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memorabilia
2007 |
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sunday 25th november 2007 |
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Report by Mark
Newbold |
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The Memorabilia
show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England has been a
regular event since it's inception back in 1993. Since that first
inaugural show the cream of genre television, film and sport have
appeared at the show - Ralph McQuarrie, Tom Baker and Frank Bruno to
name but three - making Memorabilia a stand-out date on the convention
diary. |
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This weekend was
no exception, with guests including the 1980 West Ham United FA Cup
winning team, the cast of Red Dwarf, three-time WWE champion Mick Foley
and horror babe Emily Booth wowwing the crowds. There was a Star
Wars presence there with Kenny Baker, David Prowse, Peter Roy and Laurie
Goode and many, many more... |
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Sunday 25th
November 2007 |
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Mark Newbold,
Webmaster and Editor |
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Mark - "I'd
left it fairly late to arrive at the NEC, it was past midday when I got
there, but the rain held off and I took the courtesy bus from the car
park to Hall 12. As ever I got a buzz of anticipation going in,
because you never quite know who you'll meet and what you'll see.
In fact, check the first photo below and see if you can spot UK Garrison
member Trevor Lloyd in there. In the past I've met heroes of mine
- Mick Foley and Ralph McQuarrie to name but two - and been caught out
by glamorous 1960's horror star Ingrid Pitt. That's a story for
another time though..." |
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Mark - "The
show was packed, although my good friend Paul Lovell told me the
Saturday was one of the very best days he'd seen at Memorabilia for a
good while. I did the usual, work the aisles and snap away with my
trusty Nokia at anything interesting that moved." |
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No, it's not
shoddy camera work. These people are moving VERY
quicky... |
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Mark - "The UK Garrison
had set up camp right next to the stage and were holding court, much to
the delight of many young kids who were gazing up in amazement at the
motley collection of bounty hunters - both Mandalorian and Ubese -
clones, sith lords and Imperial officers. The Garrison do such a
great job and it's always brilliant seeing them around at the
conventions. Being here today also gave me the chance to catch up
with our good friend
James Burns from
Jedi News, and we had chance to
discuss, among other subjects, the state of the collecting industry, our
respective websites and some plans for 2008 that are percolating nicely." |
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The
only bounty these guys get is covered in chocolate... |
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Mark - "The great thing about
the Memorabilia show is that not only does it cater to sci-fi nuts like
myself but television fans generally. And speaking of General Lee,
John Schneider of The Dukes of Hazard and Smallville fame was a guest,
meeting and greeting people alongside the iconic vehicle. And for
fans of Heroes, Greg Grunberg was signing just a few rows away." |
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In Holland,
nobody notices this car... |
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Mark - "Why oh why hasn't
there been any new Red Dwarf since 2000? It's so obvious that the
actors would love to do it, the fans are clamouring for it and it would
be a smash. Here's a couple of shots of Danny John Jules - that's
the Cat to you and me, alongside Craig 'Lister' Charles." |
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Danny John
Jules and Craig Charles are the Boys from the Dwarrrrffff! |
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Mark - "It just wouldn't be
Memorabilia without a handful of Star Wars guests, and this one didn't
disappoint. Dave Prowse and Kenny Baker, who we've seen at a
number of gatherings during the course of the year were present, signing
busily away for the crowds. I also had the pleasure of meeting
both Peter Roy and Laurie Goode, two veterans of A New Hope and had a
brief chat with them. Fingers crossed we cross paths again in the
future, it was a pleasure to meet them both." |
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David
and Kenny sign for the crowds... |
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Mark - "I admit, I have no
interest in Power Rangers but my nephews Adam and Sam are crazy about
them, so this one's for you lads." |
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Clearly this
is the Elvis Ranger - "Thanyouveeerymurch!" |
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Mark - "Now this beauty
caught my eye as soon as I walked past the stand, and I'm not just
talking about the lady ducking out of sight. This was a Master
Replica's Millennium Falcon signature series, signed by Harrison Ford
and it was flat-out gorgeous. I was surprised enough to see that
and even more shocked when Chris Ryder, our neighbour at
Celebration Europe
called out my name. I haven't
seen Chris since the Saturday morning of the convention, so it was a
real blast catching up and having a chat. And it looks like he's
going to be on the circuit with his amazing collectibles, so keep an eye
out for him." |
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This almost
made me cry like a baby - "I want it!" |
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Mark - "Not many things
these days swell my heart with a pleasure akin to sweet, sweet love or a
West Brom injury time goal against Wolves but being recognised by Bob
Jones of the SFB Events now gives me that hit. I've been to five SFB
events since 2004 and always make a point of saying 'Hi' to B...and she
never remembers me. But, thanks to the power of Facebook I was
suddenly recognisable, and we had a great chat about the Ball, Reunion
and life in general." |
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"To B, or not
to B..." |
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Mark - "bobamaker.co.uk
is a brilliant site with everything you need to have a custom Fett
costume made to measure. Just wandering past I had to take a snap
of this bespoke costume and bemoan the fact that, at 6' 4" I'm little
tall for a Mandalorian Shocktrooper... |
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"Suits you
sir!" |
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Mark - "If it's not
Dalek's then it's Stormtroopers, and these armoured drones continuously
kept telling me to 'Move along, move along' in their crackly way.
Just wait, they'll get their comeuppance one day. I'll get 250,000
of them posted to the Death Star... |
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They don't
call them Whitecaps for nuthin' |
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Mark - "I couldn't resist
taking this one. I'd seen these three with their family walking
around for a few hours and asked the little lady if she wouldn't mind me
taking a photo. Luckily her fellow fans weren't far away and I got this
super snap. Thanks guys, hope you like it." |
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The cast of
the new Star Wars television show. |
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Mark - "This shot was
taken purely on instinct. Two leather-clad nutters approached me,
one with a knife and the other looking mean and, well, what could I do?
I raised my camera phone in self-defence, blinded them with the flash
and ran for it." |
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Excuse me, do
you need help opening your post in the morning? |
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Mark - "Here's
Lightsabre's pal Trevor Lloyd in an action pose. It's the
third time we've bumped into Trevor this year, the other times being at
Celebration Europe
and
Attack of the Garrison, and we
always have a laugh. And he's finally realised that it was my wife
who was making him laugh when the 'serious' shots were being taken at
Celebration.
I think Bex had beter brush up on her Lightsabre skills." |
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Trevor hits
me for four... |
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Mark - "Towards the end
of the day I caught up again with James for a longer chat and turned
around right into
Dave Tree of the Palitoy Archive
2007. Dave's a great guy and I spent a good hour there with hi and
his pal Lee chatting about collectibles - who'd have known there were
600 variations of Bend'Ems? - and sharing a pint until 5.00pm approached
and the show closed. |
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Greg Grunberg
chatting on the stage |
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Mark - "Again, it was a
great afternoon with some fantastic vintage and new collectibles,
excellent guests and chatting with some good friends. Memorabilia
in March can't come fast enough." |
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