Northern UFO News - No 65

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Issue: 65
Date: October 1979
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of Northern UFology is dedicated to exploring the critical question of "UFO Research: What Should We Do?" It features a series of articles by various ufologists, including Ron Sergeant, Stephen Banks, John Watson, Martin Keatman, and Jenny Randles, who offer their perspectives on the current state of UFO research and propose future directions.

Editorial: "A Critical Time to Decide"

The editorial highlights a circular issued by FUFOR and MAPIT, which intimates a lack of true liaison within NUFON. While acknowledging NUFON's role as a "coordination centre," the editor points out the perennial problem of activists versus hobbyists within UFO groups. The editorial applauds FUFOR and MAPIT's initiative for "True Liaison" and standardization but laments their decision to ostracize themselves from the NUFON community. It also touches upon the concept of a "British Group Network" and emphasizes the importance of Terry Hooper's efforts in keeping others informed. The editor notes that many of FUFOR/MAPIT's proposals have already been attempted by UFOIN since 1977, particularly the focus on individual ufologists rather than groups, due to the scarcity of active individuals. The "in depth" UFOIN files at Nottingham are cited as an example of thorough investigation. The editorial concludes by encouraging participation in the upcoming NUFON meeting in Nottingham on November 24th to discuss these important ideas.

The Future of NUFON

This section details proposals for the future development of NUFON, including the establishment of an administrative body with specific responsibilities for liaison, the publication of an annual "Status Report" on all groups, and the formation of "sub networks" based on geographical regions to coordinate local investigations. The proposals have received a low response from general members but a favorable reaction from activists. A NUFON meeting is scheduled for November 24, 1979, in Nottingham, hosted by NUFOIS, to discuss these moves. The theme is "UFO Investigation" and group coordination, with a call for concise papers (under 15 minutes) from individuals and groups outside the NUFON system.

News

The news section announces that the January issue will focus on "UFOLOGY IN BRITAIN: How should it be organised?" It also mentions attempts to resurrect a dormant "INVESTIGATOR TRAINING COURSE" and seeks willing participants. Subscription details for 1980 are provided, with the price increasing to £3.60 for 12 issues due to inflation. A brief mention is made of the disastrous crash of two Harrier jets over Wisbech.

Reviews

• This section reviews several publications:
• "ENCOUNTERS WITH THE PAST" by Peter Moss: A book covering hypnotic regression experiments, costing £7.95, including two records of regressions.
• SKYWATCH (MAPIT) Aug/Sep: Contains foreign material and an article on "The Ethics of UFO Investigation" by Mark Moravec.
• ENCOUNTER 79: A free publication that aims to "stand against the bad ufologist" and be highly critical.
• NUFON EARTHLINK: Now issued separately from the Essex UFO Study Group.

UFO Research - What Should We Do?

This is the core section of the magazine, featuring four articles addressing the question of UFO research methodology:

1) "The base idea in research" by Ron Sergeant

Sergeant emphasizes the need for a "base idea" to guide research, defining it as careful search and inquiry. He suggests that while obtaining a UFO for close scrutiny is difficult, "skywatching" and "radar watch" are valuable activities. He stresses that research should be conducted with an open mind, considering all possibilities, and that imagination is a crucial commodity.

2) "Physical & Non-Physical - a balanced modus-operandi" by Stephen Banks

Banks argues for a balanced research system that integrates physical investigations with the study of "psychic UFO" linked events and "parapsychological occurrences." He believes that many close encounter witnesses report experiences encompassed by "Parapsychological occurrences." He advocates for a holistic approach that considers the witness's psychological traits and experiences, suggesting liaison with the Society for Psychical Research.

3) "Basic Steps towards research" by John Watson

Watson highlights the problem of biased UFO groups and stresses the need for unbiased investigation. He advocates for obtaining precise data, conducting more detailed investigations, and asking questions pertinent to all theories. He emphasizes that groups allowing themselves to be swayed by one theory are useless. He proposes that groups should initiate long-term research projects based on specific theories but should also exchange data with other projects.

4) "UFO Research - The Way ahead?" by Martin Keatman

Keatman questions whether humanity, at its current scientific level, can truly understand the UFO phenomenon, suggesting that our reality frameworks might be radically different. He proposes that research should proceed with an open mind, considering the possibility that our current theories of reality may be inadequate. He outlines a sensible approach to UFO investigation and research.

A Radical Proposition

This section, featuring contributions from Peter Warrington, Martin Keatman, Jenny Randles, and others, delves into more advanced and potentially controversial aspects of UFO research.

Present Research and A Proposal

Jenny Randles discusses the dilemma in the UK regarding the lack of research, emphasizing the need for organization, standard terminology, and methodology. She proposes an approach that encompasses all aspects of an event, including the "EVENT" (physical characteristics and circumstances), the "PERCIPIENT" (psychological and physiological make-up, interests, hobbies, knowledge, feelings, and claimed para-normal abilities), and the "SIGHTING" (witness's mental state, atmospheric conditions, and site details). She also suggests investigating "PHENOMENA" by questioning witnesses about other strange events and checking for ley-lines, messages from trance mediums, automatic writing, and paranormal events. She calls for an end to petty bickering and personality clashes within UFO social meetings.

A Radical Proposition (cont.)

Randles argues that the phenomenon is multi-faceted and requires a multi-disciplined approach, involving both physical and social sciences. She suggests that research should proceed on the assumption that "EXOTIC UFOs" (unidentified phenomena not easily explained by conventional means) do not exist, to avoid being misled by preconceptions. She advocates for duplication of research efforts, where specialists examine the same data from different perspectives. She cites her own belief that the phenomenon has a psychological component and that many UFOs might be explicable as natural phenomena, with the "EXOTIC UFO" being questionable.

She suggests a study similar to the Condon Commission, involving multiple researchers testing different hypotheses against standardized data, with the results then studied by external scientific opinion. She expresses a desire to hear from anyone who feels they could contribute to such a project.

Investigations Section

• This section provides a log of "Low Definition Activity" and "Medium Definition Activity" with details of sightings, locations, dates, and brief evaluations. It includes:
• Triangular LITS in Glasgow, Scotland.
• Red & beams in Clayton, Staffs.
• W LITS in St Helens and Kirkby, Merseyside.
• Buzzing LITS in Cannock, Staffs.
• R & W LITS in Blurton, Staffs.
• A grey cigar dart seen hovering in Rainhill, Merseyside.
• A cigar seen in Galloway, Scotland.
• A large cigar seen in Solihull, W. Midlands.
• A silver/black oval seen in Newcastle, Staffs.

It also details a "SPINNING SAUCER OVER STOURPORT" case involving two girls who witnessed a rotating, flashing object that moved away. The report notes the lack of plausible explanation and mentions the prominence of the number 23 in UFO circles.

Finally, it describes a "LOW LEVEL GIANT UFO IN CHESHIRE" case from November 28, 1978, in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, investigated by Martin Keatman, which is described as impressive and well-investigated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the need for a more organized, scientific, and collaborative approach to UFO research. There is a strong emphasis on standardizing methodologies, improving the quality of data collection, and fostering better coordination among various UFO groups and individual researchers. The issue grapples with the dichotomy between physical and non-physical explanations for UFO phenomena and advocates for a balanced perspective. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging critical thinking, open-mindedness, and a proactive, determined effort to understand the UFO phenomenon, moving beyond mere data collection to rigorous analysis and hypothesis testing. There's a clear push to professionalize ufology and address issues of apathy and bias within the community.

Title: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Issue: OCTOBER 1979
Date: October 1979
Publisher: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of NORTHERN UFOLOGY, dated October 1979, focuses on UFO sightings and related phenomena, with a prominent report on a low-level giant UFO in Cheshire and an investigation into multiple sightings and PSI events experienced by a family in Edinburgh.

Low Level Giant UFO in Cheshire

The issue begins with a continuation of a report on a UFO sighting in Cheshire. On November 17, a witness, previously skeptical about UFOs, saw two white lights side-by-side while driving a Securicor Escort out of Northwich. His Pye Olympic radio experienced static interference. The lights streaked away into cloud at 04:00.

On November 20, around the same time, another witness driving a Securicor load to Warrington on the M6, near the Holmes Chapel junction, observed what he initially thought was a 'shooting star' to his left. He then saw a very large, stationary oval light in the NW. He stopped his vehicle and exited to observe it. The object then began to move slowly towards him. He described it as being extremely low (estimated 50-60 meters). In panic, he stepped back to his van, and his radio again suffered intense static, though the van's engine was unaffected. He switched off the radio. The object passed directly overhead on a SE course, described as extremely large, like 'a large dinner plate at arms length.' Its speed was such that it took eight seconds to pass fully overhead. The underside was dark and bevelled, appearing metallic, with what seemed to be a fin at the rear. Two beams of light angled up and down emanated from the front, the lower one bright enough to cast a shadow. As it passed closest, a faint buzzing sound was heard, but otherwise, there was total silence. The object moved away in a curve to the SE, remaining in view for approximately 4 minutes. The weather was cold (minus five), with no wind and no cloud. Manchester Airport reported no relevant traffic.

The report draws a parallel to case 78-214, investigated by Peter Warrington, which occurred 33 hours earlier at Whalley Bridge, about 15 miles east. In that case, three students reported seeing an almost identical object: dark, massive, slow, silent, with a 'fin' at the rear and large searchlights at the front. That incident also remained unexplained.

A Family and UFOs: Multiple Sightings and PSI Events

This section details the investigation by David Sydeserff into the experiences of Richard MacDowell (65), his wife, and their grown-up daughter Marion, who claim multiple UFO sightings and PSI (extrasensory perception) events. They believe in the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) and suggest that only psychic individuals can see UFOs. Marion is described as very psychic, though she has faulty eyesight, and Richard had a brain operation in 1967. The witnesses live in Edinburgh.

Several incidents are recounted:

• September 1940 - 21:30: Husband and wife saw a stationary cigar-shaped object with short blue flames at the rear. It hovered for 2 minutes before speeding away fast to the south, with no sound.
• Winter 1976-1977 - 06:00: A dark mass was seen taking off from a park in pitch black. It was described as very large with a series of square windows on its edge. It 'crawled' along the ground before rising into the sky and passing overhead very low.
• Summer 1977 - 22:00: A golden ball, changing shape to a cigar, was seen by the entire family over Meadowbank stadium, moving about above the stand for up to 25 minutes.
• Late September 1978 - 22:00: A large, ball of white light was seen moving by the whole family. Aircraft noise heard beforehand was described as deafening.
• January 25, 1979 - 01:00: The whole family saw a blinking blue light that moved slowly and then hovered. An aircraft flew underneath, clearly seen and heard, after which the UFO disappeared.

All these sightings occurred in Edinburgh, except for the 1978 incident, which took place in Torremolinos, Spain. The family also reported PSI experiences, including mystery sounds, footsteps, and several ghosts seen by all three, including a Roman Legionnaire and their deceased cat (which the dog also reacted to). Mrs. M. also reported hearing her grandmother calling her after she died.

Dr. John Beloff, from the Psychology department at Edinburgh University and associated with the SPR (Society for Psychical Research), reviewed the interview tapes. He proposed that the family 'had some kind of collective hallucination which they shared,' stating that 'The PSI has no more objective reality than the UFOs.' The investigator expresses reservations about this interpretation.

Case Statistics and Acknowledgements

The issue provides a statistical breakdown for the month: 13 cases were reported in total, with 2 UFO sightings (15.4%), 5 cases with insufficient data, 2 helicopter sightings, 2 aircraft sightings, 1 meteor, and 1 star sighting.

Cases were reported from Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, and Worcestershire. The magazine thanks David Sydeserff, CHRYSIS (John Watson), MIGAP, MUFORA (Ron Sergeant), UFORA (Stephen Banks & Martin Keatman), and UFOSIS for their contributions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, particularly unusual aerial phenomena like giant low-level craft and unexplained lights, and the intersection of these sightings with psychic experiences (PSI). The magazine appears to present these accounts with a degree of seriousness, as evidenced by the detailed investigation into the MacDowell family's experiences. However, the inclusion of Dr. Beloff's skeptical 'collective hallucination' theory and the investigator's reservations suggest an editorial stance that acknowledges differing interpretations and the complexities of paranormal phenomena. The statistical breakdown indicates a focus on UFOs as a primary category of reported events, while also acknowledging other aerial phenomena and insufficient data cases.