THE CYTRICON - A short report by Peter Hamilton

NEBULA Number 13, September 1955.

 

Peter Hamilton at Cytricon II with Pat Milnes of the LSFG. Photo: Peter West.

The First Kettering Science-Fiction Convention really began three o’clock on Saturday, 9th April, when that five-star fan club Liverpool presented a very amusing 'radio programme', by way of recorder, craftily depicting a big-scale science-fiction convention of the future. This included a number of hilarious impressions of well-known fans (including one of myself) and was 'sponsored' by the makers of  'Blog', the wonder multi-purpose beverage, and was produced in the commercial radio style. 'Blog' was actually put into production  -  the same evening, by someone who shall remain anonymous, but although it contained many choice ingredients, including baking soda, whiskey, blackcurrant juice and aspirin and was actually given away at a riotous party which followed, there was not exactly a demand for it. But that is another story...

Other items on the programme included talks by John Carnell and H.J. Campbell, an enjoyable film show which included The War of the Worlds,  and an auction conducted by Ted Tubb.

During the rest of the time I met and enjoyed conversing with authors Ted Tubb,Sydney Bounds and Ken and Pam Bulmer; editors John Carnell and H. J. Campbell; artists Ken McIntyre, James Rattigan, Jack Wilson and Arthur Thomson; and many others including Nic Oosterbaan  who travelled all the way from Holland to attend the convention, Ken Slater, Walt Willis, Terry Jeeves, Joy Goodwin, etc.,etc.

On the Monday morning things began to break up and the George Hotel took on a very deserted look. It had been a most enjoyable convention and all thanks is due to Danny Cowen and his team for its organisation.

I’m booking in early for next time. Are you?


                                                                                   Cartoon by Arthur Thomson (ATom)

from left to right-

JOY GOODWIN - CHUCK HARRIS - RON BENNETT - KENNETH F.SLATER - E.J.CARNELL - H.J.CAMPBELL - WALTER A.WILLIS - SHIRLEY MARRIOTT - E.C.TUBB - KEN MACINTYRE - SYDNEY J.BOUNDS - PETER HAMILTON - KENNETH BULMER - JOHN BRUNNER

Cartoon and text kindly scanned by Greg Pickersgill


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