HARROGATE HIGHLIGHTS.
PETERBOROUGH SWEEPS IN!! Forty-five members
already registered!
The 1962 National British Convention was held in
Harrogate from Good Friday, 20th April to Easter
Monday, 23rd April. The actual programme was split
between the West Park and Clarendon hotels,
situated on the edge of the famous Harrogate
Stray. It would probably not have mattered if they
had been situated two miles underground, however,
for the spa’s beauty was viewed only through rain
coloured spectacles for the greater part of the
weekend.
London’s well-publicised bid for the 1963 con-site
was swept aside when Ken Slater and Dave Barber
announced that they were putting in a bid for
Peterborough next year. It is a long time since
Britain had two groups fighting for a consite and
the position surely reflects the enthusiasm in
British fandom today and also the excellent work
of the BSFA in recruiting new blood; many new
faces were in evidence during the weekend.
It was a Committee policy to try and give value
for money and probably the most expensive
prize-range ever was distributed at the
convention. As such, it is possible that the con
will lose money. With several bills still to pay
there is a small profit, but we are anticipating
an unexpected bill from one hotel. Actual
attendance, notwithstanding gatecrashers from the
nobility and elsewhere, was 94 out of a 105
membership.
Make Humphenschtruinphendorpf the sixty-fourth!!
Joni Cornell for TAFF - rmb
THE CONVENTION BEGAN for me, writes Ron Bennett,
Wednesday, 18th April when the first delegation
rolled in. At 8.15 an entire block of flats in
which I live was roused by the arrival of the
German contingent. consisting of Tom Schluck, Rolf
Gindorf, Wolfgang Thadewald, Thea Grade, Horst
Margeit and driver Guntram Ohmacht. We had a whale
of a time during those two pre-con days, driving
out into the Yorkshire dales and visiting the
limestone karst country at Malham, source of the
River Aire. We climbed the 200’ high Gordale Scar
and walked mountain roads while Guntram waltzed
merrily backward down a one in six gradient trying
to take a picture. It was one of those idyllic
days in one’s life and a wonderful example of
international friendliness.The six Gerfans stayed
over in Harrogate until the Tuesday (as did Al
Hoch) when Wolfgang celebrated his 24th birthday.
THE HOTEL LOBBIES were soon crowded out on Good
Friday and the programme began in the evening when
Ron Bennett, introduced various celebrities in the
traditional manner. General merry making continued
until 3am when the floating card school left the
Clarendon where manager Brian Little had tried
hard to lose the hotel to Brian Ball and Norman
Shorrock.
THE SATURDAY PROGRAMME began with a playing of a
tape recorded by the BBC and belonging to Brian
Aldiss of the Home Service programme THE REALM OF
PERHAPS, a discussion on sf by Ted Carnell, John
Wyndham, Brian Aldiss, Ken Bulmer and others.
Following the tape long standing Nova writer E.R.
James surveyed the sf scene, defining sf as having
a basis of scientific fact explained logically. He
claimed that Yoga thought of the concepts of
science fiction long before sf did so. James
amazed his audience by removing his jacket and
standing on his head Yoga fashion. He spoke of the
claims of Yoga and the manner in which Analog was
using stories based on the off-beat sciences, and
mentioned how to work even slight scientific
concepts into stories. He wound up by reviewing
his own sf history and the trends of sf during the
last ten years. One major theme, he said, is that
of overcrowding and survival. As gets older one
writes better, said James. One has a better insight into human nature and this is
all important to writing. A short discussion
followed, mainly on Yoga. Harry Harrison refuted
the claims of the Eastern mystics, following
research by Koestler and Liverpool OMPAn John
Roles defended James.
BRIAN ALDISS introduced TOM BOARDMAN, the Guest of
Honour, mentioning man’s first efforts at writing
which were possibly on the lines of “mastodons
crossing” or “back in ten minutes, lunch in
caldron.”. The first book was possibly religious
(like sf?) and written in cuniform on baked clay
tablets. This would hve been difficult to
interpret, rather like a fanzine. He spoke of
progress made in publishing. Last year there were
over 100 sf titles with much old reprint material
because there is today a shortage of good SF
writers in an age when there are great
opportunities for writers who can think for
themselves. SF, said Aldiss, is more than ever in
the public eye. Only recently there was the
Question in the House of Commons on Skyrack and
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Actual examples,
said Aldiss, included a coverage by “Vogue” and the
BBC's "Realm of Perhaps.” John Wyndham is selling
regularly on the general market and sales for “The
Day of The Triffids” is rivalling that of Agatha
Christie. For years we have had to fight for a
general acceptance of sf and now this has arrived.
This year we had the first pocket books which had
covers without the eternal bug eyed monsters
chasing glamour girls. These are the Mayflower
Sci-Fi series which have as their editor Tom
Boardman.
TOM BOARDMAN, The Convention’s Guest Of Honour,
told his audience that surprised though they might
be to discover it, publishers are trying to make
money. Publishing is their living. He asked why
hardcover publishers sold only two thousand copies
of a book and yet would repeat the experiment, and
answered his question by stating that often they
are hoping to sell subsidiary film or reprint
rights. Subsidiary rights are very important in
the publishing world, said Boardman. He spoke of
the rivalry to publish only good sf, though this
itself is a danger, he said, to publishers. If
more publishers jumped on the bandwagon the cake
would be split more ways for buyers such as chain
libraries would spread their orders and there
would be less cash per publisher. One solution for
a publisher appeared to be the paper back field.
SF appeared to be a cast iron bet as a steady
seller with usually fifteen to twenty thousand
copies sold. How different from books like Ted
Tubb’s “Alien Dust” in the hardcover edition which
sold only. one thousand. He spoke of his own
experiences in editing paper backed SF, mentioning
Penguin, Corgi, Panther and finally Mayflower.
After his talk Boardman was asked questions on
reprints under different titles, many members of
the audience accusing publishers generally of
underhand dealings and quoting examples. Boardman
spoke of several different legitimate reasons for
this common practice and also answered questions
on the selection of material and commissioning
writers to work to specifications. Altogether a
most interesting and. entertaining talk.
THERE WERE TWO AUCTIONS conducted by Ken Slater,
one Saturday and one on Sunday. These ran well
beyond the allotted time in each instance. On the
Saturday it was probably a good thing for the
intention had been to allow attendees time to
sightsee around the spa but it rained, oh my how
it rained! On the Sunday afternoon the programme
had to be hurriedly reorganised and the TAFF talk
by Ron Ellik ws put back until the evening prior
to the film show. The two auctions together
realised a record sum of £39 11s 9d, 50% of
which went to TAFF.
THE FANCY DRESS PARTY on the Saturday evening, was
extremely ably compered by Cheltenham’s Eric
Jones, supported by music from the specially
imported Gerry Poole Trio. With the theme of the
fancy dress A.D. 2062 prizes were won by Sector
General Nurse Ethel Lindsay, Traffic Warden Wally
Johnson, Angel Jill Adams, Mutant Tony Walsh and
Hobbit and Strider Ken Cheslin and Susan Slater.
Phil Rogers ran a book on a horse racing game
which raised hopes of backers and fifteen
shillings for the convention and Ron Bennett
sidestepped a conga line which spread into the
hotel’s public bars to down the first glass of
sulphur water - rigged of course (I live here) -
in the spa-water drinking contest. Contestents
were John Roles, Brian Jordan and Horst Margeit.
Roles quickly retired and Jordan finally won. It
is understood that when he recovers he will inform
us as to the quantity drunk.
The publisher of SKYRACK apologies for the lengthy
gap between issues 41 and 42 and says that he is
now recovering nicely from his nervous breakdown.
AT THE BSFA’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Ella Parker
bid for the 1963 Convention on behalf of London
and Ken Slater spoke on behalf of Peterborough. It
was suggested that the issue be left until the
afternoon when the vote would be taken. Discussion
on the point took place informally at lunchtime
and after the Professional Panel the vote was
taken, the return being Peterborough 39, and
London 23. It was generally agreed that poor
presentation of a worthwhile scheme for a prestige
hotel swung the favour to the Peterborough
backers.
THE BSFA’S NEW OFFICERS took over at the AGM with
Terry Jeeves stepping up to take over as Chairman
for the coming year. Bobbie Gray was elected
Vice-Chairman and Jill Adams took over as
Treasurer from Ted Forsyth. Ken Cheslin was
elected Secretary and Jimmy Groves relinquished
the post of Publications Officer to Michael
Rosenblum and Ella.Parker, two experienced
publishers who will have the job of putting out
VECTOR, and the BSFA NEWSLETTER. Peter Mabey
continued as Librarian and reported in detail of
the Library’s standing saying that it is now the
largest SF lending library in the world.
THE DR ARTHUR R. WEIR MEMORIAL FUND was discussed
and it was agreed that the money collected during
the past year, some fourteen pounds, should be
devoted to a Fan Recognition Award in Doc’s name.
A British Fantasy Award was also discussed and Tom
Boardman offered to publish an anthology to raise
funds for this award, on the lines of a similar
anthology project already in operation for the
mystery writers under his wing.
KEN SLATER ran a quiz game on the lines of the
radio and TV “Take Your Pick” competitions. The
top prize of a bottle of Haig went to Jimmy Groves
whilst George Locke won a plastic bucket and bowl
and Michael Rosenblum found himself owning a pair
of cheap earrings. Other prizes during the weekend
were awarded to Eddie Jones for his display on
Bastion, to Bob Parkinson for the highest auction
bid (£2), to Phil Rogers for spotting the Con’s
deliberate poster mistake (directions to the West
Park Assembley Room), to Terry Jeeves for the
password (this was “Wilson Tucker” and was won
when Terry tried to sell Ron Bennett a copy of
“The Lincoln Hunters.”) and to several fans for
displays in the photo competition. Ethel Lindsay
won the “Beautiful Britain” section (with the only
entry) and first prize in the “What is It?”
section went to Harry Harrison, with Eddie Jones
second. Ron Bennett and Eric Bentcliffe won prizes
for their pictures of “Fans.”
MICHAEL ROSENBLUM gave what was generally agreed
to be the most interesting talk of the weekend
with informal reflections over the past 25 years.
He read from Speer’s original Fancyclopedia and
spoke of the days when the Clayton Astounding was
brought to this country as ballast and could be
bought for 3d or 4d a copy. He mentioned Hornig’s
club for letter hacks and Douglas Mayer’s
formation of the first foreign chapter of the SFL
in Leeds. Other chapters were formed and
eventually the first British convention was held
in January 1937. Michael distributed photosheets
(originally published in The New Futurian) which
showed attendees to include Eric Frank Russell,
Arthur Clarke, Walter Gillings and Ted Carnell. He
spoke of the beginnings of New Worlds and the
disintegration of British fandom within a
fortnight when war broke out in 1939. Fanzines at
that time included Liverpool’s Satellite and
Gargoyle, he said, and his own Futurian which was
later combined with Ron Holmes’ Science Fantasy
War Digest to become the Futurian War Digest.
Michael spoke of the formation of the British
Fantasy Society, originally a temporary war
oranisation, and his own virtual gafiation until
1953 when a new Leeds group (LSFA) was formed. He
was asked questions about the wherabouts of
various fans of the last twenty years and also how
present day fandom compared with that of 25 years
ago. Michael said that both fandoms appeared to
contain their thinkers, but whereas the fandom of
yesteryear worried about the wrongs of the world
and thought that perhaps it could put them right,
fandom today worried just as much but was more
inclined to live for the joys of the hour. The
talk had to be terminated because of the lack of
time available.
THE PROFESSIONAL AUTHORS PANEL was made up of
Harry Harrison, Brian Aldiss, Ernest James, James
White and Stephen Hall, with Tom Boardnan lending
moral support to the jug of water that was passed
amongst them. They spoke about where they get
their ideas and agreed that it wasn’t a case of
getting ideas but stopping the ideas from coming
and in short a case of discrimination. They gave
examples, spoke of favourite plots, of what they
admired in each other’s writings and of the state
of sf today.
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH was the film shown on
the Sunday evening. Perhaps this is not strictly
sf but it was agreed to be an entertaining and
worthwhile film. Other entertaining shorts were
shown at a wine and cheese party thrown in the
Clarendon display room by Norman Shorrock and Sid
Birchby. A great time was had by all,
quipping at ancient Tarzan silents and shooting
the hero with blanks. A table collapsed under
combined viewing weight and Brian Aldiss and Harry
Harrison cooked meat pies over a waste-basket
fire. The hotel managements were as friendly and as
co-operative as any we've ever had and West Park
owner Bert Harman and Clarendon manager Brian
Little entered into the con spirit and were soon
on first name terms with many attendees.
THE PROGRAMME BOOKLET was a superlative affair and
was once again ably produced by Norman Shorrock
and Eddie Jones. Many thanks, you Liverpudlians,
and thanks too to all who helped make the con a
social success - Ken Slater for his handling of
professional advertisers and the auctions, Phil
Rogers for his programme planning, Eric Jones for
his work on the fancy dress party, Brian
Jordan and Chris Miller for their fan and
photographic displays, Terry Jeeves for his
collecting of auction material and especially to
Jill Adams for her work on the registration desk
and to Jhim Linwood and his willing hand of
supporters for the work involved in moving chairs
and facilitating seating.
“the sort of chap who thinks Lovccraft is a book
on marriage technique! (Sid Birchby)...”the first
time the hotel has not been opposite a church and
you deserve the no bell prize” (Archie
Mercer)...”neither one of us knew what ws were
talking about but I was louder” (Ron Ellik).
BRIAN JORDAN (86 Piccadilly Road, Burnley, Lancs)
would like to be included on the lists of anyone
circulating for sale photos taken at the con.
CON ATTENDING GERFANS were guests at a bumper BSFA
open night at the Parker Pen 27th April. Ted
Forsyth reports that Arthur Thomson highlighted
the evening with explanations of unprintable puns.
Said Gcrfans will attend their con as early as
next August - tte 24th at Unterwossen, Bavaria.
the 1961 skyrack poll.....
21 fans voted in the poll, as against 22 last
year. Whilst this number might at first sight be
thought to be hardly indicative of the numerical
state of fandom today, I think that it can be said
that the poll itself reflects a truly
representative cross section. The twenty-one Good
People were: Gill Adams, Ron Bennett, Eric
Bentcliffe, Sid Birchby, Bruce Burn, Buck Coulson,
Bill Donaho, Colin Freeman, Keith Freeman, Ted
Forsyth, Jim Groves, Dave Hale, Terry Jeeves,
Lenny Kaye, Ethel Lindsay, Ed Meskys, Chris
Miller, Darroll Pardoe, Ella Parker, Norman
Shorrock, Rick Sneary.
THE BEST BRITISH FAN PUBLICATION OF 1961
1. THE ATOM ANTHOLOGY (published by Ella A. Parker
151 Canterbury Road, West Kilburn, London NW 6. @
7/- or $1) 153 points. 2. ORION (also published by Ella Parker, but @
1/-. or 15 quaterly) 149 points. 1st place last
year. 3. HYPHEN (Walt Willis & Ian McAulay, 170
Upper Nowtownards Road, Belfast 4, N. Ireland. 1/-
or 15cents. Irregular but frequent) 127
points, 4th last year. 4. BASTION (Eric Bentcliffe, 47 Alldis Street,
Great Moor, Stockport, Cheshire & Norman
Shorrock, 2 Arnot Way, Higher Bebington, Wirral,
Cheshire. 1/6d) 93 points. 5th last year. 5. SKYRACK 85points. 2nd last year. 6. COLONIAL EXCURSION (published by Ron Bennett,
13 West Cliffe Grove, Harrogate, Yorks. @ 7/- or
$1). 76 points. 7. SCOTTISHE (Published primarily for OMPA by
Ethel Lindsay, Courage House, 6 Langley Avenue,
Surbiton, Surrey) 57 points. Unplaced last year. 8. ESPRIT (Daphne Buckmaster, address elsewhere
this issue @ 1/6 or 20cents) 38 points. 7th last
year 9. EPITAFF (Eric Bentcliffe @ 7/- or $1). 35
points.
Equal tenth at 35 points were LES SPINGE (Dave
Hale, 12 Belmont Road, Wollescote, Stourbridge,
Worcs.), THE FAN DIRECTORY (Ron Bennett - 1/6 or
25cents) and VECTOR (The o-o of the BSFA).
Runners-up were: Equal 13. SFCoL’s COMBOZINE and
VAGARY (22 points); l5. HAVERINGS (19); 16. SMOKE
(17); 17. THE, GOON GOES WEST and NORTHLIGHT (13);
19. RETRIBUTION (11); 20. CAMBER and THe LXICON
PROGRAMME BOOKLET (10).
Congratuations for the 2nd year running to Ella
Parker whose CAPress heads the poll, to Arthur
Thomson on heading the poll from the viewpoint of
material (and what material!l,) and to Ethel
Lindsay on the progress made by SCOTTISHE.
THE BEST INDIVIDUAL FANZINE FEATURE OF 1961. 13 items were listed.
Top place went to Eddie Jones for his HOW I SEE IT
coverage of STARSHIP TROOPERS in BASTION 2.
THE BEST COLUMN Practically a walk over for THE HARP THAT ONCE OR
TWICE by Walt Willis in WARHOON.
BEST FAN ARTIST l. Arthur Thomson (25 points) 2. Eddie Jones (15
points) Virtually a repeat of last year’s voting.
PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE NEW WORLDS again topped SCIENCE FANTASY and
SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURES.
BEST FANZINE COVER BASTION 1 took last year’s vote and this year
BASTION 2 headed the poll.
BEST REPORT ALDISS & HEAVEN TOO by Ian McAulay in HYPHEN.
BEST BRITISH FAN WRITER of 1961 1. Walt Willis (53 points) 4th place last year. 2. John Berry (26 points) 1st last year. 3. Bob Shaw (25) 4. Ethel Lindsay (17). 5. George Locke (14) 2nd last year. 6. Ron Bennett (13) 5th last year. 7. James White (12) 8. Ella Parker (11) 9th last year. 9. Ian McAulay and Mal Ashworth (8) Ashworth 5th
last year.
The overall quality of Irish Fandom obviously
speaks for itself. It is very pleasing to see Walt
sweep to his decisive victory in this, his “Tenth
Anniversary” year, and all credit to Ian McAulay
for his productive prodding, not only with Walt
but also the entire HYPHEN staff.
Fanzines in around contime.....
HAVERINGS 10 (6d from Ethel Lindsay) Tom Schluck
introduces Klaus Eylmann and the rest of the zine
is given over to fanzine reviews; this is becoming
almost an invaluable listing through its detailed
coverage and regularity.
ORION 29 (1/- from Ella Parker who requests that
no review be given this issue because of a wish to
prune her bulky mailing list).
The First part of PARKER’S PEREGRINATIONS, Ella’s
Stateside trip report is also out and may be
obtajned for $1.50 or 10/-, said sum being the
cost of the entire report. Artwork is by Arthur
Thomson of course.
THE SKYRACK NEWSLITTER by Colin Freeman &
Ethel Lindsay was distributed at the con and the
same to both of them.
VECTOR 15 (Edited by Jim Groves) Excellent reviews
by Aldiss, Doherty and Harrison. Fanzine reprint
by Ashworth. Mixed and assorted aspects of the sf
scene. This followed quickly on the heels of
VECTOR 14 which continued a goodly article by Bob
Parkinson on Hal Clement, more excellent book
reviews, a Willis reprint and the long-awaited
Kingsley Amis viewpoint (donated by the SFCoL
Syndicate which purchased this) on the 1961
LXIcon.
ADDRESS CHANGES: Avram Davidson, 410 W 110, New
York 25, NY, USA. Keith Freeman, 41 Park Road, Hayling, .Hayling
Is., Hants. Alan Rispin, 5 Kingdon Road, London NW 6. - Phone
Hampstead 8163. Daphne Buckmaster,. 70 Highbury. Hill, London N5
AN ITEM A LINE FROM HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE:
Congratulations to Eric.and Beryl Bentcliffe,
married 24th March and to Ian McAulay, recently
engaged :::: Archie Mercer changing jobs after 9
years with Malleable. Address still good ::::
Congratulations Terry Jeeves, 1st Prize in recent
N3F Story Contest ::: What if you want to complain
about Alan Rispin? :::: Geoff Winterman,
Cheltenham, absent from con following road
accident. Get well, schnell! ::: First 63Con
Newsletter in from Ken Slater. Bull Hotel,
Peterborough, booked :::: TRIODE artist Tony Glynn
to attend ChiCon in Sept :::: Berndt Ruthstrom,
Brahegatan 8, Stockholm, interested in gleaning
details of all fanzines for checklist project ::::
RACKHAMART flier should be with issue ::: Hard
luck Dave & Ruth Kyle, who sent greetings for
Harrogate Con - arrived a day late :::: George
Locke out of army. Returned UK March 27 in time
for party welcome by SFCoL :::: Ted Johnstone
considering ENCHANTED DUPLICATOR reprint ::::
Reports indicate that projected German reprint of
ATOM ANTHOLOGY is completely unauthorised ::::
Beautiful postcards from Antigua, Virgin Islands
and Nevis sent by holidaying Boyd Raeburn :::: For
the record 8lb Alan Kimball Shorrock born 26 Feb.
Congratulations Alan on the choice of parents ::::
Rotary duplicator auction (cash for TAWF, 50 cents
a throw being run with 31st May deadhine by Buck
Coulson, Rte 3, Wabash, Indiana :::: Ken Cheslin,
18 New Farm Rd, Stourbridge reports agenting
Japanese fanzine :::: Moral of typing this 1st May
is never set yourself a three day:deadline!
LES SPINGE 8 (Dave Hale, 12 Belmont Rd, Wollesote,
Stourbridge, Worcs) A neat John Berryarn and some
pointless discussion on Eichmann - pointless
because protagonists Linwood and Dodd evade the
point, namely – why Israel is acting thusly.
VOID 28 (Ted White. And Co. British agent now
Arthur Thomson) Following the poor (in my opinion,
Rolf) No 27, this one stands out a mile as
possibly the best issue to date. Beautifully
reproduced and containing much Grade A material.
DIRECTORY OF 1961 FANDOM. 500 fan addresses. Some
copies left. 1/6 or 25cents from Ron Bennett or
Bob Pavlat. |