Sci Fi South Collectors - July 2, 2011 at Eastleigh, Southampton.

Due to the fact that I have been working on a film, I was unable to travel down and stay the night before, so Pam Rose and myself drove down on the day in record time. I was up at 3.30 a.m., in order to shift the old carcass through the shower and get the first train to Victoria, where I had arranged with Pam to meet. My grateful thanks to Pam for her fantastic driving and cheerful company, as always!

On arrival. we bumped immediately into David Tarrant, the organiser of the event, who dropped everything to conduct us through two large halls to our tables and set his helpers to look after us with food and drinks. Much appreciated indeed David - thank you!

David Tarrant and pilot.

As the doors opened, a flood of people came through and the main hall was soon teeming with visitors! There was an excellent selection of traders and the Milton Keynes Garrison of the 501st and the Galactic Knights were also in attendance, with many other droid owners and costumed characters. Of course, the kids were in seventh heaven with so much to see and I felt slightly sorry for the parents and their wallets! LOL

Peter Roy and the swelling crowds. Colin Baker beyond Peter.

Pam was presented with an Honorary membership certificate by the Milton Keynes Garrison and Kay Power Mcgowan, on her first signing ever, was kept hard-pressed by collectors and fans alike! I knew you would enjoy it Kaye! :)

Pam receiving her certificate from the MKG and Ted Western signing beyond.

The only point detracting from the event was the heat in the hall, due mainly to such a press of flesh - I am sure that better air-con would have made it more comfortable for all attending. But, that in itself is testimony to the popularity of the show!

The solar-powered waving Queen I had first shown in Stockholm came again to display her support of the 501st, but unfortunately I couldn't find her original helmet, so a substitute had to be found - a tad large, but you have to admit that she's a trooper! LOL

I had great fun chatting with the kids and their parents, as well as the fans and other guests. One young man who made an impression was a lad called Willis Clarke! He was full of enthusiasm and his Mum was dead proud of him, as he had been featured singing on http://www.madametussauds.com/London/About/MerlinsMagicWand/Default.aspx, a charity for disadvantaged children. He and his brother found their way to every guest's table and got them to sign their toy lightsabres and, of course, walked away with many free photos signed! :) Great kids and a credit to their Mum!

David and his helpers were very solicitous and we were looked after handsomely. I managed to get a brief overview as I walked back from signing David's Millennium Falcon for him in the 2nd hall after lunch, where many of the static exhibits were to be found, including the Tardis, the Back to the Future DeLorean, a NY PD police car and the General Lee from Dukes of Hazard. There was also a reptile exhibit with some very pampered lizards! LOL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnK8GJOtGp4

 

Back into the main hall I turned on the camera again to catch the line-up of guests I passed on the way to my own table - and this but one side of the hall!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAjU9Y7dBP8

As the day progressed, many of the guests got up and took the chance to wander and see what was occurring. I had a visit from Dave Prowse in his wheelchair after surgery, who was looking very chirpy and happy to be back with the fans. It was such a pleasure to see him free fro pain at last! Jeremy Bulloch stopped by to talk to me about my forthcoming trip to Dallas and the Star Wars Fan Days Con organised by Ben Stevens and Official Pix and. There were interviews being conducted with guests for the organiser's website and when it came to Barrie Holland's turn, Richard Bonehill came over frequently as he was timing Barrie in his effusive talk, offering the loud and cheery advice that the camera was losing the light! Nothing phased Barrie, though! As I have said before - a consumate professional! :)

So, a hearty congratulations to David and his team for putting on a bigger and even better event than last year, with a great atmosphere and laughter! The fans will look forward to and flock to the next, without any doubt!!!

3 Darths Comics, The Harvey Centre, Harlow, Essex.

I attended an exceptionally well-organised signing on Saturday the 30th April in Harlow in the company of Pam Rose, Brian and Lindsay Muir, Dave Prowse, Warwick Davis and Gerald Home. 

The event is actually spread over three days with a variety of guests appearing - some all three days and others two or one (like myself):

-Alan Flyng (Saturday only)
-Brian Muir (Saturday & Sunday)
-Danny John-Jules (Cancelled due to Work Commitments)
-Gerald Home (Saturday, Sunday & Monday)
-John-Paul Bove (Sunday & Monday)
-Marc Silk (Sunday & Monday)
-Pam Rose (Saturday & Sunday)
-Rusty Goffe (Sunday & Monday)
-Spencer Wilding (Monday only)
-Warwick Davis (Saturday only)

The 3 Darths Comics Store being trooped by members of the UK Garison. The signing taking place below in the atrium of the Harvey Centre. Nick, Proprietor of 3 Darths, is pictured in the foreground.

The event was also attended and trooped by members of the UK Garison, who were quite an attraction to the kids present and their parents. The good-natured ribbing by the local youths won over many onlookers and we, the signers were fully engaged with the public all day.

Pam Rose signing in front of the posters produced for the event.

The classic 501st Stormtrooper pose with a member of the public. Good troop guys! Thankyou all.

I must thank Nick, Proprietor of 3 Darths for the invitation to attend and the members of the 501st for their great hospitality. I look forward to having another chance to attend on another occasion.

Return to the Star Wars Fan Fun Day - Burnley F.C.. May 3, 2010.

When Derek Lyons, an old friend and fellow veteran of Star Wars, called me and first mentioned that we might both be invited to appear as guests at this event, my imagination momentarily went haywire, as I imagined some sort of Star Wars-themed Jeux sans Frontieres/Spiele ohne Grenzen/It's Knockout event!!! My discombobulation was calmed, however, during a call from Neil Livesey, the affable, well-organised and indefatigable originator of this event!

The excellent event poster.

The day before the event, I picked up Derek and Pam Rose to drive up to Lancashire. The drive was fun with lots of chatter and the trademark of any get-together of actors - laughter! On arrival at our hotel we were met by other guests and immediately proceeded, as actors do, to turn the hotel bar into a Green Room and the laughter grew. There assembled were Dave Prowse, Jeremy Bulloch and his wife, Brian Muir and his wife, Paul Blake and Gerald Home as well as us three. In  due course, our numbers swelled further and we were taken to dinner.

Dave Prowse, myself, Brian Muir, Jeremy Bulloch, Derek Lyons, Paul Blake, Gerald Home with Neil Livesey and         Pam Rose in front, on the floor.

  The following day we were collected together and taken to the venue - the Burnley F.C. Football Club within whose stadium the event was to be held. Neil and his family and helpers had decorated the venue fantastically and we were stationed in a long line in front of picture windows overlooking the football pitch.

Pam Rose and Derek Lyons at their tables with the Burnley F.C. pitch in view behind them.

As the day proceeded, we and the very large crowd of visitors were entertained and amused by the costume groups from the 99th Garrison and the Rebel Alliance. The kids present, many in costume, had a whale of a time, offering combat with their toy lightsabers to Jedi and Stormtrooper alike - in fact anyone! LOL!!! I was particularly amused by one youngster - maybe 3 or 4 years old, who was fascinated by a Stormtrooper who had placed himself to guard me. He resisted moving until the little lad went for his crutch!!! I grabbed my ancient camera and made a shaky mpeg. of their interaction...

A young costumed Jedi challenges a Stormtrooper's resolve to stand firm...

Fearless...

...and not alone! :o)

We were kept pretty busy all day and ended the day with a charity auction, to which we had all contributed, followed by a group photo with some of the costumers and a reluctant Neil!

The guest line-up with costumers from the 99th Garrison and Rebel Legion. The final list includes from left to right: Pam Rose, Brian Muir, myself, John Chapman, Ted Western, Derek Lyons, Dave Prowse, Neil Livesey - organiser, Jeremy Bulloch, Tim Dry and Gerald Home.

The event was supported by an extensive selection of stall-holders and exhibitors, much enjoyed by the visitors. I am very grateful to Neil, as are all the guests for his great efforts to entertain and look after us all! Furthermore, a huge vote of thanks to Neil, his wife and family, supporters and helpers and the assembled costumers for providing a great day out for all!