Catching up!

So, there we were interviewing a member of Followers of Rupert about that loveable character Rupert Bear celebrating his 100^th birthday this year, when Ann got a slightly woolly feeling settle over her and a sudden impulse to go and play in the woods. 

Luckily, she was back in time for tea and in time to write up her article on Rupert for Collector’s Gazette magazine. It will be out in the March 2020 edition, in good time for Rupert’s special birthday party in Warwick over the August Bank Holiday period.

Ann and Rob – who stays safely behind the camera… Did I say safely? Well actually, Rob is the one usually getting into precarious spots to get the shots he wants. But on this occasion, he was perfectly safe in Rupert’s Nutwood garden.

He also stayed safe when we had another encounter with a large walking ‘talking’ creature not so long ago. This was a nine-foot-tall Wookee of Star Wars fame. Chewbacca was meeting fans at the MCM Comic Con event which we like to go along to twice a year.  The hairy giant took a break from a photo shoot to be interviewed.

His rather mournful grunts, groans and growls all seemed to look the same in Ann’s shorthand notes, but reading between the lines, he said he was enjoying the show but looking forward to getting home, putting his (big) feet up and having a mug of hot chocolate.

While we’ve been a bit remiss about blogging recently, that’s just because we’ve been up to our eyes in writing for different publications. Amongst the activities, we’ve been meeting people who build and race remote control boats, plus we’ve attended toy fairs and model railway events, all for Collector’s Gazette magazine. 

We’ve been talking to amazing miniaturists who make all kinds of highly detailed doll’s house miniatures that have to be seen to be believed. Those articles are for Dolls House & Miniature Scene magazine and Miniatura. If you don’t know about Miniatura – check it out. Their Spring Show takes place in March at the Birmingham NEC – don’t miss it!

We’ve also been writing about Hounds for Heroes and the Cinnamon Trust for The People’s Friend’s magazine. And lots of other events for our weekly slot in on-line magazine, B-C-ing-U. We’ve also been doing some restaurant reviews – I know, a dirty job but someone has to do it! Plus, some motoring events and the amazing Tanks, Trucks & Firepower Show, which is always so exciting!

So, as we get into 2020, we’ve already been out and about, writing, taking photos, doing interviews, as well as being on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire's Brody Bunch Show a number of times. And we’ve been busy writing books – but more on that next time.

Happy reading and writing everyone!

Fun and Games at Comic Con

A mini stormtrooper meets some of the UK Garrison army.

There was lots going on at the MCM Comic Con back for its Winter event at the Birmingham NEC, and despite the NEC raising car parking charges again from £12 - £16, there were crowds flocking to the halls, in all their Cosplay finery.

Glamour at Comic Con.

 Costumes ranged from the weird to the wonderful, from glamour to horror. We bumped into Ninja Turtles, Storm Troopers, superheroes of all descriptions, monsters and aliens, characters from video games and comic books, steampunk people in fantastic outfits, we even bumped into Father Christmas and Cinderella’s two ugly sisters.

We shall go to the Ball.

 With Christmas looming, lots of people were taking advantage of the huge range of unique items on sale that would make really unusual gifts – the sort of things you aren’t going to see in the High Street or supermarkets. A fascinating display that visitors were enjoying was the work of Terry English, one of the world’s leading armourers. For the last 50 years he has made created armour for film, TV and the entertainments industry as well as producing work for private collectors and museums throughout the world. Amongst the many films he has worked on are: Excalibur, Aliens and Jabberwocky to name but a few.

Expect the unusual at Comic Con.

Fantastic to see the massive range of trade stalls, that were showcasing hand-crafted items. There was everything from whacky wax candles, glittering footwear, quirky T-shirts, steampunk clothing and accessories, masquerade masks, Cosplay swords and accessories, soft toys and so much more. 

Ninja Turtles on guard.

One of the many interesting stalls was Wandcraft, founded by Bob Turner of Staffordshire in February 2017. His entire stand was made to look like an apothecary from Harry Potter, selling magic wands and staffs, ancient bottles of potions and all kinds of wizardry.  I asked Bob how he puts the magic into his magic wands, and discovered the secret ingredient was Unicorn scales!

You could even buy a magic wand on Wandcraft's stall.

It was also pleasing to see plenty of trade stalls catering for the hobbyist and collector. There was lots of toy stalls – a whole section for the popular Manga toys, books, comics and so on, plus the more conventional toy stalls with action figures, TV and film, sci-fi, DC and Marvel comics, signed photos of famous people, DVDs, videos and Blu-Ray items to browse, and other interesting stalls selling badges and patches, belts and buckles, sporting memorabilia, original art and sculpture and lots more.

Authentic uniforms for the 95th Rifle Regiment re-enactors.

On artist Richard Williams’ stall were a wonderful range of prints from his original portraits of countless famous people. Richard explained that he works in London creating animated story boards, so is well used to art work. He studied art and computer engineering, and as he says: “Practiced my heart out for 10 years then got a break, and now I do what makes me happy!”

London artist Richard Williams.

For Nintendo fans – and there were lots and lots, they had their own arena for Splatoon 2 UK Championship 2018 Grand Final. It was an exciting celebration of all things Inkopolis which included a special appearance by Splatoon 2 Producer, Hirashi Nogami, Splatoon 2 Cosplay and fan-art competitions and the Grand Final of the Splatoon 2 UK Championship, which followed months of fierce competition.

Crowds enjoying the Nintendo finale.

  There were live theatre events where stars of TV, film and video chatted about their work and their lives and took questions from the visitors. Amongst them, Jason O’Mara from Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Batman; David Morrissey from The Walking Dead and Dr Who; Mary McDonnell from Major Crimes and Battlestar Gallactica, Chris Barrie from Red Dwarf and many others.

Jason O'Mara chatting to fans.

Organisers of Comic Con saw around 35,000 people through the doors at the last show, and gauged that it was about the same this year. Next year’s event takes place on 23^rd-24^th March 2019. Details: http://www.mcmcomiccon.com

Enjoy a few more photos taken by Rob Tysall on the day...

Amazing IT costume.

The Joker.

Startling make up.

Pyramid Head and IT.

Steampunk Starwars.

Superheroes ready for action.

Popular pair at the show.

Steampunk Cosplayers.

An imposing force.

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