Northern UFO News - No 54

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated November 1978, is the 54th edition and is published by the NORTHERN UFO NETWORK (NUFON), based in Irlam, Lancashire. It is edited by Jenny Randles and Paul Whetnall. The newsletter serves as a liaison system and co-ordination centre for UFO organizations and researchers in Northern Britain.

Editorial: 'Well....it said so in the paper'

The editorial, written by Jenny Randles, strongly criticizes the media's handling of UFO stories, accusing them of sensationalism and distortion. She uses the Frodsham CE3 case as a primary example. A freelance journalist contacted her for information, and while initially promised promotion of a NUFON booklet, the resulting Daily Mirror article, 'CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF A MOO-VING KIND,' contained several inaccuracies. A subsequent article in the Saskatchewan Leader-Post, 'UFOs Studying Cows?', further distorted the original NUN report, adding details not present and even misplacing the location to Oldham, which is in a different county. Randles expresses frustration with the press, likening their intelligence to that of chimpanzees and sarcastically calling for alien intervention to correct the misinformation.

News Round-Up by David Rees of MAPIT

This section provides updates on various UFO groups and activities:

• UFOSIS: The West Midlands group has reorganized and is now fully cooperating, with a new contact address provided.
• MUFORA: This group is considering forming a 'Think Tank' where members would conduct individual research to be discussed collectively. Results would be published in their magazine, LINK.
• BUFORG: Alan Price reports that the Borders UFO Research Group in Scotland now has 35 members, addressing a previously neglected area for UFO coverage.
• UFONIC: Dean Preston heads this new group for the Swindon, Wiltshire area.
• UFOJA: This group, led by John Watson, is launching a new magazine in January 1979.
• CHRYSIS: This group has released its second issue, CHRYSIS 78.
• Sheffield Space Centre: Information is provided on its opening hours and location.
• George Van Tassel: The passing of this American UFO personality is noted.
• Huddersfield Examiner: An article on UFOs and NUFON was featured, including a picture of Jenny Randles and Bryan Hartley.
• Ufology Acting Scene: Humorous suggestions are made for actors to play prominent ufologists.

UFOs Invade Welsh Village

This report, summarized by Martin Keatman from research by UFORA Staffs and FUFOR, details a sighting in Llanerchymedd, Anglesey, on September 1, 1978. Witnesses observed a white oval object hovering, descending, and later figures in grey suits. Animal disturbances were reported, and investigators found a flattened path of barley and a circular area in a field, with no plausible explanation.

A VERY UNUSUAL FIREWORK

Reported by Bryan Hartley, this incident from November 5, 1958 or 1959, involved Kenneth Doyle in Liverpool seeing an object with a white glow and silver gleam, with black oval windows, hovering overhead. His mother dismissed it as a firework.

Derby, Derbyshire Sighting

A woman and her mother saw a strange object over a house in Derby on December 1, 1967. It was round and metallic with dark blobs and a flashing red light, shuddering before streaking away.

UFO LANDS IN A QUARRY

Reported by Frank Johnon, this incident from July 21, 1977, in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, involved two witnesses observing a tube or cylinder attached to a round oval, with three bands of light. The object descended into a quarry, illuminating the clouds. Investigators estimated its diameter at 94 meters.

Other Sightings Reports

The issue contains numerous brief reports of UFO sightings from various locations across the UK, including:

• Wigan, Gtr Manchester (August 7, 1977): A white light falling from the sky, splitting into two.
• Oldbury, West Midlands (August 11, 1977): A reddish glowing object shaped like a bird, moving like an eagle.
• Cheslyn Hay, Staffs (September 7, 1978): Objects in a triangular formation, flashing on and off.
• Wolverhampton, W. Midlands (October 24, 1977): A brilliant light resolving into three white lights and a red light, encompassed by a hazy cone shape.
• Halifax, West Yorkshire (December 14, 1977): A red dome with a hazy black disc hovering.
• West Derby, Merseyside (September 19, 1978): A silvery object shaped like a 'wing', hovering and then dropping, rising, and moving at tremendous speed.
• Royton, Gtr Manchester (September 18, 1978): A bright yellow light dropping into a window frame, appearing as a ball with a thick rim.
• Royton, Gtr Manchester (October 1, 1978): A brilliant white light rising, hovering, and then turning red.
• Sale, Gtr Manchester (October 4, 1978): A red light hovering, with a dark shape behind it.
• Scunthorp, Sth Humberside (October 9, 1978): A bright ball with a solid tube extended from it, sinking over the horizon.
• Hr Crompton, Gtr Manchester (October 10, 1978): A golden light moving low and stationary, then moving S and fading.
• Haslington, Cheshire (January 4, 1978): A white slightly domed oval with flashing windows.
• A534 (February 18, 1978): A bright white light changing course.
• Burbage, Leicestershire (April 23, 1978): A huge silver-grey cone with colored rotating lights and a red cylinder.
• Halifax, West Yorkshire (May 26, 1978): A strange light cigar, described as white, aluminium, or light biscuit coloured, drifting slowly.
• Grantham, Lincs (July 19, 1978): Three orange lights hovering and moving in a zig-zag pattern.
• Scarborough, North Yorks (August 17, 1978): A bright white ellipse descending eastwards with a low droning noise.
• Stockton, Cleveland (August 17, 1978): A silver upright cylinder with red diffuse light and a fan-shaped light underneath.
• Tipton, W.Mid (January 30, 1978): White LITS identified star.
• Silverdale, Staffs (May 1, 1978): A green flare that caused a dog to bark and lit up trees.
• Burtonwood, Cheshire (May 13, 1978): An orange ball that appeared in a flash.
• Normanby, Cleveland (July 10, 1978): A pulsating orange light.

IN BRIEF

This section lists several brief reports, including a white light identified as a star, a green flare possibly a fireball meteor, ball lightning, and a pulsating orange light.

UFOs in the Family

Two sightings from Haslington, Cheshire, are related by a family. On January 4, 1978, the wife saw a white, slightly domed oval with flashing windows. On February 18, 1978, she and her husband saw a bright white light that changed course.

Slow Moving Phenomenon in the North East

Two unconnected incidents on August 17, 1978, are detailed: Mrs. Elliot in Scarborough saw a bright white ellipse descending, and Miss Walker in Stockton saw a silver upright cylinder with red diffuse light. Both objects moved slowly and were visible for some time.

Upcoming Publications

The issue previews several upcoming UFO books scheduled for 1979, including works by Jenny Randles, Peter Warrington, Frank Holliday, Randal Jones Pugh, and Peter Hill, covering topics like British UFOs, the Dyfed Enigma, and UFOs in Scotland.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical portrayal of media coverage of UFO events, the extensive documentation of numerous UFO sightings across the United Kingdom, and the ongoing activities and updates from various UFO research organizations. The editorial stance is highly critical of the press, advocating for caution and skepticism towards their reporting on UFO phenomena. There is also an underlying theme of the continued high level of UFO activity, with a note suggesting that something might be 'building up' based on report numbers from previous years.