Convention 2005

Place: Southend Leisure Centre on 2nd October 2005


On a sunny but chilly October Sunday morning, what seemed thousands were queuing up for the Only Fools and Horses Convention 2005.

Outside the centre was the Ethnic Tours Bus and a Three Wheeler Van, but everyone was eagerly awaiting to enter the main hall.

On entering you were greeted by the two most famous vehicles in British sitcom history, yes the Yellow 3 Wheeler and the Capri Ghia. which of course were a great point for people wanting their photo taken alongside.

There were many stalls selling all the usual merchandise of Video's, DVD's Mugs, Peckham Spring Water, and T-Shirts, the 2 OFAH games, Coasters, bottle openers, and of course prints from the show, and all were seeming to be doing a great trade.

Of course the main thing people were wanting was to meet the guests for this years convention, Then Vice President Keith announced the first 2 guests, which were Paul Barber (Denzil) and Roy Heather (Sid). Both said their hello's and especially Roy who joked that now Green Green Grass was the main show as OFAH had now finished, but also told that he would be appearing in the Christmas Special.


Next to be brought through was 3 members of Green Green Grass, Ivan Kaye (Bryan), Ella Kenion (Mrs Cakeworthy) and Peter Hepplewaite (Jed), and we were informed that Jack Doolan (Tyler) was also to appear but at that present time was suck in traffic and would be there ASP.

Then came what was the main 2 guests with Sue Holderness (Marlene) and John Challis (Boycie), who gave a small hello to the fans. Before taking their places along the others for their marathon autograph stint.

Now many will of course moan that they had to wait hours to get to the front to get to meet the stars of the 2 shows, but as stated with it being free then you'd have to expect to wait, as the only other way to combat this is for the society is to charge, but then I'm sure they would also get many moan about this, so its a no in situation for them. so until they can come up with a better idea then to m this is the only solution.
So at present this is the best way for it to be, but it must also be said from what I saw of people queuing there seemed to be a happy atmosphere.

We were lucky to get to them early and able to chat, and it was a pleasure talking to the new cast as well as the old, and they all showed a genuine want to chat and know your feelings on the new show.

All together it was a great day, and well organised. and credit to the society for this.

May we at GJS-Web send our congratulations to Perry, Keith and all that worked so hard in getting this organised.

Did you visit the convention? want to let us know what you thought of it, send them in to glen@gjs-web.co.uk and I will place them up on the website.
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