Could UFO conference turn Hastings into paranormal hotspot? - Paranormal Conferences and Events-Europe and UK

Could UFO conference turn Hastings into paranormal hotspot?
27 May 2009
By Richard Morris
Rye & Battle Observer

Alien abductees, ghost groupies, Nessie hunters and paranormal buffs could be set to descend on Hastings for an America-style UFO conference.
A local expert in the paranormal is hoping to turn 1066 Country into the UK's very own Area 51 by staging a high profile international conference somewhere in Hastings.

Malcolm Robinson - who is considered one of the world authorities on the Loch Ness Monster and recently became the first Scotsman to lecture on the paranormal on US soil - believes Hastings would be the perfect setting for such an event.

And, together with members of his Strange Phenomena Investigations group, Mr Robinson hopes to meet with Hastings Borough Council with a view to starting the conference in October 2010.

Speaking exclusively to The Observer, Mr Robinson said: "My intentions are to bring some of the top noted speakers from the UK, down to Hastings for a one day conference on all things weird and wonderful.

"The subjects we would cover would be as diverse as, UFOs, ghosts, poltergeists, crop circles, and a whole lot more.

"Hastings is a mystical town with many ghost stories and haunted places, staging an event in Hastings would be of interest for locals.

"I feel that a conference of this nature would show the people that once you have got rid of all the nonsense and misleading information that is certainly abound with the subject of UFOs and the paranormal, that there is indeed some very real and genuine incidents which defy (at this time) explanation."

Mr Robinson also said he hoped the timing of the conference would provide a much needed out-of-season boost to the local economy by attracting UFO addicts from across the UK.

Early whispers coming from the town hall suggest it is certainly something which would appeal to Hastings Borough Council.

A spokesman for the local authority said: "We would be more than happy to meet with the organisers and help them find a suitable conference venue.

"We welcome a huge diversity of people to Hastings, UFO spotters and all and of course anything that attracts paying and staying visitors is something that I would be interested in supporting."

Both the White Rock Theatre and the iconic St Mary-in-the-Castle have already been earmarked as possible venues.

For those of you who cannot wait until next October, Mr Robinson holds bi-monthly lectures at the Bourne Hall. For more details, or to let Mr Robinson know of any strange experiences you have had, write to: East Sussex UFO and Paranormal Conference, Flat 5, Unicorn House, Croft Road, Hastings, TN34 3HE.