Well, what is there left to say?
This time last week we had it all to look forward to, but as ever, the time just goes in the blink of an eye.
The weekend got off to an early start as I met up with Del, Dirty Epic & John Steed on Friday tea time. Within minutes of meeting up we were in the pub. Where else? A great evening was had but we remained focused on an early start on Saturday morning. This meant an early taxi up to the train station. It was early too, so we just had time to nip into a pub just outside the station and salute the weekend to come with a large double malt apiece. Then it was back down to the train station, only to find out that there had been trouble on the line ahead which resulted in our train and another being cancelled. So we had to race to get on the very next available train. The only trouble being that the passengers of the two cancelled trains also had to squeeze on to the train as well. Luckily, we managed to get a seat each and before long, we were heading at reduced speed towards Euston.
No such travel disruption once we got into London though and a quick journey down to Warwick Avenue left a few minutes walk to The Warrington Hotel in Maida Vale to meet with the rest of the Squad. A couple of pints later, it was time to head down into Hammersmith and check in to our hotels for the weekend. This was done double quick and we all convened at Hammersmith Tube Station to head on up to West Hampstead and check into Bobby Fitzpatrick. This is a fantastic little place that is a real step back into the 70s and highly recommended if you are in the area.
Firmly in the mood for more alcohol, we headed back south to Leadenhall Market where we dropped into The Lamb Tavern as seen in the John Wayne film "Brannigan". Yet another place that is worth a visit if only to see its unusual surroundings within Leadenhall Market.
After receiving a phone call from Windy Miller it was time to make tracks. We had 45 minutes to kill at this point so we headed just around the corner to 10 Trinity Square. This gave us the opportunity for a little re enactment in the style of The Professionals. As always, there was no shortage of volunteers to play the part of Cowley, Bodie & Doyle. Eventually, we chose to use this trio for the money shot. Use the arrows to scroll between images.
Then we had to make tracks again to meet up with Windy Miller who was waiting patiently at The Seven Stars in Carey Street. I chose this pub because of its tenuous Steptoe & Son link. You can in fact just about see the pub in the background in the first Steptoe & Son Film as Harold & Albert leave the divorce courts.
In this shot you can see the Royal Courts Of Justice in Carey Street.
You can also see my glass was empty, so it was time to move swiftly on and get the tube back up to Hammersmith so we were within striking distance of the hotel when it was time to turn it in.
Not before stopping off for another 4 or 5 double cuba libre's in the Hammersmith Ram though...
Enough is never enough so on the short walk from here back to the hotel, what was left of the Squad still standing dropped into probably the very best fish & chip shop in West London - Apettite Fish & Chips, 171 King Street.
We eventually crawled back to the hotel at around 1am. That was Saturday done.
Fresh as a daisy, we awoke on Sunday morning to the sight of heavy rain in Hammersmith. Filled with dread at what threatened to ruin the walkabout Meet, we got ready to leave the hotel and walk to the nearby Plough & Harrow in King Street. To our pleasant surprise, as we left the hotel, the rain stopped so off we set for a big breakfast. It wasn't long before a further group of 43tv squad members turned up to join us. Now we were fed and watered it was time to head off to the meet up point in Colet Gardens, and it was great to see the remainder of the Squad ready and waiting and eager to get going.
Off we set for Hammersmith Station and the short trip on the H&C Line up to Latimer Road. As we got off the train, we paused for thought briefly at the haunting sight of the cloaked shell of Grenfell Tower where so many lost their lives in 2017.
A very brief walk from here and it was time to put on my directors hat and start the tour proper. The locations started immediately with a bonus that no one was expecting. It was the scene from The Sweeney episode "Big Brother" when Jack confronts Linbert Rea upstairs in a derelict house. I had to take time here to explain where the actual house was as it was demolished shortly after filming so it was great to see the fascination on the faces of the group when I explained exactly where the house stood. More of the same followed as I pointed out how much had changed at this location. Once called Lancaster Circus, it is barely recognisable now with mass demolition in the 70s and restructuring of roads. So much was filmed in this small area - Minder, The Sweeney (Big Brother / Cover Story / Sweet Smell Of Succession), Steptoe & Son to name a few. Squad members could hardly believe it when I stood them next to a tree on the pavement in Verity Close before explaining they were now stood inside Nick's Cafe from "Cover Story". Lots more followed including where Linbert Rea was hiding when Jack initially visited him.
A little later, and with the sun shining down on us, we set off on a pleasant 25 minute walk through North Kensington to our next batch of locations. This next section of the walkabout concentrated exclusively on Steptoe & Son. The locations then came thick and fast, leaving some of the group amazed that so many scenes from the two Steptoe films had been filmed in so many neighbouring streets.
Eventually, the walk took us back on to The Harrow Road, where we headed West to follow the Steptoe funeral route from Steptoe & Son Ride Again. Again, Squad members were intrigued to see that the entire route of the cortege saw the mourners heading away from the cemetery in each successive scene.
All too soon, the morning (or should that be mourning) walkabout was complete, so we headed to the excellent William IV pub on Harrow Road, which was conveniently positioned right opposite the gates of Kensal Green Cemetery. Here we spent an hour or so to refresh in readiness for the afternoon tour.
Then after quite a few refreshments, we crossed over Harrow Road and went into Kensal Green Cemetery. This is a place I have visited many many times over the years and still find it fascinating to this day. I note that a few of you have commented on the general "worn" look of the place, but for me, that only adds to the atmosphere of Kensal.
We took in various film scenes once inside inclusing Steptoe & Son Ride Again, Villain, Theatre Of Blood & The Professionals. There was even time for Del to provide us all with a laugh with his Harold Steptoe impersonation - jumping of the main steps in a white sheet and purple drawers. It even had another group of people laughing who were up to this point quietly going bout their visit.
Time also taken out for further re enactments as we saw The Saint standing in for Ian Hendry from Theatre Of Blood: Use the arrows to scroll through images.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0o8GgeI7TY
...and also to rapturous applause, our own Dirty Diana Rigg! Use the arrows to scroll through images.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0o8VJQI581
A gentle stroll around the cemetery and this section of the Meet was over all too soon. So it was onto the final stretch and onto even more bonus locations including scenes from The Sweeney episode "Hard Men". This area once again kept on giving and every way we turned there was a location for me to point out to the Squad. We took in "Oil Drum Lane" which has changed completely now with the only evidence of what was is on the opposite side of the road, and the view across the canal of our once favourite haunt "The Flora" pub which can be seen in the Steptoe films. Though still standing today, it has been closed a few years now and is awaiting it's inevitable fate of demolition I'm sure.
Further Steptoe locations followed, interspersed with more "Hard Men" & "Bait" locations before sadly, it was time to head over to Westbourne Park Station to get the tube back to Hammersmith.
Our final port of call would be another old haunt of ours, The Queens Head in Brook Green, Hammersmith. Time taken here to unwind saw everyone happily chatting about the event of the day.
A lot of the Squad said their farewells at this point whilst the rest of us made the best of what was left of the day in The Hammersmith Ram for a final few drinks.
Monday morning was upon us in no time so we headed off to Euston. There was just enough time before our train for the final 4 of us to have a full English in that marvelous old 70s cafe around the corner from the station - The Double 6.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0o8kWroOYA
That was it. 4:3tv Meet 009 - Steptoeland was all over.
Lots for me to reflect on in the last few days. A few of the Squad said to me that this was the best Meet they'd been on since it all started, and who am I to argue. It really was a fantastic event, and that is down to the great Squad that has got to know each other over the years, while still welcoming new members such as Charlie Croker. For that I really do thank you all
Thank you's go out in no particular order but I'll start with Sam who is always there to help keep order. On the regular occasion that we have an inquisitive neighbour who wants to know what we are all up to, Sam is usually up there first to quell any concerns they may have that we are up to no good. It has to be said that he is bloody great company for me throughout the whole day too. Cheers pal
Big thanks also go out to Steve Austin who produces the booklets that are handed out at each and every Meet. I used to do these myself so I know it's not an easy undertaking. These booklets are really superb and everyone agrees they are a brilliant souvenir of great days out. I send the photos over to Steve months in advance and he produces a draft booklet and sends it out to me to check. I use this copy to write all my notes for the day on so it's invaluable to me.
I also have something else to thank Steve for. A few days before the Meet, I had a parcel delivered to my house. I hadn't a clue what it was until I opening it and saw a note "for the Guv'" inside. Further close inspection revealed a fantastic bottle of single malt as a thank you for everything I do. Steve.... you shouldn't have pal. But I'm glad you did and can tell you it's a lovely drop pal. Thanks so much
Thanks to Del & The Saint who got my lunch & dinner on Sunday too. It's really appreciated lads.
Thanks to all the other Squad members who brought me a drink during the course of the weekend too, not least of whom was Dirty Epic who got me more than one drink I can tell you! Cheers pal
Finally, thanks to each and every one of you for continuing to support the Meets. You always turn up on time which is so important when we have a schedule to keep to. Here's to many many more in the years to come.
Only problem I have now, is what do I plan for April
All the best,
Gene.