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Post by Windy Miller on Jul 6, 2021 11:34:26 GMT
How fitting that a Meet, with the recent passing of John 'Ronnie Kray' Croft in our memories, should also be one of the most friendliest Meets I think I’ve ever been on. We miss you John. May you rest in peace. A huge thanks to Gene for organising a truly marvellous Meet, and driving a great big bus through the dark times of Covid lockdowns and self-isolation. It was simply great to get out, have fun, and enjoy a number of excellently researched locations from some of our old time tv favourites. Top locations, like here :-
^^^ The entrance to the bus depot, now just a parking space in a supermarket car park ^^^
Fleeting weather conditions aside, the rain never stopped us doing anything. Two outstanding features from the day :-
The relaxed feel to the day plus the company of friends not seen for many a month…. every one of us just pleased to be back together again. A total triumph in terms of fun, pleasure, laughs and incessant conversation. I'd also like to add my thanks to The Saint for choosing some superb refreshment points along the way. Thanks also to Peter Picard for the driving duties on Sunday, and to Carter and Brown Granada for the incidental taxiing between hotel and pub(s). Thanks also to Vienna and Charles Bronson for the bants in the car there and back.
Looking forward to the next one....
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on Jul 6, 2021 15:54:02 GMT
Yes, it was, once again, another brilliant meet organised by forum guvnor Gene Hunt. This particular one was one of the most enjoyable get-togethers I have attended and it was fantastic to catch up with everyone again after such a long and frustrating period without a 4:3tv meet, owing to Covid-19. My trip out didn't start too well though as I got soaked trying to catch a train that was also late getting into Crewe! I met up with Charles Bronson and our driver, Windy Miller, and, after a nice brekkie, headed down to Hertfordshire, arriving on time at the White Hart pub to meet the Saturday crew for a few drinks and a bit of banter, picking up Brown Granada on the way. We then headed to the Manor at Elstree before going back to the hotel for a wash and brush up. In the evening we headed out to the White Horse in nearby Shenley for a meal and a few drinks - and avoided a rather big footie match that was taking place at that time. The main event of course was on Sunday and everyone met up at the car park in Borehamwood. After breakfast it was very important for all of us to have a minutes silence for forum member Ronnie Kray (John Croft) who sadly passed away recently. Then we set off... Fortunately the weather improved significantly during the walkabout despite a damp start. This part of the meet featured locations mainly from the two On the Buses films. It was great to chat to various members and admire Gene's amazing dedication in finding some really difficult locations. When this finished it was time for a spot of lunch at the Manor Hotel and an afternoon of some 'bonus locations' from The Likely Lads film and Auf Pet. We also had a nice visit to the Grim's Dyke Hotel for a drink; this magnificent house featured in many horror films and some TV shows during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Battle Axes near Radlett was our next destination for the evening meal, although the woman working there seemed like a right battle axe herself and told us off for arriving 15 minutes late! Nice food, though. It was then back to the White Hart inn for a few late drinks before heading back to the hotel for a much-needed kip! A big thanks to everyone who attended and made it such an enjoyable and relaxing weekend after so many restrictions over the last year and a bit. Special thanks go to Windy for his excellent driving to and from the meet (including the detour back home along the M1/A50 to avoid a bad crash on the M6.) Special thanks also to Brown Granada for driving us around and thanks to Charles Bronson, John Steed, Peter Picard and Steve Austin for their company during this time; also thanks go to Get Carter and Candy Girl who kindly gave us a lift back to the hotel on Saturday night - even if we did have to stop suddenly for a rabbit in the headlights! Thanks also to The Saint for booking tables at the pubs. The biggest thanks - as always - goes to Gene. His fabulous research into these locations plus all his hours of hard work and organisation is simply awesome! Nice one mate! Anyway, roll on the next meet in October... hopefully Life on Mars. Cheers Vi
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Post by John Steed on Jul 6, 2021 21:13:26 GMT
The meet finally arrived after what seemed an eternity since we all last met. The weather was very poor when Gene Hunt, Del Boy, Dirty Epic and myself set off on Saturday morning in Gene Hunt's Audi Quattro. After a breakfast stop en route we arrived at The Premier Inn and checked in. We then walked to The White Hart and soon met a few other members for a long awaited catch up and a drink or two. We then set off for The Manor at Elstree where I did manage to hitch a lift in The Saint's Bentley. After a nice relaxing chat and a drink we headed back to the Hotel to freshen up for the evening meal. The food at The White Horse at Shenley was superb (I couldn't have cooked it much better myself!). After a lovely meal and a drink outside the pub, myself, Brown Granada and Vienna were given a lift back to the Hotel by Get Carter and Candy Girl. Sunday morning was a return to heavy rain first thing as we headed to Wetherspoons for breakfast. After leaving "Spoons" the weather soon improved which led to a very enjoyable morning looking at some brilliant locations which Gene Hunt had researched/found with amazing accuracy as always; his attention to detail is outstanding! After returning to The Manor for a lovely Sunday lunch we headed out on a drive about tour of some more locations. After an enjoyable afternoon locations tour we arrived at The Grim's Dyke Hotel for refreshments. The weather took a turn for the worst but we had sufficient shelter so as to not be too concerned. I then had to depart before the evening meal due to family commitments.
Firstly, a massive thanks to Gene Hunt for all of the time and effort which goes to planning these meets; I don't think anyone could plan/research the locations with more accurate detail, it amazes all of us I am sure! Thanks also Gene for providing a very enjoyable evening on Friday for myself, Del Boy and Dirty Epic. Thanks for a great drive down on Saturday morning too, it is much appreciated. Thanks also to Get Carter and Candy Girl for driving us back to the hotel after Saturday evening's meal/drinks. Thanks also to Brown Granada for driving myself, Vienna and Steve Austin around on Sunday; loads of great banter in the car so thanks lads it was a scream! Thanks Steve Austin for navigating and thanks Brown Granada for the lift to the train station. Finally, thanks to all of the members who attended and collectively made it the absolutely outstanding weekend that it was. I couldn't have wished for a better crowd to spend the time with.
Thanks all! Steed
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Post by Charles Bronson on Jul 6, 2021 22:46:49 GMT
Many thanks to Gene Hunt for putting together another successful locations meet after a 21 month gap. We were privileged to visit some really interesting 'On The Buses' location sites, and I've been watching the film again this afternoon to look at some of the sites we visited last Sunday.
I very much liked our visit to 'The Manor' the site of many film and TV productions, and The Grim's Dyke' which had also seen many film productions over the years. They were both very enjoyable places to visit. I particularly liked the Grimsdyke Hotel and its grounds, and I've just been reading up on the history of the house.
I am very grateful to Windy Miller who drove both myself and Vienna down from Crewe Station to South mimms on the Saturday morning and back again on Monday. If not for him offering to give me the lift down, the journey would have been too difficult for me to undertake. Before we set off on the journey down South, Windy took us to a place were we all enjoyed a truly cracking breakfast.
I would also like to thank Peter Picard for driving myself and Windy to the various locations on the Sunday afternoon.
It was fantastic to see the squad back together once more enjoying a meet after the dreadful sixteen months we've all had. Nice also to see Get Carter back at the meet, along with Candy Girl. I hope you both had a terrific weekend.
Anyway, once more, many thanks to Gene Hunt for your planning and efforts putting it all together after the frustrating time you must have had this past year.
Charles.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2021 9:28:26 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 I just can't stop thinking about how great the weekend was! and to be honest feels like a bit of a come down now, and now it's back to reality! I wish they were sooner than 6 months apart but, guess that would be harder to do and more work for Gene! but anyway the screen grabs are a great idea! So thanks for that one, because without them things wouldn't be the same.
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Jul 7, 2021 11:42:07 GMT
Saturdays informal gathering was a great way to start proceedings and help acclimatise for the forthcoming location tour. Good to see the old crew again and to meet new member Candy Girl. Saturday was rounded off with a nice meal and drink outside a pub that was a OTB location. What a great start. On to Sunday and Gene started this one off by leading a minutes silence for John Croft. RIP John. This meet was long overdue, it was like the intervening 21 months hadn't happened ! Which is a great thing There was much to catch up on having not seen everyone for so long and Gene's draughtsmanship skills allowed us all to have time to do that whilst taking in some classic OTB locations. The miles easily trickled by and before I knew it we had arrived at a couple of bonus Auf Wiedersehen Pet locations. Great stuff. A second visit of the weekend to The Manor was a great chance to sup a couple of cold beers and soak up the atmosphere of this lovely old place. On to the second half and some more Auf Pet locations just a stone throw away. This area really has so many locations and another fantastic bonus was a visit to the lovely Gryms Dyke Hotel. Yet another great location of many tv and film productions. A nice relaxing drink on a lovely terrace couldn't be spoiled by some rather interchangeable weather. The Saint came up trumps with his suggestion for The Battle Axes pub for dinner where I thought the food was lovely. A great way to cap off a fantastic weekend. Cheers to Gene and Dirty Epic for sorting the travel to the meet. My thanks go to The Saint who did us proud on both days utilising all of his fleet including his great Bentley. Thanks also to Charlie Croker, Carter and Get Carter for the lifts between locations. And thanks to Gene for putting together a really enjoyable weekend Looking forward to the next one already and I'm hoping we can get to Manchester .
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Post by Professor Peach on Jul 7, 2021 14:09:23 GMT
Post your stories from the Meet here. Gene, many thanks for for all the work and research you did to make the weekend so successful. During the day we crossed many roads in front of traffic and I wanted to shout “Just remember in this country we drive on the wrong side of the road”. I even heard someone remark, and others agreed, that drivers were so polite (in the south) in letting a large group of blokes and one lady walk in the road. There was no need to synchronise our watches, the day was well planned. Not only did we get to learn something new, we also had an experience of how time changes locations while having good conversations with others and getting some well needed walking exercise. It's a very difficult job and the only way to get through it is we all work together as a team. So thank you Gene for keeping us in order. Charlie
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The Saint
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Post by The Saint on Jul 7, 2021 15:02:27 GMT
What a weekend that was!
Probably the most eagerly anticipated meet yet, due to it being 21 months since the last one, and it certainly lived up to expectations.
It was great to meet the majority of the squad on Saturday afternoon for a relaxing build up to Sunday’s main event. It was also nice to see Candy Girl at her first 4:3tv meet.
Sunday arrived, the rain quickly cleared and the sun came out for a most enjoyable walking tour of On The Buses locations. I always enjoy Gene’s walking tours as they are expertly planned and they provide the perfect chance to socialise and catch up with other squad members as well as visit interesting locations.
A most enjoyable lunch break was had at The Manor Elstree (formally The Edgwarebury Hotel), it’s like stepping on to the set of so many film and TV locations - The Avengers, Randall & Hopkirk, and The Professionals to name just a few.
Then on to a couple more locations nearby from The Likely Lads and Auf Wiedersehn, Pet.
Afternoon drinks at the Grim’s Dyke Hotel was very welcome - another classic film and TV location.
The evening meal at The Battleaxes pub in Aldenham was an enjoyable way to round off the weekend.
Gene triumphed once again with the planning and execution of the On The Buses meet weekend, it was another first class operation. Thanks Gene!
The months of planning Gene puts into these 4:3tv meets for all our benefit is astonishing, and that’s why they always run like clockwork. Whether it’s On The Buses, Steptoe, Carry On, Sweeney or whatever Gene chooses to focus on, they are always organised to perfection and each meet is as equally enjoyable as the last. We salute you Gene!
Looking forward to the October meet in whatever form it takes….
The Saint
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Post by Peter Picard on Jul 7, 2021 17:01:15 GMT
A much anticipated and throughly enjoyable meet, as usual the weekend ran without a hitch due to the planning and effort put in prior to the event.
Many On The Buses locations were visited along with a few from Auf Pet and Likely Lads. A particular favourite was from the opening credits of the first film where Stan drives past a bus stop with waiting passengers shouting "full up", before stopping further up the road to collect the family.
Then.
Now.
We also stopped at some impressive watering holes. This is Grim's Dyke, former home of Sir William Schwenck Gilbert of the opera partnership Gilbert and Sullivan.
Thanks to all the bus crews for making it a great weekend, and to Gene for all the route planning and scheduling.
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Post by Brown Granada on Jul 7, 2021 20:21:09 GMT
Wow what an unforgettable weekend. So good to be back at a meet again and back with everyone after so long. I love it how we just all slotted back in to it again. Such is the strength of these meets and friendships. The meet started on Saturday this time for me and upon arrival at the hotel I caught up with Stan and Michael Rodd. A quick catch up with them and I made my way to the pub to meet everyone else. Luckily Windy, Vienna and Charles Bronson came along and gave me a lift. Cheers guys. At the pub I caught up with the rest of the clan. A very pleasant afternoon was had by all and then out for an evening meal. A very nice dinner was had and I must say the company on our table was superb and the jokes and banter flowed all evening. Sunday started with a bit of rain but a welcome Spoons brekkie and a catch up with those attending on the Sunday only. With a bit of a rainy start it was off on a location walk. As always the locations from OTB were superb, you never let us down Gene with your excellent draughmanship on these locations, and the sun even started to shine on us. A return to the Manor for our lunch break after being there Saturday too was very relaxing, thanks The Saint for sorting that out. The place is steeped in television and film history. The drive about in the afternoon was also superb and again top drawer locations. Then ending up at the Grim's Dyke Hotel was great. Nice Coffee as a beer was out of bounds by then. Some of us went on to the Battleaxes pub for a meal after which was superb but after being told off for being late by the head waitess I know how it got it's name.😂😂 Then sadly it was time to go. They go so quick these weekends. First of all a massive thanks to Gene for everything you do for us to organise these meets and the months of meticulous planning you do to make them run like clockwork . It is so appreciated by us all believe me. Thank you mate, really thank you so much. Thank you also to John Steed, Vienna and Steve Austin for all the banter in the car, I haven't laughed so much in ages. Cheers also Steve for your navigation skills.👍 And thank you everyone else for being good friends that make these unmissable and by the way nice to meet you Candy girl. Nice to see a new face at the meet. Take care all and until the next one (hopefully Life on Mars) stay safe . BG.
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