Northern UFO News - No 35-36

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 35/36
Date: April/May 1977
Publisher: NORTHERN UFO NETWORK (NUFON)

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, the newsletter of the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), delves into the current state of UFO research and reporting in the UK and Ireland. It features a prominent editorial questioning the necessity and structure of a national UFO group, contrasting the perceived shortcomings of BUFORA with the more effective, community-driven approach of NUFON. The magazine is filled with numerous case reports from various regions, photographic evidence, and discussions on media coverage and new investigative initiatives.

Editorial: 'Do we need a national UFO group?'

The editorial opens by addressing the question of whether a national UFO group is needed, with the editor firmly stating 'Yes'. However, the piece is critical of BUFORA, the existing national group, citing its failings in communication and research. The editor points out that NUFON, despite having only 35 paying subscribers and a circulation of 55, reaches a significant portion of active ufologists and groups, suggesting its effectiveness as a communication medium. In contrast, BUFORA Journal circulates to about 700, but only around 100 are considered seriously interested. The editorial argues that NUFON's model, which includes regular meetings and local group ventures, fosters a stronger team spirit, a quality lacking in BUFORA's national structure.

A significant criticism is leveled at BUFORA's slow response in analyzing submitted cases. Specific examples include lost soil samples from the Rainhill landing (since December 1975) and lost paint samples from a physical effects case (since June 1976), as well as delays in processing photographic cases. The editor contrasts this with NUFON's access to analysis help from Kodak and university departments, suggesting that BUFORA should not overburden its paid staff unless a truly significant UFO event occurs.

The editorial proposes that BUFORA should recognize the need for better resources and potentially restructure to become the 'British UFO Research Association'. This could involve making the journal a separate subscription from membership, allowing membership funds to directly support research and the production of an inexpensive research bulletin, while the journal focuses on sighting data.

An apology is issued for the double issue, attributed to the editor's illness and hospital stay requiring two operations. The editor expresses hope for a return to normal schedules.

UFO INVESTIGATORS' NETWORK

This section announces the firm establishment of the 'UFO Investigators' Network' (UFOIN), a concept previously mentioned in the March issue. UFOIN is described as a loose-knit team of experienced investigators who will focus exclusively and in-depth on high strangeness cases. The primary goal is to produce publishable reports for 'Flying Saucer Review', which is offering financial backing. UFOIN aims to work in close liaison with existing UFO groups, not in competition. The network intends to utilize its most experienced investigators to ensure thorough investigation of cases, while also passing on less critical cases to colleagues. Membership is open to investigators who can provide an in-depth investigation into a high strangeness case, with new members being selected based on their work. Each member has paid an initial donation of £5, contributing to a substantial fund for investigation expenses. There is no official organization or committee behind the network. The editor pledges to keep readers informed of developments and encourages support.

UFOS IN THE NEWS

This section highlights a perceived increase in respectable media coverage of UFOs, attributing it partly to a distinct nationwide 'flap' during the winter and upcoming media events like the BBC-1 documentary 'Occupants' and the film 'Close Encounter of the Third Kind'. Several news items on CE-III cases are mentioned, along with television appearances. Charles Bowen was featured on BBC-1's 'Swap Shop', and Professor John Taylor and Captain Woods appeared on an ITV 'Good Afternoon' program.

The Manchester Evening News is praised for a series of articles on UFOs that ran for a week, commencing March 21st. This series included a general introduction to UFO theories, a detailed treatment of the Wessenden Moor case, an examination of official attitudes, and an interview with Jenny Randles and Peter Warrington, who gave credit to NUFON. The series also featured an interview with Patrick Moore, who is described as an 'illogical and biased thinker'. The section notes that many readers' reports followed, providing MUFORA with numerous cases for investigation.

Several specific cases are then detailed:

• No 6610: An engineer at Trafford Park reported an unusual LITS case in December 1966, involving a white 'star' moving slowly and then streaking upwards at incredible speed.
• No 7121: A woman from Wilmslow, Cheshire, claimed a small disc emerged from a tree, shot a beam of light through her window, and left a lumpy mark on her knee.
• No 768145: A CID Detective Inspector reported seeing a white disc while driving on the M66. The object performed 90-degree maneuvers before accelerating out of view. The report was made to the MOD.
• No 76/146: A man in Salford heard a humming noise and saw an object like two soup plates with a light. He felt relaxed and then hot, fleeing the scene.
• No 7756: A woman driving near Whalley Bridge saw a silvery sphere stationary in the sky, which then streaked upwards.

NOTES ON PAST CASES:

A postscript to the Hanley close encounter mentions that after interviewing the witness, investigators found a cassette player and heater in their locked car switched on. The nightwatchman confirmed the sighting and saw the object reflected in a window. The case is now thought to have occurred in the 1960s, not the 1950s.

Ian Cresswell discovered an old FSR case ('Case Histories' Feb 71) relating to an object seen through fog that left a vibrationary feeling on the witness.

• 75/145 Salford, Grt Manchester (May 1975): Eight witnesses saw a white light moving eastwards at great height, which later discharged four smaller objects.
• 75/146 Preston, Lancashire (November 12/13 1975): This report concerns an odd aircraft with a rounded fuselage and wings, flying low and having no visible markings. It is noted that this could be related to UFOs taking aircraft shapes or the nearby BAC airbase at Warton.

A FLAP IN SOUTHERN IRELAND

This section, contributed by the Irish UFO Research Centre (IURC) and investigators Miles Johnstone, John Hind, Tom Higgins, and Chris Gaffney, details a 'flap' in the Naas region, southwest of Dublin. The reports are described as LITS (Lights in the Sky) but of higher strangeness. Four investigators were witnesses to the objects themselves.

The flap began in mid-June 1976, with earlier reports possibly being misidentifications. Of particular note are two sightings on July 1st:

• At 22:00, three brothers in Sallins saw a red cloud-like object descend slowly.
• At 23:25, from the same town, witnesses saw a red oval light descend into fields. The local Garde (Police) investigated but found nothing. Two witnesses, a shopkeeper and his wife, heard a noise like a vacuum cleaner as the object descended from about 100 feet. After about thirty-five minutes, the object rose, hopped over a tree, and landed again.

Three days later, investigators found an oval patch of ground denuded of grass, measuring 8 by 4.5 meters. Inquiries suggested it might have been caused by cattle, but soil samples were taken.

On July 5th, a similar object, described as a huge oval larger than the full moon, was seen by a Garde member, Mr. Ryan, and his sister. It was seen briefly before the car's motion made it disappear.

On October 31st, four investigators were in a car near the shopkeeper's home when they saw a red oval light descend. A photograph was taken, but it was inconclusive. Later, a blood 'red light' appeared suddenly in front of the car, moving horizontally and then dropping steeply groundwards.

Interesting anecdotes include an investigator's premonition of seeing the object again, leading to the preparation of the camera for photographic evidence. The witnesses had recently visited a BUFORA member who claimed to be psychic and predicted they would be rewarded.

The last sightings occurred close to November 5th. Fireworks were banned in Ireland, and police found no illicit displays. The objects moved against a strong wind, and their similarity to the July flap objects cannot be discounted.

TWO MORE PHOTOGRAPHIC CASES

• Report 76/135 Hanwood, Salop (May 29, 1976): Alan Knight reported seeing a silver star in the northern sky that moved erratically, reappeared, and disappeared. Several frames were taken with a 20-second time exposure using a 135mm telephoto lens. The photographs are being analyzed by BUFORA.
• Report 76/136 Gwynedd, North Wales (August 8, 1976): Barry King investigated a case where a Mrs. Austin and her husband took five photographs of the scenery. On one frame, a white elongated oval appeared above a hilltop. Detailed investigation revealed the 'UFO' was due to a small portion of dried chemical on the negative, casting doubt on the authenticity of similar cases. Barry King is noted for his work on PHOTOCAT, a catalogue and statistical analysis of photographic cases.

EVENTS AT DUDLEY

This section reports two cases from Dudley, West Midlands, in context with a previous report (76/126) from the same town on the same night.

• Report 76/137 (October 12, 1976): Mr. and Mrs. B and a friend witnessed a pulsating ball of white light moving SW and then turning SE. The investigators felt exaggeration might have led to misidentification as a satellite.
• Report 76/138 (October 12, 1976): An elderly lady saw an orange oval through her lounge window, which remained stationary until it disappeared.

UFOSIS Reports

• Report 76/139 Wednesbury, West Midlands (November 7, 1976): Two independent observations were made. Karen Riley and her sister saw a white ball of light that dipped and discharged a small rectangular object. Simultaneously, schoolgirl Jacqueline Bradshaw saw a glowing white object with a dull silver top dome and a brilliant bottom dome, rotating clockwise and moving in a narrow circle.
• Report 76/140 Cotgrave, Notts (November 23, 1976): Mr. Penley saw a ball of white light with a tail, traveling very fast, accompanied by a hissing noise that changed to a crackle. The meteorological office suggested a fireball or ball lightning.
• Report 76/141 Stoke Bardolph, Notts (November 23, 1976): A witness saw a brilliant light low in the sky.
• Report 76/142 Derby (November 23, 1976): A female witness reported a light in the sky, with several light aircraft in the area suggesting a probable cause.
• Report 76/143 Kidsgrove, Staffs (November 1976): A youngster saw three lights in an equilateral triangle formation. The object was stationary and silent, then flew overhead, appearing oval with steady red lights and a circling white light.
• Report 76/144 Knutsford, Cheshire (December 31, 1976): Mr. Thomas saw three distinctly amber lights in an equilateral triangle in the SW. He became confused, fearing a lorry, and pulled over. The lights disappeared suddenly.

BUFORA Reports

• Report 7715 Smethwick, West Midlands (January 3, 1977): A toolmaker reported a yellowish light like a light bulb with a fuzzy outline, which dimmed out and then reappeared.
• Report 7716 Wrexham, Clwyd (January 5, 1977): A new photographic case involved four disc-like objects, similar to the Alex Birch and Stephen Pratt cases. The objects were photographed by two boys approaching through a window.
• Report 7717 Penrith, Cumbria (January 25, 1977): A man saw a large white light with three smaller trailing lights. The object moved slowly westwards and climbed, making no sound.

CLOSE ENCOUNTER OVER BRIDLINGTON

This report, received by BUFORA, involves three cleaning women who witnessed two objects. One object hovered in mist or cloud above a factory roof, while the other floated down very low, hovering near a bedroom window. The objects were described as roughly oval with a dark grey underside and top. A rectangular portion with shining windows was visible, and inside, a corridor and a far wall could be seen. An object resembling a jack or lift made out of aluminum was attached to the back. Despite the proximity and duration (at least five minutes), no sound was heard. The size was described as 'the size of the Daily Mirror' at arm's length. Witnesses reported feeling cold, developing a sore throat, and prickly eyes. The watch of one witness stopped, and factory machinery also stopped temporarily.

UFORA Staffs Reports

• Report 7720 Ilkestone, Derby (February 3, 1977): A witness saw a reddish ellipse with a tail moving on a descending path. The object was in view for 13 seconds. Investigations ruled out satellite reentry or flares.
• Report 7721 Basford, Staffs (February 4, 1977): An AA Engineer and colleague heard static and a high-pitched note, then saw an orange object moving west, hovering, and then moving towards the M6. Stafford Police HQ confirmed unexplained heavy static at the same time.
• Report 7728 Stoke on Trent (February 27, 1977): During a skywatch, a broken silvery line followed by a red disc of light was seen. The garage roof began to vibrate. The site had been used before without incident.

UFORUM Report

• Report 7732 Sheffield, South Yorks (February 28, 1977): Students and a lecturer spotted an object moving in a zig-zag fashion across the sky, which then shot off at great speed. This is noted in context with another sighting in Nottinghamshire at the same time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate about UFO organizational structures, with a clear preference expressed for NUFON's community-based model over BUFORA's perceived inefficiencies. The sheer volume of reported sightings across the UK and Ireland underscores a significant level of UFO activity during the period. The increasing media attention, driven by upcoming films and documentaries, is seen as a positive development for the field. The issue also emphasizes the importance of photographic evidence and the challenges in verifying its authenticity, as highlighted by the case of Mrs. Austin's photograph. The editorial stance is one of critical engagement, advocating for rigorous investigation, open communication, and a more cohesive approach to UFO research within the UK.

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue Date: March 1977 (covering reports from February and March 1977)
Publisher: NUFON (National UFO Network)
Country: United Kingdom
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Northern UFO News focuses heavily on a significant period of UFO activity in Lancashire, dubbed a 'massive flap'. The publication highlights an unprecedented increase in reports, with the first third of 1977 yielding twice as many sightings as the entirety of 1975 and 1976 combined. The magazine presents a series of detailed case reports, investigations by organizations like RIGAP, MUFORA, and UFORA Staffs, and also includes information on upcoming NUFON meetings and activities.

Massive Flap in Lancashire

The lead article, "MASSIVE FLAP IN LANCASHIRE: Reports by RIGAP," details the surge in UFO reports during February and March 1977. It notes that the flap appears to have subsided by mid-March. The article attributes the increased reporting partly to publicity generated by the flap in local press and on radio. Many of the reported sightings are suggested to be misinterpretations of stars, satellites, or aircraft, but a significant number remain unexplained.

Key Sightings from the Lancashire Flap:

• Report 7724 (February 21st, Oswaldtwistle): A round yellow object was seen at 21:30, which elongated into a pencil shape, turned on end, and disappeared.
• Report 7727 (February 26th, Rossendale): Three witnesses observed a green/blue triangle with a reddish base and two flickering lights. The object became round and then circular before moving west.
• Report 7729 (February 27th, Rossendale): A yellowish sphere was seen at 21:05, which changed into a red triangle and moved west to east. It hovered, reversed its track, and disappeared.
• Report 7736 (March 4th, Rossendale): Four witnesses reported a blue/white light with a string of red lights above it, which moved up and down like a yo-yo.
• Report 7742 (March 8th, Oswaldtwistle): Four night shift workers saw an object that was initially round, then triangular with a red light at one corner. It responded to a large industrial torch by illuminating a white light.
• Report 7743 (March 8th, Barnoldswick): A coachload of 40 people witnessed an object that appeared as a star, then became triangular as it approached, with small pieces of light flying around it. Some witnesses described it as 'the size of a town' through binoculars.
• Report 7745 (March 10th, Stoneyhurst): A huge yellow/white headlamp-like object was seen descending out of sight very slowly.

Vehicle Interference Case (Report 7746)

A significant case, still under investigation and slated for a future issue, involves two men who witnessed bright lights on Pendle Hill near Nelson at 3:10 am. A shiny black oval object with bright lights at each end and a mass of colored lights underneath, surrounded by a white mist, hovered above their car. The object made a low humming sound. When the men tried to drive away, the car would not restart, and the object's lights dimmed as if the battery was flat. Eventually, the object moved off, and the car restarted. The total observation time was ten minutes.

Other Sightings and Reports

The issue also includes several other individual reports from March and April 1977:

• Report 7734 (March 2nd, Porthill, Staffs): Two teenage schoolgirls reported a silver/blue metallic oval shape object, rotating with flashing red and green lights, moving at high speed.
• Report 7747 (March 10th, Higher Irlam, Gtr Manchester): Miss Ennis, an 18-year-old typist, saw a stationary, pulsating silver/grey cone-shaped light at 50 degrees elevation for 4-5 minutes.
• Report 7748 (March 12th, Withernsea, N.Humberside): The crew of a lifeboat saw a glowing object hovering over the boat before shooting off at high speed.
• Report 7749 (March 14th, Bradgord, West Yorks): A stationary white light with a diffuse band was reported, possibly a misinterpretation of a star.
• Report 7750 (March 27th, Gee Cross, Gtr Manchester): A witness reported a white ball of light moving for 4 seconds, identified as a bright fireball meteor.
• Report 7752 (April 14th, Bridlington, N.Humberside): A man reported a brilliant ball of light flying towards the sea and dropping an object, likely a fireball.
• Report 7753 (April 15th, Hull, N.Humberside): A one-foot long object hit a window and fell to the ground, later identified as a distress flare.
• Report 7754 (April 15th, Alsager, Cheshire): A teenager and his parents observed a silvery diamond craft with stubby wings, which became enveloped in mist and split into three smaller discs, two of which flew away.
• Report 7755 (April 17th, Bolton, Gtr Manchester): A witness reported a fluorescent cigar-shaped object, the size of the full moon, traveling in an L-shaped course and hovering.

Sighting Notification Cards:

Brief mentions of other sightings include:

• 7731 (Feb 28th): Saucer with dome, red lights (Langar, Notts).
• 7735 (Mar 4th): 3 photos of cigar shape (Halifax, W. Yorks).
• 7751 (Mar 27th): White ball (Fireball) (Eastoft, Lines).

NUFON Representatives Meeting

The issue announces an upcoming NUFON representatives meeting on May 14th, 1977, from 2 pm to 6 pm at The Patten Arms in Warrington. The meeting is intended to be informal, allowing ufologists to connect. Key agenda items include discussing the September 10th NUFON Conference in Nottingham, finalising area boundaries, the UFO Investigators' Network, and the reorganisation of files. The election of a new Chairman is also on the agenda, as Trevor Whitaker is stepping down after two years.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings, particularly the concentrated 'flap' in Lancashire, and the ongoing efforts of organizations like NUFON and its regional branches to document and investigate these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation, acknowledging that while some sightings may have mundane explanations, many warrant further study. The inclusion of detailed reports, witness accounts, and investigative notes suggests a commitment to gathering and disseminating information on UFO phenomena within the UK.