WYUFORG News - No 2 - 1985

Magazine Overview

This document is the second newsletter from the West Yorkshire UFO Research Group (WYUFORG), dated January 1985. It is presented as an informal update for investigators and serves to communicate news and notices regarding the group's activities and recent UFO reports. The newsletter aims to cover news relating to recent reports and issues handled by the group, with Paul Bennett focusing on reports and Steve Hart on other materials. It is stressed that this publication is not a specific scientific attempt to analyze the UFO situation but rather a collection of relevant material for WYUFORG investigators.

Editorial and Group Information

The newsletter is edited by Paul Bennett, with HQ managed by Martin Dagless. Martin Dagless and Steve Hart are listed as Chairman/Coordinators. The editorial notes a slight increase in pagination for this edition, attributing it to the inclusion of more news and notices. Members are encouraged to contact the editor with comments or to submit articles for publication. The newsletter is being shared with several outside groups in exchange for their publications.

Meeting of 8 December 1984, Bradford

Key items discussed at the meeting included:

New Investigators

It was resolved that the maximum number of investigators involved in the Group should be ten. Members were asked to invite any interested individuals for 'serious' investigation to attend meetings.

Finance

The 'News of the World/Appletreewick UFO Photo Newspaper Deal' was discussed, with the Group feeling they were treated untowardly by Messrs Sacks and Harris. Miss Randles' detached role was noted. The possibility of receiving £100 upon return of negatives and prints was mentioned, though previous promises of figures had been varied. A report on obtaining a grant was to be given at the next meeting, with Iain Johnston and Steve looking into it.

Jenny Randles/BUFORA/NUFON/etc.

It was decided that after the Appletreewick deal concluded, Jenny Randles, BUFORA, and NUFON would be left to their own devices, with the group aiming to remain independent. Jenny Randles is described critically as 'pretentious, exploitive, assuming and the 2nd Coming of Thatcher'.

NUFOIS and OSEAP

These groups were felt to express a similar attitude to the subject as WYUFORG. It was resolved to maintain a close friendship and exchange publications with them, hoping to learn from each other.

Library

A reminder was issued that a £1 fee is required to cover photocopying costs for a complete list of the WYUFORG library books. Ann Chanter might be able to get copies of the lists free of charge.

Night Observation Exercises

These were to be organized soon. Advice had come from NUFOIS and OSEAP, contrasting with MUFORA's Chairman, who reportedly felt they were a waste of time. Paul Bennett contradicted this, citing his experiences on solitary sky watches.

Public Relations Exercise

This was also to start soon. Iain Johnston had recently had an article produced in a local paper.

23 July, 1984 UFO Flap

Paul was to assess and complete reports from this event, with theoretical assessments to be made in a final report.

Addresses of Investigators

Addresses were provided for Martin Dagless, Steve Hart, Paul Bennett (referred to as 'the scruffy hippy'), Iain Johnston, and Darren and Ann Chanter.

Next Meeting

The next meeting was scheduled for Sunday, January 13, 1985, at Paul and Sylvia's flat, starting at 2 pm, and thereafter fortnightly. The agenda included progress reports on new investigators, the 'News of the World-Appletreewick deal', grants, library, skywatches, computer system, and public relations.

A USEFUL ACRONYM?

Steve Hart proposes the acronym 'TAO' for 'temporary anomalous occurence'. He defines this as 'an occurrence of limited, temporal duration,' which is, or appears to be, contrary 'to the known laws of nature.' He notes the etymology of 'temporary' from Latin 'tempus' (time) and 'anomalous' from Greek 'anomolos' ('not the law' or 'contrary'). The proposed TAO is also noted to be synonymous with the Chinese 'Tao' or 'way of the universe'.

THE APPLETREEWICK ANOMALY - YET AGAIN!

Recent information has brought to light potential relevance to the Appletreewick photographic anomaly. Steve Hart investigated the anomaly's proximity to Earth faulting systems, finding a small fault and a minor tectonic displacement ridge nearby. He found the nearest tectonic danger zone to be over half a mile south-west. As no visual sighting or movement was recorded, he concluded no conditional evidence indicated a piezoelectrical explanation. Hart offers to show geological fault maps at Bradford Central Library. He also found information about local folklore, including references to 'Fairy Hole' near the anomaly site, associated with 'little people' and fairy legends, particularly around May festivities. Other folklore connections include fairies at Dib Well and the reputedly haunted Low Hall. Archaeologically, the district has two stone circles aligned to the May Day sunrise and cup and ring carvings. A mysterious old Celtic head at Old Monk' Hall is also mentioned.

UFO REPORTS

Idle Moor Sightings (11 December 1984)

Three reports from the Bradford area on December 11, 1984, are detailed:

1. A motorist driving home noticed two peculiarly bright white lights on the western side of Idle Moor, initially thought to be aircraft lights but appearing strange.
2. Mr Bernard Empson, a textile scientist, reported a very bright white light to the right of Idle Hill, which he found perplexing, noting only one light with a rotating motion.
3. Another motorist driving near Bolton Road observed two white lights moving very slowly.

These reports are considered to have direct relevance to a ley line investigation.

West Bowling Sighting (Following Evening)

A family in West Bowling reported a triangular formation of purple objects travelling towards Wyke and Thornton. Although a UFO Society member suggested they were unconventional aircraft lights, the witnesses rejected this hypothesis. The report notes a previous sighting of a purple object in the same area on August 2, 1977.

West Bowling Sighting (Summer 1984)

An elderly witness from West Bowling was awoken by a humming noise and saw a brilliant triangular-shaped object, purple in colour, moving away from the house.

Appletreewick/Devil's Apronful Sighting (September 1977)

Phillip Hopwood and a friend camping near Appletreewick saw a 'very bright object, white in colour, descending on the remote moorlands' near Simon's Seat. It reached an estimated height of 1000 feet, then ascended at tremendous speed and disappeared without noise.

Bolton Abbey Incident (Earlier in the same week as Appletreewick sighting)

Four teenagers were knocked unconscious by a dark-coloured hooded entity that appeared to spray gas at them.

Concluding Remarks

The author concludes the piece by stating it's a 'scruffy little excuse of a piece of work' and expresses hope for more pages in future editions. Readers are encouraged to send any articles on paranormal or ufological subjects to the editor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter reflects a strong emphasis on local UFO investigation within the West Yorkshire area, particularly focusing on the Appletreewick case and sightings around Bradford. There's a clear stance on maintaining independence from other, larger UFO organizations, which are sometimes viewed critically. The group appears open to exploring various aspects of the phenomenon, including folklore, ley lines, and potential scientific explanations, though the tone is often informal and speculative. The editorial encourages member participation and the sharing of information. The introduction of the 'TAO' acronym suggests an attempt to categorize and understand anomalous phenomena systematically.