Heavily autographed covers for the programme book can be found here.

The Committee welcomes you to the 1951 Science, Fiction Festival Convention in the sincere hope that you will have as interesting (and enjoyable) a time here as they have had in preparing the event!

Science Fiction readers do not, on the whole, enjoy formality except perhaps, in the logic of their favourite literature. In keeping with these feelings, we have prepared the programme in a very loose form, and altough the details laid out in our middle pages constitute a framework, we are definitely NOT guaranteeing strict adherance to it. It wouldn't be natural!

Our chief desires are (a) to give you the opportunity of meeting others with your particuler (fantastic?) tastes in reading matter; (b) to give you an opportunity to voice your opinions on any aspect of the s-f field that you think needs them; (c) to introduce to you various intelligent and entertaining people who are prominent in the s-f field both in this country and abroad. Also, (d), to dispel any lingering suspicion that science fiction 'fans' are figments of the imagination dreamed up by editors in an endeavour to fill up their letter columns; (e) to show that the 'fans' are not semi-hysterical adolescents who buy the magazines and books for the sake of the

The remainder of the 200-odd reasons for holding this Convention will be issued as a separate booklet in the far... very far... future. Meanwhile, this Convention is for YOU...make yourself at home.!

We give an especial welcome to our Guests of Honour, who between them have travelled some 13,000 miles in the last few weeks.

Forrest J. Ackerman and his wife Wendayne, of Los Angeles, Calif., USA, we told vou about inn Con. News 3, though '4e' is known to every British fan who has read an American 'fanzine', particulary these of the early '40's. Now an authors agent and fantasy film columnist, 4e in still prominent in the s-f field after 15 years activity.

Lyell Crane, lately of Toronto, Canada, is our third Guest of Honour. Editor of the 'Interim News Letter', Lyell has done much to promote international correspondence, for 'I.N.L' is the organ of 'Science Fiction International' and some idea of its scope can to seen from the fact that the current issue contains letters from England, the U.S., Netherlands, Ceylon, Malaya, B.A.O.R., Australia and... many thanks, Lyell.... news of this Convention and many othr science-fictional events.

We also give a welcome to our many other guests from overseas, and hope to introduce them to you in the 'International Session'

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

If, during the Convention, you are confronted by a wild-eyed figure waving a small booklet, it will probably be a 'fanzine' editor. With the notable exception of Capt. Ken Slater, every fan who has published an amateur magazine in this countrv during the last five years will be present on at least one day; the entire publishing staff of the printed 'SLANT'(Walt and Madelaine Willis, Bob Shaw and James White); Mike Tealby of 'WONDER'; Derek and Mavis Pickles of 'PFHANTASMAGORIA'; Bob Foster of 'SLUDGE', A.Vincent Clarke of 'SCIENCE FICTION NEWS'; H. Ken Bulmer of 'NIRVANA', and Norman Ashfield of 'ALEMBIC'.

ll1 of them will be reporting the Convention in their magazines, but the CONVENTION SOUVENIR BOOKLET also wants reporters! We've had a couple of offers, but we want more. Be a reporter! Grave or gay, we're asking for them! See the Secretary or Chairman for details.

In his capacity as Treasurer, Charles Duncombe
wishes to thank all those who paid twice,
wishing to respect their anonimity, has not
entered these sums into the accounts........

If you are in London on a Thursday night, don't forget the 'White Horse'! Informal Convention every week!