In the last six years the CFZ Weird Weekend has gone from a makeshift and very anarchic gathering in a tumbledown Church Hall in an Exeter suburb, to being the second biggest fortean gathering in the UK. Apart from the Fortean Times Unconvention there is nothing that can touch us. We have actually become so popular with the latest event - a month ago - that we have outgrown our venue in Exeter and have to look for a new home. Coincidentally this has happened at the same time that I have moved house from Exeter to the country, and for the past few weeks we have been looking for a new venue.
We now have one.
I know that there has been some unease in the CFZ camp at the idea of doing a Weird Weekend out in the country, and I am aware that people felt some trepidation about the idea of having the event in a village hall in the sticks. However, we have now concluded negotiations with the management of Woolsery Community Centre, and the next event will be held there on the weekend of the 18th-20th August 2006.
The venue is fantastic. Until I went there this afternoon I was completely unaware of how smashing the place is! It is a fully equipped conference centre with a bar, ample parking and anup-to-date lecture theatre that can hold at least 150 people. We have cinema style seating, a proper PA, stereo cinema projection and even a proper dressing room for speakers.
We have taken the old concept of the Weird Weekend as far as we can. Now, the new event is on the horizon, and it will be a proper community festival with theatre, art exhibitions and workshops as well as the three days of speakers. We may even have live music! So far the following speakers have been confirmed:
BOB MORRELL MBE: The Cryptozoology of ancient Egypt
GORDON RUTTER: Talk tba
LIONEL BEER: Treacle Mines
CHRIS MOISER: Talk TBA
RICHARD FREEMAN et al: The 2006 Expedition reports
Foolish People theatre company will be attending once more, and we hope to be announcing more speakers soon.
We will be running a minibus from Barnstaple Station, and as far as accomodation is concerned, low cost B&B, camping facilities (some even on site), and some more expensive hotels for those who want them will be available.
More information will be released soon, so watch this space......