Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 53 — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION thing to happen. So while still on the hunt for a suitable meet- ing place, a chain-letter was sent round the members. Each member added a bit to it, stating his or her ideas of what the club should do. I recollect saying that I would help anybody who was keen on publishing a fanzine! Next thing I found myself pricing duplicators! From this point, February, 1954, I worked on the production of a fanzine, '. with not one little bit of knowledge how to produce one. Then, one day in March, I received word from Ted that he had found a meeting place. The Lambton Arms, Chester- le-Street, was the place, and still is, for that matter. So, one Friday night in the month of March, the fen of the N.E. finally got together. The cus- tomary formalities were held, a librarian was elected, Mr. Fred Fairless; a _ treasurer, again Fred was the boy... this time to look after our money! And gallant Ted the secretary. Myself, the fanzine, publicity and printer of any- thing that needed printing. From then on we got to know each other, sorted out the true-fen, the mad ones, etc. ... and so the club grew. More members were roped in, this time from a place where 98 before we couidn’t find any, Tyneside. April saw the pub- lication of Science Fiction _ Satellite .No. 1 (now a mint copy), and the following month, No. 2. The club meets on the second Sunday of every month in the smoking room of the Lambton Arms, Chester-le- Street, from 3.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. For the first half of the meeting the secretary, librarian, etc., give their re- ports. These, which are sup- posed to be formal, are always greeted with wise-cracks, and whoever holds the position of chairman usually goes crazy trying to restore order. At 5.00 p.m. everybody goes out to a local cafe for tea, and this is claimed to be the best part of the whole session—much to the sad plight of the cafe owner, of course. Afterwards the mob returns to the meeting room, full of fun and just itching for an opening to slip in a wise-crack. Any person can give a lecture at any time, and points for discussion are very much welcomed—like- wise so are subscribers to Satellite. New members are always welcome, and they can write to the secretary for details or come along to a meeting. Remember—the sec- ond Sunday of every month. conmicloooks.comn