posted 01-07-2015 06:15 PM               

We are also delighted to announce that Professor Brian Cox will attend both the dinner and (first) lecture and he has kindly agreed to conduct the post lecture Q&A on Saturday, Oct. 31.

MARCH 17 UPDATE: Dinner and lecture tickets for Captain Lovell have now sold out for Oct. 30-31, 2015. Such has been the demand for tickets however, that Space Lectures is now holding a second public lecture on Sunday, Nov. 1. Tickets are now for sale (see here details).

The venues and timings are similar to previous Space Lectures events:

• Dinner at the Wentbridge House Hotel around 7.30 p.m. on Oct. 30. A raffle and auction will follow the dinner.

• The lecture at Carleton Community High School, beginning at 3.45 p.m. Oct. 31, with a Q&A and raffle to follow. Please allow plenty of time before each for the photo shoot, memorabilia stands, refreshments and time to catch up with old friends.

Ticket prices are as follows: Dinner £90, the lecture £80 with a combo ticket price of £160.

Space Lectures is accepting ticket payments with immediate effect via e-mail or telephone (01977 795535). When sending payment please be sure to include a self-addressed envelope. For those paying by BACS bank transfer please add £1 for postage, or collect in person after the Eileen Collins event in April.

Each ticket (dinner or lecture) entitles the holder to one signature; the combo ticket two signatures. Lovell will sign books, lithos, models, photos etc. We are not aware of any exceptions at this time (i.e. covers).

We have learned from earlier events, so Lovell will NOT be adding any inscriptions, dedications or missions; it is simply too time consuming. Signature only.

The photo shoot remains at £20 (regardless of how many people are in each photo) and pictures will be ready for signing after the dinner and the lecture, complete with card mount.

For reasons already touched upon in previous posts the ticket prices are influenced by the fee; Space Lectures is not a profit making organisation. Rather a group of like minded volunteers headed by Ken Willoughby that puts any proceeds into this, or the next astronaut event.

But it is worth noting that for a combo ticket price of £160 the holder will be treated to a superb three course dinner in one of Yorkshire's finest hotels, an illustrated lecture lasting approximately one hour, a Q&A and two autographs, and all for little more than Lovell's current base signature fee at private signings or organised autograph event.

The lecture and one signature equates to around half of his current base fee!

posted 01-08-2015 08:09 AM               

Room availability at The Wentbridge is an issue Ken was aware of. Attempts were made to move the event but the venue is booked up throughout September and October and that did not take in to account our guest's existing engagements. Once we get to November the weather is a consideration.

posted 01-09-2015 01:25 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Buel:
Please can I ask what are the closest alternate hotels?

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There's a Days Inn at the Weatherby Services on the A1. This is about a 20 minute drive away.

posted 01-09-2015 05:04 AM               

There are quite a few "bed and breakfast" establishments too, not to mention a big tent at the bottom of Ken's garden. His rates are very reasonable.

posted 01-26-2015 05:12 PM               

October is a popular "Wedding Season" and the hotels listed below are popular so anybody considering staying stopping over had better book a room now. Most if not all offer refund options should anybody attending fail to make it.

Other potential hotels in Pontefract include:

• Premier Inn x 3
  
• Rogerthorpe Manor
  
• Kyte Hotel, Darrington
  
• Kings Croft

posted 01-30-2015 04:55 PM               

The Rogerthorpe a mile or so down the road is a very nice hotel and having stayed there myself I can vouch for the calibre of the food.

Failing that you will just have to slum it with the like of Brammers, CRASH and myself at the Premier/Darrington.

posted 02-02-2015 07:01 PM               

We are also delighted to confirm that Professor Brian Cox will attend both the dinner and the lecture and he has kindly agreed to conduct the post lecture Q&A on Saturday, Oct. 31.

posted 02-03-2015 11:59 AM               

If you have not ordered dinner tickets you may well be too late. Ken had 30+ combo orders on his computer at 10.00am this morning.

posted 02-03-2015 12:44 PM               

A George Lamb has mailed three times asking for tickets. Three times I replied but three times it bounced back.

posted 02-03-2015 01:17 PM               

But I've discussed it with Ken and we will be starting Saturdays the photo shoot ealier than advertised; from approximately 1.45pm.

We don't want to overrun and end up starting the lecture late. That would then limit the time available to us for the Q&A.

Regarding payment for the dinner, can people please contact Ken before sending payment for the dinner via BACS transfer? Dinner may already be sold out!

posted 02-03-2015 03:23 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
Approximately 6.15pm on Friday and 1.45pm on Saturday.

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posted 02-03-2015 06:16 PM               

That equates to 45 dinner and 113 lectures tickets... today alone! At this rate we may have to switch to the O2 arena.

posted 02-04-2015 01:35 AM            

I'm a regular at another event that has Apollo astronaut visits but have been wanting to attend one of these Space Lectures for a while as they sound great.

Jim Lovell is my Holy grail of Apollo astronauts to meet. I fear this is my last chance. However, I have a dilemma!

I would be travelling from the London area. I don't drive and I can't stay overnight because I have to be back for my kids. I've had a look at the train situation and Pontefract doesn't have a direct route to London and the trains are few and far between in the evening. It looks like I would probably have to leave around 5.30-6.00 to get myself in the door by Midnight. Therefore, I would probably miss the signing part of the evening. Do you think it would be possible to hand the organizers of the event my item to be signed, at some point during the day, have them get it signed and then post it back to me? That way, I'd get to meet the man, have my photo taken, see his lecture, get home and not miss out on the signature.

posted 02-04-2015 02:02 AM               

If you get yourself to Pontefract and make yourself known to me or one of Ken's team (we will be wearing ID) I am sure we can sort something for you.

Unusually, Capt Lovell has stipulated the number of signatures he will sign over the course of the two days so there will be no "wiggle room."

posted 02-04-2015 03:03 AM            

My main reason for going is to meet the man and hear him talk about his Apollo missions but it would be a shame to miss out on the autograph completely after travelling all that way.

posted 02-04-2015 08:41 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Pistol Pete:
I've had a look at the train situation and Pontefract doesn't have a direct route to London and the trains are few and far between in the evening.

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There ARE direct trains. I'm leaving Friday afternoon from KX to Ponte direct. Then back from Leeds at 8pm on Saturday. You may be able to cadge a lift or share a taxi from Ponte to Leeds.

posted 02-04-2015 10:24 AM            

There doesn't seem to be a timetable anywhere for October yet, so I'm just going by guess work really. Thanks for the suggestion though.

posted 02-04-2015 11:53 AM               

The photos will be ready by the time the Q&A finishes but that is likely to be 5.15 to 5.30pm-ish!

On the subject of collecting the photo shoot pictures can I ask the audience to remain seated and NOT to collect the pictures from the front of the theatre the minute they are wheeled out, unless you intend leaving the theatre immediately. It causes an unnecessary scrummage and in any case the queue for the signing is marshalled by Ken's assistants, around and past the photographs which can be collected en-route to the signing table.

And on the subject of audience etiquette the marshalls may insert the occasional individual in to the front of the signing queue in case of need i.e. disability. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Finally, a message from Ken. "Someone paid £81 by BACS with the reference Space Lectures. No Idea who it is!" If that is a cS member please contact Ken as soon as possible.

posted 02-05-2015 04:39 AM            

However, I've managed to negotiate with Mrs. Pistol and have decided to book a room somewhere. It makes sense, so I can enjoy the whole thing without rushing about.