NORTHERN UFO NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 87
Date: August 1981
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £3.60 for 12 issues

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, published monthly by the Northern UFO Network (NUFON), features a prominent cover illustration of Great Britain overlaid with industrial silhouettes and UFOs, under the title 'NUFON'. The issue is dated August 1981 and is number 87 in its series.

Guest Editorial: The Cosmos 1068 Debate

J. Bernard Delair presents a guest editorial focusing on the alleged re-entry and multiple observations of the Cosmos 1068 satellite on December 31, 1978. Delair emphasizes the importance of evaluating eyewitness accounts objectively, stating that he recorded details exactly as reported by percipients, without altering them to fit preconceived notions, such as the idea that the phenomenon was solely the Russian satellite booster rocket. He notes that while critics like Stuart Campbell and John Rimmer have suggested he concluded the phenomenon was extraterrestrial, he only stated that it was a possible conclusion based on claimed flight plans. Delair disputes the claim that there was no public consternation, citing that 75% of telephoned sightings received by CONTACT were from people who were plainly excited or worried. He argues that while individual reports may not be convincing, collectively they are remarkably consistent, with witnesses like policemen and airline pilots providing similar descriptions to 'lay observers'. He suggests a 'double standard' in UFO evaluation, where well-documented reports might be dismissed in isolation but accepted if they fit a pre-existing narrative. Delair acknowledges that a spent rocket-launcher did re-enter the atmosphere, but points out that a significant set of observations describe phenomena moving in entirely different directions, which cannot be easily dismissed as erroneous. He notes that both Bob Morrell and Jenny Randles, who are known for their scientific methodology, also conclude that the suspicion of 'someone up there' taking advantage of meteor activity or satellite re-entry is of considerable interest. Delair expresses concern about the lack of critical methodology applied by some prominent members of the British UFO scene, suggesting that if there is any wishful thinking, it lies with those who dismiss all reports as satellite re-entries.

Commentary and Research Initiatives

Jenny Randles (Editor) comments on Delair's point, stating that her appraisal of 100 Cosmos 1068 observations supports his findings and will be included in her forthcoming book. She notes that mass sightings present an even more intriguing problem, referencing the February 24, 1979 incident where the MOD claimed an American F-111 was seen, but inland reports described something else. She suggests this could be evidence of an 'intelligent plan using a ready made disguise' or 'Operation Smokescreen'.

• Two new UFO groups are introduced:
• ASSAP (Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena): Championed by Hilary Evans, this national venture aims to study strange phenomena and conduct research with strict standards. Details can be obtained from Hilary Evans at 11 Granville Park, London SE13 7DY.
• EWT (European Working Team): An international cooperative research project into Close Encounters, currently formulating plans and standardizing terminology. It involves European countries like France, Belgium, Italy, and Spain, with planned liaison with America and Australia. Interested individuals should contact Maurizio Verga in Italy.

Several 'WANTED' notices appear, seeking information on the Nelson car-stop event of March 1977, a sighting of a cigar-shaped object at Lamplugh, Cumbria in June 1973, and cheap facilities for printing UFO investigator materials.

Personal Reflections and Editorial Stance

John Hind provides a comment on the editorial 'Let There Be Light' from Issue 86. He praises the editorial's insight and its focus on understanding the questions rather than just seeking answers. He suggests that ufology can be reduced to understanding the 'So What?' aspect, emphasizing the need to keep minds open but wary of getting too excited about potential explanations. He likens the situation to a mystery where the 'Ultimate Author' might have an unexpected twist.

Ian Cresswell is mentioned for his articles on witness consciousness, suggesting that something is working through witnesses, leading to altered states of consciousness during writing. This phenomenon is also observed in others around him. He questions whether this happens during 'TRUE UFO sightings' and if it relates to 'programming' during CE4 events, as suggested in the book 'SUPERLEARNING'. The possibility of coincidence versus a deliberate influence is raised, with the idea that the UFO source might work on a principle of repetition and acceptance, similar to propaganda.

The issue also touches upon the idea of collective consciousness and telepathy, questioning why so few people are interested in solving the mystery and suggesting that the phenomenon itself might prevent deeper involvement by sending investigators on 'dead end tracks'.

Investigations Section

This section details several UFO sightings:

• Low Definition Cases:
• July 12, 23:45: Sandhead, Scotland. A woman saw a 'star' moving slowly North, vanishing. (Bill Gibbons/SUFON)
• July 15, 06:30: Sandhead, Scotland. Six ovals in a 'V' formation, one broke off and rejoined. (Bill Gibbons/SUFON)
• July 19, 19:30: Lochryan, Scotland. A man and wife saw a red ball over the loch, hovering before 'going out'. (Bill Gibbons/SUFON)

• Medium Definition Cases:
• October 23, 23:30: Stranraer, Scotland. A man saw a 200' flat-based disc with a slight dome hover over a loch, with flashing lights, before shooting off at incredible speed. (Bill Gibbons/SUFON)
• January 23, 00:30: Stranraer, Scotland. A man saw a long, thin cigar-shaped object with oval green ports and a red flashing tail light floating over rooftops, vanishing after 4 minutes. (Bill Gibbons/SUFON)

• Summary of 25pp UFOIN report by Brian Fishwick & MIGAP (April 16, 1981):
• A multi-witness sighting near Bold Power Station, St Helens, Merseyside, involving an oval light changing from blue to red to yellow. The object was observed by a woman, her partner, and two friends. It meandered around cooling towers and chimneys, then moved SW over Sherdley Park. Further observations confirmed its movement. Analysis of directions suggested a path towards Connahs Quay power station, potentially over Liverpool Airport. Possibilities like helicopters and electrical discharge were ruled out. The report notes a discrepancy in witness descriptions and mentions a similar 'inverted T' object sighting in January 1978 between Bold Power Station and Fiddlers Ferry Power Station.

• MUFORA Investigation by Mike Sachs (June 15, 1981):
• Between 22:45 and 23:00, four groups observed a phenomenon in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire. An old lady described it as the moon moving West. Near Rawtenstall, a bright yellow ball was seen floating E-W, surrounded by mist, dropping a spark. Two women by a dry ski-slope saw a golden oval with lights drop a 'ladder' into woods before heading South. A man in Helmshore saw a white light moving North-South. The only possibility MUFORA could suggest was rare ball lightning.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical analysis of UFO evidence, the importance of objective witness testimony, and the exploration of consciousness in relation to UFO experiences. There is a strong emphasis on scientific methodology while also acknowledging the limitations of current understanding and the possibility of phenomena that challenge conventional explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging detailed investigation and a balanced perspective, while also being critical of what is perceived as bias or a lack of rigor within the UFO community. The publication aims to represent a spectrum of opinion, as stated by Jenny Randles.