I asked Gary Nottingham, conference organiser, how the whole thing began, this is what he had to say in reply, as he cast his mind back over the last six years or so to the very start of the conference:
“The Esoteric Conference & Occult Book Fair came about in 2004 after a visit to the second hand book capital of Hay On Wye. I’d spent a day there hunting for occult works, where sometimes I had successfully found obscure books which I had been keeping an eye open for.
However, it occurred to me at this time, that it was a pity that someone had not thought of gathering together the second hand occult book sellers in one place for the day, and what an interesting event that could be. Suddenly the idea was born. During a conversation with Andrew Chumbley who was supportive of the idea, he agreed to speak at the first one. Sadly, this was not to be as he died a couple of days before the event went ahead. That meant a change to the speakers, and although a second speaker rang me on the morning to say that he would not be attending, a replacement was found at very short notice.
The day was meant to be a ‘one-off’ event and I was finding things a little fraught, particularly as the week previously a local pagan, who had a semi-famous Dad on the Gardnerian scene years ago, managed to get on to the front page of the local newspaper, the South Shropshire Journal. He went on to say that he was organising the event, which was supposedly all about him! Can you believe it?
This resulted in a barrage of complaints to the management of the venue from various Christian groups trying to get it stopped! It has always been my policy to avoid the media, so to put it mildly I was less than pleased with the coverage and the subsequent fuss.
The Assembly Rooms management were a little perturbed as to what I was planning after reading this, and the level of hassle that they were getting, so when I explained what the day was exactly about, they were clear that the venue was for everyone, which being funded by public money was quite right. But I did think that this was going to be the last and only one.
However this is the sixth event and I say every time that it is the last, but it keeps on going! Although some members of the Shropshire and Mid Wales Pagan community have expressed disappointment that I haven’t given it up, as they have made it quite clear to me that they wanted to run things!
The jealousy that the success of this event has caused is unfortunate, but I take it as a compliment. And, it does have it’s moments; as some may recall.
Last year, Ken Rees and his talk on ‘The Regency’, which was not appreciated by some members of the group (who were present by my invitation) had a stand up row between themselves, and Ken Rees. This resulted in myself getting caught in the verbal flak, which all parties concerned have apologised to me for, however, some folks found it highly entertaining!
Having said that, I have been pleased with the level of support that it does get, and how far people will travel to come to the event. Some people come from all parts of the UK, and so do the speakers and stall holders.
A couple of years ago, Daniel Schulke, who is the Magister of the Cultus Sabbati, spoke at the conference, which was quite a coup, as such activity is not their usual thing.
A last minute change to the speakers this year has taken place with the welcome addition of Stephen Skinner, who is speaking on the Key of Solomon. This means that folks get six speakers for the price of five, and speakers, I might add of noted quality with subjects that you do not normally hear about.
Whist South Shropshire is an out of the way place, it is sadly, one of the last unspoilt places in England, and in it’s self is well worth a visit, not only for it’s natural beauty, but also for the amount of standing stones, ancient circles and hill forts that are so common.
Not forgetting, of course, the Clun Green Man Festival which I had a hand in starting some ten years ago. Those of you who do find your way here I can assure you of an interesting day in some inspiring countryside!”
Indeed! Thank you Gary, and may I say that South Shropshire is a beautiful contrast to my native North Shropshire; the softly rolling hills of the South, quite feminine in their picturesque beauty, give way to the flat masculine Shropshire plain as it makes it’s way north to the Welsh foot hills of the Berwyns. A county of the best of both worlds perhaps, or a complete county of all that is favourable to our ilk. Which ever way, Ludlow, with it’s unspoilt beauty, is a wonderful place in which to begin to explore this wonderful county, and home to what many say is the best occult conference in the land, thanks to Mr Nottingham.
Long may it continue too!
©Gary Nottingham & Cymraes 2009. All rights reserved.
