SCIENCE FICTION CLUB OF LONDON PARTY. At
the invitation of Sister Ethel Lindsay the meeting
of the SFCL scheduled for 1st July was held two
days later at Courage House. Arhur “Atom” Thomson
brought along his wife, Olive, and child, Heather,
the latter having brought in her turn her latest
new toy, a “biff-bat” which has a ball attached to
the bat by a piece of elastic. There was an
unofficial competition to see who could hit the
ball with the bat most times. The snag was
avoiding being hit in the face by the ball on its
return trip. I’d love to report that Heather won
the contest but in fact Vince Clarke was the
victor with at least 98 hits. Ethel provided us
with one of those Wobbly balls and we tried our
hands (?) at a game of football. When the ball
won’t travel towards the point at which it is
aimed it causes much hilarity and it also provided
much needed exercise for us city types. It was a
treat to sit out on the terrace in deck chairs to
have our teas. Ethel did us proud in the way of
refreshments. Those of us who took full advantage
of her hospitality wore: Ken & Irene Potter,
Jimmy Groves, Arthur, Olive and Heather Thomson,
Vince and Nicki Clarke, Don Geldart and Ella
Parker. Unfortunately, George Locke had to stay in
barracks and do some work for a change and Ted
Forsyth had left for the north in connection with
his job, so he too was absent. We broke up at
9.30, tired and happy, having thoroughly enjoyed
ourselves. (EAP)
This issue of SKYRACK has been delayed because of
pressure of mundane type work. Most unfannish and
apologies all round. From July 26th I’ll be
staying at Ella Parker’s Penitentiary in London
until the end of August. Watch out, London.
Bennett is with you....
SIDEREAL 4 (Eric Jones, 44 Barbridge Road,
Hesters Way, Cheltenham, Glos. 42pp). SURPRISE!
SURPRISE!! Admittedly, this issue, dated 30th June
1956, is a little overdue, but the Cheltenham gang
have got in a little gag line about the issue
being dead on time! Archie Mercer writes an
account of the long Liverpool party weekend of
Whitsun 1956. Lan Wright contributes a story. Mike
Wallace reports on his 1955 visit to Archie’s
caravan. There are also letters, items by Terry
Jeeves, Ron Bennett and Peter Mabey and a strip
cartoon by one “Tex.” Whilst the issue is somewhat
disappointing in its lack of items by fans who
have been on the Cheltenham scene for some little
time now the general spirit of the zine makes it
one which has been worth waiting the four years to
see.
Y0RKSHIRE FAN MEETINGS have been swinging.
On 3rd July, Eric Bentcliffe TAFF’S travel-elect
Delegate visited Mal and Sheila Ashworth in
Bradford and I went along to report on the
meeting. After chow-chow (ech!) at Fung Ying’s
restaurant we moved up to Eccleshill for afternoon
nap and several glasses of Sheila’s excellent
Irish coffee. The four of us also got together in
Harrogate on 17th July when we were joined by Alan
Rispin. Alan had hitched from Manchester and
arrived about three hours after his expected time
of arrival. His face when after six hours hard
hitch hiking, Eric told him that the return fare
to Manchester was only 12/3d.... We had
sandwiches, more afternoon nap, sandwiches, brag,
sandwiches, substitute Irish coffee, and....anyone
want a sandwich?
FIELD MARSHALL ELECT GEORGE LOCKE reports
on the Globe evening of 15 June when Bob and
Barbara Silverberg hit town: “Locke supposed to be
watching sports, but wanting to meet Agbergs at
Globe, dodges numerous military police, shells out
2 days pay in train fare and arrives at Globe hot
and tired. Jim Groves, Ella Parker and newcomer
Ted Armitage present when John Brunner walks in
with Bob and Barbara. John introduces them to Ted
but did not introduce them to the rest of us. I
could see that they seemed embarrassed.” ***
George also writes on a visit to see the film
based on Wyndham’s “The Midwich Cuckoos,” THE
VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED: “This is a very nicely,
concisely handled film, from the shots showing the
police and military investigating the invisible
field which throws the village into
unconsciousness, through the development of the
alien children which are born after the field goes
away, to the climax. The children themselves are
some of t the strangest, most alien, ever created
on the screen and the final battle of mental
forces between George Sanders and the aliens is
very effective.”
COMMERCIAL: Imagine, in a few year’s time,
a pair of blue, trusting eyes looking into yours,
and a small voice asking “What was it like at the
LXICON dad?” and then the trust slowly turning
into disappointment as he totters away with
slumped shoulders, your reply ringing in his ears,
“I - I - I didn’t go to the LXICON, son."
KING BILLY BURIED. Peggy White and her vile
pro husband, James, spent the week 20/26th June
with Johnny Hautz down in Bray, County Wicklow.
Walt and Madeleine Willis followed to spend the
weekend with Ian McAulay who reports that fuller
details “will no doubt appear in sundry fanzines
when the various participants recover.”
ORION 16 wanted. 3 issue subscription to SKYRACK
for first copy.
ORION 25 (Ella A. Parker, 151 Canterbury
Road, West Kilburn,London N.W.6. 58 pages. l/-) I
goofed. This magazine should have been reviewed
amongst last month’s offerings, but my filing
system being infallible..... And ORION is too good
to let pass by without a recommendation. The issue
kicks off with Atom’s cover impression of the
LonCon hall and with Ella’s account of the hectic
life her household led during the convention week.
Any fans who have been urging Ella to write more
will be pleased wijth this eight page editorial.
Ken Bulmer remembers New York in his best “Taff
Tales” to date. Arthur Thomson reviews fanzines in
a humourous. manner. Ex-editor Uncle Paul Enever
contributes a Conversation Piece, John Berry has
another of his popular Sergeant stories.Joe
Patrizio graces the Bloodbank section, Len Moffatt
poses a problem and Terry Jeeves, Rory Faulkner
and George Locke contribute short items. There are
also 11 pages of letters in the best ORION
tradition and a couple of pages of notes on
fanzines make up a meaty issue.
QUANTUM 7 (John Martin Baxter, 29 Gordon
Road,Bowral, N.S.W.Australia l/-.30pp) QUANTUM
continues to take the eye with a hodge-podge
(that’s a compliment)of interesting material.
Editor Baxter rambles, Don Tuck reviews Startling
Stories, Bruce Burn contributes a short story and
letters are thrown in for good measure. The issue
is worth its price for an outstanding parody of
Etherline which has the right touches without the
take-off being overdone. A thoroughly entertaining
zine in the best “let’s have fun” tradition.
FEMIZINE (FEZ) 14.Summer 1960.(Ethel
Lindsay, Courage House, 6 Langley Avenue,
Surbiton, Surrey. l/-... 10pp). FEZ still
continues to possess entertaining touches, but
this is not one of Ethel’s best issues. Bjo Wells
contributes the best item, a pen portrait of Miri
Carr, and other contributors are Janey Johnson,
Juanita Coulson and. Virginia Schultheis.
NORTHLIGHT 10 (Alan Burns, Goldspink House,
6 Goldspink Lane, Newcastle on Tyne 2. 26pp). This
thickest Northlight for some time. Terry Jeeves
analyses his favourite sf stories, three German
fans write on European fandom and Dick Schultz
writes on the American Negro problem. Alan goes
through the letters and fanzines in his “In
Tray”and also writes a nice but short editorial.
Now that NORTHLIGHT has got over its cribbing at
Inchmery fandom, it shows a marked improvement.
VECTOR 8 (Official Journal of the BSFA.
Subscriptions to the Association are £1 yearly to
the Hon. Treasurer, Archie Mercer, 434/4 Newark
Road, North Hykeham, Lincoln. 36pp).This is the
first VECTOR to be edited by Jim Groves. Apart
from the comprehensive official reports there are
several items of interest. Brian Aldiss
contributes a short item on the standard of sf, an
item which could have been much better had it been
much longer. Mike Moorcock discusses the work of
Mervyn Peake. Ian MacIain has a story. Ken Slater
brings us up-to-date news on the sf field. Joy
Clarke reviews books and there are filler items
and letters which fit in neatly. Editor Groves has
a straight talking editorial which is as much a
credit as is the whole issue. VECTOR is on the
up-grade.
Thank you, Archie Mercer Department. BBC Announcer
in “Down Your Way” programme of 15th May
said,”Ccrtainly the most important building in
Newtownards Road is Parliament.” Just right for a
three line filler.
American TV Guide reports Ray Bradbury writing
scripts for Shirley Temple! Shirley is M.C. for a
fairy tale programne. “Something tells me that
Grimm is in for a change,” says Steve Stiles. ***
28th May issue of TODAY magazine ran letter on
fire fighting by T.Law, London S.E.14. Wonder how
many fans remember Authentic these days, Joy. ***
Two fliers included with this SKYRACK, a neat
piece from Mal Ashworth and mi No.9 from
Eric Bentcliffe, which includes his travelling
plans to and from the States. Ticket booked and
paid for. Apologies to Ernest Sterne, Peter
Skeberdis and Peter Singleton who missed out on
mi 8. Three copies short delivered.
Completely out of my hands. *** Sandy Sanderson
writes,”I would like to take this opportunity to
thank all those fans who supported me in the
recent TAFF campaign, my sponsors, Belle Dietz who
gave so much energy to the cause, all those who
voted for me and also those who didn’t vote for me
but who supported the Fund. My grateful thanks to
you all. I enjoyed the campaign very much and I
feel that it was carried out most fairly by all
the candidates and their supporters. I’m sure that
in Eric we have a very worthy and interesting
delegate and that American fans will thoroughly
enjoy meeting him, also that Eric will enjoy his
deserved trip to the States.” *** 9th July Alan
Rispin put in a few more miles in his bid to
become a hitch hiking giant by visiting Paul
Andrews in Maidstone, Kent He also managed to look
up George Locke and poor suffering Ella Parker.***
Jim Cawthorn has illustrated Sexton Blake novel
THE WORLD SHAKERS, a sf slanted story involving
flying saucers. Will appear August. *** MIKE
MOORCOCK has moved -- l8 Beatrice Avenue, Norbury,
London SW 16. *** Chris Miiller has gained Oxford
place at Christ Church *** From August issue, BRE
Astounding will be on sale 15th of month, still
before cover date. *** Belle & Frank Dietz
have moved to 1750 Walton Ave., Bronx 53, NY.
Belle is now acting as “social editor” to SF
Times, with occasional columns. *** Young fan Club
for under 25s being formed by Jim Linwood, 10
Meadow Cotts, Netherfield, Notts. *** Can any fan
interested in meeting Kiwi Bruce Burn off the boat
at S’hampton 26th August contact yours truly,
please? DNQ !!*** FAPA Editor Andy Young at
present in London on a flying visit. No truth in
rumour that he is over to study OMPA Constitution.
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