MUFORG Bulletin - 1967 04

Magazine Overview

Title: MUFORG BULLETIN
Issue Date: April 1967
Publisher: MERSEYSIDE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT RESEARCH GROUP
Country: United Kingdom
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the MUFORG Bulletin, dated April 1967, features a "Comment" section addressing the establishment of a special UFO investigation in the U.S.A. under Dr. Edward Condon. The editorial expresses a degree of skepticism regarding the likelihood of a spectacular breakthrough, noting that ufologists have been seeking an answer for twenty years without success. The hope is that the investigation might suggest ways for amateurs to assist professionals and potentially improve the quality of amateur research by attracting new members.

Letters to the Editor

A letter from Dr. J. Cleary-Baker, Ph.D., addressed to Mr. Harney, discusses the business of the National Advisory Council in investigating groups applying for admission to BUFORA. Dr. Cleary-Baker emphasizes that the National Executive Committee should not ignore recommendations from the Council and recalls instances of rejected applications. He argues that applicants for individual membership of BUFORA should be accepted if they are in sympathy with its aims, unless disqualifying circumstances are known. He suggests that UFO research is a strange subject and that applying any kind of 'test of scientific orthodoxy' to applicants is neither desirable nor practicable. The sole criterion for suitability should be that an applicant's views on UFOs can be presented and debated rationally within a familiar framework of ideas, referring to this as a matter of 'intellectual climate.' He provides an example of Ray Palmer's Hollow Earth Theory as heterodox but not a reason to bar membership, while opposing applicants who might view UFOs as angelic messengers or demonize critics like Dr. Menzel or Alan Sharp.

Dr. Cleary-Baker also touches upon the autonomy of BUFORA's Central Organisation and its Member-Societies, noting that the Constitution grants rights and privileges to Member-Societies upon payment of an annual affiliation fee, which he describes as 'not so much nominal as farcical' in present-day values.

Recent Reports

Recent North West UFO Reports

This section states that no reports were received for the North West region.

Landing Reports

Ohio, U.S.A. - Cheshire (December 8, 1966): Mr. Charles Hern reported observing a red light across the Ohio River that he initially mistook for a trapper. He and his wife then saw the light on the shore, appearing to be an object from which 'little people' were going to and from. Their neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Taylor, also witnessed the red and orange lights. Mrs. Hern observed the lights change color and the object move straight up and vanish. A high school student reportedly saw a similar object earlier that morning. This incident was one of several in the Cheshire, Ohio, area in November and December 1966. The report is credited to UAPRO Bulletin, January 1967, and The Messenger, Athens, Ohio, December 12th, 1966.

France - Chapelle-Taillefert (Creuse) (March 19, 1967): Members of the Thomasson family and another witness observed a very luminous, cigar-shaped object that landed at approximately 0200. The report is credited to Phenomenes Spatiaux, March 1967.

"Little Man" report from Valensole

According to a report from Francois Peyregne in the March 1967 issue of "Phenomenes Spatiaux," five persons working on farm repairs on the Valensole plateau encountered a strange, bearded being in January 1967. The witnesses attempted to catch the creature, but an invisible force prevented them, and it escaped through a window. The witnesses insisted on anonymity.

BUFORA Northern Conference 1967

The BUFORA Northern Conference is scheduled for Saturday, November 4th, 1967, at the Central Hall, Renchaw Street, Liverpool, 1. Mr. R.D. Hughes is listed as the Conference Co-ordinator.

MUFORG News

Officers for 1967-8: At the Group's Annual General Meeting on April 19th, the following officers were elected: Chairman - Rawlinson, Vice-Chairman - A.J. Draper, Secretary - R.D. Hughes, Assistant Secretary - S. Davies, Treasurer - Miss M.P. Black, Minutes Secretary - J. Harney, Astronomy Secretary - L.J. Draper, Librarian - Miss Iimery, and Committee Members - R. Donnelly, G.T. Woods, and C. Hardy.

Criticisms of BUFOR: A letter from Mr. T. Whitaker of the Halifax Branch of BUFOR, published in the latest BUFOR Journal, offers constructive suggestions for future BUFORA Annual General Meetings. These suggestions were discussed at a recent MUFORG meeting and received unanimous approval.

Note on Membership: Membership of MUFORG does not include membership of BUFOR. Prospective members should apply to the General Secretary, Mr. M.C. Holt, Bramhall, Claremont Road, Claygate, Surrey.

Raffles: It was decided at the A.G.M. that raffles will be held at MUFORG meetings to raise funds, and members are invited to donate prizes.

Future Meetings: MUFORG meetings are held at 2 Alfred Place, (off Park Road), Dingle, Liverpool, 8, commencing at 8:00 p.m. Upcoming meetings include General Meetings on Wednesday, May 17th and June 14th, and an Informal Meeting on Wednesday, May 31st.

Next Issue

The June issue will feature reviews of two books by Neville Spearman: "The Warminster Mystery" by Arthur Shuttlewood and "The Scoriton Mystery" by Eileen Buckle, both expected to be controversial.

MUFORG Bulletin - Editorial Information

Editor: John Harney, 53 Woodyear Road, Bromborough, Wirral, Cheshire, England. Telephone: EnStham 2146.

Contributions: Articles, comments, reviews, and press cuttings are welcome. Letters to the Editor should indicate if they are intended for publication. Contributions published are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect MUFORG's views. Any original material may be reprinted with credit given to MUFORG Bulletin. Exchanges of publications or information are welcomed and should be sent to the Editor.

Distribution: MUFORG members and UFO organizations in Britain, U.S.A., and Western Europe.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently adopts a stance of cautious inquiry regarding UFO phenomena. While acknowledging the existence of reports and investigations, it maintains a critical perspective, particularly concerning the potential for sensationalism or unsubstantiated claims. The editorial emphasizes the importance of rigorous, rational amateur research and suggests a need for structured approaches to data collection and analysis. There is a clear distinction made between MUFORG membership and membership in the broader BUFORA organization, with a focus on the internal affairs and governance of MUFORG itself. The publication also serves as a platform for disseminating recent UFO sighting reports and news within the ufological community, while also highlighting upcoming conferences and organizational matters.