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.

Star Wars Fan Dag 3, Copenhagen, Denmark

This event, arranged by Michael Nielsen and Per Valgreen, in Taastrup, Denmark, was one of the very best events I attended this last year! The attention to detail and care taken to ensure that Toby Philpott, Gerald Home and I had the most comfortable and enjoyable experience meeting the Danish fans, was outstanding!

The venue, just outside the centre of Copenhagen, ia a very modern and spacious community centre. Michael had asked me to bring a Henry VIII costume from my performance collection in order to lead a parade through the streets, prior to the start of the convention, which I did with relish! You can imagine the looks of mystified onlookers seeing Henry VIII striding out, ringing a bell and accompanied by perhaps 30 or more Star Wars costumers, including Darth Vader! Priceless! :o)




Henry VIII, accompanied by Darth Vader march through the centre of Taastrup!



Never one to be a shrinking violet, I went up to shoppers and surprised them by starting conversations they no doubt didn't understand at all, so I resorted to mime and vocal sound effects! It worked very well, as the next picture shows...



Sharing a laugh with some lovely shoppers!

Back at the community centre, Toby and Gerald had started signing for the visitors, and we arrived back with another large crowd in tow! We had an eventful session signing autographs and meeting some of the nicest and friendliest people you could hope to meet! :o)





Myself, Toby and Gerald (hidden) signing for visitors and costumers.

Michael Nielsen watches on in the centre.

I also had the joy of judging the childrens' fancy dress competition, where Michael and Per had ensured that each child received a present, whether chosen as a winner or not! I was reminded of when I briefly taught French in a Convent in the 70's - those little devilish faces trying to attract attention, making funny faces and displaying missing milk teeth!





Judging the childrens' fancy dress competition, watched by Per Valgreen, co-organiser of the event.

Later, we were asked to attend a Question and Answer session with the fans, which gave Gerald a platform to present a virtual lecture on his involvement in Return of the Jedi. The audience, Toby and I all learnt a lot from Gerald, but Toby and I restrained ourselves to answering the questions posed. LOL! We all agreed that we had been shown how a convention, albeit small, ought to be presented! My very best congratulations to Michael and Per for their wonderful organisational talents, so ably demonstrated, and my grateful thanks for the invitation!





Per Valgreen, Gerald Home, Michael Nielsen and me standing, with Toby Philpott kneeling, front. You can see a repro Viking longboat to the left, used to take visitors out into the fjord from the Viking Boat Museum in Roskilde.





Gerald Home, Toby Philpott and myself at the Q &A session.

The next day, most generously, Per, Michael and another friend Henrik Berndt took us to Roskilde to visit the royal tombs in the cathedral there and the Viking ship museum nearby in the fjord. This was a fascinating departure from the norm and we were all enthralled by what we were shown. Once again, other organisers please take note! :o)

Norwegian and reproduction Viking boats in the fjord. .

Inside the Viking ship museum .

 The beautiful and historic Cathedral in Roskilde

Truly, a most memorable and enjoyable event with new and very good friends!

More images are to be see at http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=203820&id=33938443518&page=2