Northern UFO News - No 75

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Issue: 75
Date: August 1980
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (MUFON)
Country: UK
Theme: Physical Evidence: Its Extent and Validity

This issue of Northern UFology delves into the complex and often elusive nature of physical evidence in the context of UFO phenomena. The cover art depicts two figures examining circular ground marks, with a 'Mobile Research Unit' van in the background, setting the tone for an investigation into tangible proof.

Editorial: "The Dallas Connection"

Editor Jenny Randles opens the issue with a thought-provoking editorial that draws a parallel between the popular TV series "Dallas" and the field of Ufology. Randles suggests that, much like viewers identifying with characters in the show, individuals within Ufology tend to align themselves with specific theories (such as the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis - ETH) and often display remarkable ingenuity in justifying any perceived weaknesses in their chosen model. This tendency, Randles argues, is not unique to one group of Ufologists and highlights how theories can take on the characteristics of their supporters. The editorial poses the question of whether UFO origins are inherently subjective, dependent on individual perspectives and circumstances, akin to arguing who is 'right' in the "Dallas" narrative. Randles calls for a study into the psychological backgrounds of Ufologists and their relationship with UFO data. She concludes by expressing sympathy for Cliff Barnes from "Dallas", whose desire for change and improvement is met with pressure and obstruction, a sentiment she finds resonates with her own experiences and perhaps the state of British Ufology.

News of the Month

This section covers several upcoming and recent events and news items:

• UFO Symposium at Birmingham University (November 8): A "court-room" style debate on whether UFOs exist, featuring science writer Ian Ridpath arguing against their existence, and Peter Warrington and Jenny Randles presenting the opposing view. A call is made for widespread support from active Ufologists to promote the serious nature of the subject.
• Nigel Watson's New Address: An update for the group directory.
• MIGAP Field Weekend in Warminster: A successful viewing and photographing of an unidentified phenomenon, with further details to be published.
• Counter to Pro-UFO Psychic Link-up Articles: Bob Morrell of NUFOIS submitted a detailed counter-argument, too lengthy for this publication but to be featured in the journal INVESTIGATION.
• UFO DIRECTORY Service: A recommendation for a comprehensive directory of UFO groups, centres, and publications.
• John Watson's Cover Art: A note that John Watson, the cover artist since January 1979, consistently includes a trademark alien, and readers are invited to look for it.
• Publication Reviews: Brief mentions of other UFO publications:
• FSR (Flying Saucer Review): Price increase noted, with the new issue featuring close encounters from various countries and updates on the New Elgin CE3 case.
• MAGONIA: Spring 80 issue includes a piece on the Airship wave in the UK and the Wallasey CE4 case.
• NORTHERN EARTH MYSTERIES 7: Features abstracts on northern mysteries like leys and circles, with an exhibition announced.
• LINCOLNSHIRE DRAGON 2: Includes a report on EM effects.
• PEGASUS: A new issue with an EM effects case.
• Book Review: "The Heart of the Mystery? The Andreasson Affair" by Raymond Fowler: This Bantam paperback summarises a US CE4 case involving abduction, medical examinations, visions, and an MIB sequel. The reviewer finds the book interesting but criticizes its dry transcript from regressions, suggesting it demonstrates the fallacy of regression hypnosis data as fact and leaves questions about the Andreasson family unanswered. Despite its flaws, it is recommended as essential reading due to the lack of similar books.

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: Its Extent and Validity

This is the central theme of the issue, explored through several articles:

INFRA-RED TECHNIQUES IN PARANORMAL RESEARCH by Terry Cox

Terry Cox, a UFOIN investigator, details his initiation into infra-red (IR) photography in 1978, inspired by Trevor James Constable's work. Cox aimed to achieve repeatable physical evidence by photographing the sky or UFO sites using IR equipment. His experiments in Cornwall yielded startling results, including shots showing a UFO-like object and a phenomenon he dubbed "the black hole." He also captured a fleeting image of a shaft of light or lightbeam-like pillar at Glastonbury. Cox notes that objects photographed appear to "burn" their images onto the film emulsion, a characteristic also observed by Constable. He found some of his objects were identical to Constable's. While these objects are not visible to the naked eye, his wife sometimes senses a flash of light. Cox also captured images of elemental beings and a spooky ephemeral object. He acknowledges that technical factors can affect print reproduction but asserts the sky-objects are clearly visible and unlike camera defects. Cox agrees with Constable that the atmosphere may contain invisible life detectable by IR techniques. He suggests that these reproducible experiments and their similarity to UFO shapes offer a means of generating "made-to-order" physical evidence. The article provides technical details on equipment (HIE 135-20 film, Wratten 884 filter, deep red filter) and self-development recommendations for IR film, advising on developer, printing paper grade, and loading/unloading in total darkness.

DO FLYING SAUCERS GO CLANG? by Peter Warrington

Peter Warrington, a UFOIN investigator and chairman of MUFORA, addresses the question of whether flying saucers are physical. He recounts a tale of a South African who claimed to have emptied his shotgun at a low object that went "clang," though the tale was unsubstantiated. Warrington asserts that for witnesses who have had close encounters, the question of physicality is often resolved; flying saucers are real and physical. He shares an encounter experienced by Alan Fallows, who saw an egg-shaped object the size of a double-decker bus. Warrington distinguishes between the witness's perception of reality and physical structure. He argues that for those questioning the existence of hard physical evidence, the burden of proof lies with them. He notes that past attempts to prove UFOs are physical have used poor examples and failed to gain widespread support, leading the subject to more elaborate models that do not rely solely on physical properties. Warrington suggests that any UFO model should incorporate aspects of physical evidence, using ball lightning as an example of something that can leave physical effects. He concludes that while better quality evidence for a real phenomenon exists, the evidence for a physical phenomenon remains to be proven, and theories built on unproven assumptions are like houses built on sand.

CONCRETE EVIDENCE, OR IS IT MERELY PUTTY? by Andy Collins

Andy Collins, a UFOIN investigator, explores the assumption that UFOs are physical craft from distant galaxies, an assumption held by most investigators, percipients, and even scientists. He argues that if UFOs are physical, they must be visiting us and might make open contact. Collins recounts an experience where a London businessman, despite having witnessed paranormal phenomena, dismissed the idea of physical UFOs, suggesting that if poltergeist outbreaks can cause physical effects, then UFOs (physical or not) could be products of the mind. This challenges Collins, who seeks proof that living entities are involved. He examines trace reports, noting that while multiple witnesses exist, psychic percipients often appear, suggesting a link between witness and phenomenon. He also finds that descriptions of UFOs and entities vary widely, depending on the percipient's subconscious desires and beliefs. Collins points out correlations between phenomena attributed to poltergeist outbreaks (EM anomalies, malfunctioning watches, flickering lights) and those attributed to UFO traces. He references John Keel's theory on channeling energies from psychic levels into temporary physical matter and the possibility suggested by Randles and Warrington that the mind acts as a catalyst in determining UFO manifestations. Collins concludes that concrete evidence for UFOs appears to be "putty," manipulated by beliefs, and that the idea of super-intelligent spacemen might be a manifestation of a collective desire to believe in something.

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: Its Extent and Validity Cont... by Terry Cox

Terry Cox continues his discussion, acknowledging that while some might be tempted to dismiss the ETH based on the lack of conclusive physical evidence, the arrival of articles on crashed saucers and sworn statements suggests a need to rethink the concept of UFOs. He references several publications and cases, including "The Cosmic Question" by John Keel, "UFOs: A British Viewpoint" by Randles and Warrington, and "Retrievals of the third kind" by L. Stringfield. Cox emphasizes that if retrieval claims are genuine, the understanding of UFOs must change.

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW by Jenny Randles

Jenny Randles addresses the core question: if physical evidence exists, then UFOs are real, but if not, they cannot be. She argues this is an oversimplification. Using dreams as an example of subjective experience, she notes that while we accept their reality, proving them is difficult. Randles then examines the existence of physical evidence for UFOs, comparing them to helicopters and rainbows. She suggests that while helicopters can be detected by radar and leave physical traces, UFOs are more elusive. She points out that modern radar systems are often not designed to detect UFOs, and any tracked unknown targets might be kept secret for national security reasons. Photographic proof of helicopters is often poor, and UFOs are much rarer. She also considers ground traces like crop circles or imprint marks, noting that natural erosion would quickly remove them. Randles concludes that the search for physical evidence may be as elusive as a pot of gold, suggesting that UFOs might be phenomena akin to dreams and rainbows, with scanty evidence for anything more substantial.

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: Its Extent and Validity Cont... by Terry Cox

Cox continues by stating that while one might expect physical evidence if UFOs were machines, the evidence is not readily available. He contrasts this with the rainbow example, where atmospheric phenomena are distant and lack solid structures for photography. He concludes that UFOs might be ephemereal, similar to dreams and rainbows, with limited substantial evidence. He suggests that the next step is to examine how to scientifically analyze such phenomena.

INVESTIGATIONS

This section details ongoing investigative efforts and reports:

• Missing NUFON Reports: Syd Henley, indexing NUFON and UFOIN reports, requests help from groups and individuals to locate missing reports from the past five years due to past security lapses. He assures readers that security has since been tightened.
• Low Definition Activity: A table lists several low-definition sightings:
• Ref 78-265 (Jan 28, Winsford, Cheshire): Single witness observed yellow/orange LITS moving slowly.
• Ref 8027 (Jan 20, Mossley Hill, Merseyside): A detailed report by John Morris of MIGAP describes an event involving an 18-year-old amateur astronomer and his mother observing an object shaped like a triangle of LITS that flashed orange, red, and green. The object was stationary, then moved slowly southeast. No sound was heard. Checks for identification proved negative.
• Medium Definition Activity: Another table lists medium-definition sightings:
• Ref 7137 (Aug 16, Gobowen, Salop): A case related to a photograph evaluated as Mars, involving a witness who saw an orange LITS that resolved into an egg-shaped object. Many sightings occurred that night due to Mars being close to Earth.
• Ref 78-266 (Nov 27, Chester, Cheshire): A similar object to the MIGAP report was seen, with corroboration from other groups. A hospital worker described it as a dark kite shape with a red light, silent and moving west.
• Ref 79-140 (Sep 28, Spalding, Lincs): Sightings of a triangular object with red and white lights, followed by a humming sound. Some reports mentioned vertical searchlight beams. One discrepancy noted was a dome-like object with orange lights.
• Ref 8026 (Jan 12, Spalding, Lincs): A repeat performance involving three sets of witnesses describing a silent phenomenon with a soft whirring sound, characterized by yellow/white lights and a rotating red light underneath. The object was seen as diamond-shaped or an irregular pentagon.
• Ref 8028 (Mar 30, Dundee, Scotland): An investigation involving an off-duty police officer and his wife who heard a hollow metallic humming and saw four glows in a diamond formation. One detached and landed. Police also heard the noise.
• MYSTERIOUS TREMOR AND UFO OVER SCOTLAND: A summary of a 34pp UFOIN report detailing a shock-wave felt by witnesses north and south of the Firth of Forth, accompanied by rumbling sounds and secondary effects. One witness reported a "premonition," another saw a vapor trail, and a third saw a yellow rounded object. A TV set reportedly exploded at the time of the sighting. Analysis by the Institute of Geological Sciences ruled out earthquake, satellite, or fireball reentry. The Met Office ruled out thunder, and the RAF stated it was not a jet.

A NEW MIB ENCOUNTER?

Report by Danny Cheveaux of MIGAP:

This section details an encounter experienced by Mrs Lilian Owens in Wavertree, Merseyside, in Spring 1977. She had a "feeling" to turn around and saw a man in her doorway. He wore new clothes, had blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, and a deep tan. He asked for trousers, which Mrs Owens did not have. When she tried to shut the door, he blocked it. He then vanished. Later, he "materialised" behind her in her living room and asked for a drink of water. Frightened, she went to call the police, but he vanished again without trace before she could complete the call. This experience was so upsetting that she had to leave her house. In the summer of the same year, Mrs Owens awoke to a bright light and saw a round ball with blue vertical lines, which moved away. The report notes that 1977 was a wave year for UFOs in the UK, particularly May-July.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS AFTER A CLOSE ENCOUNTER

Report by Danny Cheveaux of MIGAP:

This case involves Billy Owens, son of the witness in the previous encounter. In mid-December 1979, returning from a night shift, Billy experienced a feeling that something was approaching. He saw a light resembling a motorcycle headlight. As it came closer, he felt the hair on his neck tingle. He then saw a weird object, described as a fluorescent white balloon, about seven feet in diameter, hovering five feet off the ground. It moved silently and then streaked upwards and out of sight. Upon reaching home, his wife noticed his hair was standing on end, similar to an electrostatic charge, and he had goose pimples. He was scared for some time afterward, and his hair remained affected for two days. The report notes parallels with ball lightning but highlights the object's size as being outside accepted parameters. It questions whether Billy suffered other effects, such as disturbances to wristwatches or loss of appetite.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the persistent challenge of obtaining and interpreting physical evidence for UFO phenomena. The articles collectively question the reliability and sufficiency of current evidence, exploring the role of witness perception, psychological factors, and the limitations of investigative techniques. There is a clear editorial stance that while the subject of UFOs is taken seriously, a critical and analytical approach is necessary, avoiding unsubstantiated theories and acknowledging the complexities involved. The issue encourages rigorous investigation and a willingness to reconsider established concepts when confronted with new information or persistent questions about the nature of UFOs.

This document is an announcement for the NUFON Annual Conference, scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 1980. The conference's central theme is 'UFOs: Close Encounters in the past, present and future'. The announcement emphasizes that the event will feature a comprehensive program with some of Britain's leading researchers in the UFO field, presenting their latest views on this enigmatic topic.

Conference Program and Speakers

The conference aims to bring together a wide range of thinkers, many of whom are active in the UFO media and have made significant contributions to the subject. The program is divided into segments focusing on different time periods:

The Past:

• Kevin McClure, UFOIN investigator and UFO coordinator with the Society for Psychical Research, author of 'Stars and Rumours of Stars', will speak on religious phenomena, paranormal events, and UFO encounters in Britain's first wave (1904-05) in Wales. He will address the question: 'What is a UFO wave?'

The Present:

• Frank Johnson, UFOIN investigator and former head of department at Birmingham University, specializing in Zoology, will unveil one of the most bizarre cases to materialize in the UK. He will discuss an incredible abduction from Farringdon, Oxfordshire, published in September, titled 'The Janos People', and explore whether beings from 'Janos' are waiting to settle on our planet.
• Martin Keatman, UFOIN investigator, BUFORA RIC, and a prolific ufologist, will explain his theory of 'Acceptance Levels' in relation to recent UK Close Encounters, suggesting that what we see might be what we desire to see. He will explore the source of Close Encounters.

The Future:

• Andy Collins, UFOIN investigator, who is working on his book 'The Chosen', will present research with CE witnesses, arguing that Earth is heading for a new age and that contacts are paving the way. He will question if contactees are chosen and by whom.
• John Day, the main percipient in Britain's most famous contact case, will discuss his abduction with his wife and children on board a UFO near Aveley, Essex, in October 1974. He will detail the information received about the reason for the contact and explore who is responsible for abductions.
• Jenny Randles, UFOIN secretary and author of 'UFOs: A British Viewpoint', will present results from a 'mammoth worldwide study of UFO contact cases'. She aims to comprehend their nature and meaning, questioning whether humanity is responsible for these contacts or if there is an external source.

Event Details and Logistics

The conference promises to be engaging, with ample time for audience questions after each presentation. Several other leading ufologists and special guests are expected to attend. An informal discussion session is planned for Sunday, with speakers and attendees invited to stay over.

The event is described as an ideal day out for families, offering stalls selling UFO literature, display stands, exhibitions, and a public enquiry desk. A refreshment stall will be available, and advice on overnight accommodation can be obtained from the organizers.

The program starts at 10:15 and concludes at 17:30. Tickets are priced at £1.00 and can be purchased in advance.

The venue is Dr Johnson's House, Bull Street (by Lewis's) in Birmingham.

The event is co-hosted by PARASEARCH (Staffs) and UFOSIS (West Midlands), both associate groups of the NUFON network.

Details and tickets can be obtained from A.B. Collins (UFO CON) at 19 St Davids Way, Wickford, Essex SS11 8EX. Phone inquiries can be made at Tel: 03744 - 4189 during evenings and weekends.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The announcement reflects a strong interest in UFO phenomena, particularly 'Close Encounters', and a desire to present serious research and analysis. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting open discussion and investigation into UFOs, encouraging the presentation of new theories and documented cases. There is an underlying theme of exploring the nature of UFO contacts, their origins, and their implications for humanity, with a focus on UK-based cases and research. The organizers aim to provide a platform for both established and emerging voices in the ufology community.