adriansreview

Saturday

Gareth Bevan and myself headed off from the Midlands at some unearthly hour towards the South of the country. The aim was to get to the Pinewood area for 9:00 o'clock so we could get some location spotting in. We headed towards Maidenhead and hit the country lanes driving past Clivedon Manor (Carry On Don't Loose Your Head) and ventured into Hitchin near Burnham. Hitchin is the location of the Carry On Dick Church so we spent some time taking photographs of the outside from the original camera angles (I had printed out some stills from the film). We were about to leave when one of the church wardens turned up so we got the chance to take a look inside to see if the interior had been used - it wasn't.

From Hitchin we headed off to Black Park via Slough and managed to spot two further locations on the A412. The A412 was used during the filming of the coach scenes in Convenience and we spotted a distinctive building seen in the background when Kenneth Williams and Patsy Rowlands are taking during the trip. The building is now the head quarters of the local Territorial Army. Still on the A412 but nearer Pinewood, is the Green Man Public House. The Green Man can be seen in Convenience when Richard O'Callaghan is in his sports car chasing the coach.

When we finally arrived at Black Park, we drove round the nearby lanes and spotted a location from Camping where Sid drives his car, we continued past the main gates at Pinewood and had a quick trip round Pinewood Green and spotted Terry Scotts house from Camping, Joan Sims house from Camping and Sids House and Joans House from Convenience. We then ventured off to Pinewood Studios to be greeted by Robert Ross and Morris Bright.

The running order had changed slightly from the one originally published and after lunch we sat and watched Carry On Girls. Girls was chosen for two main reasons, firstly Dick had been recently shown on UK TV but secondly because it was a tribute to the late Jimmy Logan who was due to be at the event.

Following on from the film, Jack Douglas held a questions and answers session and then we broke for tea.

After tea, an episode Bless This House was shown in the presence of Diana Coupland and Anthony Jackson (Trevor) and the two stars took to the stage for a question and answer session.

After this Q&A session, Val James, Susan James and other family members were introduced but left the room before The Unforgettable Sid James was shown (for obvious reasons!) We then headed off for dinner and Val James came and visited each table for a chat and to sign anything thrust in front of her eyes! I took time at this point to go and talk to Sids daughter Susan, who seemed very overwhelmed by the event and the attention she was getting. Susan was very welcoming and is a really lovely lady and had plenty of time to chat.

The final event of the evening was when Sids brother-in-law took to the stage and talked about Sid from the family perspective - quite a good interview and an insight into the real Sid.

Click here for Adrians review of Sundays Kenny Williams event...