Press coverage of the event

Intercon 78

 Intercon 78 was an attempt to organise a convention in the south of the UK after years of those in the north. After Terracon 77, a committee to oversee the event was set up. Comprising Margaret Bertram, Sally-Ann Griffin, Peter Rhys-Jones and Jane Sayle, all London-based people, the meetings were held at Margaret's flat in Algernon Road, Lewisham. I was invited to help out in acquiring things.

Previous conventions had been held in hotels, combining accommodation with the convention rooms. This time, a more adventurous idea was to use the Fulcrum convention centre in Slough High Street, and bus people in from the nearby Heathrow Hotel. This would allow for an attendance per day of over a thousand, rather than in the hundreds as previously. The hope was to get more people and therefore more money for the nominated charity, the Leukaemia Research Fund.

In the spring of 1978, a mini-con (a small one day event comprising some dealers and a selection of Star Trek episodes) was organised to test the ability of the centre to host the event.

 Guest speakers at the main event included Dave Prowse and Anthony Daniels, who played Darth Vader & C3P0 in Star Wars, which had been released the previous year. As well as films, several episodes of Star Trek were shown, one of which had not previously been aired in the UK (due to content).

Amongst the costumes on display were some stormtroopers from Star Wars, one of which was worn around the high street in Slough by myself to much amusement and amazement.

 There was a certain amount of resistance from some Star Trek fans about the perceived hijacking of their event, due to the inclusion of so much non-Trek material, and the size of the event. A whispering campaign about it not being a 'proper' con circulated, possibly with the intention of putting off attendees. I discovered recently on the internet that it was believed that the organisers had agreed to play a song continuously during the day in exchange for a tape by Kenny Everett that would be auctioned off. I publish a letter from the great man which makes no mention of this. More details of this and some reviews of the con at the Fanlore wiki page here. I also have a letter from Dave Prowse that he sent with a book about Star Wars that he took to set and got signed by the cast & crew. This was auctioned at the con, and bought by a German delegate. The book was sent on to him after the event.

 Unfortunately, the experience soured the convention scene for the organisers, who were not involved again. I left the Star Trek community, I went to a Dr Who one but never helped 'acquire' things again. A great resource wasted, if I might say so.

Intercon 78 committee

Below L to R -Peter, Jane, Robin, Margaret, & Sallyann

Some girls from the Blake's & club force their way on stage (!)

Peter & Margaret