Northern UFO News - No 27

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 27
Date: August 1976

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS focuses on the coordination of UFO research efforts, particularly in Australia and the UK, and presents a variety of sighting reports and case studies.

Guest Editorial: 'An open letter to the Northern UFO News'

Harry Griesberg, co-ordinator of ACOS (the Australian Co-ordination section for the Center for UFO Studies), expresses his interest in the editorial and an article from a previous issue concerning the need for a research co-ordination centre. He explains the function of ACOS, which was established in November 1974 at the request of Professor J. Allen Hynek of the Center for UFO Studies in the US. ACOS coordinates Australian sightings by inviting major scientific UFO organizations and independent investigators to participate. Two copies of unidentified reports are sent to ACOS; one is processed and forwarded to the US Center for UFOCAT (a catalogue of UFO reports operated by Dr. David Saunders, containing 85,000 entries), while the second copy is retained by ACOS to form a central library. ACOS publishes a quarterly bulletin (March, June, September, December) containing news from the Center, Australian organizations, articles of interest, and summaries of sightings. The bulletin is an informational publication, not a newsletter, and inter-group news is condensed.

Articles in the ACOS Bulletin are supplied by researchers and investigators from member organizations and scientific consultants. Before ACOS, organizations worked independently. In March 1975, a decision was made to hold a nationwide conference, UFOCON ONE, which took place over three days in October 1975. The conference featured papers on investigation techniques, research ideas, and proposals for combined efforts. 23 people attended, representing 90% of member organizations. The event was held informally at Terrigal, NSW.

Editorial Address and News Notices

The editorial address is provided for Jenny Randles at 23 Sunningdale Drive, Irlam, M30 6NJ. News notices announce that Bryan Hartley has taken over as NUFON's foreign liaison officer, aiming to build contacts with international organizations and establish a foreign data resource center. Ian Cresswell is handling data transfer between NUFON and the Center for UFO Studies in the USA. An interesting case from the Scandinavian newsletter UFONYT is mentioned, involving a grey oval craft and two three-foot beings in green suits. Material has also been received from Belgium, Russia, Australia, and the USA.

The advisor system has become operational, and groups are urged to use it. The next NUCON meeting is scheduled for October 23rd in Manchester, with nominations for the agenda due by August 31st. The meeting will include lectures by Raymond Drake and a discussion on a controversial UFO theme. Proceedings from the Sheffield convention are available for 50p, including postage.

News of the BUFORA conference, held in conjunction with UFOSIS at the Centre Hotel, Birmingham, on November 5th-7th, is also provided. The conference includes a debate on research priorities, lectures on photographic analysis, UFO waves, periodicity, vehicle interference, and the INTCAT computer research program. The cost is £6 for non-BUFORA members and £5 for BUFORA members.

The British UFO Documentation Centre is stated to be an entirely independent organization, and any decisions regarding NUFON policy on cooperation must be made by the groups as a whole. Personal editorial remarks from a previous issue are clarified.

There is an exciting prospect of a fifty-minute BBC documentary on UFOs, focusing on contact and occupant cases, planned for December or January. The producer is the same as for the Loch Ness Monster program. NUFON is working with Flying Saucer Review on this project and is seeking unpublished contact events.

UFOCON TWO and Coordination Centre

Following the success of UFOCON ONE, UFOCON TWO was decided to be held in Mount Gambier, South Australia, from October 24th to 26th, coinciding with a total solar eclipse. A key outcome of UFOCON ONE was the decision to pool knowledge and resources and to adopt a uniform report form. A preliminary copy of this form has been forwarded to Jenny Randles.

The guest editorial responds to a NUFON article suggesting a UK coordination centre. The author hopes such a centre, similar to ACOS, can be established, emphasizing that it should be completely independent of any UFO organization. ACOS is not actively involved in direct UFO investigations but supports UFO organizations. The author guarantees full cooperation from ACOS if a UK centre is formed.

It is suggested that NUFON's function in the UK is not fully understood by ACOS, but the point about the necessity of a UK centre is valid. This might involve forming a counterpart to SUFON and maintaining close liaison. The newly formed BUDC might also be relevant, though its functions appear different. NUFON's philosophy is to recognize independence, work together, pool resources, and make them freely available for research. UFOCON is seen as similar to NUFON Representative meetings, but perhaps more sophisticated. An informal long-term conference involving NUFON and a prospective SUFON could enhance cooperation in the UK, given the absence of vast distance problems faced in Australia. BUFORA and CONTACT channel data through to UFOCAT, and NUFON does so on behalf of its associate groups.

Correspondence: Report Forms

NUFON does not see a necessity for a standard form, given BUFORA's work in developing one. Several groups have adopted BUFORA's forms, available from Tony Pace. Derek James of UFORA Staffs suggests photocopying them to retain two pages and have extra blank sides for notes. UFOSIS has also developed comprehensive forms.

Non-Cooperations

BUFORAS RIC for Scotland reported the demise of the Edinburgh UFO Society due to a general feeling that UFOs are not more than an atmospheric phenomenon. BUFORAS RIC, Stuart Campbell, stated that they do not regard themselves as an 'extreme outpost of northern ufology' and that ufology is about investigating UFO reports, not organizations or networks. He believes it is unwise to build extensive organizations that give the impression UFOs are more important than they are, and that UFOs are not extra-terrestrial. The author notes disappointment that nationalism might enter ufology, as UFOs do not recognize country borders.

Some Observations on the Sheffield Convention

Robert Morrell (NUFOIS) offers a critical perspective on the Sheffield convention, disagreeing with the positive opinion expressed in the NUFON NEWS report and agreeing with Dr. Jack Green's categorization of it as a 'flop'. While acknowledging some value, Morrell believes the event was spoilt by poor organization and a lack of a clear theme. He suggests that a specific theme would have provided a focal point and guided publicity material and lecturer invitations. Morrell also criticizes the organization, citing the last-minute venue change without adequate redirection, the lack of manned doors, and the absence of NUFON officials. He notes that only NUFOIS members wore identity badges, making it difficult to identify individuals without prior introductions. NUFON provided no stewards and minimal literature. Morrell concludes that while NUFON is a new organization, it should learn from its mistakes.

The editor acknowledges Morrell's points, stating they will be considered carefully for future conventions, especially if the public is invited. Morrell's opinions and assistance will be valued. The proceedings of the convention are available (see page 2).

Historical Cases

Lancashire, March 17th, 1954: Two men observed a white 'cloud' with a flat bottom and a bulge, moving east to west very fast over Samlesbury.

Ranton, Staffs (Flying Saucer Review Vol16 no 3): An aluminium disc with a transparent dome and two men in blue ski-suits was seen hovering low over a home. The craft emitted a purple/blue beam and streaked away silently.

Current Sighting Reports

Report 6806 (June/July 1968, Anglesey, N. Wales): A witness camping with his wife spotted a yellow object, the size of a 1p coin, through trees. It was as bright as the full moon and was obscured by trees. The witness claims it was not possible for it to be the moon as it hardly moved.

Report 75/134 (July 1975, Rainhill, Merseyside): A pulsing orange light, the size of a pinhead, was seen moving northwest to northeast. The brightness varied from bright orange to almost black. The object passed silently from 45 degrees elevation to 5 degrees. The witness took two colour slides, but the photograph at minimum brightness was lost.

Report 7648 (April 17 1976, Carlton, Notts): A man and wife observed a salmon pink light descending from 45 degrees elevation, drifting left, and disappearing near rooftops. Checks for flares from a nearby airfield or water sports centre were inconclusive.

Report 7650 (June 21 1976, Comely Bank, Edinburgh): A witness saw an object like a shoe-box with the end removed, roughly cuboid and dark, floating at an estimated 1000 feet.

Report 7651 (June 26 1976, Hull): A man and wife saw three white lights moving fast across the sky, likely satellites.

Reports 652/3 (June 28 & 30 1976, North Wales): A young couple had two daylight encounters. The first involved an object like a long lens with a bulge, black against a blue sky. The second involved three objects in formation, zig-zagging across the sky, appearing as silver discs with red middles.

Wave of Sightings from Staffordshire

Report 7654 (June 27 1976, Newcastle-U-Lyme): Mr. Evans and a friend saw a bright white light zig-zagging across the sky, visible for 20 seconds.

Report 7655 (June 30 1976, Knutton, Nr Newcastle, Staffs): Mrs. Pattison saw a matt black cigar-shaped object hovering, followed by a second object. They dropped to 15 degrees elevation and moved away silently.

Report 7656 (June 30 1976, Newcastle-U-Lyme): A couple saw a gleaming 'needle' shaped object, shining like a mirror, which remained stationary for ten minutes before shooting upwards.

Report 7657 (July 1 1976, Newcastle U-Lyme): Derek James and Chris Bourne observed a yellow/white light moving WNW to ESE, visible for 2 minutes 20 seconds, covering an arc of 150 degrees. It appeared to wobble and emitted a low humming noise.

Report 7658 (July 3 1976, Irlam, Greater Manchester): Miss Kathy Preston saw a silver cylinder with curved edges move extremely fast into cloud, visible for fifteen seconds. Calculations suggest a speed of 1160 mph.

Report 7661 (July 9 1976, Middleton, Grtr Manchester): A witness saw a white light moving NE-SW on a steady course, visible for one minute. MUFORA concluded it was likely a satellite.

NB: A report from CONTACT UK concerning an object seen at Lymm on May 13th (Report 7639) involved a white circle of light landing behind trees, later identified as a helicopter.

Sighting Notification Cards

• Report 7549 (June 6th, Rainworth, Notts): Cigar with white lights and portholes, larger than a 10p coin, hovered for 20 minutes.
• Report 7659 (July 8th, Haslingden, Lancs): Oval object with a round top and rim, visible for 4 minutes moving NW.
• Report 7660 (July 9th, Little Lever, Gtr. M/cr): Dog bone shaped object, coloured pink, split into sections.
• Report 7663 (July 21st, Hucknall, Notts): Golden saucer shape travelling at great speed over Rolls Royce airfield.

Report 7662: 'SHOCK FOR POACHER'

This report from the Eccles and Patricroft Journal details a close encounter with a UFO claimed by poacher Allan Ellis. MUFORA tracked him down and is analyzing the negative of a photograph taken. Mr. Ellis heard a humming noise and saw a dark gold object descending at a tilted angle. It hovered horizontally for thirty seconds, then tilted and streaked away. His Labrador dog became ice cold, and the surrounding wildlife went quiet. The object was approximately the size of a bus and had a flattened disc shape with a perceptible dome. The witness took a black and white photograph. He experienced no physical after-effects, but his mother reports he has been psychologically affected.

Report 7664: CONTACT EXPERIENCE CLAIMED IN WEST YORKSHIRE

This report concerns a person referred to as 'Mr. L.', who lives in West Yorkshire. Mr. L. has become more nervous and feels parts of the event are 'missing' from memory. The first encounter is claimed to have occurred around 1974, when a tall being in a white suit visited him. A second, similar meeting occurred later. In February 1976, the being returned with a colleague, who was slightly smaller. Both beings had longer faces, long thin lips, long noses, narrow eyes like a cat's, and four digits on each hand.

Inside the Craft: Mr. L. felt a tingling sensation and floated off the bed into space. He described the craft as an inverted bathtub surrounded by a golden glow. He entered the craft through the underside. Inside, he was on a table in a large room, feeling anaesthetized. Eight more beings were present. A large, red/purple eye-like structure examined him. He recalls asking questions about their identity and purpose, receiving the answer that 'An insignificant being such as a worm should not ask such questions. A thousand of your years are but a day to us.' He was then returned to his bed. The beings told him he would not be able to move, and a pins and needle sensation returned before they vanished. He has had no more contact.

Mr. L. claims to be experiencing physical after-effects, including pain at the base of his skull, behind his right ear, and in his abdomen, as well as hot flushes. The psychiatrist's opinion is that these are hypnagogic hallucinations, based partly on the testimony of Mr. L.'s wife. However, the investigation has ceased due to the lack of known psychiatric history and the need to view medical records. The report emphasizes the importance of considering this case carefully, noting its attributes common to other contact experiences and questioning whether the UFO phenomenon can induce semi-hallucinatory experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the importance of organized UFO research, the challenges of international cooperation, and the detailed reporting of UFO sightings and contact experiences. The magazine, through its various contributors and organizational affiliations (NUFON, ACOS, BUFORA, MUFORA, etc.), promotes a serious and systematic approach to UFO investigation, while also acknowledging the subjective nature of some reports and the need for careful analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging collaboration among different UFO groups and disseminating information to a wider audience interested in the phenomenon.