1974 UK Star Trek Convention George Takei (Sulu) Q&A Session Audio&Pics

On the weekend of 28 & 29 September 1974, I attended the first UK Star Trek Convention, organised by Jenny (the President) and Terry (the Treasurer) Elson, who ran STAG (Star Trek Action Group). The venue was the Abbey Motor Hotel in Leicester and we got to stay in the same hotel as the guest stars, who were George Takei and James Doohan. Due to work commitments, William Shatner was unable to attend, but Jenny recorded a message from him over the phone and played it at the Convention (see separate item in my video list).
I took my Zenith B manual SLR camera and light meter with me, but only managed to get a few photos, some of which are blurred, as I had to squeeze through the crowd and quickly take the pictures. There was no autofocus or automatic exposure settings back then. You just had to adjust the settings on your camera for the available light, try to quickly focus, click and hope when you got your photos back from the processing lab, there were some not too bad ones. If you step back from your screen, they do look a wee bit better.
As well as this, I also took my portable audio cassette recorder, which took tapes running for 90 minutes (45 minutes each side, which you took out and turned over to continue recording). This is why in the closing Q&A, I didn't get the end of James's explanation about how Gene Roddenbery was writing the script for a new Star Trek Film and the process involved. I had run out of tape and had to take the tape out, turn it over and click record. So I missed the end of it.
If I could only hijack a Starship, do a slingshot round the sun and go back in time, I would take my phone with me and get crisp clear photos, audio and video in 8K, and not have to worry about running out of tape!!!. Technology has certainly improved tremendously since the 70'S.
The Convention was glorious and both George and James were on brilliant form, so friendly and outgoing. We also got a song from James, a Canadian, playing a Scotsman, but singing Welsh!!!.
Jenny, Terry and their magnificent helpers did an absolutely magnificent job, bearing in mind it was the first ever UK Convention and they had to make on the spot decisions as it progressed. The British Team spirit at it's best.
The proceeds from the event went to the World Wildlife Fund and we all went into the Stratosphere!!!.
I hope these edited sound recordings give you a flavour of this wonderous event.
My grateful thanks go to Jenny and Terry Elson, George Takei and the late James Doohan, and to all those who participated in the event, for giving a then 18 year old the best weekend ever.
Live Long and Prosper,
Bill.