Doctor Who’s Brief Encounter!

By John Freeman on August 7, 2008

Colin Baker, who played the Sixth Doctor Who in the 1980s, is visiting Carnforth, Lancashire for a special bank holiday event.

Colin will meet and greet fans of the series at Carnforth Station‘s Doctor Who-themed shop ‘The Tardis’ on Monday, 25th August. The station is of course famous for being the location for filming of many scenes in the classic film Brief Encounter in 1945 and its engine sheds house the steam train used in the Harry Potter films (which is rarely on view to the public).

‘A Brief Encounter with Doctor Who’ is being held to coincide with the release of the DVD The Trial of a Time Lord, the Sixth Doctor’s final TV story.

Colin Baker first appeared in the Peter Davison Doctor Who Story Arc of Infinity as Commander Maxil before going on to become the Sixth Doctor, his time in the role marred by the BBC’s much-criticised treatment of the show and the actor.

He has since gone on to reprise his role as the Sixth Doctor in audio adventures for Big Finish, and also wrote a comic strip, The Age of Chaos, featuring his character.

Baker has been writing a regular column for his local newspaper, the Bucks Free Press since 1995.

The Carnforth event, which includes a Question and Answer session with Colin Baker and many other Doctor Who-themed activities, runs from 10.30am until around 3.00pm.

Ticket prices cost adults £8, children under 16 £4 (advance) and adults £10, children under 16 £5 (on the day). Under fives go free, children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

The ticket price includes access to special area events and signings and who knows? You might even get to see a Dalek!

• For more details please call The Tardis(!) at Carnforth Railway Station on 01524 736655. The Tardis is at Unit 1 Carnforth Station, Warton Road – Carnforth, Lancashire LA5 9TR

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.