Author: Parker

Keep an eye out for the postman!

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The postman’s on his way with your winter mailing

FAB Express 111 was posted today to all Fanderson members. As well as all the Anderson news and your views, this issue takes a FlashBack to Titan Goes Pop, the perennially popular episode of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s Stingray.

Unfortunately, we are extremely sorry that FAB Annual 2026 is not included in the winter mailing. Editor/designer Mike Jones has been unexpectedly distracted by some personal issues recently, and the team felt it was better not to rush to get an annual finished that we’re not happy with. We know many of you will be disappointed to not have an annual to open on Christmas morning, but hope you agree that it’s better that the book is the quality you expect, albeit coming to you in the spring. We’re all working to support Mike to get FAB Annual 2026 finished so it can be with you alongside FAB Express 112 in the spring mailing.

As we mentioned in issue 110 this summer, we’re now reviewing our merchandise pricing on the website. As well as postage prices going up recently, we’ve aligned ourselves with Royal Mail’s world postal zones to ensure you’re paying the right postage.

Our 2026 charity of the year is… Prostate Cancer UK

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Fanderson to support Prostate Cancer UK in 2025/6

Thanks to our members who nominated and then voted for Prostate Cancer UK to be our charity for 2025/6.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. 1 in 8 men will get it, and if you’re Black, your risk is double. We’re standing together with Prostate Cancer UK  who support our dads, brothers, partners and friends – by raising awareness, funding lifesaving research, campaigning for change and providing helpful support and information.

We’ve started raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK now, with some new items in our Shop for which you’ll be making a donation to the charity. In December we’ll have our now-traditional advent calendar too, with raffles, auctions and other ways to do your bit to support Prostate Cancer UK.

Prostate Cancer UK was chosen by Fanderson members from six charities, also nominated by club members.

Fanderson members have a fantastic tracks record of raising funds for charities. In our 44 years, over £61,000 has been donated to a variety of good causes, including Actors’ Benevolent Fund, Alzheimers Society, Baby Lifeline, Children In Need, Demelza, Diabetes UK, The Film And TV Charity, Guide Dogs For The Blind, Hearing Dogs For Deaf People, International Rescue Corps, Macmillan Cancer Support, Orchid, Silverline, Terrence Higgins Trust, Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal and many more.

 

Ghost Stands display your models in an action pose!

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Displaying iconic toys, figures and models with the illusion of levitation!

Ghost Stands was established in 2024 by toy designer and collector Matt Jones from Lunartik. They’re designed to be the most inconspicuous toy display stands in the world, enabling you to display your toys and models with the illusion that they’re flying!

Matt says “As an 80s child I was lucky to have many toys, especially Star Wars and He-Man figures. A lot of them were sadly given away by my parents, but since starting Ghost Stands, it’s definitely helped me reconnect to my past and I know with all my toy design knowledge and appreciation, I can finally add value to the toys I played with all them years ago while building a beautiful private collection.”

The range currently features bespoke stands designed for Dinky and Corgi models from Stingray, Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, Joe 90, UFO and Space:1999. You can see these and more in their Ebay shop. Stands for Vivid Imaginations, Matchbox and Product Enterprise products are coming soon too.

Ghost Stands are produced from a special highly durable and flexible, thin crystal clear plastic material. Every stand has had hours of engineering dedicated to its development, especially as each toy or model is positioned into a particular dramatic pose when designing. This affects the centre of gravity of the piece and the challenge is to make a Ghost Stand that is well hidden, stable enough to display and easy to clip on to the piece without marking it, damaging stickers or paintwork.

Order in good time for Christmas

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We know, it’s not even December yet, but for some countries we’ll need to get merchandise orders on their way as soon as possible if they’re to arrive before Christmas!

You can see Royal Mail’s full details of last posting dates here, but to allow us time to package your order up and get it in the post, here’s a summary of ‘last order’ dates that will apply to the majority of Fanderson club members:

  • Wednesday 3rd December – everywhere outside the United Kingdom
  • Monday 15th December – UK (17th December if you add the optional Special Delivery payment to your order)

We’ll do our best to fulfil orders as quickly as possible, but we cannot guarantee orders will arrive by Christmas. If in any doubt, please place your orders as soon as you can. Remember, they’ll show as ‘complete’ in your online account once they’re in the post. Of course, we’ll save up any packages we haven’t been able to mail in time for Christmas and send them as soon as possible afterwards.

Thanks to Fanderson members, kids supported by Demelza are WINners!

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Young Joe McClaine presents our donation to Demelza

Over the last year Fanderson members have helped to raise an amazing £1234.11 for Demelza, helping them provide extraordinary care to children and young people with serious or life-limiting conditions, providing expert clinical care and helping to create extraordinary moments along the way. Activies have included our 2024 advent calendar, 44 FAB Years and items available for a donation to the charity.

Professor Ian McClaine took his son Joe along to Demelza to present our donation cheque.

Demelza’s CEO, Lavinia Jarrett, said,

“We’re so grateful to Fanderson for your generosity to Demelza.

“Without the support of organisations like yours, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

“Every donation we receive makes a difference to the children with serious or life-limiting conditions and their families who use our services.”

Fanderson has a great reputation for supporting worthwhile causes, and over the club’s 44 years members have raised in excess of £62,000 for Alzheimers Society, Baby Lifeline, Children In Need, Demelza, Diabetes UK, The Film And TV Charity, Hearing Dogs For Deaf People, International Rescue Corps, Macmillan Cancer Support, Orchid, Silverline, Terrence Higgins Trust, Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal and many more.

With special thanks to Chris King for the presentation photo.

Network lives on!

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Network lives on as Future Network

The much lamented cult TV and film distributor Network, which collapsed in 2023, lives on again as Future Network has secured many of Network’s old stock and now has a website selling them, with free postage within the UK.

Of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s productions you’ll find:

Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons Blu-ray Disc

Crossroads To Crime DVD

Fireball XL5 Blu-ray Disc

Joe 90 Blu-ray Disc

Space:1999 Year One Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Ultimate DVD

Supercar Blu-ray Disc, DVD

The Protectors DVD

For completists, though not an Anderson production, they have Torchy The Battery Boy series 2 DVD. Also of interest to Fanderson members is Mary Turner and John Read’s The Adventures Of Rupert Bear DVD.

Thunderbirds is FAB at Slough Museum

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Meet Dee Anderson and Mary Turner!

As part of their ongoing Thunderbirds 60 Years exhibition, Slough Museum will be hosting puppeteer, sculptor and director Mary Turner and actress/singer and daughter of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, for a one-day special on Sunday 23rd November.

The event promises appearances by other guests to celebrate the world of Thunderbirds, with displays and demonstrations of puppets, art and models.

The event is free but due to limited space you’re encouraged to email info@sloughmuseum.co.uk to guarantee a place.

Slough Museum, 72 Buckingham Avenue, Slough Trading Estate, Slough SL1 4PN

You can now stay at Sylvia Anderson’s former home

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Sundial Cottage is now part of the Monkey Island Estate Hotel

The former home of writer, director, actor/voice artist and co-creator of all Anderson programmes and films from Supercar to Space:1999, Sylvia Anderson, is now available to book as one of the private residences at Monkey Island Estate Hotel in Bray, Berkshire.

This wonderful 19th century home is located next-door to Long White Cloud. Quaint yet spacious, Sundial Cottage houses three large, gorgeous bedroom suites along with a high-spec kitchen-diner and cosy living room for unwinding in the evenings. Guests can also make use of the beautifully kept, secluded garden.

Monkey Island Estate lies on a picturesque island in the River Thames in the historic village of Bray, Berkshire. The island has a rich history centuries old, and has been the haunt of monarchs, aristocrats and artists, along with writers, famous performers and Berkshire locals and now is home to one of the finest hotels in Bray. The two grade I listed heritage pavilions which form the property were originally commissioned as a fishing retreat in 1723 by the third Duke of Marlborough. These have been completely restored and renovated, with beautifully landscaped gardens and picturesque views of the River Thames. Set across seven acres, Monkey Island Estate features 40 exquisite guest rooms, and the Grade 1 listed Wedgewood Suite, designed by the award-winning New York-based Champalimaud Design. The furnishings juxtapose timeless glamour and traditional features with a modern, countryside style, creating a unique blend of past and present. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the area or just immerse yourself in history against the backdrop of the delightful village of Bray.

The new owners are proud to acknowledge Sylvia’s connection with this photo display upon entering the property!

Mini album offer – just in time for Christmas

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Save on mini albums and get Set 11 free!

Our mini albums are a great way spending time with your favourite characters, whether it’s whilst doing the gardening, on a long journey, in bed, or just relaxing. Now, until the end of the year you can get 3 for the price of 2 sets, and we’ll pop in Set 11 free of charge too!

Until 31st December, buy 3 (or more) mini albums for the price of 2 (33% off)! Don’t put Set 11 in your basket – we’ll add that when your order is dispatched. Click here to see our complete range.

Just apply the coupon code CHRISSY-MINIALBUMS at checkout before you pay.

OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS (in addition to our standing Ts&Cs)

  • This offer is for Fanderson members only.
  • Members must buy both all items detailed in the same transaction.
  • Apply the coupon code(s) before you pay to get the discount. You can use more than one code in the same transaction
  • Members must apply the coupon code themselves to get the discount. It cannot be applied after you have paid, and we cannot apply it retroactively.
  • This is an online-only offer. It cannot be redeemed via the post.
  • Offer ends 31st December 2025

A great offer to add some Anderson sparkle to your Christmas tree!

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Fanderson key rings make a great Christmas tree decoration

As well as making it easy to keep your keys safe, our range of key rings make great decorations for your Christmas tree. Choose from Fireball XL5, Spectrum, Moonbase Alpha or TV21. All made with quality enamel on moulded metal backing, these decorations will last for years!

For November, buy 4 (or more) key rings for the price of 3 (25% off)! Just apply the coupon code CHRISSY-DECS at checkout before you pay.

OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS (in addition to our standing Ts&Cs)

  • This offer is for Fanderson members only.
  • Members must buy both all items detailed in the same transaction.
  • Apply the coupon code(s) before you pay to get the discount. You can use more than one code in the same transaction
  • Members must apply the coupon code themselves to get the discount. It cannot be applied after you have paid, and we cannot apply it retroactively.
  • This is an online-only offer. It cannot be redeemed via the post.
  • Offer ends 31st December 2025