Star One Con Report
by Nicola Mody

Star One was held in Bedford, England, with guests Gareth Thomas, Michael Keating, Paul Darrow, David Jackson, Jacqueline Pearce, Steven Pacey, Stephen Greif, Janet Lees Price, and Glyn Owen.

I went all the way to the UK for this convention (probably the first and probably the last Blake's 7 con I'll ever attend) when I heard Michael Keating was a guest. He hadn't been at many cons so I grabbed my chance to see him and the rest of the excellent guest line-up, and have a three-week holiday at the same time.

Photos of the cast and some of my friends

Photo sessions with Paul and Michael ​

Guest panels

Paul Darrow and Steven Pacey
Michael Keating
Paul Darrow and Jacqueline Pearce
Gareth Thomas and Glyn Owen
Jacqueline Pearce and Stephen Greif
Gareth Thomas
Paul Darrow and Michael Keating

Other events

Dinner with the Michael and the cast
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Photo sessions with Paul and Michael at which I learned the origin of the name 'Soolin' and there was Avon and Vila-type banter

Coffee Club with Michael Keating

Michael was just lovely. He offered the ten of us coffee or tea and a bowl of sweets, then asked each of us in turn about ourselves and our interests.
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I said that I loved to write and asked him if he'd accept a gift, and he said yes. I gave him a printed copy of Vila Restal's Emails dedicated to him. If I remember correctly, I wrote, "For Michael Keating with respect and admiration. Thanks for making Vila so real." and signed it. He looked delighted to receive it. OK, he's an actor, but he's also a very genuine and kind person, and who knows, maybe he looked at it and got a laugh or two out of it.