ElaineJ

Very sorry to hear about the cancellation - but at least we know now!

Someone I know who has also booked, rang the hotel today and was told there was nothing booked for LoT2, and ShowMasters when rung said there would be an announcement tomorrow. Perhaps the venue has changed - lets hope that's all it is.

sorry, didn't mean to double (now triple) post - was trying to edit my first post and it ended up posting it again, now can't seem to edit or delete either one!

Are there any other similar events taking place that weekend? If so, how come they are going ahead and we don't know about this one? I do quite honestly feel bad about being so doubtful this will go ahead, mainly because apart from LoT1, every other SM/ME event I've been to (several) was announced well in advance. I fully appreciate the difficulties of being sure you can get good guests at this time and really don't want to badmouth SM/ME in any way - but it is just so-oo frustrating! I have now booked hotel rooms (paying more for the right to cancel just in case and obviously not at convention rates!) at the Hilton to be on the safe side, and plan to ring the hotel during weekday office hours to see if they have anything booked - I really do need to know for reasons of booking leave/cancelling leave for work and also for train tickets - dare not book them until we know for sure as they are probably non-refundable... I wonder how many people have booked for this so far? Not many I'd have thought, since it was only announced at LoT1 and only 200 were in attendance at that one. Which actually made it a brilliantly intimate experience - quite unlike anything I'd been to before in terms of guest accessibility, and the only reason I'm hanging on for this one is with it being so late to be announced, it would probably be much the same again since a lot of folk will have made alternative plans by now. Of course the down side of that is that if not enough people book, how can they afford guests.... so it would seem to be a catch-22 really. I am hoping this goes ahead, I really am - the ME organisers and crew are great at what they do!

Are there any other similar events taking place that weekend? If so, how come they are going ahead and we don't know about this one? I do quite honestly feel bad about being so doubtful this will go ahead, mainly because apart from LoT1, every other SM/ME event I've been to (several) was announced well in advance and brilliantly organised. I fully appreciate the difficulties of being sure you can get good guests at this time and really don't want to badmouth SM/ME in any way - but it is just so-oo frustrating! I have now booked hotel rooms (paying more for the right to cancel just in case and obviously not at convention rates!) at the Hilton to be on the safe side, and plan to ring the hotel during weekday office hours to see if they have anything booked - I really do need to know for reasons of booking leave/cancelling leave for work and also for train tickets - dare not book them until we know for sure as they are probably non-refundable... I wonder how many people have booked for this so far? Not many I'd have thought, since it was only announced at LoT1 and only 200 were in attendance at that one. Which actually made it a brilliantly intimate experience - quite unlike anything I'd been to before in terms of guest accessibility, and the only reason I'm hanging on for this one is with it being so late to be announced, it would probably be much the same again since a lot of folk will have made alternative plans by now. Of course the down side of that is that if not enough people book, how can they afford guests.... so it would seem to be a catch-22 really. I am hoping this goes ahead, I really am - the ME organisers and crew are great at what they do!

I also want to add my thanks to everyone who made this such a memorable weekend - particular for my sister who was in plaster after a nasty fall just days before - turns out her ankle wasn't broken after all she discovered yesterday (a very bad sprain/twist) but the hospital apparently put it in plaster to be on the safe side!!! She is SO relieved!! But everyone was so kind and helpful, both crew and guests alike, which helped make it a memorable experience. The guests were all brilliant without exception and regardless of who you get next time, we have already booked our tickets for next year. I hope we will keep our ticket numbers as booked as they were good ones! The lady on the desk warned me that might not happen, which seems a bit odd... Anyway, thank you everyone for a BRILLIANT weekend!

Sorry if I'm being dim - but when can we book photo shoots? I'm worried that we won't get our photo with David and the group shot if we arrive too late on the Saturday... thanks!

We are so close to the event now that extra autos and photos will only be available at the show. However, you will definitely not have any issues purchasing extras at the registration desk no matter what time you arrive. If you do have any problems just ask for me and I will sort it. Look forward to seeing you at the show. Take care, Mark We are so close to the event now that extra autos and photos will only be available at the show. However, you will definitely not have any issues purchasing extras at the registration desk no matter what time you arrive. If you do have any problems just ask for me and I will sort it. Look forward to seeing you at the show. Take care, Mark Mark, please forgive me if I'm being dim but neither my sister Jean (who booked our tickets) or I have even seen the photos and autographs being available to buy online - and we've been checking regularly! We both would like photos separately and together with David and I am now worried that we will miss out!! Can you tell me please (preferably with a link) how to order these online or, if as you say they are no longer available to buy online (were they ever? If so when did this go up and how come we couldn't find it?!?) what would be the procedure to ensure that we are able to get the photo (and autograph) sessions we'd like - i.e what should we do as soon as we arrive to ensure we can get a photo shoot(s) with David?? I have been to ME conventions before (several of the brilliant Hub events!) but I don't ever recall having this problem before.... thanks for your help!

great guest - loved his Torchwood and Dr Who stories, not so familiar with Primeval but looking forward to meeting him!

Wheel29, When I go to a convention I like to make the most of it, so I always arrive on the Friday and come home on the Monday - that way you don't miss anything. It can be expensive if you are on a budget though! My total journey time for this will be much the same as yours though I'm coming up from the other side of London rather than down,and my sister and I managed to book cheaper train tickets by travelling on the Friday at a specific time which will get us into Birmingham for lunch time. We may have to kick around in town for an hour or two if the hotel doesn't allow check in until later (as some do) so there is that to consider too...might be worth you checking with the hotel on that score, as you don't want to be lugging your case around with you - though I think they'll have a left luggage area if that is the case. But I can't imagine that anyone will come for Friday night only and then check out Saturday morning, so they shouldn't have to clean your room...?!?! Just a thought....

What a brilliant idea, Tracy99cat! I wasn't going to say what I may be cos-playing (in case it doesn't come off) but I'm thinking of going as 'The Visionary' from TEOT ("Earth! Earth! Earth!" love the mad hair - as my sister said 'well you won't have to do very much to get the look!' LOL) and possibly Hoody Master too... though it may be a bit warm for the hoody so we'll have to see...

Were you the lady who was photographed in John Simm's arms at LFCC?? I was rather impressed by that, if so - what was his reaction to the request, may I ask? He certainly had a smile on his face.... *is not jealous...much*

Don't be nervous, DW!!!!! I've been to four of 'The Hub' conventions run by ME and they were all extremely well organised, and everyone there (guests, staff and attendees) were all very friendly. You won't feel like a 'newbie' for long, I promise you! Are you coming by yourself, or with a friend? If you're on your own, I think you'll find that you will soon get chatting to people in queues (for autographs, photoshoots and talks - there's a lot of queueing at conventions these days but ME have a really good system of making sure everyone gets the chance for a good seat (relative to your ticket type). The first time I went to a 'modern' convention and realised about the queues, I felt a bit put out TBH - but the time passes very quickly when you get chatting to people, you'll be surprised (I was!). I hope you will have a fabulous time!

Gosh, Cyberlek, that's quite a list there! I've had another think and I would love to meet Alexandra Meon (Lucy Saxon). Euros Lynn is another (I have seen him before but he's a nice fella!). Christopher Eccleston (though I don't think he 'does'conventions, does he?), Freema Ageyman (Martha), Billie Piper.... you know, the usual suspects. Oh, and in case I haven't mentioned him before, John Simm... though I gather from Twitter that he may be working since he's no longer going to the Toronto International Film Festival, so I'm not holding out much hope...

so did I, DW!! - have seen very few of the first and second Doctor adventures because although I am old enough, we didn't have a TV set until the seventies, so 'my' Doctor was Jon Pertwee. He's got a very broad career behind him though and I can imagine that he will be a very interesting guest (though I doubt he will look anything like that photograph, LOL).