Greetings Fellow Nerds and Gemmell Fans!
This weekend I went along to GemmellFest. This was to honour and remember the late, great David Gemmell and his work in fantasy fiction. Primarily his Drenai and Rigante novels.
GemmellFest started from a Facebook group, the members being fans of David's work and life. The main members of the group being Gary and Anna, (I probably missed a few other Admin who helped too). The event was strengthened by David's own daughter Kate attending and helping the event.
First we met up at ...
The Royal Armories - Leeds.
It was my first time there and I was very impressed. Firstly by the size of the building, as it was a maze! I was also astounded my how much weaponry they had from around the world, from different times. It was also free entry.
At the Royal Armories there is also the chance to enter the Crossbow Challenge.
I think most of the group had a go at the challenge and for my first time I did well and actually hit the target without killing anyone.
We then made our way to the hotel where most of the group were staying and the place where GemmellFest would take place.
Weetwood Hall Hotel
Located near Leeds/Bradford Airport on the outskirts of Leeds, Weetwood Hall Hotel was very nice and posh. It was different to the usual Premier Inn I stay at in Derby for Edge-Lit.
With a Brasserie restaurant and separate Pub called the Stables Pub for entertainment and where GemmellFest took place.
It was entertaining in the taxi to the hotel seeing all the drunk students in fancy dress heading towards Leeds City Centre.
GemmellFest 2026 and Stables Pub.
After some dinner we made our way to the rear courtyard and to the Stables Pub, obviously they used to be stables at one point and we're a fitting venue for the event.
At the event itself there was much drinking and we had other people's raffle tickets, so we had to find them and was a great way to break the ice and get chatting. Even though names were probably forgotten.
I remember Sean, another Neil, Anna, Gary, Suze, Kate and many Marks.
The event had some great food plus the main reason for it was the raffles. One held online for those who couldn't attend and one for those there. Prizes included signed David Gemmell books, art and the axe Snaga.
It also launched the new fan based web site https://davidgemmell.com
We also got to pose with the axe Snaga (no one was maimed or killed as far as we know) and wear David's hat.
It was an incredible weekend with lots of drinking and making new friends that are fans of David's work.
Luckily I wasn't too rough and managed breakfast the next day, and get a photo with David's daughter Kate. A big thanks to all the organisers.
I'm off to finish my re-read of Legend and hopefully see everyone and newcomers next year at GemmellFest 2027!
Neil x
