This is the first issue of 'BRUMBLE’ - a sort of fanzine. It was instigated by messrs. Teague and Higgs, both members of long standing of the Birmingham Group. We, the Convention Committee of '65 (Birmingham), would like to thank these two gentlemen, for permitting us to use their fanzine as a news-letter for the Convention. (It is entirely coincidental that we will build a ready-made circulation for them) Right, that’s all the dedications done with, now for the first Con-Rep.

There gathered at the Cheslin Chalet, three of the committee members of the BSFA. This worthy trio, having disposed of the BSFA business, and also a most delicious tea, decided that the Birmingham Group was well represented enough to start arranging the Convention, (especially as Mike Higgs & Cynthia Grant had turned up.) We (the committee) hope that the rest of the Birmingham Group does not think that any prerogatives have been usurped.

The first thing done, allotting jobs... It was decided to keep the Committee as small as possible (Huh! you just take a look below!)

  1. Secretary, Ken (the Black) Cheslin.
  2. Chairman, Ken (again) Cheslin.
  3. Treasurer, Ken (yes) Cheslin.
  4. Auction Material, Roger Peyton
  5. Publications, Rog Peyton, Illo's by MiK.
  6. Insurances, Richard Wilkes.
  7. Programme Organiser, Chas Winstone.
  8. Welcoming Committee, Those listed, plus Beryl Henley & Ed James.
These were all the positions filled so far, but there may be more, yet. The following points were decided at the meeting…

  1. that enquiries be made about the possibility of setting up a Welcomittee room like the Americans do.
  2. Films - Chas. Winstone will make enquiries, in Vector, Nadir & Zenith, to see what everyone would like.
  3. Pre-Con Events - This will be left in the Welcomm's hands.
  4. The Convention Main Hall will be decorated and designed by MiK.
  5. Guest of Honour, enquiries are being made by Ken Cheslin about the GOH.
  6. The Convention Booklet and the 'Doc Weir' voting forms are to be completed and sent out in good time.
  7. The Convention Badges, needs more discussion.
  8. To investigate the possibility of inviting some group or other to the Convention. (Ken was 'gone' on sending complimentary tickets to the Ian Campbell Folk Groupl) - not seriously.
  9. Could posters be posted around Birmingham, to show the way to the Hotel. (This was lost in the discussion - maps in the Con. Hand-book would do.)
  10. To raise some money for the Convention, an auction of books in the Birmingham Group. (This was another point lost in discussion - no decision was reached).
  11. THE CHAIRMAN, our Ken, would like to ask all the ladies who will be attending the Birmingham Convention in '65, "Have you any preferences as regards special amenities for taking care of the children?"
These were the points which were discussed at the meeting. There was talk of other items of course, but the above were the main ones. The hotel at which the Convention will be held is 'The Midland Hotel’ on New Street. The Convention Fee will be 15s 0d each (were going to charge 15s 6d to cover the badges, but gave up the idea, because of the difficulties of accounting.)

So, that's it for this news-letter, we hope that there'll be more news next issue. Meanwhile, if you have any ideas for Convention Events, or any advice to offer (which will be gratefully accepted) and any preference as regards a film or films you would like to see, please contact any of the following :-

  • C. Winstone, 71, George Rd., Erdington, Birmingham 23
  • K. Cheslin, 18, New Farm Rd., Stourbridge, Worcs.
  • R. Peyton, 77, Greyswood Park Rd., Quinton, Birmingham 32
Enrollments and a 3s 0d deposit to be sent to Ken Cheslin.
Committee;- Winstone, Cheslin, & Peyton.
Assisted by;- Hordes of Brummies.

THE FORTIETH CUCKOO
A column by KEN CHESLIN

This, as you might have noticed, is BRUMBLE 1.

I did send out the con-page with SKYRACK (thanks Ron) with the idea of getting it to as wide an audience as possible, for con-publicity. So far nothings happened. Ah well.

THIS, whole, Brumble is only being sent to the people who have actually signed on for the convention...(with a reserve in case I get requests for back issues).

BRUMBLE was origionally going to be the fanzine of Mik Higgs and Cliff Teague...(Brummies)... but they, very sportingly, agreed to let us use the title for the con-newsheet…for BRUMBLE, we feel, is an excellent title under wnich to run Brumcon 2 news. Eventually, after the convention, Mik and Cliff will probably carry the title on...I hope they do, its a good one.

Anyhow, as for convention news. There are about 60 people who have signed on so far; we hope and expect a lot more, probably as many as 120...depending on finances in this coming two-con year.

The hotel is central…right in the middle of Birmingham,and the main rail and 'bus stations are within shouting distance..(don’t worry about finding the place, we'll send you a map...and probably arrange native guides)...for those of you with cars...the hotel has no car-park. BUT they have a deal with another hotel, close at hand, whereby MIDLAND guests can use the other car-park.

The con-room is situated on the first floor, in the crossbar bit of a T shaped annex, along the upright of the T we have 3 other rooms, 2 of them we can lock up. The whole area, by merely placing a registration desk across the foot of the T, is completely isolated from the rest of the hotel. The con-room is bigger and higher than the Bull room, without being too big, so that it will be comfortably full but never crowded. (Unless about 200 of you turn up).

The hotel sports an oyster grill, another grill of some sort (I've put the bumpf down somewhere, I’ll find it for a later newsheet if anyone is interested) And a great dining room. Prices are about 15/- minimum though so I suppose many of you will take advantage of the MANY convenient eating place that are close around the hotel...these include a Wimpey bar, a Kardoma, a Lyons, a couple of Chinese places, an Indian restaraunt and lots of other places...I think we'd better mark these on the con-map too.

The Manager of the hotel seems a good deal posher than the ones we usually get and I was. worried about his attitude towards fans running around late and the the inevitable noise. He was very helpful and even when I warned him of the noctournal gatherings and incessant chatttering this didn't seem to faze him...in fact I'm under the impression, that he's seen some really wild gatherings in his time...(these damn business luncheons...mutter mutter...). Oh, I had to tell him all about the fancy dress etc., and he seemed surprised we wouldn't be having a band and dancing into the small hours...I've talked to him and he'll do his best to get all of us as near together as possible...I warned him to, for the sake of any other guests...there's bound to be some, the hotel is bigger than we'll fill this year...by a few rooms anyway.

Thats about it...we haven't heard anything from anyone about any particular arrangements for the children, or suggestions for anything on the programme so we'll just have to press on and hope whatever we arrange suits the majority.

Booking forms...its just a little bit early to send these out...but we want to get them out in plenty of time...the hotel will require a deposit of £1 but this will be refunded if you cancel about 14 days before...all this will be on the booking forms anyhow.

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