The small town of Todmorden has gained a reputation as a hub for UFO sightings, linked to the mysterious death of coalminer Zigmund Adamski in 1980.
Nestled in the heart of the Pennines, the small market town of Todmorden, renowned for its industrial past rooted in the cotton trade during the Industrial Revolution, has gained a peculiar reputation as a hub for UFO sightings. This unusual claim to fame can be traced back to 1980, when the remains of coalminer Zigmund Adamski were found on a pile of coal within the town, just a week after he had mysteriously vanished. Adamski’s body exhibited unexplained burns on his head, shoulder, and neck, leading to speculation that has persisted for decades surrounding the circumstances of his death.
This incident ignited interest and concern over possible alien involvement, particularly after Police Constable Alan Godfrey, who investigated the case, suggested that Adamski appeared to have been “frightened to death.” Godfrey remained open to various explanations, telling the media, “I am open-minded. I can’t rule it out.” His assertions came after he himself experienced a notable UFO sighting six months later. While responding to reports of cattle roaming a local council estate, Godfrey reported seeing a bright light hovering in the sky, which he described as a “rotating diamond-shaped object.”
During this encounter, Godfrey encountered a strange occurrence; his police radio equipment reportedly failed to operate, and after witnessing the object, he found himself inexplicably 30 yards further down the road, with one of his boots split and an itchy red mark on his foot. With no recollection of the preceding half-hour, he later underwent hypnosis, during which he recounted a vivid experience of waking up in a room being medically examined by what appeared to be extraterrestrial beings. However, in 2018, Godfrey expressed uncertainty about this experience, admitting that it was likely a dream.
The bizarre series of events surrounding Adamski’s death and Godfrey’s experiences have contributed to Todmorden’s air of mystery, attracting attention from those intrigued by the possibility of alien encounters. As such, the town continues to hold a notable position within the realm of UFO lore, blending its historical significance with an enigmatic legacy that remains a topic of fascination for both residents and visitors.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.history.co.uk/articles/the-todmorden-ufo-mystery-a-close-encounter-in-west-yorkshire – This article supports the claims surrounding Zigmund Adamski’s mysterious death and the UFO sightings in Todmorden, highlighting the unexplained burns on Adamski’s body and Alan Godfrey’s UFO encounter.
- https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/happy-valley-the-story-of-the-todmorden-ufo-sighting-mentioned-in-sally-wainwrights-bbc-drama-3988774 – This article references Alan Godfrey’s UFO sighting and its connection to the BBC drama ‘Happy Valley,’ further solidifying Todmorden’s reputation as a UFO hotspot.
- https://www.blaze.tv/series/todmorden-ufo-sighting-britains-roswell – This BLAZE TV series focuses on the Todmorden UFO sightings, including Alan Godfrey’s experience and the historical context of the area being a UFO hotspot.
- https://www.history.co.uk/articles/the-todmorden-ufo-mystery-a-close-encounter-in-west-yorkshire – This article also details the atmosphere of mystery surrounding Todmorden due to its historical and recent UFO sightings, contributing to its enigmatic legacy.
- https://www.blaze.tv/series/todmorden-ufo-sighting-britains-roswell – This series elaborates on the significance of the Todmorden UFO incidents in 1980 and how they have contributed to the town’s reputation in British ufology.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative references events from 1980 and mentions a statement from 2018, indicating it may incorporate older content or themes. There’s no clear evidence that the information is updated or recent.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Quotes are attributed to specific individuals but lack online evidence confirming their original sources or dates. Verification could enhance trustworthiness.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Express, a well-known publication. However, the reliability could be improved if corroborated by multiple independent sources.
Plausability check
Score:
5
Notes:
The claims about UFO sightings and associated events are intriguing but difficult to verify. These are speculative and part of folklore rather than based on concrete evidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative contains speculative claims that are open to interpretation. While it draws from historical events and known figures, verification of quotes and the plausibility of UFO-related claims remains unresolved. Source reliability is moderate, as it comes from a known publication but lacks broader corroboration.
