MARVELOUS MARCH – Mark your calendars!

by Fran Martin

March 6:  The Stormy Petrels will gather at Hampton Place (UBC) for their next regular meeting at 7:00.  We will be discussing the second half of “The Sign of the Four”

March 17:  The Stormy Petrels will celebrate the ”Master’s Dinner” at the Bessborough Armories. 6:00 (for 7:00) Victorian dress is encouraged.  Please notify Fran as soon as possible if you would like to offer a toast.  Please remit payment ($45 each) to Elsa as soon as possible.  Please make cheques  payable to The Stormy Petrels of BC.

March 24:  Thanks to Mr. Swanick (special collections) at SFU Library, there will be a reception in honour of the opening of the new Arthur Conan Doyle/Sherlock Holmes collection.  2:00 – 4:00 in the WAC Bennett Library (7th floor) All Stormy Petrels and guests are invited.  I am pleased to announce that this event will be covered by Vancouver’s top blogger, social media expert and author  Miss604 (Rebecca Bollwitt).

To reserve your seat, please call 778-782-6704 or e-mail library@sfu.ca prior to March 16th

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Fran.

“Antoine Feval”

by Fran Martin

Coming to the Surrey Arts Centre, Feb. 17th.
“One man. One mystery. No clue”.
A one-man play which I was fortunate enough to see in Toronto at the ACD@35 conference.
“Set in Victorian London, this solo comedy introduces us to Barnaby, a dim-witted optimist and Sherlock Holmes fan, who becomes the Dr. Watson-like sidekick….brilliantly written and performed by Chris Gibbs, who tells a hillarious story full of twists, turns and gadzooks moments.”

Order tickets online or by phone (604-501-5566)
Located at King George Blvd/88th Avenue, Surrey.

I have my ticket and hope to see you there!

Your Consulting Detective

BelieveinSherlock

by Rebecca Bollwitt

As a response to “The Reichenbach Fall”, the third and final episode of the second series of BBC’s Sherlock, people around the world have taken to the streets, and the internet, to show their support for the great detective.

A Believe in Sherlock blog has sprouted up and has been publishing photos people have taken of street signs, graffiti, and posters.


Photo credit: zeropuntosedici on Flickr


Photo credit: zeropuntosedici on Flickr


Photo credit: zeropuntosedici on Flickr

#BelieveinSherlock is a tag used by those on Twitter and bloggers are uniting in support of John Watson who lost his dear friend, Sherlock.

Such support could be seen as a throwback to the days of Arthur Conan Doyle. Upon publishing “The Final Problem”, where Holmes and Moriarty plunge over Switzerland’s Reichenbach Falls, there was a massive public outcry of disbelief.

Update Upon further inspection of online channels I have discovered the source of the uprising, thanks to Daily Dot:

“Let’s scribble in bathroom stalls, back of bus seats, lamp posts. I won’t tell anyone to do anything illegal, but graffiti like in the pictures would be amazing. Paint on t-shirts, make buttons, go to the beach and write in the sand. Take photos of what you’ve done, put on twitter or tumblr and tag it! … Using digital media and spray paint is relevant to this chapter of the fandom. Why repeat what the original fandom did, when we can do something that is unique to us?” – Posted by Earl Foolish

There is also a Google Map of “Believe in Sherlock” sightings around the globe.


View Larger Map

~ This post was published by Rebecca Bollwitt who has been an honorary member of The Stormy Petrels since 1991.

FEBRUARY 2012 MEETING

by Fran Martin

“My mind,” he said, “rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere… I abhor the dull routine of existance. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession, or rather created it, for I am the only one in the world…. The only unofficial consulting detective.”

The Stormy Petrels of BC are back to discuss “The Sign of Four” (or, The Sign of the Four”.

This adventure, as Steve Clarkson puts it, “has something for everyone: exotic locales, fierce Sikh warriors, a cannibal shooting poison darts, a bearded one-legged villain, a fabulous treasure, secret hiding places, revenge, war, violent death, betrayal, and romance.”

If any or all of the above appeal to you, come to our meeting, if not, come all the same.

The date: Tuesday, Feb. 7. The time: 7:00 pm Location: Chez Wood.

For more information, please contact me, Fran, your Consulting Detective”

Welcome, Sherlockians, to 2012!

by Fran Martin

2012 is starting to look like an exciting year.

We have the BBC series to look forward to;

Sherlock Holmes – “A Game of Shadows” is still going strong at the movie threatre; (my review of the film will appear in the next issue of The Petrel Flyer)

A very amusing “Antoine Feval” will appear at the Surrey Arts Cente in February; (I had the opportunity to see this one-man mystery in Toronto and I really do recommend it)

The Petrels’ gala “Master’s Dinner” is scheduled for March; and

preparations are under way for the Stormy Petrels of B.C. 25th Anniversary!

We are inviting Sherlockians from far and near to help us celebrate this milestone.

We will, first of all, begin the year with our annual Sherlock Holmes brunch, in honour of the Great Detective’s birthday, at the White Spot (corner of West Georgia and Cardero) on January 7th.

For more information on these events and general questions, please contact Fran at the Stormy Petrel g-mail address. I would love to hear from you!

An Ending and A Beginning

by Fran Martin

Sixteen Stormy Petrels enjoyed a very festive evening at the home of Orilea (aka “Gloria Scott”) and her always-charming husband.

The Petrel tree was adorned, once more, with a variety of Sherlockian ornaments (supervised by Elsa)

Tables were laden with various delicious appetizers and beverages to every one’s delight.

Throughout, one could spy Sherlockian and Doylean books. A portrait of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle graced the wall opposite the fireplace, where a crackling fire welcomed all who entered the room.

This was a perfect ending to a very busy and successful Petrel year.

The new year will begin with our annual tribute to Sherlock Holmes in the way of a luncheon in honour of his birthday.

Please join us at the White Spot (near Stanley Park) at 11:00 on January 7, 2012.

If you want to get a start on the next case for discussion, please read “The Sign of Four”.

The next regular meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7:00 pm chez Wood.

If you require additional information, please contact me, Your Consulting Detective (aka Fran the Hoffmann Barcarolle.

DECEMBER MEETING 2011

by Fran Martin

The next gathering of the Stormy Petrels of BC will take place at the lovely North Vancouver home of our own “Gloria Scott” at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 6th.

There will be no case for discussion and members are encouraged to bring a guest (and an appetizer to share)

Our Petrel tree will make an appearance adorned with items (ornaments and such) reflecting some of the cases from the Canon.

My aim is to eventually have all 60 adventures represented.

Decorating the branches to date we have:

Five orange pips
A bicycle
A photo of the Queen
A Christmas goose
A speckled band
A tie-pin, emeraled green.

A coronet
Some dancing men
The devil’s hound – it’s true!
A fat cockroach
An old clay pipe
A carbuncle or two.

A deep-red cardinal Tosca
A magnifying glass
A mazarine stone and mogul
Pince-nez, gold, not brass.

A violin, a man’s lost thumb
A big fat honey bee
A silhousette and deerstalk’ cap
Atop our Petrel tree.
(F.Martin – 1999)

There are at least a dozen stories represented here. Can you name them? The person who can name the most at the December jollification shall be rewarded with a lovely prize.

Please join us. If you need more info or directions, please contact your “Consulting Detective” (Fran) or “Gloria Scott” (Orilea)

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRIORY SCHOOLMASTER

by Fran Martin

We are on our last study session of STUD. Next on our list of cannonical contemplations will be SIGN.

We will be breaking the story up into two sessions. The first will be chapters 1 – 7. I will be giving you all a lession plan at the next meeting (Nov. 1 at Hampton Place).

Len has done a terrific job of presenting his favourite story, STUD. Having the lectures reproduced in the Petrel Flyer has given us the added advantage of being able to refer back to his lectures as we read the story.

I would like each of you to let me know what stories you would enjoy presenting so that I do not prepare them as well. SPEC is already spoken for.

Thank you,
Orilea M. “Gloria Scott”

On a side note: the correct link to the petition to award Jeremy Brett a posthumous BAFTA is: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jbbafta3

only until October 31st.
Thanks, Monique

November Meeting

by Fran Martin

The next regular meeting of the Stormy Petrels of BC will take place on November 1st at 7:00 pm at Hampton Place. Please contact your Consulting Detective for exact address details.

We will continue with our study of part three of “A Study in Scarlet”

Thank you to Gloria Scott for hosting our previous two meetings.

Have you ordered your copy of “The Narrative of John Smith”? This novel is Arthur Conan Doyle’s lost first novel and has just been published for the first time.

There are many new Sherlock Holmes pastiches available. You can check out the list at Classic Specialties”

A new book titled “Mr. S” (suitable for all ages) is also available. You can check out Daniel Adams website at: www.ashotrangout.com

Henry Zecher, who will be attending the Gillette to Brett conference, has received excellent reviews for his book “William Gillette, America’s Sherlock Holmes”

There is still time to sign a petition to award Jeremy Brett a posthumous BAFTA at http://www.petitions.com/petitions/bbafta3

OCTOBER MEETING

by Fran Martin

Our studies will continue with the continuation of A Study in Scarlet Part II, “The Country of Saints” at 7:00 pm, again at the home of our own “Gloria Scott”.

As we no longer have a “Mrs. Hudson”, all members attending are encouraged to bring a snack to share and enjoy during intermission.

If you would like more information, your “Consulting Detective” will be more than happy to communicate with you.