Merseyside UFO Bulletin - Vol 2 No 4 - 1969

Magazine Overview

Title: Merseyside UFO Bulletin
Issue: Vol 2 No 4
Date: July-August 1969
Publisher: Merseyside UFO Bulletin
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of the Merseyside UFO Bulletin delves into the complex relationship between ufology, psychology, and the public's perception of UFOs. It features an editorial by John A. Rimmer, a local UFO report from Crosby, Lancashire, a detailed account of sightings and a landing in Warminster, and a summary of the BUFORA Northern Conference.

Editorial: The UFO as an Anti-Scientific Symbol

John A. Rimmer's editorial addresses the considerable resistance within the UFO community to the involvement of psychiatrists and psychologists. He argues that this resistance is often based on a misunderstanding of these professions, which are concerned with 'normal' people as much as the disturbed. Rimmer posits that if UFOs are indeed craft from another planet, understanding why certain individuals are 'chosen' as witnesses is crucial, and this reason is as likely to be psychological as anything else. He urges ufologists to welcome psychological investigation, demonstrating that it does not cast aspersions on sanity or intelligence.

The editorial further explores Quentin Crewe's observation of a public contradiction regarding UFOs: initial laughter and dismissal often give way to an admission of belief or personal sightings upon further inquiry. Rimmer links this to a growing anti-scientific, almost neo-Luddite movement, where the UFO serves as a symbol of resistance against the Establishment's glorification of scientific progress. He likens the UFO to the Holy Grail – unattainable yet compelling – and suggests that the phenomenon represents a return to 'old magic' in a world increasingly dominated by science. The article references C.G. Jung's view of the UFO as a symbol of wholeness and permanence, and contrasts the scientific pursuit of the unknown with a more intuitive, magical approach. It also notes the peculiar interest scientists show in UFOs, even while denying their existence, drawing a parallel to atheists disproving the Devil.

Rimmer also touches upon the idea of 'reactionary' UFO events, suggesting that major UFO flaps might follow significant scientific advances, such as the development of nuclear weapons or the moon landing. He concludes that the UFO, while perhaps a dangerous thing if it replaces magic entirely, is a beautiful and rarely malignant piece of magic, preferable to the ugliness of some other modern phenomena.

Local UFO Report: Crosby, Lancashire

This section details a UFO event on August 19, 1969, witnessed by Mr George Cregeen of the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo. Reports from Liverpool Airport described an aircraft with flames, and local police received numerous calls. However, Air Traffic Control at Broughton cancelled alerts after an hour, and the Ministry of Defence could offer no explanation, with one spokesman suggesting it was the setting sun reflected from an aircraft. Mr Cregeen, an eyewitness, discounts this theory. He describes the object as a very bright yellow light with orange flares around the edge, stationary at about 1,000 feet, and appearing circular. At one point, it seemed to take the shape of a cluster with a bright yellow centre and smaller orange lights. The object remained in position for about 45 seconds before suddenly switching off. Mr Cregeen, with extensive flying experience and aircraft recognition training, asserts it was not a reflection or a flare.

The Latest Warminster Landing

Arthur Shuttlewood reports on a dramatic double UFO sighting and landing that occurred on the evening of Wednesday, August 27, 1969, involving thirteen witnesses at Cradle Hill, Warminster. At 10:10 p.m., a 'burning bush' was observed about 600 yards south-west of their vantage point. This circular flame erupted without warning. Chris and Bob investigated and found a large orange ellipsoid hovering stationary at an estimated altitude of 100 feet for about three minutes. The object was described as too big and brilliant for Mars, with a bright yellow centre and smaller orange lights. It then moved south-east and disappeared. A second, smaller, stellar-shaped object was also observed, keeping pace with the first.

Later, around 11:45 p.m. on August 28, three cigar-shaped formations appeared in a triangle in a clear sky. Two vanished, and the third broke in half, with the bottom portion transforming into a pyramid shape. This object was sometimes opaque and solid, at other times transparent. Bob Strong and Sybil observed two UFOs glide gently overhead from their sighting point near a farm barn.

Ground-to-air communication between earth base and craft is speculated upon. The area around Kidnapper's Hole, where the landing reportedly occurred, showed only a small patch of burning the following morning, with no evidence of rubbish being burnt. The report notes that these incidents are in keeping with other strange events in Warminster over the past five years, including a 'flying sword' UFO and a 'phoenix bird' sighting.

Shuttlewood also speculates about a 'window' or 'gate' at Heaven's Gate on Longleat Estate near Warminster, allowing two dimensions to converge, potentially a 'time warp'. He raises a sobering thought about the threat posed by a metal undetectable by radar, and suggests that a greater intelligence might be monitoring such threats.

BUFORA Northern Conference

This section summarizes the BUFORA Northern Conference held at Cesar's Wakefield Hotel, Wakefield, Yorkshire, on September 6, 1969. The conference, organized by the Halifax Branch of BUFORA, was noted for its lack of gimmicks.

The first part was chaired by Captain Ivar Mackay and featured a lecture by C. Maxwell Cade, who discussed his ideas from "Other Worlds Than Ours" and his FSR series. Cade highlighted connections between parapsychology and ufology, urging closer cooperation.

The second session, chaired by Malcolm Bull, included speakers Anthony Durham, Stephen Smith, psychologist Colin Ingleton, psychiatrist Dr Cadogan, and Rev. Coburn. Anthony Durham discussed objections to the alien visitation hypothesis. Stephen Smith reported on a recent landing in Tynharı, Dorset, and described BUFORA's investigation efforts and the challenges of efficiently investigating UFO reports, including getting investigators to sites quickly and formulating questions for witnesses.

Both the psychologist and psychiatrist, though new to the subject, believed their knowledge could be useful in UFO research. The meeting concluded with a pep-talk from Rev. Coburn, emphasizing becoming 'good earthmen' before 'good spacemen' and remembering that 'life is meant for living.' The review concludes that the conference was well worth attending for those serious about the subject.

Notes, Quotes & Queries

This section includes several brief items:

• Patrick Moore and Contact: A report from the Daily Mail states that Patrick Moore believes in intelligent extraterrestrial life and future telepathic communication. A flippant reply from Moore to an invitation to address COS-MOS members is quoted, humorously referencing an 'Interplanetary Parliament on Saturn' and a 'flying saucer' taking off from 'Upper Whortlebury Airport'.
• New UFO Organisation: Mr Nigel Stephenson has formed the National Unidentified Flying Object Research Organisation (NUFORO), which publishes a Bulletin.
• Interest Declines in U.S.A.: John A. Keel reports in ANOMALY that FATE magazine's plug for the FSR special North American Report yielded only six queries from the U.S., while Europe generated 15. He notes that the printing of 200,000 copies of the Condon Report in paperback failed to move sales.

Announcements

• UFORB Special Issue: An announcement for a special issue of UFORB titled "REPORT OF OVER 1000 WORLDWIDE 1968 UFO SIGHTINGS," offering a complete chronological listing and analysis for 75 cents.
• SAUCER MAGAZINE: A monthly publication that provides U.S. UFO sightings via a newspaper clipping service, with a subscription of $2 per year.

Editorial and Publication Details

The Merseyside UFO Bulletin lists its editors: John Harney (Editor), John A. Rimmer (Assistant Editor), Alan W. Sharp (Science Editor), and Miss Elaine D. Wash (Editorial Assistant). Front page photographs are by Ronald Brown. The publication is available for exchange or for one shilling.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the intersection of UFO phenomena with psychology, the perceived conflict between science and 'magic' or intuition, and the reporting of specific UFO sightings and events. The editorial stance strongly advocates for the inclusion of psychological perspectives in UFO research, challenging the skepticism and resistance often encountered. There is a clear interest in documenting local UFO activity and reporting on conferences and organizations within the ufology community. The publication appears to be a platform for sharing eyewitness accounts, critical analysis, and discussions on the broader implications of the UFO mystery, often framing it within a context of societal attitudes towards science and the unknown.