Convention Report – ‘Regenerations 2016’

Hello everyone! 🙂

I had a very enjoyable time at the ‘Regenerations 2016’ convention in Swansea last weekend! My parents and I went to this convention, after it had triumphantly returned after three years. It was believed ‘Regenerations 2013’ would be the last convention in Swansea. Thankfully it wasn’t the last.

This was a two-day convention on Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th of September. I enjoyed the two days very much and so did my Mum and Dad. I reunited with some old friends at the convention as well as with ‘Doctor Who’ stars that I’d met before and were pleased to see me there.

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Saturday 24th September 2016

Tim Bradley with Frazer Hines, Anneke Wills, Wendy Padbury and Deborah Watling at ‘Regenerations 2016’, Swansea, September 2016

Tim Bradley with Wendy Padbury at ‘Regenerations 2016’, Swansea, September 2016

Here are some of the highlights of the weekend for me.

The convention started with a panel talk with Anneke Wills (Polly in ‘Doctor Who’), which I enjoyed. Then there was a photo shoot with the four Second Doctor companions including Wendy Padbury (Zoe), Frazer Hines (Jamie), Deborah Watling (Victoria) and Anneke Wills (Polly). I had a photo with the four and one with Wendy.

There was then a panel talk with the four Second Doctor companions. There was lots of banter, fun and laughter between the four companions who got on well with each other. I then saw them during autograph signings in the afternoon. I had some nice chats with Frazer, Wendy, Debbie and Anneke.

I also gave copies of the ‘Doctor Who Timelines’ to each of the Second Doctor companions, including one of Jamie to Frazer, one of Polly to Anneke, one of Victoria to Debbie and one of Zoe to Wendy. They seemed to really like the ‘Doctor Who Timelines’ I gave them and were impressed with the work I’d done.

I also saw Peter Davison at the convention. It was great to see Peter again and I enjoyed chatting to him and having items signed by him. Eventually, I attended a panel talk with Peter at the end of the day. I asked him a question about ‘The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot’ and he gave a wonderful reply to it.

I also met Peter Miles (who played Nyder in ‘Genesis of the Daleks’) for the first time at a convention. He was very nice to talk to and was amazed that he’d been in the video drama ‘TravelWise’ which he can’t remember. I also saw Terry Molloy who played Davros in ‘Doctor Who’. I enjoyed chatting to him when he signed the ‘Remembrance of the Daleks’ audiobook CD cover for me.

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Sunday 25th September 2016

Tim Bradley with Peter Davison at ‘Regenerations 2016’, Swansea, September 2016

Tim Bradley with Michael Jayston and Colin Baker at ‘Regenerations 2016’, Swansea, September 2016

On Sunday, my parents and I went to see Phillip Bond (who played Ganatus in the first Dalek story) interviewed on a panel by Seán Carlsen (Narvin in the ‘Gallifrey’ spin-off series by Big Finish). It was a nice start to the day and we enjoyed hearing him share his experience of working on the first Dalek story and with the four TARDIS regulars.

Later that morning, I went to see many ‘Doctor Who’ stars for autograph signings. There was Colin Baker, Peter Davison, Louise Jameson, Deborah Watling, Frazer Hines, Wendy Padbury, Anneke Wills and Michael Jayston. I had lovely chats with everyone during the signing sessions that morning, especially with Wendy, Debbie and Peter.

That afternoon, I went to have a photo shoot with the two Doctors, Peter Davison and Colin Baker and with Michael Jayston as the Valeyard. First I had one photo with Peter and one photo with Colin and Michael. It was a joy to have two photos from two eras and I thanked the three gentlemen in turn.

Afterwards, I went to see Jacqueline Pearce for an autograph signing session in the afternoon. Jacqueline played Chessene in ‘The Two Doctors’ with Colin Baker and was also in ‘Blake’s 7’. Jacqueline called me ‘an angel’ when I met her and I enjoyed chatting to her about her time in Spain.

The day ended with a panel talk with Colin Baker. I enjoyed Colin sharing his memories of working on ‘Doctor Who’ in the TV series and he was very amusing on stage. I asked Colin a question during the panel talk about his memories of working with the late Maggie Stables as Evelyn Smythe in the Big Finish audios.

There was then the closing ceremony and the organiser Cary Woodward thanking everyone including the guests, staff and attendees for the weekend. Afterwards, Cary thanked me for asking Colin that question about Maggie Stables in the panel talk. I’m pleased I did something right there.

Anneke Wills on stage

Anneke Wills, Frazer Hines, Deborah Watling and Wendy Padbury on stage

K-9 at ‘Regenerations 2016’

Peter Davison interviewed by David Bickerstaff on stage

Tim Bradley with K-9 at ‘Regenerations 2016’, Swansea, September 2016

Dalek Doris at ‘Regenerations 2016’.

Colin Baker interviewed by Ryan Hendrick on stage.

‘Regenerations 2016’ closing ceremony with guests

‘Regenerations 2016’ closing ceremony with guests and Cary Woodward

‘Regenerations 2016’ has been a great convention weekend to attend this year in September. I’m glad my parents enjoyed the weekend as well as me. I’m grateful to Cary Woodward and all who helped him to organise the event. It is one of the friendliest ‘Doctor Who’ conventions I’ve been to.

So thank you, Cary!

By the way, I received some nice photos from James Kitto, who was also there at the convention with Ali Hoswell. James shared some photos of attending the convention, including ones of me in conversation with Dalek Doris who was there. With kind permission, here are the photos by James.

Dalek Doris at ‘Regenerations 2016’ – photo courtsey of James Kitto

Anneke Wills, Frazer Hines, Deborah Watling and Wendy Padbury on stage – photo courtsey of James Kitto

K-9 at ‘Regenerations 2016’ – photo courtsey of James Kitto

Dalek Doris at ‘Regenerations 2016’ – photo courtsey of James Kitto

Tim Bradley in conversation with Dalek Doris – photo courtsey of James Kitto

Oh and also, I’ve purchased a number of audio CDs of ‘Doctor Who’ from the Big Finish stall. I’ve also purchased a few books from the Fantom Films stall including the autobiographies of Mary Tamm.

I hope ‘Regenerations 2016’ isn’t the last convention in a good line of ‘Doctor Who’ conventions at Swansea by Cary Woodward. Who knows?! ‘Regenerations’ may come back for 2017 next year. I hope I won’t have to wait for another three years for the next ‘Regenerations’ Swansea convention.

By the way, I’ve updated some ‘Doctor Who’ reviews with new signed CD/DVD covers and photos with the stars. They include ‘The Krotons’ (TV); ‘Castrovalva’ (TV); ‘Four To Doomsday’ (TV); ‘Kinda’ (TV); ‘Castle of Fear’ (Audio); ‘The Eternal Summer’ (Audio); ‘Plague of the Daleks’ (Audio) and ‘Attack of the Cybermen’ (TV).

Thanks for reading!

Bye for now!

Tim. 🙂

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