Greg Pickersgill
Encyclopedia
Greg Pickersgill, born in Haverfordwest
, Wales
in 1951, is an influential British
science fiction fan
. He lived in London
between 1971 and 1992, then returned to Haverfordwest.
Pickersgill's love of science fiction
led him into UK fandom
where his influence has been substantial, spanning fan-writing and convention-running. He joined the BSFA in 1967, a week too late for that year's only convention. His fanzine
s include Fouler, Ritblat, Stop Breaking Down, and Rastus Johnson's Cakewalk. Convention activities include developing British fanrooms in the 1970s, fanrooms at the 1987 and 1995 Worldcon
s and the 2000 Eastercon
, and a key role in the Mexicons of the 1980s. He created the Memory Hole (a combined permanent fanzine collection and redistribution system), the former Memory Hole internet forum (for discussing reading, collecting and archiving science fiction fanzines) and helped set up The Mexicon Hat (a charitable fund to assist projects related to British fandom; beneficiaries included the journal Critical Wave
).
A collection of Pickersgill's writing for fanzines, Can't Get Off the Island, was published to coincide with his guest appearance at the 2005 World Science Fiction Convention, Interaction
.
His other interests include British jazz and military helmets.
Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest is the county town of Pembrokeshire, Wales and serves as the County's principal commercial and administrative centre. Haverfordwest is the most populous urban area in Pembrokeshire, with a population of 13,367 in 2001; though its community boundaries make it the second most populous...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
in 1951, is an influential British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
science fiction fan
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
. He lived in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
between 1971 and 1992, then returned to Haverfordwest.
Pickersgill's love of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
led him into UK fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
where his influence has been substantial, spanning fan-writing and convention-running. He joined the BSFA in 1967, a week too late for that year's only convention. His fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
s include Fouler, Ritblat, Stop Breaking Down, and Rastus Johnson's Cakewalk. Convention activities include developing British fanrooms in the 1970s, fanrooms at the 1987 and 1995 Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
s and the 2000 Eastercon
Eastercon
Eastercon is the common name for the British national science fiction convention. From 1948 until the 1960s, the convention was held over the three-day Whitsun bank holiday at the end of May. Since then it has been held over the four-day Easter holiday weekend...
, and a key role in the Mexicons of the 1980s. He created the Memory Hole (a combined permanent fanzine collection and redistribution system), the former Memory Hole internet forum (for discussing reading, collecting and archiving science fiction fanzines) and helped set up The Mexicon Hat (a charitable fund to assist projects related to British fandom; beneficiaries included the journal Critical Wave
Critical Wave
Critical Wave, later subtitled "The European Science Fiction & Fantasy Review", is a British small-press magazine, initially published and co-edited by Steve Green and Martin Tudor during the period 1987-96...
).
A collection of Pickersgill's writing for fanzines, Can't Get Off the Island, was published to coincide with his guest appearance at the 2005 World Science Fiction Convention, Interaction
63rd World Science Fiction Convention
The 63rd World Science Fiction Convention was called Interaction, and was held in Glasgow, Scotland 4–8 August 2005. The event was also the Eurocon. The Venue for the 63rd Worldcon was the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre with the attached Clyde Auditorium and Moat House Hotel...
.
His other interests include British jazz and military helmets.
Awards and honours
- Doc Weir AwardEasterconEastercon is the common name for the British national science fiction convention. From 1948 until the 1960s, the convention was held over the three-day Whitsun bank holiday at the end of May. Since then it has been held over the four-day Easter holiday weekend...
(1978) - TransAtlantic Fan FundTransAtlantic Fan FundThe Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund, often known as TAFF, was created in 1953 for the purpose of providing funds to bring well-known and popular members of science fiction fandom familiar to fans on both sides of the ocean, across the Atlantic.-History:...
winner (1986) - Fan GoH: Follycon (EasterconEasterconEastercon is the common name for the British national science fiction convention. From 1948 until the 1960s, the convention was held over the three-day Whitsun bank holiday at the end of May. Since then it has been held over the four-day Easter holiday weekend...
, 1988) - Nova AwardNovaconNovacon is an annual science fiction convention, usually held each November in the West Midlands, UK. It is now the annual convention of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.-History:...
for Fanzine and Fanwriter (1994) - GoH: Interaction63rd World Science Fiction ConventionThe 63rd World Science Fiction Convention was called Interaction, and was held in Glasgow, Scotland 4–8 August 2005. The event was also the Eurocon. The Venue for the 63rd Worldcon was the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre with the attached Clyde Auditorium and Moat House Hotel...
(WorldconWorldconWorldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
2005)