Brean Leisure Park
Somerset
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Louise Jameson, Stewart Bevan (Professor Clifford Jones in The Green Death), Frazer Hines, Deborah Watling, Anneke Wills, Terry Molloy, Damaris Hayman (Miss Hawthorne in the Daemons), Sarah Sutton, Alan Ruscoe (Auton/tree person/Slitheen), Chris Jury (Deadbeat in The Greatest Show in the Galaxy), and Lisa Bowerman (Karra in Survival/Professor Bernice Summerfield of the Big Finish audio plays).
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| Review, Thanks to Sean Clarke |
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The first day of the event opened with a relaxed meet and mingles session. Louise Jameson signed autographs as the other Doctor Who stars present chatted with the assembled fans.
Terry Molloy happily trumpleted the cause of Davros as Damaris Hayman talked about cats.
Deborah Watling and Frazer Hines demonstrated that they never have a problem with any fan wanting to take a photograph at any time.
As with all these events there is often a change to the guest line up due to illness or work commitments. This time we got the unexpected attendance of Stuart Bevan (Professor Clifford Jones in The Green Death). This was certainly a bonus. Apart from his relaxed manner Stewart Bevan showed a genuine enthusiasm and interest that simply came across to everyone who spoke to him. This was the first time I had spoke to Stewart Bevan and I hope it will not be the last.
Even if you go to relatively few such events you will probably meet Anneke Wills. This was not the first time I have met her nor will it be the last. This is not an issue as Anneke Wills is a charming and warm person and I hope she keeps turning up to these things.
No doubt due to having a large seating area with a small stage available and there was a question and answer session with the guests of the day.
I must confess that I found day one, which was a Friday, a bit quiet. No doubt for most people this was a working day. The day just sort of dissolved at the end and I for one left feeling slightly downcast.
Fortunately day two being the weekend ensured more people turned up.
The day started with a signing session. The guest list changed in that Louise Jameson and Anneke Wills from day one were not there. The additions for the day were Sarah Sutton, Lisa Bowerman, Chris Jury and Alan Ruscoe.
Once again there was a question and answer session and once again Damaris Hayman demonstrated that she is as sharp as a very sharp thing indeed. Her quick witted and well thought out answers amused the fans and her fellow guest alike. Damaris Hayman watches the new series with a keen eye and her favourite monster from the classic series are the Sea Devils, as one would look good in the duck pond.
Alan Ruscoe gave interesting insight into the making of series one and compared notes with Terry Molloy on uncomfortable costumes.
After lunch there was the opportunity for fans to have a photograph taken of themselves taken with the guests of the day. This would be developed and the photographed fan could get the print signed by each guest before the end of the day.
The photo session became integrated with a relaxed meet and mingle session.
Day two was certainly and improvement on day one and I left feeling glad I had attended the event.
The event a Brean Leisure Park was organised by the same group who had put on the event at Wookey Hole last year.
Although I should judge this year's event on its own merits I cannot help making comparisons with the Wookey Hole triumph of last year.
This year's location for the event felt very low key and less photogenic. I felt somewhat hemmed in by the smaller area afforded to the event. The main seating hall was comfortable but a part from a small penned off area outside there was not a great deal there.
We do need an event like this as an alternative to full conventions. This event was pleasant but the overall feeling I got this year was that we needed a bit more.
As long as this group continue to put on events then I will continue to attend and I would urge anyone reading this to do so too. |
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