The British Star Trek Convention (1974 & 1975 cons)

The British Star Trek Convention was the first con in a long-running series of cons. There were two, one in 1974 and one in 1975.
The front of the 1974 program book calls it "The First Annual British Star Trek Convention."
There is a con report for the 1974 con by Jenny Elson in A Piece of the Action #15 and #20. In the second issue, Elson reports that it was a good, though relaxed, time. The hotel accountant and half his staff had been arrested for embezzlement and the new staff was sparse and had been on the job only three days. James Blish canceled days before for medical reasons. And Paramount wouldn't let them show three banned episodes. But... George Takei and James Doohan were there and delightful, both throwing themselves on the dance floor for "Shore Leave Disco" and that the blooper reel, shown for the first time in the UK, was a huge hit.
==Not the First==
While these two cons were the first major British Star Trek cons, they were not the very first Star Trek cons. That con was the STAG Mini-Con, a March 23, 1974 gathering of fans in a church basement. This minicon was a "practice run" as well as a way for club fans to meet each other before the main event in the fall.
==Other Cons==
For a list of all major Star Trek cons, see The British Star Trek Conventions, the series.
 
==1974==
It took place September 28-29, 1974 at the Abbey Motor Hotel in Leicester.
Attendance was limited to 250 people.
The guests of honor were James Doohan and George Takei. James Blish was listed in program book, but did not attend due to illness; Blish passed away ten months later.
The committee:
Jenny Elson (president, liaison officer), Terry Elson (treasurer, director of stewards, programme organiser), Marian Kennedy (fiction awards, fancy dress organiser), Karen Gilmurray (art director, club liaison officer, club room organiser), and Jennifer Harding (auction director),
Stewards: 
Helen McCarthy, Judith Bailey, Lynn Bates, Denise Whalen, Elaine Robinson, Sheila Clark, Allan Palmer, Joanna Butler, Margaret Austin, Janet Quarton, Shirley Kirby, Christine Arthur, John Tessyman, Margaret Draper, Anne Cockitt, Barbie Bowerman, Christopher Krol, Dorothy Rayson, Dorothy Owens, Peter Auldis, and Ian Watson.
Saturday Programming: 
* Opening Ceremony
* "Science Fiction to Science Fact," by Bert Lewis
* James Doohan
* Discussion Groups
* The UFO of Great Britain Group
* George Takei
* Debate
* Tapes and Slides
* Fancy Dress and presentation of awards
* Shoreleave Dance and Disco
Sunday Programing:
* films
* The World Wide Wildlife Fund
* James Blish (listed in program book, but did not attend due to illness; Blish passed away ten months later)
* auction
* Panel (James Doohan, George Takei) 
* Closing Ceremony
===From the 1974 Program Book===
Saturday Programming:
: Opening Ceremony
: "Science Fiction to Science Fact," by Bert Lewis
: James Doohan
: Discussion Groups
: The UFO of Great Britain Group
: George Takei
: Debate
: Tapes and Slides
: Fancy Dress and presentation of awards
: Shoreleave Dance and Disco
Sunday Programing:
: films
: The World Wide Wildlife Fund
: James Blish (listed in program book, but ultimately did not attend due to illness; Blish passed away ten months later)
: auction
: Panel (James Doohan, George Takei)
: Closing Ceremony
Comments by Jenny Elson:
===1991: The Founders Recount the 1974 Con===
 
===Con Reports: 1974===
 
==1975==
* took place September 20-21, 1975 at the Leicester Centre Hotel
* a set of zines by Christine Hall was published for this con: Tricorder #1 and #2
* Alan White was the Fan Guest of Honor Fan Gallery 
=== Con Reports: 1975===
==References==
Category:Star Trek TOS Conventions
Category:1974 Conventions
Category:1975 Conventions
Category:Conventions in United Kingdom
Category:Star Trek Conventions