Northern UFO News - No 68

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Issue: 68
Date: January 1980
Cover Headline: BRITISH UFOLOGY- HOW SHOULD IT BE ORGANISED?

This issue of Northern UFology, published in a monthly series with Northern UFO News, delves into the critical question of how British ufology should be organized. It features an editorial by Jenny Randles, a review of recent British UFO books, and detailed accounts of UFO investigations and sightings.

Editorial: "Dear Old Patrick - your sins are forgiven!"

Jenny Randles begins by addressing Patrick Moore's 'Sky at Night' program on UFOs, which featured a dialogue with entertainer Michael Bentine. While Moore is presented as a "total sceptic" and Bentine a "hopeful agnostic," Randles notes that Bentine, an "ETH man," cited the theory of aliens being beamed as radio signals. Moore, while skeptical of the 'spaceships' hypothesis, investigated a local unexplained case. Randles criticizes Moore for dismissing CE3 evidence as "wish fulfillment" and for not addressing current psychosocial theories. She also mentions actor William Shatner discussing UFOs on 'The Parkinson Show' with James Burke, promoting the 'Jungian Archetype' theory. Randles finds the 'Sky at Night' treatment superficial but acknowledges a consensus emerged that TRUE UFOs exist. She expresses hope that the start of the eighties will see a debunker like Moore move closer to believing, realizing that not all ufologists fit the stereotype of those who "Can You Speak Venusian?"

News Round-Up

Two groups, PARASEARCH (Wolverhampton) and MIGAP (Liverpool), have requested to stage NUFON ventures in 1980, focusing on case report analysis and research presentation. Contributions for an April issue on "UFOs and the Paranormal" are welcomed. The 'House of Lords Jan 79 UFO debate' has been published as a book. UFOs Over Jersey association is launching a new magazine, 'UAP Encounters,' for serious researchers. Sid Henley is now organizing the files for NUFOIS. A humorous quote of the month notes the vague official explanation for a launched US satellite's disappearance.

Magazine Reviews

The Irish UFO Research Centre has published an updated report on the Mrs H Psychic Contactee case. FSR's jubilee issue covers the Sunderland family encounters. MUFOB issue 50 is now 'MAGONIA,' featuring an article on UFO ethics by Dr. Berthold Schwarz. 'Fortean Times' is presented in a new format with diverse information. 'BUFORA JOURNAL' reviews the London congress and the Llanerchymedd case. 'AWARENESS' includes articles on "The Suicide Syndrome" and "Phantom Helicopters." 'CHRYSIS' and 'MAPIT SKYWATCH' have released their latest issues, with SKYWATCH featuring commentary on the London Congress. 'NORTHERN EARTH MYSTERIES GROUP' newsletter covers megaliths and leylines. 'SIGAP' has released 'PEGASUS,' reporting on the Blackbushe encounter. Two new magazines are introduced: 'UFO NEWS BULLETIN' from BFSB, covering local cases, and 'HELIOS NEWS,' which focuses on "extraterrestrial communications and comment."

British UFO Books, 1979

1979 saw a significant number of British UFO books published. Arthur Shuttlewood released 'More UFOs Over Warminster' and 'UFO Magic in Motion.' Jenny Randles' own book, 'The Dyfed Enigma,' co-authored with FW Holliday, is highlighted. 'The Welsh Triangle' by Peter Paget and Clive Harold's 'The Uninvited' are also reviewed. Hilary Evans' 'UFOs' is noted for its illustrations. 'Lifetide' by Lyall Watson and Colin Wilson's 'Mysteries' are mentioned for their focus on Jungian or 'New Ufology' aspects. The issue concludes by mentioning "UFOs: A British Viewpoint" by Jenny Randles and Peter Warrington, and anticipates five more UFO books in 1980.

BRITISH UFOLOGY - How should it be organised?

UFOLOGISTS: An outsiders peer into the asylum by Robin Witting (SUFORS)

Witting offers a satirical perspective on ufologists, describing them as persistent investigators who "peer and poke, hoping and praying, guessing and dreaming." He likens them to having "sinister motives" and questions the role of authorities. He critiques the tendency of some ufologists to "spout Armegeddon" and suggests that the "chosen ones" are oblivious to others. Witting uses metaphors of a "massed concerto" and a "whirlpool" to describe the disorganized nature of the field. He questions the purpose of ufologists, suggesting they might be "aliens acting as decoys" or manning "enemy's own telescopes."

FLYING SAUCERS - (Not So) Serious Business by Ted Horton (UFOSIS)

Horton provides a satirical look at British ufology, using fictional group names like BOUFOGG (Browned off UFO Gripe Group) and BMUFOS (Bloody Minded UFO Society). He humorously describes a proposed development plan for BMUFOS and the need for "sterner action" to keep data within the group. International News mentions a requirement for "clean underwear" for an International Skywatch due to abduction possibilities. 'TRANSFER NEWS' details a fictional transfer of an investigator. 'LATE NEWS' introduces the "Hollow Tree Theory" from NSOMBUFOG, which claims to have found a hollow patch on a tree where UFOs were previously reported to emerge.

HEADLINES... STRIKE ACTION THREATENED BY UFO INVESTIGATORS

Investigators for BOUFOGG are threatening strike action due to unpaid expenses, seeking parity with other groups. BMUFOS chairman Mr. I.M. Best demands a long-term development plan, emphasizing the group's policy to be "the biggest and the best."

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The International Skywatch organizers urge participants to wear clean underwear due to abduction risks.

TRANSFER NEWS

The NSSUFOVG group has acquired investigator Guy Gercounter, who agreed to the transfer to answer letters addressed to him.

LATE NEWS

The NSOMBUFOG group claims to have solved the UFO riddle with a camera-equipped kite, finding a hollow patch on a tree. Rival IUFOS dismiss this theory, focusing on "nuts and bolts" hypotheses and predicting fewer UFO reports with the closure of Corby steelworks.

AFFILIATION OF UFO GROUPS AND NETWORK LIAISON by Terry Hooper (BFSB)

Hooper discusses the disorganization of British ufology and the need for groups to organize. He recounts the formation of MAUFOG (Members of the Affiliated UFO Groups) following a meeting in Trowbridge. The goal is cooperation on research, investigation, a classification system, and technical equipment sharing. Hooper emphasizes that MAUFOG is not intended to rival NUFON and suggests a conference in 1980. He outlines key discussion points: research cooperation, investigation ethics, regional areas for investigators, and joint conferences. He stresses the importance of mutual support and sorting out "back-biting" and jealousy within the community.

COOPERATION - NOW by David Sydeserff (UFOIN Scotland)

Sydeserff addresses the ongoing arguments and personality clashes within the UFO field, urging cooperation. He highlights the potential of UFOs to alter society and the harm caused to witnesses, citing examples like Jessup and MacDonald. He criticizes the "selfish sadists" who comprise some organizations and proposes cooperation as the solution. Sydeserff suggests a "British UFO Groups Network" with depositories (HQs) across the UK for housing reports. He emphasizes that the network should have one administrator and equal status for all members, with a subscription system for publications and access to files. He advocates for investigating "cultist organizations" and religious fanatics, and either shutting down hoaxes or offering genuine cases membership.

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM by Jenny Randles (MUFORA)

Randles acknowledges the need to focus on British ufology for practical purposes. She notes that the light-hearted contributions in this debate indicate the "absurd state of the art." She suggests that people get involved in ufology as a release from modern life, boosting their ego. Randles expresses doubt that ufology can be revitalized overnight, as people will likely continue to run their own groups and ideals. She believes cooperation, to a large extent, must remain a dream.

Randles further discusses the desire for autonomy among national groups and the need to avoid antagonizing relationships while speaking truth. She supports the investigatory approach of UFOIN and the research proposals of FSR's new Institute. She praises the "freewheeling 'everyone id equal'" principle of UFOIN and NUFON, which avoids bureaucracy and personality clashes. She sees NUFON as a communications system for independent groups and encourages compatible networks elsewhere. However, she questions the purpose of MAUFOG if it duplicates NUFON's function. She believes that while there will be dissent, the moves towards cooperation are positive, emphasizing that ufology is about cooperation between independent thinkers.

GOSSIP FROM UFOLK by Ivan Eartotheground (IURC)

Ivan reports on the First London International UFO Congress, mentioning a Manchester-based ufologist whose name was frequently mentioned by an American professor, much to the chagrin of congress organizers. He humorously notes the absence of the BUFORA Chairman's fiancé, who was reportedly train spotting. He also mentions two Irish ufologists interacting with a French engineer, speculating if they were seeking information about GEPAN. A "snail expert" from Nottingham is reported to have visited East-Europe, ostensibly to talk about mollusks but possibly distributing subversive magazines. Maggie Thatcher's "witch-hunt" worries a ufologist who worked with Guy Burgess, suspecting him as the "fifth man" and the Prime Minister as a double-agent for the MIBs. A postscript notes that an editor of a British UFO Review declined to comment on rumors about his involvement in "Ufology."

INVESTIGATIONS

This section details various UFO sightings and investigations:

• LOW DEFINITION UFO ACTIVITY:
• 76-165: March 2, 03:00, Fife, Scotland - Flares, assessed as Insufficient by Sydeserff.
• 78-249: Early 05:00, Llangefni, Gwynd - 5 Secs, assessed as C-Meteors by UFORA Sfs.
• 7999: Oct 17, 00:15, St Helens, Msysd - 3/4 Secs, assessed as B Meteors by MIGAP.
• 79-103: Dec 5, 21:30, Scunthorpe, Humb - 10 Min, assessed as C Insufficient by SUFORS.
• 79-101: Nov 19, 1979 (20:00), Sutton Heath, Mersyside - Brian Fishwick (MIGAP) reports a woman and daughter saw a semi-circle of about 6 white lights flashing anticlockwise, hovering over rooftops, then moving off NNW. Liverpool ATC reported no aircraft in the area.

• MEDIUM DEFINITION UFO ACTIVITY:
• 78-253: Nov 2, 19:50, Castle Eden, Tyne & Wear - 10 Min, CHRYSIS reports a bright star noted by a naval architect and girlfriend. It was a low, bright star that shot vertically, revealing red and green lights. Assessed as B Insufficient.
• 78-254: Nov 4, 18:15, Earl Shilton, Leics - 25 Min, HAPI reports a pulsating red dome seen by a woman and son. It was stationary and then left. Assessed as C Optical?.
• 78-255: Nov 8, 17:55, Hinckley, Leics - 2 Min, HAPI reports white lights passing silently on an E-W course, possibly behind a disc with a dome and windows. Assessed as C Insufficient.
• 7997: Jun 1, 03:00, Clayton-Le-Moors, Lancs - 1½ Min, MUFORA reports a 61-year-old woman saw a white oval "like a rowing boat" hovering silently, then moving E, floating like a balloon. Assessed as C Insufficient.
• 7998: Aug 24, 11:40, Coleshill, Wkshire - 1½ Min, UFOSIS reports three boys saw a silver dome shape with a dark underside above a fair. It moved away slowly, ascending with a zig-zag motion. Assessed as B Insufficient (possibly balloon).
• 79-100: Oct 24, 07:25, Up Holland, Lancs - Seconds, MIGAP reports a scientist saw a green tadpole streak across the sky on a descending course, matching multiple sightings of a fireball meteor.
• 79-104: Dec 18, 21:00, Hr Blackley, Gtr M/Cr - 5 secs, MUFORA reports a woman saw a bright white ball of light streak across the sky, also seen in Cheshire. Assessed as B Meteor.

UFO ON THE MOON? Case 78-251

Investigated by Gordon Barraclough (NLUFOIG). On June 11, 1978, a 16-year-old observed a black "cog" shaped object through a telescope. It was stationary for seconds, then moved towards the moon's terminator, rotated anti-clockwise, and disappeared. It reappeared, heading towards the terminator again, visible for 25 seconds.

EGG SHAPED UEO NEAR WIGAN Case 79-102

Investigated by Brian Fishwick (MIGAP). On November 28/29, 1979, a young woman reported hearing a bang and seeing a large egg-shaped object with a hazy halo and pulsating lights. It hovered and moved slowly. The Gtr Manchester police visited and were convinced of her integrity, relaying the case to NUFON.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the need for unity, cooperation, and professionalization within British ufology. There's a clear critique of the fragmented and often ego-driven nature of many UFO groups. The editorial stance, particularly from Jenny Randles, advocates for a more serious, evidence-based approach, while acknowledging the psychological reasons individuals are drawn to the subject. The issue champions the idea of structured networks and shared standards for investigation and research, moving away from what is perceived as a disorganized and sometimes sensationalist field. There's a strong undercurrent of frustration with internal squabbles and a call for serious ufologists to work together for the advancement of the subject.

Title: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Issue: PAGE TEN
Volume: January 1980
Date: January 1980
Publisher: NLUFOIG
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

Children Encounter Low-Level UFO

This article details an encounter on April 30, 1978, involving three witnesses: 13-year-old Debra Simpson and 12-year-old twins Guinivere and Charles Glasford. While walking home from Warton, Lancs, they observed an object moving slowly over houses in the SW. Initially presumed to be an aircraft, it descended to approximately 25 feet above the path, hovering and emitting a loud, high-pitched buzzing sound. The object was described as cigar-shaped with pointed ends, dull grey, and had three erratically flashing lights (red, orange, and yellow/white). The witnesses estimated its size to be about 17 feet in length and 6-7 feet in height at its widest point. They approached the object for two minutes, and when within 100 feet, it suddenly accelerated vertically and moved off NE at a fast speed. The children, frightened, ran home. They saw the object again in the distance, hovering over electricity pylons, before it moved very fast to the SW and disappeared. The sighting lasted for 10 minutes. Debra Simpson reportedly developed influenza immediately afterwards, and Guinivere had a recurring dream that relived the experience.

Solid Lightbeams Observed Yet Again

This report from October 8, 1978, in Stafford, Staffs, concerns witnesses David and Rosemary Simkins. While David was walking his dog, Chief, in the garden, the dog became frozen as if aware of an intruder. David then observed two beams of light in the ESE, described as identical and totally solid, emanating from two hazy oval blobs above an RAF Munitions base. The beams descended in front of a building on the base and cut off sharply at the top, not illuminating the surroundings. David went outside to observe more clearly. After ten seconds, he returned to call his wife. Upon returning to the garden, he saw the beams cut off instantaneously. The dog then returned to normal. The source of the beams, two sharply defined white ovals, remained visible at a 15-degree elevation. Within seconds, these ovals came closer, then shot instantly up into the sky to several hundred metres height and 60 degrees elevation in just two seconds. They stopped, then began to move slowly across the sky. David and Rosemary watched the two balls of light move slowly out of view over a period of six minutes. No sound was heard, and no object was seen behind the lights. An extensive investigation yielded no explanation.

Statistics and Acknowledgements

The issue includes statistics for the current period: 16 cases reported, with 6 insufficient data, 4 meteors, 1 reflection, and 5 (31%) identified as UFOs. The magazine thanks several organizations, including CHRYSIS, MIGAP, MUFORA, NLUFOIG, PARASEARCH, SUFORS, UFORA Staffs, and UFOSIS, as well as individuals David Sydeserff, John Hind, Terry Hooper, John Watson, and Nigel Watson for their contributions to this issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue focuses on detailed eyewitness accounts of unexplained aerial phenomena, including a low-level UFO encounter and the observation of unusual light phenomena associated with a military base. The reporting style is factual and descriptive, presenting the witness testimonies and investigative findings without overt sensationalism. The inclusion of statistics and acknowledgements suggests a community-oriented approach to ufology, valuing contributions and data collection. The magazine appears to be a platform for documenting and disseminating UFO/UAP reports within the Northern UK region.