Monday, September 29

Announcement is made that the gala has been postponed until March 19 & 20 of 2004 to offset Last of the Summer Wine being nominated for a British Television Award. It also gives the cast & crew an opportunity to adjust schedules in order to attend, providing sponsorship is provided. All previous tickets sold will be valid tickets at the March event. Fortunately, it will give the Summer Wine Celebration Committee an opportunity to gather more sponsorship and hire a professional fundraiser that will increase funds available to sponsor cast member attendance.

Sunday, May 25

Robin comes home after a very productive and fruitful week of interviews, meetings, and visits.

Friday, May 23

Robin meets with the fundraising department of Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield. Contacts at the foundation, take time out of their busy schedule to show Robin around the hospice, discuss what they do, and meet about the upcoming fundraising event in the USA.

Tuesday, May 20

Robin meets with Yahoo groups leader Pat Carline and her daughter, Michelle. They get early news that the BBC wants to do a live interview on the show called "Look North." Later, Robin meets up with the BBC news crew outside Sid's Cafe and does her first live interview.

Later that day, she recordes two more spots for the evening news. One is shown on the west coast and one shown on the east coast.

After a long day of interviews and surprises, Robin meets with producers of Last of the Summer Wine, and discusses several things, as well as the wishes of the cast and crew to all come to the gala. After sorting sponsorship, the committee should be able to bring anyone who wants to come, over for the gala. It is now imparative that we secure sponsorship in order to do this so all the cast members can attend.

We are working on this at this time. However, it is possible we will run into the situation where some of the cast and crew will not be able to attend, due to lack of sponsorship. There are several ways you can help. If you want to sponsor a cast or crew member's trip, please contact Robin Simpson, for information.

Monday, May 19

Robin begins a long day of interviews, starting with BBC Radio Leeds. Abi Jayeola, the Kirklees reporter, meets Robin at Sid's Cafe and they go on a walking tour of Holmfirth. They stop at Nora's steps, Compo's house (now known as the Summer Wine Exhibition), and the Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom, along with the site of the new Compo statue in planning for the town.

Afterwards, Robin meets with the Huddersfield Examiner, for a photo shoot and interview with Katie Campling.

Saturday, May 17

Robin has her first interview with Home FM - a local radio station in Huddersfield.

Friday, May 16

Robin arrives in Holmfirth and begins making appointments for interviews with the British press.

Wednesday, May 7

Robin leaves for the UK in order to do some press for the Gala and promote the USA support for Last of the Summer Wine.

Tuesday, May 6

Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) announces they have agreed to be the USA charity. Our contact, Mona Dixon, will start attending committee meetings.

Wednesday, April 30

Credit/debit card payments for events are now available! Use our PayPal shopping cart and pay for your tickets safely, securely, online!

Tuesday, April 1

Update on the hotel situation. I was informed by the hotel today that the rate is in the system now so you can start making your reservations for the gala! Just call 1-800-PEABODY and when you get to the prompt, pick the "Little Rock" hotel, tell them you want the rate for "Last of the Summer Wine" and they'll give you the $79 rate! Its a great savings!

Wednesday, March 26

Email from Summer Wine Headquarters: Alan J.W. Bell has generously offered to donate a full Compo costume (one of only three in existence) to the Summer Wine Gala Celebration silent auction! Retail value over $1100! (Current plans are to add a "silent auction" page to feature items that will be included in our silent auction.)

Friday, March 21

The Peabody Little Rock Hotel announced their plans to offer our out-of-town guests the fantastic room rate of $79!!! Their normal rate is $189, which is more than a 50% savings! All information will be in their system by next week (week of March 31), so you should be able to make your reservations by calling 1-800-PEABODY and choosing the Peabody Little Rock property from their menu (choice #3). Just be sure to tell them you want to make reservations for the Last of the Summer Wine, so you get the special rate!

Note: One hundred percent of the proceeds that are collected from the sponsorships, ticket sales, silent auction, and any other fundraising will be strictly and wholly donated to Kirkwood Hospice, West Yorkshire, England. The event planners and/or committee members of the Summer Wine Gala Celebration will not profit from this event. An expense report will be provided to the charity and any sponsors that wish to view it.