(previously unpublished review 1990)
In its own grounds surrounded by lush greenery and weird fern things,
the Imperial Hotel is just the perfect place for Exo-Space! The event may not
have been the biggest event of the year but in place of hype and hoopla we
instead had a fun, intimate and friendly time where one felt like the committee
wanted us to be there for reasons other than balancing the books. It fits in
neatly with Exeter itself which has a fresh, exuberant high street, the
splendour of a cathedral and lots of those tea shops you normally see in small
country villages. The Imperial nestles amidst hills and slopes above the main
railway station and not too far from the University.
Problems? Exo-Space had them by the cartload. The tragic death of Graham
Williams, the late change of venue, the fierce competitiveness of the 1990
convention calendar and even changes of main hall between Saturday and Sunday.
Despite the open and relaxed mood the sadness of Graham Williams' death was
far from forgotten, especially for those of us who'd met him. I’d had the pleasure
of interviewing him some five years ago and found him to be charming, modest
and great company in one crowded convention hall that day. He'd been scheduled to headline this event and it was re-organised as a tribute.
