Northern UFO News - No 40

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated September 1977 (Issue 40), is a newsletter from the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), based in Irlam, Greater Manchester. The cover features a prominent illustration of a flying saucer. The publication aims to serve as a liaison and coordination centre for UFO organizations and researchers in Northern Britain.

Contents

The issue includes several key articles and sections:

• CONTENTS: Lists the main articles and their page numbers.
• EDITORIAL: "My Contact With Flying Saucers - well almost!" by Paul Whetnall: The editor reflects on his evolving perspective on UFOs, moving from skepticism to a belief that they may be 'coming home'. He recounts personal experiences of seeing puzzling objects, questioning why some people see many UFOs while others see none. He details two specific sightings: a dark shape over the sea in Rhyl which turned out to be a kite, and a yellow/red light moving fast below cloud at Henllan, Clwyd, which remains unidentified.
• WHO'S ON THE BANDWAGON? by Bryan Hartley (NUFONS Overseas liaison officer): This article criticizes the 'fringe element' within the UFO community, including psychics, religious writers, and sensationalists, who are seen as cashing in on the phenomenon and jeopardizing the credibility of serious researchers. Hartley emphasizes the need for UFO studies to be treated as a separate discipline.
• HOWS YOUR LIAISON WITH AUTHORITIES? by Andy Collins & Barry King (UFOIN investigators): This piece highlights the success of UFOIN in establishing contact with authorities, particularly the police, in Britain. By providing 24-hour 'hotline' numbers and information sheets, they have received numerous reports, including landing cases with traces, which might otherwise have been lost. They mention successful cooperation in Essex and are looking to expand to Suffolk.
• PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF THE UFO PHENOMENON by Peter Warrington (MUFORA): Warrington argues that 'still' photographs are generally not acceptable as UFO evidence unless proven not to be hoaxes, citing techniques like 'front projection' that can create convincing fakes. He urges researchers to reconsider their acceptance of photographic cases and mentions a forthcoming book on the subject.
• SIGHTING REPORTS: A substantial section detailing numerous UFO sightings from various locations across the UK, including Cheshire, Tyneside, Greater Manchester, Durham, Worcestershire, North Wales, and Cumbria. These reports span from 1953 to August 1977 and describe a variety of objects, including lights, discs, cigar shapes, and spherical objects, often with associated sounds or unusual movements.
• Report 5304 (1953, Tyneside): Ball lightning or bomb-shaped object.
• Report 6004 (1960, Gtr Manchester): Orange ball with smoke trails.
• Report 6613 (1966, Crewe): Rugby ball-shaped object with a smaller detached object.
• Report 6718 (1967, Nantwich): Red cigar shape with dome.
• Report 6719 (1967, North Wales): Object like two Welsh hats stuck together.
• Report 6720 (1967, Gtr Manchester): Two orange lights descending.
• Report 6810 (1968, Durham): Yellowish object, triangular.
• Report 76/148 (Worcestershire): Black flattened disc with dome.
• Report 77/112 (1977, Winsford): White light changing to red with curved lights.
• Report 77/113 (1977, Crewe): Clusters and single red/white lights.
• Report 77/114 (1977, Malvern): Red flash and sparkling red lights, then a bright white light.
• Report 77/115 (1977, Partington): Orange/red globules flying low.
• Report 7774 (Lancashire): Three-pointed star with yellow and red lights.
• Report 7764 (April 1977): Silver cigar shape tilting vertically.
• Report 77/116 (1977, Yorkshire): Silver squat cigar shape photographed.
• Report 7781 (1977, Cheshire): Strange optical phenomenon witnessed by NUFON Treasurer.
• Report 77/117 (1977, York): 'Boomerang shaped saucer' with coloured lights.
• Report 77/118 (1977, Tyneside): Long, cylindrical object like a rocket without wings.
• Report 77/119 (1977, Gtr Manchester): Red lights hovering and descending.
• Report 77/120 (1977, Tyneside): Bright white glow appearing and reversing path.
• Report 77/121 (1977, Tyneside): Metallic, cylindrical object climbing vertically.
• Report 77/122 (1977, Newcastle): Unique shape composed of tubular formers and cross bearers.
• Report 77/123 (Northumberland): Possible 'Angel Hair' incident.
• Report 77/124 (1977, Crewe): Orange and gold star-like object rotating.
• Report 77/125 (1977, Crewe): Spherical object glowing orange.
• Report 77/126 (1977, Irlam): Solid light beam projected from a cigar-shaped object.
• JULY FLAP IN CUMBRIA: This section details sightings from July 1977, noting a high number of reports in the less densely populated northern regions. It includes sightings of silvery balls, white spotlights leading to a flattened circle of grass, a silvery blue disc, a disc colored orange reflecting the sun, and an unusual low-wing monoplane-like aircraft.
• Report 77/133 (1977, Gtr Manchester): White egg-shaped object.
• Report 77/134 (1977, Durham): Strange purple light followed by a heat wave.
• Report 77/135 (1977, Gtr Manchester): White disc with revolving lights and a red light.
• Report 77/136 (1977, Staffs): Yellow white light moving along the horizon.
• Report 77/137 (1977, Staffs): Red ball moving along the sky.
• Report 77/138 (1977, Staffs): Orange light descending slowly.
• Report 77/139 (1977, Nth Humberside): Semi-circular arch of glowing and pulsating light.
• Report 77/140 (1977, Gtr Manchester): Oval shaped object hovering, described as sodium streetlamp color.
• Report 77/141 (1977, Cumbria): Flashing white light moving NW to SW.
• Editorial Cont....: The editorial continues, discussing a sighting near Cockermouth, Cumbria, of a blue ball that moved and was joined by white and red flashing lights. The author reflects on the strangeness of the events and the potential for seemingly unrelated occurrences to be part of a larger UFO mystery, suggesting that simple, perhaps overlooked, factors might hold the key to understanding the UFO problem.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of numerous UFO sightings across the UK, the critical examination of photographic evidence, and the importance of organized, credible research. The editorial stance, particularly in Bryan Hartley's article and the editor's own reflections, emphasizes a desire for scientific rigor and a separation from sensationalism and unsubstantiated theories. There is a clear effort to present factual accounts and encourage a more systematic approach to UFO investigation, while acknowledging the perplexing nature of the phenomenon and the possibility of connections between seemingly disparate events. The magazine also highlights the growing cooperation between UFO researchers and official bodies like the police.

This document is issue number 8 of the "NORTHERN UFO NEWS". It is co-edited by Jenny Randles and Paul Whetnall. The cover headline is "NEWS ROUND-UP". The date indicated is "MARCH 8", suggesting it is from the early 1980s, likely 1985 given the context of the articles.

News Round-Up

The "NEWS ROUND-UP" section, penned by Paul Whetnall (WUFOS), covers various activities and news from UFO groups in the UK.

• Irish UFO News: The current issue of the Irish UFO News is praised for its high standard, featuring articles on the Voyager deep space probes and parascience, along with a ufology editorial. It costs 65p and is published twice yearly by John Hinde.
• NUFOIS: This group has seen increased publicity and gained several new members. They hold weekly meetings at their HQ every Tuesday and Thursday. NUFON skywatches are also mentioned.
• FUFOR: This group has had some local publicity, with secretary Mark Tyrrell researching a small 1966 flap over Crewe.
• UFOSIS: This group has received publicity in the Birmingham Evening Mail, garnering over 30 letters and two new members.
• Proteus: The next issue of Proteus is due out in about a month, priced at 50p plus 10p p&p. They are organizing lectures at Redditch (for over 18s on Sept 10), W. Midlands Soc of Electronic & Radio Technicians (Sept 12), and Kidderminster round table (Oct 27). Current research includes spectroscopy and public opinions.
• UFORA STAFFS: Derek James of UFORA STAFFS was a guest on Beacon Radio, which was successful and yielded many results, one of which is included in this issue, followed by contributions from Jenny Randles and the author.
• Secretarial Change: Susan Law has resigned as secretary and Commentary co-editor for UFORUM. The new secretarial address is Linda Thompson, 40 Badger Rd, Woodhouse, Sheffield 13, South Yorks (Tel 699438).
• Radio Sheffield Broadcast: A short broadcast on Radio Sheffield by one of the groups had disappointing results.
• SUFORS: This group holds monthly meetings at the Central Community centre in Scunthorpe and is seeking guest speakers. They are also assisting in the follow-up of a recent radar/visual case for UFOIN.
• Book Mention: The group hopes to be mentioned in Robert Rickards and John Mitchell's book 'Phenomena - a book of wonders', published by Thames & Hudson on October 17.
• Lincolnshire UFO Data: UFO data from Lincolnshire has been copied and filed at Scunthorpe Central Library. The author suggests other groups explore this possibility.
• Nigel Watson's Comment: Nigel Watson commented that NUN could benefit from "more punk rock, more articles by Nigel Watson and less about boring old UFOs". The author acknowledges this and thanks UFORUM for their gratitude.
• Productivity: The author notes that recent publicity for many groups has been productive, which is seen as a good sign.

RIGAP Controversy

The author expresses anger regarding RIGAP and their apparent resignation from NUFON. Jenny Randles has agreed to allow her views to be published. RIGAP will now be known as the Rossendale Amateur Astronomy Society, incorporating RIGAP.

• Accusations: RIGAP insists they will not send more reports, citing "misrepresentation of the last batch of sightings sent". They claim to be able to identify stars, satellites, and balloons, and that whoever in NUFON decided they were not seeing UFOs was not present and should not have suggested they were "seeing things".
• North Lancashire Flap: The author refers to the March NUN report on the north Lancashire flap, where it was suggested that some of the 177 reports received in a few weeks (many by RIGAP members) might have natural explanations.
• Author's Stance: The author suggests that if this is RIGAP's approach to investigation, they are not worth bothering with and should be categorized with "idiots from APEN".
• Information: Photocopies of the letter from RIGAP are available upon request.

MUFORA Winter Lecture Programme in Manchester

MUFORA is organizing a series of winter lectures in Manchester.

• Venue: MITRE HOTEL, Cathedral Gates, central Manchester (Cannon Street side).
• Time: Doors open 7:30pm, meetings from 8pm to 10pm.
• Entrance: 25p.
• Schedule:
• October 12: "An Introduction to the UFO Enigma"
• November 9: "Visitors from Space - Certainly not!" by Peter Warrington FRAS
• December 14: "Atmospherical optical phenomena" by K. Brierly FRAS
• January 11: "Some significant British Cases" by Jenny Randles
• February 8: "Open Forum" - Air your own views, chaired by Jenny Randles & Peter Warrington
• March 8: Subject to be determined by attendees.
• Format: Each meeting will feature an informal lecture followed by a discussion. Lecture titles may vary slightly, with details noted in NUN.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a strong focus on UFO group activities, news dissemination, and inter-group relations. There is a clear emphasis on reporting on the efforts of various UFO organizations across the UK, including their meetings, research, and publications. The editorial stance, particularly from the author of the RIGAP section, is critical and direct when addressing perceived issues within the ufology community, highlighting a desire for accurate reporting and investigation. The inclusion of a lecture program indicates an effort to educate and engage the public on UFO topics. The magazine appears to serve as a vital communication channel for the UK ufology scene, fostering discussion and sharing information among different groups.