What gets me is why they should announce the demise of Eastercon - and then announce there's a replacement coming.
Either there is an Eastercon or there isn't. Announcing both possibilities shouldn't have happened. Surely they could have been work on a replacement to existing plans *before* announcing Eastercon as dead.
Brian, in an ideal world, undoubtedly you're right, but don't forget there's a big difference between the way Eastercon and the British Fantasy Cons are organised.
Where as FantasyCon is officially a BFS event, Eastercon is and always has been organised and run by fans, who are rarely involved in the upper echelons of the BSFA itself. The BSF awards are then traditionally presented at Eastercon because it's the UK's largest SF convention.
The reason, I suspect, that there has been no organised hand-over from one proposal to the other, is that they are two entirely different groups of people. Those organising Convoy (the aborted Eastercon) have spent a great deal of time and effort pursuing their plans, which have proved fruitless for a number of reasons, mostly revolving around the chosen venue. I doubt if they possess the means, energy or will to plot a smooth exit strategy after seeing all their efforts come to nought. This must be a terribly depressing time for them right now.
Another, different group of fans have stepped in to fill the breach left by the collapse of Convoy purely and simply because there
is a breach that needs filling. Without their willingness to do so, there would be no Eastercon next year, and, amongst other things, that lack of continuity would make life an awful lot harder for those planning Orbital -- Eastercon 2008.
I think those responsible for the new committee should be applauded for what they're doing, and offered all the support that we, as fans, can give them.
the opps crew and other bods have been setup as yet no details about Guests or cost and it is different people who are organising it,as soon as I know anymore I will post it and the links if I have any.
