posted 06-13-2017 07:40 AM               

NASA's Jerry Bostick Talk and Q&A

Llanwddyn Community Centre, Wales (UK)
Saturday, 26 August 2017; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Join us for an awe-inspiring evening with one of NASA's heroes from the era of landing man on the moon - Flight Controller Jerry Bostick.

Jerry began his career with NASA in 1962 and worked "on the console" in Mission Control on every mission, from the first American to orbit the earth, John Glenn, through all the Apollo missions to the moon, to the end of America's first space station, Skylab in 1979. Jerry also played an important role in the real-life Apollo 13 mission and was portrayed in the Apollo 13 film by actor Ray McKinnon.

In total, Jerry worked at NASA for 23 years, followed by 12 years as a NASA contractor. Such was Jerry's importance in America's space missions that he has been described as 'space royalty'.

Come along and enjoy Jerry's recollections of working in Mission Control and his fascinating life story. You can also have your photo taken with Jerry from 4pm for just £5. Photos will be uploaded online within 48 hours where you will be able to download for yourself.

Should you wish to buy Jerry's book "The Kid From Golden," he will gladly sign this for you free of charge after the talk and Q&A session. You will need to purchase his book in advance of the event, which you can do so here.

Ticket costs (buy here):

• Talk and Q&A - £11
  
• Talk and Q&A plus photo with Jerry: £16

posted 06-18-2017 01:31 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Gooner Dave:
Been trying to find this place on Google maps. Where is it near?

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Alternatively, I used "Llanwddyn Village Hall" in AA Route Planner and this provided the route. (You can also find it here on Google Maps).

The location, Llanwddyn, is 22 miles from the town of Oswestry, 35 miles from Shrewsbury and 37 miles from Wrexham. Llanwddyn is the village where I grew up and I went back there a few months ago for a fundraising event. Once there, I learned that the local community are all clubbing together to try and raise funds to replace the local community centre hall roof and are a registered charity (Charity reg number: 1156546). In order to potentially gain financial help from the National Lottery, they need to show that they are using the hall regularly.

The local community are doing their bit by holding bowling evenings, line dancing evenings (not my thing, personally) and are now attempting to branch out to having guest speakers. In short, they are really giving it a good go!

When I attended their fundraising event and I walked in to the hall (which also used to be the hall of the Primary School where I used to attend) and seen what these people were trying to achieve, the emotional aspect of such a small community trying their best really hit me and I wanted to help.

I had the idea of bringing over Jerry Bostick for a talk and contacted Jerry and, to my delight, he was also keen to help.

However, anybody can have ideas but sometimes you need a little help — if it were not for the support of Nick and Bryar Deakin, this would not be happening so huge thanks to them both.

Incredibly, some people have contacted me to say that they are unable to attend on the night but went ahead and purchased a ticket anyway. I found this astonishing.

posted 06-24-2017 03:24 AM               

Also, there will now be a bar at the hall that will be open for post-drinks with Jerry and an opportunity to catch up with other cSers.

posted 07-08-2017 06:29 AM               

For now, the first item that I can say has safely arrived is a nice signed photo from Walt Cunningham. He was more than happy to send this being as it was for a good cause and due to his friendship with Jerry. I appreciate this very, very much. Walt's a good guy.

posted 08-10-2017 08:15 AM               

Charlie Duke donated this along with his best wishes:

posted 08-27-2017 05:18 AM               

The venue may have been in the boon docks, but it was in a beautiful part of the world: that made the day all the more enjoyable for me and my hiking companion "Hugh Grant."

The location was so remote, I doubt anybody had a phone signal. But the organizers could not be accused of a lack of ingenuity in putting the word out: that Llanwddyn had a NASA mission controller in town, albeit at times a low tech word!

Getting lost on route was for many the order of the day and the rolling hills and dense woodland reminded me of "Dualling Banjos" and Burt Reynolds finest movie, but we needn't have worried. A quaint, typically English (ooops, I meant Welsh) village hall, the venue worked well. The locals were particularly friendly and I think they enjoyed the event just as much as the hardened space nerds sprinkled throughout the audience.

Jerry was affable and approachable throughout, happily signing autographs, posing for photographs or just chatting.

Nick Howes served as compere for the evening and paved the way with an enthusiastic and comprehensive precis of the early manned space program. So much so that when Jerry stood up to speak he quipped, "Thanks Nick. I think that just about covers everything!"

There was an intermission after 45 minutes or so and when Jerry had finished the Q&A, the ubiquitous raffle and auction.

Such is the high regard in which Jerry is held by his former colleagues, the level of support afforded Craig was quite remarkable. The auction included some unique signed pieces generously donated by astronauts who have long since refused requests for autographs unless backed by a significant financial investment.

Added to that was the plethora of supportive texts and goodwill e-mail messages sent to Craig and Jerry during the event from the likes of Chris Kraft and Gerry Griffin to name but two.

Everything sold and while there may have been a few bargains to be had, the event as a whole raised an estimated £2000 for the much needed refurbishment of the hall.

If you live in the Midlands and are able to attend any of Jerry's events in the UK in the coming days, I would recommend you do so.

Nice one Craig and thank you Jerry for coming.

posted 08-27-2017 12:32 PM               

That said, it also would not have been the same without Rick's expert advice, Colin's "cheerleading" ability that kept me going and my wife's precision planning.

But most of all, the biggest thanks must go to the man himself — Jerry Creel Bostick is a true gentleman and has been a genuine pleasure to spend time with. I feel as if I am a better man for knowing him.

Here are some wonderful images that Rick took of the evening. I hope to post more soon.