Northern UFO News - No 85

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 85
Date: June 1981
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, dated June 1981, presents a blend of editorial commentary, detailed case studies of UFO sightings, and news from the ufological community. The magazine aims to provide a platform for serious investigation and discussion of UFO phenomena, often in contrast to media sensationalism.

Editorial: "Only when you laugh"

Editor Jenny Randles addresses the perceived contradiction between her usual avoidance of media attention and her recent extensive publicity drive for her book 'UFO STUDY'. She explains that while she generally dislikes the ufological thirst for publicity, there are times when engagement with the media is necessary to convey the message and counter misinformation. Randles advocates for boldness, truthfulness, and honesty when confronting the media, arguing that this approach allows some reality to emerge through the 'filter of ridicule'. As a writer, she acknowledges the need to sell books and therefore oblige publishers' arrangements for interviews. She details her pre-publication tour, which included TV spots, newspaper interviews, and radio slots, during which she focused on a consistent 'message': that 90% of UFO data is spurious, simple misidentifications are common, and while direct evidence of aliens is lacking, there is evidence of a real, physical phenomenon that can affect the environment and is not easily dismissed as mass hallucination.

Randles highlights the BBC TV slot as excellent for stressing these points and discussing the difficulties in analyzing UFO photographs. A Radio One program allowed her to explain misidentifications to younger listeners, and an LBC children's phone-in provided a chance to discuss UFOs and natural atmospheric phenomena. She notes that her politely skeptical approach, which she emphasizes is the only sensible one, often led to questions about her interest in UFOs, allowing her to state that a mystery exists, which is often physical and real, and that the public has a right to know the truth.

Despite some 'silly spots' in the media, such as a SUN article about 'the little green trouser-grabbers' referring to an interview with Stuart Campbell, Randles believes the overall effort was worthwhile. She acknowledges that the media often sensationalizes cases, but she feels that the core message about the mystery of UFOs was conveyed.

News and Announcements

Several news items and announcements are included:

• "Car Stop" Theme: No articles were received for the 'Car Stop' theme for the July issue, so it has been opened up for general submissions due by June 28.
• Merger Plans: Plans are underway to merge NORTHERN UFO NEWS with the UFO RESEARCH REVIEW. This merger aims to provide a better quality monthly product, retain the news and report format, and potentially offer 'Detailed Case Studies' as separate supplements.
• Symposium of Extraterrestrial Experience: An event organized by Lynne and Tony Halsall will take place on Saturday, June 27, at The Belgrave Hotel in Chester. It will feature UFOs, psychic contact, and extraterrestrial life expressions, with audience participation.
• Mersey Open Mind Fellowship: A new discussion group has formed on Merseyside, meeting fortnightly on Sundays to discuss UFOs, mysticism, and sci-fi. It offers a relaxed, informal environment with video tapes and recordings.
• New Directories: Two new directories are announced: UFO NETWORK's directory of strange phenomena groups and magazines (£2), and PICUR's directory of ufologists' addresses (50p + post), listing 213 people worldwide.

Medium Definition Investigations (Case Reports)

This section presents several UFO sighting reports, often investigated by NUFON, SUFON, or MUFORA:

• 6726 (Summer): A Coastguard in Portpatrick, Scotland, reported a silver object like a catherine wheel approaching from the sea, estimated 250' long and 30' deep, passing over at 500' approx. It moved NE after being in view for 10 minutes. No identification was made.
• 79-150 (January 24, 1979): In Stranraer, Scotland, a woman saw a large cigar-shaped object, about 30' long and 6-10' deep, with orange square portholes, floating slowly (10 MPH) over rooftops and away. It was seen by her friend and two young boys. RAF denied any aircraft were in the area.
• 8067 (April 2, 1980): In Kircolm, Scotland, a 25-year-old carpet fitter saw a large red oval object surrounded by six small orange lights flashing, pulsating, and hovering over a loch and then by a tree. It moved away silently. Two men nearby reported seeing six lights and an orange ball.
• 8068 (November 25, 1980): An entry in the log of a NORTHERN (offshore oil rig) recorded a large orange ball of fire seen to move and hover over the rig, large enough to be seen by another rig.
• 8112 (April 14, 1981): In Stafford, Staffs, an elderly couple saw a disc shape moving slowly and rotating, emitting light and surrounded by spikes of various colors. Its apparent size was estimated as a 'tennis ball'.
• 8113 (April 26, 1981): In Stretton, Cheshire, a woman and husband saw a 'brilliant star' hovering, which then revealed a triangular shape. It made a sound like a distant engine and shot off E. A jumbo jet was noted in the area.

Close Encounter with a Peeping Tom

Investigated by Norman Collinson (MUFORA), this case (8111) from Newchurch, Lancs, involved two teenage boys who reported seeing a 'WLITS' streak to earth and sink into it, followed by an entity with a bulging head. While Norman, a police officer, found the boys serious, the area has a high incident rate of UFO sightings. The investigation revealed that the lane in question is frequented by a peeping tom. The case is explained as a combination of a meteor sighting, excitability, the general UFO climate, and the peeping tom's actions, mistaking the boys for girls.

The Call of the UFO (Part Two)

Investigated by Jenny Randles (MUFORA), this case (77/330 B) describes a man who woke and observed three balls of light, experiencing a hypnotic spell. He later found his mother and father had had a similar experience. A coincidentally similar case was found when Randles interviewed a journalist who had seen three white balls of light in a line near Wigan in October 1977, which then shot off at high speed. The journalist had a 'precognition' of the event but forgot it immediately after, only remembering it later. Randles shared other examples of witnesses 'knowing' a sighting would occur.

Possible TV Interference Caused by UFO

Report 78/271 C details an incident in Mansfield, Notts, where a gardener saw an orange ball of light moving slowly. His father noted that the TV set had been flickering with bad interference. The object was seen heading towards three pinpricks of light, which the boy could only see as stars as the sky darkened.

All in the Line of Duty

This case (CE4) involves Alan D, a 33-year-old West Yorkshire police officer, and two separate incidents. The first concerns a body found in Todmorden, which had died from a heart attack, possibly due to severe fright, with a burn on the head and neck from a corrosive liquid. The second incident involved Alan D investigating a herd of cows when he saw a strange, oval, lighted object with dark 'windows' and a rotating lower half, approximately 20' across and 12' deep, hovering above the road. His car headlamp beams reflected off it, and adjacent trees trembled. His car radio was silent. He then heard a voice say, "You should not be seeing this. It is not for your eyes D... You will forget it." His engine was running, and he experienced a time lapse. The case is being considered for a regression hypnosis experiment.

Elsewhere This Month

This section reviews other ufological publications:

• MAGONIA 6: Features a re-appraisal of Lawson's 'imaginary abductee' work and a HOAX MIB event.
• BUFORA JOURNAL 10-2: Includes sightings, reviews, and a UFO crossword.
• UFO RESEARCH REVIEW 6-3: Features a piece on 'mysticism' and UFO STUDY.
• LINCOLNSHIRE DRAGON (May): Covers dragon legends and levitation.
• NORTHERN ERTH MYSTERIES (May): Discusses leis, meditation, OOBE, and EVP.
• UFO INSIGHT 2-2: Details FUFORS investigation methods and reviews Stuart Campbell's 'THE JANOS PEOPLE'.
• PROBE Report 2-1: Includes a photo ID case and a report on a sighting by the magazine's staff.
• UFO INTERNATIONAL: The first international UFO journal, with names like Hynek on the editorial board.

Seeking Common Ground

This section announces the launch of a new magazine called COMMON GROUND, which aims to explore 'Studies at the fringe of human experience'. It features contributions from prominent figures in paranormal research, ufology, and psychic research, with articles on topics like the Dyfed enigma, UFO contact, poltergeist cases, and electronic voice phenomena.

BUFORA'S SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

This section reports on BUFORA's second international congress, which was described as an exhausting but enjoyable experience. Key highlights included a talk by Lord Kings Norton and a paper by Bertil Kuhlemann on the link between science and the UFO. The report notes a negative review in NEW SCIENTIST and mentions Stuart Campbell's illustration of case investigation, particularly the Livingston CE2 case. Bruce Maccabee from the USA presented on New Zealand movie films, and Joaquim Fernandes discussed the Fatima incident.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFO phenomena, the challenges of presenting credible information to the public and media, and the networking efforts within the ufological community. The editorial stance, as articulated by Jenny Randles, emphasizes a rational and evidence-based approach, advocating for skepticism while acknowledging the existence of a genuine mystery. There is a clear effort to distinguish serious research from sensationalism and to foster a more cohesive and professional ufological network in the UK.