Northern UFO News - No 9

Magazine Overview

Title: UNO NEWS
Issue: 9
Date: January 1975
Publisher: UNO (Union of Northern Observers)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of UNO NEWS, dated January 1975, presents a collection of UFO reports, investigations, and organizational updates from various UK-based UFO groups. The cover prominently features a stylized drawing of a UFO procession over Haslingden, with the headline "UFO procession over Haslingden P.6."

Editorial: 'Following up UFO reports'

The editorial, written by the summariser of reports for the BUFORA Journal, expresses concern over the generally poor standard of UFO investigations. It notes that this issue is not exclusive to BUFORA or UNO groups, attributing the variation in quality to several factors, though not offering excuses. The editorial commends BUFORA's intention to improve investigation techniques through regional conferences and hopes for a strong UNO turnout at the Stafford conference. A key problem identified is the geographical spread of investigators, hindering contact and advice. The writer suggests appointing more Regional Investigators (RICS) by BUFORA to support smaller groups and proposes that UNO can help by bringing investigators under the wings of nearest groups for mutual benefit. While emphasizing UNO's principle of group independence, the editorial announces a series of articles aimed at sharing expertise, with contributions expected from Geoff Porter on interviewing techniques and Trevor Whittaker on identifying optical phenomena.

The editorial criticizes the tendency for some investigators to avoid checking for mundane explanations for sightings, citing an example where a report of a white light failed to mention the presence of a visible satellite. It argues that a UFO report is of far more value if all natural possibilities have been thoroughly checked and eliminated, suggesting that the psychological desire to believe in UFOs can lead to a neglect of rigorous investigation.

Important Notice: Format Change

A significant announcement is made regarding the future of UNO NEWS. This issue marks the last in the current format. New equipment is expected to be delivered for the next month, enabling the printing of as many copies as desired. New rates will be ratified by the committee but are expected to be £1.50 for one issue, £3.50 for five issues, £6 for ten issues, and £10 for fifteen issues, with the option for six-monthly payments. These increases are attributed to rising paper and postage costs, and the magazine states it is not aiming to make a profit but to keep costs down, having run at a significant loss. No further price rises are planned for 1975. Orders for February onwards can be placed, and the new equipment will also be available for group work at reasonable rates for professional printing. There is a possibility of UNO News being sold openly, encouraging readers to inquire with local magazine sellers.

UNO NEWS: General News

This section addresses the reduced size of the current issue, attributing it to a lack of news from the groups, exacerbated by the Christmas period. The editor appeals to all groups to spare a few minutes to write brief notes and news, emphasizing that UNO News is a forum for northern groups to share information and discuss ideas. The editor states that they are willing to spend time and money compiling and distributing the magazine but cannot do so if contributions are lacking. The ballott forms sent out have had a very low return rate. An administration will be formed from those willing to contribute time, money, and effort, and these individuals will lay out future plans and arrange a general UNO meeting cum lecture. It is stressed that UNO will remain independent and not run by a committee, with every group retaining its say.

Manchester UFO Research Association (MUFORA): MUFORA has been active, though sightings have not been numerous. The group is aware of Mr. Rees's disappearance with UNO files and the loss of MAPIT support, which has led to respected ufologists uniting to hopefully retrieve the files. Peto Warrington will coordinate MUFORA investigations, and many former MAPIT members are expected to join an enlarged MUFORA.

NAPRA: NAPRA has been affected by illnesses, delaying work on several cases. Scientific consultant Ed Butterworth is in hospital, and the group wishes him a speedy recovery. Dave Gittens has sourced Geiger Counters for £5, and interested groups can contact him.

Rossendale Astro: Interesting reports have come from this group, with plans to split into two sections: UFO and Astro. Tin Evans is seeking members interested in Astronomy.

The editor expresses hope that 1975 will be a successful year for UNO, with a new administration and regular meetings, but stresses that this progress depends on reader support.

General News (Continued)

UNO's relationships with BUFORA are improving, with Gordon Clegg (BUFORA RIC for the North West) and Trevor Whitaker (Yorkshire RIC) joining UNO. A new BUFORA branch in Cumbria has also been invited into UNO. Plans are underway to designate regional BUFORA investigations to appropriate UNO groups, with a coordinators meeting scheduled for March 8-9 in the Midlands.

The editorial reiterates that David Rees is no longer associated with UNO administration and that MAPIT is defunct, with its members expected to join a new, widely based Manchester Investigation group. The "APEN mystery" continues, with reports of Christmas cards from "Central Control" and "Northern Unit 23," but no report on a N. Wales landing.

A book recommendation is made: "BEYOND EARTH - Mans Contact with UFOs" by a cynical journalist turned believer, detailing an investigation of the 1973 USA wave and European sightings up to February 1974. It is described as covering the governments' handling of UFOs as a "Cosmic Watergate," the abduction of two fishermen at Pascagoula, and a UFO with the letters U.F.O. on its side.

The Bournemouth Photo: Bok Birkett (KUFORG) discusses an interesting article and photo from the November 1974 issue of FSR. The article concerns a Greg Marchant sighting of a strange moving light. The editorial questions the validity of the photograph, noting that it is impossible to pan with a polaroid camera and freeze such a fast-moving object. The photo shows a sharp, frozen image, and the claimed size of the object (36 double-decker buses) is questioned, especially as only one person saw it. The editorial criticizes SCAN for declaring the photo "one hundred percent genuine" within days, arguing that a scientific approach requires an unbiased stance and that claims should not be made without thorough investigation. The opinion is that the photo is an "unconvincing fake."

Investigation Section:

The Rochdale Report: Interesting news has come via BUFORA of a separate, independent witness in Ramsbottom reporting what is believed to be the same object. Further work is being carried out.

74D 181 April 7 1974 22-30 Wythenshawe, Manchester: An elderly person reported seeing a yellow/white light, the size of the Moon, hanging over rooftops. The object appeared to elongate, split into two parts, and then merge again before vanishing. Evaluation suggested it was the Moon, distorted through a window, with a brief break in the clouds accounting for its appearance and disappearance.

Liverpool Phenomena: Reports from BYUIG: November was a hectic month with a possible flap period. On November 13th, two witnesses saw a white hemispherical light streaking across the sky. On the 15th, a fuzzy red light glided over the city centre for four minutes. The 17th brought reports of white and red flashing lights, and the 27th saw flashing red and white lights. BYUIG has also sent press cuttings of blue/white lights darting through the sky, a blue floating globe, and a charted object.

The August Flap: The magazine questions what happened in August 1974, noting ten sightings for that month and many more mysterious ones. It is suggested that the maximum brightness of SKYLAB may have contributed to this. The weekend of August 15-17th was particularly rich in white and red lights, some of which sounded like UFOs but did not fit the time or directional data, leading to speculation that UFOs might have used SKYLAB's brightness as a cover.

Rossendale Report: A detailed account of a multiple witness sighting on November 24, 1974, at 16:10 in Haslingden. Two sets of witnesses, though not in complete agreement, provide a verifying factor. The first witness describes two small cigar shapes moving against a blustery wind, close to cloud height, appearing to glow and not reflect sunlight. The objects seemed to join, forming a faint fuzzy line, and moved at aircraft speed. The estimated size varied. Other witnesses miles away saw more of the phenomena, describing three cigars glowing gold-bronze, sharp underneath and fuzzy on top, with lights. A faint humming sound was heard. The report concludes that the validity of the report is strong due to the independence of the witnesses. It is assumed that four objects were involved, with witness A seeing three and four join. The noise might be a function of the two UFOs when joined.

Next Month

Details of the UNO Administration meeting and an introduction to new faces are promised for the next issue. Apologies are made for the omission of certain regular features due to space pressure.

Do You Want Info on Satellites?

Satellite News, published weekly, is recommended for information on satellites. It provides full details on all satellites and can be obtained by writing to Geof Falworth at the provided address.

Publication Details:
UNO NEWS is published monthly at 48 PARK DRIVE MANCHESTER M16 OAH.
Copy date for the next issue is January 31st, 1975.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the challenges and methodologies of UFO investigation, the importance of rigorous evidence-checking, and the organizational aspects of UFO groups. The editorial stance is critical of sloppy investigation practices and emphasizes the need for scientific objectivity and thoroughness in ruling out mundane explanations. There is a strong focus on improving coordination and communication between UFO groups, particularly within the northern UK, and fostering a more professional approach to reporting and investigation. The magazine also highlights the administrative efforts to strengthen UNO and its liaison with other organizations like BUFORA. The issue reflects a period of transition for UNO News, with plans for a new format and increased production capabilities, while also dealing with internal organizational matters and the fallout from controversial figures like David Rees.