Farewell SFX Weekender hello Sci-Fi Weekender

[Dartfordian]

From where I live I could get to Luxembourg as quick as I got to Hafan Y Mor the last time but I'm sure it'll be worth the effort.

[Cougar]

Have we all seen today's announcement?

My faith in the event is somewhat restored... (-:

[CaraG]

I've not, what's happening please?

[Cougar]

First guests announced.

Next Springs Sci Fi Weekender now in its fourth year is pleased to announce its first round of guests including Richard Madden aka Robb Stark from the excellent award winning HBO TV Series Game of Thrones .
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Joining Robb Stark at next Springs Sci Fi Weekender is Peter Davidson aka the Fifth Dr Who.
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Also the Sci Fi Weekender would never be complete without its own resident DJ Craig Charles aka Red Dwarfs Dave Lister taking to the turntables to provide the sounds for our annual Maskerade Ball.
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Finally concluding our first round of announcements our weekender would never be complete without everyone’s favourite alternative sci fi & fantasy author the legend that is Robert Rankin the host with the most who will resume his role at the forefront of the event and will this year host a number of panels as well as play an even bigger part in this years proceedings all to be revealed shortly.
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The recently renamed Sci Fi Weekender team are keener than ever to make next springs event the best to date and want to ensure the entertainment is better than ever before with a number of exciting imminent announcements in the pipeline as well as more entertainment promised than ever before as well as Q&As from the guests, readings, screenings , Comedy , Intergalactic pub quizzes and much much more.

[Selkie]

I'd be even more impressed if they could spell Peter's name right ^_~ still, looking forward to seeing him!

[silverfox77]

I attended the SFX Weekender this year and after a decent announcement yesterday in terms of a statement of intent that the new organisers can get some names up to North Wales I'd be up for going next year.

Does anyone know if there's a way of getting Thursday included for free? We got that with our booking last year and to miss out on the first night would be a real shame. Any ideas? Other than paying the extra or going VIP of course! It's North Wales, no point in getting too spend crazy!

[nahp]

as far as I know they only offer it for free if you took up the offer to book whilst still at the previous weekender....think its a supplement now, but theres no harm in asking them the question

[Silvercat]

Okay, I have attended two SFX Weekenders and have had an absolute ball. I had no idea until today, when I actually took the time to read the forum, that SFX mag had pulled out of the event. This is such a shame, they were obviously a big part of the weekend, and a 'name' that I trusted.

I shall not be attending this year, however, for two reasons - one is the price hike which has seen an increase of £40 EACH for myself and my hubby to attend, just getting a fairly basic accommodation package (and whilst I am sure that the accommodation is much improved on last time, it is really only somewhere to dump our stuff and sleep in); the second reason is the nagging phone calls I am receiving from someone called Justin from the Sci-Fi Weekender on a weekly basis asking me if I have bought my tickets/considered which package I want/ etc. When I told him I was having serious second thoughts about attending this year because of the price hike, he at first denied the price had gone up. I pointed out the difference between what I paid this year and what next year's cost was and he did finally agree that there was an increase.

No thanks guys.

Thank you to the SFX staff who made the last 2 events I attended so much fun and such a laugh - we had a seriously great time. I understand your reasons for not being involved any more, and I'm sure you will be missed from the event.

Anyone who does go - have fun.

Thanks for listening.

[SgtAngua_CW]

Originally Posted by Silvercat

Okay, I have attended two SFX Weekenders and have had an absolute ball. I had no idea until today, when I actually took the time to read the forum, that SFX mag had pulled out of the event. This is such a shame, they were obviously a big part of the weekend, and a 'name' that I trusted.

I shall not be attending this year, however, for two reasons - one is the price hike which has seen an increase of £40 EACH for myself and my hubby to attend, just getting a fairly basic accommodation package (and whilst I am sure that the accommodation is much improved on last time, it is really only somewhere to dump our stuff and sleep in); the second reason is the nagging phone calls I am receiving from someone called Justin from the Sci-Fi Weekender on a weekly basis asking me if I have bought my tickets/considered which package I want/ etc. When I told him I was having serious second thoughts about attending this year because of the price hike, he at first denied the price had gone up. I pointed out the difference between what I paid this year and what next year's cost was and he did finally agree that there was an increase.

No thanks guys.

Thank you to the SFX staff who made the last 2 events I attended so much fun and such a laugh - we had a seriously great time. I understand your reasons for not being involved any more, and I'm sure you will be missed from the event.

Anyone who does go - have fun.

Thanks for listening.

Sorry you won't be attending next year, Silvercat.

I booked our tickets at the event this year (VIP as usual), so our price hasn't changed, and I wasn't aware that there had been such a major hike. It'll be interesting to see what the price is for 2014 at the event.

We too are gutted SFX are no longer involved (hopefully this won't always be the case), and we did briefly discuss not attending, especially as it's another 60 or so miles away, so it's now 7-8 hours by car, or 10 by train!

But as much as we'll miss SFX we also want to see our mates and have fun. The thing I love most about geekcamp is hanging out with like minded individuals and just having a blast. As long as we all do our best to keep the same atmosphere as previous years, it's all good.

I know this year a lot of the problems lay with Chic, but as they are taking total control of the event I am willing to give them a chance and see what they have to offer. I've spoken to Julian (who I think is the person you mean) and expressed my concerns, and he seems to be monitoring the new forum closely and listening to suggestions people are making.

At the end of the day we make it what it is, and if worst comes to worst and it's awful (which I don't think it will be), there's always the pub! The new accommodation does look spiffy, though!

I've also suggested that should next year be successful and Chic strengthen their partnership with Haven, it would only be fair that the Weekender moves around the various camps. That way those who live too far away or find it too difficult to attend Phwelli can get a chance to go, and Jules appeared to welcome the suggestion. So we'll see, might save people some money too.

Sad you can't be there next year, but I hope to see you in 2014!

[Tribal Spaceman]

I've just found out about this and I am massively disappointed.

To me the participation and involvement of the SFX team was what made the event so special. Also, as Prestatyn is my home town, it was nice to pop down the road and meet Brian Blessed and co, so the venue change is a pain in the bum as well and I don't know if I will be attending next year unless I can get a gang of us together. My friends in London agree too, Prestatyn is a lot easier to get to than Pwllheli!

I do find it odd that the two things people complained about (and rightly so), accomodation and queueing, are both things that would have been improved for 2013. Pontins is in the middle of a refurb anyway.

Oh well, what's done is done. But why no SFX presence at the event at all? You should bring back the awards, my mum came for that night and absolutely loved them as much as I did. Please?