Northern UFO News - No 63

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 63
Date: August 1979
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUPON)
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, the monthly newsletter of the Northern UFO Network (NUPON), is dated August 1979 and is the 63rd issue. It is published eight times per year in series with "Northern Ufology". The cover features a stylized title and a map of Northern England. The editorial address is 23 Sunningdale Drive, Irlam, Salford, M30 6NJ. The cover was designed by John Watson (CHRYSIS) and edited by Jenny Randles (MUFORA), with David Rees as News Editor (MAPIT).

Editorial: "The search for natural explanations"

The editorial tackles the polarized nature of UFO research, where individuals are often labeled as either 'believers' or 'skeptics'. It criticizes the emotional reactions and hostility that can swamp scientific appraisal when UFO reports are scrutinized. The author acknowledges that debunkers, like Philip Klass and Ian Ridpath, can sometimes react with similar hostility. However, the editorial particularly defends Ian Ridpath, who has been criticized and ostracized by the UFO community for his denouncement of investigation standards and for claiming that Ufologists hide physical evidence. The editorial argues that Ridpath does not disbelieve in UFOs but rather seeks rational, natural, and potentially novel explanations for cases. It highlights a private seminar on the Stonehenge films where Ridpath's approach was refreshing and enabled confrontation with atmospheric scientists. The editorial also references a Daily Express article about impressive new Russian cases and Dr. M. Dimitrieyev's theory of 'chemiluminescence' (cold radiation) as a possible explanation for some UFO manifestations. It urges Ufologists to consider logical and testable earth-based theories before pursuing 'illusory' spaceships, concluding that Ridpath is a better ufologist than his critics.

News Review

This section provides a roundup of recent UFO-related news and events. A reminder is given about the BUFORA conference to be held in central London on August 26th and 27th, with speakers including Dr. Allen Hynek, Dr. Leo Sprinkle, Eduardo Russo, and Juan Ballester-Olmos. Local UFO groups are encouraged to liaise with UFO INTERNATIONAL, a group formed in September 1978 that operates on an invitation-only basis and publishes a bi-monthly magazine called QUEST. Another group, SKYSCAN, is seeking contacts and reportedly intends to start a UFO group network. Details are provided for Randall Jones-Pugh's book, "The Dyfed Enigma", which chronicles the South Wales UFO wave from 1974 to 1977. The upcoming publication of "UFOs: A British Viewpoint" by Jenny Randles and Peter Warrington is also announced. Several address changes for NUFON and UFOIN members are noted, including Treasurer Peter Warrington's new address and the relocation of MUFOB and Andy Collins.

Magazine Round-Up

This section reviews recent publications in the ufology and fortean fields. FORTEAN TIMES is congratulated on its new 'newsstand' format, praised for its value and content, which includes a UFO column by Nigel Watson. FSR is noted for starting its 25th year with cases from various countries and an article by Dr. Pierre Guerrin of GEPAN. MOTEUS from UFOSIS is mentioned, including a piece on the Robertson Panel. LANTERN Summer 79 features articles on East Anglian mysteries, and CNK May 79 includes a UFO fashion contest.

Cosmos 1068 Again

This article revisits the well-known sighting on New Year's Eve of an object described as a brightly lit object that looked like an aircraft with windows on fire. NUFON has received nearly 100 reports of this phenomenon across the region. The official explanation is the re-entry of debris from the Russian satellite COSMOS 1065. However, the article presents a new report from Mr. Stuart Cortez, who has impressive qualifications from working at Cape Canaveral and as a flight test observer. Cortez is adamant that the event was not a satellite burn-up and states, "What was it? I do not know... what I saw last New Years Eve was something new...lets have the truth. Or is there something going on in this world that dare not be explained to mere people?"

Hoaxing

This section discusses the increasing sophistication of UFO hoaxers. A case from Saturday, June 30th, is detailed, involving a call to the Sunday Mirror about frightened witnesses in Altrincham and Hale, Greater Manchester. They reported intercepting a conversation between a DC-10 pilot and ground controllers about a UFO formation being chased by RAF jets, with one UFO reportedly hit and crashing in Yorkshire. Peter Warrington investigated and found inconsistencies, leading to the suspicion of a hoax. The story was also reported by the Manchester Evening News, which detailed a second instance of a young girl in Hale overhearing a similar conversation. The GPO at Altrincham stated they were convinced it was a clever hoax. Checks are ongoing, but calls have stopped, and MUFORA is satisfied this is an example of electronic hoaxes ufologists may face.

More Airship News

Researched by Granville Oldroyd of NLUFOIG, this section presents a passage from the Gazette News, Blackpool, published February 28, 1913, under the heading 'Mystery of the Air'. It suggests a solution to the 1913 airship wave, noting the credible reports of mysterious aircraft and lights. The article quotes the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Churchill, on the utility of airships and mentions that Germany was believed to possess several German airships that could have crossed to England. This aligns with Nigel Watson's published ideas about airships and pre-World War One invasion scares. The following Friday's paper reportedly mentioned residents of Poulton-Le-Fylde seeing strange lights and hearing a whirring propeller.

Low Definition Activity

This is a tabular listing of UFO sightings categorized as 'Low Definition'. It includes 8 entries with details such as reference number, date, time, location, object description, evaluation, and level. Evaluations include Insufficient Data, Meteor, Satellite, Prob Aircraft, and UFO. Locations span various parts of the UK, including Staffs, Lancs, W.Mid, and Cheshire.

Medium Definition Activity

This section details 'Medium Definition' UFO sightings. One entry (78-231) describes a semi-circle of pulsing yellow and orange light observed by Mrs. Grewcock in Dosthill, Staffs, which appeared mechanical and moved SE. Another entry (7944) details multiple independent observations of objects moving N and meandering around the Stoke area, classified as Insufficient Data, possibly related to unusual air effects distorting aircraft. A sighting (7945) in Meresby, Cumbria, describes a colossal, rounded dish-shaped object with flatter upper and lower surfaces, glowing silver, that moved slowly, backtracked, and then accelerated away. Another sighting (7953) in Wigton, Cumbria, describes an object observed by a family and colleague, moving SE, then W, with an erratic course, appearing as a silver flat disc with a small blue dome.

The UFO That Got Into Trouble

This case study (78-234) details an encounter by Geoffrey Grundili in Workington, Cumbria, in Summer 1975. While alone at home, he observed an object described as a smooth, silvery aircraft of unusual design with a long fuselage, tall tail, two short wings, a 'ball gear' on the underside, and a dome on top. It hovered near a tree, then maneuvered, crossed over a lamppost, and moved backwards. Grey smoke then poured from its underside, enveloping the object, which then melted away. The entire duration was 40 minutes. The witness experienced coldness and shivering, and birds seemed to avoid the spot where the smoke had appeared. This sighting sparked his interest in UFOs.

Car Stop in Northamptonshire

This case (CE1 EM, Psycho) involves Mrs. Oakensen, who experienced an incident on November 22, 1978, near Church Stowe, Northants. While driving home, she noticed two lights ahead, which she initially took for an aircraft. She realized it was a grey dumbell-shaped object about 50 feet across, with red and green lights. She drove underneath it without hearing any sound. Upon entering the village, her car's engine suddenly lost power, and the lights went out. A series of piercing white strobe lights appeared above the car roof, flashing. After this, she experienced a time lapse and found herself driving again. Her front sidelight, which had been out, was now working. Later, she saw a yellow pulsing light in the area. The report notes similarities to migraine symptoms and suggests a possible regression therapy. Two hours later, on a country road, three passengers and their driver were paced by a red and green light attached to an unseen object emitting a brilliant searchlight, suggesting it might have been the same object.

Experiences in the Family

This report (CE1 Psycho) by Stephen Banks details an encounter by Tommy Austin and his stepbrother Stanley on March 5, 1979, in Werrington, Staffs. Tommy, who uses a wheelchair, was driving home when he spotted a light that approached as an orange semicircle with a yellow dome. It paced the car and then turned west. They followed it, accelerating to keep pace. The object swept over rooftops and disappeared behind them, described as 'dematerializing'. The sighting lasted about 4 minutes. The report also mentions a previous encounter by Tommy and his other stepbrother, John, involving a bang and a white disc streaking overhead. Stanley had a WWII experience of seeing a column of white smoke form into a head and face. John's experiences include being followed by a small globe of light and seeing a 'ghost' of a friend who had been killed in Northern Ireland.

A New CE4 Experience for Gaynor Sunderland

This report, by Jenny Randles (MUFORA), details a CE4 (Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind) experience of Gaynor Sunderland, who had previously sighted a landed UFO. On June 26th, Gaynor experienced dizziness and a sensation of traveling through a dark tunnel, followed by finding herself in a field with two entities. The entities, identified as ARNA (woman) and PARS (man), were dressed in unusual attire. They told her she had come far away and that they would come again. Gaynor was then taken to a city and returned to her bedroom. Her mother noted that Gaynor was unusually deep asleep, as if in a trance, during part of the experience. The report also mentions a subsequent incident where three women passengers and their driver were paced by a red and green light attached to an unseen object emitting a brilliant searchlight.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing debate between belief and skepticism in UFO research, the importance of seeking natural explanations, and the reporting of numerous UFO sightings across the UK. The editorial strongly advocates for a balanced and rational approach to UFO investigation, defending critics like Ian Ridpath who challenge conventional ufological dogma. The issue also highlights the prevalence of alleged UFO hoaxes, particularly electronic ones, and the challenges they pose to researchers. The reporting of detailed witness accounts, often with specific times, locations, and object descriptions, is a consistent feature, alongside reviews of relevant publications and upcoming events in the ufology community. The overall stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, encouraging thorough investigation and a willingness to consider all possibilities, including terrestrial explanations, while acknowledging the persistent mystery of unexplained aerial phenomena.