An Anecdotal History of BUFORA

This document provides an anecdotal history of the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA) and the broader context of ufology in the UK from 1947 to 1975. It traces the origins of the field back to Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting and the subsequent US Air Force investigations, including Project Saucer and Project Blue Book. The narrative details the emergence of various UK-based UFO societies in the 1950s, such as the British Flying Saucer Bureau and the London UFO Research Organisation (LUFORO). BUFORA was formally established in 1962 as a federation of these smaller societies, with Nigel Stephenson serving as a primary driving force in its early years. The text chronicles the association's growth, its internal challenges regarding centralization, its efforts to gain scientific respectability, and its various publications, including the BUFORA Journal. Key events mentioned include the 1962 inaugural convention at Kensington Central Library, the 1965 Warminster flap, and the 1975 incorporation of BUFORA as a Company Limited by Guarantee. The document also notes the contributions of various figures, including Lionel Beer, Dr. Godfrey Doel, and Roger Stanway, and highlights the association's attempts to maintain a national network of investigators and a public archive.