), Type D (expanding on Type C with subdivisions D(i) and D(ii)), and Type E (involving environmental effects like ground marks, radar tracings, physiological effects, etc., subdivided into E(i) without object observation and E(ii) with object observation). The article stresses that Type D(ii) and E cases deserve full treatment, even if it means neglecting less important sightings temporarily, to build scientific credibility.

Investigation Section and Reports from the Past

Page 6 begins the 'Investigation Section,' noting that the Rainhill possible landing case is progressing with soil samples submitted for analysis. It also clarifies that MUFORA is not withholding data on the July 11th photographic case from Rochdale. The section then presents 'Reports from the Past,' including:

1. MURO REPORT ON MINI-FLAP November 1970: Brief notes on unidentified cases, including a golden orange star-like light observed over fields near Mansfield and a fast-moving green light seen by multiple witnesses and police.
2. AUTO STOP CASE May 25 1971: Reported by Ian Cresswell, this case involves a witness driving home who saw a glow like an upturned headlight, followed by a brightly lit object flying over the car, causing the engine and headlights to fade.
3. STRAW SUCKED UP BY OBJECT Summer 1973: A report passed to NUFON describes a column of straw rising vertically into the air near Jodrell Bank, with an indistinct shape hovering above. The report mentions that similar occurrences were explained as whirlwinds, a theory not widely accepted by investigators.

Current Sighting Reports

This section details recent sightings:

• Report 7598 (June 1st 1975, Morecambe): Three men reported a white ball of light moving northwards, stopping and starting slowly.
• Report 7599 (June 1st 1975, Bare, Morecambe): Two men reported a similar object moving East-West at high speed.
• Report 75/103 (Sept 13 or 20 1975, Midlands): An unusual observation involving a picked-up airwave broadcast between London Airways and a British Airways BAC 1-11, where the aircraft reported seeing two bright lights moving away.

DIGAP CASE REPORTS - September 1975

Page 7 presents DIGAP case reports:

• Report 75/100 (September 6th 1975, Urmston, Manchester): A witness saw a row of brilliant lights, like a brilliantly lit aircraft fuselage, moving slowly west-east.
• Report 75/101 (September 13th 1975, Cloughfold, Rossendale Valley): A nightwatchman saw a brilliant white light in the north, estimated at 200' high, circling a mansion before moving off.
• Report 75/102 (September 15th 1975): A witness saw a long, drawer-like object with three loading bays, coloured green and white, and silver lower lights, moving silently with a sound like a diesel train. The witness is considered sincere, but the report notes that Venus rising might be a possible explanation for some lights.

Northern Ireland Reports

BUFORA N.Ireland branch reports ongoing investigation into early November flap cases. A new report from November 4th at 17-10 from a schoolgirl describes a white light moving NE-SE over Belfast, which the investigator suggests might be a helicopter or satellite, though he describes the witness as 'fuddle-brained'. A report from Dublin on December 13th involves a yellow round object seen moving northwards for four minutes.

UFOSIS CASE SUMMARIES

UFOSIS provided summaries of recent investigations:

• October 3rd (Staffordshire): Two teenage girls reported a bright red egg-shaped object at 19-00, which moved slowly, split in two, rejoined, and changed colour.
• November 7th (Staffordshire): A witness saw a red-purple sphere in a field, with a smaller globe of light dropping from it. The object was estimated at 500 feet and appeared to dematerialise.

More Sighting Reports

Page 8 continues with more sighting reports:

• Report 75-104 (October 8th 1975, Morecambe): A single witness reported a white ball of light moving silently northwards, with no natural explanation found.
• Report 75-105 (November 17th 1975, Saddleworth Moor): One witness observed a brilliant star-like object at 04-30 that grew to a triangular shape, glowing yellowy-white, and remained stationary before reducing to a pinpoint and fading. A possible misinterpretation of a bright planet is suggested.
• Report 75106 (November 19th 1975, Huddersfield): Five sets of witnesses saw a blue/white light hovering in the west over Saddleworth Moor, bobbing up and down and disappearing after a few minutes.
• Report 75-107 (November 29th 1975, Lees, Oldham): Two men and a taxi driver witnessed a brilliant white torchlight hovering high up, stopping, starting, and bobbing. It accelerated away southwards towards Stockport. MUFORA is progressing with investigations in the Pennine moors area.
• Report 75-108 (December 12th 1975, Adlington, Lancs): Three children saw a bright white light moving fast and silently south-westwards, described as a cone shape with red and white lights. A possible explanation is a Dart Herald aircraft.
• Reports 75-109/110 (December 12th and 13th 1975, Swinton): These cases involve multiple witnesses and describe an oval object with lights that hovered, moved slowly, and then accelerated upwards. A similar silvery dome object was observed the next night.
• Report 75-111 (December 28th 1975, Winsford): Three witnesses saw a silvery white dome moving westwards towards Chester at high speed, possibly an aircraft on a known airway.
• Report 75-112 (October 24th 1975, Longnor, Buxton): A man and his girlfriend saw an object 'big as a bus' with windows and flashing lights, emitting a low humming drone. A geologist reported seeing a similar craft low down.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the organization and structure of ufology in Britain, the importance of rigorous investigation and detailed reporting, and the ongoing collection of sighting data. The editorial stance, as expressed in 'New Years Resolutions,' is one of advocating for greater scientific respectability, improved coordination between groups, and a shift from mere data collection to deeper analysis and research. There is a clear emphasis on professionalism and the need to move beyond anecdotal evidence to build a more credible subject.