Some of my photos from the second UFO event that took place between 29th to 31st May, 2026.
This proved to be an even better event than the last, with good weather for the location tour , the lovely Ayshea Brough, who played SHADO Operative Ayshea Johnson making a return visit, along with quite few more guests who’d appeared in the series.
The guests line up against the SHADO Jeep, restored to perfection by James Winch. Guests from left to right; Tessa Wyatt, Gary Raymond, Georgina Moon, Penny Spencer, Ayshea Brough and Alan Shubrook.
Suzanne Neve made a special appearance during the location tour at the point where newly married Ed and Mary Straker stopped the car so Ed could change out of uniform before heading for their honeymoon hotel.
This is apparently the opening into the field. The original 5-bar gate that Ed attempted to jump over and thought better of it is long gone, but in the sunshine it did make a rather nice picturesque photo.
Suzanne poses with some of the organisers: from left to right, Glen Hobster, Gary Whittaker, Philip Hawkins and the main man & event organiser, Andrew J Staton.
As there was a fair number of attendees who would be crossing busy roads during the location tour it was suggested by Richard Thorpe that one or two of us should wear vis-jackets, similar to those at the excellent SHADO Con events.
This proved to be a good idea, especially during the visit to Shenley Way, just outside Elstree Studios when even an unmarked police car kindly stopped the traffic for us to allow the 60 or so attendees to cross the road.
I was roped in to be one of the road marshalls, and glad to do so. Here we are taking our responsibilites very seriously, with Andrew Staton looking over his crew, From left to right; Roman Krause, Richard Thorpe, myself and Michael Kevin Vincent.
I tried to get photos of most of what was going on . The proccedings started on Friday evening with a pre-recorded talk on special effects by Alan Shubrook, a popular and informative guest. Nothing is too much trouble for the former Century 21 man.
This is Alan, with his charming wife, Bridget during the talk. Alan went on to answer questions and later sign copies of his updated Special event edition souvenir brouchure.
The lighting wasn’t ideal for photos during Alan’s Q & A session, however this was sorted for later guest talks.
The location tour took place the following day with the two coaches leaving the CIM Business Centre just after nine.
The first locatiion was the top of the car park seen in the episode, Confetti Check A-OK. In actuality Church Car Park, Exchange Road, Watford, WD18 0PL
The second location was the hotel that Ed & Mary Straker spent their soon to be interupted honymoon.
The next location is Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow which was seen very briefly under contruction in the episode, Confetti Check A-OK.
The next location appears in the episodes, Survival and The Responsibility Seat. Windermere Hall, Stone Grove, Edgware.
The next location is in Aldenham Road, Letchmore Heath, WD25. It’s simply a wall seen as a background in several UFO episodes .
The next stop was behind Elstree Studios, and apparently features a piece of mosiac wall art at the base of this tower block which is seen fleetingly as the location of Nina Barry’s apartment. I can’t say whether I’m sure both the the mosiac or the tower block was in the episode in this case but it was certainly an interesting location which is actually Canterbury house, Borehamwood. (This location was also used in Stanley Kubrick’s, ‘A Clockwork Orange)
Here’s a group shot I took of the attendees. At the back is Elstree Studios, and what would have been Neptune House which since it’s demolition is currently a building site.
Following that the coaches took us and parked up in Tesco car park next to the main Elstree Studios.
We all crossed the busy Shenley Way road and headed towards the gate house in Eldon Avenue, and the former entrance to BBC Elstree Studios and prior to that, ATV.
The imposing gates with the large ‘no photograpy’ sign, a piledriver clearly seen erected in the contruction site that was once filming locations for many memourable ITC series. Rather sad really!
The penultimate location was the aforementioned Confetti Check A-OK gap in the hedge which is situated at Kitts End Road, Potters Bar,, Barnet EN5 4RL Suzanne Neve aka Mary Straker was waiting to meet fans and have selfies taken. I have say she’s a a lovely lady and very patient. Philip kept her shaded as the Sun was fierce and this was going to make for a great memory for everyone.
Following Suzanne’s appearance the final location was a tad underwhelming. This section of road, Nine Acre Lane, Hatfield is seen very briefly in Confetti Check A-OK taking Mary Straker in an Ambulance following her fall.
And so ended the location tour and it’s back to the CIM Business Centre and the seventies disco !
Before the disco, there was an interview with Ayshea Brough who played SHADO operative Ayshea Johnson throughout the series.
Then it was back to the seventies! There was a seventies ‘Ordeal ‘disco. To be honest not for me, but plenty of attendees were happy to play along to the swinging sounds!
Derek Eaton ready for SHADO dancing?
Gary Whitaker – Jason King on orange alert!
Glen Hobster certainly knows the way to San Francisco but missing the flowers in his hair!
Later that night there was a zoom call with Keith Alexander, who helped host an auction.
Here’s Keith with his Sam Loover puppet, presented to him at the last event by Vaughan Herriott.
The auction raised a few bob for the charity. This silver belt buckle signed by Gabrielle Drake, and this photo signed by George Sewell did very well. Keith donated a pair of ‘screen used socks’ worn by him in the UFO series which raised £100.
Moving on to the next day, and as with the best laid plans timings did get a little altered, but nothing Andrew Staton and the other organisers couldn’t solve. Guest Penny Spencer missed her train and was a little late. The SHADO Jeep ride times were moved forward, and… well, I reckon everyone was still having a good time!
I spent a lot of time in the model room, chatting to the talented modellers who brought along some fine examples.
The model display contributors from left to right: James Winch, Sanjay Rampal, Mamas & Linda Pitsillis, Pete Hutton & Steve Bullen.
Below is Laurie Harrison, who build this model of the MGM Admin building at Borehamwood.
Alan Shubrook did a tour of the model room, much to the delight of the modellers.
Some photos of the models. (I’ll be adding to this over time)
A piece of original SHADO space suit. You can just make out it’s signed by Esd Bishop.
Some photos of the guests:
Georgina Moon who played Skydiver crew member, Sylvia Howell.
Tessa Wyatt who appeared as Catherine in the episode, ‘The Long Sleep.
Some photos of the SHADO Jeep rides. Thanks go to Jim Winch, restorer and owner of the Jeep.
Finally some photos of the organisors, and some of the operatives who helped out and made the whole thing work out fine.
The biggest thanks must go to Andrew Staton, the main man behind it all – ‘He’s quite a guy!’
Here’s to the next oone!