Right, it's taken me a few hours to get the photos sorted out and also a short video clip from the Grange Hill 40 event last Saturday. It was a great day and far more informal than many of these type of events can be. There was ample chance to speak with any of the old school characters throughout the day and they were all happy to have their photos taken and sign any memorabilia you had.
As you may know, the event was held not only to celebrate 40 years since Grange Hill hit our screens, but it was also a fund raising event for the Good Grief Trust, which offers support to the bereaved. The CEO and founder of this trust is former Grange Hill star Linda Magistris (née Slater) who played Susi McMahon from 1979 to 1981.
The day started with a long queue outside Elstree Studios in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, ready and waiting for the doors to open at 11am. Well over 100 people attended the event and dozens of the cast took the time to be there for the celebrations.
11am came and the doors opened so myself, Del & The Saint went in and were greeted by Linda Magistris (Susi McMahon). We were shown to our table and the event got underway. The cast were sat at long tables on either side of the room and we were told to form an orderly queue if we wanted to Meet & Greet the cast and have photos taken and memorabilia items signed.
Here are a selection of photos from throughout the event. I have included a small photo insert to show you each cast member as they were when they starred in Grange Hill. I didn't get around to all of the cast for photos sadly, but we did get to chat with them all during the day.
First off, we met Lisa York (Julie Marchant) & Alison Bettles (Fay Lucas)
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Then on to someone that was really great to meet. The great Brian Capron who played not only Mr Hopwood in Grange Hill, but also played Colin in The Sweeney epsiode "Feet Of Clay". I had a good chat with Brian about The Sweeney and he had great memories of those times.
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Then it was on to Alan Cave, who played Dennis Morris from 1992-1998.
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Then on to Wayne Norman, who played Assistant Caretaker Rod in 1990.
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Then on to the one and only legend that is Erkan Mustafa, who I'm sure you don't need to be reminded, played Roland Browning from 1982 to 1987. A great down to earth guy. A Gentleman.
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Moving on, we then met Michelle Herbert who played Trisha Yates from 1978 to 1982. Michelle was one of the nicest TV personalities I have ever met. A really lovely lady.
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Then, it was time to get hot under the collar....as we met Fleur Tickner (née Taylor) who played Imelda Davis and Fiona Mowlem (née Lee Fraser) who played Laura Regan. Stunning!
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It took a while to move on from above, but when I did, we met the lovely Abigail Brown, who played Judy Preston from 1978 to 1979.
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Then the quietly spoken Aran Bell, who played Mr Scott in 1987.
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Then the wonderful Karen Lewis, who appears to have the key to eternal youth. She played Miss Partridge from 1986 to 1987. Karen is married to Michael Attenborough (son of Richard Attenborough).
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Then it was on to Lucinda Curtis, who played Mrs Regan (Teacher and Mother of Laura Regan) from 1986 to 1988. Still acting in 2018!
A very quiet but polite lady.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2-q136IDBG
Part way through, we paused for a spot of lunch. This came in the form of a good old fashioned school dinner - bangers & mash followed by jam sponge!
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We got into character, much to the amusement of cast members and Grange Hill fans alike.....
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We took a few minutes outside for a breath of fresh air and a lengthy chat to Roland...
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...before returning inside for a few last photographs.
This is Linda Magistris (née Slater) who played Susi McMahon. As mentioned above, she is CEO and founder of the Good Grief Trust and also key organiser for the Grange Hill 40 event.
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Then another key organiser of the event, the great George Armstrong, who played Alan Humphries from 1978 to 1982. A really nice chap who was so genuine and down to earth.
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On to my final photo of the day, and possibly my favourite of them all.
Nadia Chambers who played Annette Firman from 1982 to 1985. Nadia was so polite and approachable.
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I did get a few video clips during the day, but I think the best of them has to be of the cast singing Congratulations towards the end of the day.
A thoroughly enjoyable event and some lovely people to meet, some of which I will be keeping in touch with in the future. Thanks Del & Saint for being great company throughout too.
Gene.
