A DAY OUT IN WILTSHIRE (Doctor Who?)

A member of my family kindly organised a day out in Wiltshire. In my childhood, I had enjoyed the Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker stories of Doctor Who. One series was called THE DAEMONS and I can still remember watching it when it was first shown in 1971. We decided to visit the village where the outdoor filming was recorded. 

Here are some photos from Aldbourne, situated a few miles to the north of Marlborough. The village was founded by the Saxons in about 800AD, but there is evidence to show that our Beaker Folk ancestors were also thereabouts during the Bronze Age, some 4-5000 years ago. 

And a few shots from the original series. Early Doctor Who stories were often linked to the history of the British Isles. And not forgetting some great character actors. The delightfully eccentric Damaris Hayman only passed away in 2021, and the wonderfully outspoken Richard Franklin in 2023. But nothing lasts, and the franchise has steadily declined. (For educational purposes, no profit, no copyright infringement intended)

(Additional note, in my reply to Donnie, I mentioned, Pertwee was a radio operator on HMS Hood, during WW2. Ordered elsewhere, a few weeks later HMS Hood was no more, as was most of his shipmates.)

And all ends well with traditional Morris Dancing and Maypole Dancing on the village green. 

And here is Chris's pride and joy, that got us safely there and back. Thanks Chris!

(On our way back, we stopped to have a snack, and also view Silbury Hill. More on this to follow.)

NEW ACQUISITIONS

Visiting a local charity shop, I found another tin music box, part of a range of biscuit containers sold by Marks & Spencers several Christmases ago. I repainted my first and added some steps and railings. I'm planning the same with this one. These tin containers also serve as a store for smaller scenic items, and I quite like the festive tunes they play too.  Cost £1.

No, this is not an attempt to improve my dice throws, nor have I changed my faith. Having staged my first game set in the second Sino-Japanese War, thought it was time to increase my terrain features. The resin Buddha head only cost £2.50 in a charity shop, while the treen container, serving as a platform, cost another £2. I think it enhances the atmosphere, and I'm planning to stage a game set in Burma or Thailand during WW2.

MGB

REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTS

Thanks for replying, Donnie. I know it isn't really a wargaming post, but the early Doctor Who stories played a role in my hobbies. Speaking to a friend, heavily into DW. (He has a Dalek recast from the original moulds, no repro rubbish, and probably worth a fortune.) He feels the best stories are Pertwee and Baker. He is ok with the 80s, and some of the 90s, but has completely rejected all the modern series. Well, my interest disappeared in about 1980, but I still love the early stuff, for nostalgia, and the character actors our home nations could furnish in the 70s-80s. Amazing to think Pertwee was one of a handful of HMS Hood naval crew to survive WW2. What a life!

Cheers MJT. Yes, Pertwee was my most remembered DW. But my friend that collects DW memorabilia has always said GENESIS OF THE DALEKS is the best story, and that goes to Tom Baker. Having acquired the DVD, I must now agree. Although the story that stuck most in my mind was always DAY OF THE DALEKS, I thought the Controller was a fascinating character, a Quisling who nevertheless genuinely believed he had made things better, but later sees an opportunity to end the occupation, and supports the Doctor. A complex storyline worthy of a grown-ups programme. 

Most kind, Brad. It was a nice treat for Chris to sort out the visit. We were very lucky with the weather as it started to rain just as we got back home. Much of rural England is still like this, it is the cities which have changed most for the worse. I am visiting family in late December, and we are going on a festive walkabout in a town and castle in the county of Somerset. I'm actually working on converting the tin biscuit container at this very moment!