Northern UFO News - No 91

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 91
Date: December 1981
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: UK
Price: £3.60 for 12 issues

Editorial: "Home truths that hide behind the smiles"

The editorial focuses on Nigel Kneale's six-part ITV series KINVIG, which satirized ufologists. While presented as a mild-mannered comedy, the series subtly highlighted the presumptions made by some UFO enthusiasts. The editorial contrasts the characters Des Kinvig and Jim, who take UFO reports as literal truth, with the modern world. Des Kinvig's ability to make 'astral projections' and encounter friendly aliens from Mercury, including the seductive Miss Griffin, is described. The series' use of old-fashioned technology in UFOs and its clever parody are noted. The editorial points out that Kinvig's wife, Netta, shows a typical reaction to UFO photos, commenting on their poor quality but accepting them as genuine. The core message is how ufology often blends fact and fiction, with characters like Jim drawing inspiration from sci-fi books, believing they have a deeper truth. The editorial suggests that while UFOs are more than a joke, such parodies can be beneficial if understood. It concludes by noting that the characters, like many ufologists, are unlikely to see the satire aimed at them.

News and Announcements

• Obituary: The death of Dr Geoffrey Doel, vice-president of BUFORA, is announced.
• CHRYSIS: A change in secretarial address is noted.
• MADABOUT: The children's TV series will feature UFOs in its programme "Mad-about Mystery" on ITV.
• Christmas TV Premieres: ITV will premiere "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND," and BBC will premiere "2001-A Space Odyssey."
• New Movies: Arthur C. Clarke is writing the sequel to "2001," and Carl Sagan has earned a significant sum for the screenplay of a new movie about "man's first contact with alien beings."
• Book Catalogue: A catalogue offering old hardback and softback UFO books and magazines is available from MIDDLE EAST BOOKS.
• Aetherius Society: The society won a government enquiry against Warrington Borough Council regarding their use of a garage for services.

Magazine Reviews and Features

• COMMON GROUND (3): Features ghost trains, coincidences, and a piece by Nigel Watson on the 1909 phantom airship wave in the UK.
• SUFONS News Circular No. 2: Edited by Dill Gibbons, it provides updates on Scottish news and introduces ASSAP.
• CONTACT: Features an 'AWARENESS' section on chemical substances involved in UFO sightings and the 1979 UFO REGISTER.
• NUFOIS: Publishes part one of a valuable index to FSR articles (Vol 20-26).

Review: RESEARCHING THE IMPROBABLE - "Diseases from Space"

This book by Professors Fred Hoyle & NC Wickramasinghe, while not directly about UFOs, is highly recommended. It proposes that diseases like 'flu are not transmitted person-to-person but fall from space, carried by meteors and comets. The reviewer emphasizes that the book's value lies not in its conclusions but in its methodology. The authors challenged conventional scientific thinking, designed experiments to test their unconventional ideas, and meticulously collected data. This approach is presented as a model for how ufology could conduct itself with scientific dignity.

BUFORA Plans for the Future

Exciting new plans are underway in British ufology. A CODE OF PRACTICE has been agreed upon by various NUFON groups, southern groups, and representation from BUFORA and UFOIN. The code's wording is being refined by a lawyer. A provisional committee has been formed to administer its application, with a first meeting scheduled for January 30th in Bristol to discuss its implementation. Interested groups are encouraged to contact PROBE.

Organisational Developments

• ASSAP: Is developing with approaching 200 national members and is organizing its investigation team regionally.
• BUFORA & UFOIN: Are moving towards closer alignment, with a potential phased merger being considered. Investigators are being accredited, and a National Investigations Committee is being established. Subsidies are offered for membership and publication costs. Jenny Randles will coordinate this reformation.

These developments are seen as a significant and welcome 'facelift' for UFO investigation in the UK, promising better standards, regionalization, and respect.

Progress in West Yorkshire

Following comments in the October issue regarding the death of Mr Adamski and Alan D's contact experience, the matter has resurfaced in the national press. MUFORA is battling media inquiries and is unhappy with media coverage. The article clarifies that Adamski's disappearance and death received local publicity in June 1980, with reports of UFOs in the vicinity. It states there is nothing but speculation linking Adamski's death to UFOs or Alan D's sighting. MUFORA investigated the Adamski story and Alan D's experience, with preliminary conclusions published in FSR. The article warns readers not to accept media reports and to await MUFORA's official account.

News from Scotland

Stuart Campbell, BUFORA's Scottish Area Representative, has completed a report on the August 30, 1980, events at Dumfries. This incident, involving stationary lights witnessed by four police officers and 16 residents, shows correlation with the NUFOIS Ashbourne case. A full report will be published in JOURNAL TAP.

Low Definition Sightings

• 8079 (September 18, 1981): Walsall, W.Mid. Two white lights with red and blue lights were seen, initially stationary, then moving off to reveal 'porthole' lights. Allegedly hovered for 30 minutes.
• 8139 (September 24, 1981): Glenluce, Scotland. A large orange ball, estimated at 50' diameter, was observed moving at 200 mph. Local RAF denied any flights.
• 8141 (October 28, 1981): Stranraer, Scotland. Flashing white lights were stationary over a loch, then moved away and hovered several times.
• 8142 (November 3, 1981): Stranraer, Scotland. A very bright white light was seen over a loch, moving east across the surface for 30 seconds before disappearing.

West Yorkshire Buzzes Again

• NUFON 8140 (October 26, 1981): Shipley. Garage worker Eric Booth reported seeing an object with flashing lights hovering behind trees. His wife also witnessed it. Later, Mrs Betty Banks of Keighley saw two 'plank shaped objects' with bright lights at the top, which slowly 'clouded over' and curled up.

It Came From The Sky!

• NUFON Report 8143 (November 9, 1981): Runcorn, Cheshire. Mr M Bond reported a bright patch of lights illuminating the cloud from above, appearing to descend and then recede. The effect was compared to a car with headlights approaching through mist. The object was estimated to be about 2000 feet altitude and lasted for 2 minutes.

The Importance of IFOs

The article discusses the importance of 'Identified Flying Objects' (IFOs) in ufology, noting that some ufologists apologize for including them. It references Allan Hendry's UFO HANDBOOK and states that NUN will continue to publish details of all reports. PROBE has completed a case study of a UFO seen at Warminster, suggesting it may have been a new type of toy balloon, and that recent 'minidisc' UFOs might be explained by this new toy.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently covers UFO sightings, organizational news within the ufology community in the UK, and reviews of relevant books and media. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical engagement with the subject, acknowledging the blend of fact and fiction in ufology, as exemplified by the analysis of the KINVIG series. There is a strong emphasis on methodical research and the importance of accurate reporting, as seen in the review of 'Diseases from Space' and the handling of the Adamski case. The magazine also highlights the efforts to professionalize and unify ufology organizations in the UK.