SHADO CON 2 -JUST A WEEK AWAY...

It's just a week to go before dedicated fans of  U.F.O like me. descend on Derby to celebrate the last  Sci-fi TV series produced by Century 21.

This will be the last one day UFO convention organised by the group, Markers Universal who, after the success of last year's event decided , probably against their better judgement, as I imagine it takes a heck of a lot of hard work, to do just one more.

This year it looks to be a much, much bigger affair. Now that M.U. have already got that first UFO event under their belt, other organisations have showed an interest in joining in. Amongst others, Fanderson as well as Anderson Entertainment will have stalls. The Shado Jeep, expertly restored by James Winch will be making an appearance, as well as displays of original props, some from Italian UFO mega fan, Paolo Malaguti - I might get to see Straker's wig at last!

Photo: Universal Pictures

The Jeep , one of three originally built for  Gerry & Sylvia Anderson's cinema Sci-fi adventure, Doppelganger,  can be seen in action on the big screen , as the film also gets a late-night screening at the event.

The Markers Universal Mobile Transporter, which is also in the process of being restored complete with trailer might well make an appearance.

Original Century 21 model maker, Alan Shubrook will be doing an exclusive hour long presentation dealing with special effects on UFO. The photo above shows Alan in full flow at RAF Cosford a few years ago, obviously dealing with Thunderbirds that time.There's also a special edition souvenir brochure signed by Alan, too.

Photo: ITV Studios

There's guest interviews, some making welcome returns and some not seen before by me. A last minute coup for SHADO Con is an appearance by Suzanne Neve, who played a pivotal role in UFO as Ed Straker's former wife, Mary, principally in the episodes, Question of Priorities and Confetti Check A-OK. (Suzanne also makes uncredited appearances in 'Sub Smash' and 'Mindbender')

Photo: ITVStudios

Sadly, fan- organised conventions like these are fast becoming few and far between, in favour of the current trend of Comic Cons and organised signings.  Markers Universal have done well here and put together quite a package. For those few who are still toying with the idea of coming along for the day, just get it booked!

https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/shado-con-2.aspx

A REMINDER OF THE CENTURY 21 PROJECT SWORD NUCLEAR FERRY

What an amazing toy!

Have you got one readers?

THE LONGEST DAY

Its the longest day in the UK, the summer solstice, when the thin gossamer between day and night is stretched to nothing and sunlight rules till 10pm GMT.

Yet despite an extended afternoon and evening of bright starshine I feel more worried and anxious on many fronts this year. There is a distinct deficit of hope in modern Britain and I feel it entering the solstice a wholly depressed and divided nation.

Not even the brave druids of Stonehenge or the overpaid boys playing for England this Midsummer have any chance of raising the mercury of my faith in the future.

Rather than the international, altruistic and heroic community that Thunderbirds predicted in the Sixties, a world in which the weak were always protected, we face a future of nationalistic, xenophobic states filled with increasingly selfish and intolerant regimes making citizens wary of foreigners and neighbouring countries. 

Being a quarter Italian, a descendant of Italian artisans who moved to Northern Britain in the 1800's to provide a craftsmanship demanded by the new Captains of the Cotton industry, I find this modern neurosis and the policies and referendums its produced abhorrent.

These policies have now reached my own door and look set to remain [no irony intended]. 

One of my many reactions to the tsunami of social injustice sweeping Britain and the world - anger, compassion, despair and form filling - is also to regularly retreat mentally into a place in which it is always safe and full of people that were nice to each other i.e. my childhood. I tend to do this memory tourism when all the daily grind is over in the evenings.

You might think that I am living in the past or burying my head in the sands of time or any other of those cliches but I find it a pleasant distraction to think and write about those tender years of mine, which hopefully many of you can also relate to. Unlike the future, I know my past. I was there. Hence the blog.

So on this, the Northern summer solstice I will enjoy the longest evening as best I can, with one eye on an unknown future and the other on the distant glow of childhood.

I wish all MC readers a happy soulful Solstice, whether it be summer or winter where you live.

OK, rant over. Back to the toys.

THE SENSATIONAL ZAL

Its been a disappointing week at Moonbase for one reason and another but a light on the horizon has been Zal Cleminson's /sin dogs/.

Zal was the ace guitarist with SAHB or the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, who I adored as a young hippy in the mid to late Seventies. He also did a stint in Nazareth too but it's SAHB I remember and their brilliant album Tomorrow Belongs to Me was a stand-out.

Zal's SAHB clown-face was glam memorable and his playing utterly superb.

I understand that his make-up was inspired by the Joker from the original US Batman TV series too.

Rock on Cesar Romero!

Zal's new band /sin dogs/ is a refreshingly heavy outfit and an early listen to their new material proves that he's still got what it takes to create tidal waves of hard rock, speedway riffs and growling lyrics up there with the best of 'em.

Not bad for a 69 year old!

Did you like SAHB and have you heard /sin dogs/?

A DIABOLICAL TRIO OF MEAT EATERS

Hi Woodsy. 

Jurassic World stuff is everywhere in droves right now.

Although I could use more herbivores in my collection, I couldn't resist this diabolical trio of meat eaters.

I have a giant T Rex on back order that's supposed to be about a meter long!

I'll send photos when/ if it arrives.

I saw 2 at Wal-Mart that quickly disappeared and weren't re -stocked.

They looked absolutely monstrous, right up my alley!

Brian F 

NJ, USA