25th May 2026

Hello Everyone,

I enjoyed being back in Llangollen for Wales Comic-Con and the cream on the cake was a ride on a train on the Llangollen Railway. The scenery of course is stunning in this part of the world and rolling along in beautiful Mark 1 coaches with Heavy Freight Loco 3802 in charge was utter bliss for a railway enthusiast like me. I also visited the footplate and shovelled some coal onto the fire – an excellent start to the day! Riding in the Mark 1 coaches once again confirmed for me that train accommodation has taken several regressive steps in recent decades. Modern trains with their cramped, plasticky coaches with sealed windows and alleged aircon simply don’t compare in terms of passenger comfort. Give me a Mark 1 (or earlier!) any day!

The 2026 schedule continues and listed below are the confirmed events so far…

UK GAMES EXPO May 30th and 31st Hilton Birmingham Metropole NEC

HASTINGS COMIC-CON June 20th and 21st White Rock Theatre

BASILDON COMIC-CON June 27th Basildon Sporting Village

WADEBRIDGE COMIC-CON July 4th Royal Cornwall Event Centre

THE OFFICIAL RED DWARF CONVENTION July 18th and 19th The Level, Nottingham

TORQUAY Comic-Con 2nd August Riviera International Centre

TUNBRIDGE WELLS August 9th Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre

BATH COMIC-CON 19th September Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet

EPIC COMIC-CON GLASGOW 26th and 27th September SEC, Glasgow

MILTON KEYNES COMIC-CON 18th October

SOUTHEND COMIC-CON 1st November Southend Tennis and Leisure Centre

ASHFORD COMIC-CON 22nd November

During 2022 I became an Ambassador for Nature’s Haven whose mission is to enable the community to access and learn about the therapeutic and health benefits of gardening and nature and I would like to extend my thanks to all of you who have donated to this forward thinking, Not-For-Profit organisation. For more information please go to www.natureshaven.net or Instagram natures.haven.garden

I will continue to support small local charities directly, including those which support veterans and ex-servicemen and women. I believe that the treatment by the State of those who have been prepared to pay the ultimate price has been nothing short of shocking.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Best Wishes

Chris Barrie