View source for Midvention 1

== The convention ==

Only Edwards and Williams arrived on Friday and there were no formal events. On Saturday 'We decided to depart somewhat from the programme' and after opening speeches and lunch the highlight was the [[auction]] conducted by Holmes. 'It consisted mainly of books and American Science Fiction Magazines. In spite of the low attendance these were quickly snapped up', with Knott bidding extensively. In the evening there was a musical performance and a debate on the question 'there should be no precise line of demarcation between [[s-f]] and [[Fantasy]]' proposed by Lewis and opposed by Overton.

Sunday featured a further auction and a science-fictional Brains Trust in which 'Terry Overton … shone, possessing as he does an almost fantastically, ridiculously detailed knowledge of back-numbers of [[prozines|mags]]'. Monday was again informal.

Johnson said of Midvention:

 I don't know whether to call the convention a success or not. There were only about fourteen visitors, and that naturally seriously hampered our activities. The programme wasn't strictly adhered to either. Moreover, several of the visitors could only stay a short time. But everyone seemed to have an enjoyable time; all had the pleasure of meeting others of their ilk, too, and for this alone, the convention was worth-while for whatever 'Radcliffe' may say, fans are darned good fellows, and meeting them is a very great pleasure.