NORTHERN UFO NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 21
Volume/Date: February 1976
Publisher: NORTHERN UFO NETWORK (NUFON)
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated February 1976, serves as a comprehensive update from the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), a liaison medium for independent UFO organisations in the north of Britain. The publication aims to provide a forum for news, information, and ideas, with the views expressed not necessarily reflecting those of the associate groups.

Editorial: 'Some ideas for future research'

Jenny Randles, the editor, opens the issue with an editorial titled 'Some ideas for future research.' She begins by noting that BUFORA hosted an important evening on February 7th to discuss future research development. Although unable to attend due to moving house, Randles shares her intended points. A key message is that a lack of knowledge in electronics or physics should not deter individuals from contributing to UFO research. She argues that seasoned investigators must move beyond merely gathering data and actively seek to understand the phenomenon. Randles suggests that the key might lie in applying seemingly irrelevant personal interests or experiences to UFO studies. She highlights the problem of 'sad lack of concentration on detailed attacks on cases of express interest,' where sightings of little value receive as much attention as those offering prospects for future research. Randles stresses the need for systems of early warning and recognition, urging groups and individuals to overcome the desire to 'possess' a sighting and to call for help quickly when needed. She laments the 'jealousy syndrome' that can prevent collaboration and lead to valuable reports being lost.

To address these issues, Randles announces a new project initiated by BUFORA: an analysis of British close-encounter cases. The goal is to produce a catalogue of these cases, a task previously undertaken in other countries. The project aims to identify patterns or allow for more in-depth work on cases that may have suffered from superficiality in the past. Researchers are encouraged to search their files for cases involving contacts, landings, ground or environmental effects, and physiological effects. Randles also points to 'Project Pennine' (detailed on page 4) as another avenue for utilizing diverse talents, whether administrative, scientific, or sociological. She concludes the editorial by emphasizing that while report collection is important, it's akin to stocking a larder without eating – the data needs to be utilized.

Contents and Group News

The contents page lists various sections, including Editorials, Addresses, Notices, Meetings, Group News, General News, and detailed investigation reports. The issue features a significant number of associated groups and regional consultants, indicating a broad network of UFO organizations across the UK.

Group News:

• UFOSIS: This group has had considerable success in establishing contact with 'officialdom,' specifically the West Midlands Police. The police's Public Relations department showed interest, and a Superintendent provided basic information about UFOSIS and contact details to all police stations. UFOSIS attributes its success to a personal approach and offering assistance to the police.
• BYUIG: This group is making progress and aims to become a centre for international youth investigation of the UFO phenomenon, with over 30 branches.
• BUFORA: This group is planning to actively encourage young people's interest in UFOs and hopes to have a full-time office by the summer. They are also commencing the issue of regular press releases.
• MURO: Planning to open an office in Mansfield shortly.
• DIGAP: Their January meeting featured an alleged movie film taken in Rossendale, showing two orange ellipsoids and a yellow/white disc. While the film's quality is not high, analysis suggests it's unlikely to be film faults, but possibly stray reflections, though the witness claims to have seen something.

General News

• SUFON Formation: Positive developments on the national front include the formation of SUFON, the southern counterpart, initiated by Barry King and Alan Fossey. The setup is intended to be similar to NUFON, and a national meeting of networks is anticipated.
• BUFORA Press Releases: BUFORA has begun issuing regular press releases and invited reporters to their Research Evening on February 7th.
• NUFON & CONTACT Collaboration: NUFON is working with CONTACT on transferring data to computerized catalogues in the USA.
• Official UFO Magazine: The issue recommends a new American glossy magazine titled 'OFFICIAL UFO,' highlighting its non-sensational content, recent case reports, and articles on UFO investigation.
• Stop Press: A new general NUFON phone number (061-775-4749) is announced, effective from February 11th, 1976. NAPRA has provided a full report on field kit requirements and procedures, which will be published shortly.

Investigation Procedures: 3) Lights in the Sky

This section discusses 'Lights in the Sky' (LITS) reports, which are common but difficult to explain. The author advises caution, suggesting that most LITS have natural explanations. While it's hard to ignore them, focusing on less clear but potentially more significant cases is recommended. The article emphasizes that if a LITS report lacks detail, it's best filed away as unlikely to yield valuable information. However, examination is warranted if the light's color is distinctive, its movement is erratic, or multiple witnesses are involved. The primary check for LITS is a satellite, and the article notes that many people fail to recognize them. Other possibilities include aircraft, especially at high altitudes, and astronomical explanations like planets (e.g., Mars). The author advises checking with aircraft enthusiasts and using directional checks to rule out common sources. The Daily Mail's column on satellite transit times is recommended for verification.

Investigation Section

This section details several specific UFO sighting reports and investigations:

• Report 75/112 (Preston, Oct 17, 1975): Slides show a flare-shaped yellowish object, possibly a receding aircraft trail or high cloud. A full analysis is pending.
• Report 75/113 (Derbyshire, Oct 24, 1975): Involves a sighting of an object with 'huge windows' by a geologist. A full report will be issued once data is collated.
• Report 75/106 (November 19, 1975): BUFORA Yorks reports this sighting was caused by a normal ground source.

Reports from the Past:

• Matlocks Spinning Dish (Nov 21, 1970): Three people reported a spinning dish-shaped object with white and red lights.
• Ufonauts Seen in 1945: A report from Sheffield UFORA about an intriguing case from around 1945, with a drawing of a craft, but lacking specific location and time details.

Current Sighting Reports

This section provides brief summaries of various recent sighting reports:

• Report 75/114 (June 6, 1975, Morecambe): A LITS report involving radio interference, dipping house lights, and a bright white light moving across the sky.
• Report 75/115 (June 25, 1975, Mansfield): A ten-year-old reported a silver, cylinder-shaped object.
• Report 75/116 (August 13, 1975, Cheadle Hulme): An aircraft engineer observed a stationary, boomerang-shaped object covered by vapour.
• Report 75/117 (September 2, 1975, Anfield, Liverpool): An undescribed object was seen stationary for fifteen minutes before shooting upwards and returning.
• Report 75/121 (December 17, 1975, Leicester): A glowing metallic object resembling two spheres stuck together was observed.
• Report 75/123 (December 21, 1975, Saddleworth Moor): A dull grey metallic object was seen travelling low over the moors.

Stop Press: A new BUFORA report from Leicester on December 13th, 1975, involving three witnesses and a magnetic compulsion to look up, describes a hazy red oval that moved and disappeared.

UFOSIS CASE STUDIES

• Report 75/118 (August 14, 1975, Solihull, Warwickshire): An object shaped like a peculiar drawing entered a bedroom, moving north-west to south-east, filling half the window area with a hazy white glow.
• Report 75/119 (October 8, 1975, Essington, Nr Wolverhampton): Teenage girls reported a reddish oval shape that moved slowly, split into two pieces, and rejoined.
• Report 75/120 (November 7, 1975, Penkringe, Staffs.): Two purple-red spheres were seen, with the larger one stationary and the lower one descending before both dematerialized.
• Report 75/122 (December 19, 1975, Redditch, Worcestershire): Two sightings on the same day: a golden yellow disc-like structure and a different object photographed by the Redditch Indicator.

Subscriptions

The Northern UFO News is adjusting its subscription system to run on a calendar year basis (January to December). The current rate is £2.00 per annum for a single copy. The newsletter provides information on subscription status (elapsed, expiring, or current) and instructions for renewal.

Investigation Reports (Continued)

• Report 7601 (January 4, 1976, York): Seven observers saw a 'moving star' that changed from reddish to white.
• Report 7602 (January 5, 1976, Sale): A technician reported two ice-cold blue lights, one above the other, moving steadily across his vision.
• Report 7603 (January 17, 1976, Delph Moors): A report of a 'helicopter' landing on open moorland was investigated and closed as a non-event.
• Report 7607 (January 31, 1976, Chorlton, Manchester): Investigation pending into a hospital porter's report of two aircraft and a shiny metallic object with a curved top and flat underside.

Bolton/Blackburn Flap

The Bolton Evening News and Lancashire Evening Post reported several UFO sightings in late January. Two girls were interviewed on Granada TV about a sighting in Bolton. Initial investigation uncovered two more interesting reports from January 23rd and 30th, with DIGAP and RIGAP jointly investigating.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing efforts to professionalize UFO research, the importance of collaboration between different UFO groups, and the detailed reporting and investigation of sightings. The editorial stance, as articulated by Jenny Randles, is one of encouraging broader participation, emphasizing the need for diverse skills, and advocating for a more systematic and less possessive approach to investigating UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on moving beyond mere data collection towards a deeper understanding and analysis of cases, particularly close encounters. The magazine also highlights the challenges of identifying phenomena like LITS and encourages rigorous checks against known natural explanations before concluding a sighting is anomalous.