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Author
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Topic: 4/11-12: Space Lectures Ken Mattingly event (UK)
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Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 01-30-2014 02:07 PM
  
quote:
Originally posted by DChudwin:
Is there anyone going to the dinner who would get it signed in exchange for a cash fee?
Should anybody take you up on your offer they would do so at the expense of their own signing opportunity.There will be only one signature per person at the dinner and likewise the lecture. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2248
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-01-2014 04:04 AM
Do you think he would sign it or would there be completion fee issues?Seriously, just a thought. |
crash
Member Posts: 347
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 02-01-2014 04:53 AM
TKM has voluntarily chosen to distance himself from the many events where his signature could be obtained. So both he, and his agent, must be expecting quite a few 'completion' items. Possibly this has been touched on in the negotiations already. I just wish I had such a piece to bring along.
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Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-01-2014 05:22 AM
Apologies in advance if this next post appears draconian or unhelpful in any way. Please don't take this the wrong way - I personally have helped others acquire autographs at previous Space Lectures events. But Ken Willoughby continues to be bombarded with postal autograph requests.The terms of the Mattingly event as laid out in the contract are very specific. As Ken Willoughby himself told me "the only way to get anything signed is to attend the event. Ken Mattingly and his agent may take exception if they thought we were accepting postal applications, i.e. selling his autograph! Should they approach someone without our knowledge and offer to buy their ticket, that is a different matter but we cannot assist them." This approach extends even to the after dinner auction. Usually, guests sign unique framed items that are auctioned off to raise funds for the next event. This time around the auction pieces, as impressive as they undoubtedly are, will NOT include Ken Mattingly signed items. I hope folk will appreciate that Ken Willioghby is doing what he can to make Ken Mattingly's autograph available to as many as possible, at the same time adhering to both the terms and spirit of his contract with the Mattingly camp. At times his wish to help as many people as possible, at the same time sticking to the terms of the contract make him feel like he is stuck between a rock and a hard place. I am not aware of any items that Ken Mattingly has refused to sign; on the contrary he has expressed a desire to sign whatever items people bring to the event... free of charge. Unless or until I am told different, or Ken Mattingly himself makes a judgment call on the day, that will include crew completions. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3415
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-01-2014 06:41 AM
Perfectly reasonable, Rick. quote:
Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
...that will include crew completions.
Talking of which... I have posted an Apollo 16 litho for sale in the Buy, Sell, Trade forum that just needs Mattingly for completion.My two items: NASA moon litho signed by 22 of the 30 Apollo astronauts, including 10 moonwalkers:  ...and Apollo Reunion poster signed by 25, includng the full crews of Apollo 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 (almost) and 17.  |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2486
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 02-02-2014 02:16 AM
I'm surprised that nobody has yet mentioned that the admirable Admiral holds the record for the longest solo flight by an American astronaut at 81 hours 40 minutes. Okay, it was in orbit round the Moon, but it still counts, doesn't it? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-02-2014 08:00 AM
Professor Brian Cox has weighed in with a retweet. Thanks Bri! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-05-2014 04:55 PM
The list of countries represented in Pontefract in April is growing. First the US, France and Holland. We now have a couple of Austrians attending. |
Nigel Mc
Member Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 02-06-2014 02:15 AM
Will anyone be driving back anywhere near Sheffield after the dinner? In need of a lift and can pay petrol. Let me know. |
Charlie16
Member Posts: 543
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010
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posted 02-06-2014 03:45 AM
Someone be staying at Premier Inn Pontefract North? |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2248
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-06-2014 05:55 AM
Sheffield is further south Luigi, in the Republic.  |
AstroAutos
Member Posts: 803
From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 02-06-2014 09:21 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
The list of countries represented in Pontefract in April is growing. First the US, France and Holland. We now have a couple of Austrians attending.
Don't forget us Irish Rick! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-06-2014 01:02 PM
Sorry Shane. The Mulheirn's originated from Ireland about 150 years ago so I kinda look on you guys as locals. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-08-2014 06:15 PM
The British Interplanetary Society has supported our efforts in promoting the Ken Mattingly event by running an advert in the March edition of "Spaceflight" magazine. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-09-2014 04:39 AM
A further 25 lecture tickets have been sold in the last 3 days. At this rate the lecture will be sold out by the end of THIS month; 6 weeks ahead of the event itself. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-14-2014 12:11 PM
I have good news for folk having their photo taken with Ken Mattingly with the intention of then having him sign it on the day.The photographers have come back to us with this assurance. "I can confirm that we will be printing the photos out as they’re taken, so all the photos will be easily ready within the limited time available." |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-16-2014 11:55 AM
Please be advised, that to the best of my knowledge neither Ken Willoughby nor Ken Mattingly have an issue with folk wanting to take photographs of their items being signed in Pontefract in April.Furthermore there is no charge should anybody choose to do so. The only proviso is that such photographs do not hold up the signing process. For that reason posed photos with Ken Mattingly at the signing table are not an option. Sorry! |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2248
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-16-2014 12:05 PM
Yorkshiremen don't pose! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-16-2014 01:37 PM
Sorry Chris... I forgot. Yorkshiremen mince!  And don't forget, the official photos can have as many friends or family in the shot as you like, for a single payment of just £20. The finished picture even comes with its own card mount. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3634
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-19-2014 05:12 PM
Can someone who has done this before advise on the best way to get from Leeds-Bradford Airport to Pontefract? Taxi? Hire car? Train? Anyone wanting to share a hire car expense?I've just followed the road on Google Earth. It looks like a nightmare. I can see several dozen junctions where the unfamiliar motorist would almost inevitably take the wrong turn. I drive 5,000 miles a year. I don't have SatNav. Does it come with hire-cars? Even so, I suspect I could easily lose my way trying to work the SatNav... |
moorouge
Member Posts: 2486
From: U.K.
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 02-20-2014 05:49 AM
Hire car? Taxi? Bus? Train? What's happened to your private executive helicopter Geoffrey? I'd have thought you'd be landing in the school carpark with red carpet and guard of honour organised by Rick!  |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2248
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-20-2014 07:07 AM
I'd have a hire car, print-off a route from the AA classic route planner and go for it!
Honestly, it's not as bad as it may look. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3415
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-20-2014 09:03 AM
Geoffrey, I look forward to overhearing your conversation with Ken Mattingly on the subject of navigation. "We can put a man on the Moon (in orbit) but we can't navigate from the airport..." |
BA002
Member Posts: 207
From: Utrecht,NL
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-20-2014 11:34 AM
Here's what I did last October: bus 757 from Leeds Bradford airport to Leeds City Centre Bus Station, from there bus 410 to Pontefract Bus Station, then a 30 minute walk to the school building.It obviously takes a LOT of time, but it saved me the hassle of renting a car and driving on the wrong side of the road.  If you would like to check out the various time tables, see wymetro.com. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-20-2014 11:58 AM
I took the liberty of asking Lev whether he could conjure up a couple of his excellent photo montages for the forthcoming event in April. They would make great pieces for signing. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3634
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-20-2014 04:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
Geoffrey, I look forward to overhearing your conversation with Ken Mattingly on the subject of navigation. "We can put a man on the Moon (in orbit) but we can't navigate from the airport..."
You can see the Moon from the Earth. You can't see Pontefract from Leeds-Bradford airport! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-20-2014 06:16 PM
Ken tells me there is a taxi stand at Pontefract Bus Station; a taxi ride to the school will only cost a few quid. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-20-2014 06:44 PM
Another milestone was reached today. Ken has sent Ken Mattingly his flight money, and is sending him the balance of his fee this Friday. Set your watches ladies and gentlemen; the clock is running! |
OWL
Member Posts: 189
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 02-22-2014 10:37 AM
Only 7 weeks to go we have some nice items for the auction including a framed Pete Conrad signed framed photo with flown metal coin amongst many other interesting items.
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Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3634
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-22-2014 05:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
I took the liberty of asking Lev whether he could conjure up a couple of his excellent photo montages for the forthcoming event in April.
A very nice montage, but I'm surprised it includes an "Earthrise" picture which isn't one of the sequence showing CSM "Casper" containing Mattingly alongside the rising Earth, taken from Orion during the pre-landing crisis. A missed opportunity. |
Nigel Mc
Member Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 02-23-2014 03:56 PM
I know I mentioned it before, but as it is getting closer, if any one is driving back anywhere near Sheffield after the dinner, do get in touch. |
james watt
Member Posts: 54
From: england
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 02-25-2014 04:07 PM
Just over six weeks to go to the best astronaut event in the British Isles (can't wait to meet Mattingly) and I am excited about this as I was about the first one years ago! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-25-2014 04:16 PM
Ken has sent TKM his fee; just waiting to hear flight details by return. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-27-2014 01:49 PM
Mrs OWL pointed out to me that the Space Lectures dinner with Ken Mattingly on April 11th is to the day... the 44th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13.A coincidence I am ashamed to say I had not picked up on. Nice one Julie! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-27-2014 04:45 PM
The international feel to the forthcoming Mattingly event continues.We now have three attending from Luxembourg one of whom is their country's latest astronaut candidate. Luxembourg believes in starting them young. You would have to agree their space program is ...."in it's infancy....."!  |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1799
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 02-27-2014 05:17 PM
Quick, get a handprint on his picture (in lieu of an autograph). |
james watt
Member Posts: 54
From: england
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 02-27-2014 05:26 PM
These events in Pontefract are incredible when they can entice people from all over Europe! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4540
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-27-2014 06:45 PM
Space Lectures is not for profit. Not one penny goes in to Ken's pocket or anybody elses associated with Space Lectures. Any surplus cash generated is used to bring over the next astronaut guest. But a proportion of any surplus is donated first to UNICEF. A worthwhile cause you will agree. To boost the final donation further we plan on "passing around the hat" in the hope that each dinner and lecture guest will donate just £1 for the charity; a fraction of the cost of one alcoholic drink. |
spaceman
Member Posts: 1174
From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 02-28-2014 04:25 PM
April 12th is also the celebration of Yuri's Night. So straight round to the pub after TKM lecture. Rick's buying... |
james watt
Member Posts: 54
From: england
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 03-04-2014 05:10 PM
I have tried ringing Ken a few times but no answer. Do the tickets entitle my young grandsons to an autograph and is the photo with Mattingly £20 each? |
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