Northern UFO News - No 22

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated March 1976 and identified as issue number 22, is a monthly forum for news, information, and ideas from independent UFO organizations and researchers in the north of Britain. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of all associated groups. The editorial team includes Jenny Randles as Editor, Peter Warrington as Treasurer & File Information, and Trevor Whitaker as Hon. Chairman.

Editorial: 'Just for the record'

The editorial addresses the current discussion in British Ufology regarding the need for a UFO archive. It mentions a suggestion at a BUFORA council meeting to explore a scheme involving centralizing available UFO material. A group from Crosby, Merseyside, led by Gary Raymer, has proposed forming a UFO Records Office. The editorial raises questions about the operational aspects of such an office, particularly regarding data transfer from various groups. It notes that NUFON itself has taken two years to establish a system where a fair proportion of northern groups share details of worthwhile cases. The editorial expresses concern about the willingness of many groups to transfer data to yet another central point, in addition to existing ones like NUFON, BUFORA, and CONTACT. It suggests that a more sensible approach would be to set up this office in conjunction with NUFON, BUFORA, CONTACT, and the newly formed SUFON to create a fully comprehensive data bank. This would allow for the collation of UFO publications and the provision of data readouts for researchers, with the center indexing data and facilitating the loan or photocopying of information. The editorial concludes by expressing pleasure at receiving contributions from 12 groups and individuals in this issue and encourages continued input.

Contents and Associated Groups

The issue's contents include an editorial, addresses, notices, meetings, group news, general news, reports from the past, and detailed sighting reports. A comprehensive list of associated UFO groups across Britain is provided, including BUFORA (and its Northern Ireland and Yorkshire branches), CONTACT (UK), UFORA Staffs, UFOSIS, and many others, along with their addresses. Regional consultants are also listed for various areas.

Notices and Meetings

Notices include information about UFOSIS (UFO Studies Information Services) offering assistance to those studying UFOs. A one-day seminar titled 'Phenomena of Earth & Sky' is scheduled for Saturday, August 7th, 1976, in Middlesbrough. Upcoming meetings include BUFORA Yorkshire on the first Monday of each month, DICAP on the second Friday, a BUFORA event on April 3rd featuring Dr. Anthony Martin, and the NUFON Committee meeting on April 10th.

Group News

BUFORA's Northern Ireland branch, led by Miles Johnston and John Hind, has been active, including a flap experienced late last year and forging links with CONTACT (Eire) and SKYSCAN. They have also launched 'Irish UFO News'. PULSE, a West Lancashire group, is expanding its UFO involvements, with Bryan Hartley appointed Secretary. SUFORS is experiencing a lack of Lincolnshire sightings, and Nigel Watson is preparing to film NUFON groups for a documentary. UFOSIS is growing and has applied for official BUFORA affiliation.

General News

BUFORA's research evening on February 7th was well-attended, with talks on current research and the future of British Ufology. These talks are expected to be available on the NUFON cassette library. Work is underway on a list of research and investigation advisors and a detailed study of the ATV film case, with assistance from ATV and Dr. Hynek. CONTACT UK and NUFON are collaborating on a catalogue of northern UFO cases, intended as a precursor to geographically based catalogues. NUFON is also preparing a special report on physical traces, photographic reports, E/M interference, and physiological effects, along with a list of advisors and special equipment. Progress is being made on synchronizing NUFON files with BUFORA and CONTACT, using 'Data Summary' forms for uniformity and adopting the BUFORA punch card system for high-level data. Systems of classification, including a modification of Hynek's system with SP (Strangeness/Probability) values, are being examined. Suggested modifications to the Hynek system are provided, categorizing sightings into Nocturnal Lights, Daylight Discs, Instrumentally Detected Cases, and various types of Close Encounters.

A notice is given for the NUFON Governing Committee meeting on April 10th, 1976, at the Fiesta Club, Sheffield, with an agenda including minutes, correspondence, elections, progress reports, and discussion on the May 22nd conference.

Contacting UFOs - By Means of a Cigarette Lighter

This report from UFOSIS details a case that was ultimately concluded to be a hoax, but serves as a cautionary tale for tackling contactee cases. The witness, from Walsall, claimed to have been in contact with UFOs since 1967 via cigarette lighter signals. UFOSIS conducted extensive investigations, including reviewing written material, taped interviews, and visiting the witness. They found inconsistencies in weather reports and the witness's claims, and a vigil failed to produce any UFO activity. The investigation also found no similar well-publicized cases that could have inspired the hoax prior to its alleged inception. UFOSIS concluded the report was a hoax after a careful appraisal, highlighting the importance of an open-minded yet critical approach to investigation.

Reports from the Past

Two historical reports are included:

• About 1952, Dumfries, Scotland: A gliding instructor reported seeing a swept-back wing aircraft-like object moving at high speed across the airfield, followed by a loud rumbling sound. Calculations suggested a speed of several thousand miles per hour.
• 1960, Moxley, Wolverhampton: A brief report mentions a 'red glow' following national grid transmission lines at a height of about 200 feet, moving ENE.

The UFO That Sucked Up Straw

This report by Derek James (UFORA Staffs) revisits a mysterious report from late Summer 1973, linked to sightings investigated at the time. Occurring on the day the Goodyear airship passed over, a black cloud was observed trailing it. The cloud was reported to have sucked up hay and dumped it on houses, tugged at a builder's hut roof, and lifted straw and other items from fields. While officially attributed to a whirlwind, Derek James untangled exaggerated reports and presented factual accounts to BUFORA, who apparently did not publish them.

Report from Humberside

Compiled by Derick Shelton and Nigel Watson (SUFORS), this report covers several years of activity. A 1958 report describes a grey smoke ring object seen over Pickering Park at an estimated height of 500-1000'. A more detailed sighting from June or July 1969 involved Mr. and Mrs. Binnington observing a bright shiny spinning disc that split into two and flew off in opposite directions. An intriguing story from near Burstwick involves a possible landing, with two ladies finding a large flattened area of grass and four symmetrical holes.

The Hough Green Sound

This report by Dave Gittens (NAPRA) details two incidents of an unexplained sound heard over Hough Green, Widnes, Cheshire, in October 1967. Mr. and Mrs. Littler reported a pulsating and throbbing whine. A tape recording captured the sound, which appeared to approach, fade in and out, and maintain its distance. Analysis suggests it was not a passing train, despite the proximity of a railway line. NAPRA is continuing to investigate, seeking other witnesses.

Northern Ireland Flap (November 1975)

This report by Miles Johnstone (BUFORA N.Ireland) details a flap that occurred between October 28th and November 5th, 1975, concentrated in the Belfast area. On November 1st, two objects were seen near Larne, and a similar object was observed at Lurgan. The following evening, five objects were reported flying at phenomenal speed in a 'V' formation over Belfast. On November 3rd, schoolboys and others saw strange lights near Donaghadee, described as a 'big yellow thing in the sky'. A woman in Southern Ayrshire reported a yellow object over the sea on November 5th, coinciding with sightings in Donaghadee. Martin Woods and friends saw a large white circular object with two smaller objects over Belfast on the same night. The flap was handled by John Hind, with a significant drop-out rate from witnesses who contacted the papers. Steps are being considered to remedy the situation, possibly involving a nationwide publicity campaign.

Notes on Previous Cases

• Report 75/112 (UFORA Staffs): File closed as witnesses were unwilling to provide further details.
• Report 75/122 (UFOSIS): A subsequent sighting on December 19th, 1975, in Redditch involved a discoid object tinted yellow and moving westwards, photographed by a local press photographer.

Current Sighting Reports

This section details numerous recent UFO sightings:

• Report 75/126 (October 2nd, 1975, Hull): John Scarah reported a triangular object gleaming with a bronze color, stationary for 4-6 minutes, possibly a meteorological balloon.
• Report 75/124 (December 14th, 1975, Nottinghamshire): A 41-year-old laboratory technician reported two sightings of an orange ball, smaller than the Moon, disappearing by shrinking to a point source. His background in Air Traffic Control and car malfunction are noted.
• Report 7604 (January 21st, 1976, West Didsbury, Manchester): A brief report of a ball of fire seen in the north-western sky, likely a meteor.
• Report 7608 (January 23rd, 1976, Redditch): A shiny metallic disc was seen moving slowly northwards at cloud level, hovering for thirty seconds, then accelerating away, leaving a short vapour trail. The local RAF confirmed no aircraft were in the area.
• Report 7611 (February 16th, 1976, Moorside, Oldham): A civil servant saw a shower of green sparks lasting 2-3 seconds at an elevation of 30 degrees and an estimated height of 80-100'.
• Report 7612 (February 17th, 1976, Winter Hill, Lancs.): RIGAP is preparing a report on a daylight sighting of a dull silver oval with a 'flattened mushroom on top', emitting a high-pitched humming noise.
• Report 7613 (February 26th, 1976, Kettering, Northants): A brilliant round yellowish light, the size of a pea at arm's length, danced erratically and fired two tails of light. It was visible for 15-20 minutes.

STOP PRESS: A case in Oldham on March 1st involved a disc-shaped object with a rotating transparent rim.

Supplemental Report: The Bolton/Blackburn Flap

This detailed report, conducted jointly by DIGAP and RIGAP, covers four events related to a flap. The report aims to elicit comment and suggestion from groups. The events include:

• Report 7605 (January 23rd, 1976, Bolton): Miss Shelley Barnes, a 17-year-old receptionist, reported seeing a small red light that resolved into a flat-topped diagonal object with a rounded underside, featuring deep red and amber lights. It hovered over rooftops and was estimated to be 20-25 feet in diameter and made of metal. The lights were described as glows from within. The object spun extremely fast without sound, and Shelley experienced a 'grating' sensation, possibly due to ultrasonic frequencies. Police were contacted, but the object was not found. A submote mentions blue beams of light seen by the same witness later that night.
• Report 7606 (January 25th, 1976, Bolton): Christine Young and Jillian Newton reported a brilliant whitish light, about four feet long with jagged edges, stationary over rooftops for about three minutes before fading out. The report notes that the Moon had not risen, but Saturn was bright. Miss Barton also reported a similar stationary object. DIGAP concluded these sightings were likely a bright star or the planet Saturn.
• Report 7609 (January 30th, 1976, Shadsworth, Blackburn): Three witnesses (Kathleen Reeves, Marlene Reeves, and Gail Harrington) reported an oval-shaped object with nine spinning windows that emitted lights. The object moved slowly, spinning, and was described as 'hanging' in the air. It was seen to spin, then hover, and take a circular course before shooting away. The witnesses' accounts varied between interviews, and RIGAP found the case puzzling.

Commentary on the Bolton/Blackburn Flap: The report notes that all seven witnesses involved in these cases were young women. It suggests that publicity may have influenced the January 25th case, which received the most attention despite being of lower value. The report concludes that it may have been a series of unrelated sightings rather than a true flap, but this view may change if further evidence emerges, particularly regarding the Shadsworth case and a photographic case. The Shelley Barnes case is considered the most likely to represent a significant UFO event.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the organization and standardization of UFO research through archives and data collection, the detailed reporting and investigation of individual sightings, and the analysis of UFO flaps. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of collaboration between different UFO organizations, the need for rigorous investigation techniques, and the critical evaluation of witness testimony and evidence. There is a clear effort to document and share information widely within the Ufology community.