4:3tv Meet 014 - Messenger Of The Gods - April 2023 - Report

[Three Litre]

One rather touching moment, when we were in the church, all getting ready to leave, I was near the front with Dawn. 

As people filed out she said she wanted to stand nearer the front and did so on her own and I think she was just having a quiet moment thinking back to '77 when she was in character in the church.

Nice moment, nice lady.

[Windy Miller]

A Meet back on the manor was always going to have that premium quality about it. The familiar streets, houses and pubs all providing a backdrop to a day where we take to squad cars or foot patrol to pound the beat and solve the case of £30,000 worth of missing thermometers.

A reveille call for 9.00am at Colet Gardens for the team was rewarded with gifts from the gods - firstly Linda Rix, and then NHK 295M. It was truly amazing to have Linda join us for this Meet and enthusiastically stay with us and visit all the locations from her episode. And to also have NHK 295M back on its patch after all this time was incredible. I never in my life thought I’d be able to sit in the front passenger seat of that car, where Jack used to sit.

Thanks to Gene for what must have been a herculean effort in bringing this Meet together. All the arrangements, negotiations, phone calls and planning is very much appreciated, and enabled the day to run without a hitch. The Brook Green is a great place to call for a lunchtime stop - a special mention to the Bloody Mary's they do which are absolutely mind blowing - and The Queen's Head, a pub that has served us well over the years for dinner (thanks again Gene for booking the tables).

A big thanks to Dawn Perllman for giving up a Sunday to join us. I loved hearing all her anecdotes and stories about all the wonderful things she’s done. A real bonus and a round of applause from us all to you, Dawn.

Thanks also to Mr Shifter for driving NHK 295M to Colet Gardens for us to admire the fine restoration work to this most iconic of Ford cars. It was really sad to watch the car drive off after its brief visit.

Thanks also to The Saint for the all important task of chaperoning Dawn, our VIP guest.

Thanks also to D.C. Burtonshaw for driving Charles Bronson, Vienna and I to the morning locations.

And thanks to the Church Warden of The Parish Church of Saint Matthew for allowing us into the church.

In the years to come, we will look back at this Meet with very fond memories of a truly wonderful day in the company of Linda Rix and the visit of The Sweeney Car. For me, a Meet that stands head and shoulders above many others, and one I will never forget.

[John Steed]

What a fantastic weekend from start to finish!!
I travelled down to the manor on Saturday morning in Gene Hunt's car, also accompanied by Del Boy and Dirty Epic. After parking up at the hotel we made our way to the first watering hole of the day, the Dove in Hammersmith, which is one of my very favourite pubs. We were soon joined by some more squad members and enjoyed a drink outside on the terrace until we made our way to The Black Lion ... another very fine public drinking house! A Ruby and then a coupe of beers in The Swan completed a very enjoyable Saturday.

Sunday morning started with a hearty 'Full English Breakfast' at the hotel before we made our way to Colet Gardens for the 09.00 sharp meet up. We were in for not one, but two amazing surprises organised by 'The Guvnor' Gene Hunt. First, our lovely guest Dawn Perllman arrived with The Saint and then shortly after NHK 295M came tootling down Colet Gardens to everyone's surprise and amazement. A massive thanks Gene for all of the hard work and planning; these meets really do get better and better 

A very pleasant morning location tour followed with some driving about. Many thanks to Three Litre for piloting myself, Steve Austin, Brown Granada and Mickyosan to these locations, much appreciated as drivers are an essential element to these meets.
Our lunchtime break was a very welcome return to The Brook Green Hotel which is another fine drinking establishment that myself and many members of the squad are always happy to re-visit.

The afternoon was a very pleasant walkabout tour which we all thoroughly enjoyed and the weather was again much kinder to us than predicted.
The evening meal was enjoyed at another familiar hostelry .. The Queen's Head in Brook Green which rounded off a superb day with great company, great locations, great food & drink.

Thanks again Gene for organising this fantastic meet complete with bonus surprises. I still can't believe that I have sat in the driver's seat of NHK 295M !! (Thanks Mr Shifter for bringing NHK down)
Thanks to our lovely guest Dawn Perllman for your interesting conversation and interaction with every single member of the squad, we all thoroughly enjoyed your company (Thanks to the Saint for your part in bringing Dawn).
Thanks Three Litre for volunteering to drive on the morning locations.
Thanks to each and every member who attended and collectively made it the truly fantastic day that it was. 

Cheers all 

[Dirty Epic]

I'm going to do my report later this week, want to saviour the meet as it was a bloody good one.

Big, big thanks to Gene for putting this one together so well it much appreciated   and to Dawn for coming along and being one of us on the meet too, glad to have chatted and spent time with you too.

They're all good but this was such a special one and I'll try not to look at the other posts meantime.

[Vienna]

The best ever 4:3tv meet? Well, you couldn't get much better than this one I can tell you! 

I decided to travel down early by train to avoid the usual Saturday riff-raff and checked into the hotel early before going out and sampling a few beers and a burger in the Hammersmith/Chiswick area on Friday evening. After a good rest on Saturday morning, I eventually met up with Gene and the regulars for a few more jars in the very same inns that I had frequented the previous day, including The Dove and The Black Lion - some of my favourites! A few more drinks flowed in the evening, alongside a very tasty Ruby Murray in a local curry house. 

After another decent brekkie in the hotel on Sunday I then headed to the main event with three others, arriving at Colet Gardens on time. And what a treat as we entered the street... Mr Shifter driving down C.G. in the fantastic Consul GT, NHK 295M - and it is in brilliant condition! So too was the lovely Dawn Perllman (Linda Rix) arriving just moments earlier, as she joined us for the day to visit the locations from her episode 'Messenger of the Gods', which was filmed in the summer of 1977 but not aired on ITV until a year later. It was soon time for the off, so we hit the road quickly to view some great locations on what was a rather changeable spring day - either side of a liquid lunch in the Brook Green hotel - including the exteriors of Albie Spooner's yard, Lukey Sparrow's gaff, the Rix house, along with my favourite, the church in Hammersmith where Lukey and Linda have the wedding rehearsal. Some locations have changed quite a bit, particularly where Lukey is chased by Rudd and the gang. Others hadn't changed so much, but it was all very interesting, and even the weather improved in the afternoon. After saying goodbye to Dawn, it was time for some dinner and a few more drinks in the Queen's Head. But then it was all over too soon and it was sadly time to go back home again.

I would like to thank Gerry Burtonshaw for driving Windy Miller, Charles Bronson and me to the meet and also around the various west/southwest London locations in the morning. Thanks also to The Saint for bringing Dawn Perllman to the meet and especially to her for being so friendly and approachable on the day itself. She really seemed to enjoy being with us and gave me some mints to chew on and a nice hug.  Thanks also to Mr. Shifter for showing us his restored Sweeney motor and also to the church warden for letting us in to look at the inside of the building. Thanks to all members who attended on both Saturday and Sunday, and just Sunday. Special thanks, as always, goes to Gene for the huge effort that he puts into organising everything connected with the meet - I don't really know how he manages to pull it off so successfully every time! Well done, mate.   Btw, apologies for my flatulence in the hotel lift as I left but what a great weekend it really was!

All I can finally say is... roll on the next meet in October! 

Cheers

Vi
 

[Mickyosan]

Adding to some of the great write-ups above, Sunday really was a great meet and even some minor drizzle in the morning decided by the afternoon not to hang about.

I made my way to Colet Gardens by the requested time and this was the first time I’d been here since October 2019. It was good to see familiar faces and the conversation turned to the day ahead.

There then followed two surprises in quick succession.

The first was special guest Dawn Perllman, delivered onto the manor by the Sant and who became the first person on a Sweeney meet who had appeared in the episode we were visiting that day. Dawn was great company and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion of visiting locations for the first time in forty-six years.

Following Dawn’s introduction, there then followed the amazing sight of NHK 295M approaching down Colet Gardens nearly half a century since it first made the same journey and captured on the open credits. Given that Colet Gardens hasn’t really changed in this time and neither has the distinctive block of Linacre Court in the distance.

Time really stood still as NHK traversed Colet Gardens and upon close inspection, it really is absolutely mint so many thanks to Mr Shifter for bringing it along.

All too soon it was time for the locations itinerary to start and I took my place in the motor. Thanks to Three Litre as a most capable wheelman and my three accomplices Steve Austin, Brown Granada and John Steed.

The various locations visited were as interesting as ever there were a few bonus ones added for good measure. It’s always great seeing how some locations have changed and some haven’t and this was the case on this day.

After lunchtime libations in the Brook Green hotel, we got into our stride for the afternoon locations and everything fell into place as usual on another of Gene’s meticulous missions. Even the sun came out.

The location of the final fight scene was noted at Brook Green and soon it was time to say thanks and farewells to Dawn before the Saint delivered her home.

We then adjourned to a very busy Queen’s Head where Gene again had taken care of the booking and we were able to order some nosebag and reflect on a great day.

I left the QH and it was absolutely tipping it down but nothing could dampen what a great day it had been and as Steve said earlier in the day, the meets always rekindle my appreciation of the series.

Huge thanks to Gene for the time and organisation to get it right again.

[Charles Bronson]

Sorry I'm late posting this appreciation of our meet in London last weekend.

I'm was so glad to attend the meet last Sunday in Hammersmith.
I had no idea this meet was going to be so special. It was an unforgettable day.
I arrived in London late on Saturday afternoon, just in time to join the squad who were just about to go to an Indian restaurant in King St.
I enjoyed the place very much and would visit it again if I was in Hammersmith.

When I arrived in Colet Gardens on Sunday morning to meet up with everyone else, there was practically nobody around yet, then after a minute or two, I noticed 'The Saint' walking around the corner with a lady whom I assumed must be a friend of his. Not long after when we saw the lady close up, we realised with delight that it was actress Dawn Perllman who had played Linda Rix in the very episode whose locations we were going to be looking at that day.
She turned out to be one of the friendliest. people you could imagine and very down to earth. She showed an interest in everyone and also an enthusiasm at being there with us.

It was also very exciting to have NHK 295M in Colet Gardens. I never dreamt I'd ever see the car in the flesh, it was a real treat. Many, many thanks to the owner for bringing it along for us to see. A true gent.

My favourites of the lolocations we visited were Mrs Rix's house and the Church. The same as everyone else's I'm sure.
It was very kind of the Church Warden to admit us into the church. It was terrific experience being in that church and one of the best parts of the day.

Many thanks to D I Burtonshaw for for driving myself, Vienna and Windy Miller around the various locations on Sunday morning. I greatly enjoyed your company as usual

Special thanks to Gene for his hard work and planning in sorting the day and arranging the attendance of the guests on Sunday, Dawn and the owner of NHK 295M. (I thank them both for being there with us.)

Anyway I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again at the next meet wherever that may be.

Charles.

[The Saint]

It was fantastic for the squad to be back in Sweeneyland which is where most of us first met many years ago.

I met up with Gene, Del Boy, Dirty Epic, John Steed, DC Burtonshaw, Charles Bronson, Vienna and Peter Picard from Saturday afternoon for a relaxing catch up consisting of Riverside pubs followed by a curry, thanks for being great company chaps

The main event arrived on Sunday and I headed off to collect our star guest, the lovely Dawn Perllman.
I first met Dawn last June at a Sweeney reunion event in London, we got chatting and I suggested she join us on a Sweeney meet, which she was so keen to do, so we kept in contact over the last few months which resulted in her joining us last weekend. I think everyone will agree that Dawn really made the day special, her enthusiasm for The Sweeney and vintage TV and film in general, combined with her warm and friendly personality made her a perfect addition to our squad. Thanks Dawn, you are an absolute star! ⭐️

Once we got to Colet Gardens and got chatting with everyone another surprise occurred, the legendary NHK295M makes its appearance on Colet Gardens for the first time since the 1970s, an absolutely wonderful moment to witness. Thanks to Mr Shifter for driving down to meet us, it’s much appreciated, and of course to our very own Gene for arranging it with Mr Shifter.

Our leader and master draughtsman Gene, aka ‘The Guv’nor’ put together a first class itinerary of Messenger of The Gods locations in honour of our star guest, it was great to see these iconic locations come to life, what an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday

Dawn really enjoyed the day and she has asked me to pass on her thanks to everyone for making her so welcome.

Thanks Gene, for another amazing day, you bring it all together so seamlessly, but only because of all your planning and hard work to ensure the day runs like clockwork 

Looking forward to the next 4:3tv meet in whatever form it takes.

The Saint

[The Saint]

A few smudges from the day…

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrkkOfko5H7

[Del Boy]

*************************************  For The Attention Of D.I Regan   *************************************

43tv Meet 014 - The Sweeney - Messenger Of The Gods 

Operation Dove - Saturday
I travelled down to Hammersmith with D.I Hunt, John Steed and Dirty Epic in order to rendezvous with some of the Squad at The Dove- Hammersmith.  Arriving bang on 12, a tasty Guinness(or three) was enjoyed whilst overlooking the Thames from the terrace. Not a bad start to the weekend it must be said 
The squad filled out quickly, and with the addition of  The Saint, Vienna and Gerry Burtonshaw a few more tasty pints followed all too easily, after which it was agreed that it was time to check into the digs. Unfortunately the plan went right out the window because we fell into The Black Lion for a couple of jars.
In Pic 3, The Squad helpfully point out it's two o'clock 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Crg6FFCoKk5

Back at the digs, a quick freshen up and a splash of Hai Karate and It was off for a Ruby on King Street. We linked up here with Peter Picard and Charles Bronson and ordered a tasty curry, that had us suitably primed for round two. We carried out some reconnaissance of the beers in The Swan and drafted in squad members Carter and Windy Miller. With that research complete, Saturday was wrapped up.  

Messenger Of The Gods - Sunday
At 0900 sharp, the squad descended on the sacred Sweeney ground that is Colet Gardens. We were soon joined by our special guest for the day Dawn Perllman. What a treat ! Dawn was excited to revisit a lot of the scenes from her episode and we were glad to guide her around the manor.
We didn't have long to wait before the second special guest joined us. None other than NHK 295M!  This operation was progressing in fine style and we hadn't even left Colet Gardens ! 
Mr Shifter very kindly allowed the squad to recreate the many poses from the show. The car is absolutely stunning and it was great to see it back on the old manor. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CriGU7YoZBK

10am, Mr Shifter and NHK had to go and fight more crime, and so after listening to the fantastic soundtrack of NHK's 3 litre V6 pull out of Colet, the squad bundled into the motors and set off to carry out some surveillance. 
Kicking the morning section off was a butchers around the Chelsea area, where Regan and Carter catch up with Alby Spooner. The changes in this area are amazing in the intervening years since filming. All the waste ground has been built on and even the old London Underground power station in Lots Road is being converted into luxury flats. 
After popping round to look at Lukey's digs it was time to look at the estate where the Spooner firm were chasing Lukey. There was quite a few new buildings here but still some of the estate survives. 
With the mornings locations in the bag, we descended on The Brook Green Hotel for a lunch break. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrmHeAmIKQ_

We kicked off the afternoon's walkabout part of the tour by walking around to the Rix residence. Dawn instantly was taken back to filming here some 46 years ago on a lovely summers day. 
After leaving the Rix's we stopped at the spot where local lothario Lukey slips off with a bird in a SL Mercedes. This was at the Holland Park roundabout. Gene played yet another ace at the next stop by pre-arranging a look inside the church where Linda and Lukey's wedding was held. The building was stunning inside and out and another location that evoked some great memories from Dawn about filming the scene, including a very unfortunate trip over some cables just off camera when she storms off.
Next on the list and only a few streets away was the place where Alby Spooner jumps over the garden wall.
Doubling back to Brook Green for the scene where Lukey is found near the Tennis courts and Spooner's lads have a scrap with Regan & Carter brought this fine tour to an end. The Squad bid farewell to our Special Guest Dawn Perllman, and I think everyone will say what an absolute pleasure it was to be in her company for the day. She had great stories to tell about her career and she was great fun joining in the recreation at some of the locations 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CrmL23TobvN

All that was left to do was finish this fantastic Sweeney Meet off in traditional style by having a few beers and a meal in The Queens Head.  

******************************************   End Of Report    *********************************************

My thanks to Gene for spending loads of time organising a great day out, special guests, access to the church, dinner reservations and printing the screengrab books. Stunning work Guv
To Dawn Perllman, for being fantastic company all day and sharing her memories of  The Sweeney with us fans. 
To Mr Shifter, for bringing NHK 295M down to show the squad and allow us to recreate poses from the show. 
I'd also like to thank all of the drivers at the meet for kindly allowing us to get around the manor. Cheers Saint for giving us a lift on the day.
And to the rest of the squad for all the beers and laughs all weekend. 

Cheers All 
Looking forward to meet 015 already.