September 1997 Issue 312 BRUM GROUP NEWS Price: FREE Price: FREE The monthly newsletter of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group (Honorary Presidents: Brian W Aldiss and Harry Harrison) Group Chairman - Tony Morton, Secretary - Anne Woodford, Treasurer - Alan Woodford, Publicity Officer - Steve Jones, Newsletter Editor and Novacon 27 & 28 Chairman - Martin Tudor. T h e S e p t e m b e r M e e t in g WILL BE AN INFORMAL MEETING ON FRIDAY 1 2TH September 1997 f r o m 7pm in the top f l o o r b a r o f the Tap & S p ile , G a s Street, Birmingham. Admittance: FREE! T h e r e w i l l b e a ra ffle and review copies are available as usual. (Please refrain from smoking until 8.30pm when the BAR WILL BE OPENED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.) THIS ISSUE: The Chairman Speaks - Tony Morton responds to Steve Green’s Surgical Strike; plus the 1997 Hugo Results - yes, Langford wins again! The BSFG meets (informally) from 7pm in the Top Floor Bar of the Tap & Spile, Gas Street, Birmingham city centre on the second Friday off each month (unless otherwise notified). The annual subscription rates (which include 12 copies of this newsletter and reduced price entry to formal meetings) are £15.00 per person, or £18.00 for 2 members at the same address. Cheques etc. should be made payable to "the Birmingham Science Fiction Group" and sent to: Alan Woodford, the Treasurer, 81 Harrold Road, Rowley Regis, Warley, W est Midlands, B65 ORL,-(e-mail enquiries via: bsfg@ bortas. demon.co.uk). Book reviews, review copies and other contributions and enquiries regarding the Brum Group News to: Martin Tudor, Newsletter Editor, 24 Ravensbourne Grove, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 1HX (e-mail to [email protected]). The Newsletter of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group Colophon continually referring to ‘the good old days’ (whenever THEY were!). I left and enjoyed the 'Con. Of Steve Green, I The contents o f this issue are heard nothing... copyright 1997 the BSFG, on behalf o f the contributors, to whom all rights revert I was somewhat surprised when Martin on publication. Personal opinions passed me (Chairman after the AGM) expressed in this publication do not Steve Green’s fanzine/article “Railings”. necessarily reflect those of the committee Why? Firstly, I hadn’t realised he WAS a or the membership o f the BSFG. member of the Brum Group; secondly, I Text by Martin Tudor except where had heard no view from him in Liverpool stated otherwise. and (as Martin said) he DIDN’T (have the This issue was printed on the nerve to?) send this ‘fanzine' to any CRITICAL WAVE photocopier. For Committee members other than Martin. details o f WAVE'S competitive prices contact Martin Tudor at the editorial Yes, the Committee would like members address on the cover. to be more involved, particularly like Mr Many thanks to ALAN & ANNE Green when (and why) they chose NOT to WOODFORD for producing the address renew membership. I also dislike his labels; TONY MORTON for his piece; “anti-fannish” dig. Not everyone gets SFX, WHAT'S ON, LOCUS, the BBC, the Birmingham EVENING MAIL and their jollies by being deeply involved in STEVE GREEN fo r the news in the fandom - or even have the TIME. You, Jophan Report and Events Listing. Steve, may get you kicks seeing you name as Fan Room Organiser in a ‘con publication, but why rebuke others for A Word From The Chair ‘only’ attending? OK, at home the - Tony Morton attendance at Brum Group meetings has dropped over the years, but with In some ways I should have expected this membership still over 50 it is (to quote Mr - but not in such an unresponsive way. Tudor) “hardly dead”. I agree with Martin Yes, I was at the Eastercon referred to - the problem is more a financial one: where Pete Weston continually talked (to anyone from/associated with since Birmingham got the ‘International’ Birmingham/West Midlands/BSFG) about buzz with the ICC, as well as some rooms how 'he’ felt the Brum Group had had its disappearing for other uses (restaurants day. At his room party both myself and being the main one). Numerically we Carol argued against his viewpoint, stating could (just) survive on current attendance the social side of the group, recent guests if prices were still a tenner a night, but at and the need to keep it going because their fifty quid minimum it is not viable. ain’t anything better or likely to replace it if it folded. He remained morose, I also agree with David Hardy’s point that a lack of a permanent venue hasn’t helped, BRUM GROUP NEWS #312 2 September 1997 The Newsletter of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group but hope we’ve rectified this by meeting at To keep the BSFG going we do need a the Tap and Spile in Gas Street (SECOND more active membership rather than what Friday). Chris Murphy refers to as “apathy and whinging criticism”. I also would like to Chris Murphy’s view that “there’s no see more volunteers for Committee posts substitute for the company of fellow fans” rather than “conscription”. OK, I didn’t re-enforces the role of the Brum Group. stand for the post of Chairman due to Getting together to chat, gossip and swap personal commitments and time, but took views will always be better that E-mail or on the role anyway to try to ‘steady the SFX. I suppose I’m saying the boat’. In the future perhaps members companionship of the Brum Group is as willing to stand will consider the good of important as its fannish side. the group over more “personal glory” as has seemed the case in some years. I base Peter Colebom raises old arguments. Yes, this criticism on the fact that I built up a we have tried other venues - too remote fairly good rapport with both publishers for the majority of regular attendees/too and authors during my last stint as expensive for regular meetings. On Chairman but find attitudes somewhat guests, I have always given them free different now. If this is “them”, we must reign to do what they wish. After all, they overcome it (the “they give up their time” give up their time to come and talk to the argument), if it is from “us”, we must Group, and if they prefer to read selected change to accommodate others. Abrasive passages I feel it only a courtesy to let attitude or apathy? The Group loses with them. I have found many guests to be shy, either. Politeness never hurts. This year retiring people; some unused to public has so far been difficult due to many speaking, they are after all writers rather factors, publication dates and author than presenters. So sorry Peter, it’s been availability being uppermost; hence the tried. Outside of dragging people along or recent ‘informal’ meetings. But at least imposing penalties for non attendance (mm they’re regular and at the same venue. there’s an idea!) what can you do? The above is purely my own views - but as Everyone has favourite books, favourite Chairman, I intended to respond to Steve' speakers; but I prefer to ‘encourage’ new Green’s “fanzine” anyway. He’s wrong writers to visit. I have two reasons for for all the reasons Martin, David, Chris this: Firstly, they are unlikely to have been and Peter wrote in to state - by writing before and a new face as well as proving the “aliveness” of the Group. (sometimes) introducing authors to Others have made equally valid verbal “fandom”; secondly, and probably more comment. Basically, Steve Green is no importantly, one of the aims of the Group longer a BSFG member. His choice. I am is to “promote and encourage SF”,. How now Chairman. My choice. better than by new talent? [Further comments from members are invited and will be run in the BRUM GROUP NEWS #312 3 September 1997 The Newsletter of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group September newsletter. Letters should 4. J R R Tolkien - The Hobbit reach me, Martin Tudor, at 24 5. Arthur Ransome - Swallows and Ravensboume Grove, off Clarkes Lane, Amazons Willenhall, WV13 1HX or e-mail to 6. Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret [email protected] by the 5th Garden September 1997.] 7. Lewis Carroll - Alice in'Wonderland 8. Roald Dahl - Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Jophan Report #107 9. Louisa M Alcott - Little Women by Martin Tudor 10. Roald Dahl - Matilda Top Ten Overall Titles: Over 10,000 children voted for more than 1. Roald Dahl - Matilda 700 different titles by phoning or emailing 2. Kenneth Grahame - The Wind In The the BBC poll or voting at their local Willows Waterstone’s bookshop. The poll closed at 3.CS Lewis - The Lion, The Witch and midnight on 27th August after a month’s The Wardrobe voting, the results were as follows: 4. A A Milne - Winnie The Pooh 5. J R R Tolkien - The Hobbit Under 16's Results 6. Roald Dahl - Charlie and The Chocolate Roald Dahl featured seven times in the Factory under 16’s top ten books which were: 7. Arthur Ransome - Swallows and 1. Roald Dahl - Matilda Amazons 2. Roald Dahl - Charlie and The Chocolate 8. Roald Dahl - The BFG Factory 9. Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland 3. Roald Dahl-The BFG 10. Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret 4. J R R Tolkien - The Hobbit Garden 5.