NORTHERN UFO NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 28
Date: September 1976
Publisher: Northern UFO News
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Editor: Jenny Randles

This issue of the Northern UFO News, dated September 1976, is primarily focused on the apparent surge in 'contactee' type UFO cases. The editorial, titled 'A Collection of Contactees,' notes the unusual frequency of these reports and explores the phenomenon's varied presentation to different researchers, quoting Peter Warrington on the idea that individuals may perceive what they want to believe or what the phenomenon intends.

Editorial: A Collection of Contactees

The editorial highlights a notable increase in contactee-type cases over the past four months, including the Mrs. Hamilton report from Belfast involving living room visits, Mrs. L. from Little Lever experiencing bedroom visitations, and Mr. L. from West Yorkshire who was allegedly abducted and medically examined. A more significant, yet unpublished, case with bizarre implications is also mentioned, which will be presented at the NUFON meeting in Manchester. The editor expresses a general sense that something peculiar might be happening, while cautioning against over-interpretation of coincidences. The article references Peter Warrington's piece, 'Move down the Universe please - Hold Tight,' from the NUFON Convention proceedings, which suggests a shift in ufological direction. A thought-provoking question is posed regarding the BBC's announcement of a program on contact cases coinciding with this influx, suggesting a potential 'string dangling' scenario where the phenomenon might be influencing public interest.

NUFON Meeting and Publications

Details are provided for an upcoming NUFON meeting on October 23, 1976, at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. The agenda includes minutes, officer reports, elections, a presentation on the British UFO Documentation Centre, and proposals for the 1977 conference. The meeting will also feature a talk by author Raymond Drake and a presentation by MUFORA on a new, unpublished case. The NUFON publications panel is launching an irregular magazine in conjunction with NUFON meetings, with Ken Green editing the first issue for October 23rd. The NUFON/CONTACT/BUFORA project for a Historical Northern UFO Catalogue is progressing, with publication expected in the Spring.

Two new group publications are recommended: 'UFO RESEARCH REVIEW' (quarterly, 25p) and 'IRISH UFO NEWS' (twice yearly, 50p for two issues for NUFON members). BUFORA is holding its annual skywatch on September 25/26 and a regional meeting on January 8, 1977, in Manchester. The BUFORA Investigator's Handbook is also in production. A reminder is given about the Conference on November 5, 6, & 7th in Birmingham.

Report Classification Systems

This section delves into various systems for classifying UFO reports. It discusses Jacques Vallee's approach based on object performance and shapes, which is deemed unsatisfactory due to overlap. J. Allen Hynek's system in 'The UFO Experience,' defining Nocturnal Lights and Close Encounters, is regarded as a better method. Hynek's designation of S-P ratings (Strangeness-Probability) is highlighted as a valuable tool for assessing case importance. Charles Lockwood's system for BUFORA, based on witness category (A, B, C), observation class (1-4), and number of observers (a, b, c), is presented as a standard investigation classification that allows for rapid understanding of a case's value. While acknowledging that no system is perfect, the newsletter aims to use Lockwood's system for presentational purposes, seeking input for a potential scale rating for Hynek's S*P values.

Notes on Previous Cases

Several recent photographic cases are reviewed. Case 7582 (from NUN Nov 75) is assessed by Kodak advisors and BUFORA's photographic department as likely an aircraft. Case 75/133 from Blackburn is too dim for full analysis but may be a reflection phenomenon. Report 75/134 shows a real image but is deemed to have little value. Report 7662, showing a clearly defined disc shape, was concluded to be a hoax due to inconsistencies in focus, which MUFORA accepts given the witness's attempts to gain publicity.

Northern Ireland Report

This section details reports from the Northern Ireland group, many relating to the late October/early November 1975 flap. A 1974 report describes a huge black cloud seen floating over Bundoran. On September 11th, witnesses in Belfast observed a flattened egg-shaped object with red lights. On October 28th, an Ulster TV controller saw a yellow-white light near Lisburn. Two reports from Belfast on November 28th describe a white object disappearing into cloud and a brilliant yellow light. A teenage girl in Belfast reported a reddish object with a white undercarriage in December. The most significant report of 1975, still under investigation, concerns a schoolboy in County Londonderry who claims to have been enveloped by a field of energy. The report of Mrs. Hamilton from Belfast is also mentioned, with a full analysis to be featured in a special NUFON publication.

STOP PRESS: NUFON has been invited to submit a paper on British ufology to UFOCON 2 in November.

Current Sighting Reports

This section details numerous recent UFO sightings:

• Report 7220 (Dec 1972, Catterick): Two army witnesses saw a red, then orange, then white delta-winged object with a dark banded area, described as arrowhead-shaped.
• Report 7464 (??? 1974, Leeds): A schoolboy saw a round light with a tail, making a crackling noise, flying over rooftops.
• Report 75/135 (Jan 1975, Dudley): A single witness saw a light-coloured ball of light with a flame-coloured tail that accelerated out of sight.
• Report 75/136 (Oct 1975, Wakefield): Four schoolchildren observed a red/orange ball of light with black spots that rose, hovered, and dropped.
• Report 75/137 (Nov 1975, Barnsley): Mr. Brook and family members witnessed a fuzzy, floursecent blue ball of light that moved fast in a zig-zag fashion, rotated, and split into two balls before disappearing.
• Report 75/138 (Dec 1975, Acomb): Three schoolboys reported seeing torpedo-like objects that merged into a triangle shape and disappeared, though a newspaper report gave conflicting details.
• Report 7634 (Apr 1976, Leeds): A man and his son saw a stationary object resembling a comet, colored white then golden.
• Report 7666 (June 1976, Wakefield): A blue/green light moving across the sky, likely a satellite misidentification, though the MOD was contacted.
• Report 7660 (July 1986, Bolton): A couple saw an elongated red/pink object that split into three sections and merged again, possibly an optical effect.
• Report 7665 (Mar 1976, Handforth): A woman saw a rectangular object with green, orange, and blue lights, making a humming noise, traveling fast.
• Report 7667 (July 1976, Oldham): A man observed a black cloud that became a smudge, later joined by similar smudges in a diamond formation.
• Report 7668 (July 1976, Bridlington): A pig farmer witnessed a round object with yellow spinning lights and a brilliant white center, moving north.
• Report 7670 (Aug 1986, Cartmel Fell): A couple observed a silver disc reflecting sunlight, which moved away and disappeared.
• Report 7669 (Aug 1976, location not specified): Reports of black clouds associated with hot weather and whirlwinds, and a noise like a diesel engine.
• Report 7671 (Aug 1976, Holcomb Brook): Two witnesses saw a stationary orange/white light that resolved into two white lights through binoculars.

RIGAP Disbands

The Rossendale Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomenon (RIGAP) has disbanded, with its investigators continuing work with MUFORA. This merger is expected to have considerable advantages.

UFO Archives

NUFON is supporting the development of a UFO archive at Newcastle City Library, which houses extensive files from the Tyneside UFO Group. Peter Warrington has been researching the material. The goal is to create a national research archive, with potential for mutual transference of records. Local groups are urged to contribute their publications and material. Bryan Hartley is also setting up a library of foreign publications and material.

Questionnaire

A questionnaire is included, asking for feedback on NUFON's activities, potential expansion to southern groups, suggestions for service improvements, new services, and ideas for research projects and cooperation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the increasing number of contactee reports, the methodology and classification of UFO sightings, and the development of ufological resources such as archives and publications. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, acknowledging the potential for genuine phenomena while also warning against misinterpretation and the influence of external factors like media attention. There is a strong emphasis on systematic investigation and data collection, as evidenced by the discussion of classification systems and the development of the UFO archive.