Northern UFO News - No 72

Magazine Overview

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated May 1980 and identified as Issue 72, focuses on ongoing UFO investigations and discussions within the UK ufology community. The magazine is in the process of relocating its address to Warrington, with future issues planned to cover specific themes such as 'UFCs & the paranormal' and 'Physical Evidence'.

Editorial: "I want to tell you a story"

The editorial reflects on the existence and progress of ufology, questioning whether the community is truly seeking to solve a great enigma or merely playing a game. The author argues that significant progress has largely come from individuals, particularly through books that offer novel insights, rather than from large research groups or investigation teams. The editorial criticizes the tendency for books to rehash old cases ('golden oldies') or outdated theories without offering new perspectives. It praises the recent surge in literary output from British ufologists, highlighting the importance of authors taking risks and presenting new interpretations to stimulate debate. The author emphasizes the responsibility of these authors to British ufology.

News Round-Up

This section provides updates on various individuals and groups within the ufology scene. Bernard Delair has retired from official positions due to work pressure but remains involved in ufology and CONTACT UK. Edward Harris, former editor of COSTICLOGY NEWSLINK, has a new address and is releasing Volume Two of 'Our Wierd Universe'. Les Hall of MUFOIS has developed a two-hour presentation program called "An Introduction to UFO" for local clubs, with plans for a sequel titled "UFO UK". They are seeking tape recordings of witness interviews and photographic material.

SCUFON is Underway

The Scottish UFO Network (SCUFON) was initiated on March 8th in Dundee by Arthur Lynch and David Sydeserff. It aims to cover Scotland more effectively and will act as a subsidiary of NUFO!, storing its files at the Nottingham HQ. Affiliation will be on an individual basis, and SCUFON will publish 'Investigation Guidelines' and monthly magazines named SCOTTISH UFO BULLETIN and SCOTTISH UFOLOGY. A membership fee of £5 was agreed, and SCUFON plans a meeting in Perth for October 4th.

NUFON success: Liverpool YIICA April 19

The 17th NUFON meeting, organized by MIGAP in Liverpool, was attended by seven groups. Discussions included the southern alliance MAUFOG, with hopes for a joint conference. Improvements to the Nottingham HQ and files were discussed, including plans for detailed cross-file indexes. Future meetings were planned, with PARASEARCH agreeing to stage the next meeting in cooperation with UFOSIS, possibly in Wolverhampton or Birmingham.

Magazine Reviews

• This section reviews several publications:
• BUFORA's second Journal of Transient Aerial Phenomena, featuring articles on UFO event duration and the MIB scene.
• AWARENESS from CONTACT, with a survey of the MIB scene.
• Mersey News from MIGAP, featuring general articles.
• Lincolnshire Dragon, a quarterly publication costing £2 pa.
• MAGIC SAUCER, a children's UFO magazine with a story about a 3-inch entity.
• NORTHERN EARTH MYSTERIES, praised for its features on the North Yorks Moors and geomantic enigmas.
• UFO NEWS BULLETIN, reprinting UK sightings and features on liaison.

The review also humorously notes a suggestion to rename MUFON "EWING ENTERPRISES" due to a perceived similarity to an editor's initials.

Investigations

This section details several UFO investigations:

• LOW DEFINITION CASES:
• 79-133 (Sept 13): Whitwick, Leicstr. Four teenage witnesses observed a Y/W ball with a trail moving W to NE for 14 minutes, during extensive night pilot training.
• 79-134 (Sept 28): Loghborough, Leicstr. Two W LITS hovered for 15 seconds then moved off with flashing R LITS, during night pilot training.
• 8008 (Jan 6): Burton on Trent, Staffs. A couple observed LITS flashing or green for 20 minutes, stationary at 10 degrees elevation in the N.

• MEDIUM DEFINITION CASES:
• 7475 (Feb 7): Sheffield, S Yorks. A council worker saw a huge orange oval hovering low over the road, which rose slowly and then disappeared. No traces were found.

• FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS (Page 4):
• 79-131 (May 24): Measham, Leicstr. A grey lens-shaped object was seen hovering over fields, then accelerated to a speck on the horizon.
• 79-132 (Sept 1): Sheffield, S Yorks. A grey circular object, like an egg, streaked past, accompanied by barking dogs.
• 79-135 (Dec 18): Burton-on-Trent, Staffs. Eight witnesses observed a white oval object, like an egg, with an aura, moving slowly and erratically.
• 79-136 (Dec 19): Woodchurch, Wirral. A bright W star was observed by schoolchildren and teachers, descending and rising.
• 8007 (Jan 19): Goole, Humberside. A diamond-shaped dark object with triangular formations of red, green and white lights was seen heading S.
• 8010 (Feb 13): Bromborough, Wirral. Two women observed a rounded cigar with a rim of red and white LITS, which moved away very fast.
• 8011 (Feb 17): Rock Ferry, Wirral. A formation of 7/8 'whale-like' ovals, dark grey in colour, cruised along the Mersey estuary.
• 8012 (Mar 1): Bidston, Wirral. A grey disc-like object with two W LITS on top moved silently overhead.
• 3015 (Apr 7): Grantham, Lincs. A rounded object emitting W LITS, surrounded by yellow portholes, was observed.
• 8017 (Apr 20): Garden City, Clwyd. A silver cigar was seen pacing an aircraft with a vapour trail.

CE1 Investigation by Brian Fishwick of MIGAP

Date: March 17 1980, Location: Rainhill, Hersyside. Mrs Margerie Sherrard and two companions reported seeing a light descending onto fields, followed by a figure in the road, and later two more figures. They also observed a red light low over the fields, which appeared as a red conical object. The car radio was found inoperative the next day. Liverpool ATC reported no air traffic in the vicinity.

CE2 TR Investigation by CUFORO

Date: January 10 1980, Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicstrshire. Mr H and his wife saw a green light rise in front of them. Later, Mr M and his sons saw a similar blue/green irregular light hovering by trees. Four trees were found to have deep lacerations at 25 feet above the ground, aligned in the direction of the light. Local naturalists and farmers could not explain the damage.

A BRAND NEW RADAR/VISUAL CASE FROM ENGLAND

This section details a significant radar/visual encounter that occurred on Tuesday, April 1, 1980, between 19.05 and 20.45 GMT. East Midlands ATC notified details of an unknown object tracked heading NE to SW, which was also observed by Birmingham, Manchester, and London ATCC. The object maintained a steady course against the wind at an accurate speed of 44 MPH, with performance indicating a height of about 10,000 feet. A light aircraft from Coventry airport had visual contact, describing it as a brilliant car headlight beaming through mist. The case is under full-scale investigation, and John Cuthbertson, an ATC operator with 20 years of experience, stated he was "stumped for an explanation."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the organizational structure and progress of British ufology groups (NUFON, SCUFON, MAUFOG), and the critical role of individual researchers and authors in advancing the field. The editorial stance emphasizes a desire for genuine progress and new insights, cautioning against the mere repetition of old material and highlighting the importance of rigorous investigation and open debate. There is a clear focus on documenting specific cases, from low-definition sightings to high-profile radar/visual encounters, and exploring potential physical evidence or damage associated with these phenomena.