Doctor Who convention raised hundreds for charity

The hottest weekend of the year saw weird and wonderful beings from all over the galaxy head to Crawley to enjoy the sunshine.
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Their destination was the Arora Hotel, in Southgate Avenue, and the occasion was The Capitol - the first convention to be held in the town by the Doctor Who Appreciation Society.

Fans dressed as Doctors, companions and villains galore joined some of the stars from the show’s 53-year history over the weekend (May 7/8) and they all had such a good time they will be back again in 2017.

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Among the stars were Frazer Hines – best known to some as Joe Sugden, from Emmerdale, but worshipped by Who fans as Jamie McCrimmon, companion to the second Doctor (Patrick Troughton).

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Explaining how much he enjoyed attending conventions and meeting fans, Frazer joked to attendees: “This job has taken me all over the world. To America, New Zealand Australia - and Crawley.”

Other stars included Deborah Watling, Sophie Aldred, Lisa Bowerman, Daphne Ashbrook, Nicola Bryant, Katy Manning and Mark Strickson.

The convention raised more than £1,300 for three charities – Breast Cancer Now, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Prostate Cancer UK.

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A replica blue paque dedicated to the show’s first producer, Verity Lambert OBE, went for £805, which will go to Breast Cancer Now, in her memory.

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Organiser Tony Jordan said: “I think it went very well indeed. The feedback has been overwhelmingly esctatic, not just positive.

“There’s one or two adjustments we can make for next year, but what you saw was the result of eight months’ meticulous planning on our part, aided by a splendid events team at the Arora.

“Not sure I’ve made my wife happy by agreeing to do next year, but there you go!”

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The next Capitol convention will be held on Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7 2017.

Details will be available later this month on the society’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/dwasonline .

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