events

Location, location, location – a Hole In One

Posted on by Parker

On the weekend of 3rd/4th August 2024, two coachloads of The Secret Service fans gathered to celebrate the series’ 55th anniversary, including a filming location tour.

During a very full Saturday we visited 16 filming locations used in The Secret Service, some never visited before, as well as several private residences to which access is not normally possible:

  • Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire gates (To Catch A Spy)
  • Dropmore House, Burnham gates (Hole In One)
  • junction of Thompkins Lane/Hawthorn Lane, Burnham Beeches (The Cure)
  • junction of East Burnham Lane/Allerds Road, East Burnham (The Cure and The Deadly Whisper)
  • Foxlea Manor, Burnham (Father Unwin’s vicarage, seen in most episodes)

  • Abbey Park Farm, Burnham (More Haste, Less Speed)
  • Saint Michael and All Angels, High Wycombe (Father Unwin’s parish church, seen in most episodes)
  • Sheepcote Manor, Wooburn Green (The Deadly Whisper)

  • Windsor End, Beaconsfield (May-Day, May-Day!)
  • Hall Barn and gates, Beaconsfield (To Catch A Spy)

  • Greensleeves, Gerrard’s Cross (The Feathered Spies)

  • junction of St Huberts Lane/Fulmer Lane, Fulmer (A Case For The Bishop and School For Spies)
  • Fulmer (A Case For The Bishop)
  • Wexham Park Hospital , Slough (School For Spies)
  • Oakley Court Hotel, Bray (More Haste, Less Speed)

Plus, amongst those we also passed en route:

  • The Ferry Inn public house, Cookham (The Saint, The Talented Husband)
  • junction of Green Lane/Curriers Lane/Park Lane/Pumpkin Hill (More Haste, Less Speed)
  • junction of Thompkins Lane/Hawthorn Lane (The Feathered Spies)
  • former site of Wingroves, Hawthorne Lane, Burnham Beeches (More Haste, Less Speed (re-developed since filming))
  • The Crown public house, East Burnham (The Avengers, Killer)
  • the Jolly Woodman public house, Burnham (Carry On Dick, Genevieve)
  • The Green, Wooburn Green (To Catch A Spy)
  • Crowne Plaza, Gerrards Cross (The Persuaders!, Nuisance Value)
  • Bulstrode Court, Gerrards Cross (The New Avengers, The Eagle’s Nest)
  • former entrance to St Hubert’s Farm (To Catch A Spy (re-developed since filming))
  • Fulmer Hall, Fulmer (The New Avengers)

Upon our return to Cookham, where the event was based, we presented a plaque to the manager of The Kings Arms, officially recognising it as the spiritual ‘birthplace’ of Parker in Thunderbirds (voice artist David Graham having been inspired by the waiter there).

 (Click image for more information)

On Sunday we relocated to our final filming location – Maidenhead Golf Club (Hole In One) which is due for imminent demolition – passing the Queen Victoria clock tower (Last Train To Bufflers Halt), Maidenhead on the way.

Throughout the weekend we enjoyed a fun quiz, a charity raffle, episodes of The Secret Service, interspersed with recorded interviews with director Alan Perry, model-maker and special effects technician Alan Shubrook, voice artist and actor Gary Files, voice artist and actor Keith Alexander, puppet supervisor Mary Turner and series’ star Stanley Unwin. Alan and Bridgitt Shubrook also joined us in person for the whole weekend, and Keith Alexander joined us live from Australia on Saturday evening. And, of course, the whole event was a great opportunity to meet and socialise with like-minded people.

Thanks to Andrew Staton, Glenn Hobster and Gary Whittaker for planning and executing such an enjoyable weekend. If any attendees have feedback on the event, please drop us a line at fanderson.org.uk@outlook.com.

Special thanks to Jenefer Farncombe, Sarah Bracken, Gem and Tanya.

Thanks to Mike Burrows for the photographs. Read Mike’s review of the event.

(Click on this image for a larger version)

We have a very limited amount of Supporter’s Packs from the event available in the Shop. The Secret Service Close Up book and Annual have more location details.

[UK] Sci-fi and fantasy at Cromford Mills Comic Con

Posted on by Parker

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 13th August.

Now entitled Comic Con, the event promises an intergalactic display of models, props, puppets and costumes from classic sci-fi productions of Gerry and Sylvia 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 the cosplay competition and explore the site showing off their creations. There will be stalls selling everything from comics and toys to replica props and clothing. They’ll also have 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 – and entry is free! Come along to the Fanderson table and say “hello”!

Below photos are from previous events at Cromford Mills.

UK: Fanderson to again sponsor Anderson On Film

Posted on by Parker

Fanderson is the proud sponsor once again of the Anderson On Film presentation as part of the Southend Film Festival, enabling fans to enjoy Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s work with other fans this summer… on film!

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. This year’s Southend Film Festival gives Anderson fans a chance to have that collective experience of watching with fellow fans, thanks to the beauty that is celluloid film!

This year’s programme of Anderson goodies on 11th June 2023 – all on the big screen and all shown from 16mm film – includes:

  • Thunderbirds The Uninvited
  • Joe 90 See You Down There
  • Terrahawks Expect The Unexpected – extended version, only previously seen as part of the compilation feature presentation

The popular Southend Film Festival has been running for fourteen years in two parts – as well as the main festival, the Film Festival Fringe encourages various venues around Southend to put on film screenings. The festival’s patrons are actors Ray Winstone, Vicki Michelle and Phil Davis, and you can see more at www.southendfilmfestival.com (the website is in the process of being updated for 2023).

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.

UK: Catherine Schell as star guest at London Film Fair

Posted on by Parker

Space:1999 co-star Catherine Schell has been announced as the star guest at the London Film Fair on 18th June 2023.

Established in 1973, the London Film Fair enables fans to meet the stars of their favourite classic cinema and cult television programmes. You’ll have the chance to get an autograph and have your photo taken with the guests. The London Film Fair will appeal to avid film buffs, collectors, archivists researchers and students making it a must attend event. The conventions also brings dealers from all over the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Australia and South America that specializes in vintage and modern film memorabilia. Items cover the history of cinema from the silents to the present day blockbusters.

With stalls selling stills, vintage posters, modern posters, programmes, magazines, books, DVDs, soundtracks, lobby cards, toys, autographs, videos, postcards, actors and directors signings, it’s a must for anyone with an interest in cinema and cult television!

The London Film Fair will be held on 18th June 2023 at The Royal National Hotel, 38-51 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0DG. Click here for details, including other guests.

 

41 FAB Years

Posted on by Parker

On Thursday, 20th August 1981, Gerry Anderson invited fans of his work to meet him at his office at Pinewood Studios, and together they formed Fanderson.

On Saturday, 20th August 2022, Fanderson members celebrated Gerry and Sylvia’s work, and the club itself at the 40th birthday bash (albeit one year late, due to Covid-19!).

Deliberately designed to be a social event rather than a convention, club members enjoyed music, models, puppets and lots of chat as it had been three years since they’d been able to get together (at our Supercelebration convention back in 2019). We were delighted that puppeteers Mary Turner and Judy Preece were available to celebrate with us too. It was a perfect day, weather-wise, and so we were able to enjoy the garden of the Pinewood Hotel much of the time, especially for the barbecue and cake (lots of cake!).

The event package included a birthday card, poster, badge and the first issue of our new club magazine, FAB Express.

Club secretary John Wilkinson also set a couple of quizzes for anyone with time on their hands:

  • a headlines quiz asked members to state the year for 40 Daily Mirror headlines
  • the particularly fiendish episode synopses quiz asked members to identify Anderson episodes from their TV Times listings

You can have a go now (just for fun) and the answers are below the photos.

Well done to our winners Lily Ride (31 out of 40 headlines correct) and Mark Castell (32 out of 40 episodes correct) who each win a lifetime Fanderson membership and Zavvi’s reissued Topps trading cards or vinyl EP boxset (respectively).

Well done to all who took part in the quizzes, and a big thank you to everyone who was able to attend and/or contribute to our 40 FAB Years!

Headlines quiz answers:

  1. 1987
  2. 2010
  3. 2006
  4. 1992
  5. 2011
  6. 2008
  7. 1988
  8. 1995
  9. 1998
  10. 2001
  11. 1984
  12. 2003
  13. 2007
  14. 1999
  15. 1982
  16. 1985
  17. 1994
  18. 1983
  19. 2020
  20. 1996
  21. 2009
  22. 2004
  23. 1989
  24. 1990
  25. 2017
  26. 2018
  27. 2002
  28. 1981
  29. 1991
  30. 2012
  31. 2016
  32. 2000
  33. 2005
  34. 2013
  35. 2014
  36. 2019
  37. 2015
  38. 1993
  39. 1986
  40. 1997

Episode synopses quiz answers:

  1. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons Flight 104
  2. Thunderbirds Pit Of Peril
  3. Space:1999 The Full Circle
  4. UFO The Dalotek Affair
  5. Joe 90 Business Holiday
  6. Thunderbirds 30 Minutes After Noon
  7. Stingray The Master Plan
  8. The Protectors Petard
  9. Thunderbirds The Man From MI.5
  10. Joe 90 Hi-Jacked
  11. The Protectors Goodbye George
  12. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons Fire At Rig 15
  13. Fireball XL5 Robert To The Rescue
  14. The Secret Service More Haste – Less Speed
  15. Supercar Keep It Cool
  16. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons Codename Europa
  17. UFO Timelash
  18. Space:1999 A Matter Of Balance
  19. The Protectors Burning Bush
  20. Thunderbirds Martian Invasion
  21. Stingray The Big Gun
  22. Joe 90 The Fortress
  23. Space:1999 Earthbound
  24. UFO Destruction
  25. The Secret Service Recall To Service
  26. Stingray Sea Of Oil
  27. Thunderbirds End Of The Road
  28. Fireball XL5 Convict In Space
  29. UFO Flight Path
  30. Space:1999 Missing Link
  31. Thunderbirds The Cham-Cham
  32. Space:1999 Dragon’s Domain
  33. UFO Survival
  34. The Protectors A Case For The Right
  35. Thunderbirds Path Of Destruction
  36. Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons The Trap
  37. Space:1999 The Immunity Syndrome
  38. Joe 90 Relative Danger
  39. UFO The Long Sleep
  40. Thunderbirds Martian Invasion

UK: Fanderson to sponsor Anderson On Film!

Posted on by Parker

Fanderson is the proud sponsor of the Anderson On Film presentation as part of the Southend Film Festival, enabling fans to enjoy Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s work with other fans this summer… on film!

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. This year’s Southend Film Festival gives Anderson fans a chance to have that collective experience of watching with fellow fans, thanks to the beauty that is celluloid film!

This year’s programme of Anderson programmes on 29th May 2022 – all on the big screen and all shown from film – includes:

  • Four Feather Falls Trouble In Yellow Gulch and Indian Attack
  • Space:1999 War Games
  • Thunderbirds Pit Of Peril

The popular Southend Film Festival has been running for thirteen years in two parts – as well as the main festival, the Film Festival Fringe encourages various venues around Southend to put on film screenings throughout May. Over 50 films were screened during last year’s festival. The festival’s patrons are actors Ray Winstone, Vicki Michelle and Phil Davis, and you can see more at www.southendfilmfestival.com

When the club announced that Supercelebration would be our last full-weekend convention we offered to help smaller events around the country to ensure fans of Gerry and Sylvia’s work could continue to get together. That help might be financial (such as seed funding to secure a venue, or advertising, or sponsorship) or it might be more practical (such as liaising with guests, or logistical help).

If you need help or support with your Anderson event, please drop us a line at fanderson.org.uk@outlook.com.

UK: Oakley Court Film & Memorabilia Fair on Hallowe’en

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Over 40 specialist dealers and special guests will be gathering this Hallowe’en at the “home of Hammer” – the magnificent Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor for the Oakley Court Film & Memorabilia Fair.

The dealers will be selling all sorts of memorabilia – stills, posters, books, props, magazines, campaign books and artwork.

The guests have many years’ experience in the horror film industry and classic television appearances, including many in ITC productions. They’ll all be available for autograph signing, selfies or just a chat:

Graham’s limited edition poster for the event will also be available @ £15.

The Oakley Court Film & Memorabilia Fair takes place on 31st October 2021, 09:00-16:00 at the Windsor Suite, Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor Road, Water Oakley, Windsor SL4 5UR.

Entry is just £7. Buy your tickets here, or pay on the door.

[UPDATED] UK: Sci-fi Saturday at Cromford Mills, 14th August

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

Model-maker extraordinaire and Fanderson member David Sisson is putting together another fantastic display of models, puppets and costumes from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s productions for Sci-fi Saturday at Cromford Mills, Derby, on Saturday 14th August 2021.

Last year’s display was extremely popular, even with social distancing restrictions in place, and this year promises to be even better! As well as Anderson exhibits there will be things to interest Doctor Who and Blake’s 7 fans too.

Don’t forget to say “hello” to Fanderson’s own Stephen Brown, Jackie Dear, Ian Fryer and Lynn Simpson whilst you’re there.

This year’s display is planned to include:

David Sisson’s collection of model vehicles, puppets, and props from Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet And The Mysterons, Terrahawks and Space Precinct, both custom-made reproductions and studio originals. Mamas Pitsillis and Linda Ianson (Studio 2 Models) will be operating radio-controlled replica vehicles from UFO and Stingray. Bob and Sue Bailey will be bringing along a display from Fireball XL5 including the star of the show, Steve Zodiac, which is the oldest known surviving complete hero puppet!

And if you need some relief from all that Anderson wonderfulness, Simon Rhodes will be displaying his collection of original costumes from Star Trek Voyager. Richard Ashton will be displaying custom-made model kits and scratch built models from films, such as Star Wars, Firefly, and Back To The Future. Gary Holland collection of original costumes from Blake’s 7 includes iconic clothing designs worn by the series’ lead stars. Scott Goodman will appear in full costume during the day as Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor, bringing with him his arch-nemesis a Dalek, whilst James Burgess will be displaying some of his amazing sculptures and recreations from the worlds of Doctor Who.

Cromford Mills is a free-to-enter, UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a complete day out with family and friends. It’s owned and managed by The Arkwright Society – an educational charity devoted to the rescue of the industrial heritage buildings and helping to preserve the precious built and natural landscape in and around Cromford.

 

 

Whatever happened to FAB 1?

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

In Thunderbirds, it’s assumed FAB 1 met a fiery end during the crash of Skyship One. Sadly, real life is proving to be just as shocking!

Fanderson members will remember the full-size replica FAB 1 built by Melvin Jarvis, which was a star attraction at the club’s Countdown To Disaster convention in 2005 (pictured above) and was also at Gerry Anderson’s funeral in 2013. Recently, Melvin has been dealing with serious personal issues including a suspected arson attack, culminating in FAB 1 being pretty much completely burned out.

 

The good news is that Melvin’s already been able to get FAB 1 sandblasted (below) so she’s in a fit state to be rebuilt, after which he’s determined she’ll be “better and more film accurate than before”. He’s planning to share the story online soon, complete with monthly progress videos, which we’ll of course share just as soon as that happens.

Operation Priest Treasure Hunt – the answers

Posted on by 1266 Nick Williams

As something for delegates to do on the way to Maidenhead for Fanderson’s recent Supercelebration convention, and as a way of visiting some Anderson filming locations, we suggested the Operation Priest Treasure Hunt.

Just one team entered (and therefore won) and they were Paul Mayne, Richard and Fiona Yelland, Steven Cross, Chris Dean and Huw Davies.

Click to see the answers.