2001 - 2002
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The year started with us finally located to our nice shiny new library. By the start of term almost everything was in place with plenty of shelving, chairs, beanbags and posters on the walls. Everyone still complained about lack of space, but the older members of the society just smiled knowingly and reminisced over porta-cabins and dark basements.
A veritable army of freshers descended on us, many deciding that the library was a better place to spend their time than their own halls common rooms, even if said halls were only a staircase away. Femtocon was a huge success - with a multitude of computers, free food and a metric ton of chocolate for quiz prizes, how could it fail?
The year continued as most do, with film trips, bookcrawls and the occasional group dinner. Weekly Magic was reinstated and hugely popular particularly with the use of such a large library and overflow to the committee room down the corridor. With old hands willing to teach new blood to play and lend decks out Thursday evenings in the Media basement rang to the tune of tapping wizards, attacking dragons, mana burning and hording of paperclips. Geeky? Us?
Picocon 19 was a great success as usual, with all four guests managing to turn up this time. Ann Gay, China Miéville, Stan Nicholls and Geoff Ryman all gave interesting, well attended talks. The showing of Pitch Black in the evening was a popular choice, allowing many to see this fine film on the big screen for the first time. Our remote control daleks Norfolk and Chance put in another appearance and their unstable antics were accompanied by the repeated sound of a 6ft jenga set collapsing. The giant birthday cake to celebrate icsf's 21st birthday was large enough for everyone to have a piece each *and* leave more over. The dinner in the evening was so popular that the more sensible members of the committee (we managed to find a couple) took the authors to Pierino's while the walking dead and the super-caffeinated took over the basement room of the Kwality next door. (Read John's report or look at program)
In celebration of icsf's anniversary year we held a buffet lunch on a saturday near the end of term. We invited along *every* alumni member we could find and were delighted when about 60 members past and present arrived on the day with friends, spouses and the occasional child in tow. We also took the opportunity to present Being of Great Significance (BOGS) awards to three people we felt to have had a marked effect on the society. Dr. John Finley had been instrumental in supporting the society moving into the first dedicated library, Porcupine Books have loyally turned up to Picocon with never a complaint, always a generous offer and donated a whole stack load of books not so long ago. Juliet McKenna has graciously been to several of the last Picocons, mucking in with enthusiasm and charm. All our BOGS were presented with beautiful characatures by Alia Sheikh and (seemed to at least) thoroughly enjoy themselves. (Read Jakob's report)
With the new space and shininess of the library the year was bound to be memorable. The dedicated and enthusiastic group of freshers who moved in brought a new life and new level of weirdness to the society as well. Definately a year to remember.
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