Northern UFO News - No 95

Magazine Overview

Title: NORTHERN UFO NEWS
Issue: 95
Date: June 1982
Publisher: Northern UFO Network (NUFON)
Country: United Kingdom

Editorial: FOR ALL TO SEE.... Experimental hallucinations

The editorial by Jenny Randles discusses the BBC-2 TV film "The Story of Ruth," based on Dr. Morton Schatzman's book. The film portrays Ruth, an American living in London, who experiences vivid hallucinations of her father. Dr. Schatzman's approach was not to label Ruth as insane but to help her realize her powers of visualization and control her experiences. The film highlights that Ruth could conjure hallucinations at will, even making them block light rays, suggesting they possessed a reality that defied simple explanation. This case is presented as potentially significant for UFO theory, suggesting that some UFOs behave like Ruth's hallucinations. Randles proposes experimental UFO work, suggesting that contactees or repeater witnesses could be asked to conjure up aliens or UFOs to see if they behave like real images. She believes that duplicating Schatzman's results would be a major UFO breakthrough and seeks collaborators for this project.

News and Updates

• NUFON System News:
• UFOSIS Suspended: The UFOSIS group in Birmingham has been suspended, leaving the city without a local group. Efforts are being made to integrate its files with NUFON.
• UFORM Formed: A new organization, UFORM (UFO Research Midlands), has been formed by the merger of the Coalville UFO Group and HAPI (Hinckley). It is headed by Graham Hall and Mark Brown and aims for high standards.
• BUFORA International Congress: Plans are underway for the 1983 International Congress, which may be a three-day event. Organiser John Shaw is seeking material for an exhibition to showcase group unity.
• Conferences: The SPR is planning a centenary symposium on UFOs. ASSAP is contemplating an Autumn conference, and a joint conference in London is being organized by ASSAP and THE UNEXPLAINED magazine.
• Symposium on UFO Photographic Evidence: MUFORA and UFOR-Midlands are discussing a symposium to present British UFO photographic evidence, tentatively planned for November.
• Death of Ken Edwards: Ken Edwards, who had a close encounter UFO experience at Risley in March 1978, has died. He was struck by a beam of light and later contracted cancer. He was remembered as a sincere witness.

• International Groups:
• AFU (Sweden): The Swedish group AFU has begun publishing its newsletter in English, offering updates on Scandinavian UFO research.
• UFO RESEARCH AUSTRALIA: This organization offers a glossy newsletter with studies on ground traces, close encounters, and plans to reveal information from Australian Air Force files.

• UK Publications:
• COMMON GROUND: This publication has completed its first year, featuring articles on divination, psi/UFO interfaces, and reviews.
• MAGONIA 9: This issue includes articles on romantic writers, ufology, close encounters, and dream states, with a review of "ALIEN CONTACT."

Note on OSEAP and BUFOS: A statement from Mark Tyrell of OSEAP clarifies that there have been no discussions about a link-up with BUFOS, nor any approaches made.

NO ROOM FOR BELIEVERS....

This section reviews the ASSAP one-day conference in Leicester, which critically analyzed paranormal phenomena. Dr. Sue Blackmore discussed out-of-the-body experiences (OOBEs), suggesting they are vivid hallucinations. Hilary Evans debunked the Msr Fontaine abduction case as a hoax. Paul Begg addressed the Bermuda Triangle myth. The author's own talk focused on UFO regression and past-life studies, emphasizing the dangers of hypnosis. Bob Cracknell was noted as the only believer present, though he also critiqued Spiritualism. The conference is described as a straightforward, cut-and-thrust event that still leaves room for mystery.

TV TIMES....

This section discusses the media's portrayal of UFOs. The author expresses reluctance to participate in programs that aim to ridicule UFO research, citing an experience with Terry Wogan's show. However, the author notes that the BBC is producing UFO-related programs, including "HORIZON" (a science series) and "WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?/ITS AMAZING." The "HORIZON" program is described as potentially skeptical, focusing on the idea that UFO investigators have a religious need to believe. The author mentions attempting to get British UFO cases featured but facing resistance. The "ITS AMAZING" program is noted for involving a psychologist specializing in optical illusions and for featuring local close encounter cases. The author reflects on the decision-making process for engaging with media, weighing the potential for sensible presentation against the risk of less informed coverage.

FOUR...

This section continues the discussion on media coverage and UFO events. The "HORIZON" program, largely filmed in America, is noted for its skeptical tone, suggesting UFO investigators have a religious need to believe. Efforts to include British ufology were largely unsuccessful. The section also details a cancelled Granada TV live program about paranormal researchers, which was replaced by a Falklands-related show. The author criticizes the producer's apparent decision to focus on American ufology. A brief mention is made of a "silly season" event involving a TV show that was cancelled.

UFO / IFO

• This section reviews two publications:
• SCUFORI/PROBE: A 42-page booklet with photographs, offering articles on UFO identification, astronomical misidentifications, witness perceptions, ball lightning, and aircraft misidentifications. It also includes "Case Closed" examples and a non-explained case.
• THE SWORD AND THE STONE: A 74-page book by Andy Collins, described as an incredible and important report detailing a series of incidents leading to the discovery of buried treasure, including a sword and a stone with alleged magic powers. The book is said to involve known individuals and concerns psychic messages and a race against time.

FIVE....

• This section details UFO investigations and sightings:
• Case 72: JUL 9: Nine people in a minibus witnessed a "ball of fire" pacing their vehicle at high speed, changing color. It is suggested this could be ball lightning.
• Case 77: UNKNOWN: A W LITS (White Light) was observed moving slowly near Manchester Airport, likely an aircraft.
• Case 79: JAN 13: An old couple observed a large ball of W-LITS over their farmhouse, which approached silently and vanished.
• Case 82: MAY 11: Two red lights were seen near a suspension bridge, fading in and out and moving slowly.
• Case 80: OCT 19: A woman saw a brilliant LITS which was then obscured by an aircraft. The object was described as round and dome-shaped.
• Case 80: NOV 30: A farming family observed a white oval object that hovered above their farmhouse, causing TV static.
• Case 81: NOV 28: An object with a white cone-shaped head and a blunt bluish tail was seen, possibly a meteor.
• Case 82: FEB 5: Bright flashing LITS were observed, described as cigar-shaped with a flashing tail and three portholes, moving slowly over the Galloway Hills.

SIX...

A CRAZY DAY IN WEST YORKSHIRE: This section details a series of UFO incidents on April 17, 1982, in West Yorkshire. These included a hovering object in Surrey and a cigar-shaped object with lights seen in Tedmorden. A red disc was also observed on April 19th. The events are linked to the "OZ Factor," which describes the isolation and stillness experienced during sightings. The section concludes with a "mystery skyquake" in Tedmorden on April 20th, potentially related to piezoelectric effects.

OVNI Français photographed..... Investigation by Mark Brown of UFOR- Midlands: This segment describes the investigation of a UFO photograph taken by a plumbing engineer in November 1981. The witness photographed what he believed to be Spanish Air Force jets, but the developed image showed a blurred diamond-like object. Analysis suggested the object was real, and navigational data placed the aircraft in a French Military Air zone. The conclusion is that a French military jet, tilted at an angle, was photographed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of the psychological and perceptual aspects of UFO sightings, particularly the concept of hallucinations and their potential connection to UFO experiences. The magazine also emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and the critical analysis of evidence, as seen in the review of the ASSAP conference. There is a clear concern about the sensationalized and often dismissive portrayal of UFO phenomena by the media, with a call for ufologists to present their case responsibly. The issue highlights the ongoing efforts of various UFO research groups in the UK and internationally, sharing news of their activities, publications, and conferences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging serious consideration of unconventional explanations while maintaining a skeptical eye towards unsubstantiated claims and media hype.