NORTHERN UFO NEWS

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 94
Date: May 1982
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Cover Headline: NUFON

Editorial: Cracking the Cover-Up

The editorial addresses the perennial question of a UFO cover-up, highlighting the efforts of Lord Clancarty (Brinsley Le Poer Trench) and the House of Lords UFO Study Group in Britain to uncover information from the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The author notes that while many ufologists insist on a cover-up, the complexity of the enigma suggests that "someone, somewhere, is surely doing something." The editorial contrasts the situation in Britain with that in France, where scientists are sponsored to study UFOs. In the USA, the Freedom of Information Bill and legal actions by CAUSE (Citizens Against UFO Secrecy) have yielded significant documentation, indicating that the US government has consistently taken UFOs seriously, even after the Condon report. The author expresses a growing conviction that there may be substance behind claims of crashed saucers and even "captured British hardware" in the Rendlesham Forest affair. The US Supreme Court's decision to deny public access to National Security Agency files on UFOs is seen as further evidence of something significant being hidden. The editorial criticizes the "awful publicity" generated by Lord Clancarty, suggesting he is not an ideal front man and that serious British ufologists should unite to fight for the truth, rather than leaving Brinsley Le Poer Trench to struggle alone. A BBC program seeking to "make a bit of a fool" of UFOs is also mentioned as an example of media attitudes.

NUFON Report Numbering and Case Histories

Following requests from Syd Henley, the file numbering system for NUFON cases from 1982 onwards will be altered to include the date, e.g., 82-01-23 for a case occurring on January 23, 1982.

Levitation Case: Bangor, Northern Ireland (Autumn 1976)

A civil servant reported an incident where, after experiencing a sudden silence and stifling heat, he looked out his bathroom window to see a large white oval light hovering above the road. A ray of "purest white" light shot out, striking him and causing him to be thrown back against the wall, paralyzed for about 10 seconds. He felt bright lights flashing and then slid to the floor. The light was seen climbing away at a 45-degree angle. The next day, the grass outside was found flattened in a circular patch. This case is noted for its similarity to the Marion Sunderland experience and a Yorkshire case of a railman levitated by a UFO.

Case 75-160: Kingswinford, West Midlands (Spring 1975)

A 55-year-old woman observed what she initially thought was a low, funny-shaped brown cloud. As it approached her home, it became egg-shaped and purplish, then milky white with a spiraling or oscillating center as it hovered about a foot above her lawn. Bushes at the rear of the garden moved, and a green igloo shape appeared, followed by a flash of white light. The woman felt unable to move her eyes from the object. She went outside but found no sign of it, nor any traces. Mark Pritchard suggests this might have been morning mist distorted by double-glazing or wind tornado effects.

Case 82:01-14: Todmorden, West Yorkshire (January 14, 1982)

Four men (aged late 20s to early 30s) were talking outdoors when they saw a light appear in the NE over the hillside at 01:00. It descended in a looping arc, came within 200 ft, swooped across the hills, and disappeared SW. The object moved slowly and silently, was in view for about 2 minutes, and at its closest approach was the approximate size of the full moon. It appeared as a white sphere with two associated lights at the front; one witness saw an infrastructure below the sphere, while the other did not. The encounter had a profound effect on the witnesses, with one describing it as the closest thing he had ever had to a religious revelation, changing his perspective on life and leading to a deep interest in UFOs.

Case 82:01-23: Rochdale, Greater Manchester (January 23, 1982)

Jeff Garfield, a council pipelayer, was in his car with his young son when his son spotted something odd in the sky. Initially thought to be a star, it "went out" and revealed a dark shape turning in the sky. The object descended and passed directly over them at an incredibly slow speed. Garfield described it as the size of a rugby ball at arm's length. It was shaped like a cricket bat with white lights on the underside and red and green lights around the rim. It was no higher than a few hundred feet and totally silent. The case is noted for its parallels with other MUFORA cases. Garfield, who had childhood experiences he believed were hallucinations, stated, "I don't care if the top scientist on earth said it was a jumbo jet I wouldn't believe them. No way on earth. No moving thing on earth can move that Glow."

Case 82:02-10: Heywood, Greater Manchester (February 18, 1982)

The Heywood Advertiser published a story about women seeing an orange ball of light and a supposed investigation by the Merseyside UFO Investigation Team. However, an investigation by Fraud Squad investigator Norman Collinson revealed the story to be a hoax fabricated by the newspaper, described as a "disgraceful piece of cheap journalism."

Case 82:02-14: Limavady, Northern Ireland (February 14, 1982)

Two astronomers observed two "ghost-like" yellow objects, fuzzy at the edges, moving slowly and silently across the sky at an estimated height of 300 ft. Through binoculars, they appeared as discs. A helicopter appeared a few moments later, circled the area, and left in the same direction.

News and Events

Code of Practice Launched: A Code of Practice for UFO investigators was finalized at a meeting in Bristol on February 20. It is available from BUFORA and requires investigators to sign a declaration. An administrative board will be set up to handle breaches of the code.

British UFO Society (BUFOS): BUFOS has appointed Normam Oliver as Investigations Chief and Brian Everton as Chairman. They are holding a public seminar with Lord Clancarty on June 20 in Digbeth.

Yorkshire UFO Society: A new society has been launched by Graham Birdsall, claiming 30 members.

MUFORA Seminar: A seminar on the Alan Godfrey abduction case, featuring video-tapes of hypnosis sessions, is scheduled for May 15 in Manchester.

Mystery Lights Project: Mark Brown is starting a research project into piezo-electric effects, fault zones, and mystery lights, particularly those above Leicester coal mine areas, and is seeking participants.

End Times Bulletin: A new publication predicting events related to the end of the world, edited by Kevin McClure, is announced.

Earthlink Subscription Rates: Earthlink has changed its subscription rates to 75p per issue and £3 for a 4-issue subscription.

Jerucon 82: A 5-day event on science-fiction, speculative science, and UFOs will be held at the Diplomat Hotel in Jerusalem from June 27 to July 2, costing around £160.

Seminar: Exchanging Information: A one-day seminar on "exchanging information" for paranormal and UFO researchers will be held in North London on June 12, costing £4 (£3 for ASSAP/BUFORA members).

Book Recommendation: "Other Worlds" by Dr. Paul Davies is recommended as a scientific look at quantum theory, written for the laymen.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent nature of UFO cover-ups by governments, the challenges faced by UFO investigators in obtaining information, and the detailed reporting of specific UFO sightings and encounters. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, advocating for greater transparency from official bodies and encouraging unity among ufologists to pursue the truth, while also expressing skepticism towards sensationalism and hoaxes. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and analyzing witness testimony and physical evidence related to UFO phenomena.