BUFORA Journal - Volume 07 No 02 - Jul Aug 1978

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA JOURNAL
Issue: Volume 7, Number 2
Date: July/August 1978
Publisher: British UFO Research Association
Type: Conference issue magazine.

Editorial Content

Editorial: UFO Sponsorship

The editorial welcomes the Cutty Sark promotion as a positive step towards stimulating serious interest in ufology and sponsorship for scientific, objective research in the UK. It expresses hope that other companies and individuals will follow suit. The editorial contrasts the scientific community's perceived dichotomy in attitude towards extraterrestrial phenomena with the vast sums spent on other research areas, highlighting the persistent avoidance of the possibility of extraterrestrial visits.

An Example to Follow...

This section commends contributors Tina and Roy Goutte for their in-depth research into the Bermuda Triangle, including obtaining a US Navy report on the disappearance of Flight 19 and analyzing Lloyds data on ship disappearances. Their thoroughness and objectivity are presented as a standard for researchers worldwide. The acronym WATSUP (Wessex Association for the Study of Unexplained Phenomena) is defined as an organization that promotes, initiates, and supports scientific investigation into all aspects of unexplained phenomena.

Kensington Lectures

Announces the recommencement of Kensington Lectures on Saturday, 2 September, at 7 pm, featuring speaker J Bernard Delair of Contact UK. The series will continue monthly until June 1979 at the Kensington Central Library.

In Memoriam

A brief note expresses sorrow over the death of Bridget Chivers, who reported a 'landed cone' near Warminster, and extends sympathy to her family and the UFO INFO group.

Feature Article: £1,000,000 For a Flying Saucer

This article details the significant offer made by Cutty Sark (UK Scotch Whisky Ltd) on 1 June 1978. The headline-grabbing offer is a £1,000,000 prize for a device proven to have arrived on Earth from beyond our solar system, which could be a craft, a reconnaissance vehicle, a missile, or an artifact.

Cutty Sark Director Russ Taylor is quoted expressing concern about the scientific community's 'earth chauvinism' and the neglect of research into extraterrestrial life. The article notes a severe budget cut for NASA's project to search for intelligent alien civilizations, reducing it from £1,000,000 to £300,000, which is deemed disproportionate compared to space programs. The article argues that investigating aerial phenomena should be an integrated international venture.

Cutty Sark also offers subsidiary prizes:

1. £1,000,000 prize: For a device proven to have arrived from beyond our solar system.
2. £1,000 prize: For the best scientific paper contributing to the understanding of UFO phenomena.
3. £500 prize: For the best 'CUTTY SARK UFO LOG,' containing information on aerial phenomena researched from 19th-century sailing ship logs.
4. Prizes to the value of £1,000: For the best 'CUTTY SARK CAPSULE,' containing items to represent Earth's mode of life, similar to the Voyager Record.

The closing dates for entries are specified: 30th June 1979 for prizes (2) and (3), and 31st December 1978 for prize (4).

BUFORA is proud to have been the sole UK UFO organization consulted by Cutty Sark, indicating growing respect for BUFORA as one of the country's longest-established investigational bodies.

The original idea for the 'sailing ship UFO log' offer came from a BUFORA member. The article mentions positive interactions with Cutty Sark Director Russ Taylor and his secretary Lindsay Ramsey.

Voyager Record Contents

A comprehensive list of the contents of the Voyager Record is provided, including messages, photographic index items (calibration circle, solar location map, etc.), geographical locations (Egypt, Red Sea, Nile), scientific definitions (DNA structure, cells, anatomy), natural scenes (sand dunes, Monument Valley, forest), human biology (sex organs, conception, foetus, birth), family and social scenes, geological and geographical features (continental drift, earth structure, Heron Island), and various images of flora, fauna, and human activities.

Report-Extra!

Presented by Norman Oliver, this section features a selection of UFO reports.

The Humming 'Egg' of Kilve

Patricia Cater reported an egg-shaped, silvery-grey object hovering over a field near Kilve on 26 September 1977. She experienced a sensation of prickling skin and hair standing on end, accompanied by a low humming sound. The object showed no signs of movement and disappeared after about twelve minutes.

Clapham ‘Tin Helmet’

Inv S Kellard reports on a sighting by Elsie Tate in Clapham on 24 February 1978. She observed an object with four white lights and a central red light, shaped like a 'tin helmet,' hovering soundlessly before moving off at an estimated 80 mph. The object's diameter was estimated to be between 45 to 60 feet.

'Row of Shop windows'

Inv G Baker describes an incident from August 1955 near Cheltenham. A witness and friends saw an object appear over treetops, make a near right-angled turn, and vanish behind trees. The object resembled a row of lighted shop windows, with blue-green rays emanating from its ends, and produced a noise described as a mixture of an electric motor and a taxi-ing jet. Its speed was estimated to be fast, similar to an airliner at touchdown.

'Floating Moon' at Ripponden

Inv C Lockwood recounts an experience of Mr and Mrs Rowlands on 13th and 14th August 1955, at Ripponden. They observed a bright, roundish, fluorescent object float past their window, described as silent and moving at approximately 20 mph. Mr Rowlands compared it to the Moon coming down to look at them.

Huge 'craft' over Dudley

Inv M Pritchard reports a sighting by Clive Anthony Turner on 2 October 1977, in Dudley. Turner saw a stationary circular craft hovering at about 250-300 feet, with a dirty silver underside and rotating multi-coloured lights.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently promotes scientific investigation and objective research into UFO phenomena. It advocates for international cooperation in studying aerial phenomena and expresses concern over the lack of serious scientific engagement with the subject. The publication highlights the importance of sponsorship for ufological research and presents various sighting reports to illustrate the ongoing nature of the phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging evidence-based analysis rather than dismissal.

This issue of the BUFORA Journal, Volume 4, Number 2, published in 1978, focuses on a variety of UFO and anomalous phenomena reports from the United Kingdom. The journal features detailed witness accounts, investigator notes, and discussions on the nature of UFO research.

Key Articles and Reports

UFOs and MIB at Haverhill?

This section details multiple sightings by Derek Andrews, a milkman from Haverhill, Suffolk. In the summer of 1977, he reported seeing four strange aerial objects. One incident in early September involved a 'cigar-shaped object' that rotated and moved towards him, described as silvery with a high-pitched whistle noise. Following a press article about his sightings, Andrews received a threatening phone call from an unknown male. Later, a 'tall man' in a 'black suit' appeared at his door on multiple occasions in the early morning, raising suspicions of Men in Black (MIB) activity.

Brookmans Park Balls

Investigator M. Lewis reports two sightings by an anonymous witness in Brookmans Park, Herts, on August 19 and 26, 1977. A large yellow/green ball was observed hovering around a broadcasting transmitter, moving in a circle and emitting red and green flashes.

Triangular Aliens?

J. Garside recounts an experience from September 20, 1973, near Huddersfield and Halifax. While with a friend, he saw three bright triangular lights that appeared to be 'gliding' uphill through woods. They followed the shapes, which sped up, and noted a smell like burning oil. Upon reaching the top of the hill, the figures had disappeared, but a small round orange light was seen moving away.

Giant object over SE London

Investigator M. Weaven documents a sighting by a 16-year-old girl in Abbey Wood, London, in October 1977. She saw a large dome-shaped 'craft' moving slowly along a road, appearing blue-grey with two yellow lights and red lights at its centre. The object tilted upwards and moved away. The observation lasted about two minutes.

Sunday UFO at Cirencester

Investigator G. Baker reports on Gordon Richings' sighting in Cirencester, Glos, on April 16, 1978. Richings observed a glowing object moving at 'tremendous speed,' which slowed down and then shot off. The object was described as brownish-red with coloured trails, triangular in shape, and about the length of one and a half buses. It emitted a 'whoosh' sound.

Devon Dome

Investigator J. Webber details an incident on February 15, 1978, in Ivybridge, Devon. A witness saw a dome-shaped object, estimated at 250 feet across, with a brilliant blue light and observation windows emitting pinkish light. The object caused the witness's TV and street lights to black out, while house lights remained on. It emitted a low hum and rocked gently before speeding away northwards at an incredible speed.

The Bedford Incidents

Investigator K. Phillips summarizes a complex case involving multiple witnesses, primarily young children, from Radwell, Beds, during January, February, and March 1978. The witnesses reported observing several oval-shaped 'LITS' (Lights) performing unusual movements. Mr. Howard Honeywood, aged 39, provided testimony based on his sons' observations. The phenomena included hovering objects, one described as like a 'large Roman Candle' emitting globules of light. During one chase, Honeywood observed 'about eight objects' described as 'about the size of a small helicopter,' with orange and flashing lights. A triangular array of lights was also seen in a field. Investigations with the Royal Aircraft Establishment yielded negative results.

'The best film of a UFO yet'

Richard Colborne comments on a film of 'balls of light' over Salisbury Plain, widely shown on TV. He argues that the objects are Army Flares, not Ball Lightning, based on his year-long observation of aerial phenomena in the area. He expresses doubt about the initial frames but believes subsequent frames clearly show flares.

National Conference

The journal covers the 1978 Bufora National UFO Research and Investigations Conference held in Nottingham. Approximately 100 delegates attended. Bufora Chairman Lionel Beer and President 'Tim' O'Brien spoke, emphasizing objectivity and critical skepticism in UFO research. Presentations included 'Danish Time Law Analysis of UFO Sightings,' 'An Experimental Investigation of Some Aspects of Biochemical Evolution' by Steve Gamble, and 'Close Encounters of the Second Kind' by Bob Digby, which reviewed the Carl Farlow encounter.

Uforum

This section contains letters from readers. S. Chetwynd thanks organizers of the Nottingham Conference. Richard Colborne praises the Journal's focus on credible UFO experiences and well-investigated sightings, appreciating the 'Points from the Press' column. He also references the 'UFOs' film discussed elsewhere.

Those Dartmoor Ponies

Stephen Gamble, AIMLS, addresses reports of ponies found dead on Dartmoor, which a Devon UFO organization suggested might be UFO-related. His investigation, based on findings from a veterinary expert, concluded the deaths were due to a heavy worm infection following a drought, deeming it a plausible explanation with no link to UFO events.

Nottingham 1978

This section details papers presented at the Nottingham conference. Tony Pace presented an analysis of 673 UFO reports from 1975, noting a high percentage of unexplained cases and patterns in sighting times and durations. Charles Lockwood introduced Steve Gamble, who discussed biochemical evolution and the need for control samples in investigating physical traces of UFO events. Bob Digby presented on 'Close Encounters of the Second Kind,' focusing on physical evidence and vehicle interference, reviewing the Carl Farlow encounter. John Hind discussed UFOs as a modern social phenomenon, referencing an abduction claim. The section also notes the use of 'Star Wars' film clips and slides as background visuals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigation and credible evidence in UFO research, distinguishing between unsubstantiated reports and those with detailed witness testimony and investigator analysis. There is a clear editorial stance favoring well-documented cases and a critical, yet open-minded, approach to Ufology. The presence of MIB reports and the discussion of the psychological impact of UFO phenomena suggest an interest in the broader implications of the subject beyond simple sightings. The journal also actively promotes Bufora's activities, including conferences and publications, positioning itself as a key resource for UFO research in the UK.

This issue of BUFORA (British UFO Research Association) Conference proceedings, identified as issue number 19, focuses on the events and presentations from a conference held in January 1979. The magazine details various talks, discussions, and reports related to UFO phenomena, research methodologies, and recent sightings.

Conference Presentations

Roy Dutton on UFO Prediction

Roy Dutton, associated with the aeronautical industry, presented a paper on his research into predicting UFO events by identifying times and locations. He suggested that sightings might align with certain great circles as they move through time zones, noting that apparently unrelated reports in different areas occurred at the same sidereal times. This research aimed to use these correlations to forecast sighting locations.

John Armitage on Exobiology

John Armitage, while stating he was not a ufologist, discussed Exobiological Concepts and the Search for Extra-terrestrial Life. His interest lay in Earth and Planetary Sciences. He aimed to define Exobiology and its connection to communication with Extra-terrestrial Intelligence, relating these to UFO studies without necessarily connecting them directly. He used slides to illustrate his points, emphasizing that while a UFO phenomenon exists, its nature remains unknown.

Douwe Bosga on the Center for UFO Studies

Douwe Bosga, who had worked with Dr. Hynek at the UFO Center in 1977, presented an informative talk on the structure and work of the Center. He detailed reorganizations aimed at improving communication between investigators and the Center. By April 1977, approximately eighty investigators from across the USA were submitting reports. The Center produced the 'Center Investigators Quarterly' with guidelines. By February 1978, the Center had processed a backlog of data, resulting in between fifty-five and sixty thousand cases, totaling roughly one hundred thousand entries globally.

Charles Lockwood and Tony Pace on Pembrokeshire 'Flap'

Charles Lockwood and Tony Pace presented a slide-illustrated summary of the Pembrokeshire 'flap' period, with Tony Pace detailing his in-depth investigations. They were joined by Lionel Beer and Randall Jones Pugh, whose knowledge of local incidents was extensive. Reports from this 'Ufocal' covered various UFO events, with a probable exception of abduction cases. Randall Jones Pugh suggested a possible significance of Ley Lines in the area and drew parallels with the Warminster area. The main report period was between December 1976 and May 1977, with a peak in humanoid accounts during the first six months of 1977.

Dr. Richard Haines on UFO Shapes and Data Collection

Dr. Richard Haines, a psychologist and consultant to the Center for UFO Studies, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary measures for studying UFO phenomena. He discussed UFO shapes, stating it was unrealistic to separate shapes we grow up with from those reported in literature. He collected data by asking attendees to draw what they thought a UFO looked like, aiming to compare British and American perceptions and understand the impact of culture and technology on visual information processing. He stressed the importance of data and avoiding 'cueing' witnesses.

David Viewing on Starships and Colonization

David Viewing presented on 'The Nature of Starships,' distinguishing between 'energetic' and 'innocuous' starship concepts. He discussed parameters for expansion relative to the speed of light and age of stellar bodies, suggesting civilizations might be numerous and distances small. He also examined possible propulsion methods and the detection of starships, concluding that if civilizations intended to remain hidden, they might never be detected with current technology.

Tony Pace on Zeta Reticulans

Tony Pace contributed a segment on 'Zeta Reticulans,' based on the star map in the Betty and Barney Hill case. He discussed the tentative identification of stars Zeta 1 and 11 Reticuli as the home system for the craft involved in the Hills' 1961 encounter, noting the controversy surrounding this identification. He also highlighted Marjorie Fish's research and models that suggested Zeta Reticuli as the hypothetical alien base.

Douwe Bosga on Abduction Cases

Douwe Bosga presented two cases of abduction. The first involved a woman in Missouri in 1965 who experienced missing time and later, under hypnosis, recalled being taken aboard a craft by humanoid beings. The second case explored the relationship between UFO and ghost-like experiences, involving two girls in Illinois who witnessed a figure that merged with a 'duplicate' and disappeared into a cloud of light, followed by severe poltergeist phenomena. Bosga also mentioned a current investigation in Nebraska involving abduction by a pick-up truck.

Group Sessions and Radar Discussion

Group sessions covered various topics, including radar discussions led by Arnold West and Geoffrey Falla, and inter-group relations led by Bob Digby. Charles Lockwood and Larry Dale explained a radio-noise monitoring project and discussed the feasibility of a magnetometer-based UFO detection network.

Points from the Press

This section compiles recent UFO sighting reports from various newspapers:

• The Surrey Herald (March 9): Reported a 'triangle' with red lights seen by teenage girls near Addlestone.
• The Manchester Evening News (March 20): Featured a sighting of a 7-foot tall 'spaceman' near Warrington.
• The Evening News (Edinburgh) (March 22): Mentioned S Campbell of Bufora Scotland giving a talk on UFOs.
• The Western Telegraph (March 30): Reported that mysterious crystals falling in Haverfordwest were identified as salt by Randall Pugh.
• Reader's Letter (in an unspecified paper): Explained UFO acceleration as 3-dimensional projected images, referencing an article on American psychological warfare techniques.
• The Evening Argus (April 6): Reported on mystery fires in Ashdown Forest, Sussex, with a witness seeing a ball of fire that changed direction.
• The Isle of Wight County Press (April 8): Featured aircraft designer Leonard Cramp relaunching his book on UFO propulsion.
• The Evening Echo (April 13): Reported on Clifford James investigating UFO reports and his own sightings of saucer-shaped discs.
• The Evening Post (April 17): Referred to the Nottingham Conference and Dr. Richard Haines's emphasis on accurate sighting details.
• The Western Mail (April 18): Reported Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe calling for a government investigation into UFOs.
• The Sunday Times (March 19): Featured an article by Ian Ridpath criticizing the Daily Express series on UFO sightings.
• The Sunday Times (April 9): Published a letter from a former radar station chief controller regarding the Lakenheath incident.
• Portuguese newspaper (late January): Reported an object in the skies of Cascais, described as pink, then yellow, changing to blue-green, and emitting a red blinking light.
• The South London Press (May 16): An account of two London policemen witnessing a distinct yellow glow over Lewisham.
• The Christian Science Monitor (October 24, 1977): Featured a 'Great UFO Debate' between Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Philip Klass.
• The Daily Telegraph (March 4): Explained aerial explosions along the US east coast as sonic booms from aircraft.
• The National Enquirer (January 24): Devoted a page to linking UFOs with blasts, describing an arrow-head shaped UFO seen after a bang in Plymouth, New York.
• The Express & Echo (April 14): Mentioned David Painting, a Bufora investigator, seeking reports of mysterious sightings.
• The New Scientist (April 6 & 13): Included a letter from Arthur Lewis, MP, claiming UFO facts are secret, and Sir Bernard Lovell's reply stating the information is published in journals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing efforts in UFO research and investigation, the importance of rigorous data collection and analysis, and the diverse nature of reported phenomena. The conference presentations highlight a multidisciplinary approach, moving beyond simple observation to explore underlying scientific and psychological aspects. The 'Points from the Press' section underscores the persistent public interest and reporting of UFO sightings across various media. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging detailed investigation and open discussion, while acknowledging the complexities and multi-dimensional nature of the subject. There is an emphasis on scientific methodology and the need for continued research, as reflected in the discussions on exobiology, data processing, and the work of organizations like the Center for UFO Studies and BUFORA.

This issue of 'Sighting Summaries' focuses on cataloging UFO sightings, providing a detailed list of reports from various locations, primarily within the United Kingdom, spanning from 1971 to 1978. The magazine also includes information on upcoming events, related publications, and the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA).

Sighting Summaries

The core of the issue is a comprehensive table of UFO sightings. Each entry is assigned a unique 'Code No.' and includes the date, time, and place of the sighting. The 'Report' column offers a brief description of the observed object or phenomenon, such as 'Glowing cigar', 'Yellow tyre', 'Circular white blob', 'Dome shape', 'Metallic grey plate', 'Round white object', 'Pancake shape with bite out', 'Revolving traffic lights', and 'Dull blue oval'. A 'Class' designation is provided for each sighting, likely indicating a level of reliability or type of observation (e.g., C3c, B3c, C4b, C2c). The 'Investigator/Credit' column lists the individuals who reported or investigated the sighting.

The sightings cover a wide geographical area within the UK, including places like Fareham, Torrevieja (Spain), Leeds, London, Stroud, Ilfracombe, Weston-Super-Mare, St Ives, Bacup, Sittingbourne, Peebles, Glasgow, and many others. The descriptions vary significantly, detailing different shapes, colors, and behaviors attributed to the unidentified objects.

September Skywatch Event

A special notice announces a 'National and International Skywatch with French and probably other European countries participating' to be held on Saturday, September 23, 1978. Interested groups and members are instructed to contact the National Investigations Co-ordinator, Larry Dale. The notice clarifies that while the chances of logging a 'genuine' UFO sighting are low, the primary objective of such exercises is to test organizational methods, familiarize participants with equipment, and observe the skies to better identify misidentifications.

UFO Newsclipping Service

The issue promotes the 'UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE', described as an excellent way to keep up with 'close encounters'. This monthly service provides a 20-page report featuring the latest UFO accounts from the US, England, Canada, Australia, South America, and other countries. It encourages readers to subscribe for information on worldwide UFO activity.

Exchange Publications

A section titled 'Exchange Publications (continued)' lists numerous organizations and their addresses from around the world that are involved in UFO research and publications. These include groups from the USA, Brazil, New Zealand, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, France, Scandinavia, and Yugoslavia. The list highlights the international scope of UFO research and provides contact information for various journals and research centers.

Books and Leaflets

This section offers a catalog of books and leaflets available for purchase, primarily from 'Bufora Publications'. Titles include 'An Engineer's Look at UFO's', 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', 'Guide to the UFO Phenomenon', 'Investigators Handbook', and '1976 Conference Proceedings'. Prices are listed for both members and non-members. It is noted that in some cases, only photocopies of journals can be supplied.

Personal Column

The 'Personal Column' features advertisements for 'Close Encounters Cassette Tapes' and 'UFO PHOTOS' related to the Adamski sighting. It also advertises a 'Skywatch UFO Detector', a magnetic needle type detector, and mentions that its literature quotes purchasers' experiences.

The British UFO Research Association (BUFORA)

Detailed information is provided about The British UFO Research Association (BUFORA). Founded in 1964, BUFORA aims to encourage, promote, and conduct unbiased scientific research into UFO phenomena within the UK. Its objectives include collecting and disseminating evidence, coordinating UFO research, and cooperating with international researchers. Membership details, including annual subscription fees for the UK, USA, and Canada, are also provided. The registered office and incorporation details are listed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the systematic documentation and dissemination of UFO sighting reports. The magazine adopts a stance of serious research and investigation, as evidenced by the detailed 'Sighting Summaries', the promotion of scientific exercises like the Skywatch, and the detailed information about BUFORA's aims and activities. The inclusion of publications from various international organizations further underscores a commitment to a broad and global perspective on UFO research. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging rigorous investigation and information sharing within the UFO community.