Northern UFO News - No 45

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 45
Date: February 1978
Publisher: NORTHERN UFO NETWORK (NUFON)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, edited by Jenny Randles and Paul Whetnall, provides a comprehensive update on UFO activities and research in Britain. It features a mix of editorials, group reports, and detailed accounts of numerous UFO sightings and encounters.

Editorial: On the Funding of UFO Research

The editorial, penned by Ken Green of WUFOS, addresses the issue of funding for UFO research. Green expresses annoyance at the suggestion that public money should be spent on ufology, particularly given the amount of tax deducted from his pay. He argues that the government is not actively engaged in UFO research, with the exception of potential defense needs. Green believes that Britain should not be concerned about falling behind other nations in solving the UFO riddle, emphasizing that it is irrelevant who achieves the breakthrough. He advocates for committed and experienced civilians to lead research, rather than relying on government bodies. The editorial concludes by stressing the importance of ufologists financing their own research to maintain control and leverage their collective interest, suggesting that official research would render UFO groups redundant.

The editors' note acknowledges Green's points, adding that official UFO research in countries like France and the USA is limited by funding. They propose an international effort that should include Britain, highlighting the importance of research spin-offs. The note also reassures that amateurs will continue to play a vital role, and that scientists and ufologists are needed together, with no fear of redundancy unless 'spacemen' land.

Contents and Contributors

The issue lists several articles and sections: 'The Illusionists' by Stephen Davis, 'NASA and Those UFOs' by Bryan Hartley, 'News Round Up' by Paul Whetnall, 'Reports from' various regions including Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancs, Leicestershire, Notts, N.Humberside, South & West Yorkshire, and 'The Merseyside Flap'. Contributors include CUFORT, DIGAP, HAPI, MAPIT, MUFORA, NUFOIS, UAPROL, WUFOS, Ian Cresswell, Bryan Hartley, Philip Fargus, and Derick Shelton.

Articles and Features

The Illusionists

Stephen Davis (NUFOIS) proposes a theory that UFOs and other strange phenomena might be produced using images, specifically laser-generated three-dimensional holograms. He suggests that these images, which can appear solid or semi-transparent, could explain the observed phenomena. Davis invites readers to share their views.

Around the Groups: WUFOS

Ken Green details the history of WUFOS (Wirral UFO Studies), formed in 1972. The group faced initial credibility issues but grew to over 100 members by 1975. WUFOS was a founder group of NUFON. The article notes a decline in WUFOS activity after 1976 due to founder members leaving and the group magazine, 'Skylink', failing. Despite a low profile in 1977, WUFOS continues through the efforts of Ken Green and Paul Whetnall. The group's significant contribution to UFO research is noted as a sociological analysis of UFO sighting reports by Mike Dean.

NASA and Those UFOs

Bryan Hartley reports on NASA's decision regarding UFO research, which was concluded at President Carter's request. NASA stated they would not cut back other projects to fund UFO study and would require a direct presidential order to change their minds. An assistant administrator noted that NASA is a physics agency and needs evidentiary, physical material to work with. The article mentions the massive public interest in UFOs in the US, fueled by films like 'STAR WARS' and 'CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND'. NASA is now handling UFO-related correspondence to the White House.

News Round-Up

Paul Whetnall reports on new UFO groups, including HAPI (Hinckley Aerial Phenomena Investigators) and UAPROL (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Research). UAPROL has three ongoing projects: SKY UFOS, stone leylines & SHADDOW. The article notes cooperation between Cheshire groups CUFORT and FUFOR, and MAPIT working with UFORUM on 'Mystery Helicopter' sightings. It highlights the trend towards unity among groups like MUFORA and DIGAP. The Manitoba Center for UFO Studies thanks Gary Lanham for his administrative work. NUFOIS has published 'UFO RESEARCH REVIEW' Vol 3-2, featuring John Hind's paper. The issue also recommends 'PULSAF' magazine and mentions upcoming publications like 'UFOS:A BRITISH VIEWPOINT'.

Investigations

The magazine presents a detailed section of UFO investigations, categorized by date and location, with reports from various UFO groups:

• March 1977 (Congleton, Cheshire): Mr Hagston observed a white oval light moving in a zig-zag pattern.
• May 19, 1977 (Sandbach, Cheshire): A witness saw a passenger aircraft and a smaller, transparent, grey object with short wings. The witness later developed a skin rash.
• May 22, 1977 (Congleton, Cheshire): David Beresford and his sons saw a cigar-shaped object, red/orange in color, that moved slowly and stopped before descending.
• July 30, 1977 (Doncaster, South Yorks): A dark saucer-shaped object was photographed below aircraft, but analysis suggested it was dust.
• October 16, 1977 (Warton, Lancashire): Deborah Hale saw an oval object, grey/red with flashing lights, moving slowly and making a droning noise.
• October 18, 1977 (Oakham, Leicestershire): Two witnesses observed two lights, one orange and one white/red, travelling closely together and silently.
• October 25, 1977 (Various, Leicestershire): Multiple witnesses reported a high-flying metallic object, described as an elongated oval or cigar, exhibiting erratic movements.
• October 31, 1977 (Various, Leicestershire): Witnesses reported a white ball of light that flashed red/green/yellow.
• November 1, 1977 (Barwell, Leicestershire): Two girls saw a cigar-shaped object, red and pinkish, rotating and moving upwards before disappearing.
• November 4, 1977 (Various, Leicestershire): Reports of flashing lights (white/red/green) with humming noises.
• November 8, 1977 (Oakham, Leicestershire): A witness reported a round ball of light, orange and flashing, remaining stationary.
• November 11, 1977 (Leicester): A vague cigar-like outline connecting stationary lights was observed descending and then erratically disappearing.
• November 18, 1977 (Cowling, West Yorks): Mr Monkhouse saw a brilliant white light that broke into three pieces, likely a meteoritic phenomenon.
• November 25, 1977 (Dobcross, Gtr Manchester): Mrs Brice and another lady saw a grey-green ball of light at low elevation that moved with the witnesses.
• December 3, 1977 (Het, Oldham): Several white lights were seen spinning around each other, hovering, and then moving east.
• December 3, 1977 (Denshawe): Mr Greenwood observed a flashing light that moved slowly and flashed brightly before being replaced by a dull reddish glow.
• December 3, 1977 (Castleshaw, Gtr Manchester): Three people saw a bright light with a pinky-red center and red glow, which moved and changed color.
• December 27, 1977 (Lancaster, Lancs): An 18-year-old saw a small grey egg-shaped object hovering above trees before disappearing suddenly.

Strange Phenomena: A Potential Contactee?

Peter Hough investigates incidents that may be linked to contactee experiences and paranormal events. One case involves S. Harwood, who saw a white conical object with a wiggly tail travel across a room. Another incident describes glowing rings surrounding a boy.

Spies in a Cumbrian Attic?

Peter Warrington reports on a mysterious 'mansion' that appeared on a desolate road in Cumbria, glowing with an intense amber-red light. The building was not there when investigated later, suggesting a phantom building, time displacement, or a landed UFO.

Gedling, Notts Sighting

A witness, supported by the Vice President of the Nottingham Astronomical Society, saw an orange point of light that split into several objects, changing into thin crescents and falling leaf motion before merging and disappearing.

Driffield, North Humberside Sighting

Several witnesses, including a police constable, reported a white light flashing red and blue, moving slowly across the sky for thirty minutes.

Merseyside Flap

This section details recent UFO activity in Merseyside. It includes:

• The Rainford Humanoiod (January 2, 1978): Four young men encountered a tall, slender figure in a white suit with a box on its chest, flashing red lights. The figure moved towards them, causing panic and a car accident.
• Rainhill Sighting (January 11, 1978): Motorway patrol policemen observed an object shaped like an inverted 'T', very bright and sharply defined, hovering over a power station before pulsating and streaking away at high speed.

Stop Press

This section announces forthcoming books related to UFOs, coinciding with the release of 'CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND'. Titles mentioned include Alan Hynek's 'UFO REPORT', Charles Bowen's 'ENCOUNTER CASES FROM FLYING SAUCER REVIEW', Alan Fossey's 'UFO CLOSE ENCOUNTERS', and 'UFOS:A BRITISH VIEWPOINT' by Penny Randles & Peter Warrington.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the organization and coordination of UFO research groups, and the debate surrounding the funding and official recognition of UFO phenomena. The editorial stance strongly favors independent, civilian-led research, emphasizing self-funding and control by ufologists rather than government intervention. There is also an underlying interest in potential contactee experiences and unusual phenomena that may be linked to UFOs, such as phantom buildings and physiological effects.