BUFOA Journal - No 1 - Summer 1963

Magazine Overview

This is the first issue of the BUFOA Journal, published by the British UFO Association in the Summer of 1963. The journal's primary goal is to coordinate UFO investigations and disseminate knowledge about unexplained aerial phenomena.

Editorial Stance and Association Goals

The editorial highlights the formation of the British UFO Association as a significant step towards pooling resources and promoting research into UFOs. It notes that many UFO organisations in Britain are now in a position to collaborate. The London UFO Research Organisation (LUFORO), the central branch, is developing a punch card system for scientific comparison of sightings, with its Croydon section initiating a similar scheme. The aim is to discover laws or tendencies in UFO activity, with results to be published in the Journal and presented at the annual conference. The editorial expresses optimism that a breakthrough is at hand, overcoming historical prejudice and suspicion surrounding the investigation of unexplained phenomena.

Sighting Reports

Mystery Lights at South Lowestoft

This section details a well-authenticated sighting from December 19, 1962, investigated by the Cambridge University Group. The report, based on preliminary findings by Mr. D.W. Parry, describes multiple witnesses seeing two, then three, then a group of yellow lights, some disappearing, and finally three huge objects in arrow-head formation with a bright white light behind, passing slowly overhead. Mr. Parry interviewed 30 witnesses and concluded that the objects were likely between 100-200ft across, flying at 10-40 knots, and were probably three circular objects with central and rim lights, banking like aircraft.

From Ships at Sea

Two UFO sighting reports from November 1, 1962, received from ships at sea, are presented. Mr. R. Blackburn, on the S.S. British Architect in the Mediterranean, reported a peculiar, circular, dim object, larger than a full moon, moving fast and disappearing. Mr. P.A. Griffith, on the M.V. British Loyalty in the Red Sea, sighted a circular glow moving north at sputnik speed, with a star of poor brilliance in the center. He provided detailed positional and atmospheric data.

The Berkhamsted Sighting

This report from October 2, 1962, involves Mr. R.J. Neighbour and his girlfriend who saw a 'pin head' object that grew larger, exhibiting a shimmer like a halo and an enormous white light, accompanied by a humming sound. The object moved slowly overhead before disappearing. The report notes similarities to the ship sightings. Another witness, Mr. G.F. Oakley, reported a small white disc-shaped object moving fast and silently across the sky on the same day. Additional reports include nurses at Sunderland seeing a 'white, silvery, round object' and two women at Gateshead seeing a fast-moving, bright gold object shaped like a rectangle with rounded corners.

Green Star at Ventnor

This section details three occasions in April 1963 when Mrs. L. Spanner observed an unusual green 'star' from Ventnor, Isle of Wight. The first sighting was a bright green star with a red cloud. The second involved the red cloud reshaping into a tail resembling a rocket exhaust. The third sighting described two long, narrow cylinders, vividly green, each with a brilliant red light at the forward end, resembling 'two bright green lighted cigarettes held together.' Her daughter described it as 'like two thin, oblong tubes, or one oblong with a dark, horizontal line across it.'

Strange White Light Seen from Downs

Mr. A.J. Rawden reported a 30-minute sighting on April 19, 1963, of a whitish-coloured oblong area suspended motionless in a sea mist belt off the Isle of Wight.

'Flying Saucer at the Bottom of My Garden'

This report, from the Daily Express of May 8, 1963, describes Robert Hirst (13) and his mother seeing a 16ft. diameter flying saucer hovering over their garden with two aerials and a red light, emitting a low buzz and flashing light. They reported the incident to the police.

Heap Bridge Phenomenon

Mr. and Mrs. L. Greenhaigh reported hearing an engine sound and seeing a 'saucer' speeding overhead, swerving away, hovering, and then touching down near their home in Heywood, Lancs. The object emitted a bright light and a rocket-like noise. Other residents reportedly heard the same noise.

Interviewing an Eyewitness

This article, based on a lecture by Mr. G.N.P. Stephenson, Secretary of BUFOA, discusses the techniques and difficulties of interviewing UFO witnesses. Stephenson advises calling without warning, being courteous yet persuasive, and understanding human nature. He warns against badgering witnesses and notes that confusion can arise from multiple investigations. The article emphasizes that falsehoods do not entirely invalidate a story and that investigators should consider illusionary factors such as size, movement, light variations, and time perception. It recommends interviewing witnesses separately and using non-recorded preliminary interviews if using a tape recorder. Questions should be phrased to elicit detailed responses, not just 'yes' or 'no'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed reporting of UFO sightings, the importance of rigorous investigation, and the efforts of the British UFO Association to professionalize the study of UFOs. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry, aiming to move beyond prejudice and toward a scientific understanding of unexplained aerial phenomena. The journal serves as a platform for sharing information and fostering collaboration among UFO researchers in Britain.

This issue of the BUFOA Journal, dated Summer 1963, focuses on the 'Crater Mystery' at Charlton, Wiltshire, and introduces a methodology for testing the observational skills of UFO witnesses. The magazine provides regional contact addresses for members to report sightings and press cuttings.

Crater Mystery at Charlton

The lead article, "Crater Mystery | what happened at Charlton?" by Charles Stickland B.Sc., details an investigation into a hole discovered at Manor Farm, Charlton, Wiltshire, following extensive publicity in the Daily Express. The site was investigated by Nigel Stephenson and the author. The hole was approximately 5 inches across and 3 feet deep, situated in a shallow depression. The surrounding barley and potato crops showed signs of disturbance, including trampled areas and cut stalks. Initial theories considered a meteorite or a hoax. However, the investigation, aided by a bomb disposal unit, identified the material in the hole as 'iron pan' (iron hydroxide), ruling out a meteorite. The possibility of a hoax was deemed unlikely due to the remote location. An explosion hypothesis was also discounted due to a lack of scorching. The author concludes that the evidence supports the possibility of a landing by an extra-terrestrial machine, citing the farmer's belief and the nature of crop disturbance as supporting factors. The disturbance patterns, such as a 39-foot path pointing down a valley, suggest a possible flight path. Stickland invites further information regarding unusual occurrences in the region from mid-June to mid-July.

Mystery Craters (continued)

This section reports on other similar crater discoveries across the British Isles. "The Scotsman" reported two sixteen-foot craters on the Meadows at Middle Monynut farm, south of Dunbar, with radiating channels and scattered earth. "The Yorkshire Post" reported a giant crater, 60 yards across, on Dufton Fell, Westmorland. Another hole was investigated by F. Malcolm Bull and Trevor Whitaker at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire. This hole, 12 to 18 inches deep, was found in a field where the grass and hay had been disturbed. Army disposal units filled the hole after examining cracks. While lightning was suggested as a cause, the evidence was inconclusive. The report includes a diagram of the hole and surrounding cracks.

Tests of Observation

Authored by F. Malcolm Bull, this section introduces a study on assessing the perceptive powers, memory, and description abilities of UFO witnesses. The article highlights that many UFO descriptions can be subject to misinterpretation due to the brief observation times and potential memory degradation. The author proposes a method to evaluate these faculties, acknowledging it might seem like a 'Big Brother' system but emphasizing its voluntary nature. The study aims to develop a more quantitative basis for UFO identification and classification. Three key areas are defined: Perception (how an individual 'sees' and understands an object), Memory (how an image is retained over time), and Description (verbal and pictorial representation). The article explains that while Perception and Memory are internal processes, Description is the only directly investigable aspect. A practical experiment is outlined, involving viewing designs and then recalling and drawing them after various time intervals (five minutes, a day, a week). Participants are instructed to send their drawings and written descriptions to F. Malcolm Bull for analysis, with results to be published later.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, specifically focusing on physical evidence such as craters and ground traces, and the human element in reporting these phenomena. The magazine adopts a serious, investigative stance, encouraging members to contribute data and participate in research. The editorial stance appears to be open to the possibility of extra-terrestrial visitation, as suggested by the detailed analysis of the Charlton crater, while also emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific methods to study witness accounts and improve the reliability of data collection.

This document is the first issue of the magazine 'Flying Saucer Review,' published in January 1955. The magazine is printed by William Kempner Ltd. at 36 Brooke Street, London, E.C.1, with the telephone number CHAncery 3588.

Cover Content

The cover features a series of line drawings. The topmost image is a domed shape with a flat base, resembling a flying saucer or helmet. Below this are three other diagrams: one is an angular, multi-sided shape; another is a triangle with a suspended weight; and the bottommost is a series of dashed lines forming a corner or grid.

Editorial Stance and Themes

Based on the title 'Flying Saucer Review' and the visual elements on the cover, the magazine's primary theme revolves around unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and flying saucers. The diagrams suggest an analytical or observational approach, possibly categorizing or illustrating different types of sightings or phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme of this publication is clearly the study and reporting of UFO phenomena. The inaugural issue sets the stage for ongoing investigations and discussions within this specialized field. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into aerial mysteries.