For many, the 1995 convention set a gold standard for subsequent conventions to live up to. Building on traditions established at preceding conventions, members of the New England Wodehouse Thingummy Society threw themselves into the task of making sure everybody who came to Boston had a good time—and succeeded admirably. There were so many highlights it is impossible to list them all, but here are a few: a nighttime tour of Boston; a place to watch episodes of Wodehouse Playhouse; the “Chapters Corner,” which allowed chapters to strut their stuff; a plethora of music, dancing, and games, including one called “Pot the Bending Baxter”; a Blandings Castle reading of “Pig-hoo-o-o-ey!” that brought the house down; the first of many original NEWTS skits to come; a day and a half of talks (the only time that has been done), capped by Hal Cazalet’s superb selection of Wodehouse songs (his rendition of “Sonny Boy” had us cheering); Norman Murphy’s presentation to the society of a tea bell from the Wembley Exhibition; beautiful hand-printed programs from Doug and Margaret Stow; establishment of an official closing brunch at the convention hotel; and an ineffable sense of joy throughout the weekend.
See the full report of this convention in Plum Lines, Volume 16, No. 4 (Winter 1995)
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