THE LONCON PROGRESS REPORTS - Number 1.

This move was not taken hastily, but has been the result of innumerable committee meetings, telephone conversations, and finally a Committee ballot as to whether the Convention should be moved outside London to one of the coastal resorts where accommodation was more in keeping with a Convention atmosphere.

Whilst the Royal Hotel was large enough to accommodate any number of delegates, its general atmosphere did not make it universally favorable to all the committee. On top of this, the additional cost of hiring the necessary conference rooms and ballroom, and PA equipment, turned the site into a speculative gamble and it looked extremely unlikely that the Convention would break even. There would be no money available for additional items such as films and equipment, prizes, special publicity, and the general cost of producing all the necessary printed material required by the Convention.

In short, although the Royal was large enough it would have meant the Committee operating on a shoestring budget and wondering whether sufficient members would join the Society to pay the bills.

We have booked the entire King's Court Hotel from mid-day Friday September 6th until Monday evening September 9th, The Convention will be a self-contained unit for the entire period, delegates being able to dine together at all meals if necessary although lunch and dinner are optional and not included in the tariff. There are adequate lounges, a television room, a cocktail bar and mobile (!) bar, a stage with PA equipment and a dressing room. Each room has a wall radio, telephone, and h&c water. The main auditorium can hold comfortably 400 delegates.

The hotel is situated a few minutes from Hyde Park in one direction and the main shopping thoroughfare of Queenaway in the other. Here there are numerous eateries of types to suit all tastes, although the hotel catering will be adequate, being under French supervision and specialising in catering for Continental visitors.

The tariff per day is ridiculously low - 20/- a head for bed and breakfast ($2.80 in American money). Lunch is 4/6d (65cents) and dinner 6/6d (95 cents). In addition to the advantages of this low rate the management has a helpful and co-operative attitude to the Convention. Hot meals can be obtained up to 10.30 p.m. And after that coffee and sandwiches may be obtained at any hour. For delegates the bar is open twenty-four hours a day if necessary. Rooms are reasonably capacious for after-hours sessions, although the main lounges will probably be suitable for any larger parties and the masquerade parade.

To release one secret at this early stage - this year's Convention will open with a luncheon banquet at Approximately 1.00 p.m. on Saturday the 7th September. The cost will be 10/6d per ticket ($1.50). The luncheon will be followed by speeches and introductions. This will be the first World Convention ever to start on time!

Behind all this enthusiasm there must, of course, be a snag - but only a minor one. The King's Court Hotel has sleeping accommodation for approximately 200 people; any overflow can be accommodated in associated hotels only a few yards away. BUT - the Convention Hotel accommodation will be first allocated to those delegates who propose staying

It is therefore to everyone's advantage (whether resident in Britain or overseas) to place your required reservations with the Convention Secretary as soon as practicable so that you may be given the best possible accommodation. No advance booking fee is entailed at this stage - the Committee have already reserved the entire hotel - but you must state the period for which you wish to book. Naturally, this request does not apply to those delegates who will be visiting each day and going home (or elsewhere) to sleep. It will also help with catering arrangements if firm bookings for meals are placed well beforehand.

At this early stage I can say that the arrangements for this year's World Convention look like living up to the title WORLD. All that is required is the full co-operation of Convention Members.

- Ted Carnell