CONFESSIONS OF A CONVENTION GOER
by Isobel Smith  

Well, dear readers of tpf, this convention (2001) began more than a year and a half ago. Andrew White and I discussed the various re-enactments that are usually part of a convention weekend and decided there and then that we both wanted to be part of these activities that form the weekend. I don’t know who suggested the idea first but within the telephone call that we had made, we had decided to offer our services as organisers of the chess match and to undertake the lead roles ourselves. We also decided to arrange the event previously known as Max’s tour. I offered to write to Roger and Karen Langley who were by then organising the convention. We did not have too long to wait for our offer to be taken up. Andrew and I drew up a list of all possible re-enactments that we could do and gradually, through a series of telephone calls and letters, we narrowed our choice to what would be seen at the weekend’s events.

I had already had an offer from Janet Davis and Glenies McCairns while Andrew had also been offered help by a new member, Jo Eldridge. Roger supplied me with the name and address of another new member, Richard James, whose first convention it would be. I had also had a call from Leslie Glen. In addition we decided to put an advertisement in “In The Village” magazine. In the meantime the Shrewsbury Group plus some of the Liverpool Group had offered their services with the chess match and we came to a decision to make the event a joint venture.

Andrew and I came to the conclusion that we should give ourselves a cut off point for people to apply and for us to choose who would play which roles. This was done through another series of letters and telephone calls (the line between east Sussex and North Norfolk was red hot at one point!). Between us we called all concerned to inform them of our choice of role and scene. Luckily for us, no-one disagreed with our selection and within the week I prepared and sent out the scripts. This was done before Christmas, giving people a long time to learn and rehearse their scripts. Andrew and I gave ourselves some scenes to undertake as well. At the same time I had regular contact with the Shrewsbury Group via Andrew Turford and Rob Beale about what was to be arranged at their end and I was able to update them on our plans. To our surprise, the Shrewsbury group chose to organise the election parade and both Andrew and I were asked to take part. We agreed.

In the next few months leading up to the convention weekend, we learnt words and agreed to the locations for the various re-enactments. We thought that as the scenes had never been performed in the village, new locations were called for. The new Tudor room balcony was perfect for number Six’s cottage interior, for example. Apart from the touring theatre, we also had the script of the chess match to proof read and learn our parts.

March arrived and it was soon time to buy my train ticket, organise my taxi to Norwich station for the crack of dawn and pack my suitcase including, for what seemed the first time in ages, my Prisoner costumes. Before I knew it, the day arrived and I was setting off across the country. I met Janet and glenies at Birmingham New Street and we travelled the latter part of the journey together. as we pulled into Shrewsbury, the sun started to shine and I thought to myself, “please let this last throughout the weekend”. The trip went well as the three of us caught up with each other’s news. By the time we arrived at Minffordd, where I was due to leave the train, in order to stay with friends, we had laughed ourselves silly. I settled into my friends’ house and yes, the sun was still shining brightly. It was great to be back in my most favourite part of the country. Luckily for me, my friend offered me a lift into Porthmadog and I walked to the pub where I had arranged to meet Janet and Glenies later that evening. In the meantime I had a lovely meal and just as I finished it, in walked Andrew and Jo, who I had also arranged to meet. My two travelling companions joined us later and we all spent the rest of the evening chatting.

The next day (the first of the convention) Andrew picked me up in Porthmadog and we called into my friends’ to pick up my suitcase as I was staying in the village for the weekend. It was wonderful to be back and to soak up the atmosphere that is Porthmeirion. we had a meeting with Rob and Geoff to discuss any further updates on the weekend’s events. the morning and the early part of the afternoon was spent setting up Radio Village (which had a new home this year in the ice cream parlour near the Prisoner shop) and arranging the chairs and electrics in the Hercules Hall.
In the afternoon, after checking into Battery cottage (my home for the weekend) Andrew and I had rehearsals for the touring theatre with all our actors apart from Richard who was unable to arrive until the Saturday. We were both very pleased with the end results and we hoped that they would be well received on the Sunday.

That evening, Andrew acted as spokesman for the touring theatre at the Friday night introductions, whilst I spoke on the quiz that I had created for the Sunday. The evening went off to a superb start with a ‘live’ link up with Max - who I missed a great deal, somewhere in the World (sorry, I knew where in the World he was but I did not let on).

Saturday arrived and I began to feel very nervous. It was my big moment - the chess match. I hoped that I could remember all my words, even though they were on my chess pole. I felt very shaky as I walked on the lawn in front of the Gothic pavilion. When it came to my first line, I didn’t think I was speaking loud enough, although I could hear my own voice echo through the village. By the time we had finished the re-enactment, the applause told me that we had done well. The election parade went extremely well and I thought to myself “I think I could do this again tomorrow!”.

Roger’s interview with our guest, fearless Frank Maher, was very interesting as it included various clips of the different programmes that he had been involved in. It was also another chance to listen to all his wonderful stories about his experiences in show business. After his interview, I had my chance to catch up with the man himself. Frank is such a likable person and one feels very relaxed in his company as he is full of stories.

My second crack of the whip arrived before I knew it and we were given even more applause. “Maybe”, I thought to myself, “I will offer to do this chess match again”. Now I have done it twice the sheer fear I felt will not be with me. By the time of the touring theatre, the weekend was nearly over and I was already starting to format ideas for the next time. The audience for the tour was massive, easily three deep in places. I thought that we must do them proud as it was the last major event of the convention. All in all, Andrew and I were extremely pleased with how well everyone did who took part and, may I, on our behalf, say thank you very much.

The weekend, I thought, and I know from the comments I have heard, went even better than we thought. It was as if we had never been away from The Village.

Please could I, through this magazine, say a VERY BIG thank you to everyone at the Shrewsbury Group who organised one of the best ever conventions and to Andrew White who helped me to organise the best ever touring theatre. Thank You to everyone who supported this year’s events and who we hope to see next time. There are many plans underway already. If you have never offered to help at a convention before, now is your chance, volunteer NOW!!