Memorabilia This Weekend!

[Derek Eaton]

There are some obvious Gerry Anderson quests this weekend but also Gary Raymond who appeared in one episode of UFO is on the lineup.

www.memorabilia.co.uk (http://www.memorabilia.co.uk)

I will be attending on Sunday and will be easy to spot as I will be wearing a blue JAWS T-shirt. If you see me please grab me for a chat - I don't bite - it was just a boating accident.

[TonyB]

I will be there all being well on the Saturday, can't do Sunday unfortunately. I will be on a stall with Retroboy, however at this point I do not know the position of the table.

[Colonel Foster]

Colonel Foster will be entering the building on Saturday morning.... Is there a beer tent?

[Smudge]

I'll be there too on Sat - looking forward to seeing wonderful Wanda Ventham. I'll be easy to spot too - just look for the Roger Delgado-a-like in the black nehru suit... :eek:

[Masterspy]

I'll be there with the SPACE: 1999 crowd. So I'll have a good audience of Anderson fans ... doing distasteful self-promotion for my book, and explaining to them why they won't see it mentioned by the official fan club, who close threads when their members express dissent.

The us and them mentality never works in the long run.

[TonyB]

Stephen I will definitely come along and say hello to you on the Saturday if I see you there promoting your book or not. :)

I'll be there with the SPACE: 1999 crowd. So I'll have a good audience of Anderson fans ... doing distasteful self-promotion for my book, and explaining to them why they won't see it mentioned by the official fan club, who close threads when their members express dissent.

The us and them mentality never works in the long run.

Although posting comments like that is not doing yourself any favours in the long run I would have thought.

[Masterspy]

Stephen I will definitely come along and say hello to you on the Saturday if I see you there promoting your book or not. :)



Although posting comments like that is not doing yourself any favours in the long run I would have thought.

And Fanderson is doing itself favours by a Nineteen Eighty-Four-esque approach to those that question its actions and bizarre editorial policy?

I thought Fanderson had gone through something of a spring-clean and had tidied up its act. It seems the old regieme and its attitudes are as strong as ever. And I don't doubt that as the thread was locked, my account shall soon be deleted.

Your members have asked you questions. You should be answering them.

[Mark42]

Although posting comments like that is not doing yourself any favours in the long run I would have thought.

I thought he had been moaning about and insulting Fanderson, the way it is run and the people operating it for about 10 years now - so it's a bit late in the day for him to stop!

I was somewhat surprised to see that they let him on here, especially with his limited interest - 36 postings, 33 of which seem to be on his own favourite subject - Himself, his dvd or his book.

It's pretty much the same on the Eagletransporter forum, everytime I click new posts and see 'Masterspy' then I know exactly what it will be about.
1, The greatest BOOK ever written - currently hi-jacked by Somalian pirates
2, The greatest dvd ever made 'Full Boost Vertical' - still some available
3, What I've done, who I've met - they all think I'm great.
4, Fanderson - they're out to get me you know!!

Quite frankly I think it's making you look ridiculous Stephen. No normal person self-promotes to this level, it's completely insane, you should let your work or other people do the talking for you.
And if you want to contibute to forums then please find another topic to talk about other than your own shining star.

[TonyB]

I cannot comment on the thread being locked as I did not lock it.

I would not have thought that your account would be deleted, at least I would hope not, with out due cause at least.

I cannot answer any of your questions, I am a Fanderson staff member not a Fanderson committee member, I am not party to any policy or decision making.

I was simply trying to offer a little help and advice in trying to get two parties to get along and 'pour oil on the troubled waters', nothing more, something that sadly looks to have been a wasted effort on my part.

[Simon Morris]

I thought Fanderson had gone through something of a spring-clean and had tidied up its act. It seems the old regieme and its attitudes are as strong as ever. And I don't doubt that as the thread was locked, my account shall soon be deleted.


I too was somewhat disturbed at the indecent haste that the thread was locked - particularly as I was posting in it at the time. It took me a couple of go's to get the system to send it, but I did just get in before the lockdown.

I don't want to enter into any debate on this and this comment is my last on the matter, but I don't want to see that sort of thing happening too often. The fanclub is supposed to work for members - not the other way round.

[EDIT} Incidentally, I don't know Stephen!

[Masterspy]

I thought he had been moaning about and insulting Fanderson, the way it is run and the people operating it for about 10 years now - so it's a bit late in the day for him to stop!

I was somewhat surprised to see that they let him on here, especially with his limited interest - 36 postings, 33 of which seem to be on his own favourite subject - Himself, his dvd or his book.

It's pretty much the same on the Eagletransporter forum, everytime I click new posts and see 'Masterspy' then I know exactly what it will be about.
1, The greatest BOOK ever written - currently hi-jacked by Somalian pirates
2, The greatest dvd ever made 'Full Boost Vertical' - still some available
3, What I've done, who I've met - they all think I'm great.
4, Fanderson - they're out to get me you know!!

Quite frankly I think it's making you look ridiculous Stephen. No normal person self-promotes to this level, it's completely insane, you should let your work or other people do the talking for you.
And if you want to contibute to forums then please find another topic to talk about other than your own shining star.

OK. I'll bite. Please tell me where I've said either Full Boost Vertical or my book are the greatest things ever?

I don't look rediculous as I'm not the tragic bunch of aged fans desperately trying to keep a group of kids shows and associated memorabilia to themselves.

And really - I'd love to go into a normality contest with you Dave. I can't imagine who'd win.

[Masterspy]

I too was somewhat disturbed at the indecent haste that the thread was locked - particularly as I was posting in it at the time. It took me a couple of go's to get the system to send it, but I did just get in before the lockdown.

I don't want to enter into any debate on this and this comment is my last on the matter, but I don't want to see that sort of thing happening too often. The fanclub is supposed to work for members - not the other way round.

[EDIT} Incidentally, I don't know Stephen!

I don't think for one second they thought you know me.


They probably think you are me. They're very familiar with multiple-personality disorder. Chris Bentley. Russell Weller. Luke Davis...

[Conrad Lefkon]

I can't help feeling it would be useful and informative if there was a top-level Fanderson User ID that occasionally posted official comments supported by the Fanderson Committee.

At present, the Forum reminds me of 'The Village' in 'The Prisoner' where No 6 was not sure who were the prisoners and who were the warders. I am joking but only slightly! :)

So much in life depends on proper communication and an official Fanderson User ID would make things so much clearer.

As it stands, I don't know if Fanderson will contact Stephen or not, which is disappointing because I thought we were close to a resolution a couple of hours ago. :(

Saying nothing is a form of communication, albeit a negative one. I think we need to hear the voice of the Fanderson Committee from time to time even if we don't like what we hear!

[Simon Morris]

I agree Conrad - and I have made the point before, when there was a discussion about posting links to files (mp3s etc) elsewhere. Katie did respond but sometimes I think there should be a formal response (from 'da bosses') to some issues when they are raised.

With regards to the point in the other thread, I was merely expressing surprise and some disappointment that in the past the club has seemingly made little effort in alerting members to what merchandise there is "out there" - in not one case have I really learned the existence of these items from the club, and that is one of the things that the club should be there for. Is it not?

There have also been one or two posts on the Fanderson Yahoo Group asking for its retention (there was an indication that it would probably be shut at the end of the year...) and as far as I know there has been no response from the club either way about this request. Have the committee decamped from the Yahoo Group? Because a number of members have not - and have no wish to.

Please understand I am not in general knocking individuals or the club but I do get a bit concerned sometimes when it starts to look as though activities outside the club are being marginalised. I occasionally used to get that feeling and tonight I did briefly get that feeling again. It's not a nice feeling, and one I'd rather not experience again please.

[Edit] I see that Masterspy has apparently now been 'Banned'. I'm not convinced that is the best way to deal with these matters, but that's the perogative of moderators I guess. A little disturbing in my opinion, but there we go. I don't want the stress of a debate. I've said my piece and that really is now my final word on this matter; I'm not even going to look at this bloody thread again....!

[jasonsmith]

I am sure there will be an official statement on what has been going on today . I do wish to say here and now that I resent being called a tragic ageist fan who as part of Fanderson keeps memorabilia to himself.
I have been with the club since 1982 and on the committee since 1992 and have NEVER been given or acquired items through the club for my own personal profit or gain. All items given to the club are archived and always available to be seen.In fact much of my own personal memorabilia has been used for producing many FAB articles and indeed some items of club merchandise.

Stephen Brown

[Mark42]

So much in life depends on proper communication and an official Fanderson User ID would make things so much clearer.

Thats sounds like a good idea, as you don't know who the 'bosses' are and it would make it very clear - also unless I'm missing something it would be nice if paid-up members had a different id too so we know who are actually in the club.

Also as I pointed out in another thread if you see a product that you want to see reviewed in the club magazine then buy it, review it yourself and send it in - the FAB pages don't fill themselves - it's not a closed shop, you can contibute as proved by the constant request for articles.

[Nick Williams]

Hi all.

My first posting to the Forum! That probably means I’ll be tagged as ‘Birlgoy’ or something suitably baby-like, eh? What a shame that my first post couldn’t be under nicer circumstances.

As you will probably be aware, Stephen La Riviere has tonight been banned from the Fanderson Forum. This is due to the unprecedented level of complaints I have received about his conduct from club members on the Forum. As club members pay for the Forum through your membership fees the club committee has a duty to act on your wishes.

Now, to the more general point about “da bosses” answering queries on here. The simple fact is that, like you, we have hectic lives which means we can’t be on the Forum, Facebook, YahooGroups, Twitter and all the other websites all of the time. I manage to get on here about three times a week and then only get a chance for a cursory skim.

But the Forum wasn’t intended as the place for you to raise queries. We hoped it would become a place for like-minded people to share news, views, thoughts, ideas, hints, help, knitting patterns (er, kidding), horoscopes (really kidding) etc. If you want to ask the committee something then drop us a line as we always make time for e-mail, but even that’s not every day. Having said that, we’ll think about an “ask the committee” section on the Forum, as there seems to be a need for it.

As for feeling a little like Number 6, I find it a little strange that so many people here hide behind pseudonyms. I know it’s only a bit of fun and perhaps I'm old-fashioned, but I think it’s nice to know who I’m talking to, especially if we’re going to be addressing members’ queries or concerns.

To answer a couple of the more specific questions raised here:

the club cannot endorse illegal or unauthorised merchandise, goods or services which (I think) addresses the query about mp3s, photos etc. It’s a sticky though, area as places like YouTube have tons of illegal material and the copyright holders apparently do nothing about it
the intention was for the Forum to replace the YahooGroup. You only have to take a look at the Message History on the front page to see it’s a dying cat, but if you don’t want us to take it to the vet, we won’t.



It’s been a long day and I need to go to bed, so I’ll sign off now. I promise to take a more active role in the Forum, just as soon as Network Rail repair the bridge at Feltham and reopen the railway line. Then I’ll get home in under three hours and get some semblance of a social life in the evenings!

See you in October!

Nick
Fanderson chairman

[Keryn]

Crikey. A week goes by and when I finally can log in to read the posts it seems flames are flying...and more besides. Ah well.

Mark42's comment (QUOTE) '2, The greatest dvd ever made 'Full Boost Vertical' - still some available' sounded very sarcastic to me, but I'd just like to say that I was very glad that copies were still available! :) I'm not a huge fan of Supercar so I took my time buying it - but when I saw it at last I thought it was excellent. I've ordered a copy of Stephen's book and if it is half as interesting as Full Boost Vertical then it will have been money well spent.

I hope things will calm down on the Forum - and I also hope that Masterspy's banning is not permanent. That seems a bit harsh. BTW I've never met anyone in the posts either - Australia's a very long way away. :) I wish it wasn't because then I'd be able to go to the conventions.

[capt_ochre]

BTW I've never met anyone in the posts either - Australia's a very long way away. :) I wish it wasn't because then I'd be able to go to the conventions.

You've met me Keyrn ;)

[Lord Brett]

Hello, my name is Ian Fryer, and I'm the co-Editor of FAB Magazine.

(try to imagine the above in the voice of Kenneth Horne and it's much funnier)

Like most of the club committee, I've refrained from posting until now about Stephen's comments. As another poster mentioned, we've had to put up with the same attacks from Stephen for ten years now. We have discovered long ago that attempts to engage in a reasoned discussion with him simply result in more of the same.

We'd hoped Stephen might have mellowed a little but, as we have all discovered over the last 24 hours, this isn't the case. We're not here to get involved in silly arguments that poison the whole atmosphere of the forum.

If I can nominate the accusation I resent the most, it's that we regard ourselves as super fans, somehow 'better' than the membership of the club. I'm more than aware that there are plenty of people who are more knowledgable than I am. One of my main aims at FAB is to bring new writers and new voices to the magazine from the club membership, an approach which has started to yield real results.

To coin a phrase (and continue a point Mike made on the Filmed in Supermarionation thread) I am also standing on the shoulders of giants such as Andrew Pixley and Chris Bentley, whose pioneering work makes life enormously earlier for the current generation of researchers. To fail to acknowledge this would show a breathtaking lack of respect.

Conrad makes an excellent point about identifying club committee members. 'Handles' are a long tradition on forums such as this, and when I joined the Fanderson Forum I used the same handle I use on forums such as Britmovies, Mausoleum Club and Mailwatch. This is at least partially as a matter of personal convenience - it saves me having to remember different user names.

On here, though, I really should use my real name, and I'll arrange to do so. Some method of identifying club committe members sounds like a good idea as well.

Here's hoping normal service can be resumed.

[mrthunder]

Having read Posts on the Forum about the new Supermarionation book I come from a position a couple of years ago of trying to make some sense of this apparent 'rift' in Anderson fandom between Stephen and the main group [or at least its Committee]. I also should be upfront enough to say I am negotiating with Stephen to acquire copies of his book to sell on Star Trader. Not that this is much of an issue but I think it should be made plain.

I really don't see why Fanderson should "request" a copy to review. Having done a bit of small press publishing over the years I rather think the practice is for a publisher to allocate themselves some review copies which you then send to anyone you think might do you some good by reviewing it. In the old days it would be "TV Zone" and "Starburst". Nowadays "SFX". With websites it's a lot bigger pitch but, within your means, I rather think it's to your own advantage to get as much "free publicity" as you can.

You have to have confidence in the product you are producing and hope the reviewer backs you up with a good review. This is the nature of the beast. If you feel a potential reviewer might do you a disservice [for whatever reason] then maybe steer clear of them and put your item into the hands of someone you think will do you a bit of good...but I don't think it's the place of a reviewer to ask for a review copy. Not at this level, anwyay.

Making a news announcement, though, is different...so long as the product meets the criteria of the organisation making the announcement [i.e. in a way helping to promote it]. The product has to be "legal, decent, honest, truthful" in all regards.

Look at the new "Thunderbirds" novels. Hardly given a rave review by Fanderson but nonetheless the third one got a news mention the other week. What, I wonder, is the difference between these books and Stephen's ?

If the Club are not willing to give the La Riviere book as similar a mention on the news pages as the new novels then I'd be interested to know the reason...

David Nightingale

[Colonel Foster]

No!!! I REALLY AM COLONEL FOSTER !

Er... All seems to have gone a bit crazy....

Dave Nightingale's a nice chap.

[Keryn]

You've met me Keyrn ;)

I thought it was you! The problem is you never can be sure when people use a pseudonym.

After all...who wouldn't want to be Captain Ochre? :)

[Nick Williams]

MrThunder wrote:
"Look at the new "Thunderbirds" novels. Hardly given a rave review by Fanderson but nonetheless the third one got a news mention the other week. What, I wonder, is the difference between these books and Stephen's ?"

Hi Dave.
The answer is simply, as I said in my first posting, "The club cannot endorse illegal or unauthorised merchandise, goods or services". The Verba novels are licensed by ITV Global Entertainment.

Nick

[mrthunder]

Ah, so now we know !!!! I don't think I have read anywhere that anyone considers the La Riviere book to be "illegal or unauthorised" which is absolutely fair enough and in line with what I said in my posting a little while ago.

The only observation I would make is that if this declaration had been made quietly and succinctly at the start of this discussion then it would have made everything plain and understandable and would have shown the reasoning was not down to some sort of "personal vendetta" or somesuch.

Thanks for making this clear...

[Conrad Lefkon]

Hello Nick,

Don't mention the collapsed river bridge at Feltham - I live in Staines and my minimum commute to work is now 2 1/2 hours! :mad: Having said that, a customer of my company is allowing me to work at nearby Addlestone when the nature of my work permits, which is very kind of them and an example of excellent cooperation. :)

... seemlessly moves to the point I am trying to make ..

The recent unfortunate correspondence between Fanderson members and Stephen seems to have made relations even worse (if that were possible). I feel bad about getting involved and perhaps inadvertently precipitating Stephen's ban and would like to make one last suggestion. Regardless of what has gone before, is there any scope for Stephen getting a retrospective license by ITV Global Entertainment for his book?

I have no doubt that some members of the Fanderson Committee will read the book so what happens if they find that it is indeed a definitive and landmark body of work? Some of the posts (from both sides) have seemed to me to be a little immature. If Stephen's book does turn out to be a classic then I think it must be possible to forge a professional, arms-length relationship and that would start with getting the book licensed.. :)

[Katie Bleathman]

Hello Nick,

Regardless of what has gone before, is there any scope for Stephen getting a retrospective license by ITV Global Entertainment for his book?

I have no doubt that some members of the Fanderson Committee will read the book so what happens if they find that it is indeed a definitive and landmark body of work? Some of the posts (from both sides) have seemed to me to be a little immature. If Stephen's book does turn out to be a classic then I think it must be possible to forge a professional, arms-length relationship and that would start with getting the book licensed.. :)

Hi Conrad,

Fanderson has nothing to do with the licensing of products. If Stephen wants his book to be licensed, he (or rather, his publisher) would have to approach ITV Global Entertainment and pay the fee.

Katie

[mrthunder]

I'm being a bit of a cheeky monkey here but do I take it, then, that "Andersonic" is 'authorised' ? I'm sure it's legal but would be interested to hear what the difference in status is between it and the La Riviere tome...

And, of course, we sell THAT as well !!!!

David

[DukeDexter]

I'm being a bit of a cheeky monkey here but do I take it, then, that "Andersonic" is 'authorised' ? I'm sure it's legal but would be interested to hear what the difference in status is between it and the La Riviere tome...

I may not be the person to answer this (?), but Andersonic is a fanzine and run on a non-profit basis. I just about get my costs back. Stephen's book would be published on a different basis, ie aiming to make a profit. That's the main difference in status as I see it, apart from the very different print runs!

[Simon Morris]

I did say I was going to stay out of this thread, but I did get a private message to tell me that additional contributions had now been made to the thread. So....

Thanks for the very full answer earlier as well as the above, Nick.

I can understand that if the club is seen to be promoting unlicensed material, then it could in theory jeopardise a relationship with ITV Global and their predecessors.

With regards to the Powys Media novels, I should just point out that these are properly licensed, (and from what Mateo Latosa tells me, if you're not a fan club the license isn't cheap).

I realise that the club isn't telling members not to buy unlicensed items - or even making that suggestion. Which is good really, I suppose, for two reasons. Firstly there'd be a drop in the membership numbers and secondly it has to be said that some of the stuff that is supposedly unlicensed is at least as good and sometimes actually better than the stuff that is actually licensed.

As for the banning of Masterspy, that's a club perogative of course, but there has hardly been a deluge of posts here clamouring for a ban (or even for him to just 'cease and desist'...). I have no idea of the background to all this bitterness, but I find it odd that all those who have complained enough to have him banned - an unprecedented number apparently - don't seem to have felt it necessary to explain their anger in public here.

I daresay an awful lot of people are just naturally reticent on the Internet eh?

My concern was over some books/products apparently being given short shrift and that query has now been answered.

[mrthunder]

A fair point and at least we are now getting somewhere as to how "policy" is being arrived at:-

Legal or Authorised [non-profit making intended]: OK

Legal or Authorised [profit-making intended]: OK

Illegal or Unauthorised [non-profit making intended]: OK

Illegal or Unauthorised [profit making intended]: Not OK

Seems clear enough when you spell it out like that. And if that's the "policy" arrived at by Fanderson through correct process then no-one can really argue against it...

David

[Simon Morris]

Seems clear enough when you spell it out like that. And if that's the "policy" arrived at by Fanderson through correct process then no-one can really argue against it...


That seems an accurate summary.

Although I hardly think Robert Wood wrote his book Space:1999 The Future Is Fantastic (the forerunner of his book being published next year by Telos in fact) with even the slightest intention of making a profit. It was written through an obvious love of the show (and I seem to recall that some of the profit went to charity). And I doubt Masterspy is expecting to get rich either.

It's a strange world. But I'm starting to understand it much better.

[jasonsmith]

....Hardly been a deluge of complaints here etc etc.....


A fair point to make here is that the complaints came in through normal procedures (the club email addresses). For one I wouldn't want to see them on the forum it is NOT the place for all that.(Even though I'm sure some people would relish it).
Many complainees (and rightly so) wouldn't want to risk the abuse that they might receive.
Like others I hope this all settles down now.99.9 % of the membership don't want this and I certainly don't.
There are far more interesting things to read.

Stephen Brown

[Simon Morris]

I agree Stephen. Time to draw a line.

And as I said, I am starting to understand the world far, far better.

[Nick Williams]

As people seem to be appreciating my clarification of matters on here (and another posting might change my tag from "Battery Boy"):

as already explained, Andersonic is a not-for-profit fanzine and Richard Farrell is a club member
complaints came in directly via e-mail - they all made a point of asking not to be identified so as to avoid any potential backlash. I can confirm that some are active Forum members who felt uncomfortable airing their views here
Powys Media haven't (to my knowledge) provided review copies of their books recently - this is, of course, standard practice for any licensee wishing to get his/her merchandise reviewed
whether Stephen chooses to apply for a license retroactively from ITV Global Entertainment is totally outside our control
we cannot tell you what to buy and what not to buy - I would leave the club if it were to become the kind of organisation. We simply can't endorse unlicensed or illegal material. By the same token we can't stop anyone on the Forum chatting about stuff they've bought and enjoyed. That's exactly what the Forum's for
we don’t know about every website, piece of merchandise, YouTube clip etc that’s out there – again, that’s what we hoped the Forum would be used as, a place for members to share news


Please note that, because of the recent unpleasantness, I'm checking the Forum much more than usual. That said, I'm still skimming over posts so if there's something that you really, really want an answer to please use the e-mail address.

Finally, Dave, be as cheeky as you like!

Nick

[Katie Bleathman]

Finally, Dave, be as cheeky as you like!

Nick

but did you note that Dave was a Lab monkey not a cheeky monkey when he wrote that? :D

Katie

[MikeD]

I'm slightly puzzled by this, still, as to why Stephen would need to have a license for this book?

The Thunderbirds novels do, because they use Thunderbirds characters, which are owned by Granada, or ITV, or whoever, but surely a non-fiction book doesn't need one?

Mike D

[mrthunder]

Oooh...you are cheeky ! Anyone remember the radio show "Hello, Cheeky" ??? A follow on to "I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again" if I remember but a bit "Goodies" to "Python" in outlook...

When Fanderson was set-up ATV Licensing did so to act as an 'umbrella' organisation for all Anderson fan activity. So long as Fanderson endorsed it, and so long as it was "legal, decent, honest, truthful", then in all honesty pretty much anything could happen. Not even in the next half hour. "SiG" itself, whilst for a time the Fanderson magazine, had a life outside the Club and could be found in "Forbidden Planet" etc. This was due to the fact Membership funds alone could not support the publication of the magazine. More general sales [though still niche] were needed.

It did set me thinking, though, at what point does a book have to become "licensed" ? I really don't know. If I wrote a book about Hitler I wouldn't need permission from his estate, would I ? That's a point - does Hitler actually have any descendants [or anyone who will admit to so being !].

I know you'd have to have a licence to use copyright material such as photographs which I think is why the McFarlane "1999" books had none. Though I think you can photograph something already in existence for illustration, i.e. a record sleeve. A book about the TV "Batman" series years ago did this.

You see a lot of "unauthorised" biographies about on the shelves so I just wondered where the line got drawn. Personally, I wouldn't object to the La Riviere tome getting a Fanderson News mention even if it got a clear rider to it that it was "unauthorised" [if that's the case] and cannot come with Fanderson's recommendation or endorsement as a result. It'd be up to the individual to decide what to do from that point forward...

Just my own personal view, of course !

[jasonsmith]

but did you note that Dave was a Lab monkey not a cheeky monkey when he wrote that? :D

Katie

I'm a Seal cub ! Will need to send even more messages to get away from that one...makes me sound overweight and cuddly (well right one one point---but which one?)
Dave has always been a cheeky monkey!
As for the Mexican bandit.....

[TonyB]

Time to put this thread back on topic a bit...

I thoroughly enjoyed Memorabilia today, it was not the best I have ever been to over the years it has to be said but it was an enjoyable enough day.

I bought a few things but did not actually spend a great deal of cash which is great. I came away with a radio controlled 12" Assault Dalek for only £20, £30 off that one, a real bargain. From the Reynold and Hearn stall I picked up the latest incarnation of Chris Bentley's complete guide to Gerry Anderson, a nice poster of Skydiver from the UFO Tech manual and a softcover Vol 3 of the TV 21 Century reprints Escape from Aquatraz which had literally just arrived straight from the publishers, and even better they were all at bargain prices too! and then to top that two autographed 10x8 pictures of Wanda Ventham and Catherine Schell.

Met quite a few people too, had loads of chat time with David Sisson, Martin Gainsford, Chris Bentley, Bob and Sue Bailey and one Stephen La Riverie. Highlight of the afternoon though was Prentis Hancock stopping by the stall for a chat about Space 1999, Fanderson cons and replica props, which was cool.

Actually as it happens I had two chats with Stephen who was showing me parts of his book and explaining some of the things in it, which to be honest I found very interesting, other than that I will leave what was else said at the NEC for now as I do not want to open up the debate again.

[Steve Gerard]

I thoroughly enjoyed Memorabilia today, it was not the best I have ever been to over the years it has to be said but it was an enjoyable enough day.

Highlight of the afternoon though was Prentis Hancock stopping by the stall for a chat about Space 1999, Fanderson cons and replica props, which was cool.



TonyB your encounter with Prentis Hancock must have been a brilliant chat about SPACE:1999...Paul Morrow. :)

[Derek Eaton]

Very much enjoyed it on the Sunday including the two hour chatter with other members of this forum in the cafe. Could not resist the Product Enterprise B&W Supercar for £20 and a loose 1993 matchbox metal Mole which is an ideal paper weight for next to the computer. Catherine Schnell was very nice to talk to as well.

[Colonel Foster]

All I said was "Are you not a little short for a Stormtrooper?"

After picking myself up of of the floor I had a lovelly chat with Wanda and how she came back to UFO...A top top lady!

Had a great time and Moonbase girl looked great too !

[air terrainean]

Sorry to divert this thread off topic again - hopefully only briefly. Although there are quite a few comments I could make about recent posts and some of the the issues raised, I can see that this may not be a great idea at the moment. Some kind of reasoned discussion could be useful at some point though. What I would be interested in clarifying however is Jasonsmith/Steve Brown's post about the Fanderson archive.

All items given to the club are archived and always available to be seen.In fact much of my own personal memorabilia has been used for producing many FAB articles and indeed some items of club merchandise.

Is there any information available about what items have been donated to the club, and how and under what circumstances access may be given to them ? I'm thinking particularly of archive paperwork and photographs that the club may have acquired over the years. I think this is information that members whose donations support the club could justifiably claim a right to be aware of.

[Alias Mr Hackenbacker]

Crikey. A week goes by and when I finally can log in to read the posts it seems flames are flying...and more besides. Ah well.

Mark42's comment (QUOTE) '2, The greatest dvd ever made 'Full Boost Vertical' - still some available' sounded very sarcastic to me, but I'd just like to say that I was very glad that copies were still available! :) I'm not a huge fan of Supercar so I took my time buying it - but when I saw it at last I thought it was excellent. I've ordered a copy of Stephen's book and if it is half as interesting as Full Boost Vertical then it will have been money well spent..

'Full Boost Vertical' is terrific - I can't admit to being the biggest fan of 'Supercar' either, but I really enjoyed it. There's so little good behind the scenes material out there in books and documentaries - at least in terms of stuff that's available to the public, I don't know what Fanderson's been doing in its publications it makes available to members only - that it was great to see so many of the people involved telling their stories.

I'm greatly looking forward to the new Supermarionation book, too - on the basis of the sample chapters that I've read, it looks very interesting indeed. I'd have loved to have made it to Memorabilia - I usually try and get to the Collectormania events when they're held in Manchester, but they seem to have fallen by the wayside for now...

[phelings]

I'm new and I don't like my first post being a negative one but hey ho.

Not sure if this post is permitted as its off topic and I didn't want to start one purely to sound off but I will anyway.

I refer to the earlier posts from the most unprofessional person in the industry I've ever known Stephen La Riviere.

I've been banned from Roobarbs and other forums in the past for speaking out against Rivieres behaviour and comments he makes on public forums regarding the products of others.

Follow his comments on most forums and all you'll get is how brilliant he is , name dropping and other self serving posts.

I'm glad that Fanderson have seen fit to ban this joker instead if him seeming to have some kind of hold on the mods like he does on the Roobarb forum who lick his arse with incredible regularity (or they did last time I was able to view the forum)

His posts on here denigrate the work of previous Anderson authors in the same way he slagged off other documentary makers on Roobarb .

It's pleasing to know that so many others feel the same way about him as I do.

Just to let you know that he has been selling copies of his book on ebay for £40 so those of you out there still waiting should ask some questions about where the spare copies come from.

Gossip perhaps but could there be legal issues connected to the guy selling copies of one of his documentaries on dvd too .

Once again , if I'm out of line please delete the post and I promise that any future posts will be strictly Anderson related

[Achilles Messenger]

Well, you're entitled to your opinion of course, but I really think it's time we called it a day with regards to personal comments made against Stephen, especially as he's no longer on the forum and it's rather tiresome having to keep reading them. Let's just leave what happened, it's done and finished, and please let's get back on subject!:)

[Mark42]

Welcome to the forum Phelings - your first 4 posts have been pretty informative and certainly interesting. Looking forward to hearing more in future. :)

[TonyB]

Well said AM, everyone is entitled to their personal opinions, but lets just keep it like that, personal and not public please, especially as Stephen La Riviere is unable to respond on this forum now.

So onwards and upward please, there is plenty going on the forum to discuss without resorting back to this topic.

[Alias Mr Hackenbacker]

I've been banned from Roobarbs and other forums in the past for speaking out against Rivieres behaviour and comments he makes on public forums regarding the products of others.

I suspect that probably says more about you than him, sadly.

I've no wish to be drawn into a debate on Stephen La Riviere's personal merits or otherwise - I've never met the man - but it's pretty poor form to spend your time going around forums specifically to slag someone off, as your post suggests you've been doing. We all have opinions on people we like or dislike, but what you describe sounds worryingly like a vendetta...

[phelings]

I suspect that probably says more about you than him, sadly.

I've no wish to be drawn into a debate on Stephen La Riviere's personal merits or otherwise - I've never met the man - but it's pretty poor form to spend your time going around forums specifically to slag someone off, as your post suggests you've been doing. We all have opinions on people we like or dislike, but what you describe sounds worryingly like a vendetta...

Did I say I spent my time going around forums slagging someone off? No I didnt.

It actually says more about Riviere that I've visited forums and found him slagging others off without any kind of comeback so I joined just to give that comeback he so often goes without.

It also says a lot about Roobarb and other forums that posts like my earlier one are not permitted to answer Riviere back when he seems unable to do what most professionals do - stay in the background.

Think about the ludicrous situation we would be in if other producer /director/writers took every criticism to heart and spent time on forums defending their work and getting themselves a reputation as poor as Rivieres.

I'm sure I'm not alone in being able to recall posts on other forums where he has criticised the work of those who made The Saint documentaries for DD Video, where he arrogantly asked what could possibly be of interest in Network's Fireball documentary that was not said in his own Supercar one ,and where he sarcastically refers to the work of Chris Bentley etc.
All of that and more was posted on Roobarb but the second I took him to task about the unprofessionalism of the comments I got banned .


So look elswhere for a vendetta


At first I thought it was just me but over the last few months I've seen and heard more than enough from various different people to realise that I'm not alone in thinking the guy is a self serving ****.

One might ask why he has done no work for Network for so long . That's all I'm saying.

But as posted above , he's not around to defend himself so lets close the subject

On topic- do they still sell Anderson Laserdiscs at these events?

[Nick Williams]

Phelings,

Whilst there are many people on this Forum and beyond who have been the subject of disparaging comments by Stephen La Riviere over the years (myself included) he is no longer able to defend himself here. Therefore it's inappropriate to continue this discussion. Thanks.

As entertaining as some people may find it, this is not what the Forum was started for. Like the YahooGroup before it this Forum, like Fanderson in general, should be a place where people can gather to share news, views, ideas. There are plenty of places to be negative and slag people off. Let's try not to do it here, eh?

Nick Williams, Fanderson chairman

[TonyB]

I think that this thread had gone so far off topic now with any Memorabilia chat long gone, and as such the thread just seems to have degenerated into a bit of a bashing ground for Mr La Riviere, who is unable to respond.

With that in mind the thread is now locked.