Northern UFO News - No 53

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated October 1978, is the 53rd edition from the Northern UFO Network (NUFON). It is edited by Jenny Randles and Paul Whetnall and is based at 23 Sunningdale Drive, Irlam, Lancashire.

Contents Overview

The issue features a variety of articles and reports, including:

• 'A field effect phenomenon?': An article by Sheridan King exploring the possibility of a 'field effect' associated with UFOs, drawing parallels to the disappearance of a US fighter jet.
• NEWS ROUND UP: A section by David Rees of MAPIT, covering sad news of a ufologist's death, the cessation of some publications, and announcements of new ones.
• INVESTIGATIONS FROM: A comprehensive list of UFO sightings and cases investigated by NUFON across various UK counties, including reports of animal disturbance, electromagnetic effects, physiological effects, and CE3 cases.
• EDITORIAL: The facts about those fairies: An editorial reflecting on the BBC-2 drama 'Fairies' and its connection to the Cottingley fairy photographs, drawing parallels to modern UFO lore and questioning the motivations and methods of investigators.
• NUFON PUBLICATION PLANS - 1979: Details on the upcoming publication schedule and subscription costs for NUFON's magazines.
• LEICESTER CONFERENCE A SUCCESS: A report on the third NUFON conference, highlighting its success and the topics covered by speakers.
• PUBLICATIONS NEWS: A roundup of other UFO-related publications and their contents.
• Specific Investigation Reports: Numerous detailed case reports from different regions, including:
• A 1924 sighting in County Wexford, Ireland, of two silver cigar-shaped objects.
• A 1971 sighting in New Brighton of a yellow light.
• A 1973 sighting in Whitley Bay of disc-shaped objects.
• A 1975 sighting in Glasgow of a large saucer-shaped object.
• A 1975 encounter in Scotland involving a red light and subsequent electrical disturbances.
• A 1976 sighting in Fleetwood of silver spheres near aircraft.
• A 1976 sighting in Longton of a flashing green/white object.
• A 1977 sighting in Staffordshire of an orange, hazy object described as a 'Flying Grapefruit'.
• A 1977 encounter near Worrall of an orange light that transformed into a hemisphere, with a figure seen.
• A 1977 sighting in Halifax of a bright circle that banked and moved off.
• A 1977 sighting in Stockton of a bright orange light over a hospital.
• A 1977 encounter in Hebden Bridge involving a bright light, a saucer-shaped object, and subsequent physiological effects on the witness.
• A 1978 sighting in Glasgow of a fluorescent red ball of light.
• A 1978 sighting in Winsford of a bright light that changed course.
• Multiple sightings in West Yorkshire in March 1978 of red and white lights.
• A 1978 sighting in Leicestershire of a blue/white oval object.
• A 1978 observation in Warwickshire of a 'UFO creation' involving exploding lights and a domed disc.
• Sightings of LITS (Lights in the Sky) in Billingham in June 1978.
• A 1978 sighting in Stockton of a ball of light with a ring.
• A 1978 sighting in Southport of a white light that changed to yellow.
• A 1978 sighting in Stockton of white lights moving and flashing.
• A 1978 sighting in Weaverham of two silver cigar-shaped objects.
• A 1978 sighting in Eccleshall of a dull orange object with smoke rising.
• A 1978 sighting in Slindon of an orange oval object that changed shape.
• A 1978 observation in Bempton of blue/white lights moving in zig-zag directions.
• A 1978 multi-object phenomenon over Staffordshire involving aircraft and dark masses.
• A 1978 sighting in Berwick on Tweed of a hazy light.
• A 1978 landing event in Anglesey involving a field of flattened barley and reports of humanoids.

Editorial Stance and Themes

The editorial section critically examines the BBC's 'Fairies' drama, drawing parallels between the Cottingley fairy hoax and modern UFO cases, suggesting that some investigators may be too quick to fit evidence to pre-conceived theories. The magazine consistently presents witness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena, categorizing them and noting any associated effects. There's a clear focus on investigation and data collection, with mentions of various UFO research groups and their efforts. The publication also highlights the importance of public awareness and informing government officials about the UFO phenomenon, as suggested by Stephen Twine.

Recurring Themes

Recurring themes include the nature of UFO sightings (shapes, colours, behaviours), the potential for misidentification (weather balloons, aircraft), the possibility of electromagnetic and physiological effects on witnesses, and the ongoing debate about the physical versus non-physical nature of UFOs. The magazine also emphasizes the collaborative efforts of various UFO organizations in collecting and disseminating information.

Notable Quotes

• "Regardless of whether or not one believes in the existance of fairies (wer than the kind that introduce Saturday night TV shows) the BBC-2 drama,"Fairies" screened on September 23 was a most important seventy minutes."
• "The disturbing thing is how do so many vessels get into earth's atmosphere?"
• "He who builds, sows, plants and launches is inhabited by the creater."

FAQ

• What is NUFON? NUFON (Northern UFO Network) is a liaison system for independent UFO organisations and researchers in Northern England, serving as a coordination centre for investigation, research, and general information.
• What is the subscription cost for NUFON publications in 1979? The subscription for 1979 remains the same: £3 for a single issue and £5 for two issues.
• What is the 'field effect phenomenon' discussed in the magazine? The 'field effect phenomenon' is a theory suggesting that UFOs might possess a field that allows them to appear and disappear at will, potentially explaining how a jet fighter could vanish with a UFO.
• What kind of cases are investigated by NUFON? NUFON investigates cases including animal disturbance, electromagnetic effects, physiological effects, and CE3 cases (close encounters of the third kind).
• What are the upcoming publication plans for NUFON in 1979? NUFON plans to issue 'Northern UFology' as a magazine (approx. 12 pages) in January, April, July, and October, and 'Northern UFO News' in the intervening months with new features and investigated data.