Author: Parker

Space and Earth-based adventures in July’s FAB offer

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Space and Earth-based adventures in July’s great offer on the club’s FAB magazine.

Although a large number of members have been with Fanderson for years, and so may have received FAB as part of their membership package, there’s a significant number who have joined since. To encourage that latter group to take a punt on ordering some copies, we’ve got a series of monthly discounts focussed on a specific series. For June, we’ve got a wide spectrum of articles featuring Doppelgänger, The Protectors and Terrahawks.

Thanks to our monthly offers, more members are discovering FAB magazine and telling us “It’s an amazing magazine” or “I never knew how much there is in each issue”. Since we started these monthly offers in January, quite a few issues have sold through. Get your order in now as stock on many issues is quite low – don’t miss out!

Buy any five or more issues of FAB magazine that contain Doppelgänger, The Protectors or Terrahawks content (conveniently, you can see them all by clicking here, here and here) in one transaction, apply the coupon code FAB-JULY-MIX at checkout, and you’ll get a whopping 50% off those issues.

FAB Book Of Free Gifts… with a free gift!

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Lucky for some – our 13th FAB Book Of… comes with its own free gift – a reproduction Captain Scarlet file from TV21!

The FAB Book Of… series has been incredibly popular since the book of Dinky toys started it way back in 2010.

Now, we’re delighted that the 13th book is being added to the series – the FAB Book Of… Free Gifts And Promotions. This new 60-page book takes a look at all the wonderful gifts that were given away in comics such as TV21, Lady Penelope and Countdown. For many of us, this will be our only chance to see some of these items – as giveaways, many weren’t designed to last for long, or were simply thrown away after a short while. This book features not just the gifts themselves but also the comics they were offered in, as well as advertising in other publications.

Our new book comes with a free gift of its own – a reproduction of the Captain Scarlet file originally given away with TV21 issue 155.

Click here to order your copy now!

Don’t forget, although Sweet Cigarette Cards Volume 2 has sold out, we still have 11 other titles in the series available. Buy any three or more in the same transaction (excluding FAB Book Of Free Gift And Promotions) and you’ll get 20% off! And we still have stock of FAB Books binders to keep your books safely in.

Free weekend celebrating The Art Of Thunderbirds

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Free weekend celebrating the art and design of Thunderbirds

As a follow-up to last year’s very successful Thunderbirds Memories Weekend, Slough Museum is staging another free weekend for fans of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s landmark series, filmed just up the road on the Slough Trading Estate. The Art Of Thunderbirds will feature artwork, models and puppets showcasing the groundbreaking visual design created for the series.

The Art Of Thunderbirds will be open 10:00-16:00 at Slough Museum, 72 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, SL1 4PN on 7th and 8th June 2025. For more information please contact info@sloughmuseum.co.uk

[UPDATED] Growing up with Thunderbirds

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Dee Anderson is embarking on a tour of the UK, sharing her memories of ‘growing up with Thunderbirds‘

As the daughter of Sylvia and Gerry Anderson, Dee Anderson, lived and breathed the magic of Thunderbirds and all the other Supermarionation programmes as a child. In this show, Dee presents a heartfelt tribute to the boundless imagination and thrilling adventures that defined a generation.

Gerry and Sylvia’s extraordinary legacy comes to life on stage like never before, inviting you into the world of a child who grew up with Thunderbirds. In her words “It was simply FAB!”

Dates/venues being added as confirmed and tickets become available:

London, 12th May Phoenix Arts Club
Great Yarmouth, 25th July St George’s Theatre
New Milton, Hampshire, 30th August Forest Arts Centre
London, 30th November The Cinema Museum
Aldershot, TBA West End Centre

Cromford Mills Comic Con 2025

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Fanderson is delighted to, once again, be able to meet fans of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s work at this year’s event at Cromford Mills on Sunday 10th August.

The event promises an intergalactic display of models, props, puppets and costumes from classic sci-fi productions of Gerry Anderson, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Blake’s 7, Star Trek, Stranger Things, Star Wars… and beyond! Fans of all ages are encouraged to dress up for our cosplay competition and explore the site showing off their creations. Don’t miss the chance to browse amazing stalls selling everything from comics and toys to replica props and clothing. There will also be photo opportunities, gaming, activities, Lego® displays, and much much more. It’s sure to be out of this world and a great day for the entire family!

Special guest including Brian Blessed (Space:1999‘s Dr Cabot Rowland and Mentor) and Hattie Hayridge (Red Dwarf).

Click here for more information and ticket booking info, as they become available.

Come along to the Fanderson table and say “hello”!

Below photos are from previous events at Cromford Mills.

Bonus Captain Scarlet 7″ vinyl with Electronic Sound magazine

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Accompanying issue 124 Of Electronic Sound magazine is a 7″ vinyl disc of Barry Gray Music

Captain Scarlet’s on the cover and inside the magazine there’s a deep dive into the music of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s sci-fi TV shows, much of it the work of cult British composer Barry Gray. Gerry and Sylvia produced some of the most exciting children’s television of the 1960s and 1970s, and Barry Gray’s music, which was initially orchestral but later increasingly electronic, was crucial to the success of them all. The former RAF pilot was responsible for the sonic magic of both the Andersons’ puppet shows and their live action dramas like UFO and Space:1999.

Accompanying the magazine is a cool white vinyl EP featuring six musical excerpts from three of the Andersons’ shows:

  • side A ‘Spectrum Of Sound’ is dedicated to Captain Scarlet and The Mysterons, starting with the footsteps and gunfire of the opening credits, before sliding into the eerie The Power Of The Mysterons and ending with the memorable main theme.
  • side B has the theme tunes of both Thunderbirds and UFO, plus a dramatic incidental segment from Thunderbirds called Heading For The Sun.

See more and order your magazine and/or disc here.

 

 

NFTS announces the Sylvia Anderson Scholarship

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The UK’s National Film and Television School announces a new scholarship supported by ITV Studios

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is delighted to announce a new scholarship supported by ITV Studios in memory of the life and work of Sylvia Anderson, co-creator of Thunderbirds and a pioneering force in screen storytelling.

The Sylvia Anderson Scholarship will support students on the NFTS’ world-renowned two year Screenwriting MA, ensuring that the next generation of screenwriters continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Over the next decade, the scholarship will provide full funding for five students, with the first scholar beginning their training in January 2026.

The newly created scholarship coincides with the landmark 60th anniversary of Thunderbirds in 2025, the iconic series created by Sylvia and Gerry Anderson. Originally airing from 1965, Thunderbirds remains a beloved classic, celebrated for its ground-breaking storytelling and innovative puppetry. In addition to serving as co-creator and co-writer, Anderson was a costume designer and actress, providing the voices for several characters including the legendary Lady Penelope.

Jon Wardle, Director of the NFTS, said: “Sylvia Anderson was an extraordinary storyteller whose creative vision left an indelible mark on British film and television. We are incredibly grateful to ITV Studios for this generous scholarship, which will help nurture emerging screenwriting talent and ensure Sylvia’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of creatives.”

Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive of ITV, added: “Sylvia Anderson’s contribution to the industry is immeasurable. As we celebrate 60 iconic years of Thunderbirds, ITV Studios is proud to support aspiring screenwriters in her memory, helping them develop the skills needed to shape the future of storytelling.”

Sylvia’s daughter, Dee Anderson, said: “I am so proud of my mother Sylvia Anderson for her remarkable achievements as a writer and pioneer for women in film and television. She would be so happy to inspire and support the next generation of creative writers on this ground-breaking course at the NFTS with the help and backing of ITV.”

Applications are now open for the National Film and Television School’s prestigious Screenwriting MA, led by Brian Ward, with the deadline for submissions due to close on 1st May 2025.

Alumni of the Screenwriting MA include Krysty Wilson-Cairns (1917, The Good Nurse), Nathaniel Price (The Outlaws), Malorie Blackman (Noughts And Crosses), Laurie Nunn (Sex Education), Daniel Brierly (Trigger Point), Jess Williams (Grace), France Poletti (Without Sin) and Jessica Sinyard and Shyam Popat (The Jackal). Recent graduates of the MA have been nominated for and have won numerous prestigious awards, including BAFTAs, Royal Television Society Awards, Academy Awards, and Women in Film and Television New Talent Awards. Several alumni have also been named among Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow.

To apply for the Screenwriting MA and the Sylvia Anderson Scholarship, go to: nfts.co.uk/screenwriting

Thunderbirds are go, go, go, go, go, go!

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Get your fill of Thunderbirds by the beach this summer!

For the fourth year running, Fanderson is the proud sponsor of the Anderson On Film presentations as part of the Southend Film Festival, enabling fans to enjoy Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s work together this summer!

In this digital world it’s easy to watch programmes on your phone, to stream, or even to watch from DVD or Blu-ray Disc. But this summer Anderson fans can share that collective experience of watching programmes (in their original aspect ratio, with original soundtrack) with fellow fans, thanks to the Southend Film Festival!

  • Wednesday 28th May from 19:00:
    • 1967 feature film Thunderbird 6
    • Thunderbirds Sunprobe as a supporting feature
  • Sunday 8th June from 17:00 – four TV versions of Thunderbirds:
    • the 1965 original Thunderbirds The Perils Of Penelope
    • ITC’s much under-rated 1982 adaptation of Scientific Rescue Team Technoboyger – Thunderbirds 2086 UFO
    • ITV and Pukeko Pictures’ 2015 remake Thunderbirds Are Go Falling Skies
    • the Kickstarter-financed Thunderbirds The Abominable Snowman

All programmes are being screened in their original aspect ratios and with the original soundtracks. Event organiser and Fanderson member Mark Joseph is bound to pop a few unexpected surprises into the programmes too!

The popular Southend Film Festival has been running for sixteen years in venues around Southend, Essex. The festival’s patrons are actors Ray Winstone, Vicki Michelle, Phil Davis and Tony Denham, and you can see all about it at www.southendfilmfestival.com.

Fanderson is delighted to be able to support fan-organised events such as this. If you need help or support with your Anderson event, please drop us a line at fanderson.org.uk@outlook.com.

Space:1999 50th anniversary celebration

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Join fans and guests to celebrate Space:1999‘s 50th anniversary in Los Angeles

Hot on the heels of their wildly successful London:1999 event in September, the team behind London:1999 have announced the 2025 event will be in Los Angeles, USA.

Los Angeles:1999 will run 12th to 14th September 2025 at The Hotel Burbank, right in the heart of Hollywood. Celebrity guests announced already include Barbara Bain, Nick Tate, Yasuko Nagazumi, Carla Romanelli, Gianni Garko and Carl Held, with many more to be added.

The schedule is still being formed, but this year’s banquet will be extra-special as it is being held on Barbara Bain’s birthday! The weekend will also feature an “exclusive global broadcast” of Breakaway – The Theatrical Cut to attendees of SpaceCon 7 in Italy. Optional day trips include Hollywood sightseeing on 11th and the Vasquez Rocks on 15th (location for many Star Trek episodes).

Click here to find out more and book your place!