Brum or Bust

The event is organised by the UK branch of OGAE (the initials stand for something French and complicated about an organisation dedicated to liking Eurovision) and you'll find an OGAE in every country which broadcasts the Contest - and even those which don't.

This year the convention guests include Bill Martin, the songwriter who co-wrote Briatin's very first Eurovision winner in 1967 - Sandie Shaw's Puppet on a String. Bill and his partner Phil Coulter came back the following year with Cliff's Congratulations - but lost out by one point, either due to cloth-eared jurors sat in Ireland and Yugoslavia, or the machinations of General Franco (choose your own theory).

Bill's fellow guest represents the opposite end of UK Eurovision history. Gemma Abbey was the female half of Jemini - and you don't need Boom Bang a Blog to tell you how many points that act scored (or didn't score) in Latvia five years ago.

It will be interesting to see what sort of reception Gemma gets from the hardcore British fans, especially as they are frequently incensed (perhaps rightly so) at the lack of care and attention the BBC gives the UK selection process.

Boom Bang a Blog won't be there for that bit, but I will try to dance to Shady Lady without spilling my Babycham. Look out for next week's BBaB instalments - there may be photographic evidence.

In the meantime, here's Bill's Eurovision winner (including the moment the hostess forgot to call in the last jury as the UK was so far ahead and a shell-shocked Sandie Shaw had to be practically dragged to the stage to perform her winning reprise) - and Jemini's last placer, where it would be frankly painful to include any moments from the voting - to keep you entertained.

That was then...

...this is now.