FAQs

What happens at Aetherica?

We hope to attract a wide range of people, and the programming will reflect that diversity. During the day, you'll be able to attend lectures on presentations ranging from literary analysis and cultural studies to science, or panels and roundtable discussions on almost any aspect of fantasy you can think of. There will also be less formal activities, including craft-based workshops and a teambuilding games, all with a fantastical theme. Evening entertainment will also be provided, with a ceilidh on the first night and a disco on the second.

And if none of that takes your fancy, there's always the bar full of fellow fans. You can attend as much or as little of the programming as you choose, so the experience can be whatever you make it

Of course, if there's anything in particular you'd like to see, or if you have an idea for something you'd like to run yourself, drop us a line and we'll try to work it in.

When is Aetherica?

Aetherica will run from Friday June 19th – Sunday June 21st 2009. Registration will open on Thursday evening, and events will be finished by Sunday afternoon.

How do I book for Aetherica?

You can either fill in the online registration form or contact membership [at] aetherica [dot] org for a paper form.

What payment methods do you accept?

We can take payment by credit/debit card, Paypal, bank transfer, cheque or postal order. Cheques must be in pounds sterling, and we can only accept UK postal orders. Full details of where and how to send payment are on the payment options page.

When do the prices go up?

The starting rate of £35 applies until 16th November 2008 (inclusive). The price will then rise to £45 until 13rd April 2009 (inclusive), then rise again to £55.

There are discounted prices for juniors under 18 and children under 5 as of 19 June 2009.

Membership types Until 16 Nov. 2008 From 17 Nov. to 13 Apr. 2009 From 14 Apr.
Full £35 £45 £55
Junior under 18 £25 £25 £25
Infants under 5 £5 £5 £5
Supporting £20 £20 £20
What's the deadline for booking?

At this stage, the intention is to close booking on May 31st 2009; however, this is subject to change depending on demand.

What do I do if I have to cancel?

Aetherica memberships are non-refundable. However, you can transfer your registration to someone else, and we do not charge for this. Once you've found someone to buy your membership (you can ask on our forum), simply let the Membership Secretary know and we'll amend our records.

Can my children attend?

Anyone can attend Aetherica, but anyone under 18 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Under-18s must be signed up by their parent/guardian for legal reasons.

Please note that while there will be programming suitable for children, most of the event will be aimed at adults. There may also be adult-themed programming in the evenings. These will be clearly marked and it is the parent/guardian's responsibility to ensure that their child is not exposed to anything inappropriate.

At this stage, there are no plans to organise a crèche. However, this may be considered should demand and budget allow it. If you are would like to help with this, please contact us.

Why do I have to give a badge name?

Everyone attending Aetherica will be issued with a badge on arrival. Badges must be worn at all times in the conference areas, so that we know that everybody who is there should be there. You can choose to have an informal name or pseudonym on your badge if you like - if so, enter this as your Badge Name on the registration form.

What is supporting membership?

A supporting member receives all of the pre-event publications by email, as well as the contents of the registration pack by post after the event; however, they are not entitled to attend the event. If you register as a supporting member and later decide to attend, you will only need to pay the difference between the current membership rate and the supporting rate, so this is a good option if you would like to receive all the information but cannot yet commit to attending. Receiving money in advance also helps us to meet expenses early on!

What is Apocryphal membership and can I have one?

An Apocryphal membership allows you to get a convention badge for your soft toy or other inanimate companion. We are not selling these in advance, but they will be available on the day priced at eleventy-one pence (£1.11).

Can I turn up without joining in advance?

Day memberships will be available at the con. The cost will be announced closer to the time, but it will be higher than the cost of joining in advance.

Can I stay elsewhere?

The convention is being held in Chester's city centre, so there are lots of options for alternative accommodation. There are currently no official overflow hotels, but these may be added at a later date depending on demand.

Can I smoke at Aetherica?

All of the function space and most of the hotel rooms are strictly non-smoking, including the bars and restaurants. If you require a smoking bedroom, you should specify this when booking your room. Please note that room allocations are handled by the hotel and are nothing to do with the committee.

How do I get to Aetherica?

The easiest way to travel is by train, as the hotel is located about a mile away from Chester station. If you choose to drive, the parking is limited, although there is an overflow car park nearby, and there is a charge of £7.50 per day. The closest airports are Manchester and Liverpool. More detail is available on our travel page, and you can find travelling companions on the forum.

What should I wear?

Midsummer is no guarantee of good weather in England, so if you plan to venture outside of the convention hotel you should come prepared for varied and unpredictable weather. Inside the hotel, layers are advisable due to the oddities inherent in hotel air conditioning systems when there are large groups of people moving around.

Aetherica has no dress code. A lot of people like to come to conventions in costume, and we're all for that. However, it's by no means compulsory; lots of people prefer not to. The most important thing is that you're comfortable, whether that means formal dress, jeans and t-shirts, or as a pink dragon with yellow polka dots.

What meals are available?

The hotel restaurant will offer a special cheap menu for convention members. The times and menu details will be provided in your registration pack. In addition, there will be cheap snacks available from the bars. Outside of meal hours, the hotel restaurant will offer its usual menu.

There are also numerous restaurants in the local area, but we do urge you to use the hotel facilities as much as possible since this reduces the cost of our function space. The more you spend in the bar and restaurant, the more likely it is that we'll be able to produce a shiny souvenir book after the convention!

Does the hotel have wheelchair access?

The hotel has lifts and all programming items will be wheelchair accessible. If you require a specially adapted room, please let the hotel know when making your booking. You should try to book your accommodation as early as possible, as the number of accessible rooms is limited.

How do I suggest/offer a programming item?

Simply drop us a line at .

Can I book a dealer table?

We have a lovely big space available for dealers and encourage anything of interest to fantasy fans. Full details are available on our dealers page.

Can I help?

Offers of assistance are always greatly appreciated, as Aetherica is run entirely by volunteers in their free time. You can offer your services by ticking the box on your membership form or contacting us at .