posted 06-14-2015 04:01 PM               

Dine and audience with Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham

25-26 September 2015
Walsall, United Kingdom

InspireSPACE has two great events lined up with Apollo 7 lunar module pilot Walt Cunningham:

• Friday, 25 September 2015
  "Dine with an Astronaut"
  Village Urban Hotel, Walsall

  Short welcome message from Walter Cunningham, dinner, raffle prize draw, space auction and autograph signing (one autograph per guest)

• Saturday, 26 September 2015
  "Audience with an Astronaut"
  Walsall Town Hall

  Apollo video presentation, lecture with Q&A, raffle prize draw and autograph signing (one autograph per guest)

 

posted 06-25-2015 03:29 PM               

We really need a logo for InspireSPACE, our not for profit community interest company. We have many talented individuals on this site, any takers?

Something that can be used on a letterhead, website and patch would be appreciated. I quite like the idea of an adult figure pointing up to the heavens with a child figure at the side both wearing space suits/helmets, head and shoulders. Open to ideas. Thank you Nick.

posted 07-14-2015 04:32 PM               

A signed copy will be made available for the final backdrop selected.

posted 08-04-2015 05:32 PM               

Question: What was the launch date of the Apollo 7 mission?

Competition address: 41 Leighs Road, Pelsall, Walsall West Midlands WS4 1BZ. England UK

Entries can be emailed here.

Either way the prize is for the entry tickets only for the 26th September, you need to be able to get yourself there.

posted 09-24-2015 02:43 PM               

As excited as I am about attending this event, I will never ever fail to be shocked to the core at how the general public just aren't interested enough to spend just £40 to dine with and meet an astronaut(or just £25 to hear one speak), let alone an Apollo astronaut. Absolutely unbelievable!

Rant over.

posted 09-24-2015 02:53 PM               

He covered topics such as the Apollo 1 tragedy, the challenges of Apollo 7 including the famous disagreements between the crew and mission control during the flight, the decision to re-enter without helmets, future Mars missions and their enormous challenges.

He also spoke with a group of young school children and was brilliant with them. What a lovely guy. It was great spending a bit of quality time with him.

posted 09-26-2015 07:00 AM               

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself sharing the table with them both.... along with Paul Bradbury and "the Owls" amongst others.

Having spent a couple of days in the UK already the Cunningham's were rested, relaxed and charming and Walt was particularly impressed with the interest and the depth of knowledge of his fellow diners.

Unfortunately I was unable to stick around for the lecture the next day; I had to be in work but I know there will be a good posse from Ponte attending and they are in for an excellent talk. Only wish I could have joined them.

posted 09-27-2015 02:32 AM               

As is so often the case with these sort of lectures by our heroes, I walk in a (very) simple layperson and walk out having had an education. I've never been accused of lacking in confidence (to put it lightly) but I look at men like Walt, having listened to them talk, and very quickly develop an inferiority complex - these guys are on a different level to most of us.

Massive thanks to Nick and Bryar for doing this, it's a hell of a financial risk putting on these sort of events and let's be honest - Would you do it? I wouldn't, or at least, I wouldn't be allowed to (Mrs Buel would certainly have words to say if I did).
I give them all the credit in the world for doing this - With reference to my earlier rant: In years to come, we will look back on events like last night and be SO very grateful that we were lucky enough to be able to attend. As the saying goes, mark my words...

It is always fun to meet up with some of the usual crowd. Unfortunately I didn't get chance to speak to Ken W or Mr and Mrs Owl but did see other friends. Great to (briefly) see Tykeanaut and his new flashy hairstyle. We spoke briefly and then he was off galavanting. He reminded me of the line from The Usual Suspects: 'And like that he was gone. Underground. Nobody has ever seen him since. He becomes a myth, a spook story that criminals tell their kids at night: “Rat on your pop, and Tykeanaut will get you.”

posted 09-27-2015 07:22 AM               

Buel - Sorry for the brief encounter, but I was on Raffle Ticket duty with "Wifey." Maybe catch up with you more at the Jim Lovell event if you're amongst us then too?