Forums

Posted: 19-11-2007 22:21 Post subject: Suggestions speakers for the next UNCON

OK, it's not cast in stone yet that there is an uncon next year (2008) but how about we give some suggestions for speakers we'd like to see.
If the Powers that be see this thread then it could, hopefully, provide some inspiration.

I'd like to see the bloke from Ripley's that was interviewed in the most recent issue giving a general talk on some of the most fascinating tales he's heard during his time at Ripley's.

I'd like to see a ghost talk from the point of view of a folklorist.

I'd also like to do a talk myself. I'm fairly well known in Cryptozoology (expeditions and investigations including Llangorse Lake, the Gambia, the Baglan Beast and Lake Windemere as well as running the CFZ aquatic monster research group and writing the 6 page reports from it each issue in animals and men) and, good from Dennis's point of view, I'm cheap. I can talk on Welsh cryptids, a detailed talk on welsh lake monsters or Death Portents. Previous events I've talked at include the big cat conference and weird weekend the last 2 years.

Posted: 20-11-2007 10:21 Post subject:

If there's going to be any UFO content, then I'd suggest getting someone from the new guard, such as Paul Kimball, Mac Tonnies or even Jeremy Vaeni. Unfortunately, they're all based overseas, which may make them too expensive.

Two subjects that no-one should be allowed to talk about on the grounds that we're all bored stiff with them: Roswell and orbs.

Some of you have obviously seen the tentative announcement in FT235 about this year's UnCon. We're trying to finalise date and venues as quickly as possible and will let you know for sure as soon as all is confirmed. As I said in the editorial, we really do want your suggestions as to the content (or, indeed, form) of this year's UnCon, so please post suggestions in this thread or email me with them.

First question is: How is the weekend of 1/2 Nov for people. Someone had expressed concern that it might mean travelling on Halloween - is that a major problem, a minor inconvenience or a big plus? Obviously, if this is a bad date we need to know asap - as far as we know it doesn't clash with any other conventions and one nice potential venue is free that weekend.

DS

Posted: 31-03-2008 09:20 Post subject:

Any chance of the Speaker's line-up including, Alan Moore, Terry Pratchett, and/or Neil Gaiman, please? Very Happy

Posted: 31-03-2008 09:43 Post subject:

Patrick Harpur, Alan Moore, a. n. exorcist might tell a good tale. A nuts and bolts ufologist would be fun.

No secret masonic/ grail/ treasure blockbuster floggers please.

Posted: 31-03-2008 09:52 Post subject:

Sadly, I don't think Patrick H likes public speaking - I've asked him on numerous occasions and he always refuses politely...

Posted: 31-03-2008 11:00 Post subject:

Hi Dave,

People have always got something on at Halloween so I think putting UnCon on at that time would perterb quite a few people. Later or earlier would be better.

Speakers:

Talks based on new research and cases or new perspectives on old topics and subjects.

Here's some talks I've put on / been to recently that I, I think, would be good (if not these topics then these speakers)

Neil Arnold - Big Cats Around The Capital
Catherine Rider - Magic and Medicine in the Middle Ages
Dan Baines - Dead Fairy Found in Derbyshire!
Simon Sherwood - Phantom Black Dogs: A Psychological Perspective

Skeptics in the Pub is soon to have:

Dr. Ciarán O’Keeffe and Steve Parsons - How not to investigate the Paranormal

Posted: 31-03-2008 12:14 Post subject:

Jon Ronson again, though he cancelled at the last Commonwealth institute UCon.

As someone above says an author like Neil Gaiman would be good.

The CFZ have got to do a presentation.... Very Happy

Apropos skitster, some folks don't have anything on at Halloween and UnCon sounds like a good way to spend it.

Posted: 31-03-2008 14:14 Post subject:

May we have an Uncon out of London one year, please? Very Happy

Posted: 31-03-2008 15:31 Post subject:

As ever we're down to personal preferrences. Dunno whether Sean Tudor the Road Ghost chap speaks publically and his site has been quiet awhile but I imagine he has a wealth of highway spectres, another vote for a Black Dog specialist and anyone in the daemonic reality business if Patrick Harpur isn't up for it. The Stoat article was fascinating - was that by Merrily Harpur?

Posted: 31-03-2008 15:54 Post subject:

Outside of London (but not too far north) would be great. And halloween would be a bad idea I think as there is always too much going on around that time.

Oh yes, include Dr Ciaran O'Keeffe please blissed

Posted: 31-03-2008 17:37 Post subject:

Hold it outside London, York would be alright, for example

Bring back Doug Skinners & his musical instruments, just because I missed that last time, and the HP Lovecraft Appreciation society (or any similar sort of thing)

A venue with decent air conditioning would also be nice, and a bar that doesn't just do Carling & John Smiths

No talks to do with The DVC, unless Rat Scabies is involved

Keep the 1/2 November dates for the talks, but have some sort of Halloween pre-talk event, not sure what, but it demands something more than going to the pub, surely?

Black Dogs talk

Or failing that, Big Cats & How Not to Investigate the Paranormal

Fanthorpe & Downes playing a selection of tunes from their CD one evening, or in the lunch hour.

That Fort Shorts thingy at Edinburgh sounded a good idea, try that for the last hour?

Posted: 31-03-2008 18:00 Post subject:

Have it darn sarf so I can come.

Posted: 31-03-2008 19:19 Post subject:

Is it at all conceivable that John Keel could be roped in as a speaker? That would certainly seal the deal for me.

Would also be interested in Merrily Harpur talk, Big Cats?

Posted: 31-03-2008 21:14 Post subject:

Jan Bondeson is a great speaker. i wasn't expecting his last uncon talk to be interesting at all, but it was fantastic. also Gordon Rutter is very enjoyable to listen to, and Gail-Nina Anderson