Original Promotion:
Morning of Sept 19, 2010
Took the train from London Heathrow to Swiss Cottage (Heathrow to Green Park on the Piccadilly Line) and then transferred on the Jubillee Line to go to Swiss Cottage. Decided to go early to beat the rush hour since then the trains are packed even on Sundays. I arrived at Swiss Cottage and walked around for a while. A very neat little town that even has a Subway and KFC! One of the buildings in the center of town caught my eye which was a restaurant/bar:
Afternoon of Sept 19, 2010
I then went to the Marriott Hotel and found out where the event was going to be held which was not far from the main entrance. They were still setting everything up, so in the mean time I mingled with the people currently there as well as ones coming in.
Among the many people I met (many have passed away over the years-SO grateful to have met them!):
-Pamela Cundell "the derierre woman" in "Are You Being Served?". Her husband took a picture of us. Got an autograph from her as well in my AYBS book. Know her initially from her appearances on "The Benny Hill Show"-the first show that introduced me to British comedy.
-Jean Fergusson who played Marina on "Last of the Summer Wine". We chatted a moment. Didn't get a chance to get a picture from her unfortunately which I feel really bad about! I wrote her a letter and got a neat autographed picture in return which really made my day!:
-David Croft OBE. We chatted a moment and I got a picture from him. A *very* rare opportunity to meet the man behind the "Are You Being Served?" series! Got an autograph as well. Thanks so much for being patient for a proper picture!
-Jimmy Perry OBE (pictured at left) with Joe Goodman who is known as "King of the One-Liners". We chatted a moment and I got a picture. A rare opportunity to meet the man behind the "Dad's Army" and "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" series!
-June Whitfield CBE who played Nelly on "Last of the Summer Wine". Mark was nice enough to email me a picture of her:
June Whitfield (right) pictured with Sarah Thomas
Picture used with permission from Mark Hampson.
-Vicki Michelle MBE from "'Allo 'Allo" fame and a C.B. voice on one of the "Are You Being Served?" shows ("Calling All Customers"). Congratulated her on her MBE that she had just received a few weeks earlier. Know her primarily from 'Allo 'Allo.
-Robert Fyfe who played Howard on "Last of the Summer Wine". Neat gentleman and fun to talk with! Juliette Kaplan would come by and role play with him every so often which was fun to watch and be a part of siding with him. Talked with him about the "Elvis" episode from LOTSW and said he had a lot of fun creating that show. He also thought it was neat that that show made it to the United States.
-Juliette Kaplan who played Pearl on "Last of the Summer Wine". Met a couple of times and got a few pictures. I said that she should be nicer to Howard and got the intimidating stance and "Why?!" in return. LOL Very neat person to talk with as well.
Juliette Kaplan pictured with Sarah Thomas.
-Frank Thornton who played "Captain Peacock on "Are You Being Served?" as well as Truly on "Last of the Summer Wine". Got to meet him one-on-one for a few minutes and chat, get a picture as well as an autograph on the pamphlet.
Pamphlet from the event. Got autographs from all the AYBS related people that were present inside as well as Frank Thornton on the cover.
-Trevor Bannister who played Mr. Lucas on "Are You Being Served?" as well as Toby on "Last of the Summer Wine".
Met for a few brief moments and managed to get a photo with him- thank goodness! :-) - before I left.
Trevor Bannister, Juliette Kaplan, me and Sarah Thomas (Burt Kwouk in background).
-Doremy Vernon who played the "Canteen Manageress" on "Are You Being Served?". Talked briefly and got an autograph.
Picture used with permission from Steve Townley.
-Josephine Tewson who played the Librarian on "Last of the Summer Wine". Talked briefly and got a picture.
-Nicholas Smith who played Mr. Rumbold on "Are You Being Served?". Talked briefly and got picture and autograph. Third time I've met him- Arkansas, Wendy's Charity Event and at this event. :-)
-Burt Kwouk who played Entwistle on "Last of the Summer Wine". Talked briefly and got a photograph.
I didn't get a chance to meet Peter Sallis, but Mark was nice enough to email me a picture:
Picture used with permission from Mark Hampson.
The event was a very star-studded event!
A screen with the event specs:
Lots of wine, water and good food with a 3 course meal.
Pictures used with permission from Mark Hampson.
The event started with a toast for Frank from all of us and a speech from Trevor Bannister which was funny and touching. In one part he said:
"Dementia isn't all that bad! One good thing is that there are no repeats and the other good thing is that you make new friends everyday!" LOL
Then they showed some clips from Frank in AYBS all which I recognized, but then a few more in shows I've never seen before which was neat. They also showed some bloopers from LOTSW from Frank and the other cast members of the show which were hilarious! My favorite is with Frank climbing a small hill with the LOTSW cast and just as he was saying his line a big gust of wind came and blew his hat off his head! Peter Sallis and the others then running down the hill to try to get it. Really funny candid moment! :-)
Jean Fergusson then gave her speech which was a neat poem filled with humor for Frank and about LOTSW. Very well delivered!! :)
She was nice enough to send me a copy of the poem as well with the autographed picture. Thanks for this great poem which had all of us laughing:
Poem ©Jean Fergusson. Used with permission.
There was a singer named Ellie Dibben who sang a tribute for "Last of the Summer Wine":
Pictures used with permission from Mark Hampson.
The band there, (Ben Stock, Stewart Nichol, Joe Goodman as well as a few others), played old English songs and it was neat seeing some of the cast members singing along.
I met Mark Hampson the creator of Mollie Sugden's website which is gone now who happened to be at my table. Neat guy and great meeting another website creator for "Are You Being Served?"! :) :
There was also a woman from Canada at my table as well.
Frank Thornton and his wife were presented with a gift and bouquet of flowers respectively (Sorry for the bad quality pic!):
I chatted with the creator/writer of LOTSW Roy Clarke and got a picture of him:
There was an auction where there was great success on most of the items. I managed to win a neat picture from Frank Thornton during his RAF days in uniform! A lady later came up to me and told me her grandfather had taken that picture. Neat! :-)
Vicki Michelle ran the raffle calling out the numbers. I ended up winning the 24" flat screen TV (Grand Prize), but since I couldn't take it with me for numerous reasons, it was re-raffled. Vicki ended up winning the TV on the re-raffle which really was cool and I'm really happy for her! As an alternative, I got a huge photo of Frank and Peter Sallis with autographs from most of the people associated with LOTSW on the frame border. :-) A lot of excitement for one day!
Was really glad I could attend this event on behalf of myself and all the other American fans out there for "Are You Being Served?" and "Last of the Summer Wine". I would have loved to get more pictures, autographs, and talk longer with many of the actors and actresses but being starstruck is very hard to overcome as well as enjoying the event as it unfolded made me keep forgetting about the camera! :-| How often does someone have the opportunity to share the same floor with so many celebrities at once!? It was a really neat event that I will cherish the memories of for many years to come. A personal note to all mentioned above as well as a few who chatted with me and/or helped me who are nameless. It was a great pleasure meeting each and every one of you and thanks for being part of this wonderful event! Also great thanks to Mr. Edwards for picking the big picture out for me as well as to the gentleman who bubblewrapped the big picture above for its safe journey home!
And my last picture before I left:
David Graham and I.