Jon Pertwee was wonderful at events and conventions. One of my most enduring childhood memories was meeting him in 1973, when he was of course still the incumbent Doctor. A new toyshop managed to secure Dr Who to do the opening. My mum took me to it as I'd always loved the show. The crowd was absolutely gigantic, about five times the expected numbers, and the police had to be called to close off the main highstreet and then to move people away from the shops, as the plate glass windows were starting to buckle. Jon Pertwee duly arrived in "Bessie" and in full costume of velvet jacket and frilly shirt. The shop had a HUGE pile of that year's Annual and Jon was doing autographed copies. I think they thought everyone would be able to get one, but there were far more people than they expected, so not everyone did. I duly arrived at the desk and here I was, actually meeting my hero! He looked down from his six feet two height with those piercing eyes and boomed "And what's _your_ name, young man? " I kind of managed to croak out a reply and that it was my birthday, he gave me a beaming smile and - knowing I was a bit shy - not only signed my annual but put a special note in it as well. It remains one of my most treasured possessions. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find any photographs of the event although I did managed to find it was reported in a local newspaper.
Wow, that's a wonderful story from your past, thank you for sharing. Perhaps get on twitter and ask if anyone can remember photos of the day, you would like to think someone had a camera with them, perhaps the shop owners themselves, I hope you manage to find some photos, I had such a great time meeting Jon Pertwee and others on these brilliant Dr Who days, glad you liked the video.
@@thepastremembered7651 Someone else on Facebook did that years ago, I was th eonly person who replied. It's s shame, as it was a wonderful day. I'd be very surprised if no photos were taken, maybe the local newspaper archives would have something, but it was almost fifty years ago. Jon did his classic entry, driving up in "Bessie" in full costume and then standing on the seat and opening his arms wide in greeting. The crowd was gigantic, it fille dup the entire High Street from end to end, man ymore thna planned for as original;ly the police did not close the road, but had to and essentially it brought the whole city centre to a halt for most of the day :)
@@richardgregory3684 It would be sad to think someone has pictures of the day and dose not know how many others would love to see them, i had a man on here that saw himself at 9 years old, that makes me happy that men of today are looking back and enjoying these old Dr Who days, hope you manage to find something from the day.
Yes he was and so under used, he would have been so good in so many productions, sad they never gave him a chance, he was a lovely person to meet, I am so glad I have this video of this day
I really appreciate that you shared your experience with us! You're very lucky to be able to attend the Doctor Who exhibition and meet such a charming and lovely gentleman.
As a lifelong Who fan this is the sort of event I avoided like the plague. I don't need the actors autographs or to "be in their presence"....and I'd be really put off by John Nathan-Turner and Gary Downie hovering in the background.
Wow that’s me @3:22 I was 9 and had just met Jon Pertwee. My dad said to Jon he was my fav Doctor and Jon replied “Well why is he dressed like Peter Davison” haha
This is great to hear, it was one of the main reasons for making the videos, they were very special days and I hope they help bring back great memories for everyone who attended. I have gone back to the original footage to see why I cut just after your 3.22; unfortunately I stopped the video camera just as Jon is saying, “IF I AM” video stops. It was very noisy and busy, pity I had not filmed for a few more seconds, so happy you got to time travel back to 1994 and see yourself.
Aww, this looks like so much fun! You are all incredibly lucky to have met him, I'm so jealous. I wasn't even alive when he died. Thank you for uploading! :)
You are welcome, thank you for your kind words, he was a gentleman to meet, I am so pleases with the photos and video I have with him, glad you liked the video
3 & 7 getting on so well makes me sad they never met on screen. Wonderful footage, thank you so much for sharing. That chief clown costume - whoever was wearing that, is that a recreation or an original? Regardless, looks fabulous!
I always chuckle to myself watching the folks with cameras at these things back then, imagining how they would look at me if I told them that in ten years time we would all be taking photos with telephones! 📞🤔 Great video thank you. Wonderful 🌞🇬🇧 Edit: Where did the original hand-indicators/trafficators go from the car I wonder?
So Glad you like the video, they where very special days and so glad i was one of the people with a video camera so we can now all look back on these great Dr Who days, as for Bessie hand-indicators who knows, she had a few jobs done on her over the years, like in the 5 doctors
No it should not, they were Celebrating 21 years of the Doctor Who exhibition at Longleat house that opened in April 1974, not the length of the program, hope you liked the video.
Good to hear from you, hope you have happy memories of the day and perhaps photos with Jon Pertwee to enjoy, this was an amazing day, its so good to travel back to these happy Doctor Who days at Longleat.
