Charity Con, Hastings, Minnesota. 24th September 2010.





 



The Poster for Keith Garrick's Charity Con on the 24th September, 2010.

I had been looking forward to seeing this event succeed, due to the sterling efforts of it's organiser, Keith Garrick, and the hardship that occasioned the change of date.

I had become acquainted with Keith and his lovely daughter Emily over the last six or seven months or so, as I had been invited to join his informative and fun forum, hosted on the Ning networks via his site, http://www.hobbenese.com/.

As this second date approached, it became obvious it was going to clash with another convention I was appearing at in Wales, called Starmania 2010. But we both decided to see if we could overcome that by using the online voice-over-internet application called Skype, which gave us also the option of having live video coverage. I also downloaded the program called VodBurner, which would alow me to record a bit of the interview and Q & A live with camera output from both ends.

I sat up on the night until 1.45 am the 25th September, which was 7.45 pm on the 24th and made the call. Below are links to the result, edited and divided into two parts for ease of upload to YouTube. I am sorry for the overall quality - I was on WiFi in my Welsh hotel as was the convention in Hastings, Minnesota, USA! Derek Lyons knocked on my door just before going live and so he too is included in the broadcast Q & A.

looked forward to also seeing members of the Central Garrison of the 501st trooping at the event and hoped that attendance would be enthusiastic, which is why I sat up half the night to support him and the event in general. I had also contributed, along with other Star Wars actors and collectors, memorabilia and autographs, which we hoped would attract some interest.

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGSS2VRLzxs

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm7xYOiq9LU
 

In the event, Keith reported back the following:
"Thanks so much for your support Alan !!! I couldn't have done it without you and your encouragement. Thanks for being such a good friend !!! May the Force be with you,,, Always....
Charity Con was a success !!! Thanks to all the fans and sponsors of the show!!! Together we rasied enough to purchase almost 4,000 pounds of food for the local food shelf !!! Special thanks to Alan Flyng, Derek Lyons and Rick Stanley and Shadow Trooper, The 501st, and Rebel Legion.
It came out to be $495.00 and over 4,000 pounds of food... Also a private donor has added a percentage onto that !!!"

Congratulations to Keith and his support crew and I hope next year to see a bigger and even better event!

http://www.blogger.com/goog_1758894141



The badge and logo of the Central Garrison, 501st Legion.

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!