At the beginning of the 21st Century monsters still roam the remote, and sometimes not so remote, corners of our planet. It is our job to search for them. The Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ] is - we believe - the largest professional, scientific and full-time organisation in the world dedicated to cryptozoology - the study of unknown animals. Since 1992 the CFZ has carried out an unparalleled programme of research and investigation all over the world. Since 2009 we have been running the increasingly popular CFZ Blog Network, and although there has been an American branch of the CFZ for over ten years now, it is only now that it has a dedicated blog.

Wednesday, 24 August 2016

WEIRD WEEKEND SPEAKERS

At Weird Weekend 2016 we had the usual eclectic collection of speakers.  Subjects included the history of the Punch and Judy Show, retro-causation, the Sumatra expedition to find Orang Pendek, the history of the Southampton UFO Group, autonomous spaces, etc.  John Hare missed the bus, unfortunately, so we didn't hear his talk on were-tigers.   Meals and cakes were supplied by the Small School and I can especially commend the cake made by Chloë Gray, of which I consumed four slices.

 Of chief interest to American readers was probably the lecture by Jackie Tonks on her Bigfoot encounter.  She saw a brace of Bigfoot and wondered at first if they were costumed hoaxers until one of them broke wind in an explosive manner which was beyond the capacity of a human being.
Jackie Tonks
 An interesting facet of this encounter was that Jackie did not feel the full psychological impact of the unusual nature of the experience until a few days afterwards.

 Music was provided by Marianne Holland, whose voice showed a wonderful range.
Marianne Holland

 We heard about the monsters of Norse lore from veteran cryptozoologist Lars Thomas.  In the picture below you can see him behaving in an outrageous manner with Janet Walkley.  A sober looking elderly cryptozoologist looks on.
Lars Thomas tickles Janet's fancy.

 There may be those who think the Weird Weekend should be a more somber occasion, but one of its many virtues is the general air of mirth and merriment that pervades it.  Jonathan Downes worked his ass off in preparing this one, but he suggested that this would be the last in its present format.  However, next year there is Weird Weekend North and there is also Weird Weekend Scandinavia in Copenhagen.  

Jonathan's Ass (worked off).
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