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Post by Gene Hunt on Mar 24, 2018 17:48:19 GMT
Please post your comments and photos relating to this Meet here.
Gene.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 26, 2018 17:10:23 GMT
Will do a proper post ASAP but a brilliant weekend start to end. Big thanks to the Guv for putting this together nobody does em better!
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Mar 26, 2018 21:37:07 GMT
Top meet on the toon man. Report to follow. In the mean time here's some music.
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Post by Windy Miller on Mar 26, 2018 21:49:34 GMT
The 6th 4:3tv Meet once again produced a mega weekend, of drinking, eating, socialising, more drinking… and the locations we visited weren't 'alf bad too.
Good people filled with a bonhomous and amicable attitude, brought together through common ground and appreciation of all things retro, and all thanks to Gene’s kind, vastly successful, and much appreciated handiwork at organising the bi-annual Forum Meets. It’s very much appreciated Gene, and it was evident from the keen and casual vibe that everyone had an excellent time.
After last year’s initial visit to the Newcastle area had been such an immensely enjoyable affair, the sequel “Return To The Toon” did not disappoint. The weekend, blessed by the fortitude of fine sunny weather, absolutely flew by for me. Highlights were the visits to Tyne Port, and the Barrasford Arms. Terry’s bus stop and The Robin Hood Inn (which provided us with a gallus Sunday lunch) were also great places to see.
Big thanks to Peter Picard for the lift to all the locations, and thanks to Vienna for successfully navigating the route Gene had carefully prepared. Thanks also to Vienna for being great company in the car up to Newcastle and back – the journey flew by.
Already looking forward to the next meet.
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Post by Steve Austin on Mar 27, 2018 11:36:20 GMT
Well that was the weekend that was!! They say never go back but this weekend proved what a load of bull that is; everything was as good if not better than last year's meet which we thought could not be topped. It even stopped raining and we saw plenty of blue sky & sunshine. First location was JDW where I met with Mickyosan who I quickly made navigator for Sunday. With that out of the way, time for a few and gradually the lads arrived. A pleasant stroll during the afternoon saw us take in a few bonus locations such as "say it with flowers is it?” from The likely Lads, the chase scene from Get Carter by the foot of the Tyne Bridge, as well as re-visiting a couple of locations we saw last year. After checking in to the hotel, we met for the evenings walking tour. The pubs in Newcastle make a mockery of the decline in the number of pubs, each one we saw was heaving. My favourite was The Ship which can be seen in the background in one of the stills from the opening title sequence of WHTTLL. On the way, we passed the site of where Bob kicked the football on to the roof ("it's got Malcolm MacDonalds autograph on it"), it’s changed considerably but for me, it was no less a moment to be there. Pubs that feature in Auf Pet and Get Carter followed before we headed back into Toon for a bit scran and watched the (scantily clad) world go by, Sunday and the main event saw my car and navigator joined by Dirty Epic & John Steed and off into the blue we went. It would be 8 hours before returning but the time just flew by, testament to the locations and good company enjoyed by all. Impossible to give any highlights as they were all superb but being able to go into a couple of them (The Robin Hood & Barrasford Arms) adds another dimension. Having said that, all of the Likely Lads locations were a treat for me personally, especially #8 Agincourt. One of the fun parts of visiting these locations is trying to work out exactly where the old building were, when you arrive and find that the area is totally different to how it was when filmed and we spent some time doing this at one or two locations but remarkably, many of them had not changed much at all, such as the locations around Corbridge where The Saint couldn't help but rummage around in his pockets and pulled out some buns for us all! All too soon, after an epic drive to Dryderdale Hall, we were back in Newcastle and after a quick pint (us drivers looked longingly at the lads having a few scoops during the day.........well I did anyway), it was out for a Chinese and talk of the sights, sounds and smells (bloody curry) of the day. One final get together at JDW for breakfast before heading our separate ways, everyone looking forward to the next one. Gene will need a few months off to sort this as he must be knackered from putting this little lot together. Hats off Gene, as always this was planned with military precision and everything went according to plan as far as I could tell. The locations & directions were just brilliant, the surprise additional WHTTLL locations were the icing on the cake for me cheers Guv Thanks to the aforementioned lads for the company and banter during the day, thanks to Dirty Epic we now know that stout is black, every day is a school day Thanks also to all the other members too for the drinks, buns, banter, camararderie (not turd burgling) and for helping me find my way out of toon (my bionics need an upgrade). If you have not yet been on one of these meets, I cannot recommend it enough. Even if you have no interest in the subject matter of the meets (can't see why, you're on here afterall), do it. You won't be disappointed. Thanks again Gene, I'm off to watch The Likely Lads film and tell the missus "Been there", "been there", "been there", never gets old
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Post by D.C. Burtonshaw on Mar 27, 2018 13:47:59 GMT
Well, what can I say?? A fabulous and fun weekend which I think went like clockwork despite the clocks going forward an hour on the Saturday night, we all made the meeting points and got to our locations for plenty of time to look round and savour the atmosphere and have fun wondering if that building is still there, or has it been altered or even gone?? Always enjoy that! I arrived at just after 4 pm and once I got checked in, I later met up with the rest of the 43TV group and off we went for a tour of some great pubs - who can say that pub visits are in decline up there??! A great atmosphere and a few sights to see.......aye!
We started off in Newcastle next morning and saw the outside of Nev and Brenda's house from Auf Pet. A local neighbour wondered why a photo was being taken by one of the group but he was fine about it and knew exactly that it had been used in Auf Pet and was great to hear of a local interested in what we do too! This was also only a few minutes walk from where we see Terry miss the bus at the bus stop which we see on the WHTTLL opening titles.
Next was Oz's old flat where Oz and Moxey call in, thinking Margery (Oz's ex) still lives........except she doesn't......... that area hasn't changed much at all!
Then to Norma's house (Dennis sister) - changed a little bit but the street it still very recognisable. Even someone in the street still parks a caravan on the pavement like in the outdoor scene of the episode!
Then it was the street in Wallsend where Terry announces from the Extralite van speaker "Move yourself Ferris, the hour of doom is at hand" as Bob crosses the road.
Then off under the Tyne Bridge, to see the Quayside where Bob is stuck on the cargo ship shouting for Thelma after Terry changes his mind and walks past the Customs House, and decides he's not joining the crew of the said ship. A great area round there and nice to see some cargo freight coming and going from there still.
Another location which has changed a lot was the block of flats where Terry lived in the film. Completely demolished now with a modern housing estate in the area it was very interesting to see also what was still there; another block of flats which can be seen as Bob pulls up in the crunched Chevette, and it's in the background. Looking very "Communist block" back in 1975/76, it looks much better with a proper looking pointed roof. I'm glad to say we still had our car mirrors and wheels left when we got back to the cars!
Back to Newcastle again to see Bob and Thelma's house on the "Elm Lodge Housing estate". The estate must have been spanking new and possiblly not all the houses had been sold at the time of 1st series filming from 1972 as a manhole cover one of the group spotted had that year stamped on it! Bob's house has had some alterations since of course but is largely the same, and the area is recognisable.
Now lunchtime; and it was to the Robin Hood Inn we stopped, with lovely weather by this time and as well as the picturesque surroundings, which "Carter" commented on while in the car, the pub is well recommended and an absolute corker! We stopped for a lovely traditional English lunch at a place that has friendly staff and superb inside with old photos (as did other pubs) and trophies on the walls and sumptuous food! This by the way is the pub where Terry gets too first on the Cycle race episode as he's sneaked a lift in a lorry, (Typical Terry!) then has a jar with the lorry driver.
Then the next WHTTLL series location - the Barrasford Arms at Hexham, where Bob and Terry stay while on the fishing weekend away. ("She keeps saying these things!") Outside has hardly changed (although a few more cars parked outside now than just Bobs Viva), although the side gate has been changed to an uglier metal one - maybe reflecting changing times. We stopped for a nice drink in there too and found out a bit more from the guvnor of the place who remembered the filming there! We found this out when Mickyosan got chatting to him. Nice one!
Then on to Corbridge, which is a lovely quiet English village and the picturesque church still with its same entrance and surrounding village Market square shop buildings where...... Bob stops the car at the traffic, when Thelma and Christina get out of the caravan not realising where they are......... Interestingly nowadays Bob couldn't have continued that way down the street as its a one way street with traffic now approaching the church only.
Finally, an iconic location from Get Carter..... Kinnear's house at Bishop Auckland - well after a few steep hill climbs (and some amazing countryside views) we found the entrance, where the Cadillac drives into (with Carter following in the MK2 Cortina). However, we thought it best not to go too far down the long drive as it is private property and apparently some days, shooting takes place! Great to be there though at a location you still see in the film of course.
So off to the Premier Inn for a second night of banter, reflections, general chatting and grub (this time in the Chinese - the food that is, not the chatting!! Lol!) which went down well.
Always quite sad for the weekend to finish but time does fly when you're enjoying yourself and always great to meet up with like minded familiar faces from the previous meets! A big thank you to Gene Genie for the organising and the meticulous planning that goes into these meets, always appreciated mate!! And for the other drivers, and to Steve Austin for the very comprehensive guide books, to "Carter" for joining myself and the in car chat, as well as everyone else just being there - it all adds up to a winner! And to go and stay in the area a second time, we were not disappointed!
Cheers all!
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on Mar 27, 2018 19:30:32 GMT
Well, what a great weekend was had by all in Newcastle. Despite a lot of wet weather this month the sun managed to shine on both days and made the meet as good if not better than last year's get together. The banter between the us all was just brilliant, along with all pubs we visited over the two days, even a vegan pub too! Perhaps the only downside was the rather lukewarm breakfast at Wetherspoons on Sunday morning. Anyway, never mind about that! I travelled up from Nantwich on Saturday with Windy Miller and arrived safely mid afternoon. After checking in at the hotel it was then off to meet the lads at the Quayside for a couple of jars and a stroll across the Tyne bridge before the evening meet up with the others. After more beer and staring at fit young girls on the town we then headed for a good old curry, though some of us had to wait rather a long time for our food! On the Sunday morning Peter Picard kindly drove Charles Bronson, Windy and my good self (promoted to navigator for the day) around Northumberland/County Durham to look at some cracking locations, including Bob and Thelma's home from WHTTLL and Kinnear's house from Get Carter; the house is sadly private property these days, but at least we made an attempt to view it whilst up there. The Robin Hood inn provided us with a cracking Sunday roast - the best meal of the weekend - and we also enjoyed a good pint or two next to an open fire in The Barrasford Arms, with both pubs locations from WHTTLL series. Back in Newcastle later for a Chinese buffet meal and a few more drinks but then sadly it was all over again - unfortunately the time goes to fast! Thanks to all those members who came and made the meet so enjoyable, and to those who bought me a drink. Special thanks has to go to Windy for his driving and company there and back from Geordieland, special thanks also to Peter Picard who drove me around on Sunday. Of course an even bigger thank you to the amazing Gene Hunt who puts so much hard work into everything and makes sure these meets go ahead smoothly. Cheers mate Let's do it all again very soon... Vi
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DI Alex Drake
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Post by DI Alex Drake on Mar 27, 2018 19:42:54 GMT
Sounds like a great time was had by all :) enjoyable reports, gents :). I liked the anecdote about the photo of the house - I always wonder whether people who live in the houses now are aware or not!
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Post by John Steed on Mar 27, 2018 20:07:50 GMT
What a fantastic weekend from start to finish! I thought last year's Newcastle meet would be impossible to beat but Meet 006 managed to achieve that feat!
My weekend started on Friday evening when I drove to Gene Hunt's house and myself and Gene visited some excellent local pubs; so it was a marvellous start to the weekend. Thanks very much Guv and thanks also to Deb for putting me up overnight. Saturday morning was an early alarm call but after a cup of tea and a bacon sarnie we hit the road and headed north. That lovely sports car certainly does cover the miles quickly and with some great 80's tunes playing and some great banter we seemed to get to the hotel in no time at all. After parking the car we made the short walk to The Quayside public drinking house to see that Mickyosan and Steve Austin were already there. Shortly after Del Boy and Dirty Epic arrived and we ordered some food. The afternoon was nice and relaxed and we all went for a walk around the city centre and even took in some bonus locations. Back to The Quayside to meet some more of the lads and before we knew it the afternoon had passed by. A quick wash and change at the hotel and we were all out again for the evening. Saturday evening was great fun and we had the bonus of visiting some new pubs which we had not previously been to. The Tanners Arms was probably my favourite but they were all good. A nice meal at the Indian restaurant rounded off a perfect day. Sunday was a brilliant day and the itinerary was planned as always by Gene Hunt with military precision. It's hard to choose the best locations when they were all so good but Bob and Thelma's house, the Tyne port stood out and of course The Robin Hood Inn and The Barrasford Arms were both fantastic watering holes! Sunday evening passed by way too fast; The Crown Posada is one of the best pubs that I have visited. Monday morning was the chance to reflect on the weekend and say our farewells and to start looking forward to the next meet. I would like to thank Gene Hunt for driving me to and from Newcastle and also Steve Austin for printing the meet info/location guides, and driving myself, Mickyosan and Dirty Epic around the locations. Thanks also Mickyosan for being such a great navigator. Thanks to everyone who attended and collectively made it the amazing weekend that it was. Cheers all!
Steed
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Post by Sam Tyler on Mar 27, 2018 20:18:31 GMT
I liked the anecdote about the photo of the house - I always wonder whether people who live in the houses now are aware or not! Over the years we've met many people at various locations and generally they have all been very receptive to seeing anywhere between 15 and 30 people stood outside their front doors. Many have invited us through their property to see back gardens where filming has also taken place. The majority of owners have been unaware of the filming connection but we've also met a number that were resident whilst filming was taking place. While there was one exception, all owners have shown great interest not only in the filming but also in our get-togethers and the forum, one in particular also expressing gratitude in further correspondence in the weeks after that particular meet. Back to this meet itself: Thanks for the reports so far lads, sounds like a brilliant weekend was had by all. It is a real shame I missed it but I look forward to joining you all on the next one. Sam.
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