MUFORG Bulletin - 1967 08

Magazine Overview

Title: MUFORG BULLETIN
Issue Date: August 1967
Publisher: MERSEYSIDE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT RESEARCH GROUP
Editor: John Harney

This issue of the MUFORG Bulletin provides a commentary on the current UFO situation, focusing on recent reports from the North West of England. It includes a detailed section on recent UFO reports, reviews of several UFO-related books, and announcements for upcoming conferences.

Comment

The editorial notes that the latest British UFO 'flap' has been disappointing, largely consisting of 'lights in the sky' reports. While there have been many reports, the editor suggests many have entered the newspapers due to a lack of other hard news. The absence of spectacular landing reports is seen as having served to awaken interest without causing hysteria.

Recent North West UFO Reports

This section details numerous sightings from July and August 1967:

• Runcorn, Cheshire (July 3rd): A report from the Runcorn Weekly News, sent by J.G. Hodgkinson, describes a sighting by the Baker family. Michael Baker was awakened by a noise and saw an object on the roofs of new houses. His wife, Janice, also saw it. Mrs Betty Bennett and her granddaughter Geraldine also witnessed the phenomenon. The object was described as a quarter moon with the top cut off, glowing hot, and later appearing as a sharply-defined, spinning, metallic disc. Strange humming noises had been heard in the area for years.
• Runcorn, Cheshire (General): The bulletin mentions previous flying saucer claims from Runcorn people that were often met with disbelief. It also notes that James Cook, a local contactee, claimed to have been taken in a flying saucer to a planet named 'Shebic' and holds faith healing sessions locally.
• Whiston, near St Helens, Lancashire (July 9th): MUFORG member G.T. Woods observed a cylindrical object moving N.W. with bright red ends. Its altitude varied between 5º and 10º, and its speed was estimated at about 400 m.p.h.
• Dingle, Liverpool (July 11th): Witnesses reported a large, round, greyish object moving rapidly across the sky.
• Formby, Lancashire (July 18th): Mr J.G. Clore saw a large orange ball of light coming towards him, which suddenly dropped and vanished. The brightness caused a temporary visual disturbance.
• Aintree, Liverpool (July 20th): Mr B. Young and his fiancee saw an orange-red object, described as 'not quite round', hover and move away.
• Hindley, near Wigan, Lancashire (August 10th): Police Constables Lionel Haw and Steve Parsonage reported seeing a large, bright, non-flickering orange object, estimated to be over 100 feet in diameter. Investigations with airports and Jodrell Bank ruled out conventional explanations.
• Bredbury, near Stockport, Cheshire (August 10th): Police Constables Peter Morris and Robert Young saw a flash of light followed by a large, cigar-shaped object, whitish in colour, which moved away at high speed.
• Platt Bridge, near Wigan, Lancashire (August 15th): Mrs Margaret Dodd saw a round, orange-red object zig-zagging across the sky.
• Coppull, near Chorley, Lancashire (August 15th): Mill workers William Holme and Peter Gallery saw a yellow-orange ball travelling below the clouds.
• Horwich, near Bolton, Lancashire (August 22nd): Mr David Evans reported seeing flying saucers on the moors.
• Hindley, near Wigan, Lancashire (August 19th & 29th): Following up on reports, the editor interviewed Bernard Cox, who witnessed huge, tap-shaped objects on these dates. He provided a list of 15 other witnesses and mentioned a recent landing report from Westhoughton.

Recent Books

The bulletin reviews several books:

• Challenge to Science by Jacques & Janine Vallee: This book is praised for its idea of methods used by scientists in UFO research, noting the current dominance of physical scientists over psychologists. It discusses the 'interplanetary spaceships' hypothesis and the statistical treatment of UFO reports, including a correlation with the Martian cycle. The review suggests the book's final chapter, 'The Solution is Within Reach,' might be viewed pessimistically by many researchers.
• The Interrupted Journey by John G. Fuller: This book details the case of Mr and Mrs Barney Hill, who believe they were abducted by aliens. The review highlights the use of hypnosis by psychiatrist Dr Benjamin Simon to investigate their missing time. It notes that the truth revealed under hypnosis is the patient's perceived truth and that the investigations were conducted by rational people, though no definite conclusions are reached.
• The Warminster Mystery by Arthur Shuttlewood: The review criticizes Shuttlewood's technique of presenting numerous reports to support the 'interplanetary theory' and his 'purple passages' style. It mentions the 'Aenstrians' and the author's claim of undisclosed information. Despite lacking objectivity, it is recommended for British ufologists.
• The Scoriton Mystery by Eileen Buckle: This book investigates a contact claim by Arthur Bryant. The review notes the detailed investigation by BUFORA Committee members Norman Oliver and Eileen Buckle, mentioning methods like object reading and amateur psychology. It suggests the book's preference for occult explanations might irritate scientifically-minded readers but offers interest to those who read it critically.
• UFOs for the Millions by Howard V. Chambers: Described as a popular introduction to the subject, this book is noted for its readability and fair presentation of opposing views.
• The Flying Saucer Menace by Brad Steiger: This 64-page booklet is considered good value, with many photographs and sighting reports. The 'hostility' theory is emphasized to appeal to sensation-seekers.

Flying Saucer Hoax Makes Front Page News

An elaborate hoax involving apprentices from the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough is reported. They constructed glass fibre 'saucers', filled them with noxious substances, and equipped them with buzzing and bleeping devices, distributing them across England.

Conferences and Meetings

• BUFORA Northern Conference: Scheduled for Saturday, November 24th, 1967, at the Central Hall, Renshaw Street, Liverpool.
• Merseyside UFO Research Group: Next meeting on September 13th at 8.0 p.m. at 2 Alfred Place, Liverpool.

MUFORG Bulletin Information

Contact details for the Editor, John Harney, are provided. Contributions, articles, reviews, and comments are welcome. Published contributions are the responsibility of their authors and do not necessarily reflect MUFORG's views. Material may be reprinted with credit. Distribution is to MUFORG members and other UFO organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently reports on UFO sightings, emphasizing witness testimonies and investigative efforts. There is a clear focus on documenting events in the North West of England. The reviews of books indicate an engagement with various theories, from interplanetary hypotheses to psychological explanations, while also critiquing sensationalism and lack of objectivity. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, encouraging detailed reporting and investigation, while acknowledging the diverse range of opinions and explanations within the field.