Northern UFO News - No 88

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 88
Date: September 1981
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: UK

This issue of NORTHERN UFO NEWS, published monthly by the Northern UFO Network, features an editorial by Jenny Randles titled "The two sides of Janos," which explores the Frank Johnson book "THE JANOS PEOPLE" and draws parallels between ufology, the concept of synchronicity, and Arthur Koestler's philosophical works.

Editorial: "The two sides of Janos"

Jenny Randles begins by referencing Frank Johnson's book "THE JANOS PEOPLE" and her own involvement in encouraging Johnson to pursue the case. She notes that while the planet name 'Janos' used by alleged aliens in a 1978 Oxfordshire abduction case has been commented on, a deeper connection has been overlooked. Randles points out the ancient Roman god Janus, a 'two-faced' deity, and suggests that ufology itself often deals with 'two-facedness' – questioning whether UFOs are real craft or illusions, and whether aliens deliberately lie or mislead.

She then introduces a significant coincidence: Arthur Koestler, a prominent philosopher who had written extensively on topics like "THE GHOST IN THE MACHINE" and "THE ROOTS OF COINCIDENCE," published a book in 1978 titled "JANUS." Randles speculates on whether Johnson's book was published before or after Koestler's and if the Mann family had read it. The coincidence is not just in the title but also in the content. Koestler's thesis is that humanity's rational mind evolved too quickly, outstripping its instinctual and emotive minds, leading to a 'species schizophrenia' where aggression and war are fueled by sophisticated rational tools. He suggests that humanity might be on the verge of self-annihilation, and that evolution (or God) might allow this to happen.

Randles sees a parallel between Koestler's ideas and the Janos affair, viewing it as a potential "synchronistic expression" of humanity's 'basic flight.' She suggests that the 'Janos people' might be a more evolved successor to humanity, warning us about nuclear destruction and even claiming to be from Earth, but 'beyond' us. She invokes Carl Jung's concept of synchronicity, where events seem to occur at the same time as if drawing from a collective pool of knowledge.

An alternative interpretation is that if humans are an evolutionary error, a more evolved successor might exist, similar to how humans might treat a lower branch of the evolutionary tree like an Orang-Utan. This successor might abduct individuals for study or education, warning them about their path, but ultimately not interfering in human conflicts.

Randles concludes that the 'two-faced' argument persists, and the answer might lie in a closer comparison between "THE JANOS PEOPLE" (which she notes is being dismissed by some due to its perceived veracity) and Koestler's final chapter in "JANUS." She posits that perhaps an alien race from Janos does exist, or perhaps, in an evolutionary sense, the 'Janos people' are ourselves – a projection of what we know as truth.

NEWS...NEWS...NEWS

The "SEPTEMBER 26 CONFERENCE IN NOTTINGHAM" mentioned previously has been postponed due to NUFOIS organizing a program involving scientists who do not believe in UFOs. The conference will be rescheduled for the Spring. Groups interested in staging a NUFON one-day event in November/December are invited to volunteer.

A meeting to organize the "Code of Practice" has been scheduled for November 14th at the NUFON HQ in Nottingham. The final draft is expected to be approved, and methods for implementation and accreditation will be agreed upon.

ASSAP (the new national research team into anomalous phenomena) is planning publicity meetings and a symposium in London in December.

BUFORA is holding a lecture at Kensington Library on October 3rd by Stephen Jenkins on the link between Buddhist ideas and modern views of time travel.

A new group called NWUFOIT on Merseyside is introduced, with contact details provided.

NUFON reader Ray Warder of Burnley has provided a press cutting regarding the Nelson car stop incident, which will be added to the case data.

Readers are reminded to submit articles for the next issue of NORTHERN UFOLOGY, as the editor will be on holiday from September 18th to October 4th.

ELSEWHERE THIS MONTH

This section reviews recent publications from various UFO organizations:

• BUFORA has released two publications.
• JTAP has published an issue with an exposee of the Betty & Barney Hill CE4 case and Stuart Campbell's analysis of UFO definitions, questioning a photo in "UFOS: A BRITISH VIEWPOINT." It also includes a rebuttal of Bernard Delair's COSMOS 1068 data.
• BUFORA's new Bulletin replaces their Journal and features a lecture by Charles Bowen.
• COMMON GROUND 2 is a 44-page publication covering topics such as the Ripper Trial, UFO conspiracy theories, UFO investigation ethics, and resources centers.
• MAGONIA 7 includes a thesis by Peter Rogerson on why UFOs seem to have disappeared.
• SUFCN's "SCOTTISH UFO BULLETIN" features Peter Hill on computerization and local reports.
• MIGAPSMERSEY NEWS (21) contains a translated Brazilian CE4 and a survey of UFO physical evidence.
• ASWR(13) discusses leys and megaliths.
• LINCOLNSHIRE DRAGON covers local mysteries, including black dogs and healing stones, and CB radio fans spotting a UFO.
• PROBE REPORT 2-2 has an article on the Berlitz crashed UFO myth and news of MAUFOG's southern network resignation.
• EARTHLINK includes articles on UFOIN files and a CE3 case on Dover beach.

TIME-SLIP PHONE CALL

A reader from Eccles shared an experience from the British Telecom staff newspaper concerning George Willett of Basildon. Willett was being interviewed on Radio Basildon and left at 12:30 PM for the 1 PM interview. He returned at 3 PM, but his wife, who was at a Scrabble competition in Billericay School (held between 1:30 PM and 2:25 PM), called him at 2:45 PM to tell him about her win. Willett, however, was absolutely certain he could not have received the call at 2:45 PM, as he had already heard his wife describe her victory two hours before it happened in his time frame. His wife, in turn, heard him say he was in a hurry to get to an interview that had taken place almost two hours earlier in her time frame. A British Telecom spokesman commented on the efficiency of the situation.

MORE ON THOSE FIREBALLS.....

Granville Oldroyd discusses the principle of deception used in military operations, such as the Normandy landings, where 'dummy armies' were used to mislead the Germans. He applies this principle to ufology, suggesting that the most important cases (CE3 and CE4s) are often ignored, while mass fireball sightings are overlooked. Oldroyd argues that mass fireball sightings should be studied, as they might be the key to understanding UFO phenomena, rather than dismissing them as mere fireballs.

He recounts his own observation of a fireball-type object on April 25, 1969, during a period of mass fireball sightings. He describes it as unlike a fireball because it could hide behind clouds and had a strange appearance. He mentions other sightings from that night, including an object seen at 1500' and another at 20,000' from Leeds/Bradford airport. Oldroyd is researching a strange fireball sighting from January 12, 1963, and notes other dates with similar appearances. He believes that the 1969 sighting felt 'unreal' and suggests that this might be where a 'conditioning process' for subjective experiences takes place, with fireballs acting as triggers.

Oldroyd is seeking flight path data for Cosmos 1068, as BUFORA could not obtain it. He mentions that CHRYSIS provided data for the April 69 fireball, which he plans to plot.

VEHICLE INTERFERENCE & THE TIME-LAW CURVE

Geoff Falla reports on his research into vehicle interference and time-law curves, using data from UFO STUDY and UFOCAT. His findings suggest that the peak time for these effects lies between 8:00 PM and midnight (20:00 and 24:00 hrs), which is earlier than previously suggested. He agrees with the significance of the Nelson and Barnard Castle cases.

Falla proposes that NUFON could undertake a project to produce a detailed report on two 1977 EM cases (Nelson and Barnard Castle), incorporating ideas from outside specialists and presenting it to relevant scientific institutes. He emphasizes that these cases offer objective, scientific data and calls for more concentration on such evidence rather than psychic or psychological topics.

INVESTIGATION SECTION:

This section reports an increase in UFO activity in August 1981, with simultaneous 'flaps' in several locations, including Bristol and Nottingham. North Wales was also active. However, there have been no significant close encounters reported for 1981, with one possible exception in Cumbria.

LOW DEFINITION AUG 14 23.30 Gt Lever, Gtr Manchester

Mrs Riley reported seeing a bright white light, described as about the size of a tennis ball, moving slowly at rooftop height. It hovered by a gutter and projected a smaller light before disappearing. DIGAP, who interviewed the witness, suggests this could be ball lightning.

MEDIUM DEFINITION 79-153 SEP 16 12.00 Eckington, Derbyshire

Mr & Mrs Schwartz and their son David observed a bright silver, cigar-shaped object, appearing oval through binoculars, about five miles up. The son saw it vanish without moving. This sighting is not followed up but is suggested to be a balloon or aircraft reflecting the sun.

8119 JUL 10 16.30 Stranraer, Scotland

Mr Fisher, a retired RAF aircraft engineer, and his daughter saw what they initially thought was a jet fighter. However, Fisher, familiar with aircraft, was baffled by the object's sharp, slim, silver fuselage with swept-back wings and no cockpit. A short bluish flame was emitted from the rear, like a rocket. The object was estimated to be 30' long by 20' wide and was reported to the police. RAF West Freugh claimed no knowledge of it.

UNKNOWN. 8121 AUG 25 22.00 Nottingham, Notts

About 12-15 witnesses saw a small, round object, about 18 inches in diameter with a bump underneath, hovering over wasteland. A boy attempted to catch it, but it spun away, climbed, and flashed red, green, and white without sound. Investigation is proceeding.

8122 AUG 27 18.45 West Bridgeford, Notts

A woman reported a large disc with a bright silver top and dark underside. Later, members of a bowling club in the same area observed a similar object. Investigation is proceeding.

MUFORA is following up three sightings from the same period:

• A photographer took color shots of a triangular object with red lights hovering over Moel Fammau.
• Mrs Marion Sunderland reported two sightings on August 26: an object like a "cellophane" balloon at 1:00 AM, and an orange oval object reappearing at 10:30 PM.

ANOTHER ADDITION TO THE NOVEMBER FLAP

Case 8073 November 16, 23 or 30 1980

This case details an event reported by Nigel Mortimer of Otley, West Yorkshire. He awoke around 1:00 AM and saw a fast-moving 'star' that he realized had a distinct shape and hovered over a nearby field. The object was oval, metallic (blue/grey), with a red 'aura' and a large concave window. It was estimated to be about 100' long and 100 feet high, at a distance of 600 feet. Mortimer felt a sense of security and achievement, believing he had found 'proof' of UFOs. The object then shot off towards Fylingdales. He felt unusually alert during the sighting but experienced tiredness and doubt afterward, only recalling it when he found his notes.

The article also mentions a police chase involving a diamond-like object seen from Wetherby on November 23rd, which was tracked by radar across Yorkshire and veered towards Hull. A police spokesman stated they had no idea what the object was.

ENTITIES OBSERVED IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Case 77/331 July 29 1977 East Markham, Notts

A housewife reported seeing two red lights that moved east then south, curving towards her village. At 3:00 AM, the lights turned yellow/white and appeared as bright stars through a telescope. She identified one as a light on the body of a long, narrow, cigar-shaped object reflecting moonlight. The object appeared to have a large concave window. She also noted a small hump underneath and mist. The light from the window reflected off a slate roof. Human-like figures, normally proportioned and seen in silhouette, moved within the window space. The object was estimated to be 100' long. By 4:20 AM, the larger object had moved out of sight. The witness decided to go to bed, despite the UFO hovering nearby.

The author suggests an astronomical explanation might be difficult and asks for comments. The witness wrote to the MOD and received a reply from RAF Waddington stating they could offer no explanation but assured her that such sightings are taken seriously and would be added to their records.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the philosophical and psychological aspects of UFO phenomena, the importance of rigorous investigation and objective data, and the analysis of specific case reports. The editorial stance, particularly from Jenny Randles, emphasizes a critical yet open-minded approach, encouraging readers to consider multiple interpretations and the potential for synchronicity and deeper meanings behind UFO events. There is a clear call for more scientific scrutiny of UFO evidence and a move away from purely psychic or psychological explanations.