An EastEnders Costume Party
By Melanie Campbell-Saunders
CONCORD, NC—The Charlotte EastEnders Fan Club, the Queen City Vickers,
held its first fancy dress meeting on 9 September 2006. This
star-studded event was aptly named the Queen City Vickers First Vic
Awards!
The idea for the event came up after our first meeting in
November 2004. Members of the newly formed Charlotte EastEnders Fan
Club and our sister club, the Western North Carolina EastEnders Fan
Club, met for drinks in an after-party celebration. Bursting with the
excitement of our first event, club members envisioned dressing up as
their favourite characters. Feedback suggestions from club members in
following meetings had also requested the event. We had no idea just
how strongly our members felt about their favourites until they
entered the George Washington Bookstore and Tavern, in Concord, North
Carolina.
One by one, members of the Queen City Vickers arrived as if they
stepped right out of Albert Square. Rachel B. entered as Little Mo,
looking as if she was ready to clean up the pub after a busy previous
night. On her back was a sign that read "Kick Me." We all had a
chuckle. Who wouldn't want to kick Little Mo for staying with her
husband, Trevor? Shonni D., who was dressed as Pauline Fowler, should
have straightened her out!
Finishing up with preparations for the event, suddenly Dot walked
in the door! Dorothy P. had her daughter help her with her hair, just
for the event. The effort was well worth it, as Dorothy came complete
with spit curls and cigarette poised and ready. To make the look
complete, we offered her our very own Dot Cotton purse from
EastEnders. Suddenly, Dorothy was true to her name…. DOT!
Other much-loved characters arrived: Barry, Sharon, Nigel,
Charlie, Bianca and Melanie. When Pat arrived, everyone in the room
knew it. She walked in greeting all her friends as if she had just
returned from a trip. Maybe visiting her son, David Wicks? It was hard
to tell that Pat was actually our latest new member, Mae S. She fit
right in! Just as you thought it couldn't get any better, we waited in
anticipation as Jennifer A. prepared for her grand entrance. It was
definitely a drum roll moment as she appeared as the Queen Victoria
Bust. We all roared with laughter! The event would not have been
complete without her. Posing for pictures, Nigel and Dot placed their
beers on the bar next to the bust of Queen Victoria. It's one of those
you-had-to-be-there moments, but this time, we actually have pictures
to show it!
It was a sight to see, members dressed up as their much-loved
characters of EastEnders. All were standing around talking as if it
was something natural that happens every day. After a period of
serious gossip about the Square, the Queen City Vickers enjoyed a
viewing of The Jacksons Revealed and a pub quiz, provided by Nigel
(Mel S. better half of this writer). There was an exciting tie-breaker
between Mike Allen and Bianca (Linda Fineman). The winner, Linda,
received goodies from the U.K. and a 1985 EastEnders Bag. It should be
said that seeing the bust of Queen Victoria working on a pub quiz will
definitely make you wonder if you have had too many pints….
Prior to the pub quiz, ballots were gathered from each Queen City
Vicker for nominations of the Vic Awards. The Vic award, also named
the 'Vicky', was a miniature pub sign of the Queen Vic Pub. Founding
member of the Charlotte EastEnders Fan Club Melanie Campbell-Saunders
announced the winners dressed as Sharon Watts. Each winner was
presented with a 'Vicky' and an EastEnders memorabilia prize.
Best Dressed Female Character – Dorothy P. as Dot Cotton
Queen Victoria Teapot (Annie R.
Best Dressed Male Character – Gregg S. as Barry Evans – EastEnders The
Game by the BBC
Best Matched Personality of a Character – Mae S. as Pat Harris Beale
Butcher Evans
Queen Victoria Jug (Annie R.)
Best Cross Dresser – Jennifer A.as the Queen Victoria Bust –
EastEnders Double Sided Jigsaw Puzzle by Falcon
A special award was presented to Alice H. of the George
Washington Bookstore and Tavern as Best Pub Landlady. She received a
'Vicky', a teacup and an assortment of teas from England.
With the last 'Vicky' presented, the meeting drew to a close, and the
members of the Queen City Vickers walked out onto the streets of
Concord, North Carolina. The heads of the townspeople turned as the
characters of EastEnders walked to their cars. It was a very memorable
event, one we will never forget and hope to do again.
The Charlotte EastEnders Fan Club meets quarterly at the George
Washington Bookstore and Tavern, in Concord, North Carolina, just
outside of Charlotte. We adopted the name the Queen City Vickers, as
Charlotte is known as the Queen City. Attendees meet and discuss the
latest episodes on UNC-TV, as well as current episodes showing in the
U.K. Displayed at every meeting is our growing collection of EE
memorabilia. Thanks to eBay, this collection is pretty impressive.
Club members arrive early to check out our lending library of books,
magazines, cassettes, CDs and DVDs.
Cast photos are also a part of our EE novelties. We try to expand
our collection for each meeting with BBC photos as well as candid
shots. In 2005, Bill Treacher (Arthur) replied to a birthday card we
had sent him. He sent a lovely letter and autographed cast card
dedicated to our club.
The Queen City Vickers is a fun and active group. At each
meeting, we especially enjoy watching EastEnders specials or classic
episodes. Mel Saunders, our resident expat, is very creative with his
special brain-teasers and pub quizzes. Our club has over 40 active
members with fans travelling from Shelby to Greenboro, North Carolina.
Our mailing list includes members from Georgia to Virginia. New
members are always welcome, so check out our site at
http://www.clteastenders.com
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