The British Star Trek Convention (1974 & 1975 cons)

Convention
Name:	The British Star Trek Convention
Dates:	1974, 1975
Frequency:
Location:	England
Type:	fan-run fan con
Focus:	Star Trek: TOS
Organization:
Founder:	STAG
Founding Date:
URL:
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The British Star Trek Convention was the first con in a long-running series of cons. There were two, one in 1974 and one in 1975.

cover of the 1974 program book

cover of the 1974 program book

an inside page from the 1974 con, with autographs, and a con badge

The front of the 1974 program book calls it "The First Annual British Star Trek Convention."

There is a con report for the 1974 con by Jenny Elson in A Piece of the Action #15 and #20. In the second issue, Elson reports that it was a good, though relaxed, time. The hotel accountant and half his staff had been arrested for embezzlement and the new staff was sparse and had been on the job only three days. James Blish canceled days before for medical reasons. And Paramount wouldn't let them show three banned episodes. But... George Takei and James Doohan were there and delightful, both throwing themselves on the dance floor for "Shore Leave Disco" and that the blooper reel, shown for the first time in the UK, was a huge hit.

Not the First

While these two cons were the first major British Star Trek cons, they were not the very first Star Trek cons. That con was the STAG Mini-Con, a March 23, 1974 gathering of fans in a church basement. This minicon was a "practice run" as well as a way for club fans to meet each other before the main event in the fall.

Other Cons

For a list of all major Star Trek cons, see The British Star Trek Conventions, the series.

1974

It took place September 28-29, 1974 at the Abbey Motor Hotel in Leicester.

A year before this con took place, James Doohan replied to a fan who asked if Doohan would attend a British Con. His answer: "Only if I had expenses. Think I'm Howard Hughes? Would love to though."

from G.H.T. Journal #6

Attendance was limited to 250 people.

The guests of honor were James Doohan and George Takei. James Blish was listed in program book, but did not attend due to illness; Blish passed away ten months later. The committee:

Jenny Elson (president, liaison officer), Terry Elson (treasurer, director of stewards, programme organiser), Marian Kennedy (fiction awards, fancy dress organiser), Karen Gilmurray (art director, club liaison officer, club room organiser), and Jennifer Harding (auction director),

Stewards:

Helen McCarthy, Judith Bailey, Lynn Bates, Denise Whalen, Elaine Robinson, Sheila Clark, Allan Palmer, Joanna Butler, Margaret Austin, Janet Quarton, Shirley Kirby, Christine Arthur, John Tessyman, Margaret Draper, Anne Cockitt, Barbie Bowerman, Christopher Krol, Dorothy Rayson, Dorothy Owens, Peter Auldis, and Ian Watson.

Saturday Programming:

• Opening Ceremony
• "Science Fiction to Science Fact," by Bert Lewis
• James Doohan
• Discussion Groups
• The UFO of Great Britain Group
• George Takei
• Debate
• Tapes and Slides
• Fancy Dress and presentation of awards
• Shoreleave Dance and Disco

Sunday Programing:

• films
• The World Wide Wildlife Fund
• James Blish (listed in program book, but did not attend due to illness; Blish passed away ten months later)
• auction
• Panel (James Doohan, George Takei)
• Closing Ceremony

From the 1974 Program Book

Saturday Programming:

Opening Ceremony

"Science Fiction to Science Fact," by Bert Lewis

James Doohan

Discussion Groups

The UFO of Great Britain Group

George Takei

Debate

Tapes and Slides

Fancy Dress and presentation of awards

Shoreleave Dance and Disco

Sunday Programing:

films

The World Wide Wildlife Fund

James Blish (listed in program book, but ultimately did not attend due to illness; Blish passed away ten months later)

auction

Panel (James Doohan, George Takei)

Closing Ceremony

Comments by Jenny Elson:

Way back in April of 1973 it seemed like an impossibility to have a STAR TREK convention of our own in England. For one thing, not one of the existing clubs was interested in organising one. No time, no money, no experience, too few English fans. They were the cynics; the optimists thought differently. They too did not have time, money or experience, but they realised that they'd have to try the hard way and at least begin the venture. In June, the Star Trek Action Group was formed on a hope, a prayer, a tiny circle of hard-core fans, a second hand duplicator and a ten pound loan. Today, thanks to the hard work, support and encouragement of the Star Trek fans in England, the convention has become a reality.

At first, nothing went right. People to whom we wrote didn't answer. Paramount, Corgi and BBC were not interested. By July we had just managed to pay off the ten pound loan and open up a bank account with the staggering sum of twelve pounds.

Then came the first piece of real luck. Having written to James Doohan asking if he would come to the convention should we manage to scrape the money together for his airfare, he wrote in reply: "You may start the Doohan fund right away!" That was the incentive we needed, and I still believe that without Jim's encouragement, which he has main tained ever since that first contact, we would not be looking forward to September now. Thanks a million, Jim. You'll never know exactly what you did for us. Within two months the growing numbers of STAG members had raised the money for his charter airfare to England. At last, the convention looked like going ahead.

Everything was not roses-all-the-way. We had our share of problems, one with a girl who decided it would be a good idea to have a Star Trek convention of her very own; and a more serious one with a commercial enterprise, the manager of which was determined to use the convention for his own gain. One mention of the fact that all profits were being donated to charity and we never heard from him again. But meanwhile, with the help of some unexpected but welcome publicity from press and TV, members and funds began to rise steadily, and plans were leaping ahead. George Takei accepted our invitation to join Jim at the convention; Corgi and BBC wrote to express their sudden interest, and Paramount is now planning a publicity campaign for George and Jim on their arrival in England.

We are not even pretending that the 1st British Star Trek Convention will be on the same scale, or even similar to the big ones in the States, but it is the way we want it to be, for we feel an affection for something which we have achieved by our own efforts and which has been a collective effort of goodwill. Of course there'll be the usual speeches, exhibitions,awards, ST episodes and discussions. But most of all, and what is vitally important, it will be a weekend of friendship, love and goodwill in which all of us, young and old, the guests and the members, will be able to share. For isn't that what Star Trek is all about?

1991: The Founders Recount the 1974 Con

...from our American friends, we heard about a wonderful thing; something called a Convention, which took place in New York. A lot of the stars attended, along with several thousand Star Trek fans! It all sounded so exciting and oh how we ached to be part of it all! An idea began to form, Terry and I discussed it endlessly; a convention of our own! The first British Star Trek Convention. But how could we ever afford such an expensive venture, when there were still only 50-60 fans in Great Britain? There was only one thing to do; form an action group in order to save up for the required financing. We could produce newsletters and fanzines and promote the idea amongst the skeptical fans. The Star Trek Action Group was born! We bought a second-hand duplicator (which spat ink everywhere), cajoled everyone into writing articles and stories, and charged the princely sum of 50 pence membership fee. Not that it helped much. Our membership still hovered around 50 and £25 a year would hardly get us the Convention we'd planned for! To boost funds we organised a Mini-Con at our local church hall. I suppose that was the first real Convention. People came from the length and breadth of Britain, all for one day of slide shows, talks and friendship. Then came the big break-through! An article in our local paper prompted me to write to the letters page about Star Trek. Two weeks later the paper sent a reporter to our house and wrote an article about us, STAG and the hopes we had for a Convention. Four weeks later, the letters began to arrive; a few at first, then more, then a deluge! Unknown to us, that article had been syndicated to local newspapers all over the country and, believe it or not, Australia too! Star Trek fans from John-o-Groats to Lands-End (and Sydney to Melbourne), all of whom thought they were alone in their devotion, wrote of their delight at 'finding' fandom. In the end there were so many letters we had to draft in helpers to reply to them. At last, The Star Trek Action Group could do what it had set out to do. In 1974, we finally realised our dream with the first British Star Trek Convention.

Con Reports: 1974

Well, it's all over now although it doesn't really seem possible! The committee would really like to thank you all for all the support you gave to us, especially at the convention. This was new to all of us, and we learned many things, which will be of great value to us next time. And, most important of all, we raised £250 for WORLD WILD LIFE FUNDS, which was the profit from the convention. Thank you all for the generosity and this magnificent achievement. At the last minute, Paramount England decided we couldn't have the banned episodes after all, despite the fact that they had said previously they would be available to us. However, we have since received a formal letter of apology from Paramount USA, after the visit of Mr Lou Mindling to the con, and we have been assured that we will have no such trouble next time, and that we will have their full co-operation. Hoorayl BBC did their usual! After making arrangements to come down complete with camaras, they then proceeded to change their plans no less than three times, so in the end, we told them what they could do with their cameras. It was not, after all, very courteous of them to treat either us or our guests in such an offhand way. However, Barney Banford of Radio 4 was very gracious, and he interwiewed both Jim and George, and included the interview on his radio programme, as did BBC Radio Leicester. So, fair's fair. BBC do have SOME redeeming features. It was a great shame that James Blish was sent urgently into hospital only days before the convention. We all wish him well.

cover of the fan publication "Star Trek Lives?" by Hellie Vintner

If you want to organise a particularly elaborate coffee morning or a local youth club dance, then get in touch with Mrs. Jenny Elsen [sic]. However, if you plan a convention I suggest you leave it to Rob Barrow and friends. Jenny did her best to stage a "do" she all-too-innocently called THE FIRST BRITISH STAR TREK CONVENTION which turned out to be uncomfortably remeniscent of a girls' school outing (no smoking, of course).

What happened to all the guys who like Star Trek? It all suddenly clicked into place. Sure fellas like ST but girls prefer the crew and with Jimmy Doonan's fan club present in its entirety, need I say more? I mean, how can you call it THE British Star Trek con when the only people who knew anything about it were members of STAG (Star Trek Action Group), STERB (that's right, you've got it - the east Radcliffe branch) and a couple of other clubs who boast membership of about fifty? Jenny's limit was 250 people and she didn't want to let anyone else know. Not quite the 85,000 of the L.A. con in the States last year .

Of course, I couldn't have afforded it anyway without my magic Press Card. Two weeks in Majorca or a weekend at the ST con? See Sulu and starve? (yawn). I jest not. Most people stayed at the hotel at a reduced rate so with that lumped on to the admission charge (£3.00) the minimum cost was about £8.00 per head - oh, and that's without fares or food. Still, with such dedication they were probably all hikers on diets.

[...]

The handout I received omitted to mention what time the con started so I'm afraid I blundered in a couple of hours late and apparently missed a particularly unriveting lecture on UFOs. I was bundled straight off to the everso-elite Committee Room where I sat and made lazy conversation with a grey-haired, bearded Canadian who smiled from ear to ear and told me how the weather had been and what it was likely to be next. I was totally absorbed when the door opened and a hesitant "Er...Jim... you're on soon. are you ready?" came wafting in. I cringed as I realised I'd been interviewing James Doohan (alias Scotty) about the weather - well, how was I to know he was going to grow a beard, am I psychic? He and George Takei (Sulu) had been flown over from the US of A specially for the occasion so that they could meet their British fans.

Both Doohan and Takei were eager to please and considerate, smiling patiently when faced with questions like "Do you get on with the Klingons off set?", "What are dilithium crystals made of?", "Where are the toilets on the Enterprise?" and a comment that the Star Trek scripts are just as important to literature as Shakespeare. Still, they both admitted with cheeky grins that they were used to all that as both they and the rest of the "crew" attended cons, fairly regularly.

[...]

Here I must admit that the only way I could get near George was to boldly go where 249 girls had gone before and drag his writhing body off the dance floor. A Saturday night disco had been arranged for which you nad to leave the bar, go outside and pay 60p to come in again (still, after the initial £8.00 I should think they had given up counting). George, who could be regarded as science fiction's answer to David Cassidy, was an overwhelming success among the Trekkies, but never think he's just a pretty face (what d'you mean, you never did?). He takes it all with calm assurance and approaches his massive popularity without the arrogance you might expect. Intelligent and shrewd, he had previously opened his talk with the comment "I feel conventions are opportunities for us to get to know each other" and from then on there were cries of "Sulu for Captain! Sulu for Captain!" Well, where could he go wrong?

[...]

The people at the con were generally knocking the animation production but when the time came they were all huddled up around the several TV sets provided. OK, Paramount, you've made your point. Now get back to the good stuff.

[...]

James Blish, author of the Star Trek books, was the third guest star but sadly couldn't make the engagement as he was in hospital at the time. From what I gathered, though, none of the Trekkies was too keen on his books anyway so perhaps it's just as well he didn't show up.

[...]

Apart from the disco, discussions with Takei and Doohan, the UFO talk, another lecture entitled 'Science Fiction or Science Fact' given by & man who was unfortunately suffering from verbal diarrhea and a speel about the World Wilflife Fund which was probably all right if you enjoy Anglia TV's 'Survival' series, there was also an exhibition of Trekky goodies. Some of these were really very good especially one or two of the models of the Enterprise. The best scripts, poems,paintings and so forth were awarded prizes (silver apples on black plastic or were they dilithium crystals?). A "shop" also sold Trekky bitties like posters, books, magazines and T-shirts but it was only open a couple of hours each day. Oh, and by the way, a tape by Bill Shatner which said, "Hi! This is Bill Shatner; hope all Star Trek's British fans have a great time at their S.T. con!" sold for £18!

[...]

Just as I was leaving with my mouth hanging open, I was hustled into donating towards Jenny's present. It's the first con I've been to where you have to pay to get out...

These last two things seemed to happily sum up the whole con. Sweet but very boring. The people there didn't really appear to be interested in science fiction at all, just a few good-looking actors. By the way, anyone ever thought of collecting for Rob Barrow?

While I was surfing the Internet I came across the following piece of text, loosely written by Rob Hansen. I decided to edit this and send it in as it recalls STAG'S early trailblazing days. 'The UK's first Star Trek convention was held on the weekend of 28th/29th September 1974 at the Abbey Motor Hotel in Leicester. It was organised by the Star Trek Action Group (STAG), which had only been in existence a year and was already the largest Star Trek club in Europe. Guests of Honour were James (Scotty) Doohan and George (Sulu) Takei. Profits from the con were being donated to the World Wildlife Fund. Advertised attractions included exhibitions of artwork, writing, and models; group discussions, panels, and speeches; and a 'shore leave' party with a disco. A few people from mainstream SF fandom attended the con including Peter Roberts, Greg Pickersgill, and John Brosnan. Or, in the case of this trio, tried to, at any rate. They travelled up to Leicester by train, attempted to register at the door, and were turned away. The con was apparently fully booked and there was no registration at the door. Stunned, they travelled straight back to London, arriving in time for the pubs to open. Pickersgill wrote the incident up in a fanzine called 'EGG'. (However grim something might be, there's always a little voice at the back of a true fan's mind that says: "I can write a fanzine article about this."). Rob Hansen says that one of the trio's reasons for travelling to the con had been the possibility of meeting women, Star Trek fandom being known to attract far, more than were involved with other SF fandom.

The first major convention in Britain was help in Leichester on the weekend of September 28/29 1974. It was organized by Jenny and Terry Elson, who back then, ran STAG; the guests were George Takei and James Doohan, who brought over the blooper reel (the bloopers weren't seen again in this country for several years). Jenny had hoped for the banned episodes, too, but Paramount didn't oblige. The charity was the World Wildlife Fund, and there was a speaker from it as well. We gathered at the Abbey Motor Hotel on the Friday evening. Most of us were strangers to each other... The con was preceded by a one-day minicon, but I discovered fandom just too late to register for it... The Abbey Motor Hotel wasn't the easiest of venues for a con, though it's curving corridors were mild amusing; they gave us the impression of being on the Enterprise. Except for the main hall, the function rooms were really too small for comfort, although there was only one programme in those days before videos. Jim and George were well received, we found both very interesting... The art display was poorly visited -- one of my duty spells was in the art room... The sales room was tiny; stewards guarded the doors and as one attendee left, another was allowed to go in. My memories of the sales room are not good; unfortunately, at that time nobody thought of how the stewards were to get anything -- we were on duty most of the time. The system of opening the sales room early for the stewards wasn't introduced until the third con.... there were colour photos from the episodes... black and white 8x10s... key rings, pens... There were few zines, but not many; some of the clubs had been on the go for a year or two... none of them had more than two or three zines, all quite short by today's standards.

Meeting like minded friends on the train, we arrived at Leicester at 9.30, walked to the hotel, registered, dumped our bags in our rooms and ran to get into the opening ceremony to see George and Jim. Jim's got a beard! Lots of cheers and applause, autographs signed and photos taken. More talks, a break for coffee and time to make a host of new friends. Listened to Jim's long chat, watched some tapes and slides then returned to our rooms to unpack, pop Wimpy and change ready for the Fancy Dress. After a talk on UFOs and a short break came the disco. Terrific costumes. George and Jim dancing with us!!! Sunday, super breakfast in our room then down to the hall. Got dragged away to the stalls of goodies. Formed a raiding party: undreamed of delights from the USA. Met George and Jim and had my photo taken with them. Wow... George's laugh!!! The blooper reel was on next. Terrific! Sat through it 3 times (addict). A film on birds (non galactic) followed; the funds from this con are going to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the World Wildlife Fund. Retired in groups to friends rooms and brewed up and Trekkety Yakkety YakYak. Down to the quiz and panel game with Jim and George. Then the auction; very good prices paid for the tempting Trekanalia offered including such delights as packets of assorted film clips, colour photos of our heroes, scripts of episodes and one or two fan mags. News and rumours of a movie to be made!!! Then sadly, the closing ceremony. Boo Hoo!!! and finally staggered home on top of the world. Dragged myself away According to the Daily Express on the 30th September, 300 fans attended. Just think, 300 friends all together, in 1974!!!

I really enjoyed it. It did me the world of good. I was dancing around all the following week. I loved Jim and George, they were super guys and such good sports to mix with us at the disco. I bet there's a few so called "stars" who'd think themselves above that. (Must preserve the air of mystery, darling.) George was just as I expected; a real character, and Jim has the most devilish pair of eyes I ever saw; Gorgeous pair of fellers. I only hope we gave them something in return for all the pleasure they gave us, and I hope they enjoyed their first British Star Trek con as much as I did. Here's to the next one! One of the things which made the con so nice was that there wasn't too many people there, I felt I really knew everyone and that they were all my friends, or soon would be. From the reports of some of the USA cons they are so big that it's a miracle they don't all get trampled.

What a memorable weekend! I still haven't come down to earth yet, I'm not a fan of Star Trek anymore, I'm a slave!

What a fantastic weekend. Jim and George lived up to all my expectations, they are great. I'll never be able to listen to "Kung Fu Fighter" again without seeing in my minds eye George doing his "thing" at the disco! Felt rather a lemon when I first saw Jim. I was dashing up the stairs, and like the gentleman he is, allowed me to go first... it was only then I realised who he was. I didn't know what to do! And the Blooper reel was the funniest thing! Even now I think of parts and get peculiar looks from people at the bus stop!

I have just had a lovely weekend at the con. Better than going to the South of France. (Ha.)

The best parts of the con for me were:

Arriving at the reception desk of the hotel and being greeted with that lovely smile and a kiss from George
Looking into Jim Doohan's beautiful eyes for the first time...
Meeting all those fantastic fellow trekkies....
Talking SF films in the bar with a new friend....
Coffee drinking until 2 am with Barbie, Fran and Sheila...
Finding a fantastic pic from "City" on the WSB stall...
Racing down the hotel corridors like a lunatic to Sheila's room to see the animations...
Winning my Nova award...
Dancing non stop until they stopped the music, and hearing Jim tell me he liked my dress! (Someone pinch me, I'm dreaming.)....
Laughing myself silly at the bloopers....
Seeing PS's delight when she got the tape of Bill Shatner...

Looking foward to the new Star Trek film, and the next British con.

How much I enjoyed the convention! And please say Hallo to George and Jim, and thank them for coming. Here's hoping they survived the trip. Special thanks to Jim for his technical explanations... That's another thing I like about Star Trek, no-one tries to fob you off with meaningless rubbish and contradictory double talk. And Jim and the other actors are dedicated enough to work out sensible answers to the technical questions put to them. It also proves they are people, (and very intelligent at that) and not just cutouts mouthing someone else's words. I really enjoyed the con, especially the Bloopers. I often wondered what the clip of Greg Morris shovelling coal into the Enterprises engines looked like. The really funny bit was the incident of Kirk and the arrow. Not many actors would risk that sort of self derision... et another insight to the one big happy family that was, and still is, Star Trek.

Although it (the con) seems light years away now, it really was a super experience, and I did enjoy it all so much. Just two critisisms, tho' they're not very serious, I think that at the opening meeting you should have told everyone why the banned episodes were not available, and that James Blish could not be present because of being hospitalised. Maybe we could have sent good wishes from us all... And why didn't the BBC give any help, as they had seemingly promised to do when the project was first born?... Jim and George were all you said they'd be. Really, truly SUPER guys... and I did get my kisses from them; twice from George! What a dear he is! So natural and friendly and bouncy! I'll never forget my amazement at the amount of movement he put into his dancing, and not even my surprise at finding myself "Coming in fighting" or whatever you call the Kung Fu with him. At my age, I should have known better, but it was great fun.

I really loved the convention, and I thought Jim and George were really great. I even joined Jim's fan club in the club room. And as for the Bloopers, SUPER! I thought they were so funny. Even after we watched them for the fourth time I could have sat watching them all day and still got a laugh out of them. Good old Gene, it was nice of him sending the Bloopers for us to see. I even won one of the raffles. I've never had such a good time Star Trek wise, so please, will there be another con soon? One of the things I liked was that all profits went to the World Wild Life Fund, I think it was a good idea doing that, because I love animals and I liked watching the wild life film that was shown. I thought that Jim and George were very nice people. I'm not just saying that because they were on Star Trek and all that, I really mean it. They talked to us with feeling, and when they signed their autographs, they always asked us for our names. They seemed to like talking to us and I felt that they were very good friends. Most of all, they treated us as people on a level with themselves, if you know what I mean. They were not at all bigheaded like some actors and singers sometimes are. The con was gggrrreeeaaattt! Does Star Trek live in GB? You bet your cotton socks it does!

The Star Trek Action Group was set up by Jenny and Terry Elson specifically to get support for a British Star Trek convention. The venue was the Abbey Motor Hotel, Leicester, and the convention charity was the World Worldlife Fund.

Although billed as a two-day event, many of the fans travelled up early on Friday for a one-day pre-convention minicon. Because the hotel was so small, the convention was fully booked before it opened. According to Rob Hansen’s history-in-progress THEN (Vol 4, Ch 2), a group of mainstream SF fans who travelled up to the event in the hope of meeting women were turned away at the door. Happily, others had booked ahead, and one, Malcolm Davies, liked the fandom so much he later married Trekkie Kate Solomon (or Katie Chafen, as she was then.)

George Takei and James Doohan were the guests. The Elsons had asked Paramount to send over the three “banned” Trek episodes for screening, but Paramount provided the blooper reel from the show instead. This was, of course, on film.

There was a single programme stream with screenings (including British telefantasy such as Gerry Anderson’s Doppelganger,) guest talks and autograph/photo sessions. There was also a sales room and an art room, both quite small.

Doohan and Takei were very accessible and affable, happily posing for pictures, playing darts and sharing a pint with fans in the bar.

What an incredibly long year it seemed. It was about a year from the time Jenny Elson told me Jim had agreed to come over to the convention she was organizing. At last we were on our way. As this was the very first Con my friend and I had attended, we wondered what it would be like and what to expect. I wondered if Jim was really as nice as people kept saying he was.

Saturday would have come much more quickly if we had slept instead of just lying there in the dark talking, but at last it did come and we all gathered in the Berwick suite and waited. Then there they were, before our very eyes, Jim Doohan and George Takei. I was relieved so see that Jim still had his beard. I just love it! George spoke first and said that he thought the British gave more formal introductions than the one which Jenny had given him and he wasn't quite prepared. He went on to say he was glad to be here and said that since the Star Trek philosophy was about, or partly about, conservation, it was appropriate that all the proceeds of the convention should go to the World Wild Life Fund.

Then it was Jim's turn. He said he had been taking notes of what not to say and went on to comment on George's laugh echoing round the corridors, on one note, on and on, for two days. Then he turned to one of the committee who giggled a lot and started her off. He also told us that one of the first things he had been asked when he arrived was did he have hairs on his chest. Having got us all hysterical with laughter, he turned to the subject of accents and dialects and then his opening speech was over.

At this point disaster struck. Well it may have been a disaster for Jenny but it was a gift from the Gods to us. The next on the pro gramme hadn't turned up. After leaving the room for a very short while they returned to tell us that Jim and George would work their way down the hall and everyone who wanted to could have their photo taken with them. It took me almost half an hour to pluck up courage to ask, but George put his arm round me while I had a photo took and then seeing my J.D.I.F.C. badge pushed me in between them so Jim put his arm round me too and another photo was taken. Then they had to go, and we listened to a speech about U.F.O.'s before Jim returned for his speech. "Jim's Bit" was not so much a speech more a questions and answers session. To reproduce the entire hour would take a whole journal but here are a few highlights. The first question was, "Will you sing for us?" So he did and it was excellent. He sang the song from "Lorelei Signal"but with extra flourish and terrific depth of feeling. We all went wild over it. He neatly sidestepped the question of how to put the Enterprise in reverse. I got the courage from somewhere to ask him what was the answer to did he have hair on his chest. He said the answer was a "hairy yes." Jenny asked where the loos were on the Enterprise. loo is English slang for the john. Once he knew what a loo was he said it was all done very technically. It was a very quick hour and all too soon we were off to lunch, not that I could eat anything. After lunch there was a discussion followed by the person who hadn't turned up in the morning, a speech on science fiction to science fact, which ran over into George's hour.

George's speech was also a questions and answers session. He too was asked where the loos were. He said they were under his console. He was asked why they vowed never to let him near a sword again after the making of The Naked Time, to which he answered that people just happened to walk past as he made a practice lunge and then complained that he was dangerous. He was asked if Sulu should have had more to do and his answer coined a phrase which was worn by nearly everyone after that. The phrase is "Sulu for Captain." His time was extended so that he spoke for nearly an hour, but he had to stop as it was Star Trek on T. V. time. More Tribbles, More Troubles was the episode. Then more food, again I couldn't eat, and a quick change routing ready for the fancy dress. I didn't win, but had a ball just the same. Now another quick change into a dress for the J.D.I.F.C. meeting. Jenny had arranged an informal chat with Jim, during the evening, for J.D.I.F.C. members only. I guess this was the highlight of the con for me. Unable to believe his eyes he counted us; there were forty of us! It was a fabulous hour! He began by asking each in turn their names and where they were from. There was fun while he learned the correct way to say 'Ukraine' from an Ukrainian. There were anecdotes about each place if someone came from where he had been to. He wanted to know if I had a Birmingham accent which unfortunately I don't and can't even do one. I can say Brumwicham, which is the original name and still used by those who do have the accent. There were gifts for him, a Wedgewood dish, a Scottish pin to put in the cloth which goes over the shoulder, and I gave him a soft toy in the form of a Scotsboy playing the bag pipes. He was genuinely touched by these. All too soon it came to an end. Guess who didn't take the tape recorder in there? You got it, I forgot! Still I can borrow a cassette and rerecord it. On cloud nine I returned to the disco.

First thing on the programme for Sunday morning was the bloopers and as most of us had never seen them it was hilarious. After three showings we had a film from the World Wild Life Fund and then lunch. After lunch we should have seen James Blish but he was taken ill so we saw the bloopers one more time and the auction began early. After a while Jim arrived and took over. Then came the panel session and more questions. Someone asked Jim to say, in his best Scotty voice, "She's gonna blew. Captain." As he said it Jenny fell off the tables he was sitting on. Your timing was perfect, Jenny! Everyone roared!! That was the end of a wonderful weekend.

Yes, it is true what they say about Jimmy. He is sweet, friendly, kind and one of the nicest people I've ever met.

The Star Trek Convention held in September in Leicester was the first venture of its kind in England and was attended by Scots, Welsh, and American fans, as weLl as those from mny parts of England. Compared with the conventions held in the States it was very small, attendance around 250, but it was its size which gave it an individuality all its cwn. It was not spacious, action- packed, frenzied, and exhausting. It was comfortable, friendly almost family happy, and exhausting. When 6 p.m. Sunday arrived we felt we were leaving close friends people we had not even met 30 hours before. Jim Doohan and George Take! came all the way across from California to be with us. We much appreciated this, and the fact that although they must have felt tired, they did not spare themselves in giving autographs, photo sessions, smiles, and pleasantness to everyone who spoke to them (and there were queues). They proved themselves to be as genuine, friendly, and kind as we had been told, and everyone loved them. James Blish was, unfortunately, ill and could not attend. We were disappointed at not seeing him, and wish him well. There was an interesting Wild Life film shown, and of course we saw the famous "bloopers" reed several times, and each time} there was something to laugh at that we' had missed before. At eleven o'clock Saturday night there was a JDIFC meeting with Jim, and about 40 of us. Again the emphasis was on informality. Jim told us about himself, and then asked each of us individually what our names were, and what town we Ciime from. Ho knew many of the places, and recalled incidents that had happened to him while ho was there in his army days. It was so interesting that when the meeting broke up just after midnight it was hard to realize that over an hour had passed. Then we returned to the disco, and Jim and George joined us there. Our thanks go to Jenny Elson and the Committee who organized the whole Convention from the spark of an idea to successful fruition within a year, and to Jim who encouraged and helped all the way. Jenny and the Committee had no previous experience at all in this sort of thing, and had no business backing. 'they did it unaided through the Star Trek Action Group, and for an inexperienced, impecunious, first-ever, it was brilliant. The profit of 250 pounds was donated to the "World Wild Life Rind."

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole Convention, and we sincerely hope that Jim and George, and Wende too if she can make it, will come again next September. We certainly will. See you there, Jenny, and thanks again.

[...]

Friday 9:30 p.m. saw Jim, George and the Convention Committee in the hotel restaurant, and by now Jim looked definitely better for the rest. From somewhere was produced a copy of George's "Grup" centre fold, which set the party alight good and proper. George, justifiably so, was most proud of himself, but try as we might (and how we did try), we just couldn’t persuade Jim to pose for a centrefold. Meany! We had a special present for George...a packet of round, seductive, sexy, suggestive biscuits! BISCUITS! Ah well now, that is a very long story. But if anyone happens to bump into George, just say ’’Voluptuous Biscuits" to him, and he'll collapse laughing, or ask you if you have a packet. What a great dinner that was. We somehow managed to make it last over two hours.

[...]

The Shore Leave Disco was well underway when we arrived back, but it was time for the JDIFC meeting. It's a shame Anna couldn’t have been there. Mary Ellen Flynn came...and she'd been doing a great job all day (and the next) on JDIFC table in the club room. Ta muchly, Mary Ellen, for all your hard work. Altogether there were 42 JDIFC members at the meeting, many of whom had only recently joined, and it was lovely to see them all together in one big group. Jim said it was the largest club meeting he'd been to. Everyone in turn told Jim their names, and where they came from, then someone said to Jim, "What about you?" so Jim was able to tell us something about himself, too, and about his father, and the war.

I could've listened to that lovely Canadian accent all night. Anne Cockitt presented him with a wedding present from him and Wende from the British JDIFC-ers, and several others had presents for him too. It was one helluva moment when Jim said, "There's a lot of love in this room." Thanks, Jim. You created it.

Past the witching hour, and back down again to the Disco, where things were being made considerably more lively than usual by George's dancing...he was really going to town, helped on undoubtedly by a strongish mixture of rye and malt whiskey. You name it, George could do it, through the whole range of Kung Fu," "Go-GO," Rock and Roll, Okey Cokey and smooch. Personally, I liked the smooch, but it was fun to watch his other antics. Does he tap his energy from the sun, one wonders? Not that Jim was out of it, though! AND he CAN dance, so there! I think the disco was one of the big successes of the con, and will certainly be repeated next year. Jim managed to stay on his feet until 1 a.m.. Soon afterwards George departed for the loo and was never seen again! Oh boy, that malt whiskey, George, it must have knocked you out cold.

[...]

Good job neither of them were needed until 12 midday Sunday, at least they had a lie-in, while the rest of us, for the very first time in England, watched the Blooper Reel... again ... and again...and again... Does anyone ever get tired of that thing?

[...]

We were late for the auction, with Jim doing his nut, as he was auctioneer, but everything was well in hand, thanks to Jenny Harding, and Jim was soon able to take over his "duties." All the funds from the auction were for the World Wilfe Life Fund, and it's great to know that we raised over 200 pounds. Thanks, Jim, and thanks also to William Shatner, who gave us permission to auction his tape for the fund.

James Blish was ill in hospital and couldn't attend, but Jim and George did a great job on the panel, once we'd got rid of that old4 British reserve and started asking questions.... but I STILL don't know where the loos are on the Enterprise!! (And at a guess, neither do THEY either!) George suggested his was behind his panel on the Bridge. Serves him right when someone asked how his feet were keeping.

The con ended at about 6:30, but there was a party arranged for all the officials of England's five Star Trek clubs soon afterwards. George's laugh soon brightened up the proceedings, which were enlivened yet again by the barmaid shouting for help because there was a mouse sharing the bar with her. The Management had provided us with a.darts board, so George, in his infinite wisdom, decided to take on Chris "PS" Jones for a game...and what do you know?? George WON! Good on yer, mate! Then came THE BIG MATCH. Jim against George. Neither of them could get a double to start, so we let them off that, and Jim won the game. Lurking behind mounds of silver paper, we had something special....a wedding cake, no less, which had been darned difficult to hide for two days. "PS" and David had become engaged on the 1st day of the con, and of course Jim and Wende were soon to be married, so we'd had it iced with their four names. It's a shame Wende couldn't have been there.

[...]

Tuesday evening was somewhat of an adventure into the unknown for all the sixteen people who went to Coombe Abbey for the Medieval Banquet, as none of us had ever been before. D.C. Fontana and her friend Nancy Criss joined us for this, too, and after over a year of correspondence, it was great to meet her. Both she and Nancy had lovely costumes made in the Medieaval "mode." They also had bad colds. Trust our British weather!

Coombe Abbey has to be experienced to be believed. Greeted by monks we were led to the dining hall, and seated at long refactory tables, lit only by candlelight. Being Medieaval, there were no spoons with which to eat the soup, just bread. The monks were very sombre, although they gave us plenty of mead and wine (which set George off laughing), but after the soup. King Henry came to kick out the monks, dissolved the Abbey, and let the festivities begin. Jim shouted, "Let’s have more mead!" which nearly brought the house down. It was a lovely meal, which we had to eat with our fingers. George had wanted to throw the bones over his shoulder and "pinch the serving girls." Fortunately, there was no room for either activity, and he was too busy eating and drinking to notice anyway. Trouble is, he's so noticeable! By the end of the night, that pen of his was working hard again, signing autographs. I think Jim escaped most of that. All in all, that was a really gorgeous evening, and on the way back to Leicester,•Jim sang "Danny Boy" to me, although he did have competition from the Takei corner when George decided to sing "Something American for a change." Mead and George go very well together, thank you.

[...]

That afternoon we were due to go round the nature reserve belonging to the Earl of Aylesford, and it's a shame Jim couldn't come with us, because it was a great place, and the Karl surprisingly ordinary and friendly. The writer of BCC's "Dr. Who" lived in the lovely old lodge on the estate, and after our tour he took us back for a drink.

Jim was back from Liverpool (from visiting his aunt) when we arrived back at the hotel that evening, in the bar with a male and female detective, no less.... "social," not "business." Suddenly George swept in, looking for all the world like a fresh-faced, excited schoolboy. He'd been to the theatre to see "Equus," and bless him, he was so enthusiastic about it he wanted to tell everyone, and even accosted the hotel manager in the foyer.

"George, go put your tie on, we're going out!"

"And this poor crazy boy..."

"George..."

"This poor..."

"GEORGE!"

Somehow, we managed to get George out... complete with tie, to Scamps disco, where even with the noisy music he managed to get across what the play was about. (And it IS good, we went to see it afterwards.)

The night sped. Soon we were back at the hotel again, and saying goodbye. That was awful...I think the worst part of the entire week. Both Jim and George are such great guys, and had given so many people a great deal of pleasure and happiness just be being themselves.

So, now it's over, but not for long. Having sworn not to organise another con, the committee is meeting tomorrow to begin organising ...you've guessed it...another con. And guess who will be the guests of honour?

1975

program convention from 1975

• took place September 20-21, 1975 at the Leicester Centre Hotel
• a set of zines by Christine Hall was published for this con: Tricorder #1 and #2
• Alan White was the Fan Guest of Honor

Con Reports: 1975

The second con was almost exactly a year later, on the weekend of 20/21, September 1975; once again it was in Leicester, run by Jenny and Terry, but this time it was held at the Leicester Centre Hotel, a far more spacious hotel. Jenny and Terry tried to get George again, as well as Walter Koenig, as guests, but George had to cancel at fairly short notice, and Walter dropped out at the last minute for personal reasons; however Jim Doohan stepped in at very short notice and came over... 'The Empath' was shown at that con; an American fan brought a copy over. It was the one banned episode that I'd really been desperate to see; it had been advertised in Radio Times, but then 'Paradise Syndrome' was shown instead, without explanation... Helen McCarthy put on an Intergalactic Fashion Show.

While we were vacationing in England, we did find time to take an afternoon off, and take the train up to Leicester for the Second British ST Con. Although this was my first convention, I would say it reminded me of how I would picture a small American con. (The attendance was around 500). We arrived around 4:30 in the afternoon on Sunday, and I wandered around until I found Jenny Elson. After she had finished calling George Takei (to tell him they were sorry he could not attend), she found someone to show me around. First, I met Jimmy Doohan... and got his autograph, and then my guide showed me around the display/sales. This was filled with photographs and drawings, and the best displays were some models of ST props... [a fan] took me down and we watched the film Baffled. I thought the fans acted a little strange -- they would laugh and giggle any time Leonard Nimoy smiled or said something vaguely reminiscent of ST. After the film, they set up for the club quiz finals, and the results were Hosato winning over Beyond Antares by 21 to 20. Then came the closing ceremony, with Jimmy handing out awards, and the committee making their closing remarks. All is all, it was an enjoyable afternoon, and I think the con committee did their best to make the convention a success.

Looking for a particular [highlight] is almost impossible. Meeting the guest stars qualifies,, especially when you are likely to meet them in the lift, or the hotel foyer, as well as seeing them on the platform in the Rutland Room. This year's guests were Jim and Wende Doohan, end it was lovely 'to meet them. We are grateful to them for coming so far to be with us. One disappointment of this year's convention was that George Takei and Welter Koenig were unable to come. We missed them, but hope that they will come some other time. The JDIFC meeting was a friendly and informal hour with Jim and Wende, which certainly ranks among the highlights, especially as Wende very kindly helped with my cassette recording. Jim says she is handy with mending their T.V. set, too. A selection of films was shown. The Star Trek episode was my personal favourite, with "Baffled" a close second. I would like to have seen them both through again. (There are two more I'd like
to see as well, guess which?) The Galactic Fashion Show was outstanding, teeming with 
ideas and imagination, and beautifully carried out. As a direct 
result of this, Joe glittered silver all evening. He congratulated Barbie on her costume, and, in spite of her warnings, gave 
her an enthusiastic hug! Hence the silver. Did someone say
 "Highlights"? There was more space in the club and display rooms, and people could move around in greater comfort then last year. There was also plenty of seating in the hotel foyer, which was encouraging. For when Star Trekkers get together they talk at length, and sufficient seating is appreciated. In fact, natter sessions are an established feature of cons and mini-cons, and through their medium, many a friendship has been made, many a pen-friend met and many a story told (not necessarily a Star Trek story, either). There were lots of things; the quiz, the auction, the disco and that excellent display of karate, the fancy dress parade, films, exhibitions, stalls, as well as the talk/question sessions with Jim amd Wende on the platform, the photograph and autograph session, and finally the presentation of awards by Jim. They all contribute towards the best weekend of the year. The two conventions we have had in Britain heve been the highlights of 1974 snd 1975 for some of us, and many thanks to Jenny Elson for being the driving force and making them possible. We wish her all the best and hope to see her again at the next con, whenever and where-ever it may be, although she has now decided to retire from the organising scene. May she live long and prosper greatly."

By John Gilham, as told to Julia Howarth, while snuggled up with her on the couch.

I went to the convention on Saturday morning, the 20th. It was rather hard to find the hotel—Leicester is laid out like paved cow paths. Even then it wasn't that easy to find the convention. It took place in three rooms—the dealers room and exhibition room on one floor and the room where they held movies, speeches, etc, below.

There were between 250 and 300 people there. Of the three promised stars, only James Doohan showed up. (George Takei and Walter Koenig didn't make it.) So you can see that the whole thing was awfully small.

The first thing I did was see the film "Forbidden Planet." Then I went through the dealers' room. There were only about 12 tables and half of them were run by Americans. The exhibit room was right off the dealers room. They had such exhibits as a Japan display (in anticipation of George Takei's arrival!), a Spock exhibit (with a treatise on Vulcan physiology illustrated by one of those infamous nude centerfolds), and the Blueprints up all over one wall. It wasn't really very impressive.

After I toured the exhibit and dealers' rooms, I went baok down to the Intergalactic Fashion show. The impression I gained from it was that the entire galaxy was composed of Class M humanoids.

Then James Doohan spoke. It was basically an open forum or Q&A session. He said that Star Trek is now shown in 68 countries and is used to teach English to people in some foreign countries. Paramount has made the money it originally invested on Star Trek over and over. But of course Roddenberry and the actors don't see any of it.

About the movie, he said that Gene Roddenberry had finished the first script ((which of course has been rejected—ed.)) It concerns the crew of the Enterprise several years after the end of the five year mission. (After all, it has been nearly ten years since Star Trek was made. Actors do age".) Kirk has been "kicked upstairs," Scotty and McCoy have retired, and Uhura is in command of her own starship.

In Doohan's opinion, Paramount does not want Roddenberry to write the script, but any script used will have to have the full approval of Roddenberry, or there will be no movie. His own personal prediction is that the movie will be out around Easter. (How apt for the resurrection of of Star Trek.)

Doohan had spoken with all the Star Trek actors at the Chicago convention in August, and they all expressed the wish to be in the movie—if they were offered enough money.

After Doohan's speech I wasn't interested in anything else about the convention, so I left. There was to be an auction the next day, but I was not interested in anything they had to sell (things like American fanzine and American convention program books.)

All in all, I don't think the convention was anything worth the $11 I paid for membership.

In 1975 the Second British Star Trek Convention was held in Leicester at the Centre Hotel. In those days there was only one British con. a year, although other little gatherings took place between times. It was certainly easier on the pocket, but between cons, seemed an eternity.

George was to be a guest at this occasion, and was eagerly awaited by all. He and Jim had been guests at the 1st British Con. the year before.

In Feb. '75, I had a letter from Jenny Elson, who organised these first two cons, ably assisted by the committees. She suggested that we had a Japanese Corner in the spacious art & craft exhibition room. Would I under take the project? Without much conviction, and little knowledge of things Japanese, I agreed. After all, Autumn was a long way off. I could learn. Then I realised that George himself would be there to witness the effort which, with total lack of positive.thinking, I was convinced would be a fiasco. When in doubt on a subject my reaction is to rush round to the Library and read up on it. It was interesting, colourful, and an idea or two began to formulate. The Japanese Corner was away. From Samurai to silk worms; ice sculpture to volcanoes; Noh Theatre to rice growing; I read it all. Ideas came faster, and I got going on some display artwork and designs for set out. The weeks rolled by.

That was when I began working on scraperboard. My first attempt was of the moon shining on Fujiyama and reflecting in a lake.

In answer to my call for help in (I think) the STAG and Hosato Newsletters, both of which Jenny ran in those days with a team of helpers, assistance came. Avril Lansdell wrote with offers of practical help in the form of pottery items for display, all beautifully labelled with dates and descriptions. She had a fund of knowledge about Japanese history and culture that she was willing to share. Barbara Carter had a Japanese costume that she would lend. Dorothy Rayson had fans, books, and other items. Dorothy Owens bought a long curved sword similar to one that a Samurai might have used. A Japanese travel agency listened with sympathy to my pleas for display material to promote Japan, and sent some beautiful posters. My entire family knuckled in and produced maps, flags, stamps, lanterns, art work, and a bonsai tree. They also helped me to carry it all to the con., and with Dorothy Rayson’s and Avril Lansdell’s assistance we set up the Japanese Corner late into the night. I was locked in with it while the official opening ceremony took place. This was more for reasons of security than anxiety for my safety!

Posters were blu-tacked to the walls; tables of varying levels were arranged so as to display as much as possible, from ancient pottery to miniature gardens; kites, lanterns, and fish shaped flags, were strung across overhead; a notice proclaimed to the world that this was "The Land of the Rising Sun”. (As an afterthought, did this perhaps influence the GHT Journal cover?) I would love to have included a water garden with lilies and goldfish, and a little semi-circular wooden bridge arching over it, but it seemed impractical in the corner of a hotel room. I would also have loved a string of pearls. Who wouldn’t?

Conventions were smaller then, it was the dawn of Star Trek Cons, in this country, but help was plentiful and there was a great spirit of friendship. So many people helped with this venture, and unfortunately, I do not recall everyone, or even the items they supplied, but I am still deeply grateful to them for their help, support, and hard work.

During the weeks before the Second British Star Trek Convention, George was busy filming in an episode of "Chico and the Man”. It was a guest appearance. The film was scheduled to finish the week before the Con. but there was a delay, and filming was not completed until the following week. George wrote to say how very disappointed he was. Jim Doohan, who was also a guest at the Con., read his letter out (so I was told) at the opening ceremony; It was printed for all to see in the convention booklet. Here is an excerpt, with thanks to Jenny Elson for permission to print it:

This convention was a very special one for me. In many ways I had prepared myself for something of a home-coming, Merrie Old England, happy spirits, and most of all good friends all make for what I can only call a ”voluptuous” weekend. However, what made our friendship possible in the first place, my career as an actor, can also become a terrible and sometimes cruel obstacle to that friendship. It makes for heartbreaking demands. And has done so on, of all weekends, this is one.”

Hosato members had a club meeting one afternoon that con. weekend. There were about thirty of us there. I remember Jenny, Jo Butler, and Janet Quarton dressed in colourful kimonos. We were all disappointed that our Honorary President was not there with us, and we missed him.

As Jenny had his phone number it was decided to give him a ring and tell him so. We had to promise not to talk too much, and to pass the phone on as quickly as possible so everyone could have a word. We all said a very quick ’’Hallo George” to him as we introduced ourselves, and personally I did not hear him say one word, as I passed the phone on to Joe. Time is indeed money when you phone long distance. Jenny made the introductory remarks to explain to George why we were phoning him, and then she signalled to us that he was still in bed. It was early morning for him. and we had misjudged the time lapse. Looking back now, he was probably trying to catch up on some sleep having suffered weeks of early make-up calls to be ready on the set for filming. But I don’t think he really minded being disturbed.

So George never did see the Japanese Corner. But Jim did. And as everyone knows, he’s a Scotsman so he was not particularly interested.