NORTHERN UFO NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 43
Date: December 1977
Publisher: NORTHERN UFO NETWORK (NUFON)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, the newsletter of the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), serves as a communication channel for UFO enthusiasts and researchers in Northern Britain. It is edited by Jenny Randles and Paul Whetnall and provides updates on NUFON activities, UFO investigations, and related news.

Editorial: 'Carter Keeps his Promise'

The editorial highlights a significant development regarding US UFO policy: President Jimmy Carter, during his election campaign, pledged to release information on the UFO phenomenon. The editorial notes that Carter has apparently kept this promise by advising NASA to examine data from civilian UFO organizations in the USA over the past decade. This initiative is seen as a potential precursor to a new major study, with hopes that the findings will be more favorable than the infamous Condon Report. The editorial contrasts this proactive approach with the UK's perceived 'sitting on the fence' attitude, referencing the French government's UFO study group, GEPAN, and questioning the Ministry of Defence's expenditure on investigating a phenomenon they claim doesn't exist. It suggests a concerted effort by the public to petition their MPs with documented high strangeness cases, spurred by the public interest generated by films like 'Star Wars' and 'Close Encounters'.

NUFON Investigators Course

The magazine announces the introduction of a UFO Investigation course aimed at improving investigation standards. This is not a beginner's program but rather for those already investigating, allowing experienced individuals to share their knowledge. The course will be coordinated by a team, and interested parties are encouraged to contact Jenny Randles. Each NUFON group is asked to nominate at least one person. The course fee is £1.50 per person, with registration due by February 1st, 1978. The course will commence after the NUFON meeting on February 4th at Crewe and will be divided into three sections: Identification of Phenomena, Structuring and Investigation, and Special Case Investigation. It will involve approximately 12 fact sheets per section, distributed over six months, with a potential exam and certificate at the end. NUFON welcomes suggestions for this scheme, viewing it as an investment.

NUFON Meeting Plans

The next NUFON meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 1978, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Crewe Civic Centre Library Lecture Theatre. The hosts will be the Crewe group FUFOR. Topics for discussion include the Investigation Course and the Spring conference. A lecture will precede the meeting, with details to be announced later.

1978 - THE YEAR THE UFOs CAME???

This section announces the launch of 'SPACEQUEST', a new bi-monthly glossy magazine from Space Centerprises, coinciding with the release of the film 'Star Wars'. 'SPACEQUEST' covers UFOs, space travel, and science fiction, aiming for a public audience without being sensational. It is edited by ufologist Alan Fossey and features articles on Star Wars, extraterrestrial contact, and stellar evolution, including a contribution from Jenny Randles. The single issue cost is 60p, with a subscription at £4.50 per year.

News Round-Up

Paul Whetnall provides a news round-up. He notes the positive reception of the previous NUN issue, particularly an article by John Hind. He mentions David Rees of MAPIT advocating for standardized investigation forms. The article touches on the importance of LITS (Light, Intensity, Trajectory, Speed) cases, even if they seem less significant, as follow-up investigations can reveal more. It highlights the activities of various groups like WUFOS, SUFORS, and MUFORA, mentioning WUFOS' new column in a local newspaper and plans to revive their magazine. SUFORS is organizing the Spring 1978 NUFON conference in South Humberside, and MUFORA plans an Autumn conference. BUFORA is also holding a conference in Nottingham on April 15/16, 1978.

The impact of the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' is discussed, noting its US release and upcoming UK release. The film is described as a straightforward account of a landing and UFO contactee experience, not pure science fiction. The article mentions the film's significant budget, security measures, and publicity campaign, including explanations of Hynek's classification system. It notes mixed critical reviews upon its early release, with one review calling it 'awful' and causing stock prices to tumble, while another deemed it good. The potential for the film to lend ufology greater respectability is expressed as a hope.

Group Biography: MAPIT (Manchester)

This section details the history and activities of MAPIT (Manchester), founded in September 1975 from the remnants of FSIT. MAPIT, along with NUFOIS, was co-founded by Jenny Randles and David Rees. They also launched a magazine, initially 'THE MANCHESTER UFO SCENE', now 'SKYWATCH', to educate members and provide a platform for discussion. MAPIT adopted an unbiased and open-minded approach to investigations. Membership is open to anyone interested in UFOs, and the group offers a comprehensive reference library. In 1974, MAPIT attempted to establish a nationwide cooperation system called PROBE NATIONAL, but with little response, focused on the North West, leading to the formation of UNO (Union of Northern Observors), which later became NUFON. MAPIT has concentrated on East Manchester and Cheshire, encouraging interest through local media. They hold informal meetings and maintain a card index of sightings, with plans to publish a catalogue of East Cheshire sightings.

Investigation Data

This section presents a structured compilation of UFO investigation data, aiming to provide a regular and reliable source of information. Each case is headed with a Case Reference Number, Date, Time, Location, Classification, Investigation Level, and Investigator. A Strangeness/Probability rating system (0-9) is employed, along with a classification system devised by Peter Warrington and Jenny Randles: LOW Definition (misidentified phenomena), MEDIUM Definition (clearly defined shape), ID (Instrumentally Detected Cases), and CE (Close Encounters) with sub-classifications CE1 to CE4, including entity cases and psychic contact.

The issue then lists numerous specific sighting reports from 1977, including:

• 77/179 (Feb 23, 1977): Ilkley Moor, West Yorks - Metal grey disc, 50' diameter, hovering over a stone circle.
• 77/180 (Apr 14, 1977): Heywood, Gtr Mer - Two starlike LITS, one slow, one fast, joining and moving east.
• 77/181 (May 22, 1977): Denton, Gtr Mer - Yellow car headlamp-like object, sharp turn, climbed to 70 degrees.
• 77/182 (Jun 28, 1977): Ellesmere Prt, Cheshire - Quadrilateral-shaped object, silvery white material, accelerated upwards.
• 77/183 (Jul 28, 1977): Dunnockshawe, Lancs - Possible entity sighting: 8-foot tall figure in white robe by a reservoir.
• 77/184 (Aug 5, 1977): Bury, Gtr Mer - Flame-coloured oblong object, disappeared.
• 77/185 (Sep 3, 1977): Alsager, Cheshire - Silver cigar-shaped object, flashing lights, disappeared at speed.
• 77/185 (Sep 3, 1977): Crewe, Cheshire - Four pinheads of white light, changing formation.
• 77/186 (Sep 3, 1977): Nantwich, Cheshire - Bright white light moving W to NW.
• 77/187 (Sep 18, 1977): Crewe, Cheshire - Strange light photographed, silvery light, changed colour, pulsated.
• 77/188 (Oct 2, 1977): Darnhill, Gtr Mer - Brilliant white light moving slowly.
• 77/189 (Oct 2, 1977): Moston, Gtr Mer - Cloudlike form dissipated to reveal an orange disc shape, spinning.
• 77/190 (Oct 12, 1977): Sturton, Notts - Bomb shape with blue bits falling off, moving fast.
• 77/191 (Oct 14, 1977): Heywood, Gtr Mer - Four red lights in a row, hovering.
• 77/192 (Oct 23, 1977): Brindley Ford, Staffs - Strange white glow, pulsed colours, stayed for 1.5 hours.
• 77/193 (Oct 25, 1977): Ulceby, Sth Humberside - Stationary cigar shape.
• 77/194 (Oct 25, 1977): Crewe, Cheshire - Flashing white light, dropped behind a tree.
• 77/195 (Oct 27, 1977): Hindley Green, Lancs - Dome-shaped object with lights, emitting sparks, in view for 30 minutes.
• 77/196 (Oct 31, 1977): Leighton, Cheshire - White light moving fast, then white and red light revolving.
• 77/197 (Nov 7, 1977): Haslington, Cheshire - Hazy black elongated object, then a black cylinder with blue light.
• 77/198 (Nov 11, 1977): Fenton, Staffs - Red light moving NE, followed by a brighter red light.
• 77/199 (Nov 11, 1977): Irlam, Gtr Mer - White light moving slowly amongst clouds.
• 77/200 (Nov 18, 1977): Wawne, Nth Humber - Silvery disc with a dome seen by schoolchildren.

It is noted that 200 reports were received in 1977, a significant increase from previous years.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing efforts to standardize and improve UFO investigation techniques, the perceived lack of official interest or action from the UK government compared to other nations, and the reporting of a high volume of UFO sightings. The editorial stance is critical of official inaction and encourages public engagement and organized investigation. There is a clear emphasis on data collection, analysis, and the sharing of information among UFO groups. The magazine also reflects the growing public awareness of UFOs, partly fueled by popular culture like the film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'.