Bristol and District Group
The Bristol and District Group (BaD Group) was a local group in Bristol, UK formed in 1965. Its clubzine was Badinage and it ran Briscon, the 1967 Eastercon.
Founding chairman Tony Walsh dated the group's formation to September 25, 1965, and even more precisely 9pm 'when the mob in the lounge of 61 Halsbury Road[1] became, temporarily, at least, an orderly meeting'[2].
Walsh further explained that on moving to Bristol he sought out local fans. Archie Mercer had moved there three years previously but had found only one local fan, Alan Chorley. Neverthless, once the Walshes had arrived in the city as well they managed to find fourteen people to attend a first meeting including 'some Air Force apprentices from nearby Locking, and lots of Cheltenham S. F. Circlers'. Tony Walsh was elected chairman, Tony Underwood (one of the 'Air Force apprentices') secretary, and Archie Mercer treasurer[3].
By 1967 Chorley had gone to university in Warwick and only the Mercers and Walshes remained. Advertising locally grew the group to about a dozen regulars although an advertisement in New Worlds drew only two people who didn't return after the first meeting.
In 1967 the group launched Badinage in February and ran Briscon, the 1967 Eastercon, in March. Beryl Mercer became chairman during that year.
The group continued until 1968.
Members[edit]
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| Club | 1965—1968 |
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