Oliver Owl comes for Christmas!

After dropping some heavy hints at home, and frequently sharing a few links to Oliver Owls on eBay - my Christmas wishes came true!

I’m now the proud owner of my very own Sarah Jane Smith soft toy as seen in her departing scenes at the end of Hand Of Fear - and I think at nine inches tall I’m pretty sure he’s the right size.

As you may have read, they came in at least three sizes with 12 and 16 inches completing the range (please correct me if I am wrong, as I’m basing this on what I have seen on eBay).

One of my cats isn’t too sure about Oliver, but she’ll get used to it!

I’ve seen a number of the larger sizes, but not the smaller, nine inch version.

Looking at the closing scene of Hand Of Fear, and remembering that Elizabeth Sladen isn’t that tall, the owl appears to be quite small.

Happy Christmas - from Oliver Owl!!!

Doctor Who Magazine: The 2015 Yearbook

Today sees a end-of-year special edition yearbook from Doctor Who Magazine.

I don’t usually mention stuff like this, but this contains something a bit special you’ll like to read - especially if you’re a regular reader of my blogs.

The magazine reviews an incredible year for the programme, its spin-offs and the licensed merchandise available.
Highlights include our first major interview with the show’s executive producer, Brian Minchin, in which he reflects on Peter Capaldi’s first year as the Doctor and looks forward to further adventures with the Twelfth Doctor.

ALSO INSIDE THE ISSUE

• Features on every episode in Peter Capaldi’s first series
• Interviews with the team that accompanied Capaldi and Jenna Coleman on the Doctor Who World Tour
• Fourth Doctor Tom Baker discusses his return to television and audio Doctor Who
• Eighth Doctor Paul McGann reveals what he thinks about Capaldi’s Doctor
• Orchestrator and conductor Ben Foster previews the 2015 Symphonic Spectacular
• Inside the new ‘making of’ show, Doctor Who Extra
• Behind the scenes at the new Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff
• Interviews with some of the key players behind recent books, soundtracks, audio dramas, DVDs, Blu-rays and action figures
• Highlights from the year’s newspaper and magazine reviews of Doctor Who
• A round up of Doctor Who’s awards and honours from the last 12 months
• Detailed tributes to the Doctor Who luminaries who passed away in 2014..., and much more!

Also included in the “much more” is an interview with me!

I was approached by Simon Guerrier, who as well as writing for Doctor Who Magazine has written adventures for Big Finish. We met in London a few weeks ago where we chatted about my work and some background information about how I do what I do.

We talked about a number of my projects, and the article is accompanied by a nice feature picture of me in my Tom Baker Frock Coat!

I provided a number of images for use with the article, including getting permission from Louise Page to share the picture of her with the Ultimate Tennant Suit.

I was hoping for maybe a half page, but in the end it turned out as a full page - which is awesome!

The magazine is available at
WH Smiths from
Thursday 18th December 2014

Tomorrow’s World: The Unearthly History of Science Fiction

Last night saw the final episode of the BBC2 documentary series Tomorrow’s World: The Unearthly History of Science Fiction.

Presented by Dominic Sandbrook, episode four was all about time travel, and naturally encompassed Doctor Who.

Interviewed were lead writer Steven Moffat, actors David Tennant and Karen Gillan as well as Neil Gaiman who talked in gerbil terms about sic-fi rather than specifically about Doctor Who.

The Doctor Who section of the programme was linked with Dominic walking around the Experience in Cardiff.

The thing that really caught my eye though was seeing the Tom Baker coat from the classic series Doctor costumes display.

This is a coat I made for the exhibition, and it was on display during 2012 and 2013.

The BBC website for the series can be found here

Tomorrow's Worlds: The Unearthly History of Science Fiction

Episode four about time travel can be found here, with the Doctor Who section from 5:20 into the programme

BBC iPlayer - Tomorrow's Worlds:
The Unearthly History of Science Fiction
Episode 4 - Time

Sarah Jane’s Oliver Owl soft toy on eBay

If you’re on the look out for your own Sarah Jane owl toy, you’d do well to have a look on eBay.

These owls crop up from time to time and sell for around £50 to £100 a time, though you need to watch out for the size of the owl as several heights were made.

If you find their price tag a bit rich for your pocket, you could always have a go at making your own, and these listings come with some great detail pictures to work from.

12 inch tall Oliver Owl
1970s Alresford Crafts soft toy

SOLD FOR £99

For sale vintage 1970's Oliver Owl plush toy made by Alresford Crafts Ltd. Measures approx 12".

Rare and delightful in his own right he is the same as the one featured at the end of the 'Hand of Fear' Dr Who story when Sarah Jane leaves the Doctor.

He also reappeared in 'The Sarah Jane Adventures', also this make of owl featured in 'ET'. Is in very good vintage condition.