BUFORA Bulletin - No 09 - June 1983

Magazine Overview

Title: BUFORA BULLETIN
Issue: 009
Volume: 1983
Date: June 1983
Publisher: British UFO Research Association
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of the BUFORA Bulletin focuses on the organization's activities, upcoming events, and significant UFO cases. It highlights the challenges faced by UFO research groups in securing cooperation from official bodies and the media's role in disseminating information.

Main Contents

The main contents section lists several articles and features:

• One Early Morning In Milton Keynes by Jenny Randles (Page 7): This article details a significant UFO case from March 24th, 1982, involving two police officers and two civilian witnesses in Milton Keynes. The object was described as 'lozenge' or 'fish-shaped' with various colored lights and a humming sound. Despite initial cooperation with the media, the police officers were later refused permission by Chief Superintendent Timothy White of Thames Valley Police to be interviewed by BUFORA, citing that the matter had been officially reported to Air Traffic Control.
• Lecture Programme - 1983-84 (Page 14): This section outlines the upcoming lecture schedule for the 1983-84 season, with meetings now starting at 6:30 PM in a new central London venue.
• The South Wales Triangles by Lionel Beer (Page 17): This article likely discusses UFO sightings or phenomena reported in the South Wales region, noting that there was significant activity there in early 1983.
• The Frederick Valentich Encounter - Another Look by Paul Norman (Page 19): This piece revisits the well-known case of Frederick Valentich, offering a new perspective or analysis.
• The Night of the Celestial Illumination by Nigel Watson (Page 22): This article explores a specific UFO event or phenomenon related to celestial illumination.

BUFORA's 21st Anniversary and Congresses

Page 3 details BUFORA's 21st Anniversary, which was commemorated with a half-day conference on Saturday, 24th September, 1983, at Kensington Central Library in London. The article traces BUFORA's origins back to 1962, when it was formed from the merger of LUFORA (The London UFO Research Organisation) and seven other UK UFO societies. The inaugural convention in 1962 was a major success, attracting over 200 delegates. The anniversary conference aims to bring together long-standing members and encourage new ones.

Page 4 announces the 1983 Third International UFO Congress, scheduled to be held from August 27th to 29th, 1983, at the Lorch Foundation in High Wycombe. The article lists the speakers and their paper titles, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek on 'An Overview of the UFO Phenomenon', Dr. Hartley Rutledge on 'Project Identification', Per Anderson on 'Danish Scientists And The UFO Phenomenon', Peter Warrington on 'An Evaluation Of The Evidence For UFO Events From Radar Observation', Peter Hill on 'An Analysis of Variables In International UFO Reports', Stanton T. Friedman (title not known), Paul Norman on 'The Bass Straits Flap', Bertil Kuhlemann on 'Measurables And Non-Measurables In UFO Research', Hilary Evans on 'The Liars And The Lunatics And What We Can Learn From Them', Paul Devereux on 'Earthlights', Jenny Randles on 'Opening Up The Windows', and Ali Abu Tahan on 'Solar And Extra Solar Life'.

BUFORA Administration and Membership

Page 2 provides a comprehensive list of BUFORA's Council (1982-83) and Administrators. Key figures include President Lord Kings Norton, Vice-Presidents Earl of Clancarty, Leonard G. Cramp, Professor Bryan Winder, and G.F.N. Knewstab. Arnold West is the Vice-Chairman. The Council Members include Robert S. Digby, John E. Barrett, L.E. Beer, Stephen Gamble, Peter A. Hill, Ian Mrzyglod, Miss Jenny Randles, Jorn Shaw, John Spencer, and Fans Streuli (Treasurer).

The Administrators section lists Miss Diane Rollison as Secretary, Miss Pam Kennedy as Membership Secretary, and Fans Streuli as Treasurer. The Publications department is headed by John E. Barrett (Director of Publications and Editor), with L.E. Beer as Public Relations Officer. The Librarian is Robin Lindsey. Stephen Gamble is the Director of Research, and Miss Jenny Randles is the Director of Investigations.

The bulletin also details the BUFORA Edinburgh Branch contact (Fraser Gordon) and lists member societies, including Britain's oldest UFO group, BFSB. The aims of BUFORA LTD (founded 1964) are outlined: to encourage, promote, and conduct unbiased scientific research of UFOs, collect and disseminate evidence, and co-ordinate UFO research globally. Membership is open to all who support these aims.

News and Case Studies

Page 6, under the 'NEWS' section, reports on a BUFORA Council meeting on February 5th, 1983, which discussed finance and membership. It notes that BUFORA, like many UFO groups, is suffering from the recession and a lack of interest, making recruitment difficult. The February lecture featured Richard Beet on sightings investigated by the Surrey Investigation Group on Aerial Phenomena.

A subsequent Council meeting on March 5th discussed finance and membership further. An evening lecture by Harry Harris on 'Hypnotic Regression And Where Now?' had a small audience. The lecture included video tapes of two cases: PC Alan Godfrey's encounter at Todmorden in 1980, and a case involving three Shropshire women who experienced a time lapse and a floating, out-of-body experience. The bulletin notes the striking similarities and personal nature of these experiences.

Council meetings on April 9th and May 7th accepted the resignation of Peter Hill as Director of Research due to work pressure, with Stephen Gamble appointed as his successor. The 1983 Congress was a major topic, expected to draw delegates from 23 countries.

Jenny Randles reported that her investigations department received 60 sighting reports between January-March 1983, down from 99 in the same period in 1982, reflecting a general downward trend, although activity in South Wales was noted.

Pages 7-10 provide an in-depth analysis of the Milton Keynes case (CASE 82-015), including witness testimonies from the two police officers (Sergeant Ian Victory and PC Anthony Underwood), and two civilian witnesses (Richard Wait, a milkman, and Allen S., another milkman). The object was described with various lights and a humming sound. The report highlights the official stance of the police and Ministry of Defence, noting the contradiction between initial statements about an investigation and later denials. The article questions the reasons behind the police's refusal to be interviewed and the Ministry's apparent lack of awareness, suggesting a possible cover-up or sensitivity surrounding the incident. It also briefly mentions a similar sighting in New Barnet, Hertfordshire, by a 66-year-old lady.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently emphasizes the importance of scientific research into UFO phenomena and the challenges of obtaining official cooperation and data. There is a clear stance in favor of thorough investigation and a critical view of official responses, particularly when they appear evasive or contradictory. The articles highlight the dedication of BUFORA members and the ongoing efforts to document and understand UFO sightings. The publication also serves as a platform for promoting BUFORA's events, such as conferences and lectures, and for recruiting new members, acknowledging the difficulties posed by economic conditions.

This issue of the BUFORA Bulletin, dated March 1982, focuses on reader correspondence and reports on UFO investigations and sightings. The main cover headline is 'Letters', indicating a significant portion of the content is dedicated to correspondence from members and responses from the organization.

Letters Section

The letters section opens with a letter from Mrs Kathleen Smith of Freshwater, Isle of Wight, expressing concern over proposed drastic changes to BUFORA's investigational system by the then newly appointed Director of Investigations. Smith argues that abandoning existing investigators and focusing only on 'better cases' is not a scientific approach, as the UFO phenomenon is still unknown and all material should be investigated. She also disapproves of a reduction in subscription fees for investigators, believing that good work is done by members paying the normal subscription and that accepting some expense is part of joining a club. She fears these changes might discourage current workers and turn BUFORA into a cult society.

Jenny Randles, Director of BUFORA's Investigations, replies to Mrs Smith's concerns. She clarifies that the intention was not to 'do away with all the present investigators' but rather to address a situation where there were very few active investigators. Randles explains that her first priority was to assess the existing network and recruit competent individuals. She states that the decision to change the emphasis was due to the limited number of investigators (around 10), making it necessary to be selective to adequately cover the UK. She also notes that a lack of UFO reports has allowed time to mobilize local enthusiasts and build up teams. Randles defends the lower subscription fee as a cost-effective replacement for the previous system of contributing towards expenses, making it more accessible. She emphasizes that BUFORA remains committed to scientific research and that investigators are expected to contribute to scientific study or discovery, not necessarily for monetary reward. She advocates for focusing on cases that warrant full-scale study rather than low-grade, explicable phenomena (IFOs).

Following this exchange, T.W. Clark (SIGAP & BUFORA) from Camberley, Surrey, contributes a letter titled 'One Of Those Days'. He addresses Jenny Randles' article from the September 1982 Bulletin regarding a sighting. Clark makes several points:
1. The sighting location (Wootton, Surrey) is near an airfield where 'Farriers' (likely referring to aircraft) are assembled and test-flown.
2. A 'Farrier' aircraft can be discounted due to its noise and lack of after-burners.
3. However, he cautions against discounting aircraft solely based on a lack of noise, as modern aircraft can be very quiet.
4. He mentions two airships operating in the Guildford/Woking area during 1982.
5. He recounts an Air Traffic Control UFO report from Wootton on September 13th, 1982, describing a silvery-white cigar-shaped object moving west.
6. He suggests that bright red strobe lights on aircraft can be mistaken for UFOs, especially in hazy conditions.
7. He speculates that a hot air airship might account for some sightings, including afterburners and sudden disappearances.

From British Columbia, Canada, G. Conway comments on John Paynter's article 'Are We Aliens To One Another?' (September 1982 Bulletin). Conway suggests two other categories of the human species for attention: the 'pigmy' and the Masai people, highlighting contradictions within the same continent. He also brings up the unique blood group of the North American Indian and references the ideas of Ivan T. Sanderson and Charles Fort, particularly the concept that 'I think we are property.'

Meetings Section

This section details BUFORA's lecture program for 1983-84. The Saturday evening lectures are moving to the London Business School, Sussex Place, London, NW1, starting October 8th, 1983. The new venue is described as comfortable, spacious, centrally located, and ideal for lectures, which will now start at 6:30 pm and end around 9:30 pm. The location details and transport information are provided, including a map.

• Key upcoming lectures include:
• September 24th, 1983: 21st Anniversary Conference at Kensington Central Library (BUFORA's last meeting there).
• October 8th, 1983: 'UFOS AND FALLUCINATIONS' by Dr. Sue Blackmore, who researches out-of-body experiences.
• November 12th, 1983: 'US INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES AND UFOS' by Timothy Good, a leading ufologist.

• Further lectures are listed for 1983-84:
• December 10th, 1983: AGM followed by 'TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER' by Jenny Randles, exploring the history of contactees and alien messages.
• February 4th, 1984: 'BRITISH FIREBALL SURVEY: THE FIRST FOUR YEARS' by John Mason, Assistant Director, Meteor Section, British Astronomical Society.
• March 3rd, 1984: 'THE LOCH NESS MONSTER. A CASE TO ANSWER' by Adrian Shine, Head of the Loch Ness and Morar Project, comparing research methods with ufologists.
• April 7th, 1984: 'RELIGION AND UFOs' by Jeremy Lockyer, examining messages from great messengers and UFO occupants, leylines, and life after death.
• May 5th, 1984: 'THE GENIUS OF THE FEW' by C.A.E. O'Brien, expanding on his previous lecture about 'sages' as teachers in ancient times.
• June 2nd, 1984: 'DENIZENS OF DARKNESS - The Problem of So-Called Space Visitors and Oriental Theories of the Wheel of Time' by Lt. Col. Stephen Jenkins, comparing UFO entities with Buddhist teachings.

An important note states that the usual meetings booklet is not being distributed, and members should retain these details.

Books Section

• This section reviews two books:
• 'UFOs African Encounters' by Cynthia Hind. The review highlights Hind's authority on UFOs in Africa and notes the book's expense. It details two cases of particular interest: Jan Breytenbach's 1972 CE2 encounter in Loxton, Cape Province, which left traces, and Mrs Meagan Quezet's 1979 experience near Johannesburg, involving a time loss and an encounter with an entity. The book also covers sightings in Namibia, Madagascar, and Mombassa.
• 'The Catalogue of UFO Periodicals' by A. Said of Saucers. This 281-page publication by Tom Lind is described as a useful catalogue of known UFO publications worldwide. While published in July 1982, its references for BUFORA were already outdated. The catalogue is now in the BUFORA library, and supplements will be issued quarterly. Enquiries should be directed to Tom Lind in Florida, USA.

Articles on Sightings

Several articles detail specific UFO sightings:

'THE SOUTH WALES TRIANGLES' by Lionel Beer discusses the UK's UFO activity in 1982, noting a quiet year overall but an increase in the latter part of the year and a strong start to 1983. It mentions a sighting in Bradford on January 12th, 1983, of an orange ball of light. On January 17th, 1983, in South Devon, two motorcyclists saw a large blue firework-like object. A milkman in Denbury reported a UFO. Skywatchers near Haytor on Dartmoor experienced car malfunctions and strange sounds, alleging UFO activity. Eric Morris examined a burnt circular area in a field near Shaldon.

A prominent article, 'MILKMAN TWO Torquay', details a sighting by two teenagers and mentions police promising a serious probe into 'GIANT UFO REPORTS'. The sighting involved a huge triangular-shaped craft observed by over 200 people. The article includes witness accounts, one describing two massive lights close together, and another mentioning a large, blue light. The craft was estimated to be 300 feet across and made no noise.

Another section reports on UFO sightings flooding into the South Wales Echo offices, including a sketch of a craft. The Ministry of Defence is reportedly investigating a string of sightings in South Wales. Descriptions include a giant triangular object hovering and a large, blue light. One witness, Mrs Jennifer Brotherton, described seeing two massive lights close together.

'THE SOUTH WALES TRIANGLES' continues, detailing a widely covered sighting on Wednesday, January 19th, 1983, over South Wales. Police received numerous calls, and witnesses reported one or two giant triangular objects flying silently, some larger than others. The sighting period was between 5:30 and 7:30 pm, with reports suggesting movement in various directions. The triangles had varying numbers of lights. BUFORA member Bill Rich and his son saw an object they were convinced was not a meteor or aircraft. Swansea detective Sgt. Mike Troake described it as massive, shaped like a Zeppelin with a triangular group of lights, estimated at 1,000 feet in length. Twenty-two youngsters at Egwys Wen Primary School also saw an object. The article notes a short power-cut in the Kittle and Bishopston area and a police spokesman hinting at an explanation related to a meteorological station. The writer questions the possibility of a Sea King helicopter due to the objects' size and lack of noise.

The 'Synchronicity of the month?' section mentions an elongated dark object disappearing into a cloud over Ealing and Eayes, Middlesex, on April 6th, 1983. Another report from Hayes, Kent, describes a banana-shaped bright white light performing unusual manoeuvres.

THE FREDERICK VALENTICH ENCOUNTER - ANOTHER LOOK

This article by Paul Norman, Vice-President of the Victoria UFO Research Society, Australia, revisits the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich on October 21st, 1978, over Bass Strait. Valentich disappeared at 1912:28 hours during Australia's largest UFO flap, reporting an unidentified flying object approaching and hovering. No trace of Valentich or his Cessna 182 aircraft has ever been found. An official report released in April 1982 stated the reason for the disappearance was undetermined. Norman notes that hundreds of people reported sightings that same day and night, many in the same location and time as Valentich's encounter. He criticizes the scientific community's dismissal of UFO evidence and the tendency to conclude that such incidents are flying accidents. Norman also addresses inaccurate stories and preconceived theories surrounding the case. He draws parallels with the 1973 Lawrence Coyne case, where a helicopter crew described a similar cigar-shaped object with hovering characteristics and a green light. The article details that 50 outstanding reported sightings of UFOs over and around Bass Strait occurred before, during, and after Valentich's disappearance. Norman recounts how the incident was initially treated as a lost aircraft case, but difficulty in keeping it hidden arose due to radio frequencies. He describes the initial media frenzy and speculation, including hoax, suicide, secret military mission, drug runners, or murder. He recounts his own experience of pilots being told not to divulge information. The article mentions that the Bass Strait flap had been building for over six weeks prior to Valentich's disappearance, and UFO activity peaked that weekend, with more daytime sightings recorded than in any previous flap. Attempts to debunk the encounter, such as the pilot flying upside down and seeing his reflection, are dismissed due to the aircraft's fuel system. The article also refutes the idea that the strange radio noise was the aircraft crashing into the sea, citing the curvature of the earth and radio range limitations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the challenges and policies of UFO investigation organizations like BUFORA, the importance of scientific rigor versus sensationalism, and the presentation of numerous witness accounts of alleged UFO sightings. There is a clear emphasis on the need for systematic investigation and the collection of data, even while acknowledging the difficulty in explaining many phenomena. The editorial stance, as reflected in Jenny Randles' response and the overall tone of the articles, appears to favor a more structured and evidence-based approach to UFO research, while still acknowledging the validity of unexplained sightings and the importance of member contributions. The issue also touches upon the broader implications of UFO phenomena, including potential connections to religion and alien races.

This issue of the BUFORA Journal, dated August 1979, focuses on UFO phenomena, featuring articles on the disappearance of pilot Frederick Valentich, a historical celestial illumination event, and discussions on UFO abduction theories. It also includes reports on BUFORA's activities, congresses, and publications.

The Valentich Disappearance

The article "Valentich's Disappearance" addresses the circumstances surrounding the vanishing of pilot Frederick Valentich. It criticizes the media for unscrupulous reporting, misquoting statements, and attempting to portray the incident as a deliberate hoax or a rendezvous. The report clarifies that friends of Valentich were searching for him, not involved in a rendezvous. It dismisses the theory of suicide, citing Valentich's fondness for his girlfriend, his desire to secure his flying license, and recent purchases. Financial difficulty and family friction rumors are also debunked, with his father experiencing difficulty transferring his son's savings account. The article notes that while parents may object to the dangers of flying, the family was close-knit. It also refutes rumors of the aircraft being stolen, arguing a thief would steal a more expensive plane and would not land on a lighted runway after dark. The report states that no official admission has been made about radar detecting either the Cessna or a UFO, despite numerous public reports of UFOs during that day and night. Witnesses reportedly saw a blue and white Cessna matching the flight plan, and Valentich was not the only one to report a green light at the vanishing point. The article concludes by stating that official channels deny the existence of UFOs, yet military aircraft chase them, and VUFORS researchers will continue to investigate.

The Night of the Celestial Illumination

This section, authored by Nigel Watson, details a spectacular event on Monday evening, September 6th, 1926, when a large fireball entered the Earth's atmosphere over Yorkshire, UK. The event bathed the countryside in light and startled observers. In Sheffield, a purple flash illuminated the city, followed by a 'hoarse murmur' like thunder. Witnesses described a meteor with a long trail of light, traveling from north-east to south-west, followed by a dull, distant roar. Another witness saw a diamond-shaped meteor with a purple flash, illuminating the Town Hall, followed by brilliant electric sparks and a ball at the head that moved swiftly across the sky before disappearing. Discrepancies exist in witness accounts regarding the direction of flight, but the consensus was east to west. Some heard no sound, while others reported a rumbling sound like thunder. The shock wave rattled windows in Hull, Bridlington, York, and Pocklington. The phenomenon was also seen in Nottingham and Lincolnshire. In Doncaster, a witness described a vivid flash of sheet lightning, illuminating the street in a brilliant flame-colour light, followed by a loud fizzing sound. A large round black object was seen bursting into flame and falling earthwards, leaving a trail of flames and shooting sparks. Miners at Armthorpe colliery speculated it was lightning or a police signal. One person believed the fireball had a significant bearing on our future destiny, linking it to biblical 'signs in the heavens.' The article lists the sources for these accounts from various newspapers.

Meetings Outside London

This section provides information on UFO investigation groups and their activities. PUFOIC (Plymouth UFO Investigation Centre) welcomes new members and publishes a UFO magazine, 'West County UFO News.' DICAP (Direct Investigation Group for Aerial Phenomena) meets monthly in Manchester. It also notes that Arnold West resigned as Director of Publications for BUFORA to focus on his role as Vice Chairman. The editor, John Barrett, is succeeded by Hilary Evans, who gave a lecture on the 'Seven Day Wonder at Cergy-Pontoise,' concerning an alleged abduction in November 1979.

The Fantasy Factor in UFO Abduction Stories

Authored by Betty Wood, BUFORA's Secretary from 1967 to 1982, this article explores the psychological and mythological aspects of UFO abduction stories. Wood suggests that many abduction accounts are laden with 'birth images' such as tunnels and womb-shaped rooms, as proposed by Dr. Alvin Lawson. She questions whether these experiences are genuine or a manifestation of deep-seated psychological patterns, possibly influenced by the 'experimenter effect' where researchers' expectations might shape the narratives. The article discusses the unreliability of hypnosis as a tool for UFO investigators and suggests that abduction stories might embody elements of fantasy and past medical experiences. It posits that under stress, individuals might recall past events, similar to a drowning person recalling their life. The author wonders if UFO experiences are dreams or if dreams are UFO experiences, noting the commonality of 'tunnel dreams' and their potential connection to passages into the unconscious.

Deep Personal Changes

This section continues the discussion on UFO experiences, with the author remaining skeptical of Dr. Lawson's hormonal theories and their own 'experimenter effect' suggestions. The enigma of UFOs is seen as complex, possibly involving more than just birth experiences or psychological effects. The author references Andy Collins' lecture on the Day family, suggesting that alien spacecraft may not be descending to abduct people, and the experience might remain subjective. However, these experiences can lead to profound personal changes, both positive and negative. The author suggests that something beyond buried memories could be responsible for such drastic upheavals.

Reading List

Several publications are recommended: "Anti-Matter: UFO Update" by Alvin F. Lawson, "UFOs Fact or Fantasy?" by Peter E. Warrington, and "The UFO Handbook" by Allan Hendry.

BUFORA 1981 International UFO Congress

This section lists the presentations and speakers at the BUFORA 1981 International UFO Congress. Topics included "Are You Sure That You Have Your Facts Right?", "The Link Between the Scientist and The Researcher," "Physic Phenomena and UFOs," "The New Zealand Film," "Close Encounter Experiences," and "Extra-Terrestrial Interference in Portugal."

BUFORA Nottingham Conference - April 15th-16th, 1978

This lists the presentations from the 1978 Nottingham Conference, such as "Danish Time-Law Analysis upon UFO Sightings," "Close Encounters of a Second Kind," "An Analytical Review of UFO Shapes," and "Abductions."

BUFORA London International Congress - August, 1979

This lists the presentations from the 1979 London Congress, including "The UFO Odyssey. Old Ground Revisited," "Current BUFORA Investigations," "Models of UFO Evidence," "The Reality of the UFO Phenomena," and "Processing UFO Data."

Advertising

This section contains advertisements for BUFORA publications, including "Close Encounter at Livingston," "UFO Investigations," "Congress '79," and "Vehicle Interference Project." It also advertises the "BUFORA JOURNAL" and "BUFORA Bulletin." Other advertisements include "BOOKS ON UFOs ancient mysteries etc.," and a call for UFO sighting reports that mention compass interference. An event announcement for the ASSAP Garden Party on June 25th, 1983, and the Mind Body Spirit Festival at Olympia, London, from July 2nd-10th, 1983, are also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO phenomena, the role of media in reporting such events, and the exploration of psychological and mythological explanations for UFO experiences, particularly abductions. The editorial stance, as indicated by the BUFORA disclaimer, is that the association does not hold or express corporate views on UFO phenomena, and contributions reflect the views of the editor or authors. There is a clear emphasis on investigative research and the dissemination of information within the UFO community.