neilphillips

I was wanting to attend the event today with my wife as we live only 30 miles from Birmingham and so travel is easy. We have attended events in the last few years but I have been increasingly concerned about the declining quality of the guest list and so I will not be attending this year. I have a lot of respect for the organisers but they must now realise that this event is on a downward spiral and it either neither needs a complete re-think and a fresh injection of ideas and energy or it is in danger of ending altogether. I would suggest that new guests that have not previously attended this sort of event, are approached and that there is such a bank of good quality guests built up that even some last-minute cancellations do not spoil the party. I understand that costs need to be kept down so the event makes a profit but I just think so much can be achieved with some fresh-thinking and imagination. I would hate for this event to die. I will never forget the brilliant experiences I have had in the past, including being a guest on Leslie Nielsen's table at the VIP dinner.

This was my third autographica and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My highlights were having dinner with Leslie Nielsen, having my photo taken with Tippi Hedren and chatting to Anne Lonnberg each day. The WW2 heroes stole the show at the Gala Dinner and I have just seen Sqn/Ldr Tony Iveson DFC with Robin Gibb on GMTV as Westminster City Council will decide today if the Memorial can be built. Here is the link if you would like to support the great cause. Bomber Command Memorial

I agree that Carole Ashby was stunning at the Gala Dinner and also was very attractive today. She has certainly kept her body in great shape. Tippi Hedron looks very well for an 80-year old but my favourite was Anne Lonnberg because I spoke to her each day and she gave me a lovely personal message on my signed photo and a nice hug and kisses as we said goodbye.

I would like to say what a fabulous time I had at my first Autographica Gala Dinner last night. The whole event was extremely well organised with entertaining introductions to the celebrities, presentations and speeches between the very enjoyable tasty courses. I found the videos very moving with appropriate stirring music, especially the one reminding us of Apollo 13's 'successful failure'. I am very pleased that Jason, Paul and Dave reminded us that it was the 65th anniversary of VE Day and everyone in the room was in awe of the World War 2 pilots including the Astronauts. The WW2 pilots deservedly got 2 standing ovations on the night. All of the celebrities looked great but a special mention for Carole Ashby who was simply stunning in her gorgeous evening dress. I also had the pleasure of saying hello again to another beautiful former Bond girl Anne Lonnberg who I'd spoken to at length at Friday's drinks reception. A word also for the Hotel staff. The service was excellent and friendly and they went out of their way to help us. I was lucky enough to be on a great table - with Leslie Nielsen, his lovely wife and two friends. Leslie was great, forever smiling and it was wonderful to see him enjoying the evening. Thanks also to my fellow guests- Ciaran, Dave and Paul who were excellent company. Ciaran gave me his website to look at CiaranBrown.com and for anyone interested in autographs you must take a look to see what a great number of people he has met. I wish him all success in his future acting career. I shall certainly be back next year. I know that I was lucky enough to win the Autographica competition on Monday and win a VIP pass but I will be very happy to pay next year and have promised my wife that she will also be coming to this 'not to be missed' experience.

I had a lovely long chat with Anne at tonight's drinks reception. She is delightful !

It was lovely to meet some the fabulous guests this evening - I had chats with Leslie Nielsen, Susannah York, Gerald Harper, Maurice Roeves, Tony Sibbald and the delightful Anne Lonnberg. I didn't manage to speak to Tippi Hedren tonight as she was in such great demand but I hope to meet her at tomorrow's dinner.

Great to hear it, especially as I have the privilege of dining at his table on Saturday!

I have just been reading through George Baker's impressive list of credits. I hadn't realised he had been in so many great TV programmes over the years. What a guy!

Are there any strings attached ?

We have a winner !!!! Well done Taurus. Contact me for details of how to collect your pass. Dave Phillips Great, That's fantastic - thank you!!

Nathalie Kay Hedren 4 Zsa Zsa Gabor and Mel Torme May 2000 Moat House Hotel, Northampton

Two

I was looking forward to meeting Sylvia on her My Fab Years Tour earlier this year but sadly she had to cancel it. This is a great guest and I can't wait to meet her. I will bring my Robert Harrop figurine of Lady Penelope and I hope Sylvia will autograph it.

Thanks to all the team for a brilliantly organised event. This was my second Autographica after my first last year. This time my wife joined me (to keep on eye on me given I wanted to see the Bond Girls!). We were worried we wouldn't have enough time as, due to work commitments, we did not arrive till 2pm today. We grabbed a tasty snack at the Food Hall and then set about meeting some celebrities. Due to the absence of queues we were delighted to see everyone we came to see and more! Madeline Smith was my pinup when I was a teenager and so I loved meeting her for the first time. My wife's favourite was Mickey Rooney - whatever he takes to be as fit as he is at his age I want some of it! Kenny Baker was very friendly and we had a brilliant photo taken with the Bond Girls - my male friends will be so jealous. The free entry to Collectormania was a great bonus. We met some legendary actors and found Katy Manning wonderfully effervescent. We will certainly be back next year. Thanks again.

It was my first Autogaphica and overall it exceeded my expectations. This was for 2 main reasons: 1. The celebs I met were all genuinely friendly and had time for you. 2. The organistion was excellent with plenty of Crew members to make the event run smoothly. My highlights were meeting Alexey Leonov and Tony Curtis and having my photo taken with them. Alexey even asked me where I was from when I had my photo taken with him. I thought Alexey was great and £30 for his autograph was great value considering he is a space pioneer. I also enjoyed meeting Jenny Linden, Caroline Munro and the lovely Luciani Paluzzi. These ladies have retained their beauty and elegance and helped to light up the room. Finally, I enjoyed the lecture from Robin Horsefall who told us what it takes to be a member of the SAS and who gave a great insight into the storming of the Iranian Embassy. I'd love to attend another event and so please hold it again in the Midlands!

This is very disappointing indeed.

I thought he was terrific but should have been given more air time. He was far more entertaining than Kevin Bacon. He's still got a brilliant sense of humour, but when you are married to a wife who is 42 years younger than you, you have every reason to be cheerful !

I am new to Autographica and so I had not appreciated how many cancellations there could be. Not to worry, I am still looking forward to the whole experience and I am delighted it is being held in the Midlands to give me a chance to attend.

I've booked photo shoots with Tony Curtis and Alexey Leonov and I am hoping to get the photos autographed later. I was really looking forward to seeing Alexandra Bastedo but I can't make Sunday and so will have to get over this disappointment. Other guests I would like to see: Lindsay Wagner Bernard Cribbins Caroline Munro Lalla Ward Jennie Linden Kate O'Mara I'm looking forward to some of the lectures too.

The Guest Lectures part of the Autographica site seems to be down at the moment. Any idea when it will be up again?

What about Alexandra Bastedo? She is one of my favourites and so I hope she is still coming.

A great last-minute guest. I don't care that she is decribed as Lindsay Wanger on the Autographica site because she's a fabulous last-minute edition. Being bionic she should be able to sign autographs twice as quickly as anyone else and this should keep her queue down.

I thought you were suggesting we get Leonard Nimoy when I read the thread title but I don't think he flew any planes!

In my view £30 for Alexei Leonov is fantastic value. He was the very first man to walk in space and I think we are very privileged to have him as a guest. I have booked a photo-shoot with him and I am very much looking forward to meeting this space pioneer.

This is my first time at an Autographica. Will the celebs charge extra for using the photos they have on their tables on top of their signing fees.?I'm just wondering whether I should bring unsigned photos to the event or whether I can rely on the celebs to provide the photos?