For a one day convention there was a lot to see; plenty of special guests and signings; screenings and a large amount of models and original props.
As the series is almost fifty years old now, finding people who'd originally worked on the series, and are happy to attend is fast becoming difficult nowadays, and even finding those who did, many have very little recollection.
Director Alan Perry is an exception. He worked for AP Films and Century 21 for several years and has many stories about his time working on set.
Actor David Sumner however, had no memories of appearing in his single UFO episode, 'Kill Straker', he did however go on to chat about other aspects of his career.
More or less the same applied to actor David Collings, who'd appeared in 'The Psychobombs'. UFO would have been just a job of work many years ago, and part of a long career, so it's perfectly understandable that it would be hard to remember everything.
Ayshea Brough, who has made several convention appearances during the past few years, is always a popular guest. She does have a few memories about her time in UFO, in particular Sylvia Anderson insisting she wore Ayshea's own 'A' necklace with her SHADO uniform.
Three UFO fans were also interviewed by last year's chief organiser, Steve Hardy.. James Winch, who brought along his restored SHADO Jeep, along with several original props he now owns, and Paolo Malaguti and his friend, also namedPaolo from the Italian UFO fan club, who were displaying a few seldom seen original props in their keeping, including the watch presented to Ed Bishop by Gerry, Sylvia and Reg Hill following the completion of the final episode of UFO.
Chris Gibbings, the chief organiser for this year's con, interviewed Suzanne Neve, following a screening of the episode, 'A Question of Priorities'.
Alan Shubrook did a special illustrated talk on the special effects used in UFO. Fan could also buy an exclusive booklet to accompany the talk.
Another thing worth mentioning was the Convention Goodie bag which contained some really nice collectables, in particular a facsimile of John Kane's resignation letter on Eurosec notepaper, complete with attached hand written note.
Sadly, SHADO Con 2 is the last convention to be organised by the good folk with the collective and fitting name of 'Markers Universal', who'd got together to make things happen. Well, I 'm glad they did and well done to them. These types of intimate events are fast being replaced with the more money spinning modern comic cons.
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