All we have to do is open the doors

Not surprisingly, we have had a lot of inquiries from people wishing to book the cottage for the 50th anniversary weekend. We thought, however, that we that it would be better to make the collection as accessible to as many local fans as possible who might like to see it - as a celebration of Doctor Who's 50 years.

Therefore, we have decided to have an Open Day from 10.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. on Saturday 23rd November.

There is no charge for admission - but we will offer refreshments of a cup of tea or coffee and a seasonal mince pie (well, it will be nearly Christmas!) for £2 to visitors. Any profits will go to one of my late brother's favoured charities.

e-mail me at tony@doctorjohnsmith.co.uk if you would like further details.

My word, it is. It's been a long time.

I can't think of a better 50th Anniversary treat for Doctor fans than the discovery of the two missing Troughton stories 'The Web of Fear' and 'The Enemy of the World'.

Astonishing to think that I was only seven years old when these were first transmitted, and that is 46 years since they were last broadcast !

Patrick Troughton was my Doctor - I was a little to young to really remember the First Doctor that well and found the Third Doctor' a bit too 'establishment' to fire my imagination.

I remember being totally convinced by the underground setting of  The Web of Fear' as too, it would seem, were London Transport - given that the quality of the sets, lighting and photography were so good that they angrily wrote to the BBC demanding to know how they gained access to their tunnels !

Fantastic feeling to see the episodes again - although a little bittersweet, as I know my late brother would have been over the moon about the return of them. Can't help wishing they had been found just a few years earlier.