The Enid Blyton Society

Courtenay wrote:Pardon my complete ignorance, but am I right in thinking the Blyton connection with Exbury is that the 1970s Famous Five TV series was filmed in the area? I vaguely remember it being on telly when I was very little, but I don't have anything like the encyclopaedic knowledge of it that some of our members have...

Yes, you're right. The series was filmed at Exbury House and in the surrounding area.

Ah, I see. I had noticed there's quite an intense discussion on the "TV locations" thread about trying to pinpoint the exact spot where the closing titles were filmed (with the Five running away into the distance)... if it's ever located for sure, perhaps you could film a little re-enactment at the meet-up?? (All together now: "We are the Faaamous Fiiive...")

We have talked before about going to Exbury, as it's a lovely place, Courtenay, and it is loosely connected with Blyton because of the filming, as you say.

Tony once mentioned the best time to go is around May, and as we missed our opportunity this year, I think it would be lovely to have our meet up there if everyone else is agreed.

If we hum and arr again, then another meet up will be lost.

Well, I would love to join you all there, but I don't think I could unless I take a couple of days' leave about that time and stay overnight in the area. Which will depend on how much of my annual leave I still have left by May (I do have other specific times when I want or need time off, including a trip to Australia earlier in the year)... I'll have to leave it open for now and decide closer to the time, assuming the meet-up does go ahead as planned.

No probs, Courtenay.

When we used to do the EB Days, we would book two days off and stay in a hotel for 2 nights, and as the meetings were planned well in advance it enabled other people to plan well in advance too. Our meetings in the Spade Oak, Bourne End for Old Thatch were the same, we'd book two nights in the area.

Daisy used to stay in the same hotel we'd book and those were really enjoyable days.

Reading the get-together in this thread has struck me how very different the climate is between UK and Malaysia. In Malaysia, we can go and visit any place in Malaysia anytime all year round because the weather and climate remain almost the same throughout the year. The climate and weather in January is not significantly different than the climate and weather in July. In fact, there is no different at all.

In UK, seasonal climate is a very important factor in deciding the get-together.

sixret wrote:
In UK, seasonal climate is a very important factor to decide the get-together.

And we like it that way!

I love the British seasons, that's what gives us our lovely countryside!

In this case, it's not just seasonal climate — I gather there are rhododendrons at Exbury, so May will be the most spectacular time of year to go there, when they're in flower.

(Meanwhile, back in Australia, if you want to see rhododendrons and azaleas flowering, you go in November!!)

sixret wrote: ...in Malaysia ... the weather and climate remain almost the same throughout the year.

Do you talk about the weather as much as we do in the UK?
If not,what do you talk about to break the ice with strangers etc?

I've entered EBS GET-TOGETHER, EXBURY, SATURDAY, 12th MAY 2018 in my diary. As Julie says, let's stick to that date.

Sounds like we have an agreement - 12 May it is and we can hopefully all work around that. Given that the south-east tends to be a week or two ahead as far as gardens are concerned, the timing should be ideal for the rhododendrons/azaleas.

Given my time constraints, wondering if another of the forum members would now pick this up to take forward arrangements nearer the time? Eddie, would you be willing?

If you don't want to do it, Eddie. I'll phone Exbury Gardens, nearer the time, when we have some numbers, and get them to reserve a few tables in their cafe for us all. (It can get busy at weekends) I could ask also if they'll do a deal on the price of a group booking.

All sounds good to me. I'll pencil it in as well and hope for the best, though I won't be able to say for sure whether or not I can come till closer to the time. But here's hoping.

I'm sure that Julie and I can work on the arrangements together, Sally.

I'd better pop it onto my calendar too, otherwise I'll forget!



I've changed the title of the thread now we've decided on the place and date. - Anita