The Brittas Empire reunion on 2nd October was great fun. As well as creators Richard and Andrew, the entire cast was present and after cutting the ribbon to launch the rebranded Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre, we went off for a meal. There we caught up on two decades of each other’s lives before, inevitably, our thoughts turned to the future of Brittas. Significantly it was clear that everyone was excited about the possibility at least of a Brittas return. All I can say at this stage is that Richard Fegan is working hard on achieving this and, hopefully, sometime in the not too distant, I will have some further news…Meanwhile, RDXII is transmitting and, given that we recorded it over eighteen months ago, I am watching keenly as I cannot entirely recall the content!

During the summer, I was asked by Major General Peter Gilchrist CB, Chairman of Trustees at the Tank Museum to be an Ambassador for the Museum. Of course I accepted without hesitation. I spent some excellent days filming there for the ‘Massive’ and ‘Britain’s Greatest Machines’ series, unbelievably, some 10 years ago now and I very much look forward to promoting the Museum hence forward…

I have attended some fantastic Conventions this year and although I haven’t been able to attend all the shows I would have liked to, I have certainly clocked up the miles. The events listed below are confirmed. Others will be added as and when – hopefully at least one month in advance.

15th October – Stoke Con Trent
27/28/29th October – MCM London
18th/19th November – MCM Birmingham
25th/26th November – Reading Comic Con

As usual I must apologise for not responding to emails. Thank you so much to all of you who have taken the time to write to me with such positive sentiments. Suffice to say I am most grateful for your kind comments about RDXI and previous shows and I shall endeavour to keep you informed of any news.

I have also received emails requesting my involvement in podcasts but frankly, I am not overly keen to participate. I need to clarify that I do not have Twitter or Facebook accounts, so if you do see or hear of a Chris Barrie on either of the two, it definitely isn’t me. As I have said above, I struggle to keep up with the webmail, without wanting to further disappoint anyone on social media.

My chosen charity for 2017 (and hopefully beyond) is SSAFA (The Soldiers’ Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association). SSAFA has been serving the armed forces community for more then 130 years, making it the oldest national tri service charity. Every year SSAFA staff and a team of volunteers help over 60,000 people whether they be WWII veterans or young men and women who have returned from Afghanistan. I recall my father being involved with SSAFA in the 70′s and early 80′s, so when it came to finding a charity to support, the choice was straightforward.

Best Wishes
Chris Barrie