Ottakar's is proud to announce the inaugural meeting of the Isle of Wight Fortean Society, in association with Fortean Times. The IWFS is being founded by local Fortean Times contributor, writer Jack Phoenix, and his friend, composer James Nye, who also works part time at Ottakar's bookshop. The Society, membership of which is free, is named after the American poet of the peculiar and philosopher of strange phenomena, Charles Fort (1874-1932). The IWFS is privileged to welcome the founder of Fortean Times, Bob Rickard, distinguished author Dr Robert Anton Wilson, and fortean actor and writer Ken Campbell as Honorary Members.
The IWFS, which will meet to discuss strange phenomena and to receive talks by distinguished guests, is to be launched on 23rd July, which was officially proclaimed Robert Anton Wilson Day by the Mayor of Santa Cruz, California where Dr Wilson currently lives.
Forteans are united by a quest for knowledge, an interest in the strange and anomalous, and a dissatisfaction with (and scepticism with regard to) conventional paradigms and explanations, whether they be conventional scientific, religious, philosophical, or cultural. But anyone with an inquiring mind who has an interest in science, mythology, popular folklore, religion, psychology, UFOs, aliens, magic etc is welcome to join.
The first meeting of the Society is a talk at Ottakar's, Newport, Isle of Wight on Thursday 29th July at 6:30pm by Fortean Times contributor Mike Jay. Tickets for the talk, available from Ottakar's Newport, Isle of Wight, cost just £3. Mike's book The Air Loom Gang has just been published in paperback to critical acclaim. The book describes the case of James Tilly Matthews, a Welsh tea merchant and idealist who got involved in French Revolutionary politics. After incarceration by the French, Matthews returned home suffering from the delusion that his mind was being influenced by a nefarious gang of 'pneumatic chemists' who operated a mesmeric 'Air Loom'. Matthews, who also harboured an obsession for cabbage cultivation, was a patient at the infamous Bedlam hospital, and his is the first recorded case of the 'influencing machine delusion.'
The talk promises to be extremely interesting, and Mike Jay will sign copies of his many books, and answer questions from the audience. For more information, pop into Ottakar's, or call the IWFS via their website, www.frogboy.freeuk.com
For more information, telephone James Nye at Ottakar's on (01983) 527927 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday only)
or email Jack Phoenix.
For more information on Mike Jay's talk, click here.
To see the poster for The Air Loom Gang talk, click here .
The Isle of Wight County Press reported the launch of the IWFS on 23rd July, 2004. Unfortunately they got confused: the Society was launched on 23rd, but there was no event; James and Jack were in East Cowes performing Tuvan ovetone-singing to the frogs in James's pond, and swapping cheese anecdotes with Rabbi Burns. The first IWFS event is Mike Jay's talk on 29th July. 
Click here to go to the IWFS bookshop
Visit the website of Robert Anton Wilson
Click here to go back to Frogweb homepage
Copyright © 2004 James Nye, Jack Phoenix, Rabbi Burns