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{{article | publication = Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette | file = 1999-03-24 Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette.jpg | px = 450 | height = | width = | date = 1999-03-24 | author = Paul Edwards | pages = 26 | language = English | type = | description = | categories = conventions | moreTitles = | morePublications = | moreDates = | text = Doctor Who fan stages convention on Sunday DALEKS, cybermen and long scarfs are all fondly recalled whenever the popular TV series Dr Who Is mentioned. Reporter PAUL EDWARDS talked to Frank Cronogue, who has taken that nostalgia a step further by arranging a Dr Who convention in Ruislip on Sunday. DR WHO fan Frank Cronogue admits he is fanatical about the popular science fiction programme, but rejects the anorak tag as unfair. He set up the Down To Earth promotion company last year to organise gatherings and the first Dr Who convention, complete with actors and Daleks, was held in Ruislip last March. Only 20 people turned up, but Frank hopes this year's event, at Ruislip Golf Club, Ickenham Road, will attract at least 100 people. Frank, 28, of Pinner Road, Notthwood, said: "There is no harm in having an interest like football - but for some reason sci-fi seems to be a bit more taboo. "Why should Dr Who fans be different? It's just having a bit of fun. "It's pure escapism. We're all fantasists, we all need something to escape into. "I think there are enough people interested who will come to the convention. "Hopefully, it will be a really fun day." Frank's favourite of the eight people who played the doctors is Tom Baker because he grew up watching. The convention will feature actors who appeared on Dr Who talking about the show, and there will be videos, a question and answer session, autograph-signing, and a quiz. Guests will include Wendy Padbury, who played Patrick Troughton's assistant, Zoe, Sophie Aldred, who plays Sylvester McCoy's assistant, Ace, and Nicola Bryant, who played Peri, the companion to Peter Davidson and Colin Baker. Other notable names will include Deborah Watling, who was Patrick Troughton's companion Victoria, and the actor Michael Sheard, who played various roles in Dr Who, but is probably best known as the evil teacher, Mr Bronson. in the popular TV series, Grange Hill. Frank, who works in marketing, said there seemed to be a resurgence of fascination in Dr Who, although the interest had never dwindled among the true fans. He said: "An old first episode turned up at a collectors' fair in New Zealand recently. "It's being cleaned up by the BBC which plans to release it on video. "It's good news, but there are still 109 episodes missing from the 1960s. "Dr Who is a passion for me - but I don't tend to go on about it!" Tickets for the convention, open from 10am-5pm, are £20 for adults and £13 for children. They are on sale at the door. Caption: PREPARING FOR INVASION: Frank Cronogue, is holding a Doctor Who convention at Ruislip Golf Centre on Sunday. Caption: Doctor Who fan stages convention on Sunday Spelling correction: Peter Davison }}

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