2002 - BUFORA Summer News

Magazine Overview

This issue of the BUFORA Summer Newsletter, published in Summer 2002, is the latest in a series of occasional publications from the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA). The newsletter covers a range of topics including organizational news, research discussions, and upcoming events, reflecting BUFORA's ongoing commitment to the study of UFO phenomena.

Editorial

The editorial, titled "Welcome to this the latest in a line of BUFORA occasional publications," reflects on BUFORA's forty-year existence and the progress of UFOlogy. The author, Steve Gamble, draws parallels between the challenges faced by UFO investigators and those of the SETI project, highlighting the difficulty in distinguishing genuine signals from 'noise' (misidentifications or natural/man-made interference). He notes that many UFOlogists are contributing to the SETI@HOME project, humorously suggesting the irony of a UFO enthusiast potentially discovering alien signals.

Music Companies Cash in on UFOs

This section discusses how media outlets are capitalizing on UFOs, similar to Hollywood. It highlights a Dehli-based record company, TSeries, that has produced an album of ballads based on recent UFO reports from the Uttar Pradesh region of India. The article anticipates further information on these sightings in a future issue of the New BUFORA Journal.

More Music

This short piece touches upon the marriage of Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, noting that the wedding took place at Castle Leslie in Ireland, the ancestral home of Desmond Leslie, author of the early UFO book "Flying Saucers have Landed."

BUFORA Ltd AGM and Meetings

Details are provided for the 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of BUFORA Ltd, scheduled for Saturday, October 5th, 2002, at 1:30 pm at The Sols Arms Public House in London. This will be followed by a joint BUFORA/SPI meeting at 3 pm, featuring BUFORA Director of Research John Spencer discussing "Ghosts and Poltergeists, The Impertinent Questions."

Minutes of 26th Annual General Meeting of BUFORA Ltd (June 24th, 2001)

The minutes from the 26th AGM, held on June 24th, 2001, are detailed. Key points include:

• Notice Convening the Meeting: The meeting was rescheduled due to a previous one being inquorate. Bob Digby took the chair in the absence of the Secretary, Steve Gamble.
• Minutes of the 25th Annual General Meeting: Accepted as a true record.
• President's Address: Read by Bob Digby in the absence of Lionel Fanthorpe, noting the passing of several long-standing members and suggesting a memorial.
• Chairman's Report: Discussed the change of lecture meeting days to Monday evenings and the possibility of Saturday afternoon meetings. Concerns were raised about declining attendance and the need to attract more members.
• Treasurer's Report: Indicated a similar financial situation to the previous year, with reduced excess expenditure. Legacies from Roger Chinery (£1000) and Robin Lindsey (tape archive and equipment) were noted. The accounts were audited by R.M. Accounting.
• Director of Research Report: John Spencer had no additions to make.
• Director of Investigations Report: Gloria Dixon had no additions to make.
• Adoption of the Report of the Council of Management and Accounts: Passed unanimously.
• Appointment of the Auditor: The Treasurer was given leave to appoint the auditor.
• Appointment of Members of Council: Manfred Cassirer, James Danby, and Peter Doye were appointed to the Council.
• Any Other Business:
• Limited Company Status: Discussion on BUFORA's limited company status since 1975, its advantages (limited liability) and disadvantages (annual fees, external deadlines). The possibility of converting back to a mutual society or seeking registration as an educational charity was explored. It was agreed that the Council would review these options.
• Articles of Association: A review of the Articles of Association was proposed to update them for modern communication, potentially allowing more members to participate in meetings remotely. Brian James, Peter Doye, and Bob Digby would review the Articles.
• Quorum: The quorum for the AGM was reduced from 15 to 10 members, passed unanimously.

The meeting closed at 13:52.

Notice of Annual General Meeting of BUFORA Ltd (October 5th, 2002)

This notice formally announces the 27th Annual General Meeting of BUFORA Ltd, to be held on October 5th, 2002, at 1:30 pm at The Sols Arms Public House, London. It outlines the agenda, including receiving reports and appointing an auditor. It also provides details on appointing a proxy and the requirements for nominating council members.

Chairman's Report 2002

Peter Doye, the new Chairman, reflects on his appointment, recalling his early experiences with UFO sightings in the 1950s. He asserts that Ufology is not dead, despite claims to the contrary, and highlights BUFORA's continued respect and pioneering research. He acknowledges the challenges of dwindling membership and the need to adapt. Immediate priorities include improving the journal, meetings, and website. He welcomes Norman Oliver back as editor of the New Bufora Journal and praises the BUFORA website as "low key and scientific" and believable. Doye outlines early objectives to enhance the quality of the journal, website, and meetings, and mentions securing a professional Webmaster. He also addresses issues with London meetings, noting the success of the new Saturday afternoon format in collaboration with SPI.

40 Years of BUFORA: Where Now?

This section, part of the Chairman's Report, poses the question about BUFORA's current standing and future direction after 40 years. Doye expresses encouragement about the organization's overall situation, noting a capable Council with a mix of experienced and new members. He emphasizes the need for volunteers. The immediate priorities are identified as the journal, meetings, and website. He mentions the release of Issue No 1 of the New Bufora Journal and apologizes for delays, welcoming Vice-President Norman Oliver back to the editorial chair.

Early Objectives

Immediate aims include raising the quality of the journal, website, and meetings, and ensuring more regular publication and website updates. The acquisition of a professional Webmaster is highlighted, with a plan to expand on BUFORA's activities and seek member input. The challenges with London meetings are discussed, with the Saturday afternoon format in collaboration with SPI being more successful.

Corporate Status

BUFORA's corporate status and constitution are discussed. The Council favors retaining its limited company status due to legal requirements and hazards for officers, despite potential complications. A simplified constitution will be presented at an extraordinary general meeting. Apologies are made for confusion over AGM dates, and the extended 2000-01 financial year is noted.

The Chairman expresses thanks to Council members and others for their support, mentioning those stepping down from the Council (Bob Digby, Jim Danby, Steve Gamble) and welcoming new members. He also remembers members who passed away during 2000-01, including Robin Lindsey, who bequeathed his tape and video library.

The postponement of the intended AGM on July 6th due to Philip Mantle's bereavement is mentioned. The AGM is rescheduled for October 5th, followed by John Spencer's lecture on "Ghosts and Poltergeists."

UFOs and the PSI Interface

This section introduces a publication titled "UFOs and the PSI Interface," co-authored by Manfred Cassirer, Stephen Gamble, Elsie Oakensen, and John Spencer. It explores the interaction between UFO reports and PSI experiences. The publication includes research papers on UFOs and the PSI Interface, a comparison of UFOs and Psychic Entities, a personal account of life after a UFO close encounter, and an examination of UFOs and the Paranormal Interface.

About BUFORA

This section provides background information on BUFORA, founded in 1962 as a federation of regional UFO groups. It traces its history, including its name changes and becoming a company limited by guarantee in 1975. BUFORA's aims are outlined: to encourage unbiased scientific research, collect and disseminate evidence, and co-ordinate UFO research. The organization is run by volunteers and relies on member funding. Membership is open to those who support its aims.

Forthcoming Meetings

A new program of events for 2002 is announced, including a series of informal "Phenomenal Afternoons in London" sponsored by BUFORA and Malcolm Robinson's Strange Phenomena Investigations UK (SPI-UK). These events will be held at The Sols Arms Public House. Admission is by ticket (£6 for public, £5 for members/SPI in advance). Scheduled speakers and topics include:

• Saturday, September 7th: Matthew Williams - Crop Circles 2002
• Saturday, October 5th: John Spencer - Ghosts & Poltergeists, The Impertinent Questions
• Saturday, November 2nd: Jenny Ayres - A Demonstration of Clairvoyance; Michael Ayres - A Demonstration of Trance Mediumship
• Saturday, December 7th: Brian Allan - Reading The Mind of God (Parallel Universes)

Crop Circles Take Off

This article discusses the impact of the film "Signs" on the public perception of crop circles, noting that the film may encourage more hoaxes. It reflects on the difficulty of distinguishing genuine phenomena from hoaxes, suggesting that the underlying phenomenon might have been drowned out. The article also humorously mentions a theory that crop circles are caused by hedgehogs running in circles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing nature of UFO research, the challenges and progress within organizations like BUFORA, and the intersection of UFOs with other paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance emphasizes a commitment to scientific research, data collection, and dissemination, despite fluctuating interest and membership levels. There is a clear focus on organizational matters, including AGMs, meetings, and corporate status, alongside discussions of specific research areas like crop circles and the PSI interface. The newsletter promotes a continued, albeit sometimes challenging, dedication to the study of unexplained phenomena.