1965 - Commitee Newsletter

Magazine Overview

This document is a circular from BUFORA (British UFO Research Association) dated June 9, 1965, addressed to its affiliated societies and branches. The primary author is G.N.P. Stephenson, identified as the Research Officer. The circular details ongoing research activities, requests information and cooperation from the branches, and provides a breakdown of 1964 British UFO sightings.

Key Contents and Requests

The circular is structured as a series of numbered points, each outlining a specific request or piece of information:

• (a) 1964 British Sightings Breakdown: Encloses a breakdown of British UFO sightings investigated and reported to BUFORA in 1964.
• (b) File Access: Informs that BUFORA's files will be at the stated address for five weeks while the Hurgonts (Hampstead) are on holiday. The author offers to provide information from these files, excluding 'trash' like fireballs and single lights, and requests that overseas reports cite their sources and credit BUFORA. He directs recipients to the Central Information Officer for information on incoming and recent reports.
• (c) Publication List: Encloses a list of publications in BUFORA's files that contain UFO reports, compiled by the Acting Librarian.
• (d) Investigator Information: Requests a list of BUFORA investigator forms held by the branches, the name, address, and telephone number of the present officer in charge of regional investigations, and confirmation that the branches can employ investigators. The author expresses concern about the lack of investigation.
• (e) Local Newspaper Contact: Seeks permission to put local investigators in touch with their local newspapers by writing to both parties. If no objection is heard, he will assume permission is granted. He states this is necessary to get reports investigated.
• (f) Flying Saucer Review Reports: Asks if new reports appearing in 'Flying Saucer Review' are automatically investigated. If not, he offers to do so himself, suggesting alerting a local investigator or sending a sighting form.
• (g) Lending UFO Publications: Requests lending of any UFO publications or sighting reports (British only) not already on BUFORA's list. These will be returned within a week if necessary, to aid his research program on British sightings, which he hopes to complete in a month or two.
• (h) Investigator Map: Encloses a map pinpointing the positions of investigators (including societies). He notes that an average investigator is prepared to travel 20-50 miles and asks for suggestions on finding investigators in uncovered areas. He also offers to prepare a fuller map if the towns where the society's investigators are situated are provided.
• (i) UFO Alert Project: Requests comments on the 'UFO alert project,' for which a form was circulated with the Journal. He will provide further copies of the form upon request.
• (j) Subject Index: States his intention to create a preliminary subject index of certain aspects of UFO reports (e.g., photos, landings, radar reports, craters, car-engine stalling) found in magazines and books. This index will be available for consultation at his home or the Library.

The author concludes by looking forward to comments, suggestions, and requests, and offers his service.

1964 British Sightings Breakdown

A detailed table lists 32 UFO sightings investigated and reported to BUFORA in 1964. Each entry includes:

• Date and Time: Specific date and time of the sighting.
• Place: Location of the sighting.
• Region: The regional group associated with the sighting (e.g., Yorks, Central, CUGIUFO, Halifax, Merseyside, Cheltenham, DIGAP, S-on-Avon, Oxford, CUGIUFO).
• Investigator's Report: The type of report submitted (e.g., Preliminary form only, Questionnaire only, Prelim. & quest. only, no forms, quest only). Some entries also name the investigator (e.g., Wing Cdr. A.C. Harper, Stephen Smith, Harry Bunting, J.M. Stear, Tucker & Williamson, T.S. Cole).
• Evaluation: The outcome of the investigation (e.g., Stars, Venus, Insuf.data, Balloon?, Satellite, Meteor, Aircraft, Hoax, UFO, Light reflxs, Star&meteor, Aurora?).

Abbreviations are provided for the regional groups (TUFOS, CUGIUFO, DIGAP, S-on-Avon) and report types.

A note indicates that only 13 reports in the year were considered worthwhile for investigation, and only one was evaluated by the Evaluation Officer as an Unidentified Flying Object, described as a 'particularly poor year'.

The approximate number of reports received from all sources for 1964 (British) is stated as 150.

Investigator Map

A map of the United Kingdom is included, showing regional boundaries. 'X' marks indicate the approximate positions of one or more investigators. The map visually represents the distribution of BUFORA's investigative network across the country.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The document reflects BUFORA's active engagement in collecting, investigating, and cataloging UFO reports. The editorial stance is one of diligent research, data collection, and network building. There is a clear emphasis on systematic investigation, the need for accurate reporting, and the development of resources like investigator lists and subject indexes. The author expresses a concern for the lack of thorough investigation, highlighting a proactive approach to improving the organization's capabilities. The inclusion of a detailed sighting log and an investigator map demonstrates a commitment to empirical data and geographical coverage of UFO phenomena in Britain.