Stargate Basingstoke

I have been to many conventions in my past years. The I first went to was back in the late 70’s and continued through to 2017. It was Star Trek conventions, mainly as a passion but then to meet friends and watch episodes. Then I went to Doctor Who, Blakes 7 and just good old Sci-fi ones.

Once conventions became more corporate they lost my interest. I did go to a couple but it was just stand in a queue get an autograph and walk away. There was no sitting in corridors or by the bar for hours discussing the differences between ships or which Captain was best.

Fast-forward to 2024 and Basingstoke. I found out that numerous cast members from Stargate and Atlantis would be attending a ComicCon in Basingstoke around 130 miles away from me. I suddenly had this desire to go, there were a number of people I wanted to meet. 

By Wednesday there were no online tickets so another choice, go or not. What the hell by Friday I decided to just take a chance for Sunday tickets and hopefully get one autograph. David Hewlett was someone I wanted to meet. Saturday came and I packed a bag, headed to Basingstoke.

Short version – got tickets for what I wanted

Conventions are odd, strange and great places. They are normally packed out, people all over the place and yes you have a timetable. (I know these things for those who don’t know see Zen and The Art of Timetabling). It was clear that the timetable for the convention was crowded just a little like the place itself.

I wandered around waiting for my chance to get the autograph I wanted. There were things to see and panels to listen to. Plus the Daleks. Yes they keep following me I am sure. The last convention I went to in London had a Dalek, Who knew (pun).

Mental Panel

There was a panel which I decided to listen too and it was very interesting and inspiring. Amanda Tapping held a panel on mental health in fandom. People talked openly about issues and as they did, I thought back to the last 5 years. My Mum became ill in 2019 and passed away in 2020. It was the day after my 58th birthday, so I can never forget. My Dad could not handle the loss and I had to step up and hold it all together. I had my own struggles, I could not properly grieve for example as I had to arrange everything. I felt as if I had to hold my control otherwise no-one would. It was in that strange world and mind set. 

Dad was lost without my Mum, so I and family members kept his spirits up as best we could. But he just stopped living. We argued, I did all I could to get him safe in his home. However, all he did was to sit in a chair, watching TV and existed not lived. That was mentally and physically draining. Sadly, he passed away in 2023.

How did that relate back to the panel? Well, as it was Stargate/Atlantis, it made me think of episodes they had written exploring some of these issues. Weather it was subtle or on purpose, I could now look back at certain stories and understand more of my feelings.

I wont go into this much further given this is really about the convention but it was a very remarkable panel to listen too.

Queue’s and how we stand in them

Queuing. We do that rather well here, if it’s done right. There was a bit of confusion over the queues for most things. This seemed to be the main problem different queues, different levels no real clue as to who was on first and what was on second (Ok thats an old sketch). Well after almost four hours I got within a yard of David Hewlett. And then another twist. He had to rush off to the final panel. To his credit and many other guests, he came back. 

David was a very pleasant person really charming to all the fans. To have stayed there and made sure everyone got an autograph and chat showed the care of each guest. I had my five minutes and we chatted about Atlantis and Murdock Mysteries. It really was uplifting and just rounded off another good weekend. A number of the guests stayed way longer to make up for issues not caused by them.

Would I go again, yes. The organisation needs to sort a few things out but I just enjoyed myself. With how life is now, you need to take these chances.

Tagline: St Ives to André Rieu via a Stargate. You really cant make that up.