Xtreme xstacy at XTC xtravaganza

From the archive, first published Monday 3rd Oct 2005.

MELISSA Mileham travelled from Australia to Swindon because she thinks there is something mystical about our town.

And Greg Singer, from Minnesota in the USA, spent £2,000 getting here for a long weekend.

They are not mad and they are not alone ­ they are just dedicated XTC fans.

This weekend more than 200 people came from across the world to sample the atmosphere of Old Town, as part of The Meeting Place 2005, a gathering of fans devoted to the Swindon band.

Orit Friedland, 50, lives near Tel Aviv in Israel. She worked on the organising committee for the weekend and looked back at an emotional few days.

She said: "It has been a completely unique experience, and a privilege to be involved.

"The committee and I have done a lot of work and it is sometimes tiring.

"However, I have never been to such an event where you get the chance to meet such different people from all over the world in a spirit of friendship."

The convention opened on Friday with a get-together at the Moonrakers pub, where mega fan, poet and musician Martin Newell performed.

On Saturday afternoon there was a quiz, memorabilia exhibition and charity auction at the Spot Bar in Old Town, before the main entertainment ­ a gig performed by XTC tribute band X-sTatiC at The Furnace nightclub in Comeercial Road.

Greg, 38, visited Swindon from America in 2003 and wanted to come back for more.

He said: "When I heard that this event was going on, I just had to be here.

"We have been made to feel so welcome, and the organisers have been fantastic."

He is a fan of the tribute act, and tried in the past to get them to appear nearer his home.

He said: "I love X-sTatiC and even asked them to come to Minnesota to play. Unfortunately, not many people in America have heard of them."

On Sunday members of the XTC Forum website travelled to the White Horse at Uffington, which holds special significance for 39-year-old Melissa and which is pictured on the cover of an album.

The Melbourne resident loves the atmosphere in and around the town.

She said: "For us, there is a mystique about Swindon.

"Swindon has the essential English atmosphere, and through XTC many of us feel like we know the place."

XTC bass player Colin Moulding, 49, is amazed that the band has inspired such a following.

He said: "I can't ever remember travelling further than the Colston Hall in Bristol to see a band I liked and these people are travelling all the way to Swindon and we won't actually be playing.

"It is amazingly flattering and tremendously humbling."

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