posted 08-10-2004 01:47 PM              

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Yes, the rumours are true, we have indeed been able to get Valentina Tereshkova and Valery Bykovsky to travel from Moscow to Coventry to attend Autographica.

Both cosmonauts will be attending all three days, and will of course be available for signing your own items as well as photos available at the event. The fee is not yet confirmed, but is very likely to be £20 (around $35) and Bykovsky £10

As anyone who has attended Autographica before will tell you, at this show you really do get to meet the guests, not just during the day, but in the bar, at breakfast, dinner etc. So don't make excuses, just book a ticket!

We still have tickets for the Saturday evening dinner, although places at Valentina's table have long gone to those clever enough to book early! However, we may run another dinner on the Friday evening if there is enough interest (and I have only as yet mentioned this on collectSPACE).

Both Cosmonauts will also be giving a lecture on Saturday and Sunday, spaces are again limited as some have again been clever enough to book early. Lectures will be £10 and we also have Charlie Duke, Ed Mitchell and probably Al Worden doing something too, so it should be a very busy weekend for all you space fans.

It has taken us five years to get Tereshkova, so please don't make the same mistake many others made when we announced Leonov, and think, 'I will wait till next year' as there won't be another chance to meet her.

She has confirmed herself that this is the only such event she has ever attended anywhere in the world, and it is our opinion that it will be the only one she ever attends.

Any questions, just mail me. Looking forward to seeing all the usual crowd in October.

Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 08-10-2004 06:44 PM               

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If you've never been to Autographica go. Purely and simply GO. You will not find a more accessible to the astronauts event than Autographica. Never know who will come sit down next to you in the bar - seriously.

Garry and crew put on I believe, the best event out there. (Well, second best to ours...). But I do recommend going - if you only go to one, you will NOT be disappointed.

Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004

posted 08-11-2004 06:59 AM               

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As one who is an Autographica virgin I must say that I can't wait for this event... to meet the astronaut/cosmonaut guests and also a few of the Bond girls. I've bought my gold pass and also a Saturday ticket for my good lady (who hopes that someone like Val Kilmer will be present!). Funds won't permit me to go to the dinner but I'm very much looking forward to meeting up with fellow collectSPACE members in the bar.

Garry, your event has been very highly commended by Al and I hope this will be the first of many that I'll visit...

Posts: 99
From: New York, NY
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-12-2004 03:04 PM              

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We have lots of interest in this extra dinner, cost is likely to be £69 maximum, with Tereshkova, Bykovsky and a Russian translator, although Valentina speaks good English. We will also have a special dinner menu produced which they will both sign as well.

More good news is that we have today confirmed a complimentary coach service from Heathrow airport direct to the hotel. This service will operate on Thursday and probably Friday as well. So for anyone wanting to travel from the UK or Europe, this will be the way to go. All you need to do is book your show tickets in advance and confirm your travel details when booking. See you there!

Posts: 99
From: New York, NY
Registered: Sep 2003

Posts: 3120
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 08-12-2004 05:46 PM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by AUTOGRAPHICA:
We still have tickets for the Saturday evening dinner, although places at Valentina's table have long gone to those clever enough to book early!

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How do you know the people who made early bookings will ask to sit with Valentina? My Autographica publicity leaflet says: "...places at the dinner are sold in strict order, so the first to buy a ticket gets the first choice from the guest list as it stands two weeks before the show..."

Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but surely you can't be certain who the "early birds" will want to dine with until you go down the list and ask people in a few weeks? I haven't been asked yet, although I'm somewhere in the middle of the list.

Anyway, it's an amazing line-up, and I'm really looking forward to the dinner! Well done to all concerned!

posted 08-12-2004 06:25 PM              

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The menu at the possible Friday dinner will be signed for free. As it will be for only a maximum of 25, a Q&A session probably won't be needed, but we will try and think of a few interesting diversions for the evening.

Regarding the Saturday dinner, as I have organised it for the past five years, and many of the diners attend each year, I have a good idea how the seating is going. Every year we have this same problem of customers not wanting to book until the last minute and then expecting to sit with a guest of their choice. This makes it hard for us, but unfortunately there is no better way.

Posts: 576
From: Germany
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 08-12-2004 07:34 PM               

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All I can say Garry is that I am VERY glad I went ahead and got myself a Diamond Pass. Will the Friday possible-diner be covered by it?

By the way, for everyone else I am arriving at Nottingham East Midlands Airport at 18:00 Friday. I am intending to rent a car for the weekend, so if anyone else is arriving at EMA, and wants to get there quick and help with the car costs... let me know. Whether or not you feel safe with an Aussie at the wheel is another matter entirely.

Posts: 72
From: Oxfordshire, UK
Registered: Jul 2001

Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-13-2004 05:59 PM               

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I'm delighted to say that my wife and I will be long-distance travellers at the Autographica weekend in Coventry, and I'll be arranging the Gold Cards today. I hope to see and meet many of you there, and of course if anyone wants their copies of "Fallen Astronauts" signed, just bring it along. I'd be happy to obliged - and for free!

One pressing question - the hotel is fully booked for that time: does anyone know of some reasonable hotel accommodation nearby that you can recommend? Especially one that can be booked over the 'Net. Any help really appreciated.

Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
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Posts: 170
From: London, England
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 08-14-2004 02:56 AM               

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It will be great to meet up with so many friends at Autographica. Dave Shayler will also be there with his stand and new space books. dave has a new book on space walking. Also I am sure he will have copies of Rocket men about the Vostok flights. Great for getting Bykovsky and Tereshkova to sign. He like Colin will be signing his books. Colin has also done other books so if you have copies of those I am sure Colin will do the necessary.

It should be great fun. Also it coincides with the launch of Soyuz TMA-5 to ISS on the 9th of October so there will be a good excuse to raise a glass to the new crew. I have noticed though that some people attending need little excuse.

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From: Essex, UK
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Posts: 618
From: BURTON ON TRENT /England
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 08-14-2004 07:17 AM               

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Both Alice and myself will look forword to meeting you again.

Also Al Hallonquist and for the first time Colin Burgess. My wife is treating me to Fallen Astronauts for my birthday in Sept so I hope you will do the honours for me.

I'll be there on the Sunday so I'm hoping to meet some more cS members there, I know Andrew C., and the three Astro'teers Rob, Ollie and Mark. Gary and the gang have a cracking line up already I just hope that Gary will try and get some of the Skylab boys (Carr, Kerwin, Pogue).

posted 08-14-2004 09:49 AM              

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I have checked with the hotel and they do still have rooms available. But you must ask for the Autographica rate, as all rooms are blocked off to those attending the show, so it is important to mention the show.

Requests for dinner space at the Friday dinner are very strong, and I am sure they will be sold out by next weekend.

For those coming from afar, a Diamond pass includes your hotel accommodation and the dinner on Saturday evening, show entry etc, so one call will do it all. In addition, we have now confirmed the coach transport from Heathrow airport and return.

Posts: 646
From: Douglas, Isle of Man, UK
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 08-14-2004 06:27 PM               

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Got my two Gold Passes - received confirmation in the post - thanks Autographica.

Colin, will look forward to meeting up with you and chatting about Story. Rex, what a shame you were unable to make the Florida show - now's my chance, together with Al H. and other cS members, we should all have a great time.

Thanks to everyone at Autographica, and hubby and myself look forward to having a chat, and a few drinks at the bar. Have a safe trip everyone.

Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 08-14-2004 08:37 PM               

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For Autographica: Hotel booking now made - thank to those who assisted with this. The hotel's own website shows there are no rooms available for the nights of 8 and 9 October.

I want to reserve two Gold Passes, but cannot find any way of doing this online. Do I have to phone England from Australia, or will they still be available if I post my request by snail mail?

Posts: 576
From: Germany
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 08-14-2004 08:43 PM               

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Well I am certainly looking forward to meeting all you folk there. Besides all the real astronauts, I am stoked about the Lost in Space/Land of the Giants cast being there as well (they were my favourite shows as a kid).

When I read all the rest of your knowledge about spaceflight, I kinda feel inadequate. The only thing I truly understand is how the TV signal was made colour from the greyscale technology at hand. I am also pretty good at knowing which Apollo mission did what, with whom, and where!!

Also, I am still looking for anyone arriving at East Midlands Airport.

Posts: 46
From: Biggin Hill Kent England
Registered: Aug 2004

posted 08-15-2004 03:08 AM               

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This is Dave Phillips co-organiser of the Autographica event. Regarding the Lost in Space and Land of the Giants casts, we are very proud to have finally managed to get them here together. It has taken well over a year of negotiation and we are very pleased to announce their names on our guest list.

Some of the members have been having problems with hotel bookings at the Royal Court Hotel. If any collectSPACE members have future booking problems please feel free to contact me direct and i will help resolve the issues for you.

Look forward to seeing you all at Autographica.

Posts: 170
From: London, England
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 08-15-2004 03:51 AM               

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It will be great to see Alice again. she is one of the stars of the show. It is always nice to see old friends and new ones at such events. I though wish I could remember everyone's names or put faces to names.

I will be happy to sign copies of Rocketmen and Soyuz which Dave Shayler will be selling at the show. It will be great to see Colin again. If you have not seen or read his Fallen Astronaut book please do so as it does fill a gap in knowledge about the careers of those early guys who were sadly killed in training and other accidents.

I wish though I could put names to faces.I meet so many people who I see there posts on collectSPACE and wish I could put the two together.

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From: swadlincote, derbyshire uk
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posted 09-12-2004 03:09 PM               

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I have bought tickets for autographica as a surprise present for my brother. I'm only planning on telling him where we are going when we get there! I was wondering what this is about lectures taking place and how you sign up for them as I ordered my tickets ages ago and have heard nothing about them?

Also, as I don't know a great deal about these things, if I were to sign my brother up for only a couple of these lectures - which would be the best ones to go to as he has not met any of the astronauts going?

Posts: 618
From: BURTON ON TRENT /England
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 09-12-2004 04:34 PM               

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If its any consolation I haven't received my tickets yet, I sent off for them about two weeks ago so I'm still waiting, I think it was a week or two before the show that mine came last November.

This will be my third visit to the show, I tell you Sahara you won't be disappointed. Also DON'T forget your camera.

posted 09-13-2004 05:27 AM              

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We will have two more astronaut guests to announce this week, so keep your eyes on the website!

All tickets are normally sent out around two weeks before the show, so watch out for the mailman! Any spare lecture places will be available on a first come first serve basis, but most will go to those who have booked Diamond passes.

The cosmonauts will be doing a lecture on both Saturday and Sunday, and there are still some places available at these at £10 per lecture. If you want your name on the list please contact me directly.

We also still have some places at the dinner available, and with two new astronauts still to announce, it should be possible to arrange a seat at a space table, again please contact me directly to book these.

And yes, do remember to bring your camera with you, you will regret it if you don't!

Posts: 429
From: crawley west sussex UK
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From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK
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From: Belfast, United Kingdom
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From: UK
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posted 09-23-2004 05:56 PM               

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Just found out that I won't be joining my next ship until the 10th October, so its go for me to attend on the Saturday.

I was at last year's event, which blew me away. Now I'll be meeting my first moonwalker(s), my second Mercury astronaut, etc.

Many of us cS's are attending, but, how will we know each other?

It'll be good to see faces and match the e-mails... Brenda, Derek, et all. Not to mention Al H. at last.

I'll have an Hartlepool Utd. Fred Perry on, white, you cannot miss me.

Posts: 646
From: Douglas, Isle of Man, UK
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 09-23-2004 06:37 PM               

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Hubby (Ted) and myself will be there - in fact I have a NASA badge with my name on it which I wore in Florida for the Air and Space Show. Now this went down a treat, many guests not having to ask "What's your name?" to sign photos, etc.

Perhaps other members going could do the same - easy to make your own up - or many shops sell name tags. This would solve the problem. Look's like a lot, a great lot of us collectors from cS, including guys I have met before. Should be a great weekend all around.

Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004

posted 09-24-2004 03:25 AM               

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Great to hear you're making it to Autographica... the gods must've been smiling on you with the cancellation of next year's London show.

For me, this'll be my first autograph show though I've met two astronauts before (Dave Scott and John Young). Ed, you coming down on the Friday night or the Saturday morning?

What Brenda suggested (name tags) is a good idea -- might try that one out. I'll either be wearing a Yoxford Boys 357th FG denim shirt or my grey NASA polo shirt. And you won't miss me either.

Posts: 576
From: Germany
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 09-24-2004 10:20 AM               

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I'll be there Friday, but as I am coming in with Easyjet there are no guarantees as to what time I will arrive. Therefore I'll forego the Friday dinner and just be a barfly.

However Saturday I'll be there with DV cam, digi cam, and 35mm with ASA 800 film so as to negate the need for flash.

Luckily I met Ollie and Rob in Koln, so there will be a few familiar faces. I'll be easy to spot. I'm the tall, dark, handsome one.

Posts: 551
From: London, England
Registered: May 2001

posted 09-24-2004 10:48 AM               

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Me and my assistant Tom will be there Friday night and all weekend.

Easy to find us as we will be at our stall in the Astronauts room most of the day! And probably at the bar most of the night!!

Looking forward to matching faces to names!

Posts: 157
From: Preston, England
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 09-26-2004 07:17 PM               

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I've been away on a humanitarian visit to the Ukraine for around three weeks, (a long story) and have just arrived home a few hours ago.

I've just seen the latest guest list and almost fell from my chair. I will be attending on the Saturday but don't know what I'll be wearing yet... maybe a name badge and possibly carrying a large art folder with me.

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From: Houston, TX, USA
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