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Post by Brown Granada on Apr 16, 2019 19:44:52 GMT
Well that was such a great meet. They certainly get better and better each time. I only made the Sunday this time and it started well with a slap up breakfast and a catch up with everyone since the last meet . So nice to see everyone again. This really is such a friendly group. Soon enough we were off on our tour and it was just one brilliant location after another in such a short space of time. I've never been to that area before so it was good to see all new locations. After a nice relaxing lunch stop we took to the road again to see more great locations and finished back at the same pub for a nice evening meal. Big big thanks to Gene for just being the Guvnor on these things. Your attention to detail is second to none and I really appreciate all the graft that goes into making it run smoothly. Big thanks also to Del for being Blakely, I don't think I have laughed so much in ages. You will have to start doing Blakelyograms. Thanks also to Dirty Epic and Villain for the banter in the car, it was great fun lads. See you all at the next adventure. BG.
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Stan
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Post by Stan on Apr 16, 2019 21:17:33 GMT
Great to see these reports coming in from the squad, or is it crew.
It certainly was an excellent meet, probably one of the very best, but then the standard is already high.
Highlights for me included:
- being driven round by Carter, with Steve Austin and John Steed. Great banter throughout.
- choice of stopping off points en route; ideally situated for us to gain much needed refreshments
- timing; it all felt very relaxed, with ample time to travel to and check out each location
- screegrabs; once again excellent work by Steve A
- traveling around; ideal blend of walking and driving
- renactments: Del's Blakey in itself was superb, but the bus stop soaking goes straight into 43tv legend
- friendly atmosphere throughout: makes these meets so enjoyable
Finally, biggest thanks go to Gene. Once again.
Once again, did us all proud by researching, collating, preparing and organising; the amount of time and effort put in is highly appreciated.
Knowledge is amazing; location finds so impressive and explanations that are frankly professorial - cheers.
Anyway, looking forward to the next meet already.
Stan
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Post by Peter Picard on Apr 16, 2019 21:30:52 GMT
Meet 008, On The Buses, didn't disappoint.
With locations from On The Buses and other films to visit on both Saturday and Sunday it was the most ambitious meet up to date and ran like clockwork. The suburban and rural nature of the locations along with the route maps supplied by Gene made it straight forward and relaxed to get round what initially appeared to be a vast amount of locations.
This was also helped by 43TV's very own Blakey making sure we all stuck rigidly to the schedule.
Once again the weather was kind to us and, apart from a 5 minute hail storm, stayed dry (for most of us) the entire weekend. It was great to meet up with everyone again and i'm already looking forward to 009!
Thanks to Vienna for his company on the journey down and over the weekend and to Windy and Charles Bronson for their company travelling around Hertfordshire, also to Steve Austin for the photo books, the poster with everyone attending's name on it makes it a great souvenir of a great weekend.
Cheers Gene for all the time and effort invested in the meet, it really is appreciated, and shows in how smoothly the whole weekend goes.
Scattered around Borehamwood are various plaques related to film companies, actors and directors who have links to Elstree. Below is the plaque for Hammer, it mentions the comedy films particularly On The Buses, and the large number of local filming locations. I'm sure everyone on the meet can testify to that.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Apr 17, 2019 10:00:28 GMT
Finally been able to reply after savouring another great meet we’ve been on! Also tried to not look at the other replies too.
Met Del at Totteridge on the Saturday (thanks for ferrying me around mate) and we proceeded to head to the White Hart for a wet and catch up with Gene, Saint, Windy, Charles B and Steve A. Great country boozer too! After some swift refreshment headed off to the hotel to meet with the other members of the Saturday crew to proceed with our locations fest for the day.
My personal highlights were seeing Elstree’s Eastenders lot… not for that reason but it was the scene of Oz and the boys bricklaying from Auf Pet along with Elm Lodge II/Extralite from the Likely Lads film too. I also enjoyed the Buses locations too. After another stop off for ‘a pint n a pie’ at Dyrham Park Country Club also used in the likes of Randall and Hopkirk, The Avengers etc. it was back to the hotel for a freshen up for the evening meal and festivities at The Old Guinea and The White Hart again, the latter we settled in for most of the night and even managed to have a drunken game of darts with Gene and Del which seemed to endlessly end up on Double 1 for most of the night. Big thanks and appreciation for Gene for scouting these locations for the Saturday and to Saint for being my driver and enjoying our banter on the day too. Thanks lads.
Well on to the Sunday and had an inkling our Del would once again reprise a character… what else could be but Blakey ‘I’ll get yoo Butler…’ Nice one mate and you’re a braver soul than me mate but absolutely made mine and I think other’s day when you were in character for the meet, more of which later.
The highlights of the Sunday for me were seeing, if perhaps now in a sadder state since it recently closed Thelma’s library from The Likely Lads film, Dennis and Vera’s ‘Birtley’ gaff from Auf Pet along with the many OTB locations in Elstree Gene carefully scouted. The OTB locations aren’t as changed as I thought and with some of the other locations we checked out later in the day I’m extremely surprised they managed to get a bus along some of those narrow roads they filmed in. They certainly wouldn’t with the kit made these days!
Back to a new favourite haunt The White Hart again for a lunchtime wet and catch up with everyone before heading off to our next clutch of locations.
Again brilliant to find the so-called ‘Northumberland’ moorland and café directly opposite the White Hart from the Likely Lads film too. Sadly the café’s long gone but again you can picture and get a feel of what it was like in 1975/76. Back for some more OTB locations including again nearby to the White Hart the scene where the clippy/driver gets taken short, then off to Church Farm where the bus almost crashes etc. The farm owners like with many of the people we encounter on the meets were great and not only did they remember the OTB films being made there they discussed many other things which got filmed at that location too along with appreciation of our interest too – good stuff. After another refreshment pit stop we then went off for two of the best locations of the day!
First up was Blakey’s ‘soaking’ in Borehamwood and would you believe it our very own Del was up for the challenge of recreating that on perhaps the coldest day in April. Brilliant stuff mate and some of the photos, video taken by all of us do a very nice now and then comparison too. Next was rounding a few things off in Borehamwood with the nice little bonus of the Manor Way Laundrette from Likely Lads making a guest appearance too. As fate would have it a bus was coming along the road and once again our Del obliged too. Our Metroline driver on the 292 route maybe perhaps a bit perplexed by the interest was another good lad who had a chuckle and tooted his horn at us all in appreciation of our meet, not always the case given the perhaps more ‘challenging’ nature of the job they do these days compared to Stan and Jack’s day. Nice one.
So to round the day off was a meal and few jars again in our new haunt The White Hart and all in all it was a brilliant weekend I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and glad to be a part of. The only downside is they go over way, way too quickly.
So yes all in all another brilliant meet again!
This goes without saying but big, big thanks to you Gene for putting all this together. I know you have to spend a massive amount of time, effort and sheer legwork to make sure everything goes off well and we all have an enjoyable weekend with not only the locations but the everything else (pubs and banter) we have sometimes of which can cause headaches and perhaps is taken for granted. Locations wise you did us proud with what you did for us on this one which was very different and more complicated than the Hammersmith-centric stuff we’ve done in the past too. Brilliant weekend mate and as I said to you on the meet this one wasn’t any better or more enjoyable than the others we’ve done – they’re all good in their own ways, but I will certainly enjoy remembering it which I’m very proud to say I’ve been a part of. Before anyone asks what are we doing next? etc. etc. just kickback, savour and enjoy this meet with pride. Once again big thanks for everything you’ve done on this and the many other weekends, the site generally and all my very best for being a great friend too. Thanks mate!
Again thanks to The Saint for the driving us around and having a bit of a laugh with us all on the Saturday and for Del being a great roommate and mad as a march hare (in a good way) as Blakey on the Sunday too. Thanks also to Brown Granada for the driving on the Sunday and for Villain for the company and craic too. Thanks too to Sam for a nice pint of dark and some great laughs and banter along the way too and to Steve A for the 4:3tv booklets you put together too.
For me what’s the most important thing about these meets is not the locations or the film or TV programmes we cover but getting together and having some fun and laughs with some great like minded people. All in you’re a great bunch of lads and as I’ve said before you all contribute something interesting to these meets. All in all, all you lads were great on this meet and had some great laughs and banter along the way too.
Long may it continue and all the very, very best!!!
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Post by Dirty Epic on Apr 17, 2019 11:59:36 GMT
I didn't know the Boy from Brazil was with us!
My mistake it was the Laura Ashley Hotel we had the Saturday pit stop at couldn't remember the name of it for the life of me.
A bloody great weekend all in!
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Post by Sam Tyler on Apr 17, 2019 17:46:28 GMT
Some great report posts here, I've really enjoyed reading them and the enthusiasm that everyone has. It just goes to show how well it was orchestrated by Gene and how well the whole squad get on as a group. So my turn to put pen to paper (finger to keyboard) and try to cover what was yet another fantastic day out: Despite being a day of rest my Sunday started with the alarm going off earlier than it does during the week but on this occasion it was well worth it. As I'd not driven there before I had the satnav in the P6 set for the car park and it gave an ETA of 07:48 - had to be there for 07:45! After joining the open motorways M3 & M25 that time soon tumbled and I pulled in at 07:44, perfect! I was only the second one there after Gerry but it wasn't long before the hungry breakfast squad arrived for the wander down to the local Wetherspoons and a hearty breakfast to see us on our way. Right from the outset Del was in his clobber as Blakey even displaying the Luxton & District badge of which he gave Gene, myself, and The Saint our own badges too. Bit of a shame we stood waiting in the cold for a member that didn't show or have the courtesy to let Gene know up front otherwise we could have been on the move a full half hour earlier. This is both very disappointing and disrespectful to Gene after all the effort he goes to in order for the event to run as smooth as possible! Moving on, and for the morning it was a good walkabout taking in all the locations as mentioned previously. Big thanks to Steve Austin for the meet booklets that he's produced many times now, they're very well put together and serve for a great momento of the day. I won't go over the list again as others have already done that but it is pleasantly surprising how well many have stood the test of time but in the same breath sad to witness some of the decay that has befallen some of them too. It amazes me how Gene can be so informative about so many of the locations, not only when it comes to the subject matter such as OTB but also with incidental info about filming history in the area and where locations have been used for numerous films / TV programs. The walkabout is also a great opportunity to mix with all members for a chinwag and a catchup as we go round. At the end Del said we'd done about 12000 steps so there was a few miles of walking done that morning. Back at the cars and big thanks to The Saint for ferrying us around for the afternoon stint. The banter in the car every time is another great part of the day, most of it would be classed as R18 rated so not for repeating here. First stop was the pub that the Saturday members had enjoyed so much and surprisingly they let us back in! A couple of liquid refreshments and we were on our way for the afternoons locations. Again I won't repeat them all but it was wonderful to hear from the owner of the stables that she and her sister were present during filming to hold their horse in place with its nose over the stable door while filming went on. A refreshment stop at another pub gave Del the opportunity to fill his bucket ready for his highly anticipated Blakey water splash re-enactment. As Gene, The Saint and others were ready to film it, I took the opportunity and had the enviable pleasure of chucking the water over him. What a true sport he is and what a laugh we all had. It has to rank as the best ever re-enactment that we've had over the years, and we've certainly had plenty. With a bedraggled Del back in the car and a couple more locations under the belt it was back to the pub for the traditional squad meal and discussion of the day's events before we made our ways home or back to the hotel. It has to be said that whatever the subject matter of the meet is, and there have been quite a selection now, the friendliness of the squad and the varied chat between everyone demonstrates that whatever a member's background we all share a common interest and there are no barriers to prevent us all having a bloody good day, or two, out together. And long may it continue. Big thanks to all that turned up and made it such a memorable day, thanks to Steve Austin, The Saint, and Del-Boy as mentioned, and once again huge huge thanks to Gene for the time, dedication, patience, and effort gone into making these meets what they are: Gene, you are second to none mate! Sam.
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Post by Charles Bronson on Apr 18, 2019 23:00:13 GMT
I"m just about recovered from the terrific 'On The Buses' meet last weekend. I'm so very glad I was part of it. That weekend in the Elstree area was amazing right from the off.
I met up with Windy Miller at Crewe Station on the Saturday morning after he kindly offered to drive me down to the meet, to save me the long train journey to Potters Bar. The drive down seemed to fly by and we arrived a lot sooner than I expected.
After checking into our hotel, we made our way to the nearest Inn, to join Gene And John Steed, and after a drink we set off on the first stage of our locations tour on foot after we had been joined by the other attendees. We saw some brilliant, never to be forgotten locations, and I can only scratch my head at how Gene discovered some of them. His skills are amazing.
I have to say I was a bit tired later on that Saturday evening, but I'm usually the same on the first day of a trip anywhere. Sunday was the best day for me. After a nice breakfast at 'The Hart And Spool' We set off and visited a load of fantastic 'On The Buses' locations. I also enjoyed seeing the famous Elstree Studios, where so many famous films and TV series have been produced over the years.
Del was a star yet again with brilliant Blakey turn. He really made the day. What a guy!
Thank you so much Peter, for your usual competent driving on Sunday. Also thanks to Windy for a very smooth and comfortable drive there and back. I enjoyed your company, both of you.
Thank you most of all to Gene Hunt for a fantastic, exciting weekend. We all very much appreciate your hard work in organising last weekend. It seemed to me that we saw more locations than ever before. It must have been more difficult to organise than other meets.
I'm looking forward now of course to the October meet wherever that might be held. It's great travelling to different parts of the country for these meets. I really love it. Anyway roll on the next one.
Charles.
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Post by Gene Hunt on Apr 19, 2019 15:53:59 GMT
1971... 2019... More later...
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Apr 19, 2019 17:45:49 GMT
Inspector Blake's report for the attention of Mr Jenkins. Town & Country depot manager.
Dear Mr Jenkins, Whilst conducting my duties in the depot and around town, I have witnessed some of our Busmen dawdling at several locations on the Number 11 route. Sir, you'll note the photographic evidence that I have managed to obtain, shows some of the worst layabouts in the whole depot gathering en masse at turnaround points, the high street, the Laundrette and country sections of the route. They also have no shame in visiting their favourite watering hole on several occasions. Speaking of watering, several conveniences were used also delaying the bus service.
I would also like to draw your attention to the way that they treat me. The constant banter between them and myself is often taken too far. I have obtained a film of a puddle used against one of your inspectors. This was no accident! I threatened to put them on report but they just laugh it off.
I hope you see fit to review this evidence Mr Jenkins and take the appropriate action. I am always at your service, just telephone me and I will send the staff to your office.
Yours fraternally Inspector Cyril Blake
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Three Litre
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Post by Three Litre on Apr 19, 2019 17:47:16 GMT
I think the fake Blakey looks a few pounds heavier than the real one!
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