NORTHERN UFO NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 24
Date: May 1976
Publisher: NUFON (The Northern UFO Network)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated May 1976, focuses on the internal workings and future plans of NUFON, particularly concerning its publications. The editorial by Jenny Randles thanks respondents to a questionnaire about NUFON's publications output, noting that suggestions for a monthly newsletter and a separate, non-regular publication with detailed case accounts were well-received. The newsletter aims to include sighting data and publicize group activities of general interest, with ideas for a letters page and guest editorials also being considered.

NUFON Publications and Projects

The editorial highlights the need for more detailed reports and outlines several publication projects being considered by NUFON. A publications panel has been formed to examine priorities. These projects include:

1. Catalogue of historical northern cases: A team is already working on this, and local historical researchers are needed.
2. Special investigations publication: This would feature specialist articles on different case types (e.g., photographic, contactee) and investigation checklists, along with NUFON procedures, services, and advisors.
3. Sporadic publication with detailed reports: Examining the feasibility of producing a more professionally produced publication with detailed reports.

NUFON is seeking contributions from other groups and individuals to support these projects, emphasizing the need for at least half a dozen more people to assist with data compilation, typing, printing facilities, and distribution. The financial viability of these publications will be considered, but the regularity of the newsletter must also be maintained.

Editorial Stance and Contributions

Jenny Randles, the editor, expresses gratitude for contributions from various organizations and individuals, including BUFORA (Ireland), Edinburgh UFO Society, MUFORA, NUFOIS, RIGAP, SDR UFORA, UFOSIS, Ian Cresswell, Brian Hartley, and Derek Shelton.

News and Notices

• FAPURG: This new organization is planned to cover West Lancashire and maintains links with the Preston group PULSE, which is involved in parapsychology and ley-line research.
• SDRUFORA: Organizing the NUFON convention at the Fiesta Club, Sheffield on May 22nd, featuring advanced UFO topics, exhibitions, and demonstrations. Tom Cassinelli, the founder, has recovered from hospitalization.
• UFOSIS: Involved in local publicity, including a spot for a tape magazine for the handicapped and a three-hour live radio show about ghosts and parapsychological phenomena, where UFOs were also discussed.
• WUFORO: Invites members of other groups to attend their youth club lecture meetings as guest speakers.
• WUFOS: Skylink, a bi-monthly publication, is back in action. They are planning an informal Merseyside event to bridge the gap until the next NUFON meeting in early October.

General News

• BUFORA Conference: Plans are underway for a follow-up to the 1975 scientific conference, to be held in Birmingham on October 9th and 10th. UFOSIS will administer the conference, which will focus on specialist lectures and seminars for researchers.
• 'Official UFO' Publication: The excellent American UFO publication is recommended for its quality and articles by well-known researchers. NUFON is making enquiries with a stockist to help members obtain copies, particularly noting an article about the Centre For UFO Studies and Dr. J. Allen Hynek.
• NUFON Report 1975: Expected to be produced in time for sale at the Sheffield convention, with a projected sale price of 20-25p.

Foreign News

• Tungus Meteorite Expedition: An expedition from Tomsk University in Central Siberia will continue the cosmo-chemical survey of soil in the area of the Tungus Meteorite fall. The expedition aims to find answers to what happened in the forests of Siberia on the day of the event.

Investigational Zoning

This section proposes a clear demarcation of investigation zones among NUFON groups to avoid duplication and foster cooperation. It emphasizes the importance of regular phone contact, frequent meetings for pooling ideas, and establishing clear areas of coverage. The article encourages groups to consider expanding their areas to include outlying regions, which are often less covered but potentially productive for UFO reports.

UFOs - Psychological Factors

Jenny Randles discusses the statistical trends in UFO reports, noting the traditional 'low' period from February to April and a guaranteed 'burst' in August. She questions whether these inconsistencies are due to inherent ufological mechanics or sociological/psychological factors, such as warmer August nights and meteor showers. The peak around October/November is also noted as difficult to explain. The article suggests the need for a comprehensive public opinion survey to understand viewing habits and the percentage of people who see things and report them.

More Reports from Ireland

Two historical cases are presented:

• About 1965 (Bangor-Belfast road): Two senior citizens witnessed two faint white discs, larger than a car wheel, approach each other, merge, and disappear silently.
• Summer 1966 (Belfast): Mrs. T and her mother observed a rounded, egg-shaped object, the colour of the moon, moving slowly and silently across the horizon for over five minutes.

Historical Case Reviews

• February 12, 1972 (Haydock): Several teenage girls and a housewife reported a glowing ball of blue light, about 6 feet in diameter and 60 feet up, making a noise like a police car siren, which also affected animal life. Police were called but disbelieved the story.
• July 6, 1967 (Runcorn): A young married couple and family observed a glowing oval-shaped object hovering over their roof at about 2 am, making a whirring noise.
• Report 7616 (UFOSIS): Investigators are still pursuing this case, noting a discrepancy with a backup witness who was allegedly in existence but unknown to the address provided.
• Report 7622 (MUFORA - March 31, 1976, Winsford): A drawing of the object is corrected. The object broke formation, turned a sharp right angle to pursue another, and disappeared into cloud. One object dropped something. The objects were seen again later moving in the opposite direction.
• Report from 1968 (Higher Disley, Cheshire): NUFON Treasurer Peter Warrington reported seeing a red/orange oval shape, stationary or moving slowly at an estimated 2000 feet, disappearing after about 45 seconds.

Current Sighting Reports

• December 10, 1974 (Inverness, Scotland): Mr. Mudd and his wife saw two bright stars, one identified as Jupiter, the other a firey red object moving NW on an undulating path.
• August 5, 1974 (Birmingham): Two men reported seeing several large oval objects in formation, moving fast and silently. Two objects broke formation briefly and returned. Attempts to get information from Birmingham airport were met with ridiculous explanations and unavailability.
• December 13, 1975 (A61, Leeds-Maltby): A salesman saw a wall of light with a green middle and a feathery tail appear suddenly and disappear within 3 seconds.
• February 1976 (Nottingham): Lights seen in the sky were identified as flares or distress rockets from the Ruddington Army Camp.
• March 20, 1976 (Bridlington): Mr. Fargus saw a white ball of light moving steadily NE for about one minute, followed by two similar objects travelling side by side with a reddish glow.
• March 3, 1976 (Holmo-on-Spalding Moor, Ne York): Mrs. Oxley and her daughter saw two white lights hovering stationary, then descending, with a reddish glow and humming sound.
• March 22, 1976 (Harborne, Birmingham): A former police officer reported a white light moving rapidly across the sky with a hazy reddish tinge. Dogs in the neighborhood barked furiously.
• March 22, 1976 (Hall Green, Birmingham): Mrs. W saw many lights flying in formation, described as yellow and spherical with several points, moving silently south to east.
• March 24, 1976 (Arbroath, Scotland): A white light was seen moving SE, disappearing by just going out.
• April 9, 1976 (Bolton): A bright blue ball of light with a whitish trail streaked across the sky. It appeared to be self-luminous.

Stop Press

• Merseyside UFO Bulletin is now available on subscription.
• SPRING, a Nottinghamshire group, has associated with NUFON.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the organization and dissemination of UFO information within the UK. NUFON, as a network, emphasizes the importance of communication, cooperation between groups, and the systematic collection and publication of sighting reports and historical cases. There's a clear focus on improving the quality and detail of published material, moving beyond simple sighting reports to more in-depth analysis and investigation. The editorial stance is one of encouraging active participation, research, and the sharing of ideas to advance the understanding of ufology. The newsletter serves as a vital platform for these efforts, aiming to keep its readership informed and involved in ongoing investigations and projects.