Prisoner Cell Block H Blog

Future Events Are In The Offing

January 2nd, 2010

It will be good news for people to learn, I am sure, that after a well-deserved break from the Prisoner scene Hazel Prosser is well and truly back in the loop and ready, willing and able to organise more of the excellent events we have come to expect of her. These events, as anyone who has attended one will readily certify, have always been very popular, well organised and great value for money. But with the 30th Anniversary celebrations behind us now and with the passage of time, itself, it has obviously become more difficult to get members of the cast to fly over (often at short notice) to meet and entertain us.

I can reveal, however, that Hazel is currently in talks with an original cast member and that the prospects of a spring/summer event is very much on the cards. The cast member in question is eager to come over and Hazel is just as eager to make all the arrangements on his/her behalf, so it’s now just a matter of finding out how viable the prospect is and if enough of you want to make it happen. As with any event of this kind, it all hangs in the balance. The interest is there and now it’s just a question of the practicalities. If enough of you want to make it happen, then I’ve no doubt that it WILL happen. If any of you wish to find out more about this intriguing prospect, then do please contact Hazel directly at the following email address:

keepintouch692@btinternet.com

Events like these are, of necessity, getting more and more scarce. The big celebration is behind us, the original cast members are now reaching that time of life where they no longer wish to travel and the financial climate is such that the cost of organising said events has triggered a general apathy in all concerned. In short, then, although these events are still very much on the horizon, each may well be the last of its kind. It is important that we are no longer blase about the events, because they will not – and can not – continue ad infinitum. There is now a very real possibility that every cast member’s visit will be his or her last.

If, therefore, any of you do want to meet any of the cast members who come over, this may well be your last chance to do so. I have been reliably informed that many of the original cast are making their next trip to the UK their FINAL trip to the UK. I really can’t stress this enough. It’s easy, in retrospect, to look back on an opportunity missed and to regret it … so if you are genuinely interested in meeting any of the cast who visit our shores, then do – if circumstances allow – grab the opportunity with both hands. There may well not be a second chance.

If any of you wish to discuss anything about possible future events with Hazel, then please do contact her direct through the above email address.

She will be able to give you further information as to the original cast member with whom she is currently in talks and can tell you a lot more than I can about the possibility of future events. If you have any further questions pertaining to associated matters, then I’m sure she will only be too happy to answer your queries on these, too.

ONE DOOR SHUTS – ALAN COLEMAN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY

December 14th, 2009

Alan Coleman has pioneered five nights a week fast turn around television drama around the world – the unique art form which is fondly referred to by viewers as ’soap.’

In his autobiography which is entitled ‘One Door Shuts’, Alan lifts the lid on the serials which he has been associated with and also gives advice to actors wishing to break into this industry in a standalone section called ‘Take Five’ which is based on the training workshops which he has run on the sets of hit shows such as ‘Neighbours’ and ‘Shortland Street’.

Learn about Alan’s explosive early life in Birmingham, England when he saw his home being blown sky high and of his time spent in the air force and medical arena. Read how after staring death firmly in the face he joined ATV in the Midlands and became one of the original directors on ‘Crossroads’ which was the UK’s first five nights a week ’soap.’

Alan talks about the acclaimed children’s series ‘Escape into Night’, ‘The Jensen Code’ and ‘Kids from 47A’ which he produced before being headhunted by Reg Grundy and taken out to Australia to help establish the Grundy Drama Department. Alan was the driving force behind the hit Grundy series ‘The Young Doctors’ and was also associated with other Grundy productions including ‘Class of 74′,  ‘Prisoner: Cell Block H’,  ‘Secret Valley’, ‘Case for the Defence’ and many others.

During his long and distinguished career he has Executive Produced serials including ‘Neighbours’ in Australia,  ‘Shortland Street’ in New Zealand,  ‘Unter Uns’ in Germany and ‘Goede Tijden – Slechte Tijden’ in the Netherlands.  His other directing credits include ‘Home & Away’,  ‘Echo Point’,  ‘Breakers’, ‘Above The Law’,  ‘Going Home’, ‘The Adventures of the Bush Patro’l and ‘Family Affairs’ in the UK.

‘One Door Shuts’ is essential reading for all ’soap’ fans and also for actors wishing to learn more about this unique art form. Alan’s is an inspiring story which proves that against all odds anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it.

‘One Door Shuts’ has been released during 2009 to tie-in with the 45th anniversary of ‘Crossroads’ and the 35th anniversary of Grundy TV Drama. ‘One Door Shuts’ by Alan Coleman has been published by Trafford Publishing and can be ordered by heading to:-

http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDeta…d=SKU-000141354

Val Lehman Website – Now Closed

November 30th, 2009

As most people will now no doubt be aware, the Official Val Lehman Website has now been closed down. For those of you who have enquiries over this or would like to touch base with Hazel – the owner and administrator of the Official Val lehman Website – she has set up a temporary email address which is:

keepintouch692@btinternet.com

Hazel is currently taking a bit of a break from the Prisoner world and so please do bear with her if she doesn’t reply with her usual alacrity.  She will be sure to respond to any enquiries as and when she is able to.

For those with an eye for nostalgia, Hazel still has a few TDC T-Shirts for sale and although these are no longer available in all sizes, they may be of interest to those of you interested in collecting Prisoner-related merchandise. If you are interested, please get in touch with Hazel via the above email address.

Thanks for reading.

The Official Val Lehman Website – End Of An Era

November 5th, 2009

As most of you may or may not know by now, the Official Val Lehman Website (run by the formidable Hazel Prosser) is to be discontinued. Many people (myself included) will be sad to hear this news, because websites dedicated to our favourite Prisoner luminaries are few and far between – especially one that is as ably managed as this one is!

If you wish to take a final opportunity to congratulate Hazel for a job well done these last five years, then it is still not too late to do so. The Offcial Val Lehman Website will remain open until 30th November 2009, at which times it will close its doors for good.

Finally, I would like to personally wish Hazel well in whatever endeavour she next lends her very capable talents to. Whatever it may be, I am sure it will be every bit as much of a success story as the Official Val Lehman Website, a venture of which she should be extremely proud.

Good on ya, Hazel … your blood’s worth bottling.

Memorabilia

October 21st, 2009

Advanced tickets are now on sale via the Memorabilia site on-line store.

This is the perfect opportunity for fans to meet Val Lehman, Gerard Maguire and Fiona Spence. It is, in fact, a RARE 30th Anniversary opportunity to meet this trio of Prisoner illuminaries.

Please note that tickets are NOT available via The Official Val Lehman Website and that advanced tickets can only be purchased through the Memorabilia site on-line store.

Rita Connors – 30th Anniversary Giftset

August 23rd, 2009

OTI have released an exclusive ‘Rita Connors – Prisoner 30th Anniversary Gift Set’! These sets are  strictly limited edition and are already being snapped up.

They will be on sale at both of Glenda’s forthcoming events, but for anyone who is unable to attend – now’s your chance to pre-order your very own set. As an added bonus, while Glenda is in the UK she has agreed to write a personal message / dedication on each set.

The Limited Edition Giftset contains:

1 x A4 ULTRA RARE Publicity photo of Rita beside the prison gates. 1 x A4 colour photo of Rita’s arrival, one of the most memorable arrivals in the series! 1 x B/W A4 copy featuring smaller rare promo shots of Glenda as Rita. 1 x RITA – Prisoner 30th anniversary key ring 1 x RITA – Prisoner 30th anniversary Pen, featuring the famous last quote from the series 1 x Brand New Colour Rita Fan Card 1 x Brand New B/W Rita Fan Card

The sets are being created escpecially to coincide with Glenda’s trip, so please do purchase a set if you’re able to, for your own personal souvenir from this much loved actress! Sets can be dedicated or undedicated.

For all the information about how to order one of these limited edition giftsets, please visit OTI at www.prisonercellblockh.com.

Thanks for reading.

Rita Connors Giftset

Rita Connors Giftset

Memorabilia – Meet Val, Gerard & Fiona

August 19th, 2009

* * * ANNOUNCEMENT – DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES!! * * *

To give people the opportunity of meeting three legends of Prisoner Cell Block H, Val Lehman, Gerard Maguire and Fiona Spence  have agreed to appear at ‘Memorabilia’  which will be held at The National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham (M42, J6) on Saturday November 21st 2009.  The three stars will be there all day, so come and chat. They will also be appearing on stage to answer any questions you might have and there will be autographs and photos for sale.

If you are interested in attending, please contact :
E-mail:   admin@val-lehman.com

Website: www.val-lehman.com -  The Official Val Lehman Website
** CELEBRATING OVER FOUR YEARS ON LINE **

Meet Fiona Spence

April 16th, 2009

NEWSFLASH!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, two places have unexpectedly become available for this event. If you would like the opportunity to dine with Fiona Spence on 14th November, please email admin@val-lehman.com NOW!

An update from The Official Val Lehman Website:

*~*~*~ AN AUDIENCE WITH FIONA SPENCE *~*~*~

(‘Vera Bennett’ in ‘Prisoner: Cell Block-H’, ‘Celia Stewart’ in ‘Home & Away’)Fiona Spence

DATE: SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2009

VENUE: THE OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE
4 TEMPLE ROW WEST
BIRMINGHAM (CITY CENTRE)
B2 5NY
(Mins from New Street Railway Station)
Read the rest of this entry »

Meet Glenda Linscott

April 11th, 2009

OTI have announced the first UK event to mark the 30th anniversary of Prisoner and have launched a brand new sister site, Screen Star Events, for Prisoner events. OTI write:

“The hugely popular ‘Prisoner’ star is returning to the UK in September, and is very much looking forward to meeting all the fans, many of whom have been writing to her for many, many years! Glenda is extremely excited about the prospect of arriving back in the UK after so many years, and will also be bringing with her some rare memorabilia to delight the Prisoner fans! This is one event you won’t want to miss. Read the rest of this entry »

Prisoner Recaptured Event

April 5th, 2009

On Saturday the 4th April 2009, fans got together at Birmingham Library Theatre for “Prisoner Recaptured” – the largest exhibition of original Prisoner memorabilia at a fan convention. The memoribilia on show included over 500 items such as original inmates and officers costumes, props, newspaper and magazine articles, over 100 rare and original publicity stills from throughout the series and a selection of transparencies, mug shots, posters, scripts and cast & crew items. The big screen featured messages from Amanda Muggleton recorded exclusively for the event, a look at filming locations then and now and other rare footage.

There was a silent auction for a number of signed prints. The event also included a quiz, fancy dress competition and the opportunity to have a mugshot taken in an original inmates jacket. Read the rest of this entry »