Northern UFO News - No 58

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 58
Date: March 1979
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of Northern UFO News, published by the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), is the 58th in its series and is dated March 1979. It is a monthly newsletter published eight times per year in conjunction with "Northern Ufology". The cover features a stylized title and a map of the UK with various locations marked.

Contents

The contents page lists several sections, including Publication News, General News, Low Definition Activity, Medium Definition Activity, Instrumental Activity, and Close Encounters. Specific page numbers are provided for each section.

Editorial: "The Puppet and the Puppeteer"

The editorial muses on the nature of ufology, highlighting the abundance of questions and scarcity of answers. It questions whether UFOs are controlled machines, natural phenomena, or psychological/psychic experiences, suggesting that perhaps an all-encompassing solution exists that would render current theories obsolete. The author encourages open-minded theorizing but cautions against dogmatic insistence on knowing the answers. The editorial notes that psychological manifestations behave differently from extraterrestrial spaceships, and that testing theories with available data is crucial but often neglected. It speculates that many may avoid finding answers if they are not the ones they personally hope for. The editorial also draws parallels between UFO phenomena and the TV show "Dr. WHO", noting coincidences in alien names and descriptions from the show with reported UFO cases, such as the Aveley abduction and the Mr L abduction. It raises the question of whether these are mere coincidences or indicative of a 'puppeteer' influencing events, and whether alien intelligence is infiltrating or if humans are the indirect cause. Dr. Lyall Watson is quoted as suggesting that UFO sightings can be a catalyst for their own occurrence.

More Correlations

This section, noted by Bernard Delair of CONTACT UK, presents two correlated sightings:

• October 8: A similar domed blimp was seen in Penysarn (UK) and Bellingham, USA.
• September 22: Similar horseshoe and egg shapes were seen in Birmingham (UK) and Argentina, with the latter incident involving teleportation.

News

This section reports on the progress of a British UFO Network, aiming to create a cohesive, integrated network of UK UFO groups. This network will be organized with three regional components: NUFON, MidUFON, and SUFON. MidUFON is preparing to launch its publication "Midlands UFOLOG", and SUFON is set to release its second issue of "Southern UFO News". The achievement of a liaison system involving 95% of British UFO groups is seen as a significant step for ufology.

Recent publicity for NUFON is highlighted, including an upcoming interview with Jenny Randles in TITBITS magazine and an interview for ANNABELLE. Granada TV is launching a new Saturday morning program called "The Mersey Pirate", for which NUFON is providing assistance, including a reconstruction of a sighting in Warrington and an interview with Jenny Randles. Jenny Randles and Paul Whetnall also participated in a discussion with author Dr. Lyall Watson on the "Live From Two" program, where Dr. Watson expressed agreement with the view that UFOs are a psychic phenomenon catalyzed by the percipient, a concept developed by Jacques Vallee and further explored by Jenny Randles and Peter Warrington.

Additionally, a researcher sent by Dr. J. Allan Hynek and Stephen Spielberg is in the UK gathering data for a major documentary intended as a follow-up to 'CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND'. This documentary is expected to be a three-hour program.

Publications Review (David Rees's News Column)

David Rees reviews several UFO publications:

• FSR: Contains reports on two cases previously featured in NUN (The Stonehenge Movie Films & The Maccynelleth CE3). The editor, Edward Harris, expresses disillusionment with the progress of UFO research.
• CNK: An experimental monthly issue is being produced to utilize stock as the magazine goes out of print in December.
• FSR Issue 20: Includes a review of the House of Lords debate with quoted speeches.
• UFO INFO: Features a novel idea for quarterly issues, produced as large, single-page posters on various topics.
• SOUTHERN UFO SIGHTING REVIEW: A new bi-monthly magazine by Andy Collins (UFOIN), featuring report summaries from Essex, Greater London, and Suffolk.

Bernard Delair of CONTACT UK notes that most UFO publications last only about two years, with a few UK exceptions like NUN, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Low Definition Activity

This section details 12 cases of low definition UFO sightings:

• May 13, 1977 (77-309): Ulverston, Cumbria - Object observed.
• October 2, 1977 (77-310): Wordsley, W. Mid - Star-like object observed.
• September 19, 1978 (78-200): Coventry, W. Mid - Two W lines observed.
• November 3, 1978 (78-205): Penkridge, Staffs - Two W lights observed, possibly an aircraft.
• November 15, 1978 (78-206): Darley, W.MID - Two W lights observed.
• November 20, 1978 (78-207): Cotes Heath, Staffs - Three W lights observed, possibly flares.
• November 26, 1978 (78-208): Coventry, W.MId - White and red lights observed.
• December 23, 1978 (78-209): Blackburn, Lancs - Object described as a flash.
• December 28, 1978 (78-211): Allesley, W.Mid - Object observed.
• January 11, 1979 (7912): Morecambe, Lancs - Object observed.
• January 17, 1979 (7913): Water, Lancs - Object observed.
• October 23, 1978 (78-203): Atherstone, Warwicks - A 27-year-old housewife and her son observed a white light hovering near trees, appearing as a row of three lights with an indistinct rounded shape. It moved slowly and silently, disappearing at an elevation of 15 degrees.

Medium Definition Activity

This section details 10 cases of medium definition UFO sightings:

• August 14, 1978 (78-199): Sedgley, W.M - A woman and son saw a blue sphere fall to earth silently.
• November 2, 1978 (78-204): Bolton, Gt Mc - An object like a hat with a porthole was seen stationary then moving.
• December 31, 1973 (73-212): Yardley, W.M - A large star with a dome atop, colored pink, was seen stationary then moved slightly and faded out.
• January 1, 1979 (7909): Wirral - Two witnesses saw five red ovals appear in the sky, moving and reflecting in the sea.
• January 1, 1979 (7910): Halton, Lancs - A large yellow pear-shaped object was visible for 15 minutes.
• January 18, 1979 (7914): St Helens - Three workers saw two yellow bullets with a tail moving slowly E-W. Liverpool ATC had aircraft low over the town at the exact time on both occasions.

Case Report: Mickleover, Derbyshire (April 23, 1977)

This case involves a witness with 20 years of experience as an engine inspector for Rolls Royce Aircraft. The witness observed a localized flash, followed by a craft dropping nose-down vertically from the sky. The object was estimated to be over 40 meters in size, with an initial speed of 2000MPH and a glowing area of pink, green, and red around its outer rim. It was described as a dull metallic silver, domed disc made of three layers. Sparks flew from the overheated area. The object then performed an S-curve maneuver, decelerating dramatically, before swooping up and back. It reappeared, showing two flimsy, tapering wings, and moved away W towards Burton on Trent with a course straightening out by four 'wobbles'. The witness claims the 'G' forces must have been incredible and also mentions seeing a ghost in his childhood. The report notes that this type of UFO would be suited to an aircraft engineer.

Instrumental Activity

This section details cases involving instrumental data:

• May 20, 1977 (77-302): Cleveleys, Lancs - A man observed a grey/black 'tyre' shape with a dome, hovering. He took photographs, but all five shots turned out completely black. Cooperative reports from the St Helens area exist.

Close Encounter Activity

• August 4, 1967: Morecambe Visitor press cutting reports a CE 34 involving David Spencer who saw a white light shoot across the sky, hum, and vanish. A figure then appeared and vanished. The witness was a met observer in the Royal Navy. This case is classified as insufficient data.

Further Case Reports

• September 1, 1936 (19.30): Hilderstone, Staffs - A 14-year-old girl observed a cigar-shaped object hovering over a brook and cricket pitch. The object had five portholes emitting yellow light. The witness felt the object was watching her and believes the encounter may have affected her blood, showing a rare A Rh (D) Positive.
• October 8, 1978 (20.40): Dudley, West Midlands - Five teenagers witnessed a loud bang and the sky lighting up bright blue. A white, cross-shaped object appeared, shot up into the sky, and hovered. It pulsed slowly and then moved off to the W. The witness's father reported brief TV interference at the time of the initial sighting.
• January 21, 1979 (17.10): Hanley, Staffs - William Sagar observed a flat-bottomed dome, colored yellow like a belisha beacon, hovering. He took photographs, but the TV was on and suffering from considerable picture interference at that moment. The witness claims to be psychic and has had instances of precognition.

Case Statistics

• Total Cases in this Issue: 27
• Low Definition Cases: 12 (8.5% UFO)
• Medium Definition Cases: 10 (40% UFO)
• Instrumental Cases: 1 (UFO (1))
• Close Encounter Cases: 4 (Insufficient data (2), UFO (2) - 50%)

Distribution

The distribution of cases covers Cumbria, Lancs, Merseyside, Gtr Manchester, Staffs, Derbyshire, Lincs, Warwicks, W Midlands.

Thanks

Thanks are extended to Ian Cresswell, Brian Fishwick, PUFORA, DIGAP, NLUFOIG, RUSIG, UFORA, UFOSIS, and Bernard Delair.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the detailed reporting and analysis of UFO sightings, categorized by definition (Low, Medium, Instrumental) and type of encounter (Close Encounters). The editorial stance, as expressed in "The Puppet and the Puppeteer," is one of questioning and open inquiry, emphasizing the need for rigorous testing of theories rather than dogmatic acceptance. There's a notable exploration of the potential psychological or psychic aspects of UFO phenomena, suggesting that the witness's own mind might play a role in the manifestation or perception of these events. The magazine also highlights the growing efforts to create a unified UK UFO research network and the increasing media interest in the subject, indicating a growing mainstream awareness and engagement with ufology.