BUFORA Bulletin2 - No.02 - Apr May 1998 First Official issue

Magazine Overview

This issue of the BUFORA BULLETIN, identified as Volume ZK.9, Issue 2, covers the period of April/May 1998. The cover features a historical woodcut from Nuremberg, Germany, dated April 14, 1561, hinting at a historical UFO incident. The bulletin is published by the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA Ltd) and is based in the United Kingdom.

Editorial

The editorial section, written by Steve Gamble, addresses recent difficulties faced by BUFORA, including financial reserves and a perceived collapse in public interest in UFOs. The editorial outlines a plan for rebuilding BUFORA's services to members, emphasizing a shift towards quality content over glossy presentation in its publications. It acknowledges the efforts of Dave Newton and Robert Moore in restarting the UFO TIMES and producing the initial BUFORA Bulletin. The editorial announces an ambitious publication schedule for the Bulletin and thanks Dave Newton for his work.

BUFORA - Getting Ready for 2000 and Beyond

This article by John Spencer details the changes planned for BUFORA, aiming to benefit its members. It addresses past difficulties, including attacks on council members, and states a determination to focus on serving members rather than engaging with detractors. The magazine's structure is being redesigned for more frequent, smaller issues, initially every six weeks, with a long-term goal of monthly mailings. The focus will be on quality of words, moving away from a 'high street' marketable publication. BUFORA's outlets will concentrate on ufology, avoiding internal politics. The organization's website is also being updated to provide information on research and investigation activities, with interactive areas to be reopened once controls are in place to prevent disruption by aggressive personalities.

BUFORA ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

This section announces that the BUFORA website is back online after a brief interruption. The address remains www.bufora.org.uk. The website will contain information about BUFORA's research and investigation activities and serve as an additional outlet for material.

RESEARCH UPDATE

Steve Gamble, Director of Research, provides an update on ongoing projects:

HYPNOSIS STUDY

The review into the use of hypnosis in UFO investigations is continuing, jointly led by Gloria Dixon, John Spencer, and Steve Gamble. A separate report is being prepared for a future Bulletin. Kevin McClure and Mick Jones are thanked for their input.

BALL OF LIGHT UFOS

This section discusses Ball of Light UFOs (BOLs), which constitute a significant portion of unexplained UFO reports. Robert Moore has been running a project called BOLIDE, focusing on BOL reports. A preliminary report and database support this project. Copies of the report are available from BUFORA Publications for £4-50. The research section has identified locations with numerous BOL reports for potential proactive study, including skywatching and automated test equipment.

PRE-1985 CATALOGUE

This project aims to analyze UFO reports from before the era of aircraft (pre-1904, with a cut-off date of 1895) to identify a purer sample of genuine UFO reports, as approximately 90% of raw reports can be explained by natural or man-made events. The project is revising its understanding of early airship and glider history. Richard Conway initially headed the project, which is now run by Steve Gamble. The cover picture for this issue is from a 1561 incident related to this historical context.

MEN-IN-BLACK

Robert Bull is leading the project to collect data on Men-in-Black reports. He is following up on leads and attempting to locate Albert Bender, whose withdrawal from research in the 1950s brought the phenomenon to light. A preliminary report on Robert Bull's investigations is available in its second printing from BUFORA Publications for £4-50.

RESEARCH GRANTS

BUFORA has a scheme for members to request financial assistance for their own projects, subject to progress reports. However, it is noted that the research section may not have funds for this scheme in the near future, with hopes to reintroduce it later.

BRIEF ITEMS

This section presents various short news items:

• A front-page story in the "Daventry Express" (February 26, 1998) titled "Elsie's In Pop Orbit" describes how UFO witness Elsie Oakensen's encounter inspired a record track by the techno pop group Orbital. Paul Hartnoll of Orbital is quoted as being interested in UFOs.
• UFO Roundup, an electronic bulletin edited by Joseph Trainor, accessible via UFOINFO on the web, reported on a wave of sightings in southern Indiana in late March 1998. The reports began with a sighting of a large round object by Lynn Taylor and his wife Linda on March 22, 1998.
• A woman and her daughter in Jutland, Denmark, reported observing a large, round, blue-grey, domed object with a rim of lights spinning anticlockwise for about 20 minutes on August 30, 1997. This report was logged by a UFO centre in Copenhagen.
• Strange lights were reported over the East Anglian Fens in early May 1998, with investigations being conducted by Mark Williamson of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and local UFO researchers.

SKYWATCHING and PROACTIVE RESEARCH

This article outlines BUFORA's three areas of research: historical studies, reactive research (investigating reported sightings), and proactive research (actively looking for UFOs). BUFORA is promoting skywatches as part of its proactive research program. These watches are coordinated by Philip Walton, who is also working on instrumented detection of UFOs. The watches typically run from Saturday evening to Sunday morning. National skywatches are scheduled for June 20-21, September 19-20, and December 19-20, 1998.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the revitalization of BUFORA, its research activities, and the dissemination of information to its members. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of ufological research, the need for quality content, and the utilization of both traditional publications and modern online platforms like the website. The editorial stance is one of moving forward from past difficulties, focusing on the core mission of UFO research, and fostering a sense of community among members. The article by John Spencer explicitly states a commitment to carrying "ufology, not politics and back-biting and personality-demolition."

This issue of the BUFORA Journal focuses on 'SKYWATCHING and PROACTIVE RESEARCH' into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

Proactive Research and Skywatches

The journal outlines three primary methods for researching UFO phenomena: Historical studies, Reactive research, and Proactive research. BUFORA aims to operate in all three areas. The most common data comes from public observations (reactive research), but structured, instrumented proactive research is being promoted through 'skywatches'. These events are co-ordinated by Philip Walton and are designed to support BUFORA's proactive research program. Skywatches offer participants a chance to learn about and observe unusual aerial phenomena. They typically occur from early Saturday evening to Sunday morning. The journal lists planned national skywatches for June 20-21, September 19-20, and December 19-20, 1998. Interested individuals are advised to contact Philip Walton at least two weeks in advance to join existing groups or organize their own sites. BUFORA, its officers, and local organizers disclaim responsibility for any loss or injury during these voluntary events, which are held in open areas with potentially minimal facilities.

The Story of George Adamski

Steve Gamble contributes an article exploring the claims of George Adamski, a prominent contactee. Adamski became interested in UFOs due to the popular view that they are extraterrestrial spacecraft. The article discusses the Extra-Terrestrial Hypothesis (ETH) and notes the lack of hard evidence to support it or other theories. Adamski claimed to have met and spoken with beings from Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, and even taken trips aboard their craft, describing cities and landscapes on the far side of the Moon. His claims, such as seeing snow-capped mountains on the Moon, are contrasted with scientific understanding, though the recent discovery of water traces on the Moon is noted as a partial alignment with his descriptions. The article examines Adamski's photographs, which depicted small disk-shaped craft and larger cigar-shaped mothercraft. One notable incident described is from November 20, 1952, near Blythe, California, where Adamski claimed to have encountered a being in a canyon after spotting a cigar-shaped object. The being, described as a Caucasian man, communicated telepathically and via sign language, and allegedly provided Adamski with a photographic plate that developed with hieroglyphs. Adamski also reported footprints left by the being, from which a plaster cast was made by George Hunt Williamson.

The article addresses skepticism surrounding Adamski's claims, including the identification of his photographs as mundane objects like a tobacco humidor, a vacuum cleaner, or a chicken brooder. It also mentions a statement by Darbishire claiming he faked his photographs, though this is questioned given the difficulty of matching proportions. Adamski's explanation for the absence of cities and lakes in early Russian Moon probe images, suggesting they were doctored, is also noted. Despite the controversies and lack of definitive proof, the article concludes that the case against Adamski is not proven beyond doubt.

Recent UFO Sightings

The issue also reports on several recent UFO sightings.

The A47 Window

Robert Bull details three incidents along the A47 in the UK.

On February 5, 1994, Andy reported seeing two orange lights that changed to white, with a third sparkling light, forming a diamond shape. He heard a humming noise and pursued the object before losing it.

On March 4, 1994, Norman observed large, bright white lights that later became mobile. Simultaneously, Mrs M. saw four or five white lights forming a circle.

In November 1996, a family reported a 'buzzed' encounter with a jet black, triangular object with bright lights, which emitted a pink glow and pursued their vehicle on the A47.

These reports were investigated by BUFORA and IUFORN, with some objects classified as 'unknown', though Andy's humming diamond formation was attributed to a helicopter by BUFORA's Director of Investigations.

What's On

This section lists upcoming events, including BUFORA meetings with speaker Malcolm Robinson on June 6, 1998, a National Skywatch on June 20-21, 1998, and a 'Summer Seminar' hosted by The Northampton UFO Research Centre on August 8, 1998.

Sources

The issue provides a list of sources consulted, including books and journal articles on UFOs and contactees.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The journal consistently promotes the investigation of UFO phenomena through both proactive and reactive means, encouraging public participation in skywatches. It presents controversial cases like George Adamski's with a degree of open-mindedness, acknowledging skepticism while suggesting that definitive conclusions are often lacking. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena, encouraging evidence-based research and reporting of sightings, while also highlighting the challenges and controversies within the field.

This document details the program for the 11th Annual International UFO Conference, scheduled for October 10-11, 1998, at the Holiday Inn in North Haven, Connecticut, USA. The conference features Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell as the keynote speaker, alongside a dozen UFO investigators discussing recent developments in ufology.

Conference Speakers and Presentations Several speakers are scheduled to present their research and findings:

• Dan Brookes and John Dorazio: Co-founders of the UFO Research and Study Organization (UFORSO), they will discuss "UFOs in Connecticut-A Grassroots Investigation."
• Michael Hesemann: A ufologist and cultural anthropologist from Germany, his presentation, "UFOs-The Secret History," will explore government-military involvement with UFOs from the 1940s to the present.
• Linda Moulton Howe: An Emmy-winning television producer, she will speak on "Glimpses of Other Realities-1998 Update," focusing on her investigations into animal mutilation and UFOs.
• Philip Imbrogno: Coauthor of "Night Siege: The Hudson Valley UFO Mystery," he will present "Contact of the Fifth Kind," asserting a silent alien invasion and claiming U.S. government knowledge of it, promising evidence to support his claim.
• Jack Kewaunee Lapseritis: Author of "The Psychic Sasquatch: A UFO Connection," he will discuss his research into the Sasquatch (Bigfoot) and their relationship with UFOs.
• Joe Lewels: His presentation, "Aliens or Angels: The Controversy Over the God Hypothesis," will explore the theological implications of UFO phenomena.
• Michael Mannion: A New York City author, he will discuss his book "Operation Mindshift," examining how public opinion and perception of UFOs are influenced by direct and stealthy means.
• Derrel Sims: An "alien hunter" from Houston, Texas, will present "Medical and Scientific Evidence of Alien Contact," based on over 34 years of research.
• Daved Rubien: State director of the Mutual UFO Network for Rhode Island, his talk is titled "The ETs We Encounter Today."
• Robert Wood: A retired aerospace engineer-scientist, he will discuss "Cosmic Watergate: New Evidence of Crashed UFOs Recovered by the Government."

Registration Information Admission to the conference is by registration only. The registration fee is tiered: $125 until June 30, $145 until August 30, and $175 thereafter. This fee does not cover lodging or meals. Registration and further information can be obtained by writing to Omega Communications, P. O. Box 2051, Cheshire, Connecticut 06410-5051, USA.

BUFORA Lectures Separate from the U.S. conference, BUFORA lectures are held in London at the University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, NW1 5LS, starting at 2 pm. A lecture was scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 1998, with Malcolm Robinson discussing his recent research into the "huge wave of reports from the Bonnybridge area" in Scotland. It is noted that there are no London lectures during July and August, with the new lecture season commencing on Saturday, September 5. BUFORA is located at 16 Southway, Burgess Hill, Sussex, RH15 9ST.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The document focuses on the promotion of UFO conferences and lectures, highlighting various speakers and their research into UFO phenomena, alien contact, government cover-ups, and related subjects like Sasquatch. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on and facilitating discussions within the ufology community, providing information on events and speakers without explicit endorsement or skepticism of the presented theories.