Lexin

kat_lair is thinking of running a UK based fandom (slash fandom?) event in 2024.

Anyone interested go here and comment: https://kat-lair.dreamwidth.org/873159.html

As advertised, I went to Follycon, the 69th British Science Fiction Convention last weekend, which was held at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.

Travelling up was fine – there was supposed to be a train strike on Northern Rail, which runs trains between Leeds and Harrogate, but though the service was crowded, the one I was booked on ran. I’m on the side of the strikers, as I will normally be, but in this case because what’s behind the strike is the question of guards on trains.

I normally ask for assistance when travelling by train. The reason for this is because I can be quite chipper and healthy, and able to manage my bag…and I can be really very ill and struggle. This time I wasn’t too bad on the journeys, but I can never be sure. Without guards on trains, I could be in real trouble.

The Majestic Hotel is a Grade I listed Victorian building. This created quite a lot of interesting problems for those with access needs. The dealer room was situated down a steep flight of stairs. I only made one visit to the dealer room, and I managed going down the stairs OK, but had to get them to send one of the golf buggies they’d thoughtfully hired to get back to the main hotel as I couldn’t manage the stairs back up, and certainly not in a long frock.

Mind you, the hotel or the concom can’t be held responsible for the fact that standing makes my hip hurt and standing around in the dealer room made me really hurt. So I didn’t stay long.

I bought a book by Linda Stratmann called “A True and Faithful Brother” about the murder of a Freemason, which I haven’t finished reading. I like Linda’s books, they’re always a well put together murder mystery starring an admirable Victorian woman called Frances Doughty. Go read, she’s good. I also bought some yarn from someone selling that. There are lots of fans who are also crafters, not least aunty_marion.

I spent several hours volunteering on the Information Desk, which I rather enjoyed. I got the same questions repeatedly (mostly (a) where can I leave my coat? (b) where is the nearest cash machine? and (c) how do I get to the dealer room?) and I quickly learned the answer to all three.

The answer to the question, ‘why is the food in this hotel so awful’? I never learned the answer to, but the Info Desk was open to ranters, so I just let people rant at me about the food. Mostly concoms are on the losing end with hotel food anyway – even if it were all Michelin starred, someone would hate it.

This time they did have reason, though. Basically, the food was just below the level of standard mass catering. The breakfast was fine, and they had those perennial favourites of fans, mushrooms and black pudding, so no complaint there. But the food the rest of the day was not great and a bit overpriced for what it was. You also took your life in your hands if you had an allergy – the beef sandwich described to one person as ‘just beef and butter’ inside actually contained mayonnaise and horseradish. Or it might have been horseradish mayonnaise. I liked it, but if you’re allergic to either horseradish or mayonnaise…

The programme was busy and eventful. I attended a panel on Horrible Heroes, in which people discussed the claims of various book heroes to be actually quite unpleasant people was discussed. One person’s choice was Mr Rochester, another choice was Mr Darcy. I forget the others.

I went to a space talk given by Dr Rachel Livermore (I hope I’ve spelled her name right). She wasn’t one of the guests as such, but an attending expert on space from the University of Sydney. (I’ve met her before at a K/S convention but didn’t raise the matter in case she was embarrassed.) Her talk was great, and I came away with the impression that all is more complicated than I can possibly imagine.

I know there was another panel I went to, but I can’t remember which. It was good, anyway.

My favourite item was the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. It was slightly overpriced at £8.50 for two scones and tea, but there was as much tea as you could drink and the convention put on entertainment, one of which was clare_nce telling a story about an Arab prince and a sage and his Ebony Horse. She was excellent. There was also live science experiments and a bloke singing a couple of funny songs that were funny. So, great. Loved it.

I didn’t go to any of the guest talks.

In other news, I’ve signed up for next year’s Eastercon, the unpronounceable Ytterbium which will be in London, at the Park Inn, Heathrow. That will be an interesting one to get to. You wouldn’t expect somewhere further away to be easier to get to, but for me it is.

Now to book aunty_marion to care for Smokey while I’m away. She took excellent care of her this year, Smokey is full of beans and cat food, and currently pretending to be a pile of fur on top of her cat tree.

From the organisers (of which I am not one...)

We are delighted - but slightly staggered - to announce that KISMET 2018 is ON!! We’ve signed the contract and paid the deposit, so we’re committed (or perhaps should be…)

When? : 31 August – 2 September 2018

Where? : Lane End Conference Centre (the same rooms we had last time!) Church Road, Lane End, Bucks HP14 3HH (www.lane-end-conferences.co.uk)

How much?: Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon (fully inclusive of en-suite accommodation and all meals & refreshments) £245

For those who want to continue the fun - Friday afternoon to Monday morning (to include Sunday dinner, & Monday breakfast) £345

Supporting membership £30

It’s still early days, but further information & updates will be provided as soon as possible. We’ll be looking for lots of help, especially on the more techie stuff, and will post requests as we think of things we need (You have been warned!)

Any questions? Ask here, message Chrissy or email us at kismetcon@gmail.com

Want to register? (please!) Contact Chrissy for payment options (we have lots!) on chrissy.hornby@btinternet.com

Love from Anne & Chrissy (who are currently being measured for their straitjackets ~ Chrissy: Can mine be Vulcan green? Anne: Only if I can have Science Blue)

****

ETAAs a further attraction, I shall be going. I have already decided, though I haven't yet talked to aunty_marion about sitting Smokey. Plus, it's only a week after my gaming event in Wales, which is irritating.

Am back from Mancunicon, and setting down with drinks of choice and cuddles from my kitty, whom I missed far more than I had reason to given that she was being properly cared for by aunty_marion.

Had a great time, much gossip was gossed, costumes were worn, drink taken and fun had.

SF/F friends - do any of you want a membership for Mancunicon? It's the 67th British National Science Fiction Convention, or Eastercon, to be held over the Easter weekend, 25-28 March 2016 in Manchester.

A friend's daughter can't go and is looking to sell hers.

Tragedy has struck - I'm not going to be able to make Redemption. I've come down with a cold, and attending a convention with a cold is no fun, plus travelling with a cold sucks like a sucky thing.

I'm heartbroken. Please cheer me up.

As some of you know, I went to redemption_con over the weekend.

I had an absolutely splendid time, overall. The journey up went well, which is always a good start to any convention, because it meant I didn't arrive hassled to death. The second good thing was that I remembered to book my dinner on arrival rather than going hungry then wondering what had happened as I'm inclined to do.

WiFi worked in the hotel, which was excellent even if the number of geeks meant it ran slow some of the time.

I arrived in time to attend a talk on skeptics (the k is intentional, despite not being British spelling) at the convention, which covered issues of most interest to skeptics. My only point at this discussion was to raise the issue of mental illness. ( Long con review-ish thing if you click through )

Conventions in the future

And finally, I'm signed up for two conventions over the next couple of years – the first is the Eastercon next year, Satellite 4, which will be in Glasgow and Redemption 2015, which is planned to be in Coventry in February 2015. They'll give me something to look forward to.

I got back from Olympus 2012 this morning and spent the rest of the day resting and catching up with my TV.

I had a great time and am looking forward to the next event, which as far as conventions are concerned I think may be the World Fantasy Convention due to be held in Brighton next November. That looks as if it should be a fun event.

I'm posting this on behalf of the organiser. Please email her directly with any
questions: <mailto:rosemary.wild@virgin.net>, though if it's to ask if it's a good event, take it from me, it is.

Permission given to forward this post to any appropriate Yahoo Group, LiveJournal or Dreamwidth Community

CLOSET CON 2010 - a Kirk/Spock and multi-fandom slash convention

AUGUST 13th - AUGUST 15th

Leicester, UK

UPDATE

( Closet Con's programme is taking shape )