...Does Some Whoovering

Derby-based group ‘The Whoovers’ had announced their fourth annual convention – “Whooverville 4”, to be held at the Quad cinema complex in the centre of Derby. Three classic companions, as well as several guest stars from the classic series and one from the new series. However, it was the announcement of Donald Gee, guest star in “The Space Pirates” and “The Monster of Peladon” that piqued Shirt’s interest, as his other credits included ‘Inspector Lestrade’ to Clive Merrison’s Holmes. Having previously met Stephen Thorne, Donald’s successor in the role (see S...Oh, The Horror of It All ), Shirt was keen to complete the set, and so booked a ticket.

Having gone up a day early, Shirt took the opportunity to revisit some old haunts in nearby Sheffield, but a considered trip to see Dufus had to be cancelled due to family illness. Shirt made his way to a Journeycabin in Derby, where around 8.45am the next morning, he strode out towards the venue. Arriving around 9.20am, Shirt took the opportunity to purchase a sturdier carrier bag to hold his items for signing from a nearby supermarket. At around 9.40am, he entered the venue, but despite his booking being found on the automated system, no ticket was printed. He therefore joined a short queue at the box office to get his ticket.

Climbing two flights of stairs to the second floor, Shirt was showing his ticket to the man at the desk and being given a sticker to wear all day to indicate that he had paid. A quick sweep round the merchandise stalls, some of which were still being set up, and Shirt made his way into Cinema One where the panels were taking place. Finding a seat halfway back, he settled back for the first panels of the day.

After introductions, the first interviewees were UNIT troops, Richard Franklin and John Levene. Both spoke enthusiastically about their time in the smallest army unit of all time, whilst managing to plug what was coming next, in Richard’s case a book and in John’s case an album. Next up was Dee Sadler, ‘Flowerchild’ from “The Greatest Show in the Galaxy”, who spoke at length about her career and her one episode of WHO, which was entirely filmed on location in Dorset, admitting that it had been many years later that she had learnt of the asbestos scare that led to the others having to film many scenes in a tent in the studio car-park. She also denied Christopher Guard’s DVD commentary assertion that she has “big feet”. The third panel was Donald Gee, who was being interviewed by Bobob, and discussed Patrick and Jon, the perils of live television, working with men in monster-suits, but not the Radio 4 ‘Sherlock Holmes’.

Shirt then decided to try and get some autographs in Cinema Two. Having managed to find the right queue to join, the queue having been split along three rows of seats at the back, Shirt waited patiently as the queue moved very slowly, the fact that Richard Franklin had to rush off to get a train, seemingly not encouraging those at the front to engage him in lengthy conversation. The front of the room was being used as a photo studio, but very few people seemed to want to spend £10 to have their photo taken with Donald Gee. The majority of fans in the queue seemed to be debating the sub-headline in the ‘Daily Mirror’ that Matt Smith would be quitting as the Doctor after Christmas 2013.

“It must be true if it’s on the front page”, one fan was saying.

Shirt remained unconvinced by this logic. Finally, Shirt’s smaller queue moved forward, passing a display of JNTs Hawaiian shirts, that Shirt was very taken with (along with a large Sarah Jane Owl).

Finally, Shirt was placing his items in front of the first guest, Peter Purves. “Galaxy 4” and “The Five Companions” CD sleeves signed, and Shirt moved on to Richard, getting his “reUNITed” video sleeve signed with minimum of conversation. Having nothing for the next two guests – Will ‘Survival’ Barton and Lawry ‘Vinovocci’ Lewin – Shirt moved to the merchandise room where Katy Manning was signing copies of Spirit Sinema’s “Who Girls 2013” calendar. Having got her to sign ‘September’, Shirt got her to dedicate his “Not a Well Woman” CD sleeve that had come pre-signed. Managing to finally extricate his hand from Katy’s grip, he moved over to another stall to pick up a number of ‘Monster Invasion’ trading cards that he needed. Seventh Galaxy had two ‘sponsored guests’ (ie. £10 per signature), John Levene and Derek ‘Charlie Slater’ Martin, but as Shirt had met them previously, he walked past them.

He then returned to Cinema Two, where there was a small queue for Donald. The organisers had indicated that only two items could be signed each time, and so Shirt got Donald on his “A Study in Scarlet” and “Return of Sherlock Holmes” cassette sleeves. He then singularly failed to take a non-fuzzy photo of him. Stowing his precious items, Shirt decided to go out in search of lunch, having purchased a fan film featuring Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred (with a free Master DAPOL figure).

On his return, Shirt made his way back into Cinema One to catch the end of Will and Lawry’s panel, negotiating a large group of fans who hadn’t known that Katy was only signing for an hour-and-a-half, just in time to hear a number of “Horrible Histories” questions, Lawry being one of the regulars. Will also spoke about taking over from another actor in “Space Precinct” without Gerry Anderson’s permission. Panel completed, Shirt was back in Cinema Two, getting Dee Sadler on his “Greatest Show in the Galaxy” video sleeve (having got her on the DVD a fortnight before) and in his “The Eighties”. Returning to the panel room, Shirt was in time to catch the end of Peter’s panel, just in time for the “Blue Peter” questions.

Cinema Two was needed for a film showing, and so Shirt had to search around for where Louise Jameson was signing. Eventually, he saw a queue on the stairs, and joining it, twenty minutes later was getting his “The Lair of the White Worm” and “The Oseidon Adventure” covers signed. The queue was the longest of the day, and Shirt was relieved that he had been so far forward in it.

Returning to the panel room, Shirt sat through a charity auction in aid of a charity set up by Tristan Peatfield, ‘Doctor Who’ production designer. This mainly comprised production sketches, which were received less than enthusiastically, despite the best efforts of Dee and Donald to encourage bids, partly because the majority of attendees were still outside queuing for Louise. Popping out for a breath of fresh air, Shirt took the opportunity to follow another attendee and got Donald to sign another cassette sleeve, and pose for a better photo.

The final panel of the day was Louise Jameson who seemed to be enjoying working with GOD (or Tom Baker as he’s also known) again, contrasting it with her experiences when it really was ‘teatime in 1977’. She also spoke about her one-woman plays, and drama teaching. The event ended with a raffle that Shirt was not taking part in, and with the inevitable announcement of a “Whooverville 5.0”.

Making his way slowly back to the train station, having booked on a train that wasn’t for two hours, Shirt finally boarded a train (just as "Asylum of the Daleks" was due to start) and mused on the event – autographs from all the guests he wanted, excellent panels, and a good atmosphere from like-minded people – dependent on guest-list, next year remained a possibility.

[PL]