Northern UFO News - No 89

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFOLOGY
Issue: 89
Date: October 1981
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: United Kingdom
Price: £3.60

This issue of NORTHERN UFOLOGY, edited by Jenny Randles, delves into the critical role of the ufologist in an era of increasing media attention and sensationalism. The cover art depicts various archetypes of ufologists, posing the central question: "What should be our role?"

Editorial: The Aftermath of a Controlled Lunacy

The editorial by Jenny Randles addresses a significant controversy surrounding the death of Mr Jan Adamski in Todmorden in June 1980. Randles criticizes the Sunday Mirror and organizations like BUFORA and CONTACT UK for linking the death, which was officially attributed to a heart attack, to UFOs based on flimsy circumstantial evidence. She refutes claims that ufologists are treating this as a CE3 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) and expresses dismay at the media's sensationalist reporting, particularly the headline "AMAZING UFO DEATH RIDDLE." Randles highlights that MUFORA, the police officer involved, and Mr Adamski's widow had no direct contact with these organizations regarding the case. She also debunks a fabrication that the police officer had undergone hypnosis and recalled a UFO contact on the day of the death, clarifying that the officer saw a UFO five months *after* the incident. The editorial reveals that the media's interest was spurred by an urgent telegram to Randles, which she declined, and Peter Warrington also refused to cooperate. The source of the media leak remains a mystery, but Randles suggests a misguided ufologist may have alerted the media, potentially for personal reasons. The repercussions are severe, with the police officer in trouble and MUFORA facing scrutiny. Harry Harris, a lawyer assisting the widow, stands to lose financially, and further contact between witnesses and researchers is now impossible, all stemming from a "foolhardy relationship between a ufologist and the media."

Randles acknowledges her own role in reporting the facts to ufologists but questions the ethical dilemma of providing information that could be misused. She ponders whether it would have been better to publish nothing, but argues for the responsibility to share facts (excluding confidential information) with the ufology community.

News Report

This section provides updates on various ufological groups and activities:

• HAPI (East Midlands): Mark Brown, a former CUFORO coordinator, has joined HAPI, and CUFORO files will be merged. Jean Mayne has stepped down as secretary. HAPI is researching triangular UFO reports. The contact address is 23 Linden Rd, Hinckley, Leics LE10 OAR, with phone numbers Hinckley 614013 or 611446. The "Atmospheric Studies" group has closed due to lack of support.
• Yorkshire BUFORA: The branch, formerly run by Trevor Whittaker, is active and cooperating with NUFON. Walter Reid is involved.
• Junior UFO Club: Walter Reid also runs this national venture, aimed at children, to inform them about UFOs. Membership options are £1 pa (newssheets) or £3.50 pa (newssheets, magazine, and card).
• MAUFOG (Southern Group Alliance): This alliance is under threat, with several key groups leaving due to a lack of purpose and cohesion. SCUFORI is attempting to salvage the situation.

Meetings Lined Up:

• November 14: Nottingham HQ - A crucial "Code of Practice" meeting to ratify the code and its implementation.
• November 21: Stoke on Trent - ASSAP is launching a "meet the people" event. Contact Hilary Evans.
• January 9: Nottingham HQ - UFOIN is holding an important meeting to discuss future plans, files, and potentially NUFON.
• March 13: Edinburgh - BUFORA Conference at the Grand Metropolitan Hotel. Details from 47A Easter Bankton, Murieston, Livingston EH54 9BD.

Note: Plans for a merger between Northern UFology and UFO Research Review have been temporarily shelved due to technical difficulties. The publication format will change for 1982.

Elsewhere This Month

• FORTEAN TIMES Summer '81: Features articles on Darwin's evolution, spontaneous human combustion, and other unusual topics.
• SUFON Scottish UFO Bulletin 3: Includes an IFC spot and a controversial MIB piece.
• SKYWATCH 40: Devoted to a reprint of an Australian piece on data compilation and retrieval.
• UFO INSIGHT 9: Continues the Llanerchymedd debate and features an interview with Bertil Kuhlemann and news of Project URD.

A Final Word on Llanerchymedd

Jenny Randles addresses criticisms from the Crewe group FUFORI regarding her summaries of the Llanerchymedd case in 'Kon Story's UFO Encyclopedia' and 'UFO Study'. Randles defends her work, stating she has always tried to be fair and has credited FUFOR. She accuses FUFOR of a "grave unethical stance" for failing to acknowledge her references to their own published version of the case and for accusing her of perverting truth and fabrication. Randles explains that her book 'UFO STUDY' was written in stages over many months, and some parts were substituted late in the process, apologizing for not referencing any FUFOR articles published in 1982 due to the book's preparation timeline.

More Points About "UFO Study"

Jenny Randles responds to a critical review of her book 'UFO Study' by David Rees. Rees found the book "very disappointing" and questioned its target audience. Randles clarifies that the book is aimed at enthusiasts and would-be investigators, offering advice. She addresses Rees's points about a specific case detailed in the photographic section, which was based on material supplied by Les Hall of NUFOIS. Randles has sent the paper to Rees for examination. She also notes that David Rees disclaimed acknowledgment in the book, which was a courtesy, and that he received a free copy. Randles accepts that omissions may exist and welcomes suggestions for future editions.

Reluctant Despatches from the Cosmic Trenches

Jenny Randles reflects on her personal crisis and the possibility of drastically curtailing her UFO involvement. She discusses her journey into ufology, starting from curiosity and a desire to help children needing someone to listen. She recounts how her early investigations evolved, leading to the formation of NUFON and UFOIN with a focus on better investigation standards and unity. Randles emphasizes that her guiding principle has always been the desire for closer working unity and better standards. She defines a good objective as "to work on the basis that the next investigation will be better than the last." She acknowledges the importance of both witness data and investigator interpretation. Randles expresses pride in the progress of ufology and the availability of investigation files through Nottingham. However, she laments the "ludicrous ferocity" with which ufologists attack each other, urging for cooperation and respect for differing views. She believes stereotyping is dangerous and that the only valid complaints against a fellow ufologist should be for unethical actions or lack of thoroughness. Randles advocates for individual interpretations and a minimum standard of thoroughness, as adopted by UFOIN in 1979.

Randles discusses her recent discussions with ASSAP, a new national body for paranormal phenomena, and her agreement to help coordinate its network. She believes ufology, with its established investigation base, can benefit from ASSAP's cross-disciplinary talents and computer resources. She acknowledges that some ufologists are hesitant to cooperate with paranormalists but respects their views. A decision on this matter will be debated in January. Randles concludes by stating her intention to do what is best for ufology and that the continued existence of a British UFO system is vital. She poses the question of how far ufology should remain aloof from other areas of the paranormal.

Low Definition Investigations

This section lists several UFO sightings with brief details:

• April 24, 1981 (Burtonwood, Cheshire): Unseen object with R&G spotlights, palm-sized, stationary then moved away.
• June 2, 1981 (Upton, Wirral): W LITS low on skyline, moved slightly, flickered bluish.
• August 21, 1981 (Little Bollington, Cheshire): Two Y/W LITS side-by-side over a house, rushed to be seen more, then gone.

Medium Definition Investigations

• August 30, 1980 (Durley, W Yorks): Y/W oval in the sky, moved across sky, disappearing and reappearing over 30 minutes.
• September 27, 1980 (Gt Langdale, Cumbria): Large hazy star-like shape dripping blobs, shot away at tremendous speed.
• June 9, 1981 (Bentilee, Stoke, Staffs): Dark indistinct shape behind aircraft headlamps, moved off.
• July 30, 1981 (East Midlands): Football-shaped green object with a tail, found to be a meteor.
• August 16, 1981 (Burbage, Leicestershire): Cigar-shaped object moving slowly, with white lights.
• September 20, 1981 (Baildon, W. Yorks): High bright W LITS, stationary, then split into three parts.

Total Reports: 12 (including 2 CE1s). Data breakdown includes Insufficient data (2), Aircraft (3), Optimal Phenomenon (1), Meteor (1), Balloon (1), UFO (2).

The UFO at the Bottom of the Garden

Summarised from a 60pp UFOIN Report by Mark Brown & Kevin McClure, this section details two sightings by Mrs Reeves in Nuneaton.

First Sighting (September 27, 1980)

Mrs Reeves and her husband were returning home on their motorcycle when they saw a steady W LITS pacing them. The phenomenon was lost in the glare of street lights. Investigators believe it was likely a light aircraft.

Second Sighting (November 26, 1980)

While Mrs Reeves was cooking and her husband watching TV with reports of strong interference (light peaks), Mrs R went into the garden. She saw a yellow rounded object above a tree, illuminating its branches, with a central flange. The object rotated, humming, then descended and stopped. It then swayed "like a pendulum clock" before rising with a "tremendous burst of speed" and vanishing. Detailed reconstruction suggests the object was 75 ft up and 20 ft wide. The humming caused the cats to react hysterically. The TV interference continued for 10 minutes. Investigators found no apparent faults with the TV. This case is considered intriguing due to its physical parameters, with no reasonable explanation found (ball lightning is deemed improbable). Notably, no other residents on the estate recalled seeing anything or experiencing electrical interference.

Return Visit to Bignall End

Summary of a 23pp UFOIN report by Stephen Banks. On August 2, 1981, Peter C was walking to a pub when he saw an object approaching at considerable speed. He was paralyzed by fear. The object was described as a "lozenge or sweet turned on its side with crimson sides and black ends." In the center was a "sizable light dimply flickering." It oscillated and moved behind some flats. Peter chased it, and the object hovered over the pub. He persuaded a woman to come out and witness it. The object moved away, and the street was deserted and silent despite the warm night. Investigation has not provided a reasonable explanation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the need for professionalism, ethical conduct, and unity within the ufology community. Editor Jenny Randles champions rigorous investigation standards and criticizes the tendency for internal conflict and media exploitation. The editorial stance is one of advocating for a more scientific and less sensationalist approach to UFO research, while also acknowledging the personal toll such work can take. The recurring theme is the struggle to maintain integrity and focus on factual reporting in the face of sensationalism and internal disputes. The magazine also highlights the importance of documenting and sharing UFO cases, as seen in the detailed reports and the ongoing efforts to improve investigation techniques and standards.