Northern UFO News - No 67

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 67
Date: December 1979
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUPON)
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, published eight times per year, focuses on UFO investigations, network coordination, and case studies. The cover features a stylized title above a map of an area with various locations marked.

Editorial: "Project UAP"

The editorial introduces "Project UAP," a new research study proposed to move beyond the current 'rut' in UFO research. The project aims to gather a team of approximately 10 individuals to select and investigate high strangeness cases annually, evaluating them with the help of experts from directly or indirectly relevant fields. The goal is to build a system of non-ufological advisors and, after two years, to publish the findings. The editorial emphasizes the importance of objective honesty and suggests that if all cases have acceptable solutions within current scientific understanding, it would justify concluding that 'exotic' UFOs do not exist. Each team member will also conduct a personal research project. The editorial concludes by inviting interested individuals to join this challenge.

NUFON Meeting and Network News

A NUFON meeting held on Saturday, November 24, was deemed a great success, with representatives from various UFO groups attending. Key decisions made included:

• NUFON Format: The format would remain unchanged, with no committee elected and no sub-regions created. Jenny Randles was unanimously re-elected as secretary.
• Other Networks: NUFON would not actively foster new networks but would monitor the situation and devise a coordinated policy if local initiatives arose.
• Group Directory: An annual directory would be implemented, with the first edition published in January 1980. Groups were asked to submit detailed information.
• UFO Abstracts: NUFON would lead the production of an annual publication abstracting all UK UFO magazines. Dr. Morrell agreed to be the editor.
• PR Campaign: Groups were encouraged to launch a major public relations campaign targeting local media and police to gain witness confidence and highlight the importance of close encounters.

Discussions also covered prospective liaison with the SPR, standards of submitted reports, and the MAUFOG network. The next meeting was scheduled for early Spring.

News Round-Up

This section provides brief updates:

• UFORA Staffs has two remaining members who will continue as individual investigators due to past criticism.
• UAPROL has a new hotline number with a robophone answering service.
• The phone number for CUFORO (Coalville) has changed.

Magazine Round-up

This section reviews several UFO-related publications:

• UFO RESEARCH REVIEW Autumn 1979: Features notes and cases, a review of the BUFORA Conference, commentary on James Oberg's "New Scientist" article, and information on UFO data handling.
• NORTHERN EARTH MYSTERIES: Issue 2 includes articles on EM research and plans for a travelling exhibition.
• ANCIENT SKILLS & WISDOM 7: Contains reviews of books and a special section on UFO magazines.
• MAGIC SAUCER: Described as an excellent read for youngsters, covering children's sightings and fairy stories.
• UFO INFO (Warminster): Continues its series of large data sheets, including a photograph of a disc-shaped UFO.
• OCCULT WORLD: A new magazine covering astrology, reincarnation, and UFOs, with an article by David Rees on child witnesses.

Case Investigations

The February 24 Mystery - UFO or F 1-11?

This case involved a sighting by Mike Sachs and his family of a slow-moving domed saucer with a flickering red underside that descended into a quarry. Two policemen later reported seeing an orange ball of light. Subsequent investigation by MUFCRA and DIGAP suggested the object may have passed over a hillline. A connected case involved a taxi driver and passenger observing a flickering orange ball of light. The report notes that an exercise using F1-11 jets on low-level flights occurred around the time, with the possibility of an afterburner creating an orange light and breaking the sound barrier being considered.

Low Definition Activity

A table lists several sightings with limited details, including dates, locations, and brief descriptions such as "Ball lightning" and "UFO."

Medium Definition Activity

This section details several sightings with more descriptive information:

• Runcorn, Cheshire (Mar 30): A white bell-shaped object seen hovering and fading.
• Widnes, Cheshire (Apr 19): A 14-year-old saw a red hexagon hover and move off.
• Tenerife, Spain (Aug 76): A woman saw a grey triangle swoop in, perform a 360-degree loop, and fly off.
• Marston Green, West Midlands (Nov 23): A fuzzy yellow ball of light was observed on the floor.
• Livingston, Scotland (Jan 8): Three boys saw orange domed saucers hovering and vanishing.
• Markfield, Leics (July late): A couple saw a diffuse red and green light over a quarry that swayed and faded.
• Handsworth, West Midlands (Aug 28): A petal-shaped silver object with a red tinge hovered for over an hour.
• Halifax, West Yorks (Oct 12): Multiple witnesses reported an oval or cigar-like object with red sparks.
• Tamworth, Staffs (Oct 13): Seven witnesses observed an orange oval with a red edge rise from the ground.
• West Lothian, Scotland (Oct 24): Multiple sightings, including by pilots, of a firey tadpole shape moving SE, tracked by RAF Kinloss.

Radar Confirmation for a Midlands UFO?

Four women in Aldridge reported an object like two saucers stuck together, dark bottom and silvery top, moving without sound. The object tilted and vanished into cloud. Birmingham ATCC initially reported an unexplained radar image, but later stated nothing was in the log, leading to suspicions of a cover-up.

Shape Changing UFO Returns to Aldridge

An engineer in Aldridge witnessed a blinding light that skipped below cloud, re-emerged larger, expanded into a disc shape, and then shot off. The event was described as like a "gas explosion."

UFO Photograph Over Birmingham Suburb

Jacqueline Duffy's daughter photographed a black object, described as a trapezium shape with a wavy bottom, hovering in the east. The film was lost by Kodak for a period, and investigators felt the case had insufficient data, though they noted the witness claimed Birmingham ATC could not account for the object.

UFO Responds to Torchlight Signal

In Sedgley, eight children witnessed an oval object, red on top and orange on the bottom with a gaseous haze, which stopped abruptly and shot upwards after being illuminated by a torch. The witnesses experienced severe after-effects, including Stephen Rees reporting a wardrobe falling towards him. Investigators deemed the case unexplained.

Attempted Abduction at Livingston

This significant case involved Bob Taylor, a forestry worker, who encountered a dome-shaped object with flanges and propellors, followed by spherical objects that encircled him. He experienced a foul stench, passed out, and later suffered physical after-effects. Police fenced off the area, and analysis of his trousers revealed rips from a pincer and maize starch. Investigators believe this to be a singularly important case, noting other local sightings and a mystery disappearance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the importance of rigorous, objective investigation ('Project UAP'), the coordination and organization of UFO research groups (NUFON's efforts), and the detailed reporting of specific UFO sightings and encounters. The editorial stance, particularly regarding 'Project UAP,' is one of seeking scientific validation and challenging preconceived notions within ufology, aiming to improve the field's reputation and encourage serious scientific engagement. The magazine consistently presents case studies with an emphasis on witness testimony, physical evidence, and investigative findings, while also acknowledging the need for critical evaluation and the possibility of conventional explanations.