Northern UFO News - No 25

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated June 1976 and identified as Issue 25, is published by NUFON and focuses on the broad and often debated scope of ufology. The editorial, 'The outer limits of ufology,' written some time prior, questions the boundaries of the subject, suggesting that while 'ufology means ufos,' the investigation of these phenomena requires an interest in physics, chemistry, aerodynamics, psychology, sociology, astronomy, biology, and even concepts from parallel dimensions. The author stresses the need for both scientific and non-scientific specialists to work together and for science to become involved.

Contents and Key Articles

The contents page lists a variety of articles, including an editorial, news notices, and reports on UFO cycles, contactee cases, and historical summaries. Specific articles highlighted include:

• EDITORIAL: 'The outer limits of ufology': This piece, by Jenny Randles, explores the expansive nature of ufology, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach and caution against overly broad or narrow definitions. It warns against ufology becoming solely a 'psychic science' and stresses the importance of defining its boundaries.
• NUFON CONVENTION 1976 'The beginning of a UFO film' by Nigel Watson: This report details the NUFON convention held in Sheffield, despite venue changes. It describes the lectures and displays, noting the efforts of the Sheffield, Dinnington & Rotherham UFO Research Association as hosts. The article discusses the filming of a UFO documentary, 'UFO - The people behind the Unidentified Flying Object mystery,' which involved visiting various UFO groups.
• 'Underground noises in Notts' by Brian Ratcliffe: This article investigates mysterious underground blasting sounds and tremors reported in Nottinghamshire. The coal board denies responsibility, and the author, a miner, dismisses the possibility of illegal coal excavation, suggesting a connection to unexplained tremours elsewhere and potential camouflage of underground activities by UFOs.
• 'UFO CYCLES - POSSIBLE RELATIONS' by Derick Shelton: This piece speculates on the cyclical nature of UFO activity, exploring potential connections to sunspot maxima and the Earth's position relative to the Sun and potential UFO home worlds. It suggests that the Earth's elliptical orbit and varying interference from the Sun might influence UFO sightings.
• 'CONTACTEE CASE IN NORTHERN IRELAND': This report details a developing case involving a witness who claims contact with aliens. Investigators are proceeding with caution, involving a psychologist, and are monitoring the witness's claims, which include descriptions of aliens, their craft, and predictions about the future.
• 'HISTORICAL CASE SUMMARIES' by Ian Cresswell: This section includes summaries of historical UFO cases, such as a landed UFO seen by RAF personnel in Lincolnshire in 1959 and an orange coloured plate shaped object seen near Bolton in May 1971.

Current Sighting Reports

The magazine features a significant number of current sighting reports, categorized by case number and investigation group:

• Case 6204 (Unknown 1962, Rotton Park, Birmingham): A round glowing object was seen hovering stationary before shooting away.
• Case 7117 (May 31 1971, Harwood, Bolton): A conical object, later appearing as a plate with a hazy portion, orange in colour, was seen revolving and emitting a buzzing noise. It split into two parts before vanishing.
• Case 7219 (September 1972, Hampstead, Birmingham): A white light moving east was observed at high altitude, remaining stationary before moving north west and accelerating out of view.
• Case 75/129 (January 4 1975, AlderHey, Liverpool): A round reddish light was seen moving slowly eastwards, possibly a satellite.
• Case 85/130 (February 20 1975, Birmingham): An oval object with flashing lights was observed, from which a smaller red object emerged and vanished, followed by the main object.
• Case 85/131 (October 1 1975, Kings Lynn): A stationary amoeboid shape changed into a jet aircraft and vanished.
• Case 75/132 (December 29 1975, Bromborough, Wirral): A row of three white lights remained stationary before moving away.
• Case 7633 (Early 1976, Whitby, Cleveland): A bright orange crescent shape was seen, fading and reappearing multiple times.
• Case 7634 (April 20 1976, Leeds): A comet-like object was seen.
• Case 7635 (April 23 1976, Samlesbury, Preston): A white object shaped like a small Concorde was seen moving slowly and silently, possibly an experimental aircraft.
• Case 7636 (April 30 1976, Birkenhead, Merseyside): Two yellowish points of light were observed moving together, likely satellites.
• Case 7639 (May 13 1976, Lymm, Cheshire): A bright light flying low amongst trees was reported, explained as a 'mystery helicopter'.

Special Reports and Investigations

• PROJECT PENNINE: Work on this project is underway with assistance from DIGAP, MUFORA, and RIGAP. Several interesting cases are being investigated, including the Mossley Common close encounter.
• THE MOSSLEY COMMON CLOSE ENCOUNTER (Case 7463): This report details an encounter on October 14, 1974, involving Mr. and Mrs. Haughton. They witnessed an object about eighty yards away, emitting a brilliant white glow. The object rose, hovered, and then streaked away. The following morning, the window frame, door, and drainpipe were found to be burnt and cracked.
• CONTACTEE EXPERIENCE IN LITTLE LEVER (Case 6403): This case from Spring 1964 involves an elderly lady who experienced a whirring noise and an orange glow. A small orange ball appeared, grew brighter, and exploded into pieces. Later, chattering voices were heard, and the window frame, door, and drainpipe were found burnt and cracked. The witness also reported seeing a five-foot tall humanoid figure and later three beings who indicated 'PLUTO' as their origin.
• HUMANOID SEEN AT HIGHER FOLD (Case 7637 & 7638): This report from March 1976 describes a Mrs. Kent seeing an orange ball, described as dull and very large, descending and pulling up sharply. Later, on May 11, 1976, she saw a figure standing on a hill, dressed in silver with a cloak, and a sphere of silvery colour nearby. A semi-circle of cut grass was found at the location.

Organizations and Services

NUFON (The Northern UFO Network) acts as a liaison for independent organizations. Associate groups include BUFORA, CONTACT, DIGAP, FAPURG, MUFORA, SUFORS, UFOSIS, WUFOS, and others. Services offered to associates include copy sighting data, minutes of meetings, general UFO information, and a cassette tape lecture library.

News Notes

• Plans are underway to form a BRITISH UFO DOCUMENTATION CENTRE to allow scientists to work on ufology. It aims to operate in conjunction with existing organizations without overlap.
• The BUFORA Conference is scheduled for November 26th & 27th in Birmingham.
• NUFON has published its report on 1975, containing a catalogue of reports and a survey of unidentified reports.
• MURO is working on a project to index past journals for research data, contributing to the BUDC project.
• UFOSIS is preparing ideas for a NUFON group association form. Gary and Yvonne Lanham have settled in Canada and are liaising with local groups.
• A report of an unusual bolide seen over Finland and Russia on February 11, 1976, is mentioned, with the question raised if it could have been a UFO incident.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the definition and scope of ufology, the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, and the exploration of contactee experiences and historical cases. The editorial stance, particularly from Jenny Randles, emphasizes the need for a rigorous, multidisciplinary approach to ufology, distinguishing it from purely psychic phenomena while acknowledging potential overlaps. There is a clear effort to document and share information among various UFO research groups in the UK, fostering collaboration through NUFON. The magazine also highlights the importance of scientific involvement and the establishment of a central documentation centre to legitimize the field.