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Post by Gene Hunt on Jul 4, 2021 5:25:35 GMT
Post your stories from the Meet here.
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Post by Steve Austin on Jul 4, 2021 20:04:19 GMT
They say that good things come to those who wait and in this case, it's 100% correct!! It's been a long time since the last planned meet was cancelled due to you know what. Today's meet was most warmly welcomed not just by me but by everyone who attended. The rain attempted to put a dampener on proceedings but by the time we left Wetherspoons after a full breakfast, even the weather gods waved the white flag and gave up once we set off on the trail of Stan, Jack, Blakey et al. The morning walk was a chance to step back into the comforting world of 70's TV and chatting to the squad as we went along was like we'd never been away. I managed to have a chat with all the squad members and a new face too, the charming Candy Girl, who seemd to fit right in. After a 4 & 1/2 miles that seemed to fly by, we bad farewell to Stan, Jack and the fleet of Bristols (pun intended) and left for a well earned break at The Manor, Elstree, home to many tv shows including a personal favourite; Randall & Hopkirk Deceased but not before we'd seen a couple of bonus locations from AWP which were great to see. Sitting outside meant no masks so we could forget about the restrictions and chat freely. After a while it was off to more locations, this time from The Likely Lads film and more Auf Wiedersehen Pet before heading off to the final location, The Grim's Dyke Hotel, once home to Gilbert of Gilbert & Sullivan fame but more importantly, also used in an episode of Randall & Hopkirk Deceased. I did say it was a personal favourite. Sadly all to quickly it came to an end as all good things do but we did it. We got 19 members together, visited multiple locations, entered several establishments without fuss during these strange, strange times and had a bloody good time your honour. Thanks to Gene, the master draughtsman for his perserverance & putting this fabulous show on the road with the usual military precision. It can't be easy under the current situation Thanks to Brown Granada for being a top driver and getting me, Vienna and Mr Steed from location to location in his might beast Great group of lads to share the miles and laughs with. Thanks to everyone else too for making these meets so enjoyable and welcoming, I look forward to meeting up again soon as continuing where we left off. Cheers
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2021 21:45:23 GMT
Thanks to absolutely everyone today for making it such a great weekend! But Gene, you're the man!! and it is appreciated so much the extent that ya go to, to make this literally happen! It was so great to see everyone today, and I'd missed you all! and it certainly didn't feel like it had been 19 months since we'd last got together, and yeah a big thanks as well, to you all for making Candy Girl feel welcome! Yeah as usual, the day seemed to go quickly! But that's what happens in life when you're amongst friends and having a good time! It was nice to eventually see the locations of On the Buses, since I missed the last one, and also I think it's certainly much better now that the meets are over two days. If there was anything I could changed though about today, then that would of been that we simply wouldn't have had to wait as long as we did, since we'd last all got together! and more so with Stan, whom I'd not seen for nearly 6 years! for one thing or another. Here's to the next one
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2021 22:04:02 GMT
From CANDY GIRL who is no longer a member.This is my first report on my first meet! What a great weekend! Saturday was very relaxing, drinking and eating and gate-crashing weddings and Sunday we managed to stay dry on our morning walk, seeing lots of interesting locations and comparing ‘then and now’ scenes. The only downpour we had was when we were undercover at the Grims Dyke hotel so we timed that perfectly! Although restrictions meant we had to socially distance, I still managed to chat with most people and would just like to say thank you everyone for making me feel so welcome and you truly are a genuine bunch of guys. Thank you Gene for the great planning and effort you put in to make the weekend run so smoothly, it’s really appreciated and I look forward to the next one!
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Jul 5, 2021 6:51:00 GMT
Pleased to hear that you all had a great time. The next (life on Mars) one I'm on!
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Post by D.C. Burtonshaw on Jul 5, 2021 15:27:48 GMT
Afternoon all and hope you are all fine and got back home safely! Well what can I say but this has been a much anticipated and long looked forward to 4:3TV meet and and firstly huge thanks once again to Gene, the Guv for the meticulous planning and organisation that goes in to these meets and this one was no exception, everyone for attending and to the drivers on the day!
The weather didn't looked too great when I set off in the morning and met up with the first few forum members on arrival, but gradually everyone else arrived and it was great to catch up and see again old faces, as well as meeting a new one, a warm welcome Candygirl! And it seemed liked we'd never been away from each other as long as we had!
After a decent breakfast at the 'spoons, we got the meet underway with the On The Buses locations, which were interesting to actually be there and for a moment step back in time whilst looking at the screen grabs and reflect on what has changed and what hasn't in 50 odd years. As the morning gradually became drier and we continued with further locations including a couple of nice bonus surprises on the day, with the ones from Auf Wiedersehen Pet!
It was then time to move on for lunch and a relaxing break at the very picturesque Manor at Elstree; again where some filming had taken place for Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased). We too some time out for a drink, and a snack or two, before it was time to move on to the next locations. The further bonus locations were a nice surprise, which included The Likely Lads film (again a fair bit has changed, but you can recognise the area well enough) and again from the 1st series Auf Pet.
Then it was time too move slightly over the border to Middlesex to another picturesque location and establishment, The Grim's Dyke Hotel, another very serene place to be with much TV and film history to its credit, after being W.S Gilbert's one time home. This location had been used in Randall and Hopkirk deceased, The Saint during the 60's, The Avengers, Futtocks End (starring Ronnie Barker), and a fair number of other film productions, including period style as well contemporary set ones. The adverse weather tried to put a dampener on things but we had some cover to sit under, and that was useful when the heavier shower burst came down, which didn't last long.
After exchanging a few goodbyes as some members were heading off early, those of us left had another nice meal at the establishment at Radlett where we could talk about the day etc and add much more of a feeling of normality than what we have had to get used to these last 16 months. The weekend and the Sunday for all of us, I'm sure has been a much need boost in the recent challenging period.
Thanks again also to all for attending and great to see everyone and looking forward to the next meet, I'm sure it'll be a superb one like this last one!!
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Post by Dirty Epic on Jul 5, 2021 18:01:44 GMT
I'll do a proper in post later, but brilliant weekend from start to end. Excellent work Gene getting this together mate it's very much appreciated and to everyone making it the great few days it was.
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Stan
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Post by Stan on Jul 6, 2021 8:59:15 GMT
Well, what a tremendous meet this weekend was.
Immediate reflection on returning yesterday was it was the best ever [but then this has been the thought on each of the previous!]
The meet was simply superb due to:
- another first class range of locations, all referred to on previous posts. Each had once again been meticulously researched by Gene and then put into screengrabs, kindly bound and printed by Steve Austin. This enables squad members to easily view the then and now very easily. Bonus locations are always a highlight - thought the Auf Pet, Grim's Dyke Hotel and Manor were each top drawer
- an itinerary which allowed plenty of time for chat, light banter and catch up's. In many cases it just felt like a seamless continuation of a discussion from the last time. The fact that it was primarily walking on the Sunday morning, with short drives to lunch and afternoon locations was perfectly judged, with lunch at The Manor and afternoon tea or similar at the Grim's Dyke. All made for a relaxing and enjoyable time
- the squad itself; friendly, engaging and knowledgeable chat throughout - both for existing and especially new or newer members. Reason this is important is that if anyone reading this and is considering attending a future meet, then a warm welcome is assured
Anyway, a big thank you to Gene for significant hard work, research and expertise in making this meet such a huge success.
Cheers,
Stan
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Post by Steve Austin on Jul 6, 2021 9:10:22 GMT
Each had once again been meticulously researched by Gene and then put into screengrabs, kindly bound and printed by Steve Austin.
Cheers, Stan Not this time Stan, all the work of Gene
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Stan
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Post by Stan on Jul 6, 2021 9:13:10 GMT
Thanks for the correction Steve.
As we all concur, Gene played a blinder!
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