My job in the 50s involved frequent trips to London – mainly to supervise erection of company stands at trade exbibitions – and I had spare time to become a fairly regular visitor to the home of Pam and Ken Bulmer, a golden opportunity to meet other fan callers like Vin¢ Clarke, Joy Goodwin, Ted Tubb, and Ron and Daphne Buckmaster. I recall that Ted and Ken were devoting considerable time and energy to developing a "battleship"-type space game, which they hoped would one day make them a fortune. I was often roped in to play while the rules were being ironed out: needless to say, I never ever won, because the rules changed drastically between visits – usually to my disadvantage... In between catching up with art exhibitions in the metropolis, I called at the flat of Frances Evans and Brian Varley, where I met up again with Ethel Lindsay. This was the time when Fran and Ethel were busy editing FEMIZINE and involved up to their eyebrows in the "Joan W. Carr" hoax, hatched by Sandy Sanderson and perpetrated during his army service in Egypt.

Sgt.Sandy Sanderson comments: "When I'm on guard, everyone sleeps soundly – including myself"	Here's me inviting Sandy Sanderson,(right), touring UK fandom while on leave, to explore the Carlton Avenue Mangrove Swamp.

Eric Needham took a break from cleaning windows during the summer of 1955, zooming off on his Douglas motorbike to Torquay to see Nigel Lindsay and enjoy the hospitality of the Happy Fans & Lamp-shade Makers; and nipping to Lincoln, calling at the Mercatorial Caravan parked at 434/4 Newark Road, to bestow RFV&SDS membership on Archie Mercer, for services rendered. Archie Mercer & the celebrated Mercatorial Caravan, his residence at the time of Eric Needham's visit.

Sole © RFV&SDS, 2009.