Northern UFO News - No 78

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFONEWS
Issue: 78
Date: November 1980
Publisher: NORTHERN UFO NETWORK (NUFON)
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of NORTHERN UFONEWS, published eight times a year as part of a monthly series with NORTHERN UFOLOGY, is edited by Jenny Randles and features cover design by John Watson. The subscription rate for 1981 is £3.60 for 12 issues. The main cover graphic depicts the UK with numerous UFOs, industrial silhouettes, and wind turbines.

Editorial: The Ufologist Effect

The editorial, penned by JR (Jenny Randles), explores the concept of the "Ufologist Effect," drawing parallels to the "experimenter effect" in psychic research. It posits that UFO sightings may be influenced by the presence of ufologists, with certain locations becoming "window areas" associated with specific investigators (e.g., Warminster with Arthur Shuttlewood, Milford Haven with Randall Jones-Pugh). The author dismisses the idea that these investigators fabricate sightings, asserting that they genuinely attract more interesting cases. The editorial suggests that cases often reinforce personal theories, citing Nigel Watson's observation of an increase in angel and winged being sightings when he was interested in them, and a similar experience with CE4 cases for Peter Warrington and the author.

A study by Geoff Falla, correlating 1967 UK UFO sightings with population density, is discussed. This work, similar to research by Jacques Vallee and the Swedish group AFU, found fewer UFO observations in densely populated areas. Falla also identified a line between Heysham (Lancashire) and Chipping Norton (Oxfordshire) that passed through many 1967 cases, a feature dubbed "HEYCHIP." This line is noted to pass through places with names suggestive of "ley lines" and is close to locations of significant UFO events, including the author's own area of Risley. A survey of UFOIN investigators revealed that a significant percentage live within close proximity to this HEYCHIP line, leading to questions about coincidence.

Another line, "OLWAR," is proposed, connecting Oldham and Warminster, which also intersects with UFO locations. The editorial questions whether ufologists are drawn to such areas or if they somehow create them, and whether other weird phenomena occur near these lines.

UFOs Do Not Exist?

This section poses a question for the next NORTHERN UFOLOGY issue: "UFOs EXIST BECAUSE?" Readers are invited to submit up to 1000 words of evidence that convinces them of UFO existence, with a prize for the best submission (requiring at least three entries).

Birmingham Conference Report

The issue reports on a one-day conference held on October 11, hosted by PARASEARCH and UFOSIS, focusing on the CE4 experience. The event featured research results and controversy, with lively questions and a discussion on the complexity of the contact phenomenon and its divergent interpretations. Collated papers from the conference are to be published.

NUFON-MAUFOG Plan Joint Conference

An agreement was reached at the October 11 event for a joint one-day conference between NUFON and MAUFOG working parties. This event will be hosted by UFOSIS in Birmingham on February 7, 1981. The aim is to bring UK local groups together for discussion and future cooperation, without merging the networks. A potential outcome is the development of a code of ethics for UFO investigation.

News Round-Up

• NUFOIS Affiliation: NUFOIS has decided to remain associated with NUFON, despite feelings on the paranormal, for the common interests of ufology.
• MIGAP Promotion: MIGAP has developed a unique promotional strategy involving newsagents delivering their leaflets with newspapers covering major UFO stories.
• SPR UFO Study Team: The Society for Psychical Research (SPR) has launched a UFO study team, coordinated by Hilary Evans and Kevin McClure, to provide advice and skeptical analysis.
• ALPHA Demise: The part-work "THE UNEXPLAINED," which covered UFOs and more, is noted, with contributions from leading UK writers.
• APEN Project: Geoff Bird is seeking data on APEN for a new project on the mystery body.

BUFORA International Congress

BUFORA has announced details for its second international congress in London on May 24/25. Interested individuals can submit papers for consideration before January.

Elsewhere This Month

Two magazines are mentioned: "Northern Earth Mysteries 9" and the "Guernsey UFO Research Group Circular."

Interstellar Refugees? "The Janos People" by Frank Johnson

This section reviews Frank Johnson's book "The Janos People," which details a potential CE4 case. The author criticizes Johnson's "face-value" hypothesis, which accepts the story as literal truth without considering alternative explanations. The book describes a mass-landing of "Janos People" whose planet was destroyed. While acknowledging the book's writing and illustrations, the reviewer notes its lack of overview and questions the public's reaction to such claims.

The Government Intervenes by Geoff Grundill of NLUFOIG

This article argues that the government is aware of the UFO phenomenon, citing a House of Lords debate. It suggests that the CIA may be suppressing information due to potential public panic and that "Men in Black" (MIBs) operate similarly to CIA agents. The author posits that the CIA might plant agents in UFO organizations and silence or frighten witnesses. The article also suggests that the CIA could be responsible for "laying false trails" and that missing files might be in CIA possession. The theory is supported by Jacques Vallee's "Messengers of Deception."

The Expert by John Morris of MIGAP

John Morris addresses inaccuracies in reporting, particularly concerning Arthur C. Clarke's statements about UFOs in the SUNDAY MIRROR. Clarke stated he had seen six UFOs, all with logical explanations, leading to the conclusion that UFOs don't exist. Morris points out the contradiction in Clarke's statement, as identified flying objects (IFOs) are not UFOs. He argues that such misrepresentations can mislead readers and that scientific reporting requires accuracy.

A New UFOCAL? by Paul Screetón

Paul Screetón recounts nine significant UFO sightings experienced by his family. He notes that his children seem to be "repeaters" of sightings, which complicates his working hypothesis for a forthcoming book. He discusses the dilemma of exposing children to potential mockery and the preference for a low profile. The author details personal sightings, including an Adamski-type saucer, cigar-shaped craft, a silvery craft, and a bobbing light. He mentions that CHRYSIS investigated one sighting, with a report appearing in a previous issue of Northern UFO News.

Northern UFO News... 5 (Continued)

This section continues the narrative from Paul Screetón's article, detailing further family sightings in 1980. His son Ian reported seeing a UFO that emitted a lightbeam, causing him to fall off his cycle. Ian, his sister Christy, and Kathryn later observed a yellow UFO with a red rim emitting red sparks. Both children drew the object, producing similar results. The author also mentions seeing eerie orange balls above the BSC plant, which a neighbor confirmed had also been seen by his father. The author is certain the children are not fabricating these events and questions why young children share so many sightings.

Low Definition Cases

• August 22, 1980 (00:15): Coldstream, Scotland. A yellow oval light was seen, with a whispering noise and "burning" sensation. The moon was full and in the same position.
• August 22, 1980 (02:15): Lennel, Scotland. Two green lights, described as "animals eyes," were seen moving along a hedgerow and took a sharp right-hand turn before vanishing.

These reports are to be published in more detail by SCUFON.

Frightening Car Journey - MUFORA Investigation by Peter Hough

• October 5, 1979 (02:00): Golborne, Greater Manchester. Two men reported seeing a "W lightball" that resolved into a saucer shape with a central row of orange lights. The object was estimated to be 30-35 ft in diameter and 70-80 ft in height. It rotated, changed sound, and then vanished. Similar objects have been reported in the area.

Return of the Golborne Thing - MUFORA Investigation by Peter Hough

• August 31, 1980 (01:40): Golborne, Greater Manchester. Two independent reports described a shower of red sparks from a rectangle/oval object with an orange mist and pulsing red light. An orange window was seen on the sides and two yellow lights on the end. The object hovered for 25 minutes before leaving. Another witness saw the object shoot overhead at high speed.

The Nasty Side of a UFO Encounter - Parasearch Investigation by Martin Keatman

• February 21, 1967 (23:00): Stafford, Staffs. A 37-year-old woman, Patricia Blake, recounted an encounter where a large object with an orange bar light and a grey dome with flashing windows hovered over rooftops. The object emitted a high-pitched hum that caused pain. A musty smell pervaded the bedroom afterward, and the dog remained fretful. The witness experienced ear/jaw pain and fatigue.

A Possible CE3 Car-Stop - EMPRA Investigation by Mark Brown

• July 17, 1980 (00:25): Ellistown, Leicestershire. Mr. White's car stopped, his watch stopped, and he encountered a tall, thin man. He then saw a dark, pudding-basin-shaped object with a beam of light projecting into the sky. The car's petrol gauge later showed full, and the car started. EMPRA analysis suggests an EM field is unlikely to cause such gauge failure, and the watch failure is also unaccountable.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of UFO investigation, the potential for psychological and environmental influences on sightings (the "Ufologist Effect"), and the role of government in UFO phenomena. There is a strong emphasis on detailed case reporting and analysis, with contributions from various investigative groups. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging reader participation in debates and investigations, while also acknowledging the complexities and potential for misinterpretation within the field. The magazine promotes regional cooperation among UFO groups and highlights the importance of accuracy in reporting.