THE PETER WYNGARDE OFFICIAL FAN CLUB

The Official Peter Wyngarde Fan Club – 1954 to 1985

Peter had an Official Fan Club from as early as 1954. That first incarnation was run by Carole Glaiser from her home in Rhyl, North Wales. By 1960, the Club had been taken over by Marion Porter, of Bexleyheath, Kent. She would latterly hand over the reins to Jeanne Moss in 1969.

Above: An original badge and sticker

In 1970, Shirley Wicks and Sue Dancy took the helm of the Fan Club. Below is the content of a typical ‘Newsletter’ dating from 1972. Shirley and Sue would run the Club until 1978.

THE OFFICIAL PETER WYNGARDE FAN CLUB. 121, CULVERS WAY, CARSHALTON, SURREY. TELEPHONE: 01-699 1277 Hello fans. Here we are again with our first newsletter of the New Year. Firstly, may we thank you all for the lovely Christmas cards that you sent us. And of course Peter would like to thank you for all his presents and cards. He would especially like to thank Miss Gay Archer, one of our members in New Zealand for the lovely smoking jacket that she sent.  Sue has now had a telephone installed, so any of you who would like to phone and ask questions, or in fact if you just want to chat, please ring the following number. 01-669. 1277. any time after 6:00 PM.  RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP The club has now been running for a year, so the people who joined in the first place are now due to renew the membership (if they want to, of course). The new membership fee is 11. -s.0d. (55 new pence). This will cover the new postage rates. Also, if you have sent in 10 shillings for renewal, could you please send the balance in stamps or a postal order if you prefer? Membership numbers due for renewal are 1 – 124.  FAN CLUB CONVENTION As most of you know, we held our first fan club convention on the 7th of August at the Kensington Close Hotel. It was a great success. Peter arrived at the hotel at 8:30 PM (late as usual), accompanied by his faithful friend, Yussef, (his Afghan Hound). Peter strolled into the Sun Lounge, wearing a grey pin-stripe suit with an apricot shirt and, would you believe it – white boots. A few screams came from his left, but apart from this everybody stayed in their seats and kept calm. When asked what would you like to drink, he replied, “A double rum and coke please”. This put the waiter in a bit of a fluster as he had not got a glass big enough, so he sent for one pronto.  Peter walked around and chatted with everyone, cracking little witticisms here and there and signing photographs. Later in the evening, Peter awarded prizes to the winners of the raffle and quiz. He thoroughly enjoyed himself the whole evening and once another convention in near future, but with dancing this time. Peter left the hotel around 10:45 PM to meet some people for dinner. But we all had 2 1/2 hours of heaven.  Peter has been inundated with letters since the convention because, as s Peter puts it, “Secret agent Yussef was flashing his address on his thick head”. In other words, Peter left his name and address on Yussef’s collar (as many of you know). Peter is passed on ALL of the mail as he cannot possibly read and answer them all. Therefore, would those of you who have Peter’s address please send all letters to the fan club, and if we think he should answer any of them, we will pass them on to him in the correct manner.  Several of you were taking photographs at the Convention. As we didn’t, we would be very pleased if some of you would write in and let us know if we can buy some snaps off you, or perhaps borrow the negatives. If you have any photographs with either of us in, we would definitely love to hear from you.  THE AWARD FOR THE BEST DRESSED PERSONALITY OF 1970 Peter was presented with the above award in Carnaby Street, at John Stevens on the 15th of August 1970, and we are sure that you all agree he deserved it. There were many other stars there, including Barry Gibb, Ray Morgan, Arthur Wild. Alan Whitehead and also the pop group, Edison Lighthouse, though mind you, OUR Peter stood out way above all these. The award was a silver statuette of Beau Brummell worth £500.   JASON KING Peter is still busy at Borehamwood Studios filming the new Jason King series. About half the filming has been done now but, as yet, the TV company have not got a release date. They had intended screening to be in February sometime, but now they think it will be in the Autumn Season. But don’t worry, he’s definitely coming back. Most of Peter’s time is taken up with filming, so apart from that he’s not doing much else. But further down the page you will see that one of his Saturday evenings will be occupied in a near future.  COMPETITION As we have not had that many entries for our competition, we are going to keep it open for another month. The competition is to design a poster or sticker that the Fan Club can use at a later date. Prizes are £1.00 vouchers that can be used for purchasing goods from the Fan Club. If your design is used, you will be sent a further £1.00.  THE WHITE DEVIL Because of a strike in Rome by the technicians, will now not be filmed. PEN PALS Pamela Y. Quick. Aged 18. 72, Beresford Road, North End, Portsmouth. PO2, 0BZ. Hants. Likes reading oil, painting and playing the piano. Wendy Biggs. Aged 11. 111. Manby Rd. Castle Vale, Birmingham 35, Warks. Likes reading, stamp collecting and drawing.  RAVE UP On the 27th of February we are hoping to older buffet and dance at the Pembridge Court Hotel. You will be able to rave it up with Peter as your partner, dancing to discotheque music, and lighting and eating as much as you like. The Pembridge Court Hotel is in Pembridge Gardens, which is the road running down besides Notting Hill Gate underground station. You can purchase as many tickets as you like, but if you want to go, please let us know by the 23rd of January as we have to arrange for catering. Money can be sent later, but we have to know the numbers then. Tickets are. 30s. -0d. each. We are, sorry the price is so high, but this is the cost of a London hotel.  SPECIAL OFFERS We have just bought some new Combs in cases they are printed with I LOVE PETER WYNGARDE OF DEPARTMENT S. The cost of these are only 1s. -3d each, plus a stamped addressed envelope.  We also have three new 10″x8″ black and white photos of Peter. The cost of these are 3s. -6d. for one. 3s. -9d. for two and all three for 9s. -6d. . plus a large enough stamped addressed envelope.  If you would like a price list which includes all the other items we sell which include stickers, books, pens, etc. Please write to us for one.  Well, that’s all for this month.  Bye for now.  All our best wishes.  Shirley and Sue.

Above: Poster given to fans in the Membership Pack

Below: A ticket for the Peter Wyngarde Fan Club Buffet and Dance at the Pembridge Court Hotel, 34, Pembridge Gardens, London – 27th February 1972.

Below: A Fan Club ‘Newsletter’ from August 1978. The Club was now being run by Jacky Chapman from South Harrow in Middlesex. Jacky kept the Club open until 1985 when it finally closed for good.

You may’ve noted how all of the Fan Club secretaries were perfectly comfortable to include their home addresses and telephone numbers on all of the forms and newsletters. It’s highly unlikely that ANYONE would dare to risk such a thing today!

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