Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 50 — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE NOR-WEST SCIENCE-FANTASY CLUB HERE was a time at the beginning, when Man- chester did havesunny weather, and strangely enough it was well within our lifetime. It was during this period that a Mancunian received sun- stroke. Thus was born the idea of the formation of a science fiction club, the first post-war club outside of the London circle. He was, as many other S.F. readers are at the beginning, a sane, like- able chap, with no other idea than to get a few other S.F. readers together to talk S.F., but now the sorry story begins: With all innocence in the world he enquired of one Ken Slater, who was then running Operation Fantast, if there were other keen readers in the local provinces, and if so, could he have their names. Meanwhile he had contacted one Eric Bentcliffe, and the idea of forming a club sim- 117 by A Hopeful Provincial mered between them. What an idea! It couldn’t go wrong! They became firm friends, and much correspondence passed between them. Happy and congenial were their let- ters, talking S.F. and dream- ing of a club. Eventually twelve addresses were re- ceived from Ken Slater. Happy day, now they could really get down to forming a Club. Each address was written to, each told about the dream. Then—the first taste of fan- dom. Only two answered. Still not downhearted, he answered the two letters. They were from A. E. (Taffy) Williams and Frank Richards. It was decided to meet at the Oxford Hotel. How excited he was awaiting the day! He couldn’t work. He couldn’t sleep. The great day arrived! He collected all the mags he had, and checked up on his authors. They had never seen each comicloookks.com