Northern UFO News - No 79

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFONEWS
Issue: 79
Volume: DECEMBER 1980
Publisher: NORTHERN UFO NETWORK (NUFON)
Country: UK
Language: English
Cover Headline: NUFON

This issue of Northern UFO News, dated December 1980, is the publication of the Northern UFO Network (NUFON). It is edited by Jenny Randles (MUFORA) and features cover design by John Watson (CHRYSIS). The address for NUFON is 8 Whitethroat Walk, Birchwood, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 6PQ. Subscriptions for 1981 are due, costing £3.60 for 12 issues.

Editorial: "The Mysterious World of Arthur C. Clarke"

The editorial, written by Jenny Paul, critically examines Yorkshire TV's "Mysterious World" series featuring Arthur C. Clarke. The author questions the series' value, noting that it spent a significant amount of money but covered subjects superficially. Nick Lord, a production team member, is mentioned as having approached paranormal researchers for input. The editorial argues that Arthur C. Clarke was used primarily as a figurehead to sell the series to America, and that he had little genuine interest or knowledge of the subjects. The author criticizes the series for not delving into the core questions of UFO phenomena, comparing the investigations unfavorably to the Condon Committee. Despite the vast expenditure, the series is deemed a "bore" and an "expensive picture show" that taught viewers little beyond the existence of mysteries. The author notes that the UFO programme aired on November 4th and that she was given only two hours to provide data after 15 months of work. The editorial concludes by stating that the programme failed to address key questions and left viewers no wiser, likening the approach to a "trap" of assuming UFOs are spaceships and then logically disproving spaceships.

Editorial Cont...

Following up on the "Mysterious World" series, Jenny Paul reports that public reaction was not as significant as expected. She expresses a desire to know why Yorkshire TV spent so much money to achieve so little, suggesting it's a greater mystery than those presented in the series. The editorial also discusses the need for a steering committee within NUFON, proposing a body for negotiation and administration, drawing from discussions between NUFOIS and MUFORA. Les Hall and Syd Henley (NUFOIS), and Jenny Randles and Peter Warrington (MUFORA) have volunteered. This proposal is to be put to the groups for consideration, with objections to be raised by January 10th. A second proposal suggests that this steering committee, along with local group representatives, will be responsible for organization at future NUFON conferences.

News Round-Up

The news section reports a low response to the theme for the January 1981 issue, "UFOs Exist Because...", leading to the abandonment of a competition. It also notes a lack of response from groups updating their information for the 1981 Northern Groups Directory. Information is provided about the BUFORA 1981 International Congress in London (May 24-25), featuring speakers like Dr. Bruce Maccabee and Dr. Allen Hynek. A preliminary announcement is made about a two-day symposium for ufologists in Europe next summer, organized by UFO PHENOMENA. Jonny Randles of MUFORA addressed the House of Lords All-Party UFO group on December 2nd. UFO NETWORK in London offers a directory of UK UFO groups and publications for £1. A book recommendation is made for "PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE UNKNOWN" by Robert Rickard and Richard Kelly, priced at £7.95, described as a collection of evidence for the paranormal.

Elsewhere This Month

This section provides brief summaries of recent publications and articles relevant to UFO research:

• FSR (Flying Saucer Review): Vol 26 No 4 includes a report on the Clifton Campville CE1.
• FORTEAN TIMES: The Autumn 1980 issue features Hilary Evans on abductions, Ufocals, and the Enfield poltergeist.
• BUFORA JOURNAL: The November 1980 issue contains an article by Raymond Drake on UFOs in the past.
• LEMR: Publishes articles on "Paranormal or Normal?" and Lincolnshire mysteries.
• East Anglian mysteries: Featured in BSIGs Autumn 1980 LANTERN.
• SIGAPS PEGASUS: Includes several Surrey UFO cases (including a CE3).
• EARTHLINK: The Winter issue covers animal mutations and links between UFOs and fairies.
• QUEST: Features a look at the links between UFOs and fairies.
• SEARCH (West): A new magazine noted for its litho print photos, covering Warminster as a UFO "ghost-town" and UFO photography.

The Great Debate by Jenny Randles

This article details a one-day seminar held at Birmingham University on November 8th, focusing on UFOs and Extraterrestrial Life. The debate featured science journalist Ian Ridpath arguing against the extraterrestrial hypothesis for UFOs, while Peter Warrington and Jenny Randles presented the opposing view. Approximately 80 people attended, with a notable lack of ufologists present. Ridpath argued that while alien life might be abundant, there is no evidence for it, and that UFOs could not be extraterrestrial due to vast distances and physics. He cited the Hill Abduction and Travis Walton case as examples of hoaxes or misidentifications. Warrington and Randles focused on the ambiguity of UFO evidence, discussing media bias, witness bias, and investigator bias. They argued that despite spurious data, a phenomenon of some description existed. The debate concluded with a call for open-mindedness and a middle ground between outright skepticism and total acceptance, suggesting that a more honest approach from ufologists could foster better dialogue with skeptics.

Theory or Obsession? by John Morris (of MIGAP)

John Morris discusses the danger of conviction turning into obsession within investigations. He defines "theory" as a supposition to explain phenomena and "obsession" as the complete domination of the mind by one idea, leading to the rejection of any other theory. The author emphasizes that in investigation, the process of finding the answer is less important than the implications of that answer, questioning whether the goal is to serve one's ego or the human race.

Low Definition Activity

This section presents several low-definition UFO sighting reports:

• 79-144 (Oct 19): A man in Grimsthorpe, N. Yorks, saw a brilliant white light moving NE-SW for 2-3 minutes, initially thought to be a satellite.
• 8024 (May 17): An elderly lady in Morecambe, Lancs, saw an orange light with a halo, stationary at 20 degrees elevation, rising slightly before disappearing.
• 8040 (Sep 13): Two brothers in Kirton Lindsey, Lincs, saw an orange light over a quarry that faded and moved towards them before disappearing.
• 8042 (Oct 19): A woman in Glasson, Lancs, saw pulsing lights over the docks moving in a 10-degree arc for 10 minutes.

An Interesting Misidentification

This case, investigated by Jenny Randles (8044), involved John Booth and his family in Birchwood, Cheshire, who reported a pulsing white patch of light moving SE-NW. Investigations revealed that the phenomenon was likely reflections from a large oil refinery at Carrington, which was burning off fuel. The report highlights witness fallibility, as the family's testimony differed from the observed facts.

Medium Definition Activity

This section details medium-definition UFO sighting reports:

• The effects of a belief system (PARASEARCH Report by Stephen Banks): A case involving Karn Franck-Nye, who reported seeing two white blobs hovering in the SW for 10 minutes in September 1965 or 1966. The report notes her emotional nature and belief systems centered on obscure religions and psychic phenomena.
• 8041 (Oct 14): Sheila Lefley in Goole, Humberside, reported a round silver object at 2000 ft, reflecting light like a mirror, possibly a balloon from a local Air Force base.
• 8043 (Nov 11): Karl Sunderland in Flint, Clwyd, saw a blue/white light moving W-E, followed by a pink bar, described as "like a meteor".
• MYSTERIOUS PHENOMENON OVER CUMBRIA (March/April 1951): A man and his father touring moorland roads between Keswick and Carlisle saw a large, orange light that moved towards them and hovered, described as a cone of orange/red with a steam hiss noise. It was in view for about 30 minutes.
• EAST COAST ENCOUNTER (Aug 8 1980): A 17-year-old student in Humberston, Cleethorpes, Humberside, reported a tall, cigar-shaped object hovering vertically, estimated at 50 ft from the ground and 150-200 ft away. It emitted a beam of light.

Medium Definition Activity Cont...

• CE1 Psycho (Aug 14 1980): Nigel reports on a case in Grimsby, Humberside, where Mark Finning saw a bright white scissor-shaped object in the sky over Cleethorpes, visible for 50 minutes. The report suggests it might have been Venus.

Reports in this issue

A summary of reports includes: LOW (5), MED (4), CE1 (2), TOTAL 11. Insufficient data (4), Balloon (1), Meteor (1), Reflection (1), Satellite (1), Venus (1), UFO (2, 18%).

Thanks are given to MUFORA, MIGAP, NLUFOIG, PARASEARCH, SUFORS, John Morris, Bob Rickard, and David Seargent.

At Last - A CE 3!

This section reports on a CE 3 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) case that occurred on or about November 20, 1980, near Kendal in Cumbria. Mario Luisi observed a strange, "squashed-up airplane"-like object hovering off the ground. Two "entities," a man and a woman, emerged and used a pencil-like weapon to disable his lantern. They warned him not to speak about the markings on the craft or their clothing before entering the craft and ascending. A farmer, Sue Critchley, claims to have seen a similar object in daylight five days later. An investigation is ongoing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical examination of media portrayals of UFO phenomena, the importance of rigorous investigation, the fallibility of witness testimony, and the distinction between genuine inquiry and obsessive adherence to a particular theory. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards sensationalized media presentations and a call for a more balanced, open-minded, yet critical approach to UFO research. There is an emphasis on detailed case analysis and a desire to move beyond simplistic explanations.