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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