Dead Man's Treasure Hunt 2008
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 7:22 am
Just to say that the 22nd Dead Man's Treasure Hunt was staged last weekend (Friday 29 to Sunday 31) and was most enjoyable - a real credit to the organisation of Chris Bentley, Nick Williams and newcomers Wiebke Köppen and Mark Grattan (who, sadly, couldn't make it through injury - get well soon Mark, you were sorely missed!).
It was lovely to see so many people on the Friday night at the hotel, such as old friends like Michael Richardson, the editor of the brilliant "Action TV" zine, who I first started working with in 1984, and also a quick visit from Vanessa Bergman whose enthusiasm fuelled the Randall and Hopkirk Deceased Appreciation Society in the late 1980s/early 1990s. And it's great to catch up with so many friends.
We had a lovely visit out on Saturday in two smashing air-conditioned coaches, dropping in on about ten film locations en route. In terms of Avengers locations we got to see the beautiful village of Denham ("Return of the Cybernauts") and the striking venue of Oakley Court ("The Midas Touch" ... and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"!) as well as having lunch at the Crown Inn ("Killer"). Chris Bentley did an excellent job as always as tour guide, delivering some fascinating historical gems on each venue.
Although I'm not a great fan of the Saturday evening games (as I'd rather just chat to people in the bar), we did have a lovely crop in store for us this year which made for a most enjoyable few hours.
Unfortunately, the heavens opened for most of Sunday morning which rather dampened a very good treasure hunt based around six churches and the theme of "To Catch a Rat" (the half dozen stops to find clues all being Location 3s ... 3 being C for Church if you recall the episode). All very nicely organised with plenty to keep body and brain active, although sadly I had to spend part of it car bound due to an arthritic attack rooted in the right hip (compounded when I slipped on a treacherous path alongside the church at Radlett). There was also a camera crew present from Phoenix Film and Television Productions Ltd (http://www.phoenixmedia.co.uk/phoenix/About.htm) who were recording events and also interviews with attendees about the series. The interviews, conducted by Marcus Hearn (one half of Reynolds & Hearn who published Chris' book "The Avengers on Location") are apparently destined for a new documentary about the series to be released on DVD.
Anyway, all in all, another smashing weekend where everyone seemed to have fun, and all credit to Chris, Nick, Wiebke and Mark for their hard work in organising it.
All the best
Andrew
It was lovely to see so many people on the Friday night at the hotel, such as old friends like Michael Richardson, the editor of the brilliant "Action TV" zine, who I first started working with in 1984, and also a quick visit from Vanessa Bergman whose enthusiasm fuelled the Randall and Hopkirk Deceased Appreciation Society in the late 1980s/early 1990s. And it's great to catch up with so many friends.
We had a lovely visit out on Saturday in two smashing air-conditioned coaches, dropping in on about ten film locations en route. In terms of Avengers locations we got to see the beautiful village of Denham ("Return of the Cybernauts") and the striking venue of Oakley Court ("The Midas Touch" ... and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"!) as well as having lunch at the Crown Inn ("Killer"). Chris Bentley did an excellent job as always as tour guide, delivering some fascinating historical gems on each venue.
Although I'm not a great fan of the Saturday evening games (as I'd rather just chat to people in the bar), we did have a lovely crop in store for us this year which made for a most enjoyable few hours.
Unfortunately, the heavens opened for most of Sunday morning which rather dampened a very good treasure hunt based around six churches and the theme of "To Catch a Rat" (the half dozen stops to find clues all being Location 3s ... 3 being C for Church if you recall the episode). All very nicely organised with plenty to keep body and brain active, although sadly I had to spend part of it car bound due to an arthritic attack rooted in the right hip (compounded when I slipped on a treacherous path alongside the church at Radlett). There was also a camera crew present from Phoenix Film and Television Productions Ltd (http://www.phoenixmedia.co.uk/phoenix/About.htm) who were recording events and also interviews with attendees about the series. The interviews, conducted by Marcus Hearn (one half of Reynolds & Hearn who published Chris' book "The Avengers on Location") are apparently destined for a new documentary about the series to be released on DVD.
Anyway, all in all, another smashing weekend where everyone seemed to have fun, and all credit to Chris, Nick, Wiebke and Mark for their hard work in organising it.
All the best
Andrew
